Sporty's PIREPs

The IFR category of flight can be intimidating to pilots of all experience. Weather minimums, required equipment, fuel reserves - it all changes when flying in the Instrument system. Sporty's Pilot Shop is taking on the task of demystifying the IFR category of aviation by answering these common instrument flying questions.

The IFR category of flight can be intimidating to pilots of all experience. Weather minimums, required equipment, fuel reserves - it all changes when flying in the Instrument system. Sporty's Pilot Shop is taking on the task of demystifying the IFR category of aviation by answering these common instrument flying questions.

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.

Early in flight training, checklists are everything. You’re unfamiliar with the airplane, unfamiliar with the flow of a flight, and still figuring out what needs to happen and when. In that phase, using the checklist as a step-by-step to-do list isn’t just acceptable, it’s exactly what you should be doing. But as you gain familiarity, many of the required actions become second nature. You know where things are, you understand the sequence, and you’re able to anticipate what comes next. Yet many students continue using the checklist the same way they did on day one—reading, doing, then reading again—often with their head down and their attention divided.

The IFR category of flight can be intimidating to pilots of all experience. Weather minimums, required equipment, fuel reserves - it all changes when flying in the Instrument system. Sporty's Pilot Shop is taking on the task of demystifying the IFR category of aviation by answering these common instrument flying questions.

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.

Plenty of pilots read accident reports, but airline pilot and author JJ Madison says NASA reports are even better—because you’re hearing directly from the pilot. He shares common themes and memorable stories from these reports, and reminds pilots how to submit one. JJ also talks about his career as an airline pilot, including the appeal of regional airlines and the importance of scheduling. In the Ready to Copy segment, JJ talks about flying turboprops, why staying in shape is critical for pilots, and how to be a Hollywood writer.

The IFR category of flight can be intimidating to pilots of all experience. Weather minimums, required equipment, fuel reserves - it all changes when flying in the Instrument system. Sporty's Pilot Shop is taking on the task of demystifying the IFR category of aviation by answering these common instrument flying questions.

Engine management or throttle control is what gives our aircraft the ability to leave the bounds of planet Earth, while also providing a method for administering the efficiency, speed, or phase of our flight. During my flight training my instructor asked me to conduct our flights as if we had a passenger in the back seat with a full, open cup of coffee. It wasn’t a time to crank and bank—we wanted it to be a smooth flight. Engine management (as well as primary control inputs) are what professional pilots prioritize to make sure their passengers have an uneventful and smooth trip.

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.”