More new pilots, more flying hours, and fewer accidents—that’s the positive picture EAA’s Tom Charpentier sees when he looks at the latest FAA numbers. He shares how to be an optimist about aviation, why the 1970s are not a fair comparison, and what issues could disrupt the current growth cycle. Tom is deeply involved in EAA’s regulatory work, and he explains the importance of FAA orders and what to expect from MOSAIC. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about his favorite part of AirVenture, flying the Cessna 170, and wilderness canoeing.

Tailwheel airplanes demand excellent situational awareness and sharp manual flying skills, two things that modern pilots often lack, according to taildragger expert Damian DelGaizo. The longtime flight school owner, who learned from an aviation legend, talks about the finer points of three-point landings, wheel landings, and Piper Cubs. He also explains why a touch pass is important for evaluating grass runways and why you might have to carry a garbage bag full of rocks when flying skiplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, Damian talks about dancing on the rudder pedals, how to fly with heel brakes, and teaching Harrison Ford to fly taildraggers.

The GA accident rate is getting better, but aviation safety researcher Douglas Boyd says there’s still plenty of work to do. He shares a fascinating array of statistics in this episode, pulled from the 300+ papers he has authored, including how many hours is enough to stay proficient, what really causes landing accidents, and the truth about older pilots’ safety record. In the Ready to Copy segment, Dr. Boyd talks about flying out of CG, whether engine TBO really matters, and the best places to visit in Scotland.

Too many pilots miss out on fun and rewarding flying experiences because they’re afraid of legal gray areas, according to aviation lawyer and flight instructor Mark Kolber. He shares the facts about cost sharing, ramp checks, and medical applications, with practical advice for staying out of trouble with the FAA. Mark is also a longtime CFI, so he also offers tips for learning to fly later in life and transitioning to new airplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about flying in Colorado, Carolina barbecue, and lawyer jokes.

Air traffic controllers and pilots are on the same team, they just have different perspectives. Marcus Miller, a center controller and the creator of the PropHatCat TikTok channel, explains those differences and much more in this fast-paced episode, including: when to fly a piston airplane into an airline airport, how to ask for help as a student pilot, and what he thinks of all the jokes on guard frequency. He also talks about pursuing ATC as a career, including the role of simulators and the benefits of musical theater training. In the Ready to Copy segment, Marcus shares the number one misconception about ATC, his favorite Broadway show, and tips for pulling off magic tricks.

Ed Galkin has flown his Cessna 210 around the world in both directions, and last year he flew a circle around the Atlantic Ocean at age 89. In his uniquely energetic way, he explains how much planning goes into each trip, how he stays focused in flight, and the best places he’s visited along the way. Ed also shares some tips for staying sharp as a pilot, even well into your 80s, including the value of an instrument rating. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn about managing your bladder on 14-hour flights, landing at Easter Island, and what Ed learned as an oral surgeon that helped in the cockpit.

From the Space Shuttle to F-15 fighter jets to his homebuilt VariEze, Charlie Precourt approaches every flight with the same discipline. In this episode he shares some of the lessons learned from his one-of-a-kind career, including the power of visualization, realistic personal minimums, and flight training that goes beyond checking the box. Charlie also shares some fascinating stories from his days at NASA, including landing the Space Shuttle and docking with the Mir space station. In the Ready to Copy segment, Charlie talks about underrated airplanes, flying with a test pilot’s mindset, and lessons learned from Russian pilots.

Pilots with 50-350 hours are involved in more fatal accidents than anyone else, according to research from flight instructor Paul Craig. In this safety-focused episode, he explains the numbers behind this “killing zone,” how to avoid its traps, and whether any accident trends have changed in the 25 years he’s been studying them. Paul also talks about scenario-based training (which he helped write the book on) and new flight instructors (who he teaches every day). In the Ready to Copy segment, Paul talks about VFR-into-IMC accidents, whether pilots are normal, and signing autographs in court.

Bruce Gordon learned to fly in Aspen over 40 years ago and has been flying in the Rockies ever since. He uses that experience to share tips for flying piston airplanes out West, name some of his favorite airports, and explain why the Cessna T210 is the perfect airplane for his missions. Bruce also talks about EcoFlight, the organization he founded that uses light airplanes to promote conservation, and how short flights can change people’s perspectives about the world. In the Ready to Copy segment, Bruce talks about flying with John Denver, lessons learned from mountain climbing, and the best soccer player of all time.

Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these reports, and reminds pilots how to submit one. JJ also talks about his career as an airline pilot, including the appeal of regional airlines and the importance of scheduling. In the Ready to Copy segment, JJ talks about flying turboprops, why staying in shape is critical for pilots, and how to be a Hollywood writer.