What's the difference between 1090 and 978?

You probably know by now that most airplanes will have to be equipped with ADS-B Out by January 1, 2020, in order to meet the FAA mandate. Beyond that basic issue, though, there are still a lot of questions to consider. One of the first is 1090 vs. 978. That is, should you install an ADS-B Out transponder that works on the 1090 MHz frequency (sometimes called 1090ES) or the 978 MHz frequency (sometimes called a 978 UAT)?

We are proud to have over 25,000 customer reviews at sportys.com, real opinions from real pilots on the products you're interested in. They are a great resource for deciding which product to buy or how to use the latest technology, but some reviews go beyond just words. Every Sporty's review has the option to add a photo, and we've received some great pictures of our products in use. Check out some of our best ones below.

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 2018, for example, the foundation donated over $225,000 to programs - and all with no overhead (Sporty's Pilot Shop underwrites all expenses).

This is the second 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.

“It’s magic.” At least that is what I thought the first time I turned on an Active Noise Reduction (ANR) headset. WOW! What kind of wizardry is happening in these ear cups? I was instantly convinced that ANR might be the single greatest innovation in aviation history. The noise environment of a piston airplane makes communications tough, but modern ANR headsets have revolutionized the way pilots communicate.

Rene Wilson of Columbia, South Carolina, has been selected to receive the second Sporty’s Flight Crew Scholarship, which all Gold and Platinum members are eligible to apply for. Rene plans to use the $2500 scholarship to complete his private pilot training.

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.