Sporty's PIREPs

May is Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s, a celebration of learning to fly designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to offering savings on popular pilot gear and training resources, Sporty’s will be posting inspiring content on its social media channels, presenting webinars, and delivering valuable flight training resources throughout Sporty’s media network sites, including FlightTrainingCentral.com and Sporty’s PIREPs Blog.

Sporty's, the industry’s leading provider of aviation products and training content, announced today that CEO Michael Wolf will retire on January 31, 2025.  Wolf has been a part of the  Sporty’s team for more than 50 years, and has served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2008, leading the organization through significant milestones and growth. Sporty’s President, John Zimmerman, will assume the role of CEO upon Wolf’s retirement.

Are the latest headlines about slowing airline pilot hiring just a temporary pause or the start of a downward trend? In this episode, aviation career mentors Mike Martin and Sean Richey explain what the real state of the industry is. They also talk about the right approach to flight training, how to build time, and whether airline interviews still matter. Mike and Sean have lots of experience as corporate pilots, so they share tips from the world of private jets, including the different skills required for that type of job. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about tough checkrides, how to be a good copilot, and the best airports in America.

Traveling just got a lot more comfortable and convenient with the launch of the Flight Gear Inflatable Neck Pillow, designed to transform the way passengers experience long flights. Crafted with the highest quality materials and ergonomic design principles, the Flight Gear Inflatable Neck Pillow is engineered to provide unparalleled comfort and support for the neck and head.

Sporty’s is proud to announce the launch of its new line of Pilot License Plaques, designed to commemorate the significant milestones achieved by aviators worldwide. These beautifully crafted plaques are a symbol of commitment, skill, and passion for aviation, making them the perfect way to honor pilot achievements.

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.

Clay Simmons, a 22-year old aircraft builder and pilot based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is the winner of the sixth annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. His article, “Blister Flight: Six Pilots and an Angel,” was selected as the entry that best answered this year’s writing prompt:  “My Most Memorable Flight.”  Simmons’s article describes a lifelong love of aviation, his desire to be the world’s youngest aircraft builder, and his emotional journey to his most memorable flight.

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.