Video Tip of the Week
Fun Flying Videos
Webinar Videos
Getting Started Tips
How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps.
Quizzes
Pilot Gear
Video: behind the scenes with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
Join Sporty's course development team as they demo the latest new features in Sporty's 2021 Learn to Fly Course. This webinar recording shows all the new features in Sporty's award-winning pilot training course how to use it to save time and money during your flight training. Presented by Sporty's Eric Radtke and Bret Koebbe.
Video: how to get started with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
The new Microsoft Flight Simulator program is limitless in possibilities, but where do we start? In this video, Sporty's flight simulator expert Chris McGonegle will take you through those first steps to get airborne. We'll begin at the home page and cover how to choose an airport, aircraft, release the parking brake, and move to an external view.
Top 10 things you need when starting flight training
Sporty’s is much more than just a pilot shop—today, our successful flight school has hundreds of students and is solely responsible for the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program. The plethora of pilot supplies out there can be overwhelming, so students often look to us for advice on what you really need for flight training. Here's our top 10 list.
Resources
Student Pilot Store
Similar to fishing, camping, rock climbing, or boating, getting the right gear for flying is almost as important (and as fun) as the actual activity. At Sporty's, we've operated our own flight school for decades, so we know what student pilots need - and what they don't.
Sporty’s Academy
Sporty's Academy, our on-site flight school, is a premier Pilot Training Center located at the Clermont County Airport in the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio. We welcome students from all over the world who are looking for the finest flight training experience.
Learn to Fly Course
There's a lot to learn as a new pilot, but the good news is you can do much of that learning on your own schedule. In between flight lessons, a good home study course is an invaluable tool. You can review your previous lesson, learn the theory behind the maneuvers you fly and prepare for the FAA written test.
More Articles
The seven deadly sins of aviation communications
Learning how the ATC system works can take time, but fortunately it's fairly easy to avoid some common mistakes. There are a few things that can instantly make you sound less professional—let's call them the seven deadly sins of radio communication. These phrases should not be in your aviation vocabulary.
Quiz: Understanding the airplane Pitot-Static System
The pitot-static system is the source of valuable flight information for the pilot. But how does it work and what instruments are affected? Take...
Video: Steep approach into London City Airport
Most passengers arriving in London land at the huge Heathrow or Gatwick airports, far outside the city. For a lucky few, though, London City Airport offers convenient access to the heart of the city. Landing here includes a scenic tour of some famous sites in the British capital, plus a very steep approach to a fairly short runway—it is not your typical arrival! Ride along for a cockpit view of this procedure in this video, and see why smaller airplanes sometimes have more fun.
Sporty’s launches Fly July to celebrate general aviation
Fly July - four weeks of product specials, webinars and events
During the month of July, Sporty’s will be hosting a celebration of general aviation,...
5 hacks for cockpit organization
Staying organized in the cockpit is essential for a safe and enjoyable flight. The rat’s nest of cables combined with unsecured gadgets can make your cockpit feel like you’re on the next edition of Hoarders. But before you call American Pickers or spend a fortune on even more products to get you organized, let me give you my top five hacks to keep you organized in the cockpit. And none will break your budget.
Updated AIM effective June 17, 2021
On its standard publication schedule, an updated AIM was recently published with changes effective June 17, 2021. Changes include the following paragraphs:
1−1−9. INSTRUMENT LANDING...
Free webinar video: Ask an air traffic controller
Ask a Controller Webinar
It’s not uncommon for pilots to have some fear of interacting with Air Traffic Control (ATC) because of concern with making...
Video: F-16 airshow over Miami
All airshows are entertaining, but for pure spectacle it's hard to beat a military jet show over a big city. That's what you'll see in this video, as you ride long in an F-16 for a low level demo over South Beach in Miami. Watch out for the high rises, and enjoy the view.
“NORDO” – 5 tips for avoiding loss of communication
“NORDO” is a term defined in FAA Order 7110.65 (a.k.a. Air Traffic Controller’s Handbook) as an aircraft that can’t or doesn’t communicate by radio. ...
CFI Tips: Partial Panel Flying
In this latest installment of CFI Tips, Sporty's Academy CFI, Dustin Yockey, discusses partial panel flying and the importance of remaining calm, prioritizing positive...
