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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.

Operating a piston aircraft engine is all about compromise: maximizing speed often means burning more fuel, while prioritizing efficiency or simplicity can cost a bit in performance. When it comes to climb power or engine longevity, the balance becomes even more critical. That’s why PilotWorkshops has created Airplane Engine Operations. This goal-oriented, pilot-focused, online engine management course is designed to help you get the most out of your engine—safely, efficiently, and confidently.

Celebrate the season with Aviation Christmas Lights—a unique addition to your holiday décor that combines festive spirit with a love of the skies. Available exclusively from Sporty’s Aviation Gifts, each strand features 12 airplane-shaped LED lights, available in bright multicolor or bright white. Each airplane on the strand measures 3” in length with a 2.75” wingspan. The airplanes are spaced 6” apart along a generous 100-inch strand that includes a UL-listed plug.

Sporty’s is pleased to unveil its expanded women’s AeroWear™ Collection, a curated lineup of performance apparel created exclusively for women who live and breathe aviation. Designed with premium fabrics, functional details, and signature aviation accents, the collection brings together comfort, versatility, and pilot-inspired style.

Sporty’s Christmas Ornament is an annual tradition for the aviation community. This limited-edition, crystal ornament combines the magic of flight with the spirit of the holiday season, making it the perfect gift for pilots and aviation enthusiasts and an ideal client gift for flight schools and FBOs.

Flying is a fun-filled adventure—and your training should be just as exciting. The 2026 edition of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course takes everything you loved from 2025 and cranks it up with more immersive videos, smarter study tools, and revolutionary Aviation Intelligence℠ features. Whether you’re prepping for your first solo, studying for the written test, or polishing up for your checkride, this is the course that keeps you in the know.

PilotWorkshops, a leader in aviation training, has released a groundbreaking resource for demystifying the Private Pilot checkride and to help applicants prepare with confidence. Checkride Insights: Private Pilot is a fully annotated version of the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS), enhanced with plain-language explanations, real-world examples, and examiner insights.

Sporty’s free webinar series continues into fall and winter with a mix of timely topics designed to help pilots stay informed, proficient, and safe. Each interactive session is led by an experienced flight instructor or industry expert and includes a live Q&A session.

Sporty’s Aviation Gifts has launched a new flight jacket that pays tribute to one of aviation’s most iconic flight jackets—the MA-1 bomber jacket. First issued to Air Force and Navy pilots in the 1950s, the MA-1 became a symbol of American airpower and aviation heritage. Now, Sporty’s brings that same spirit into the 21st century with its exclusive Modern MA-1 AeroWear™ Jacket, designed as the ultimate all-season jacket.