Entries by Doug Ranly

What pilots should know about oxygen

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The regulations require that pilots use supplemental oxygen if you fly more than 30 minutes at cabin pressure altitudes of 12,500 feet or higher. Above 14,000 feet, pilots must use oxygen at all times. And beginning at  15,000 feet each occupant of the aircraft must be provided supplemental oxygen. These rules are intended to guard […]

Three myths about active noise reduction headsets

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One of the more significant equipment investments a pilot will make during training is in an aviation headset. With prices ranging from a few hundred to more than one thousand dollars, the options and features can be confusing. In this article from Sporty’s Pilot Shop manager and pilot, Doug Ranly, he explains some common myths […]

Video: best budget ANR headset for pilots

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Every pilot needs a good headset, but not everyone wants to spend $1000 for one. Fortunately, there are some great options for under $700. Sporty’s headset expert Doug Ranly shows off two of the best options in this Product PIREP video: the Faro Stealth 2 ANR and the Lightspeed Sierra.

Video: what’s the best ANR headset?

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Three headsets consistently come out on top among pilots: the Bose A20, Lightspeed Zulu 3, and David Clark ONE-X. All three of these headsets feature active noise reduction (ANR), comfortable ear seals, Bluetooth audio integration, and excellent product support. To help you choose the right one for you, Sporty’s Doug Ranly compares the “big three” in this Product PIREP video.

3 Night Flying Pilot Hacks

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It didn’t take many flights for me to really start to appreciate and enjoy flying at night. In many ways, it is better than flying during the day. But night flight isn’t without some unique challenges. Here are my top 3 hacks to overcome some of those challenges and make your night flights more enjoyable.

Top 4 passive aviation headsets (great for student pilots)

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When looking at student pilot headsets, the first thing to consider is your budget. The saying, “You get what you pay for” is pretty accurate when it comes to aviation headsets. Many student pilots are on a tight budget. This has them looking towards less expensive passive headsets. Most pilots will start out with one of these headsets, then graduate to an active noise canceling headset once they get their license. Their original passive headset then becomes a passenger headset.

With that in mind, here are the top four passive headsets for student pilots.

5 hacks for cockpit organization

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Staying organized in the cockpit is essential for a safe and enjoyable flight. The rat’s nest of cables combined with unsecured gadgets can make your cockpit feel like you’re on the next edition of Hoarders. But before you call American Pickers or spend a fortune on even more products to get you organized, let me give you my top five hacks to keep you organized in the cockpit. And none will break your budget. 

Top 10 things you need when starting flight training

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Sporty’s is much more than just a pilot shop—today, our successful flight school has hundreds of students and is solely responsible for the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Program. The plethora of pilot supplies out there can be overwhelming, so students often look to us for advice on what you really need for flight training. Here’s our top 10 list.