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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
Chart smart: Why does Lorain County Regional have a box around its name?
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeA box around the airport name indicates an airport for which a special air traffic rule has been established.
How to fly a perfect soft field approach and landing
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeSoft field techniques can be deployed for landing areas that have soft or rough surfaces such as grass, snow, or even gravel. The objective when landing on these types of surfaces is to touch down as smoothly as possible and at the slowest possible landing speed – minimum controllable airspeed as opposed to a full […]
LIFT Academy adds Sporty’s online training courses
/in News/by Eric RadtkeLIFT Academy has partnered with Sporty’s to provide online training courses to its students. This collaboration between Sporty’s and LIFT Academy grants students access to a range of valuable learning resources including Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course and Instrument Rating Course.
Webinar video: What’s new in Sporty’s 2024 Pilot Training Courses
/in Webinars/by Eric RadtkeBret Koebbe discusses the new features in Sporty’s 2024 pilot training courses in this webinar video sponsored by Sporty’s. This presentation includes a live demonstration of the latest features, and offers tips on how to save time and money during your flight training with Sporty’s courses.
Webinar video: What you should know about home flight simulation
/in Webinars/by Eric RadtkeFlight simulators have exploded in popularity over the last year. With new software options, impressive flight controls, and EFB app integration, it has never been easier to use a home flight simulator for real training (in addition to fun). In this fast-paced webinar presentation, Chris McGonegle, a commercial pilot and Sporty’s flight simulator expert, will discuss how to use simulators effectively.
FAA “from the flight deck” video: phraseology
/in News/by Eric RadtkeAviation has a unique language designed to ensure effective communication between pilots and controllers. Understanding and using these words and phrases properly is vital for avoiding errors and maintaining safety. For example, “roger” is not a clearance and is not an appropriate response to a yes or no question. It only means that the transmission was received.
How to fly the perfect chandelle
/in Tips and technique/by Eric RadtkeA chandelle is a maximum performance, 180° climbing turn that begins from approximately straight-and-level flight and concludes with the airplane in a wings-level, nose-high attitude just above stall speed. The goal of the Commercial pilot maneuver is to gain the most altitude possible for a given bank angle and power setting.
Can you fly with inoperative instruments?
/in Regulations/by Eric RadtkeWhile the regulations generally require that all instruments and equipment installed aboard the aircraft be in working condition, it may be possible to operate an aircraft with a piece of equipment not working if it falls within the scope of FAR 91.213 or the aircraft is operating with a Minimum Equipment List.
Webinar video: Flying with Datalink Weather
/in Webinars/by Eric RadtkeDatalink weather, either from ADS-B or SiriusXM, is an essential tool for almost all pilots. Once you’ve flown a cross country with in-flight radar, up-to-date METARs, and visual AIRMETs, it’s awfully hard to go back to flying without it. It makes flying safer, easier, and more comfortable – a rare combination – but only if you know how to use it properly.
