Choosing the right ground school is a crucial step in your journey toward obtaining your Private Pilot certificate. At Sporty’s, we understand that this journey is dynamic, with new information and technology constantly emerging. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing the most up-to-date and comprehensive videos, content, and study materials to ensure that our courses remain relevant and valuable throughout your training. Best of all, these updates are always free and included with your lifetime access to the course. Here’s a look at some of the latest content added to the Learn to Fly course in 2024.
Mastering Short and Softfield Takeoffs and Landings
Learning how to execute Short and Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings is essential for every pilot. This year, we've enhanced our curriculum with new lessons and videos that leverage the latest in 4K video and aerial videography. These updates provide detailed in-cockpit footage, giving you a clear and practical understanding of these critical maneuvers. By mastering these techniques, you’ll be prepared for a variety of runway conditions, from maximizing performance on short runways to handling grass runway operations with confidence.
This enhanced segment includes:
- Techniques for short-field takeoffs and climbs
- Adjusting pitch attitude and power settings for optimal takeoff and climb performance.
- Understanding and utilizing the best angle of climb speed (VX) and best rate of climb speed (VY)
- Procedures for soft-field takeoffs to minimize drag and maintain a positive angle of attack
- Strategies for short-field landings, including power-on approaches and precise airspeed control
- Methods for soft-field landings to maintain control and avoid bogging down on soft surfaces
- Importance of flap settings as recommended by the aircraft manufacturer during takeoff and landing
- And more
Check out this new Short and Softfield segment from our Learn to Fly Course here.
Calculating Takeoff and Landing Distance
Additionally, we’ve added a segment on Calculating Takeoff and Landing Distance, ensuring you can perform these calculations accurately and confidently before each flight. This is complemented by our new lesson on Airplane Performance Charts, which guides you through using the planning resources in your airplane's Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH).
Topics in this new segment include:
- Variables affecting take distances, including density altitude, airplane weight, runway slope, condition, and wind
- Headwind calculations using a graph or calculator for angled wind components
- Using graphs in the POH, how to enter the graph correctly, and follow guidelines
- Landing vs. takeoff charts with practice sample scenarios
- Considerations when landing on short runways
- How to apply relevant notes listed in the POH
- How to interpolate and when interpolating is necessary
- Keeping key conditions and airplane limits in mind and even consider waiting for better conditions
Understanding Aviation Weather
Aviation weather knowledge is a crucial part of flying, influencing every flight you’ll ever take. To help you master this complex subject, we’ve introduced a suite of new 4K video lessons that focus on interpreting weather products and understanding where to find them, whether on the Aviation Weather Center website or in the ForeFlight app.
These updates include improved segments on:
- METAR Weather Report
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
- Pilot Weather Reports (PIREPs)
- Winds Aloft Forecast
- AIRMETs and SIGMETs
These enhancements ensure you’re equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about weather conditions, enhancing both your safety and confidence as a pilot.
Augment Your Learning with Interactive Pilot Scenarios
Interactive scenarios have also been added to several more segments. Our interactive scenarios provide immediate feedback on your performance, allowing you to identify areas for improvement and gauge your progress. By incorporating real-world challenges and practical exercises, you can deepen your understanding and sharpen your skills in key areas.
New interactive Scenarios include:
- METAR Interpretation: Understanding METARs is crucial for pilots as they provide essential weather information. Our interactive exercise allows you to practice interpreting METAR data, enhancing your ability to make informed decisions about your flight.
- TAF Analysis: TAFs offer vital forecasts for airports. Our TAF exercise helps you master analyzing and interpreting these forecasts, ensuring you are well-prepared for varying weather conditions before and during your flight.
- Calculating Takeoff Distance: Properly calculating takeoff distance is essential for safe flight operations. This exercise allows you to apply various parameters such as aircraft weight, temperature, aircraft configuration, and weather factors to determine accurate takeoff performance using a chase-around chart.
- Landing Distance Calculation: Just like takeoff, accurate landing distance calculations are important for safe landings. This exercise shows you how to use a chase-around chart to calculate landing distances based on aircraft weight, runway conditions, aircraft configuration, and weather factors.
Incorporating interactive scenarios into your training not only makes learning more enjoyable but also ensures you are better equipped with the proper knowledge for the challenges of flying.
Staying Ahead with Private Pilot Test Prep
The FAA continually updates the Private Pilot Knowledge Test with new questions and topics. To keep you ahead of the curve, we’ve added 40 new questions this year that reflect the latest changes. Our test prep updates are designed to ensure you’re fully prepared for the actual test. With access to the Learn to Fly course, you can view the most recent updates from this previous June, March, January, and December in an easy-to-read, centralized format.
Interactive Learning with the 2024 ACS
In May of 2024, the FAA released a new version of the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS). This document outlines the subjects and maneuvers you’ll encounter on both the knowledge and practical tests. To help you make the most of this resource, we’ve incorporated an interactive version of the ACS into your course. This allows you to quickly jump to specific Areas of Operation or Tasks and includes video lessons for each topic, making your study sessions more efficient and effective.
Updated FAA Documents
Keeping up with the latest FAA resources is essential for every pilot. This year, the free update provides several key documents in your course, including:
- Aeronautical Information Manual (Change 2)
- Aeronautical Chart Users' Guide
These updates ensure that you’re learning from the most current information available, aligning your training with the latest standards and guidelines.
Experiencing Aerobatics in VR
For those with access to an Apple Vision Pro headset, we’ve launched Sporty’s Flying Aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff app. This exciting addition allows you to virtually ride along with Patty Wagstaff in her Extra 300 and Super Decathlon, experiencing her full aerobatic routine and individual maneuvers from a pilot’s perspective.
The VR app offers:
- Immersive Experience: An engaging pathway to experience aerobatic flight maneuvers through immersive 360-degree video
- Mixed Reality Technology: Blends augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to provide a highly immersive experience
- Virtual Cockpit Experience: Users can virtually sit in the cockpit with Patty Wagstaff to learn aerobatic maneuvers like loops, rolls, and spins
- Airshow Routine: Includes a full airshow routine performed by Wagstaff, demonstrating the proper sequence of competition aerobatic flying
- Enhanced Flight Training: Aims to enhance flight training and flying experiences through next-generation technology
- Based on Sporty’s Popular Course: A product of the Basic Aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff training course from Sporty’s course offering
- Sample Experience: Users can pan around a sample 2D version of Patty Wagstaff’s airshow routine for a glimpse of the immersive experience, available for free on the App Store
Your Feedback Matters: Improve Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course For Future Pilots
At Sporty’s, we’re committed to continuous improvement. Once you’ve completed our course, we’d love to hear your feedback. Your insights help us refine our courses and ensure they provide the best test preparation tools and resources for fellow pilots. Leave us a review on our website to share your experience and make a difference in the evolution of our training programs.
A Lifetime of Learning: Sporty’s Commitment to Pilots
We value providing pilots with value, which is why we take pride in keeping our course up-to-date. With free lifetime updates, you can be confident that you’ll always have access to the latest information and training tools. By choosing Sporty’s, you’re not just preparing for your checkride; you’re investing in a resource that grows and evolves, equipping you with the knowledge and skills you can take to the cockpit every flight. Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course is available for $299.00. Shop now>>
