What pilots should know about ATC, with Marcus Miller

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.SHOW LINKS:* PropHatCat on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prophatcat* PropHatCat t-shirts: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4449530402/prophatcat-shirt* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

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.SHOW LINKS:* Flight to End Polio: https://www.flighttoendpolio.com/* Fly for the Cure: https://flyforthecure.org/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

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.SHOW LINKS:* The biggest myth in aviation: ⁠https://flighttrainingcentral.com/2025/08/the-biggest-myth-in-aviation-that-great-pilots-are-defined-by-great-flying-skills/⁠* Space Shuttle landing video: https://youtu.be/q5qyOWv0fHk* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

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.SHOW LINKS:* The Killing Zone, third edition: https://www.sportys.com/the-killing-zone.html* FAA-Industry Training Standards: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/fits* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

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.SHOW LINKS:* EcoFlight: https://ecoflight.org/* Aspen Hall of Fame: https://aspenhalloffame.org/inductee/bruce-gordon/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

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.SHOW LINKS:* JJ’s book Yikes!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DYZ1R9BS* Victor Kilo Fund: https://www.victorkilofund.org/* NASA reports database: https://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Pro pilot doesn’t have to mean airline pilot. Longtime corporate pilot and safety advocate Mark McIntyre explains the appeal of business aviation, why safety has to be the focus for a flight department, the unique challenges of international flying, and how to use new debriefing tools to fly safer. Mark began his career as a seaplane pilot, so he also shares lessons learned in this demanding environment. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about the best seaplane, managing fatigue, and fun places to fly in the Pacific Northwest.SHOW LINKS:* NBAA international operations: https://nbaa.org/aircraft-operations/international/* Kenmore Air: https://kenmoreair.com/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Legendary instructor Doug Stewart has a lot of strong opinions about flight training, from inadvertent IMC maneuvers to instrument procedures to engine failures. In this episode, Doug offers a sweeping view of the flight instructor’s role, with practical advice for pilots and instructors alike. Doug is also an active pilot examiner, so he shares checkride tips and tricks based on his decades of experience. In the Ready to Copy segment, Doug talks about flight simulators, bad communication habits, jazz musicians, and lessons from cycling.SHOW LINKS:* Doug Stewart Flight Instruction: https://www.dsflight.com/* Improving on the 180-degree turn: https://www.dsflight.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/VMC-INTO-IMC-Mindstar.pdf* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

Whether he’s circling the globe in his Bonanza or crossing the Pacific in a Gulfstream, Adrian Eichhorn says he monitors four key risks on every flight. In this episode, he explains why they matter and how preflight preparation is the key to preventing mistakes. An expert on multiple topics, Adrian also shares night flying tips, lessons learned from a decade of borescope use, and some wild stories from his long distance flights. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about the strangest airport Adrian ever landed at, why he loves the Bonanza, and what he learned as strategic nuclear advisor to the President.SHOW LINKS:* Night flying tips: https://safepilots.org/library/contributed/Safety_GoodNIGHT_12-31-15.pdf* Adrian’s long flights: https://flybluehorizons.com/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip

As an astronaut for Virgin Galactic, Mike Masucci flies one of the most unique aircraft ever built, but at the end of the day he says his job is to be a great glider pilot. In this fascinating episode, he takes us inside the spaceship to describe what it’s like to see Earth from above, what it sounds like in space, and how he guides the aircraft back to a safe landing. Mike also spent many years flying the U-2 in the Air Force and the Citation X for a fractional provider, and he shares lessons learned from both jobs. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mike talks about test pilot school, staying awake on long flights, and tips for flight instructors.SHOW LINKS:* Virgin Galactic: https://www.virgingalactic.com/* Tim Decker episode: https://www.sportys.com/blog/episode-56-fuel-management-and-flying-the-u-2-with-tim-decker/* Pilot’s Tip of the Week: https://pilotworkshop.com/tip