Eric Radtke

Sporty’s award-winning Instrument Rating Course has been updated for 2025, with a number of significant enhancements that make IFR training more engaging and efficient. If earning an instrument rating is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, now is the time to get started. Updates for 2025 include the introduction of cutting-edge AI tools, new video-based training content, and extensive test prep updates.

At Sporty’s, we’re always looking for ways to make flight training more accessible, efficient, and engaging. That’s why we are excited to announce a new integration with Flight Schedule Pro, a leading flight school management platform. This partnership makes it easier than ever for flight schools to incorporate Sporty’s award-winning online training into their curriculum, streamlining the learning process for students and instructors alike.

Basic GPS uses a network of satellites to triangulate positions anywhere on Earth.  There are at least five satellites in view at all times. Your onboard navigator can provide three-dimensional position and altitude information if it is receiving signals from at least four satellites. 

WAAS uses two additional geostationary satellites to improve the accuracy of GPS.  These satellites receive and transmit a correction signal to WAAS-enabled navigators.  The correction signals are calculated on the ground by two wide area master stations and uploaded to the stationary satellites.  These master stations receive signal error data from a network of precisely surveyed reference stations.  The reference stations constantly monitor the GPS satellite signals for errors.

Sporty’s is proud to announce that Don Wykoff, a distinguished member of our flight training team, has been honored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with its prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. This accolade is bestowed upon pilots who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safe flight operations for 50 or more years.

Don began working part-time at Sporty’s in 1974 which provided the opportunity to pursue pilot training. He completed his first solo flight in September 1974 and earned his Private Pilot Certificate two months later.  Through the past five decades, Don has exemplified professionalism and exhibited safety across a variety of aviation sectors, including general aviation, military, and Part 121 airline operations.

Sporty’s, the leader in aviation education, is excited to announce the acquisition of PilotWorkshops, a trusted name in pilot proficiency training. This partnership unites two organizations with a shared mission:  to make flying safer, easier, and more enjoyable for pilots everywhere.

Founded by a flight instructor, Sporty’s has been at the forefront of aviation education for more than 60 years. From the first training programs in the 1960s to an active flight school to our comprehensive suite of online tools for pilots, education has always been at the heart of what Sporty’s offers. Combining forces with PilotWorkshops and their talented team of educators creates natural synergies and sets the stage for incredible new learning opportunities.

Throughout February, Sporty’s will be celebrating IFR Month, with a focus on the challenges and rewards of instrument flying. In addition to special savings on pilot gear and training courses, we will offer interactive webinars, articles, videos, and answers to common IFR questions. Our goal is to encourage all pilots to earn their instrument rating, get current, and enjoy more utility from their pilot certificate.

Familiarize Yourself with the Format—the Private Pilot written test FAA test contains 60 multiple-choice questions, and you have two hours to complete it. Any of the written tests may also include validation questions, which are questions used to accumulate data for statistical analysis of test question validity and performance. Validation questions are non-scored questions, and do NOT count for or against your final test score. The posted number of questions does NOT include validation questions.

A description of each test, allotted times, and total questions are available via the Airman Knowldge Testing Matrix.

Sporty’s Aviation Gifts is thrilled to announce the release of its highly-anticipated 2025 Limited Edition Cessna 172 Die-Cast Model—a must-have for all pilots and for anyone with an affinity for classic aviation.

This exceptional replica is inspired by the 1969 Cessna 172K, N46418, owned by Brandon and Casey Bates, winners of Sporty’s annual contest to select the most worthy aircraft. Sporty’s invited Skyhawk owners everywhere to submit photos of their amazing aircraft and selected tail number N46418, among dozens of submissions, to become legendary.

The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be “my most memorable flight.”

Landing an airplane is often described as a blend of precision, practice, and intuition—yet even seasoned pilots can fall victim to the bounced landing which occurs when the airplane contacts the ground with a sharp impact as the result of an improper landing attitude or an excessive sink rate. Though the airplane's tires and struts provide some springing action, the airplane does not bounce like a rubber ball. Instead, it rebounds into the air because the wing's angle of attack was abruptly increased, producing a sudden addition of lift.

When the bounce is very slight and there is no extreme change in the airplane's pitch attitude and sufficient runway remains, a follow-up landing may be executed by applying just enough power to cushion the subsequent touchdown.