Sporty's PIREPs

Sporty’s has introduced its new line of Snug Seal Cowl Plugs, designed to protect aircraft engines from birds, critters, and debris while providing a secure, tangle-free fit.

Cowl plugs are an essential safeguard for parked airplanes, preventing foreign objects from entering the engine compartment. Birds and rodents can quickly turn an aircraft’s cowling into a nesting site, while leaves, twigs, and other debris pose risks of clogs, corrosion, and even fire hazards during startup.

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. 

Experienced airplane broker and all-around Cessna expert Mark Pilkington shares invaluable tips for avoiding disaster when buying an airplane, including his advice for first-time buyers, the right way to do a pre-buy inspection, and what to look for when buying a utility airplane like a Cessna 185. He also explains how he became an accidental YouTube star, and what his newest video series is all about (think Airplane Repo). In the Ready to Copy segment, Mark talks about the worst airplane model to buy, handling engine failures, and English pubs.

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.

First, take a deep breath, you’re not starting from zero just because you can’t find your logbook. While the FAA requires pilots to log training and aeronautical experience to prove eligibility for certificates and ratings (FAR 61.51) and currency, there’s no requirement that those records be kept in a single physical book or in any particular format. The real key is proof—you must be able to substantiate the experience you claim.

Sporty’s has released a new Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Test Prep and Checkride Course, available now in the Sporty’s Pilot Training platform. Designed specifically for ATP Multiengine applicants, this all-digital course goes beyond rote memorization to deliver deep understanding, scenario-based learning, and oral exam readiness—all in one integrated solution.

Sporty’s has announced the winner of its 50 Fun Flying Destinations summer challenge: Charles Blondeau. Charles and a friend spent the summer flying a Piper Arrow from the East Coast to Alaska, with several memorable stops inspired by Sporty’s free Fun Flying Destinations guide and ForeFlight content pack.

Donald Ezeude didn’t grow up around airplanes or pilots—but after one life-changing flight on the Fourth of July, he quickly gained more than a passing interest in aviation. Now, just weeks into his flight training, Donald has been awarded Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship to help fund his Private Pilot License.

Learning to fly does not mean learning to travel by light airplane. In this episode, longtime aviation journalist Tom Haines shares tips he’s learned from a lifetime of cross-country flying in piston airplanes, including many he learned while flying with the late Richard Collins. Tom is also deeply involved in efforts to prevent poaching in Africa, so he describes the unique uses of CubCrafters airplanes in Namibia. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about flying the B-25, when he thinks unleaded avgas will be available, and his advice for new airplane owners.

Sporty’s has released two new portable power solutions designed specifically for pilots: the Flight Gear® Smart Battery Pack and its big brother, the Flight Gear Smart Battery Pack MAX. Both models feature a high-resolution color screen—an uncommon feature in backup batteries—that provides real-time readouts of remaining power, output in watts, temperature, and charging status. Whether you're powering an iPad or a Starlink Mini, these smart batteries offer clean, reliable energy with zero interference.