PIREPs

The world's largest airshow starts July 22, 2024, 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.

A portable aviation radio is essential equipment for any pilot. It's an easy way to get a clearance before starting the engine, and a valuable way to learn communications without burning any avgas. While these ground-based uses are nice, though, the real value of a radio is found in the cockpit. If the worst should happen and your panel goes dark, a good radio in your hand can save the day.

But how good is a portable radio in an emergency? Do they really work beyond a few miles? We went flying to answer this question, and the results were pleasantly surprising.

AirVenture, held annually in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is the world's largest aviation celebration and is often considered a must-attend event for pilots from all backgrounds. Whether you're a seasoned aviator or just starting your journey in the world of aviation, Airventure is the place to be in late July. If you are like me, the weeks preceding Oshkosh seem to drag on forever. While we can’t alter the space-time continuum to get AirVenture here sooner, we can embrace our inner avgeek to fully immerse ourselves in pre-KOSH activities. Here are six things you can do to get your KOSH fix pre-AirVenture. 

Flight Outfitters made quite a splash in 2015 when it launched as a new aviation brand, led by an innovative line of flight bags. Since that time the company has grown to be one of the better recognized names in aviation, and the Lift bag (the first Flight Outfitters product) has become a staff favorite at Sporty’s, with a thoughtful design that packs a lot of storage into a compact bag. But after nearly a decade on the market, the bags were due for an update, so we were happy to see a refreshed collection launch this month. We’ve been testing all three new flight bags over the last month and can say confidently that Flight Outfitters has pulled this off. Here’s a PIREP.

Having flown everything from aerobatic airplanes to airliners to seaplanes, Patrick Carter loves to apply the lessons from one part of aviation to another. In this episode, he takes us inside the world of Alaskan bush pilots to explain the skills they need to stay safe, how to evaluate off-airport landing sites, and how to manage changing weather. Patrick also talks about handling emergencies far from airports, as he learned first hand on a recent flight in a Super Cub. Patrick is an advocate for flying with video cameras, so he shares practical advice for mounting cameras externally and capturing audio. In the Ready to Copy segment, Patrick shares a helpful airline travel tip, his favorite aerobatic maneuver, and what he looks for on test flights after maintenance.

New aerospace businesses seem to be launching every month, including electric ultralights, eVTOL air taxis, drone delivery services, and private space flight. As a longtime pilot and venture capitalist, Ben Marcus is the perfect person to sort through the hype. He explains which business models will work first, why Walmart is finding success with drone delivery, and what benefits GA pilots might see as a result of this investment boom. Ben also founded JetAviva, a popular airplane broker, so he talks about the light jet boom of the last 25 years and what it takes to transition from a piston airplane to a single pilot turbine. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about common charging standards for eVTOLs, the best light jet on the market, and Ben’s favorite backcountry strip in Arkansas.

The first big aviation event of the year is about to kick off, and Sporty's will be there in a big way. The annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, which takes place in sunny Lakeland, Florida (LAL), runs from April 9 - April 14 this year. Stop by Sporty's big tent - just outside Hangar A on the main ramp - for new products, interactive demos, product experts, and much more.

We are big believers in video training at Sporty’s, which is why we offer over 30 courses in our Pilot Training app. But sometimes there’s nothing better than a book to reinforce key concepts or take your knowledge to the next level, so we’re proud to partner with PilotWorkshops to offer seven of their Pilot Friendly Manuals. Each one addresses an important aviation topic, and is much more than just a dry textbook. Here’s why we like them so much.