84. Living the Cirrus Life, with Todd Simmons

Advanced avionics are changing GA airplanes, but all that technology is useless if you don’t know how to use it. Jessica Koss, Garmin’s chief flight instructor, shares her time-tested tips for avionics mastery in this episode, from understanding integrated panels to managing autopilots. She also talks about the latest Garmin technology, like Emergency Autoland and touchscreen panels in jets. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jessica describes what it’s like to land with auto-throttles, explains how to teach better ground schools, and shares her pick for the best barbecue in Kansas City. SHOW LINKS: Garmin Aviation Training: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/aviation/training/ Garmin ESP: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/understanding-garmin-electronic-stability-protection-esp/ Sporty’s 2025 Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learntofly

A critical shortage of A&Ps means airplane owners have no choice but to get involved in maintenance. Mechanic, pilot, and writer Jeff Simon explains how to get started, how to find the right shop, and what the impact could be from proposed FAA rules on remote maintenance. Jeff is also the founder of SocialFlight, so he shares his tips for keeping flying fun and involving family in the adventure—including his “no magenta line” trip. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jeff talks about why you should never jump start a dead battery, why the compass is no longer needed, and his lessons learned from building an airplane in his living room. Remote maintenance rules: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/october/17/faa-puts-disruptive-determination-on-hold Five rules of engine monitoring: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/november/07/aircraft-maintenance-the-five-pillars-of-engine-health-monitoring SocialFlight on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialFlight Sporty’s 2025 Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learntofly

The success of BasicMed proves the third class medical is obsolete—that’s according to senior AME Brent Blue. He covers a wide range of medical topics in this episode, including how to fill out the FAA medical application, what the latest rules are on mental health treatment, and whether new drugs like Ozempic are safe for pilots. Dr. Blue is also a leading advocate for pulse oximeters and carbon monoxide detectors, and he shares his rules of thumb for using both in the cockpit. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear why patients need to occasionally say no, a simple habit for healthy living, and what it’s like to fly a Canadian bushplane. LINKS: Brent’s AOPA articles: https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/articles-by-author/brent-blue Video on pulse oximeters: https://youtu.be/pOEBoeuyR0U Sporty’s 2025 Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learntofly

Experimental airplanes make up an increasingly large share of the general aviation market, and Marc Cook knows that world better than anyone. He traces the history of homebuilts, from the radical plans of the 1980s to the refined kits of today, and describes the current state of the industry. He also talks about the causes of Van’s recent bankruptcy ordeal, and shares why he’s very optimistic about the upcoming MOSAIC rule—but also why it won’t lead to $20,000 airplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, Marc names the biggest mistake homebuilders make, chooses the most underrated experimental airplane, and explains why riding motorcycles and flying airplanes requires the same approach to risk.  LINKS: Kitplanes magazine: https://www.kitplanes.com/ MOSAIC update video: https://youtu.be/9FfylxAuK3c Sporty’s 2025 Pilot Training Courses: https://www.sportys.com/learntofly

Home flight simulators can be valuable training tools, and they don’t necessarily teach bad flying habits. Evan Reiter, co-founder of the Flight Simulator Association, shares the data to back up those statements in this sim-centric episode. He also explains why virtual ATC services are so important for simulator pilots, and he offers a preview of the highly anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. In the Ready to Copy segment, Evan (who is also an airline pilot) talks about his favorite flight sim hardware, how to sound better on the radio, and the surprising way flying helps him on the ski slopes. LINKS: Flight Sim Association research: https://flightsimassociation.com/report Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: https://www.flightsimulator.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024/ Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

New technology has made flying safer over the last two decades, but it hasn’t done much to prevent loss of control accidents. These are still the number one cause of fatalities in aviation, and according to upset prevention instructor Randy Brooks the only answer is better pilot training. He explains why upset training is different from aerobatics, why your first instinct should be to push, and why simulators aren’t a replacement for pulling Gs. Randy is also a longtime airshow pilot, so in the Ready to Copy segment he talks about flying formation aerobatics, what it’s like to perform an airshow in a glider, and flying the L-39 jet trainer. APS training courses: https://apstraining.com/ Video of a UPRT flight: https://youtu.be/cVsicldklTY Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

Is the post-pandemic boom over for the airlines? Industry analyst and former airline pilot Courtney Miller says the answer is both yes and no. He talks about which airlines are winning and losing in 2024, whether pilot salaries have overshot, and what to make of Boeing’s latest struggles. In the Ready to Copy segment, Courtney explains why oil prices don’t affect air fares, why the 737 MAX was not a mistake, and how to lie with statistics. LINKS: Visual Approach Analytics: https://visualapproach.io/ Boeing vs. Airbus safety: https://visualapproach.io/does-data-show-boeing-is-unsafe/ Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html

Paul Harding bought a seaplane before he was even a pilot, but went on to log 14,000 hours flying on floats all around the Bahamas. In this fun episode, he shares the details of that fascinating career, with tips on flying seaplanes, learning to fly later in life, and exploring the Out Islands. In the Ready to Copy segment, Paul talks about flying with celebrities, how to determine wind direction without a windsock, and the best food to eat in the Bahamas. LINKS: Paul’s articles at Air Facts: https://airfactsjournal.com/author/paulharding/ Paul’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Sharks-Runway-Seaplane-Fifty-Year-Bahamian/dp/1911525239 Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/real-pilot-stories/no-go-around Podcast survey: ⁠https://sportys.survey.fm/pilot-s-discretion-survey⁠

A quarter of Cirrus customers are not pilots when they buy their airplane. Todd Simmons explains how the company succeeds with these non-pilots, including their focus on enabling a lifestyle instead of just selling specs, providing a complete ownership solution, and tackling safety head-on. Todd is also a passionate backcountry pilot, so he talks about the risks and rewards of that type of flying, including what he learned from being involved in a serious accident. In the Ready to Copy segment, Todd talks about the power of social media, the most important skill for safe taildragger flying, and which college football team in Georgia is best. LINKS: - The Cirrus Life: https://cirrusaircraft.com/cirrus-life/ - Todd’s Real Pilot Story: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/real-pilot-stories/no-go-around - Recreational Aviation Foundation: https://theraf.org - Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/online-learning/real-pilot-stories/no-go-around


Learning to fly is hard, but revolutionary new fly-by-wire technology just might change that. Matt Thurber, an experienced pilot and journalist, describes how Skyryse has modified a Robinson helicopter and why it could be big news for general aviation. Matt is well-placed to evaluate this new aircraft because he recently learned to fly helicopters, and he shares what that was like, including why rotary wing flight requires using all a pilot’s senses. In the Ready to Copy segment, Matt talks about the threat of GPS jamming, why hangar foam fire suppression systems are bad, and what it was like to hunt swordfish from a Super Cub. LINKS: Skyryse: https://www.skyryse.com Matt’s article on helicopter flying: https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-05-01/learning-fly-helicopters-guimbal-cabri-g2 Sporty’s Pilot Training+ membership: https://www.sportys.com/sportys-pilot-training-plus.html