Sporty's Product PIREPs

Attending a fly-in should be on every pilot's to-do list. It's a great way to stay fresh on cross country flight planning and gives you an excuse to go fly. Make sure you do your homework and check for NOTAMs, as large gatherings of aircraft usually call for special arrival procedures. Even if you can't make it to Oshkosh, try to find a regional EAA or AOPA fly-in and go rub shoulders with some fellow aviators for a while. Before departing on a fly-in adventure, be sure to stock up on these must-have supplies.

If you're a current airplane pilot, it's surprisingly easy to earn a remote pilot certificate, which enables you to perform commercial operations with a small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). Simply take an online test and apply for a new certificate using the FAA's online IACRA system. But while the process is fairly easy, being legal and being safe aren't the same thing - it's worth investing in quality training. Sporty's is pleased to offer three great online courses to help you earn your certificate and be a responsible UAS operator.

Buying a headset can be confusing. Do you need ANR? How does Bluetooth music input work? Which brands are the most popular? Join Sporty's for a guided tour of the aviation headset market in this fast-paced webinar recording. From the technology behind the products to some real world advice on making the right choice, you'll get the information you need to make a good decision.

Sporty's was founded 55 years ago by a flight instructor, and ever since we've been for pilots, by pilots. More than just a store, we're involved in all aspects of general aviation, from flight training to aircraft maintenance to airport management. Many of the products we sell are designed in-house by our staff of 30+ pilots and tested in our airport businesses. Our experience as pilots, as educators, as airport managers, as aviation advocates – along with our many other endeavors – affords us a unique qualification to provide only the products and services that are the best value to our customers.

One of the longest-running, most successful scholarship initiatives in aviation is one you may not know about: the annual Aviation Exploring scholarship program. Every year, $50,000 is awarded to a dozen youth who are interested in airplanes and a career in the industry. Now you can help support this important investment in the next generation of aviators by donating to The Sporty's Foundation, which manages fundraising on behalf of Aviation Exploring.

Recently at Sporty's we've seen a lot of new tech gadgets for pilots come to market. Pilots are known to love an electronic gizmo that will make life easier and often times safer as well. We're sort of futurists when you think about it. Since Orville and Wilbur Wright, pilots have faced greater challenges than your typical adventurer, which is why we're always at the forefront of innovation. The newest products from top manufacturers like Garmin, Appareo and Yaesu are just what we need to satisfy the technology itch we've got and I'm personally going to make some additions to my flight bag. Here's what we're looking at.

The first big aviation event of the year is about to kick off, and Sporty's will be there in a big way. The annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-in, which takes place in sunny Lakeland, Florida, runs from April 4-9 this year. Stop by Sporty's big tent - just outside Hangar A on the main ramp - for new products, interactive demos, seminars, and much more.

Sporty's was founded by a flight instructor over 55 years ago, and from the beginning we've been passionate about flight training. When we started out doing three-day ground schools in the 1960s, slides were considered high tech. Over the years, we've transitioned to VHS tapes and now to the latest digital options. The goal has always been the same: offer the highest quality training materials in a variety of formats so pilots can learn anytime, anywhere. Here are five ways to learn with us today.

Sporty's is well-known for offering the finest pilot supplies, and you probably also know about our video training courses. But did you know that our team of app developers has released over 30 aviation apps? Here are some stats from the last year, plus a look at all the different options we offer.