Chris McGonegle

A few weeks ago Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 was released and reenergized the longest running software product line under Microsoft’s umbrella. It’s a great program, and the sim community is vibrant with videos of digital pilots pushing the envelope. But what does MSFS 2024 offer to real world pilots? We decided to test it out and here are five things we like, and one we don’t.

Home flight simulators offer a wealth of training situations to sharpen a pilot's skills, and instrument flying is one of the most valuable scenarios we can practice in a standard home simulator. Join Sporty's own Chris McGonegle as he covers flight sim hardware, the most popular flight sim programs, weather editing, and fruitful scenarios to practice. The second half of this webinar features Josh Harnagel from Redbird Flight Simulators, who covers FAA approved training devices, areas of focus for IFR proficiency, IFR proficiency training with a CFI, and best practices for training in a simulator.

The IFR category of flight can be intimidating to pilots of all experience. Weather minimums, required equipment, fuel reserves - it all changes when flying in the Instrument system. Sporty's Pilot Shop is taking on the task of demystifying the IFR category of aviation by answering these common instrument flying questions.

At the conclusion of every quarter, we like to reflect on some of the more notable products that joined Sporty’s offering. Below are the top ten new products we’re excited to offer to our customers from the third quarter of 2023.

At the conclusion of every quarter, we like to reflect on some of the more notable products that joined Sporty’s offering. Here are the top ten new products we’re excited to offer to our customers from the second quarter of 2023, from backup radios to digital CFI instruction.

At the conclusion of every quarter, we like to reflect on some of the more notable products that joined Sporty’s offering. Here are the top ten new products we’re excited to offer to our customers from the first quarter of 2023, from tow bars to a brand new around-the-ear headset.

Reliefband generates a proprietary pulse that stimulates the median nerve, which is located on the underside of the wrist. These signals travel throughout the body's nervous system to the part of the brain which controls nausea, retching, and vomiting. The signals have a rebalancing effect, normalizing nerve messages from the brain to the stomach and reducing symptoms. But which of the three options are best for me? 

At the conclusion of every quarter, we like to reflect on some of the more notable products that joined Sporty’s offering. Here are the top ten new products we’re excited to offer to our customers from the fourth quarter of 2022, from cold weather apparel to a new handheld com radio.

Portable electronic devices have become more and more common on the GA flight deck since the turn of the century. From early GPS navigators gaining popularity in flight bags to a company offering a mini computer with a touchscreen that could make phone calls in mid-2007, these devices have improved safety as well as convenience when we fly. As we enjoy the leading edge of technology, though, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how to keep them charged. This article will cover electronic device charging 101, including plug types, cables, and new options like Power Delivery.

Complement your Instrument flight training or challenge yourself as a digital pilot with the Instrument Rating Flight Sim Training Guide from Sporty's Pilot Shop. This guide includes an introduction covering how best to use this guide with an at home simulator as well as keyboard shortcuts to help make you a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 power user. It includes 22 lessons featuring clickable links directing the user to Sporty's Instrument Rating Course to view how a maneuver or approach is executed before digitally flying.