Sporty's PIREPs

The world's largest airshow starts Monday, July 21, 2025, 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.

The Sporty’s & Seaplane Pilots Association Photo Contest is happening now, and pilots are already sharing some incredible seaplane photos of lakes, rivers, coastlines, remote destinations, and favorite flying adventures. These photographic inspirations are a great reminder of what makes seaplane flying so special: freedom, adventure, and access to places most aircraft will never reach.

Sporty’s recently launched the new Flight Gear® Carbon Monoxide Detector Charger, a compact cockpit accessory that continuously monitors carbon monoxide levels on an easy-to-read screen while also providing fast charging for EFBs, smartphones, and other portable devices.

Start by creating an account on the PSI FAA testing website. Once you're logged in, you can select your exam, search for a nearby testing center, and choose a date and time that works for your schedule. Many flight schools and FBOs serve as testing centers, so there's a good chance you'll find one close to home.

Cold weather can mean better airplane performance and some beautiful winter sunrises, but it can also mean potential danger from the airplane's heating system. Here's what pilots need to know about carbon monoxide: where it comes from, how to prevent it from entering the cockpit, and what tools are available for detecting it.

Pilots should aspire to a higher standard than just passing the checkride, according to author and instructor Rick Durden. He explains how to be one of these “thinking pilots,” pursuing excellence while still having fun in the air, with tips for new pilots and pro pilots alike. Rick is unafraid to tackle any subject, so he also weighs in on why shock cooling is a myth and why talking about “real pilots” is foolish. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rick shares tips for landing on taxiways, his least favorite FAR, and the best-handling airplane he’s ever flown

When your panel goes dark, all-in-one simplicity is what you need from a backup radio. The new PJ2 GPS delivers exactly that, with built-in communications and GPS navigation all in a pilot-friendly design. Even better, it can now send GPS position data straight to ForeFlight, giving you a simple backup navigation option in the app you already use—even if your iPad doesn’t have a built-in GPS.

Sporty's has launched a new Aviation eBook Store within its Pilot Training platform, making it easier than ever for pilots and flight instructors to discover, purchase, and access digital aviation publications from the industry's most trusted training providers.

Sporty’s is pleased to introduce a new lineup of Flight Gear® kneeboards, designed to help pilots stay organized in the cockpit. The collection includes the Flight Gear Bi-Fold Kneeboard, Flight Gear Tri-Fold Kneeboard, and Flight Gear iPad Organizer Kneeboard, offering pilots a range of options for managing charts, notes, tablets, and other critical tools and information.

Master flight instructor Rich Stowell says manual flying skills and decision-making skills are complementary, but they’re often presented as an either/or choice. The spin master explains why that’s wrong and illustrates it with his “power-push-roll” recovery for spiral dives, an overlooked threat in aviation. He also shares a new way to train pilots, which he calls “learn-do-fly,” emphasizing the importance of teaching at the correlation level. In the Ready to Copy segment, Rich talks about the biggest mistake CFIs make during stall training, tips for hand-propping vintage airplanes, and what martial arts taught him about flying.