Sporty's PIREPs

If you’ve been training for a while and your CFI still hasn’t asked you to pull to the side of the ramp so he can endorse your logbook for that first solo, it’s natural to feel anxious and frustrated. Maybe you've logged 15 or 20 hours, and your friend already soloed. And that naturally has you thinking, "Why not me?"

Remember this: soloing is not a race. Every student learns at a different pace, and your instructor’s job is to make sure you're not just technically qualified to solo, but truly ready.

Brett Belingheri is the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship—an award he intends to apply toward completing his private pilot training as he navigates a career change to a professional pilot path. Belingheri grew up listening to stories of airplanes, told by his grandfather, who flew the B-24 Liberator in WWII. His interest in learning to fly was further inspired by his growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada, near Nellis Air Force Base, where he attended air shows.

In each Sentry Story, we’ll describe an actual flight and share the view out the window and ForeFlight screenshots. You’ll see how Sentry can be used to make flying safer and easier, plus you’ll learn some tips for flying with datalink weather. Want to share your story? Email ipad@sportys.com

Sporty’s Academy, the renowned flight school based at Clermont County Airport (I69) in Batavia, Ohio, has chosen the Flight Gear Pull-Down Tie-Down Kit as the preferred solution for securing its fleet of more than 20 training aircraft. From single-engine Cessnas to the twin-engine Piper Aztec, Sporty’s Academy aircraft endure a variety of weather conditions that require a reliable and easy-to-use tie-down system.

From the Lockheed Constellation to the Boeing 747 to competition gliders, Wally Moran’s flying career has covered an incredible variety of airplanes. He describes some key concepts that have stayed the same across all those airplanes, from using the rudder properly to managing technology, plus his personal connection to the TWA 800 tragedy and his advice for successful checkrides (he has given more than 2400). In the Ready to Copy segment, Wally shares what he looked for when hiring airline pilots, the best place to fly gliders, and his favorite aviation books.

Katia Van Horn, a full-time flight instructor from Missouri, is the winner of the 2025 Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. Her article, Cruising Through the Soaring Blues, was selected as the entry that best answered this year’s writing prompt: “My Most Memorable Flight.” Van Horn describes the triumphs and tribulations of her first soaring competition as her most memorable flight.

Maneuvering speed is considered to be the accelerated stall speed at the positive limit load factor (LLF) for the category of aircraft. Practically speaking, maneuvering speed (VA) provides a margin of safety. If the airplane is slower than VA, it cannot exceed the LLF without stalling so you can maneuver the airplane without the risk of exceeding its structural limit. Since VA is related to the stall speed, it will also decrease with a decrease in weight. 

For pilots, an aviation headset is more than just an accessory—it’s an essential tool for clear communication and in-flight comfort. The ideal headset should provide superior noise reduction, crystal-clear audio, and all-day comfort without breaking the bank. That’s exactly what the Kore Aviation KA-1 delivers.

Pilot’s Discretion has always been about more than just aviation; it is about connecting pilots, enthusiasts, and industry leaders with stories and insights that entertain, inspire, and educate. From day one, our mission has been to bring value to the aviation community through thought-provoking discussions and expert perspectives. We are proud to say that, thanks to your support, Pilot’s Discretion consistently ranks among the top 10 aviation podcasts.

In this special episode, we turn the tables on host John Zimmerman and put him in the guest chair to reflect on a Pilot’s Discretion milestone. Sporty’s Eric Radtke asks John about his favorite episodes, what he’s learned about the aviation community by talking to 99 pilots, and his predictions for the industry’s future. You’ll also learn about John’s background, including why he learned to fly in high school and why he thinks writing is so important. In the Ready to Copy segment, John talks about live music, baseball rule changes, and his favorite aviation book. Plus, we introduce our new show, Air Facts Podcast: The Story Behind the Story, where we talk to AirFactsJournal.com contributors to hear what inspired their articles and the lessons behind them.