Sporty's PIREPs

Starlink Mini has quickly become a must-have connectivity tool for pilots—but finding a secure, flexible mounting location in the cockpit hasn’t always been easy. Flight Gear’s new Starlink Mini Suction Cup Mount solves that problem with a purpose-built design, engineered for real-world flying.

Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these reports, and reminds pilots how to submit one. JJ also talks about his career as an airline pilot, including the appeal of regional airlines and the importance of scheduling. In the Ready to Copy segment, JJ talks about flying turboprops, why staying in shape is critical for pilots, and how to be a Hollywood writer.

Engine management or throttle control is what gives our aircraft the ability to leave the bounds of planet Earth, while also providing a method for administering the efficiency, speed, or phase of our flight. During my flight training my instructor asked me to conduct our flights as if we had a passenger in the back seat with a full, open cup of coffee. It wasn’t a time to crank and bank—we wanted it to be a smooth flight. Engine management (as well as primary control inputs) are what professional pilots prioritize to make sure their passengers have an uneventful and smooth trip.

Air Facts is now accepting entries for the eighth annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots, an annual writing contest designed to encourage the next generation of aviators to share their stories.

The Richard Collins family again has partnered with Sporty’s to present this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding aviation writing by pilots age 24 and younger, including student pilots. Eligible submissions must be original, unpublished, and no longer than 1,500 words. This year’s theme remains a favorite: “My Most Memorable Flight.”

Sporty’s has announced its 2025 Gear of the Year award winners, recognizing the standout aviation products that pilots selected most and liked best this year. Among hundreds of new products introduced in 2025, the winners reflect a combination of customer feedback and evaluations by Sporty’s staff of experienced pilots and instructors.

Pro pilot doesn’t have to mean airline pilot. Longtime corporate pilot and safety advocate Mark McIntyre explains the appeal of business aviation, why safety has to be the focus for a flight department, the unique challenges of international flying, and how to use new debriefing tools to fly safer. Mark began his career as a seaplane pilot, so he also shares lessons learned in this demanding environment. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about the best seaplane, managing fatigue, and fun places to fly in the Pacific Northwest.

Every year we see hundreds of new products come through Sporty’s, and a handful rise to the top because pilots actually use them, talk about them, and come back for them. These are the 2025 Gear of the Year winners, voted on by you (the customers) plus our staff of expert pilots. If you’re looking for upgrades that make flying smoother, simpler, and more reliable, this is a great place to start.

Whether it’s a student pilot or a seasoned pilot accomplishing a flight review, the pattern of getting behind the airplane is remarkably consistent. Things are going fine until multiple small tasks pile up at once. By the time the pilot notices, they’re already chasing airspeed, altitude, or a clearance.

Legendary instructor Doug Stewart has a lot of strong opinions about flight training, from inadvertent IMC maneuvers to instrument procedures to engine failures. In this episode, Doug offers a sweeping view of the flight instructor’s role, with practical advice for pilots and instructors alike. Doug is also an active pilot examiner, so he shares checkride tips and tricks based on his decades of experience. In the Ready to Copy segment, Doug talks about flight simulators, bad communication habits, jazz musicians, and lessons from cycling.

Starlink is appearing in more and more aircraft on our ramp, and for good reason: it works great. The Starlink Mini is the right combination of capability and size for smaller, general aviation aircraft. It’s not overly expensive, and the data plan required is reasonable. For comparison, business jets and commercial aircraft pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to install and tens of thousands of dollars for data.