Sporty's PIREPs

Sporty’s now includes free organizer tabs with its editions of two essential FAA publications: the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) and the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH).

Finding the right Christmas gift for a pilot can be a challenge, especially if you're not a pilot yourself. Aviation is a specialized world, and knowing which gear is worth buying isn't always obvious. Fortunately, we have plenty of pilots here at Sporty's to help. Here are our Top 10 Pilot Gifts for 2026.

The Echo is the first flight simulator controller from Honeycomb Aeronautical that provides pitch, roll, yaw, AND engine management, without using any desk space. Honeycomb has grown into a common brand for flight sim enthusiasts as well as actual pilots since their first product debuted seven years ago. In that time they’ve launched an award winning yoke, a throttle body that does everything except make you coffee, and a (long) awaited set of rudder pedals that close out the trio. The Echo combines the primary features of each preceding hardware piece into a small, handheld device.

PilotWorkshops Premier is a new, comprehensive membership program designed to help pilots build and maintain proficiency between flights. Developed directly from customer feedback, Premier delivers an integrated training ecosystem for aviators seeking direct access to flight instructors, real-time interactive training, and continuous decision-making practice.

What happens when you take a former high school chemistry teacher, turn her into a CFI, and send her back into the high school classroom to run a full-semester private pilot ground school? In this episode, high school educator, medical professional, and flight instructor Kailee Calder explains how she is reshaping youth aviation outreach through CTE partnerships in Utah. She also shares lessons she’s learned as a teacher that work for flight instructors and takes on misconceptions about today’s youth. In the Ready to Copy segment, Kailee shares her favorite flight simulator scenario for kids, why social media isn’t always the best marketing channel for flight schools, and the weather tips she learned from sailing.

The pitot tube is a small but important part of your airplane's pitot-static system. It measures the pressure of the air entering its forward-facing opening as the airplane moves through the air. Combined with static pressure from the static ports, that information allows the airspeed indicator to calculate indicated airspeed.

Learning to fly involves more than passing a written test. It takes quality instruction, practice, and the ability to apply what you have learned in the airplane. The 2027 edition of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course adds new 4K video lessons, expanded Flight Instructor Focus segments, updated test preparation, and new ways to study with Sporty’s Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI) tools. Because Sporty’s courses include lifetime access, these updates are included automatically for existing customers at no additional cost.

Former NASA Flight Director and experimental aircraft expert Paul Dye explains how high-stakes spaceflight principles can translate to the world of single-pilot GA flying. He reflects on decision-making at Mission Control, the art of evaluating risk versus uncertainty, and why pilots must always be willing to question their own choices. He also breaks down the reality of building kitplanes, offering honest advice on what it takes to finish a project, how to approach flight testing safely, and how MOSAIC could shape general aviation’s future. In the Ready to Copy lightning round, Paul talks about NASA in the movies, flying the Fisk Arrival into Oshkosh, and why a simple J-3 Cub on a grass strip remains hard to beat.

Sporty’s has introduced the Compact Pilot Gel Seat Cushion, a lightweight, foldable seat cushion designed to add comfort to airplane seats without taking up valuable space in a flight bag.  The cushion has a breathable honeycomb gel design that provides soft, supportive seating while promoting airflow.  Its compact size makes it well suited for long cross-country flights, training sessions, and older aircraft with well-used seats.

Oxygen can make a noticeable difference on a long cross-country, but traditional tanks aren’t always convenient to carry or use. The Inogen Rove 6 takes a different approach, producing oxygen on demand without a tank to fill or ration. We took this portable oxygen concentrator flying to see how it works in a GA cockpit—and whether it’s a practical option for pilots.