Flight Start Helps Student Pilots Choose Their Path

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Flight Start focuses on the prospective pilot’s personality and ambition, and offers guidance on assembling an aviation “welcome” plan that is personalized for the new student.
Airplane flying

Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s begins Monday, May 1

May is Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s, a 31-day celebration of flight training designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to savings on popular pilot gear, Sporty’s will launch a new YouTube video series, host a number of interactive webinars, post over two dozen articles, and even pay some FAA knowledge tests. 

Video tip: how to spot in-flight traffic

Collision avoidance skills are emphasized early on in the flight training process, and it's important that you make an effort to keep your eyes out the window as much as possible when practicing maneuvers. This week's video takes a look at a few tips you can incorporate on your next flight to help spot nearby traffic, along with some new technology innovations that allow you to display nearby traffic right on your favorite aviation iPad app.

Turns Around a Point – Flight Maneuver Spotlight

Ground reference maneuvers provide the opportunity to refine your flying skills by learning to fly the airplane over a predetermined path over the ground while compensating for the effects of the wind.

Sporty’s webinar video: Top 10 ForeFlight Features You Probably Didn’t Know About

With all the updates and feature additions that have been implemented over the last few years, a few of the tips and tricks have slipped through the average aviator's repertoire. Join ForeFlight's own Josh Berman and Brandon Walker for a highlight of some of the lesser known abilities of ForeFlight.
GoPro wingtip

The FAA publishes AIM update – change 3 effective April 20, 2023

The FAA recently published Change 3 of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) effective April 20, 2023. The updated AIM is available now in the Sporty’s online course portal at www.sportys.com/mycourses.

Video tip: The aerodynamics of induced and parasite drag

During your flight training you'll learn all about the 4 forces acting on the airplane in flight, including lift, thrust, weight and drag. This week's tip takes a closer look at the aerodynamic forces that cause the rearward force of drag, including a breakdown of parasite vs. induced drag.

Always leave yourself an out

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We want to have a general understanding of obstructions, terrain, airports, landmarks and any type of airspace restrictions or potential weather hazards located within this band all the way from takeoff to landing.  One vital element of contingency planning relates to fuel.

Pilot’s guide to flying in Class E and G airspace (video tip)

The vast majority of airspace below 18,000' in the US is classified as either Class E or Class G and does not require communication with ATC to enter. This video explores how you can identify the boundaries of Class E and G airspace on a sectional chart and the operational considerations when flying in each.

Quiz: ADS-B Rules and Regulations

The rules for transponder requirements changed in 2020, requiring aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B out transponders in most of the same airspace that previously required a Mode C transponder. Take our latest quiz and test your knowledge of the details of ADS-B rules.