The 2025 Gear of the Year Winners from Sporty’s

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Every year, hundreds of new products make their way into the cockpit—but only a few stand out as must-haves. Sporty’s Gear of the Year winners are selected by both pilots and our team of expert staff. These are the tools and gadgets that actually get used, get talked about, and make flying easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

Video Tip: The Aerodynamics of Induced and Parasite Drag

During your flight training you'll learn all about the four 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.

Flight Training Central Top Posts 2025

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Flight Training Central’s most popular articles of 2025 focused on what student pilots struggle with most: understanding tricky concepts, avoiding common mistakes, and making better decisions in real-world scenarios. From interactive quizzes to clear explanations of frequently missed test questions, these posts helped turn confusion into confidence.

VFR Challenge: MOA or Marathon—Enter Now for a Chance to Win a Flight Simulator

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In this sample VFR Mastery Scenario, MOA or Marathon puts you in the cockpit of a VFR pilot flying with his son to a weekend baseball tournament in Wisconsin. En route, an active MOA sits directly on the planned course, and ATC appears reluctant to allow non-participating VFR traffic through the hot MOA. Going around would add significant time and distance.

Webinar Video: Airplane Engine Operations

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In this webinar, Ryan Koch—Director of Product Development at Pilot Workshops and instructor for the Airplane Engine Operations course—explores what effective engine management really looks like in day-to-day flying. Rather than promoting a single “right” technique, Ryan walks through the real-world tradeoffs pilots make between efficiency, economy, performance, and workload.

Flight Maneuver Spotlight: Power-Off Stalls

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Power-off stalls—especially in the landing configuration—are designed to teach recognition, not surprise. In this spotlight, we’ll focus on identifying the cues of an imminent and full stall, maintaining coordination throughout the maneuver, and executing a smooth, prompt recovery with minimal altitude loss. We’ll also highlight common errors instructors see during training and on practical tests, so you can build confidence and consistency long before checkride day.