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: how to find a good aviation flashlight
Every pilot needs at least a few good flashlights, but how do you choose the right ones for the cockpit? Go flying with two Sporty's pilots as they explain the 4 must-haves in an aviation flashlight and 3 nice-to-haves.
Holiday gift ideas for student pilots
Learning to fly is more than just a fun hobby; for most it's a life-changing decision. One thing you'll notice right away is that friends and family start to ask about gifts - they know you probably want something aviation-related, but it's hard to know the difference between ANR and ADS-B if you're not a pilot. To help the gift buyers this Christmas, we've assembled a list of 10 can't-miss gift ideas.
Sporty’s releases 2020 Learn to Fly Course
One of the best investments you can make as a student pilot (or a rusty pilot) is a good home study course. It will help you save a significant amount of time and money by preparing for each lesson at home. Most importantly, you’ll be a safer, more well-rounded pilot after you earn your certificate.
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
Video: flying LSAs in New Zealand
Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) provide an excellent platform for new student pilots and are often less expensive to operate. Join JP on a scenic flight around New Zealand to learn what these airplanes have to offer and what's different about flying an LSA.
Improvements to written testing procedures coming January 13, 2020
New contract for written testing modernizes testing process
The FAA recently awarded a new contract for the development and delivery of FAA written tests (knowledge...
Emergency Approach and Landing – HD Flight Maneuver Spotlight
You need to react thoughtfully and quickly in the event the engine quits or you experience an unexpected loss of power. This week's tip covers a series of memory items to complete to try to restart the engine, and then what to do if a forced landing becomes necessary.
Friday photo: Dave Meere first solo
The moment: First solo
The pilot: Dave Meere (right)
The place: Clermont County Airport, (I69), Batavia, OH.
The aircraft: C172N
The memory: Reaching the point of solo flight had...
A Brief History of the World (of Aviation)
The Beginning
October 12, 1492. July 4, 1776. July 20, 1969. Christopher Columbus’s discovery of America, Thomas Jefferson’s announcement of the Declaration of Independence and...
Video: Patty Wagstaff rolls and rolls and rolls
Patty Wagstaff is famous for being one of the greatest aerobatic pilots in the world, and this video will show you why. She takes her Extra 300L up for a flight over St. Augustine, Florida, and practices a few rolls - actually, a lot of rolls. The GoPro Fusion 360 camera offers a unique view of these maneuvers, and just might make your stomach turn.
Video: how to find a good aviation flashlight
Every pilot needs at least a few good flashlights, but how do you choose the right ones for the cockpit? Go flying with two Sporty's pilots as they explain the 4 must-haves in an aviation flashlight and 3 nice-to-haves.
Quiz: Aircraft Weight and Balance
Weight and balance is a critical element that every pilot must reconcile before each flight. Many of the performance, handling and structural characteristics of...
Friday photo: special flight with dad
After my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I made it my goal to earn my private pilot's license and take him as my first passenger for our last adventure together. The day after my successful checkride, I flew him down to see family near Colorado Springs. It was one of the last weeks he could leave the house, and he passed away a few months later.
Slow Flight – HD Flight Maneuver Spotlight
Flying an airplane just above the stall speed in the slow flight configuration will teach you a lot about the handling characteristics and controllability at low speeds, which is a critical step in the development of your flying skills during flight training.
