Sporty's PIREPs

Pilots should aspire to a higher standard than just passing the checkride, according to author and instructor Rick Durden. He explains how to be one of these “thinking pilots,” pursuing excellence while still having fun in the air, with tips for new pilots and pro pilots alike. Rick is unafraid to tackle any subject, so he also weighs in on why shock cooling is a myth and why talking about “real pilots” is foolish. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rick shares tips for landing on taxiways, his least favorite FAR, and the best-handling airplane he’s ever flown

When your panel goes dark, all-in-one simplicity is what you need from a backup radio. The new PJ2 GPS delivers exactly that, with built-in communications and GPS navigation all in a pilot-friendly design. Even better, it can now send GPS position data straight to ForeFlight, giving you a simple backup navigation option in the app you already use—even if your iPad doesn’t have a built-in GPS.

Sporty's has launched a new Aviation eBook Store within its Pilot Training platform, making it easier than ever for pilots and flight instructors to discover, purchase, and access digital aviation publications from the industry's most trusted training providers.

Sporty’s is pleased to introduce a new lineup of Flight Gear® kneeboards, designed to help pilots stay organized in the cockpit. The collection includes the Flight Gear Bi-Fold Kneeboard, Flight Gear Tri-Fold Kneeboard, and Flight Gear iPad Organizer Kneeboard, offering pilots a range of options for managing charts, notes, tablets, and other critical tools and information.

Master flight instructor Rich Stowell says manual flying skills and decision-making skills are complementary, but they’re often presented as an either/or choice. The spin master explains why that’s wrong and illustrates it with his “power-push-roll” recovery for spiral dives, an overlooked threat in aviation. He also shares a new way to train pilots, which he calls “learn-do-fly,” emphasizing the importance of teaching at the correlation level. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rich talks about the biggest mistake CFIs make during stall training, tips for hand-propping vintage airplanes, and what martial arts taught him about flying.

For generations, pilots have relied on Jeppesen ForeFlight products to learn, train, plan, and fly. Now, Sporty's is proud to serve as the distributor for Jeppesen ForeFlight education products, creating a single destination for pilots, flight schools, aviation businesses, and resellers seeking Jeppesen ForeFlight's trusted aviation resources.

The 5 Ts still work, but they were designed for an era when IFR navigation required more manual setup, timing, and cross-checking. In today’s cockpit, especially with moving maps and integrated avionics, pilots benefit from a broader situational scan rather than a fixed sequence of tasks. One useful modern alternative is the CAPERS check.

With more than 320 carefully crafted flashcards, this set distills essential private pilot knowledge into quick, high-impact review prompts that cover everything from aircraft systems and airspace to weather interpretation, regulations, and human factors. Each card is based on authoritative sources, including the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, FAR/AIM, and the Airman Certification Standards, and reviewed by certified flight instructors and active pilots.

PilotWorkshops has released a new training resource designed to help instrument rating applicants prepare for the practical test with greater confidence and less stress. Checkride Insights: Instrument Rating is a fully annotated version of the FAA’s Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards (ACS), enhanced with practical explanations, examiner insights, and real-world IFR scenarios.

Public benefit flying might mean transporting a cancer patient or relocating turtles, but regardless of the mission Mark Hanson says it’s rewarding, fun, and great for keeping your pilot skills sharp. He talks about managing the pressure of these flights, how to get started with a volunteer pilot organization, and why his Eclipse is the perfect airplane. In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about his most memorable passenger, tips for flying into busy airports, and a new aviation weather tool he likes.