That Doesn’t Look Like My Airplane!

An activity that many pilots enjoy involves sitting at the airport and watching other pilots takeoff and land. While enjoying this pastime you may see some aircraft that look a bit different from your typical trainer. Join us as we take a brief look at some of the "other aircraft" that you might see.

Change of Scenery

There will be days during your training when it seems tough to get excited about another lesson consisting of basic flight maneuvers. Here are some ideas to discuss with your instructor when you're looking to change up your flight lessons a bit.

Sporty’s Hot New Products for April 1st

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Editor's Note: Happy April Fools' Day. The World’s Largest…

Move over gauges, here comes the iPad

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Ode to General Aviation

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First Solo, Again!

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Here at Sporty’s Academy, we love to celebrate the achievements of our students. One of our biggest celebrations comes when a student successfully completes his or her first solo. We really think that this is a big deal and we want the student to understand this as well! It has been many years since my first solo in an airplane. In fact, I’ll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of that event in a couple of years. Even with the intervening years, I can still remember my takeoff from Runway 29 at the Flagler County Airport in Florida. I don’t really remember the landing but I remember the takeoff. I looked out the side window after liftoff, watched the left main spin to a stop, and thought to myself, “Well, now you have to land it!”

Stop and smell the avgas

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We all set goals as pilots, whether it’s completing the first solo, earning a private pilot certificate or simply getting current again. There’s nothing wrong with that (in fact, I think it’s part of what makes flying so rewarding), but we need to be careful that the destination doesn’t overshadow the journey.

A pilot looks at 60

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Mother, Mother Ocean I have heard your call. Wanted to sail upon…

Giving Back to Aviation

You may know Sean D. Tucker as one of the best air show pilots in the business, but did you also know that he is the current Young Eagles Chairman? Sean has held this title since AirVenture 2013 when he took over from Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles. Only a few people have held this title over the years and Sean is as hard working as they come.