Securing your iPad in the cockpit is important for both safety and ease of use while flying. For those pilots who prefer a kneeboard to a mount, there are as many options as ever, from basic leg straps to multi-purpose lap desks. Here's our list of the top five kneeboards, as chosen by the pilots at Sporty's.

Sporty's has a long history of giving back to aviation, with a particular focus on young people and the future of aviation. We simply think it's the right thing to do. In 2007, we formalized our philanthropic efforts by establishing The Sporty's Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting worthy aviation causes. In 2017, for example, the foundation donated over $280,000 to programs - and all with no overhead (Sporty's Pilot Shop underwrites all expenses).

This is the first in a series of articles where we'll highlight individual programs we support at The Sporty's Foundation. Our goal is to shine a light on some great organizations and encourage other pilots to support them.

While a headset or a flight bag is always a great gift option, sometimes you're looking for a unique option - something for the home or office, and not the cockpit. For those hard-to-shop-for pilots, Sporty's Wright Bros. Collection has a wide variety of products that will bring a smile to the face of any aviation enthusiast. Here's our top 8 list.

A home flight simulator is a great way to keep your flying skills sharp when the weather is bad or your airplane is in the shop. That's always been true, but recent rule changes make advanced flight simulators much more valuable for training. Here's what the new rules say, and how you can use a Redbird TD or TD2 to save money on proficiency training.

The ability to view datalink weather on your iPad has been one of the most significant advancements in portable avionics in recent decades. Whether you fly with ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, WingX, or FltPlan Go, you can now monitor NEXRAD radar, METARs, TAFs, TFRs and much more. But first you need to choose the right receiver. Use this guide to compare all the options, from ADS-B to SiriusXM satellite weather, and find the best fit for your flying.

Last week we introduced the latest edition of Sporty's award-winning training system, the 2019 Learn to Fly and Instrument Rating courses. These feature plenty of new technology, from a new Android app to customized test prep tools to CloudAhoy integration. Beyond the powerful new tools, though, are a host of video updates and additions. We're continually working to make our courses the most practical, up-to-date, and comprehensive videos available anywhere. Here's a look at some of the new segments in the Instrument Rating Course.

The goal of flyGIRL is to encourage and inspire women and young girls to open their hearts and minds to their potential and to help their dreams take flight. A portion of every flyGIRL sale goes to support the group’s scholarship fund, which awards $5,000 to a woman (young or old) who is pursuing flight training. We talked to Natalie Kelley, founder of flyGIRL, to learn about her journey in aviation and what advice she has for aspiring pilots.

Are you looking for that perfect addition to your home with aviation flair (no pun intended)? It’s hard to imagine the perfect space without some reference to flying. Living rooms, basements, home bars, garages, and especially hangars look great with a propeller proudly displayed. Well, we’ve put together our top five list of aviation decorations that will brighten up your home or make a great gift. Here they are!

A headset is one of the most important investments a pilot will ever make, and not simply because of the expense. A quality aviation headset can protect your hearing, reduce fatigue, and even improve flight safety. That's why Sporty's offers a variety of tools and resources to make your next headset purchase fast, easy and affordable. We are proud to be the #1 headset retailer in aviation. 

Learning to fly is one of the most exciting journeys in life, but it also takes hard work and dedication. That means much more than just logging time in the left seat of an airplane, too. In fact, years of experience at our flight school have proven that using a home study course is the key to efficient flight training. The right course can save you time, money, and frustration – and make you a better pilot. 

That’s why Sporty’s 2019 Learn to Fly Course is such an exciting update. New content, flexible app options, and smart study tools all combine to offer an unmatched training experience. The powerful test prep tools mean you’ll be prepared to ace the written test, but that’s just the beginning. In depth video segments focus on real world flying, detailed lesson plans help organize your training, and Sporty’s flight instructors are always available to help.

The team at Sporty's Academy is always working on new features, and we're excited to show off some of the latest additions for 2019.