Sporty's PIREPs

As a former airline pilot and industry analyst for more than four decades, Kit Darby has seen a lot of job market cycles. In this episode he shares his wisdom, with plenty of practical advice for aspiring professional pilots, including an honest assessment of the job market right now, what airline pilots actually make over a 30-year career, and what COVID changed about the airline business. Kit also talks about some lessons learned from his airline and military career, including mastering full motion airline simulators and flying the unique OV-1 Mohawk in the Army. and In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about preparing for job interviews, under-appreciated airlines, and helicopters vs. airplanes.

You can buy an aviation headset from almost anyone these days. But why settle for just a shipping box when you could have a co-pilot? At Sporty’s, we know that buying a headset isn't just about reading a spec sheet—it’s about matching the right product to your specific aircraft and your personal preferences. That’s why every headset purchase automatically includes Sporty’s Signature Headset Service.

Imagine stepping into your airplane, turning on the master switch, and seeing your primary flight display, engine monitor, IFR GPS, NAV/COM, and audio panel all seamlessly running inside a single, high-definition display. No cluttered radio stack, no tangled mess of behind-the-panel wiring, and no compromising on situational awareness.

The Flight Gear Starlink Mini Backpack combines a custom protective compartment for Starlink Mini with dedicated storage for headsets, tablets, radios, cables, chargers, and other cockpit accessories. The result is a single bag designed to make transporting and using Starlink Mini safer and more convenient for pilots.

Many commercial pilot applicants don't open the Commercial Airman Certification Standards (ACS) until they're a few weeks away from the checkride. That's a mistake. The Commercial ACS isn't just a testing document—it's the roadmap your instructor should be using and the playbook your examiner will be using during your checkride.

The pilot shortage gets a lot of headlines, but longtime A&P/IA Paul New says the shortage of mechanics is much more serious. He explains the causes, what owners can do to work productively with their A&P, and how pilots can take advantage of modern engine monitors to save money. Paul is also a very experienced pilot, so he shares lessons he’s learned from countless post-maintenance flights, including what to watch on the takeoff roll. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn how to write a good squawk, Paul’s favorite Cessna, and his advice for new mechanics.

As pilots, we all know that the real learning begins after you pass your checkride. The challenge isn't just maintaining legal currency; it's maintaining the proficiency required to handle real-world challenges when the weather goes south or a system malfunctions. That is exactly where PilotWorkshops' IFR Mastery and VFR Mastery programs come in.

Ethan Barker, of Sevierville, Tennessee, is the latest recipient of Sporty's $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship, which he plans to use to help fund the flight time required for his Commercial Pilot Certificate.

The 2027 FAR/AIM is now available from Sporty's, featuring the latest FAA regulations and the current Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) in one convenient handbook-sized volume. Updated annually, the FAR/AIM remains the industry's most trusted resource for pilots, flight instructors, and aviation professionals.

Learning to fly seaplanes is a ton of fun, but Steve McCaughey from the Seaplane Pilots Association says it also improves your stick and rudder skills dramatically. He explains what you learn as a seaplane pilot, why amphibs have changed the industry, and his personal rules for safety gear. Steve also discusses the work of the SPA and how pilots can get involved in their local communities. In the Ready to Copy segment, Steve talks about flying antique seaplanes, the differences between flying boats and floatplanes, and his tips for making great aviation videos.