More acronyms…what’s an STC and TSO?

We live and breath acronyms in aviation. Accept it or else. Two…
GoPro on dash

Pilot’s guide to flying with the GoPro Hero 8

More and more pilots are flying with action cameras like GoPros to record their flights. While these tiny devices record stunning video, they are not the easiest products to use. To help you feel more confident shooting in-flight video, we asked Bret Koebbe, an active pilot and flight instructor who leads Sporty's video department, what he's learned after a decade of shooting with GoPros.
Getting started course

Free getting started course now available

Learning to fly is a process, but oftentimes the most confusing part is taking that first step. How do you find a flight school? What should you ask a prospective flight instructor? What's the difference between a Sport Pilot and Private Pilot certificate? Sporty's has recently released a new course to help answer these questions, and it's completely free.

Videos: how to use Sporty’s Electronic E6B Flight Computer

A flight computer is an essential tool for student pilots. You'll use one to calculate all kinds of things, from fuel burn to groundspeed to density altitude. While you can do those calculations with an old school "whiz wheel," an electronic flight computer is a much faster and easier way to get the right answer. This series of video tips shows Sporty's best-selling Electronic E6B in action.

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

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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.

Video: handheld radio with built-in headset jacks

A portable radio is a great way to learn aviation communications - just stand by the airport fence (or sit at home) and listen to other pilots as they talk to Air Traffic Control or other pilots. A radio is also a very helpful tool in an emergency, since it allows you to call for help even if the panel-mount avionics fail. The newest option is the PJ2, a $199 portable COM radio that has built-in headset jacks. Watch this video to see how it performs in a Cessna 172.
Flight bag

5 must have items for pilots starting college

It's that time of year. A new wave of aspiring professional aviators have moved into dorms as they begin their college journey destined for greatness in a booming aviation job market. After running down the list of obvious questions most college freshman have, the talk often turns towards gear. What does a college student pilot need to command the skies?

Video: flight bag review

There's no perfect flight bag for every pilot - it depends on the type of flying you do, the aircraft you fly, and your own personal preferences. With prices ranging from under $50 to well over $200, there are a lot to choose from. In this Product PIREP Video, we review some of the best-selling options, including Flight Gear, Flight Outfitters, MyGoFlight, and Travel Pro.