Training courses from Pilot Workshops available through Sporty’s Pilot Training app

A collection of exciting new courses and digital pilot manuals from the team at PilotWorkshops is now available in the Sporty’s Pilot Training app  These new training products were designed to take your VFR and IFR flying skills to the next level and maximize the utility of your pilot certificate. Each course and manual is available as an in-app purchase in the Pilot Training app, or available directly from Sporty’s website.

Real World VFR Online Course

This fun and educational course will give you the confidence to fly cross-country flights in VFR conditions, whether your destination is a remote island runway or a busy Class B airline hub. Ride along with an experienced pilot and flight instructor as they fly ten end-to-end flights.

Scenarios include:

  • Find a small, remote island airport at night
  • Land at Boston Logan Airport (Class B) VFR in a Cessna 172
  • Fly the New York City Hudson River VFR Corridor, and then land at Teterboro, one of the busiest Class Delta airports in the world
  • Depart at night in the mountains, using an IFR technique to avoid them
  • Encounter VFR into IMC for real, at night
  • Manage system failures, simulated emergencies, and other surprises
  • Use the power of ForeFlight for VFR planning and in-flight situations
  • Navigate cross-country, using only pilotage and dead reckoning
  • Takeoff and land on short fields—some grass, some paved, some scary
  • Get sucked into a “black hole approach,” but escape to avoid disaster
  • Make an overwater crossing that is eerily similar to the JFK Jr. flight

Watch a sample video here

Advanced IFR Online Course

Earning an instrument rating is a major achievement, but many pilots soon realize that flying IFR on a trip is different from the checkride. This online course includes nine end-to-end flights that explain and demonstrate some overlooked IFR procedures, going far beyond the basics of approaches and holding patterns.

Scenarios include:

  • Tower Enroute Control (TEC) routes
  • Diverse Vector areas at non-towered airports
  • Custom waypoints in a GPS flight plan
  • Graphical ODPs
  • Standard Instrument Departures (SIDs)
  • Published visual climbs over airport (VCOA)
  • Best practices for negotiating with ATC
  • Vertical navigation with GPS and autopilot
  • Cold temperature restrictions
  • Contact approaches
  • Circling approach survival secrets
  • Taxi hot spots

Watch a sample video here

IFR Procedures Digital Manual

The majority of instrument-rated GA pilots struggle to maintain IFR proficiency. It’s a real problem and something PilotWorkshops has seen repeatedly over the past 17 years providing IFR training. The manual aims to help with that task, by breaking each IFR procedure down into individual tasks, and explaining in detail how to complete each one.

Topics covered include:

  • Clearances: towered airport, non-towered, pop-up
  • Departures: ODPs, visual climbs, flying a SID
  • En route: choosing an altitude, block altitudes, VFR on top
  • Arrivals: descent planning, flying STARs, choosing an approach
  • Approaches: visual and contact approaches, vectors, glide paths, circling to land, missed approaches
  • Unusual cases: cruise clearance, practice approaches, ASR/PAR approaches
  • Post-flight: canceling an IFR flight plan

View Sample Pages Here

Airplane Engines Digital Manual

Finally, aviation books written for pilots, not lawyers! Fully illustrated with color photos and graphics, this Pilot-Friendly Manual from PilotWorkshops is much more than a quick reference guide—it dives deep into the finer points of airplane systems and procedures. Learn how to get the most performance, dependability and longevity from your engine with this plain English manual. It takes you under the cowl for a look at what’s really happening when you hit the starter.

Topics covered include:

  • Basic engine principles
  • How to read an engine monitor
  • Checking fuel and oil
  • Starting techniques for Lycoming and Continental
  • Pre-takeoff checks
  • Leaning for climb and cruise
  • Selecting a cruise power setting
  • Airborne ignition checks
  • In-flight troubleshooting
  • Engine preheating
  • New cylinder break-in
  • Analyzing engine data
  • Checking for exhaust leaks
  • Oil changes and oil samples
  • Managing logbook entries
  • Choosing oil and additives

View Sample Pages Here

Emergency Strategies Digital Manual

Facing an actual in-flight emergency can be surreal. Sometimes pilots don’t hesitate and immediately fall back on their training. But often, gripped by fear, they’re reluctant to admit that an emergency is actually happening. Instead of addressing the situation, they waste precious time watching it unfold. What’s needed is a way for pilots to mentally practice and build a flexible response to any emergency.

In this manual, Pilot Workshops groups the nearly infinite number of emergency situations into 11 general categories, and presents strategies you can use to handle those kinds of emergencies. The goal is to help you build a framework to address each kind of emergency more effectively.

Topics covered include:

  • Power loss down low
  • Power loss up high
  • Fires: engine starting and in-flight
  • In-flight upsets
  • Flight control malfunction
  • Systems failure
  • VFR into IMC
  • Pilot or passenger impairment
  • Dangerous distractions
  • Landing complications
  • Unavoidable crash

View Sample Pages Here

VFR Communications Digital Manual

The Pilot-Friendly VFR Communications Digital Manual will help you improve on the radio, regardless of your flying experience. Whether you’re a student pilot trying to learn this new language, or an experienced pilot who skirts busy airspace to avoid talking on the radio, this simple pilot radio communications guide gives you the confidence to do it right.

This manual also includes 54 videos covering each communication scenario in the app, demonstrating the phraseology you should use for each and what to expect from ATC.

View sample pages here

IFR Communications Digital Manual

If you feel intimidated by IFR communications, you’re not alone. The IFR system is complex, and the number of radio calls pilots must understand can be overwhelming. That’s a problem. There are instrument-rated pilots who avoid flying IFR altogether. Some pilots let mic fright prevent them from getting the instrument rating at all.

This IFR communications guide eases that pain by using the secret to IFR radio work: virtually all communications follow a script. Once you know the basic script, the variations become simple, and that’s how this book works.

This manual also includes 81 videos covering each communication scenario, demonstrating the phraseology you should use for each and what to expect from ATC.

View Sample Pages Here

 

 

Video Tip: Convective outlook charts

Convective hazards remain a top consideration for pilots when making the go/no-go decision. The week’s tip looks at the Convective Outlook chart, which provides both short and long-term planning guidance for determining the location and intensity of thunderstorm activity.

The video clip is from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course

weight

Quiz: Airplane Weight and Balance

Calculating the airplane’s weight and balance is a mandatory task you must complete before every flight. Many of an airplane’s performance, handling, and structural characteristics are a function of weight and balance, not to mention the safety risks associated with operating an overloaded or out-of-balance airplane.

Challenge your weight and balance understanding with this quiz, and answer each question correctly to tip the scales in your favor.

1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
1. Which items are included in the empty weight of an aircraft?
Correct! Wrong!
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
2. An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be
Correct! Wrong!
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
3. Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be
Correct! Wrong!
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
4. Calculate the total moment of the airplane given 210 pounds of fuel, 260 pounds of front seat passengers, 210 pounds of rear seat passengers and an empty moment of 50 lb-ins.
Correct! Wrong!
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
5. An aircraft is loaded 120 pounds over maximum certificated gross weight. If fuel (avgas) is drained to bring the aircraft weight within limits, how much fuel should be drained?
Correct! Wrong!
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
6. One undesirable condition that may occur if an aircraft is loaded beyond the forward CG limit is
Correct! Wrong!
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
7. If a 2 pound weight is located at point X and 4 pounds at point Y, how much weight must be located at point Z in order to balance the plank?
Correct! Wrong!
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
8. What is the maximum amount of fuel that may be aboard the airplane on takeoff if loaded as follows? Empty weight 1,400 lbs. Pilot and front passengers 350 lbs. Rear passengers 200 lbs. Baggage 50 lbs.
Correct! Wrong!

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Aircraft Weight and Balance You got out of 8 right!

Still have more answers? Take all our other quizzes.

Want to learn more about airplane engine operations? Check out Sporty’s Learn To Fly Course for more in-depth training on this subject.

New free resources available in Sporty’s Pilot Training app

Pilot training app

Pilot Training app brings a variety of aviation training courses to one location.

Sporty’s innovative Pilot Training app brings a variety of aviation training courses to one location, allowing you to access all of your Sporty’s aviation content on dedicated iPhone and iPad apps, Mac app, an Android app, online, and on the TV using the included apps for AppleTV, FireTV, AndroidTV, Roku and Chromecast. Moreover, the platform continues to grow with innovative new content, training tools, and technological enhancements.

In its recent release, Sporty’s Pilot Training app adds:

  • FAA Knowledge Test preparation resources
  • Video training
  • FAA resource library
  • Articles, webinars and related content
  • Free Learn to Fly ebook – A Comprehensive Guide to Private Pilot Training

FAA Knowledge Test preparation resources – allows you to study individual groups of questions with real-time feedback and detailed answer explanations, which is very helpful when studying for the FAA Knowledge Test. You can then use Test Mode to take a simulated FAA Practical Test to gauge your preparedness for the real thing. A free account allows you to study all question categories with performance indicators; take FAA practice tests; and review your five most recent sessions.

pilot training app

Study individual groups of questions with real time feedback and detailed answer explanations

Video training – Sporyt’s pilot training app allows you to access quality, engaging content from each course before signing up and even includes a free course – Get Started with Learning to Fly. The course features videos, articles, and other resources for the brand-new pilot. You also gain access to a searchable flight school directory, Cessna fight deck posters, and helpful links to other resources and essential pilot supplies.

Access quality, engaging content from all of the app platforms.

FAA resource library including up-to-date FARs – everything from the current aviation regulations (FARs) to the AIM, advisory circulars, handbooks and more is available free in the extensive resource library. Each book includes interactive outlines and search capabilities to quickly locate key topics, and the ability to highlight and even add bookmarks to help organize your studying.

Pilot training app

Each book includes interactive outlines and search capabilities

Articles, webinars and content – A menu on the bottom of the app home screen provides pilots with quick access to Sporty’s comprehensive library of free flight training blogs, aviation podcasts, and webinar recordings. Quickly read, listen to or watch the latest aviation-themed content. Podcasts load in the app’s audio player. All of these resources are completely free and do not require the user to purchase a course first.

Learn to Fly ebook

Sporty’s team of instructors, shares honest advice based on decasdes of experience operating a flight school.

Free ebook – A Comprehensive Guide to Private Pilot Training – Sporty’s team of instructors share honest advice based on decades of experience operating a flight school. You’ll have all of the basic questions answered that relate to learning to fly, including how much and how long. Get expert advice on evaluating flight schools and flight instructors and helpful tips on making your training experience productive, efficient and fun!

To take advantage of Sporty’s Pilot Training app resources:

Video tip: the Cessna 172 fuel system

Pilots need to have a good understanding of airplane systems to know how to properly operate their controls and troubleshoot them when things don’t work as expected. This week’s tip examines the Cessna 172 fuel system to show each component and give you a better understanding of how all the parts work together.

The video clip is from Sporty’s 2024 Learn to Fly Course

How to fly a rectangular course

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. Applying this skill to the rectangular course is the basis for airport traffic patterns.

To begin the rectangular course maneuver, we’ll first select a prominent rectangular field bounded by four section lines whose sides are approximately equal to a typical traffic pattern. The field selected should be close to a suitable place to land in case of an emergency. We’ll complete the Pre-Maneuver Checklist and ensure the areas is clear of any traffic.

The airplane will be flown at 1,000’ AGL parallel to and at an equal distance from the field boundaries – about ½ – ¾ miles from the boundary as you would fly a traffic pattern. To maintain this equal distance on all legs of the maneuver, we will have to adjust bank angles during the turns and apply wind correction angles to prevent drifting toward or away from the field boundaries. The airspeed flown should be what’s recommended by the manufacturer, but at an airspeed not to exceed maneuvering speed.

The entry into the maneuver should be accomplished downwind as you would enter the traffic pattern where groundspeed will be the greatest. On the downwind leg, there should be no wind correction angle if the wind is directly behind us, but with any type of quartering tailwind, some drift correction will be necessary. The turn from the downwind leg onto the base leg is entered with a relatively steep bank angle since the groundspeed is greatest. The steeper bank angle is necessary in order to maintain the equal distance from the boundaries.

rectangular course

Enter the rectangular course maneuvers on a 45 degree angle to the downwind leg.

As the airplane turns onto the following base leg, the tailwind will decrease and becomes a crosswind. The bank angle should be reduced gradually with coordinated aileron and rudder input. The pilot should be prepared for the necessary crosswind correction and compensate by turning more than 90° angling toward the inside of the rectangular course.

rectangular course

The turn from downwind leg to base leg will be more than 90 degrees to compensate for the increasing crosswind.

The next leg is where the airplane turns from a base leg position to the upwind leg. Ideally, on the upwind, the wind is directly on the nose of the airplane resulting in a direct headwind and decreased groundspeed; however, some drift correction will be necessary for any type of quartering headwind. The pilot should roll the airplane into a medium-banked turn with coordinated aileron and rudder input.

As the airplane turns onto the upwind leg, the crosswind lessens and becomes a headwind, and the bank angle is gradually reduced with coordinated aileron and rudder pressures. Because the pilot was angled into the wind on the base leg, the turn to the upwind leg is less than 90°.

The next leg is where the airplane turns from an upwind leg position to the crosswind leg. The pilot should slowly roll the airplane into a shallow-banked turn (the shallowest bank of the maneuvers since groundspeed is the slowest into the headwind). As the airplane turns onto the crosswind leg, the headwind lessens and becomes a crosswind. To compensate for the crosswind, the pilot maintains an angle into the wind, toward the outside of the rectangular course, which requires the turn to be less than 90°.

The final turn is back to the downwind leg, which requires a medium-banked angle and a turn greater than 90° since we were angled into the wind and away from the field boundary on the previous leg. The groundspeed will be increasing as the turn progresses and the bank should be held and then rolled out using coordinated aileron and rudder input.

Throughout the maneuver it’s important to maintain positive, coordinated control at a constant airspeed, altitude and distance from the field boundary. It’s also important to continue to be aware of your surroundings by scanning for other traffic or obstacles.

To summarize:

Standards:

  1. Altitude: ±100 feet
  2. Airspeed: ±10 knots
  3. Bank: Avoids banking in excess of 45°

Procedures:

  1. Select an altitude of 1000’ AGL/or an appropriate traffic pattern altitude.
  2. Select a prominent rectangular field bounded by four section lines whose sides are approximately equal to a typical traffic pattern. The major axis of the rectangle should be approximately parallel to wind direction at flight altitude. The field should also be close to a suitable place to land in case of an emergency.
  3. Perform Pre-Maneuver Checklist and clear the area.
  4. Establish the appropriate cruise airspeed (not to exceed maneuvering speed) and enter the maneuver at a 45° to the downwind. The first circuit should be to the left.
  5. Establish the proper Wind Correction Angle to maintain a uniform distance from the field boundaries.
  6. Commence and complete turns abeam the field boundaries.
  7. Vary the bank angle (not to exceed 45°) to maintain a constant radius during the turns.

Common Errors:

  1. Failure to adequately clear the area.
  2. Poor reference selection.
  3. Failure to establish proper altitude, prior to entry. (Typically entering the maneuver while descending).
  4. Failure to establish appropriate wind correction angle resulting in drift.
  5. Gaining or losing altitude.
  6. Poor coordination. (Typically skidding in turns from a downwind heading and slipping in turns from an upwind heading).
  7. Abrupt control usage.
  8. Inability to adequately divide attention between airplane control and maintaining ground track.
  9. Improper timing in beginning and recovering from turns.
  10. Inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft.