Sporty's PIREPs

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.

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.

Flying at night is one of the many privileges we have as private pilots, and what good is a privilege if you don’t exercise it? But night flight isn’t without some challenges.  Here are my top 3 hacks to make your night flights more enjoyable.

One of the many features normally found on premium aviation headsets is Bluetooth, a wireless technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other. This is great for listening to music or making a phone call on the ground, but it can also be used to get audio alerts from your favorite electronic flight bag app. Here's how it works.

Sporty’s Aviation Gifts has launched a new flight jacket that pays tribute to one of aviation’s most iconic flight jackets—the MA-1 bomber jacket. First issued to Air Force and Navy pilots in the 1950s, the MA-1 became a symbol of American airpower and aviation heritage. Now, Sporty’s brings that same spirit into the 21st century with its exclusive Modern MA-1 AeroWear™ Jacket, designed as the ultimate all-season jacket.

Speed enroute is a nice problem to have—flying fast enough that you actually need to worry about speed limits. Many student pilots spend most of their training days flying less than 100 knots, so the idea of going too fast in an airplane can sound like a luxury. But yes, there are speed limits, and pilots are expected to know and follow them.

Sporty’s has combined two powerful training programs into one comprehensive offering: Real World Flight Review. This new course pairs Sporty’s acclaimed Flight Review online video course with PilotWorkshops’ Real World VFR program, creating the most complete and practical flight proficiency resource available today.

Flying a turbine airplane like a Citation Mustang requires a new approach to training and procedures. Longtime jet pilot and safety expert David Miller shares what he’s learned over 50+ years of flying, including how to fly stabilized approaches, preparing for simulator training, and the value of a lead passenger. David also offers advice on the insurance process and when to fly with a second pilot. In the Ready to Copy segment, David talks about the Sabreliner, the Special Olympics Airlift, and detailing clay for cars.

Sporty’s latest addition to its Aviation Gifts collection takes inspiration directly from the beauty and nostalgia of commercial airline travel. The new Cast Aluminum Aircraft Window Picture Frames replicate the timeless look of jet windows, making them the perfect way to display favorite memories with a bold aviation touch.

Sentry is the ultimate safety addition to any cockpit. Most pilots focus on its ability to deliver ADS-B weather to an iPad running ForeFlight, but it also includes several other safety features that I won’t fly without. The built-in GPS receiver makes sure you never get lost, the carbon monoxide sensor continuously monitors cabin air quality, and the ADS-B traffic receiver warns of potential mid-air conflicts.