Sporty's PIREPs

Sporty’s has redefined the aviation flashlight. The new Flight Gear Rechargeable Smart Flashlight combines smart features, rugged construction, and purpose-built design—all in a compact, rechargeable package. Built from the ground up by pilots, for pilots, this versatile tool is ideal for everything from preflight inspections to night operations.

We train mechanics to attack airplanes with tools, but A&P/IA Colleen Sterling says there’s a better way. She shares her advice for using modern tools like engine monitors and borescopes to maintain airplanes based on condition instead of by the calendar. She also talks about her fascinating day job, which involves searching for lost airplanes—including her role in finding the Air France 447 wreckage. In the Ready to Copy segment, Colleen explains why compression checks are overrated, how to be a better air racer, and what it’s like to fly aerobatics in a biplane.

A routine VFR flight to Georgia turned into a classic summer puzzle—building cumulus clouds, climbing altitudes, and the looming threat of thunderstorms. I stayed above the weather at 8,500 feet, but the cloud tops kept climbing, forming anvils to my west. One quick look at ForeFlight connected to Sentry, and it reported some green, yellow, and even some orange in some of those clouds over there.

The world's largest airshow starts 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 Home Flight Simulation market has experienced a unique, maybe even rollercoaster ride over the last few years. At the E3 conference (Electronic Entertainment Expo) in June of 2019, Microsoft announced that a new Flight Simulator was in the works. The previous program was released almost 13 years prior, so the community was hungry for new simulation software. At the same time, a former product manager from Saitek/Logitech was launching a new brand and delivering a yoke with a honeycomb design as the logo in late 2019. And within six months of both these announcements, the world was quarantined and it was socially acceptable to stay inside all weekend and fly the digital skies. Flight simming was mainstream. Microsoft took advantage of the aligning stars and launched (many would argue prematurely) Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020—and a new chapter for the flight sim community started. But how did this benefit the aviation community?

Sporty’s has introduced a sleek, new addition to its popular Flight Gear line: the Executive Kneeboard, a premium, all-in-one organizer, designed for pilots who demand both form and function in the cockpit.

If you’re training at a towered airport, you’ll eventually hear the phrase “cleared for the option.” It’s an ATC clearance that gives you flexibility to perform any one of several landing maneuvers: a full stop landing, touch-and-go, stop-and-go, or low approach/go-around.

Sporty’s has introduced a new solution for students looking for realistic instrument conditions:  the Instant IFR™ Clip-On Training Glasses. Designed to simulate instrument flying with unmatched comfort and convenience, these compact glasses offer a modern alternative to bulky hoods and awkward foggles.

From ATC modernization to the new MOSAIC rule to unleaded avgas, AOPA is involved in all the key issues for pilots. New President Darren Pleasance shares his opinion on each of these topics and explains what role his organization is playing. Darren is a longtime pilot, flying everything from aerobatic airplanes to warbirds, so he also shares many lessons learned from his 8000+ hours. In the Ready to Copy segment, Darren talks about flying a P-51 solo, pursuing innovation at Google, and kiteboarding.

Sporty’s is proud to announce the launch of IFR Focus, a new online publication dedicated entirely to instrument flying. Designed for active IFR pilots and pilots working toward their instrument rating, this site offers a practical, pilot-centered approach to staying sharp in the system.