Webinar Video: Q&A With ATC

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Three veteran controllers—who are also experienced GA pilots—share practical, real-world insights you can use on your next flight. You’ll hear what matters most from the other side of the mic, clear up common misunderstandings, and learn tips to make every ATC interaction smoother.

How to read a METAR aviation weather report (video tip)

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One of the first aviation-specific weather products you’ll learn to use is called an Aviation Routine Weather Report, or METAR for short, which is an observation of weather conditions at an airport.

Quiz: VFR Cross-Country Flight Planning

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Winds aloft, true course, heading and groundspeed. Can you put all the puzzle pieces together and plan a successful cross-country flight?

Video Tip: Magnetic Compass Errors

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The magnetic compass is the only "self-powered", north-seeking instrument in the panel and you'll find one in just about every airplane. It's not a perfect instrument though and has some inherent errors due to its design and construction. This week's tip takes a look at when you're most likely to experience these errors and how to compensate for them should you ever need to rely on the compass for primary navigation guidance.

From the DPE: Busting Altitude Minimums

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Altitude discipline is one of those fundamental expectations that quietly underpins almost every maneuver in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS). It’s not just about airspace compliance or obstacle clearance—it’s about safety, performance, and demonstrating command of the aircraft. Yet year after year, a consistent cause of disapprovals on practical tests stems from pilots flying maneuvers at altitudes outside ACS standards.

Webinar Video: Choosing the Right Aviation Headset

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Join Sporty’s resident headset expert Doug Ranly for a free webinar designed to help pilots cut through the noise—literally and figuratively. Doug has flown with every headset on the market and will share real-world insights

Video tip: Get to Know Your Altimeter

The altimeter is a flight instrument that provides accurate altitude information to pilots and relies solely on outside air pressure. This week's tip explores how the altimeter works, the various types of altitudes you need to know about and potential errors you may encounter while referencing the altimeter.

Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Soft Field Takeoff

The soft-field takeoff technique will be required when departing from runway surfaces made of grass or dirt and will allow you to keep as much weight off the nose wheel as possible during the takeoff roll.

Video Tip: How to Make Better Takeoffs

The takeoff is one of the exhilarating parts of flying, but requires some basic knowledge of aircraft control and the airport environment. Here we'll look at a series of tips to help ensure each of your takeoffs are executed both smoothly and safely.

The biggest myth in aviation? That great pilots are defined by great flying skills.

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So, the next time you’re training a student, mentoring a pilot, or in an interview and someone asks, “Tell me about a time you showed great leadership,” don’t rush to share the story where you look like a flawless hero. Your most powerful stories come from the moments where you were human, when you made a mistake, owned it, learned from it, and helped others grow because of it.