Sporty's PIREPs

Each month, we highlight standout gear that’s earned a place on our New Product Checklist. From training tools and cockpit upgrades to thoughtful gifts and pilot favorites, these are the picks worth knowing. See what made the list this month, and why it belongs in every pilot’s lineup.

When we talk about flight controls, most pilots immediately think of the yoke or stick and rudder pedals—the primary flight controls. These directly control the airplane’s pitch, bank, and yaw via the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. But there’s a second set of controls that play a crucial supporting role: the secondary flight controls. Secondary flight controls help fine-tune the aircraft's performance and handling. The most common examples are flaps and trim systems.

For both seasoned aviators and those just beginning their flying journey, discovering new places to travel to by air is one of the greatest joys of being a pilot.  Now, Sporty’s makes it easier and more inspiring than ever with a new digital guide featuring 50 fun flying destinations across the United States. Each airport destination was carefully chosen for its unique charm, aviation history, or must-see local attractions. Plus, planning your next adventure is simple thanks to seamless ForeFlight integration with a custom content pack and map layer.

Jack Long’s urge to explore is stronger than most people: he has flown his Pilatus PC-12 around the world in both directions, over the north and south poles, and completed two dozen Atlantic crossings. But he insists he’s no daredevil, and in this episode he explains his detailed approach to pre-flight planning and his comprehensive standard operating procedures manual that keeps him safe. Jack is also passionate about conservation flying, and talks about a memorable flight when he transported gray wolves from Canada to Colorado. In the Ready to Copy segment, Jack shares the most unique airport he’s visited, his favorite survival gear, and how his business background helps him as a pilot.

A pilot’s first solo flight is more than just a milestone—it is a defining moment that marks the transition from student to aviator. Now, that achievement can be commemorated in a meaningful and lasting way with Sporty’s new First Solo Photo Frame.

Crafted with care and designed to honor aviation’s most unforgettable rite of passage, this elegant frame makes it easy to celebrate the memory of a lifetime.

Sporty’s Learn to Fly course is designed to make your aviation training flexible, engaging, and thorough. With access across ten platforms and the ability to download content for offline viewing, you can study anywhere, anytime. Our course includes dynamic in-flight videos, a full maneuvers guide, and powerful test prep tools, all backed by our pass-guaranteed promise. Plus, you'll receive lifetime updates and support from Sporty's CFIs, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve as you prepare for your written, oral, and flight exams.

Sporty’s Aviation Gifts is bringing the allure of the airport home with our new Solar-Powered Runway and Taxiway Lights, designed to replicate the classic look of runway and taxiway lighting. Whether you are lining a driveway, adding flair to your hangar, or creating a one-of-a-kind garden path, these lights add the perfect aviation touch to any outdoor space.

Aircraft owners have more choices for avionics upgrades than ever before, but a fun project can quickly become a nightmare if you don’t do your homework. Larry Anglisano, a pilot, avionics technician, and editor at Aviation Consumer magazine, offers practical advice for avoiding disappointment, from glass cockpits to autopilots. He also shares why Rotax may be the answer for new engine technology and what the state of the aviation insurance market is right now. In the Ready to Copy segment, Larry talks about the risk of post-maintenance test flights, the future of unleaded avgas, and riding motorcycles.

If you’ve been training for a while and your CFI still hasn’t asked you to pull to the side of the ramp so he can endorse your logbook for that first solo, it’s natural to feel anxious and frustrated. Maybe you've logged 15 or 20 hours, and your friend already soloed. And that naturally has you thinking, "Why not me?"

Remember this: soloing is not a race. Every student learns at a different pace, and your instructor’s job is to make sure you're not just technically qualified to solo, but truly ready.