John Zimmerman

Learning to fly is a thrilling experience, but it’s also time-consuming and, yes, expensive. That’s why the pilots at Sporty’s are constantly working to make flight training (and flying in general) easier, more efficient, and less expensive. Over the last six months, we’ve introduced a number of new products to help pilots fly safer and save money, and we’re very proud that we haven’t cut any corners to do it.

With iPad apps and portable GPSs in most cockpits, pilots already have great backup navigation tools close at hand. That means the days of buying feature-laden portable radios with VOR navigation and GPS receivers are coming to an end. What’s really needed in an emergency is a reliable, easy-to-use COM radio.

Donna Holman of Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the latest recipient of a $2,500 scholarship awarded through her membership in Sporty’s Flight Crew program. Donna plans to put this money toward her flight instructor certificate so that she can continue to share her passion for aviation with others.
 

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Taking off in a general aviation airplane usually means leaving your connected world behind. Emails, text messages, and phone calls are not options at 7,000 feet in your typical Cessna or Cirrus. More seriously, some GA trips can take you off the grid even after landing - few cell phones work in the backcountry of Idaho or the remote islands of the Caribbean.

There's no perfect flight bag for every pilot - it depends on the type of flying you do, the aircraft you fly, and your own personal preferences. With prices ranging from under $50 to well over $200, there are a lot to choose from. In this Product PIREP Video, Sporty's John Zimmerman reviews some of the best-selling options.

Choosing your first aviation headset is a tough decision. Do you choose ANR or passive? Bluetooth or not? In this detailed video, JC Mayerle and Doug Ranly from Sporty’s explain what to look for, then they take four popular models flying to compare them in the cockpit of a Cessna 172. Which one will come out on top?

Sporty's has a long history of giving back to aviation, with a particular focus on young people and the future of aviation. We simply think it's the right thing to do. In 2007, we formalized our philanthropic efforts by establishing The Sporty's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting worthy aviation causes. In 2018, for example, the foundation donated over $225,000 to programs - and all with no overhead (Sporty's Pilot Shop underwrites all expenses).

This is the third in a series of articles where we'll highlight individual programs we support at The Sporty's Foundation. Our goal is to shine a light on some great organizations and encourage other pilots to support them.

The ability to view datalink weather on your iPad has been one of the most significant advancements in portable avionics in recent decades. Whether you fly with ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, WingX, or FltPlan Go, you can now monitor NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, TFRs and much more. But first you need to choose the right receiver. Use this guide to compare all the options, from ADS-B to SiriusXM satellite weather, and find the best fit for your flying.

We are proud to have over 25,000 customer reviews at sportys.com, real opinions from real pilots on the products you're interested in. They are a great resource for deciding which product to buy or how to use the latest technology, but some reviews go beyond just words. Every Sporty's review has the option to add a photo, and we've received some great pictures of our products in use. Check out some of our best ones below.