John Zimmerman

One of the best parts of our jobs here at Sporty's is meeting all the passionate, creative pilots who invent new products. We love to test crazy ideas and partner with fellow pilots to bring new concepts to market. In fact, almost everything we sell was created by an aviation enthusiast, whether it's a single person with a vision or a large company packed with pilots. To celebrate these pilot-entrepreneurs, here's another installment in our series called "The Pilots Behind the Products."

Sporty's is—and has always been—a flight training organization. Since our founding in the early 1960s, we have been committed to delivering the best training courses for pilots, using whatever the latest technology is, from slides to smart TVs. That means the flight instructors at Sporty's are always working to create new courses and keep our current ones up-to-date, and 2019 was our biggest year yet. Here's a recap.

Every year we ask the pilots at Sporty's to vote for their favorite gear, from headsets to flight bags, in our Gear of the Year survey. After adding up all the votes, we are pleased to present the results of our 2019 poll. The winners include some legendary products and some exciting new ones as well.

How this ADS-B receiver is changing the way pilots fly

Stratus is the simple-to-use, pocket-sized, wireless receiver that transforms your iPad into the ultimate flight tool. Get subscription-free weather, GPS information, ADS-B traffic and backup attitude – all integrated with ForeFlight Mobile. The new Stratus 1S and 2S models offer additional features and even better performance, but with the same pilot-friendly design that has made Stratus the best-selling ADS-B receiver in aviation.

More than just another gadget, though, Stratus is helping pilots fly safer and more confidently on every flight. Here are some recent stories from everyday pilots.

What's the difference between 1090 and 978?

You probably know by now that most airplanes will have to be equipped with ADS-B Out by January 1, 2020, in order to meet the FAA mandate. Beyond that basic issue, though, there are still a lot of questions to consider. One of the first is 1090 vs. 978. That is, should you install an ADS-B Out transponder that works on the 1090 MHz frequency (sometimes called 1090ES) or the 978 MHz frequency (sometimes called a 978 UAT)?

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course has helped tens of thousands of pilots earn their pilot certificate, and it's famous for a relentless pace of innovation. Every year, we add new content, new training tools, and technological enhancements. 2020 is no exception, with a host of upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.