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Starting February 25, 2021, chart subscribers (and pilots everywhere) will notice an important change to the effective dates of charts. The FAA is shortening the update cycle for VFR charts to match the dates on IFR charts. This means that, whereas sectional charts used to be updated every six months, now all FAA charts will be updated every 56 days.
Posted in PIREPs
When going through the plethora of data available about aviation headsets, you will inevitably come across the abbreviation TSO. This stands for Technical Standard Order and it is the FAA’s way of saying an item is approved for use on an airplane. Why does that matter? We'll explain.
Posted in PIREPs
The next wave in small camera technology takes aviation videography to a new level, thanks to the 360° recording capabilities of the GoPro Max camera. Think of it as two GoPro cameras joined back to back, allowing it to capture literally everything around you, including the cockpit and the views outside, while keeping both perfectly exposed. Here's what pilots should know about this incredible vamer
Posted in PIREPs
If you're upgrading your flight simulator controls to take advantage of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator, you'll first need to configure a few things in the Options menu (click on Controls). This requires selecting which control inputs creates which effects, and assigning important functions to some buttons—often called a hardware map. This article explains how to get off to a fast start with the popular hardware options, including Logitech, CH Products, and Redbird.
Posted in PIREPs and Flight simulator
You've probably heard the buzz about the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the first clean sheet simulator in over a decade. The graphics look amazing and gamers all over the world are excited to start flying missions. But what about pilots? Will it be valuable for training or proficiency flights? And how do you get started? At Sporty's, we believe this new program will be more useful as a training aid than most perceive. Here's what you should know.
Posted in PIREPs and Flight simulator
Want to add a little aviation twist to your next Zoom call or iPhone homescreen? Check out our collection of free wallpapers. Click on an image below for full size.
Posted in PIREPs
The famous green domes of David Clark headsets have been around longer than most of us have been flying, with a legendary reputation for durability. A little known fact is that David Clark started in aerospace by making high altitude spacesuits for the military. Communication became part of the suits, so speakers and microphones were developed. David Clark made their first pilot headset in 1975 and quickly became a mainstay in cockpits around the world.
It’s been four years since Garmin launched the aera 660, and some pilots have been wondering whether the avionics giant would ever develop another portable aviation GPS. Their electronic flight bag app, Garmin Pilot, has won thousands of fans over the years and their wireless weather receivers, like the GDL 52, are found in everything from 172s to Citations. Are those products the only option now? This week Garmin answered with an emphatic “no,” by introducing the impressive aera 760. We’ve been using it for a few weeks now and we like what we’ve seen.
Posted in PIREPs