How Do Your FAA Written Test Scores Stack Up in 2026?
The FAA has released its 2025 knowledge test statistics, offering a fresh look at how pilot applicants are performing nationwide.
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 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
Upcoming Webinar: Instrument Approach Decision-Making—IFR Mastery Live
/in News/by Eric RadtkeIn this live PilotWorkshops IFR Mastery webinar, the PilotWorkshops team will walk pilots through a realistic, thought-provoking scenario from the IFR Mastery series. You’ll be placed in the cockpit of a Beechcraft Bonanza and faced with a critical decision: how to enter and execute an instrument approach into Wichita Falls, Kansas, with low ceilings and strong winds complicating the picture.
February 2026 Test Question Update from Sporty’s
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeSporty’s recently released its February 2026 written test question update in its Learn to Fly Course test preparation module. While the FAA does not publish actual test questions, representative test questions are available, and new questions released by Sporty’s represent emphasis areas which you will likely encounter on the test. The FAA continues to add […]
Behind the Scenes of Sporty’s New Seaplane Rating Course – On the Water Flying Podcast
/in News/by Eric RadtkeEver wonder how Sporty’s new Seaplane Rating Course came together? The latest episode of the Water Flying Aviation Podcast features Patty Wagstaff and Bret Koebbe in a behind-the-scenes conversation about filming from Alaska to Florida—and what it took to make it happen.
Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?
/in Getting Started/by Eric RadtkeChoosing an online ground school is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make as a student pilot. A quick search will turn up plenty of “best ground school” lists and AI-generated summaries, but those superficial answers rarely explain what actually matters once flight training begins. Learning styles vary, goals differ, and the right choice depends on more than a few bullet points.
Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List
/in Having fun, News/by Eric RadtkeSeaplane flying challenges pilots to think differently—about wind, water, and judgment. It’s a rewarding blend of skill, awareness, and freedom that belongs on every pilot’s bucket list.
Pilot Tip: How to Communicate when Arriving at a Class D Airport
/in Video Tips/by Eric RadtkeFlying to and from an airport in Class D airspace is one of the more common communication scenarios a pilot will encounter. While no two airports will function exactly the same, here are some key tips for confidence and success.
Understanding Runway Condition Codes for Winter Operations
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeWith winter weather affecting airports across the country, understanding Runway Condition Codes (RwyCC) is essential for pilots planning flights in snow or ice. These codes, published in FICON NOTAMs, give a standardized view of runway surface conditions, helping you evaluate braking performance and make safer go/no-go decisions before landing or departing.
FAA Wants Your Checkride Feedback
/in News/by Eric RadtkeThe FAA has announced plans to roll out a new post-checkride survey for pilots, designed to collect feedback on checkride experiences with Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs). Before the survey becomes official, the agency is asking for public comment, and pilots have a chance to shape how this works.
VFR Challenge: MOA or Marathon—Enter Now for a Chance to Win a Flight Simulator
/in News, Video Tips/by Eric RadtkeIn this sample VFR Mastery Scenario, MOA or Marathon puts you in the cockpit of a VFR pilot flying with his son to a weekend baseball tournament in Wisconsin. En route, an active MOA sits directly on the planned course, and ATC appears reluctant to allow non-participating VFR traffic through the hot MOA. Going around would add significant time and distance.
