New Instrument Rating Written Test Questions Added to Sporty’s Course
Sporty’s recently added a new set of study questions to the FAA Test Prep section of its Instrument Rating Course, reflecting recent changes to the FAA knowledge test.
About Eric Radtke
It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." Eric earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. He learned to fly at Sporty’s as part of the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program, an initiative he later directed. Eric now serves as General Manager of the PilotWorkshops brand and manages Sporty’s media network including FlightTrainingCentral.com. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.
Entries by Eric Radtke
You Know How to Use Your Autopilot. But Do You Understand It?
/in News/by Eric RadtkeA good autopilot workflow doesn’t mean pressing a button and looking away. It means selecting the appropriate mode, verifying that the autopilot is doing what you expect, and continuing to monitor the airplane. It also means learning to anticipate the automation.
VFR Flight Following: A Pilot’s Guide
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeATC will serve as another set of eyes in the sky to keep you apprised of other traffic targets that could be a threat. You also gain the benefit of safety alerts from ATC and perhaps even weather advisories.
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course Keeps Getting Better
/in News, Test questions/by Eric RadtkeSporty’s continues to add new lessons, test-prep questions, and training features to its Learn to Fly Course. Here’s a look at what’s new in 2026—and why lifetime access means your course keeps getting better.
New VFR Mastery Scenario: Keeping Your Cool at Hot Springs
/in News, PilotWorkshops/by Eric RadtkeHow would you prepare for a high-density-altitude takeoff when you know your engine tends to run hot? That’s the dilemma in this month’s VFR Mastery scenario from PilotWorkshops, Keeping Your Cool at Hot Springs, featuring A&P mechanic, IA, instructor, and pilot Colleen Sterling.
The ABCs of Emergencies
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeWhile complete engine failures are not common, the stakes are high which is why pilots train extensively for such occurrences and why they get evaluated as part of a checkride. If faced with an engine failure, or training for your next engine failure with your instructor, act quick and decisively by remembering what you learned in kindergarten – your ABCs.
How to Fly a Chandelle: Step-by-Step Guide for Commercial Pilots
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeMaster the commercial pilot chandelle with a simple step-by-step walkthrough, practical CFI tips, and advice for avoiding the most common checkride mistakes.
New VFR Mastery Scenario: Hat Trick—Can You Beat the Weather?
/in News, PilotWorkshops/by Eric RadtkeWhen you’re trying to visit multiple destinations over several days, one thunderstorm complex can unravel the entire trip. The challenge isn’t simply deciding whether to launch—it’s deciding where to go first to give yourself the best chance of success. That’s the dilemma in this month’s VFR Mastery scenario from PilotWorkshops, “Hat Trick.”
What the ACS Doesn’t Tell You About the Checkride
/in News/by Eric RadtkeA new training resource from PilotWorkshops aims to make some expert insights more accessible. The Checkride Insights series takes the FAA’s ACS and adds practical commentary, examiner observations, and real-world examples directly alongside the standards themselves.
FAA Knowledge Tests Continue to Evolve—Sporty’s Updates Test Prep with New Questions
/in News, Test questions/by Eric RadtkePreparing for an FAA knowledge test isn’t just about memorizing answers—it’s about staying current with how the FAA develops, reviews, and delivers exam content. To help students stay ready, Sporty’s has released its latest written test question update in the Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish active test […]
