Sporty's PIREPs

From March 15 through August 15, 2026, entrants may submit their best seaplane images for a chance to win a $1,000 Sporty’s Gift Card and to have their photo featured on the cover of a future edition of the famous Sporty’s Pilot Shop Catalog. Second and third place winners will each receive a $500 Sporty’s Gift Card. Submitted photos will also be eligible for inclusion in the SPA’s annual calendar.

Ed Galkin has flown his Cessna 210 around the world in both directions, and last year he flew a circle around the Atlantic Ocean at age 89. In his uniquely energetic way, he explains how much planning goes into each trip, how he stays focused in flight, and the best places he’s visited along the way. Ed also shares some tips for staying sharp as a pilot, even well into your 80s, including the value of an instrument rating. In the Ready to Copy segment, you’ll learn about managing your bladder on 14-hour flights, landing at Easter Island, and what Ed learned as an oral surgeon that helped in the cockpit.

If you’ve been using Starlink to stay connected in the cockpit, Starlink just issued an important update that’s worth understanding before your next trip. Here’s the plain-English version of what changed, what your options are, and how to decide whether an Aviation plan makes sense for you.

Buying an aviation headset is a surprisingly personal decision. There is no "right answer" for every pilot—it depends on the type of flying you do, what airplane you fly most often and your personal preferences. Here are a few things to consider as you compare models.

If you're not sure which headset will be right for you, Sporty's Test Flight Guarantee can be a major benefit. Take your headset flying and make sure it works for you. Sporty's Test Flight Guarantee requires no paperwork and no hassle. It's just another reason why we are the #1 headset dealer in aviation.

For years, Sporty’s aviation media properties have served pilots at every stage of flying—from students to seasoned IFR pilots. Each outlet has its own editorial focus, but there’s significant overlap in audience and a shared passion and interest across the community. The Active Runway now connects that entire ecosystem in one place.

Tying down an airplane isn’t the glamorous part of flying. No one brags about their knot-tying technique at the FBO. But whether you’re training in a 172, flying a taildragger into a grass strip, or parking on a windy ramp overnight, securing your aircraft is one of the most important things you’ll do all day. Your airplane (and the one parked next to it) will thank you.

At the flight school dispatch desk or planning room, you’ll often hear it: a group of students and/or instructors gathered around, checking their phones and watch the winds, asking, “Is this too much for me?” or “Can we find another runway better aligned?” The POH lists a demonstrated crosswind component, but that number doesn’t answer the real question.

Designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 12, the Echo Aviation Controller integrates primary flight controls (pitch, roll, and yaw) with secondary and trim inputs into a single, handheld unit. Throttle, propeller, and mixture controls are built directly into the controller, complemented by dedicated levers for flaps, landing gear position, speed brakes, and parking brake.

From the Space Shuttle to F-15 fighter jets to his homebuilt VariEze, Charlie Precourt approaches every flight with the same discipline. In this episode he shares some of the lessons learned from his one-of-a-kind career, including the power of visualization, realistic personal minimums, and flight training that goes beyond checking the box. Charlie also shares some fascinating stories from his days at NASA, including landing the Space Shuttle and docking with the Mir space station. In the Ready to Copy segment, Charlie talks about underrated airplanes, flying with a test pilot’s mindset, and lessons learned from Russian pilots.