Sporty's PIREPs

Fighting Forest Fires From a DC-6, with David Gagliardi

David Gagliardi has spent many summers flying big airplanes at low altitude, dropping fire retardant on wildfires all over North America. In this episode, he takes us behind the scenes, explaining how pilots maintain situational awareness, what it’s like managing 60-year old airliners, and what the future of the industry looks like. David is also a longtime flight instructor and pilot examiner, so he shares invaluable tips for anyone preparing for a checkride, including how to avoid “failing yourself.” In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll hear about flying warbirds, the best airport in British Columbia, and decision-making lessons learned in the navy.

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Posted in Podcast

What is ground effect?

Many student pilots notice that their airplane seems to float just above the runway during landing. This is due to ground effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon that every pilot should understand. Ground effect occurs when an airplane is flying close to the surface, usually within a distance equal to the wingspan of the aircraft. The presence of the ground reduces wingtip vortices and downwash, which in turn reduces induced drag and increases lift.

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Posted in Ask a CFI

Best Pilot Backpack: Why the Flight Gear Stealth Bag Is Built for Every Mission

The Flight Gear Stealth Backpack redefines “bang-for-your buck” in pilot gear. When it comes to flight bags, versatility is everything. You are essentially getting three different bags in one with the new Flight Gear Stealth Backpack. Whether you prefer a shoulder bag, a backpack, or a quick-grab carry option, this bag has you covered.

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Posted in PIREPs

Flight Gear Sideslip Bag Review: The Compact Flight Bag Every Pilot Needs

As a student pilot, my flight training journey has been a constant evolution—not only in skills, but also in the gear I carry. When I first started out, my flight bag looked more like a traveling library. Here’s why I switched to the Sideslip Bag.

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Posted in PIREPs

How to maintain your aviation headset

A good aviation headset is an essential part of any pilot’s flight bag. While the most advanced models can cost over $1,000 they also do an incredible job of protecting your hearing and enhancing the clarity of airborne communications. With proper care, headsets can also last for 10+ years, so it’s a smart investment.

 

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Posted in PIREPs and Headsets

Headset Plugs

How to choose the right connector  

Buying a headset can be overwhelming. Our staff of experienced pilots have flown with every brand we sell and are uniquely qualified to answer all your questions. Some of the most common questions we deal with involve headset connectors: "What's the difference between twin plugs and 6-pin connectors?" Or "Do I need a battery powered or aircraft powered headset?" Let’s go through the differences of each connector so that when you select a headset you're confident that you chose the right type.  

 

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Posted in Headsets

Sporty’s Announces Fall/Winter Webinar Series for Pilots

Sporty’s free webinar series continues into fall and winter with a mix of timely topics designed to help pilots stay informed, proficient, and safe. Each interactive session is led by an experienced flight instructor or industry expert and includes a live Q&A session.

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Posted in News

Designing a Brand New Sport Plane, with Steve Wood

Designing a clean sheet airplane and introducing it to the world by flying to Oshkosh is a bold plan, but that’s exactly what Steve Wood did this year. He tells us all about the Spirit Engineering SE-1, including why staying quiet was important for the company, why good looks matter in an airplane, and why they designed their own engine. Steve also worked at Cessna many years ago, so he talks about the glory days of GA, including the launch of the Cessna Caravan. In the Ready to Copy segment, Steve discusses common design mistakes, the Skypup ultralight, and the Cessna 303.

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Posted in Podcast

It's Rusty Pilot Week at Sporty's

Has it been a while since you logged PIC time? At Sporty’s, we get it—we’re pilots too, while juggling jobs, families, and busy schedules. That’s why we created Rusty Pilot Week: a great chance to refresh your skills, save on essential gear, and rediscover why you fell in love with flying in the first place. All it takes is some study, a few hours with an instructor, and a plan to polish the skills that have gotten rusty.

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Posted in PIREPs

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