Sporty's PIREPs

Many commercial pilot applicants don't open the Commercial Airman Certification Standards (ACS) until they're a few weeks away from the checkride. That's a mistake. The Commercial ACS isn't just a testing document—it's the roadmap your instructor should be using and the playbook your examiner will be using during your checkride.

The pilot shortage gets a lot of headlines, but longtime A&P/IA Paul New says the shortage of mechanics is much more serious. He explains the causes, what owners can do to work productively with their A&P, and how pilots can take advantage of modern engine monitors to save money. Paul is also a very experienced pilot, so he shares lessons he’s learned from countless post-maintenance flights, including what to watch on the takeoff roll. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn how to write a good squawk, Paul’s favorite Cessna, and his advice for new mechanics.

As pilots, we all know that the real learning begins after you pass your checkride. The challenge isn't just maintaining legal currency; it's maintaining the proficiency required to handle real-world challenges when the weather goes south or a system malfunctions. That is exactly where PilotWorkshops' IFR Mastery and VFR Mastery programs come in.

Ethan Barker, of Sevierville, Tennessee, is the latest recipient of Sporty's $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship, which he plans to use to help fund the flight time required for his Commercial Pilot Certificate.

The 2027 FAR/AIM is now available from Sporty's, featuring the latest FAA regulations and the current Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) in one convenient handbook-sized volume. Updated annually, the FAR/AIM remains the industry's most trusted resource for pilots, flight instructors, and aviation professionals.

Learning to fly seaplanes is a ton of fun, but Steve McCaughey from the Seaplane Pilots Association says it also improves your stick and rudder skills dramatically. He explains what you learn as a seaplane pilot, why amphibs have changed the industry, and his personal rules for safety gear. Steve also discusses the work of the SPA and how pilots can get involved in their local communities. In the Ready to Copy segment, Steve talks about flying antique seaplanes, the differences between flying boats and floatplanes, and his tips for making great aviation videos.

Start small. Don’t make your dog’s first flight a long cross-country adventure. Spend some time around the airplane on the ground first, then gradually introduce them to the sounds and sensations of flying. A short local flight is a much better way to learn how your dog will react.

As with most things aviation, we pilots often want to take things to the next level. If a bird feeder that looked like an airport was a good idea, what if we made a whole airport complex around this idea? Skybeak Birdport (KSIB) was born that day.

Sporty's is pleased to announce a new partnership with Jeppesen ForeFlight to distribute its industry-leading aviation education products, expanding access to trusted training resources for pilots, flight schools, aviation businesses, and resellers.

The key to working collaboratively with ATC is to remember that humans are on both sides of the mic, says longtime pilot and air traffic controller John Krug. He offers tips for when to cancel IFR at non-towered airports, how to get that shortcut you want, and what his biggest pet peeve was as a controller. John also talks about how to practice decision-making once you’ve learned basic flying skills and why the checkride isn’t enough. In the Ready to Copy segment, John shares his opinion on when to declare an emergency, landing at St. Barth’s, and building an RV-9A.