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." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now heads Sporty’s flight school and directs the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Training Program. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in Sporty’s corporate flight department.
Friday photo: Steven Horney first solo
I completed my first solo on December 8, 2018 at the age of 58. Flying has been a life-long dream for me, starting around the age of 5. During my teen years, my father (a very experienced Air Force pilot, CFI, and CFI-G) began giving me some formal flight lessons, but then I went off to college, got married, etc., and I had to be content with flying model aircraft for a lot of years.
If faced with an engine failure, remember your ABCs
While 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.
Friday photo: Tasha Farmer first solo
The moment: My wife's first solo
The pilot: Tasha Farmer
The place: Livingston County, Spencer J. Harvey Field (KOZW), Howell, MI
The aircraft: Diamond DA-20
The memory: On...
Webinar video: instrument proficiency check
Flying IFR is a great way to enhance the utility of your pilot certificate, but it takes commitment and practice. If you want to get current again, stay sharp, or just learn more about instrument flying, this webinar recording is a great place to start. It's packed with over an hour of practical tips and honest advice from two senior flight instructors at Sporty's.
Friday photo: Texan and Mustang flights
Last month we flew down to Kissimmee, FL, and on Friday, January 11th, he took a step up and flew the AT-6 Texan. On that same day I flew Stallion 51’s TF-51 Mustang. What a rush! At 76, I’m now anxious to get current and start flying again.
Webinar: Get the most from ForeFlight – advanced tips for aviation’s top app
ForeFlight, the most popular app for pilots, blends flight planning, charts, aviation weather, airport information, documents, synthetic vision and even a logbook into one...
Friday photo: Son, Evan Joseph Roseman, first solo
The moment: My son's first solo
The pilot: Evan Joseph Roseman
The place: Witham Field Airport (KSUA), Stuart, FL
The aircraft: Cessna 150
The memory: We weren't sure...
Pilot’s guide to ATP certification
The demand for professional pilots has never been greater. Airline pilot requirements and mandatory retirements have significantly impacted the pool of eligible candidates and, in...
How to use ADS-B and Sirius XM datalink weather in the cockpit
Follow along with AirFacts editor and weather guru John Zimmerman as he discusses in-flight weather services and real world weather flying strategies. From the...
Friday photo: Granddaughter, Paris Jones, first solo
After 40 years at American Airlines I’m excited that so many young adults like Paris are discovering aviation as a career again. For a long time it wasn’t this way, and the efforts of organizations like Sporty’s, AOPA, EAA and others is having a positive effect. No word can describe how happy and proud of her we are.
