PIREPs

The first big aviation event of the year is about to kick off, and Sporty's is bringing plenty of excitement to Lakeland this year, including buzz around a major new product announcement. The annual SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, which takes place in sunny Lakeland, Florida (LAL), runs from April 14 through April 19. Stop by Sporty's big tent - just outside Hangar A on the main ramp - for new products, interactive demos, pilot experts, and much more.

Buying an aviation headset is a surprisingly personal decision. There is no "right answer" for every pilot—it depends on the type of flying you do, what airplane you fly most often and your personal preferences. Here are a few things to consider as you compare models.

Tying down an airplane isn’t the glamorous part of flying. No one brags about their knot-tying technique at the FBO. But whether you’re training in a 172, flying a taildragger into a grass strip, or parking on a windy ramp overnight, securing your aircraft is one of the most important things you’ll do all day. Your airplane (and the one parked next to it) will thank you.

The Instrument Rating is one of those ratings where “good enough” is not actually good enough. The details matter, the workload stacks fast, and small gaps in knowledge can turn into falling behind the airplane on an IFR flight. So for IFR Month, we pulled together five free resources we keep coming back to.

The Flight Gear Dual Headset Duffel hits the "Goldilocks" zone of aviation luggage. It’s bigger than a daily commuter bag but more organized than a standard gym duffel. 

The new Flight Gear Tailwind Backpack was built by pilots, with smart pockets and a roomy interior that makes storing gear easy. A water-resistant base, upright headset storage, and rugged construction keep it ready for any mission. It’s tough, practical for the cockpit, or just for your everyday needs. Could it be the best flight bag of 2026?

Every year we see hundreds of new products come through Sporty’s, and a handful rise to the top because pilots actually use them, talk about them, and come back for them. These are the 2025 Gear of the Year winners, voted on by you (the customers) plus our staff of expert pilots. If you’re looking for upgrades that make flying smoother, simpler, and more reliable, this is a great place to start.

Starlink is appearing in more and more aircraft on our ramp, and for good reason: it works great. The Starlink Mini is the right combination of capability and size for smaller, general aviation aircraft. It’s not overly expensive, and the data plan required is reasonable. For comparison, business jets and commercial aircraft pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to install and tens of thousands of dollars for data.

It’s been an exciting year for aviation gear, and we’ve rounded up the Top 10 New Products of 2025. From smart cockpit tools to upgraded flight bags and must-have accessories, these standout releases from the past 12 months are worth a closer look.