PIREPs

Has it been a while since you logged PIC time? At Sporty’s, we get it—we’re pilots too, while juggling jobs, families, and busy schedules. That’s why we created Rusty Pilot Week: a great chance to refresh your skills, save on essential gear, and rediscover why you fell in love with flying in the first place. All it takes is some study, a few hours with an instructor, and a plan to polish the skills that have gotten rusty.

Flying at night is one of the many privileges we have as private pilots, and what good is a privilege if you don’t exercise it? But night flight isn’t without some challenges.  Here are my top 3 hacks to make your night flights more enjoyable.

One of the many features normally found on premium aviation headsets is Bluetooth, a wireless technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other. This is great for listening to music or making a phone call on the ground, but it can also be used to get audio alerts from your favorite electronic flight bag app. Here's how it works.

A reliable flashlight is one of the most important tools a pilot can carry. From preflight inspections at night to in-flight emergencies, flashlights provide safety, convenience, and peace of mind. It’s not just a nice-to-have, it’s essential gear for all night operations. 

The iPad has changed the way pilots fly, but there’s one thing it can’t fix—battery life. Long flights and heavy use can leave your devices drained at the worst possible time.

Lightspeed just introduced the new Zulu 4 headset. It has the latest and greatest features of a modern, premium ANR headset. But Lightspeed already has a premium ANR headset that is almost $200 more expensive: the Delta Zulu. What is the difference between these two juggernauts, and which one should you buy? Let’s look at the differences.

Lightspeed just introduced the new Zulu 4 headset. It has the latest and greatest features in modern, premium ANR headsets. What improvements have they made since a Zulu 3? Let’s jump in and take a look.

Which headset is the best? We get this question more than any other during headset demos. The Lightspeed Zulu 4 and Bose A30 are two of the top contenders, each packed with premium features from trusted brands. It’s a bit like asking, “Lamborghini or Ferrari?”—both are excellent, but the best one for you depends on what you value most in the cockpit.

“It’s magic.” At least that is what I thought the first time I turned on an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset. WOW! What kind of wizardry is happening in these ear cups? I was instantly convinced that ANR might be the single greatest innovation in aviation history. The noise environment of a piston airplane makes communications tough, but modern ANR headsets have revolutionized the way pilots communicate.

The world's largest airshow starts July 21, 2025, and as usual Sporty's will be there in a big way. Our main tent is located in Outdoor Space #260, just outside of Exhibit Hangar B, and Sporty's Aviation Gifts will be exhibiting inside Hangar B, booth 2111. We'll also be presenting seminars throughout the week.