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
How to use Sporty’s E6B Flight Computer
Learning to fly means learning to make a lot of calculations: wind correction angle, groundspeed, crosswind component, and so much more. In this video, learn how to perform some of the most common calculations on Sporty's popular Electronic E6B Flight Computer.
What’s in your flight bag?
In this series, we ask the pilots at Sporty's what gear they carry when they go flying. While every pilot's flight bag is unique, some common principles apply to everyone: carry enough to be prepared but not too much so that you're weighed down with unnecessary junk. In this episode you'll see what JC Mayerle, a product designer at Sporty's, has in his flight bag.
Why you need renter’s insurance
As you get close to your first solo, your flight instructor may talk to you about buying renter's insurance (sometimes called non-owned insurance). While it's never fun to contemplate an incident or accident, this is an important discussion that deserves some careful study.
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
Quiz: Can You Decipher An Aviation Chart?
An aviation VFR Sectional chart is chock-full of visual reference information that is important for every pilot. Runway lengths, obstacle avoidance, restricted airspace, plus much...
Video: learning to hover a helicopter
Learning to fly an airplane is intimidating for new pilots, but learning to hover a helicopter can seem like a truly impossible task. As this video shows, though, that's not the case at all. Once you understand the aerodynamics, it's just a matter of keeping everything balanced. Ride along on this first lesson to see what it's like to fly an Enstrom helicopter.
What’s in your flight bag?
In this series, we ask the pilots at Sporty's what gear they carry when they go flying. While every pilot's flight bag is unique, some common principles apply to everyone: carry enough to be prepared but not too much so that you're weighed down with unnecessary junk. In this episode you'll see what JC Mayerle, a product designer at Sporty's, has in his flight bag.
Common Aircraft Fuel Myths
There are a number of fuel related myths and misrepresentations floating around the general aviation industry. While I can't touch them all, I hope to provide some enlightenment around a couple of them in this post.
Friday Photo: 1st solo (16th birthday) Sunflower Ross
The moment: first solo on my 16th birthday, August 3, 2018
The pilot: Sunflower Ross
The place: Shelbyville Municipal Airport, Shelbyville, TN (KSYI)
The aircraft: Cessna 150G
The memory:It was...
Flight maneuver spotlight: slow flight
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.
Video: flying from Alaska to Argentina
You could fly from Alaska to South America in less than a day with an airline ticket. But what fun would that be? In this video, ride along as an adventurous pilot begins the journey of a lifetime: flying a Piper Super Cub from Alaska all the way to Patagonia.
Why you need renter’s insurance
As you get close to your first solo, your flight instructor may talk to you about buying renter's insurance (sometimes called non-owned insurance). While it's never fun to contemplate an incident or accident, this is an important discussion that deserves some careful study.
My unexpected bush pilot adventure
Want to do some bush flying in Alaska? “Yes, yes I do.” It took all of 1.3 seconds for me to reply when an opportunity arose to fly the backcountry of Alaska for a couple days. Flying a taildragger in the remote wilderness should be on every pilot’s bucket list.
Friday Photo: 1st solo (16th birthday) Steven Solloway
The moment: first solo on my 16th birthday
The pilot: Steven Solloway
The place: Aurora Municipal Airport, Aurora, IL (KARR)
The aircraft: Cessna 162 Skycatcher
The memory: I was fortunate to...
