News

Sporty’s is proud to bring pilots and aviation enthusiasts a new way to enjoy flying without leaving the ground: the Cessna 172R Cockpit Puzzle. This 500-piece puzzle features a detailed view of the Skyhawk’s classic flight deck, capturing the complete panel—from the flight instruments to the avionics stack.

Smith & Wesson has been producing dependable tools since the 19th century, and the Captain’s Flashlight reflects that legacy with a design aimed squarely at real-world flight deck and preflight use. Featuring independent red and white LEDs, the flashlight delivers the right light at the right time—without the frustration of cycling through modes.

As the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) works toward its ambitious Mission 2.5 goal of flying 2.5 million Young Eagles by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, Sporty’s is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to introducing youth to aviation and supporting the next generation of pilots.

Sporty’s is proud to serve as a Presenting Sponsor of Migration 2026, the leading conference for aviation educators, taking place March 3–4, 2026, at the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland, Florida. Hosted by Redbird Flight, Migration brings together flight instructors, flight training organizations, and K–12 aviation educators for two days of practical, forward-looking discussions focused on strengthening the pilot training pipeline.

Ready to trade the runway for the water? Sporty’s is proud to announce the launch of its all-new Seaplane Rating Course, a visually stunning, experience-driven training program designed to prepare pilots for the unique challenges and rewards of seaplane flying. From first taxi to advanced water operations, this course blends expert instruction, real-world scenarios, and breathtaking on-location footage to deliver a truly immersive learning experience.

Starlink Mini has quickly become a must-have connectivity tool for pilots—but finding a secure, flexible mounting location in the cockpit hasn’t always been easy. Flight Gear’s new Starlink Mini Suction Cup Mount solves that problem with a purpose-built design, engineered for real-world flying.

Air Facts is now accepting entries for the eighth annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots, an annual writing contest designed to encourage the next generation of aviators to share their stories.

The Richard Collins family again has partnered with Sporty’s to present this prestigious award, which recognizes outstanding aviation writing by pilots age 24 and younger, including student pilots. Eligible submissions must be original, unpublished, and no longer than 1,500 words. This year’s theme remains a favorite: “My Most Memorable Flight.”

Sporty’s has announced its 2025 Gear of the Year award winners, recognizing the standout aviation products that pilots selected most and liked best this year. Among hundreds of new products introduced in 2025, the winners reflect a combination of customer feedback and evaluations by Sporty’s staff of experienced pilots and instructors.

Aviation has long been a part of Gabriel Kesler’s life, from the time he attended airshows as a child in northern Iowa to his teaching future pilots in RV–12s at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.  Now, as a newly certificated flight instructor and single father of two, Gabriel is the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship, which he will use to obtain his Multiengine and Multiengine Instructor ratings.

No need to resort to another generic sweater or forgettable gadget this Christmas. Sporty’s understands what pilots truly appreciate, and the annual Pilot Gift Guide makes it easy for friends and family to find spot-on presents. The 2025 edition highlights gifts that blend genuine cockpit utility with aviation style—from innovative flight gear to lifestyle favorites and clever stocking stuffers.