Video tip: aircraft inspections and ELT requirements

Airplanes are held to high standards when it comes to maintenance and inspection requirements. This week's tip takes a look at the reason behind each inspection, how to verify they've been completed and the required paperwork to be on the airplane. It also takes a look at why digital 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters (ELT) incorporate GPS to improve their performance.

The ABCs of Emergencies

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While complete engine failures are not common, the stakes are high which is why pilots train extensively for such occurrences and why they get evaluated as part of a checkride. If faced with an engine failure, or training for your next engine failure with your instructor, act quick and decisively by remembering what you learned in kindergarten – your ABCs.

Webinar Video: Home Simulation For IFR Training and Proficiency—a Pilot’s Perspective

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Today's flight simulators offer more versatility and feasibility to instrument flight rules training than ever expected. Join Sporty's, Chris McGonegle, as he covers how to build and feature set an at home flight simulator tailored towards instrument flying.

RNAV Circling Approach and Procedure Turn at Cecil, FL – Sporty’s IFR Insights with Spencer Suderman

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In this episode, ride along with Spencer in a G1000-equipped Cessna 172 as he flies a full RNAV circle-to-land approach with a holding pattern course reversal into Cecil, Florida.
frequently missed test questions

Most Frequently Missed Private Pilot Written Test Questions—January 2025

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These commonly missed questions often focus on nuanced regulations, meteorology, flight planning, and airspace rules. Understanding why these questions are frequently misunderstood can help test-takers better prepare and avoid making costly mistakes. Here are the five most often missed questions from January 2025 on the simulated Private Pilot Knowledge Test.

RNAV/GPS Instrument Approach Tips – LPV, LNAV+V and more (video tip)

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Learn how to fly RNAV approaches like a pro in Sporty's latest IFR video tip.

IFR Focus with PilotWorkshops: Better Practice Approaches

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The two best things you can do are making practice a habit and upping the stakes. The first part is pretty simple: Set a recurring day, say the second Saturday of each month, when you and a friend or two go bore holes in the IFR system for practice. Three people are better because two get to watch while one flies, and there’s still a party if one of the gang must take a day off.

Quiz: Flight Planning with Sporty’s E6B

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During flight training, you’ll learn to plan your cross-country flights first by hand and use the E6B each step of the way. You’ll also find it to be a handy companion when studying for the FAA knowledge exam. We’ll use the Sporty’s electronic E6B flight computer in this quiz when calculating flight planning and navigation questions.

IFR Insights Episode 1: Flying an Instrument Approach in IMC with Spencer Suderman

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Welcome to Sporty’s IFR Insights Series, hosted by Spencer Suderman. Spencer is an airshow pilot and instrument flight instructor and will show what it's like to fly IFR cross-country trips and instrument approaches. In this first episode, Spencer flies an RNAV approach through rain showers and a low cloud layer into St. Augustine, FL, in a G1000-equipped Cessna 172.

Updated PIC Currency Requirements

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A seemingly subtle change to § 61.57 that went into effect in early December has a significant affect on PIC currency requirements. Of course, everyone is aware that three takeoffs and landings in the same category, class, and type (if required) are required to carry “passengers,” but the recent update to landing currency in § 61.57(a)(b) replaces the word “passengers” with “persons.”