Sporty's PIREPs

Tying down an airplane isn’t the glamorous part of flying. No one brags about their knot-tying technique at the FBO. But whether you’re training in a 172, flying a taildragger into a grass strip, or parking on a windy ramp overnight, securing your aircraft is one of the most important things you’ll do all day. Your airplane (and the one parked next to it) will thank you.

At the flight school dispatch desk or planning room, you’ll often hear it: a group of students and/or instructors gathered around, checking their phones and watch the winds, asking, “Is this too much for me?” or “Can we find another runway better aligned?” The POH lists a demonstrated crosswind component, but that number doesn’t answer the real question.

Designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12, the Echo Aviation Controller integrates primary flight controls (pitch, roll, and yaw) with secondary and trim inputs into a single, handheld unit. Throttle, propeller, and mixture controls are built directly into the controller, complemented by dedicated levers for flaps, landing gear position, speed brakes, and parking brake.

From the Space Shuttle to F-15 fighter jets to his homebuilt VariEze, Charlie Precourt approaches every flight with the same discipline. In this episode he shares some of the lessons learned from his one-of-a-kind career, including the power of visualization, realistic personal minimums, and flight training that goes beyond checking the box. Charlie also shares some fascinating stories from his days at NASA, including landing the Space Shuttle and docking with the Mir space station. In the Ready to Copy segment, Charlie talks about underrated airplanes, flying with a test pilot’s mindset, and lessons learned from Russian pilots.

The Instrument Rating is one of those ratings where “good enough” is not actually good enough. The details matter, the workload stacks fast, and small gaps in knowledge can turn into falling behind the airplane on an IFR flight. So for IFR Month, we pulled together five free resources we keep coming back to.

Sporty’s is proud to bring pilots and aviation enthusiasts a new way to enjoy flying without leaving the ground: the Cessna 172R Cockpit Puzzle. This 500-piece puzzle features a detailed view of the Skyhawk’s classic flight deck, capturing the complete panel—from the flight instruments to the avionics stack.

The Flight Gear Dual Headset Duffel hits the "Goldilocks" zone of aviation luggage. It’s bigger than a daily commuter bag but more organized than a standard gym duffel. 

The new Flight Gear Tailwind Backpack was built by pilots, with smart pockets and a roomy interior that makes storing gear easy. A water-resistant base, upright headset storage, and rugged construction keep it ready for any mission. It’s tough, practical for the cockpit, or just for your everyday needs. Could it be the best flight bag of 2026?

Smith & Wesson has been producing dependable tools since the 19th century, and the Captain’s Flashlight reflects that legacy with a design aimed squarely at real-world flight deck and preflight use. Featuring independent red and white LEDs, the flashlight delivers the right light at the right time—without the frustration of cycling through modes.