Sporty's PIREPs

Flying in south Florida recently, I heard a Baron on an IFR flight plan call on 121.5 asking other pilots for help finding the correct ATC frequency. Apparently somewhere along the way, contact had been lost during a handoff, and the pilot wasn’t sure who he should be talking to next. It’s more common than many pilots realize and has happened to me on multiple occasions.

Sporty’s and PilotWorkshops have expanded their training partnership once again with the addition of VFR Mastery and IFR Mastery to the Sporty’s Pilot Training platform, delivering ongoing scenario-based proficiency training for pilots both online and via the dedicated Pilot Training app for iOS.  Long regarded as one of aviation’s most respected continuing education programs, the PilotWorkshops Mastery series helps pilots sharpen real-world decision-making skills through interactive monthly scenarios focused on both VFR and IFR flying.

If you’ve spent any time in a flight school lounge or a hangar on a rainy day, you know the best learning often happens when the Hobbs isn’t running. It’s the "What would you do?" conversations—the debates over a tricky weather problem, an obscure avionics failure in IMC, or a confusing ATC instruction—that truly sharpen a pilot’s judgment and make them safer. With that, we are thrilled to announce a major evolution: PIlotWorkshops Mastery is officially available in the Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iOS and online.

More new pilots, more flying hours, and fewer accidents—that’s the positive picture EAA’s Tom Charpentier sees when he looks at the latest FAA numbers. He shares how to be an optimist about aviation, why the 1970s are not a fair comparison, and what issues could disrupt the current growth cycle. Tom is deeply involved in EAA’s regulatory work, and he explains the importance of FAA orders and what to expect from MOSAIC. In the Ready to Copy segment, Tom talks about his favorite part of AirVenture, flying the Cessna 170, and wilderness canoeing.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Hal Shevers on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Founder and longtime chairman of Sporty’s, Hal was a pioneering force in pilot training and a beloved leader in the aviation community. Hal’s life’s work shaped the landscape of general aviation for more than six decades.

The PJ2 GPS isn't just a backup radio; it’s a powerful situational awareness tool designed for simplicity when you need it most. Let’s jump in and look at how to set up the GPS portion of this radio. 

For Addison Morgan, aviation has long been part of the background—but in late 2024, at a crossroads in his career, it moved to the forefront. Now nearing his Private Pilot checkride, Addison has been awarded Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship to help him complete the final cross-country requirements of his training.

Learn to Fly Week at Sporty's is dedicated to helping more people start their journey toward becoming a pilot. From May 9–18, Sporty’s will feature practical training content, valuable free resources, and special savings on essential tools for new and aspiring pilots. Whether you are ready to begin flight lessons, still researching the process, or looking for the right resources to stay motivated, Learn to Fly Week is designed to make that first step feel more approachable and exciting.

Just in time for those long summer days on the ramp and evenings at the hangar, Sporty’s has introduced a new lineup of AeroWear Polo shirts. These performance shirts combine aviation-inspired design with performance comfort that pilots are sure to appreciate.

Tailwheel airplanes demand excellent situational awareness and sharp manual flying skills, two things that modern pilots often lack, according to taildragger expert Damian DelGaizo. The longtime flight school owner, who learned from an aviation legend, talks about the finer points of three-point landings, wheel landings, and Piper Cubs. He also explains why a touch pass is important for evaluating grass runways and why you might have to carry a garbage bag full of rocks when flying skiplanes. In the Ready to Copy segment, Damian talks about dancing on the rudder pedals, how to fly with heel brakes, and teaching Harrison Ford to fly taildraggers.