
February is IFR month at Sporty’s
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Throughout the month of February, Sporty’s will be celebrating IFR Month, a four-week focus on the challenges and rewards of instrument flying. In addition to special savings on pilot gear, Sporty’s will also offer a YouTube video series, interactive webinars, live streams and more.

Video Tip: How to enter the traffic pattern at a nontowered airport
The FAA recommends standard traffic pattern flows at nontowered airports in an effort to maintain order and a safe environment for aircraft arrivals and departures. This includes specific instructions on how to enter back into the pattern after spending some time practicing maneuvers at a higher altitude away from the airport. This week's video tip illustrates several methods to do this, depending on the direction from which you're approaching the airport, in an effort to get established on the downwind leg at the published traffic pattern altitude.

Overcoming the Five Most Common Landing Errors
Landing an aircraft is often described as a blend of precision, practice, and intuition—yet even seasoned pilots can fall victim to common landing errors. From misjudging the flare to battling crosswinds, these mistakes can challenge pilots of all experience levels. This article dives into the most prevalent landing errors, shedding light on why they occur and how they can sneak into even the most carefully executed approaches.

Sporty’s Air Facts Launches the 2025 Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots
The Richard Collins family has once again partnered with Sporty’s to offer The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. To qualify, the writer must be a pilot (including student pilot) who is 24 years of age or younger. The article must be original, not previously published, and no longer than 1,500 words. The topic should be "my most memorable flight."

Video Tip: Flying at night
Night is simply one of the best times to fly–the air is smooth, the airport isn't as busy and the view out the window is incredible. This week's video takes a closer look at night flying and some best practices to follow to ensure your next flight in the dark is as safe as it enjoyable.

Rectangular Course—Sporty’s Flight Maneuver Spotlight
During your training, you will be introduced to the rectangular course and other ground reference maneuvers. Ground reference maneuvers integrate the fundamentals of flight and demonstrate that you have competence in manipulating the flight controls and applying control pressures to maintain a pre-determined aircraft course relative to objects on the ground.

Future Takes Flight Scholarship Program Offering $30,000 in Awards
The Sheltair and Avfuel Future Takes Flight Scholarships provide $30,000 in educational funds annually. This year the program will award six, $5,000 scholarships across three categories: two for learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings; two for aviation technicians; and two for continuing education.

Commercial pilot video tip: Eights on Pylons
There are several new flight maneuvers to learn during Commercial Pilot Training. One of the new ground reference maneuvers is called Eights on Pylons, which involves flying a figure 8 pattern over the ground while varying the aircraft’s altitude in order to maintain a defined visual reference to preselected reference points, called pivot points, or pylons.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAA Knowledge Test
Scheduling your FAA knowledge test is an exciting step toward…

Descent Planning: Strategies for Safe and Smooth Arrivals
Descent planning is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of managing your flight. And if not planned properly, a poorly executed descent can present challenges and unnecessary risks when transitioning to an approach or the traffic pattern. Pilots must consider a variety of factors, including terrain, weather, airspace constraints, and aircraft performance, to ensure a smooth and safe descent.