Pilots can now earn FAA WINGS credit automatically from any of Sporty’s 18 training courses, which can help satisfy the requirement for a Flight Review and potentially save money on insurance. Here's how it works.

The latest GoPro cameras are the most sophisticated action cameras ever designed, and they are perfect for pilots. You can record your first solo, trip to Oshkosh, or family vacation and get stunning results. We've flown with the brand new HERO8, and the in-flight video was razor sharp, rich in colors, and smooth (thanks to GoPro's incredible HyperSmooth stabilization). But how do you record cockpit audio in addition to video?

Cold weather can mean better airplane performance and some beautiful winter sunrises, but it can also mean potential danger from the airplane's heating system. Here's what pilots need to know about carbon monoxide: where it comes from, how to prevent it from entering the cockpit, and what tools are available for detecting it.

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course has helped tens of thousands of pilots earn their pilot certificate, and it's famous for a relentless pace of innovation. Every year, we add new content, new training tools, and technological enhancements. 2020 is no exception, with a host of upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.

Learning to fly is a thrilling experience, but it’s also time-consuming and, yes, expensive. That’s why the pilots at Sporty’s are constantly working to make flight training (and flying in general) easier, more efficient, and less expensive. Over the last six months, we’ve introduced a number of new products to help pilots fly safer and save money, and we’re very proud that we haven’t cut any corners to do it.

With iPad apps and portable GPSs in most cockpits, pilots already have great backup navigation tools close at hand. That means the days of buying feature-laden portable radios with VOR navigation and GPS receivers are coming to an end. What’s really needed in an emergency is a reliable, easy-to-use COM radio.

A portable radio is an essential tool for pilots of all experience levels. When you're just starting out, listening to local traffic is a great way to improve your communication skills. When you're an instrument-rated pilot, a handheld radio is a convenient option for picking up IFR clearances before engine start. And for any pilot, a quality radio is cheap insurance should the panel go dark.

Donna Holman of Orangeburg, South Carolina, is the latest recipient of a $2,500 scholarship awarded through her membership in Sporty’s Flight Crew program. Donna plans to put this money toward her flight instructor certificate so that she can continue to share her passion for aviation with others.
 

A good aviation headset is an essential part of any pilot’s flight bag. While the most advanced models can cost over $1,000 they also do an incredible job of protecting your hearing and enhancing the clarity of airborne communications. With proper care, headsets can also last for 10+ years, so it’s a smart investment.

What's the Difference?

Taking off in a general aviation airplane usually means leaving your connected world behind. Emails, text messages, and phone calls are not options at 7,000 feet in your typical Cessna or Cirrus. More seriously, some GA trips can take you off the grid even after landing - few cell phones work in the backcountry of Idaho or the remote islands of the Caribbean.