Video: what’s the best ANR headset?

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.

Video: 4 ways to make home flight simulators realistic

Flight simulators are really popular right now: combine the latest programs like Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane with the latest hardware like the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo, and you have a powerful tool for flight training and fun. But if you don't approach it with the right mindset, flying a sim can just waste time. In this video, Sporty's John Zimmerman shares four tips for making your next sim session more realistic, from checklists to iPad apps.

3 overlooked simulator takeaways for student pilots

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When the first consumer flight simulator came to market in 1979, there were very few (if any) takeaways for pilots. As most would assume, today’s simulators are helpful in showing how an airplane reacts in the air (and on the ground), but there are a few lesser known areas of airmanship a simulator can teach. 

Sporty’s launches Tailwheel Checkout Course

All-new course explores the exciting world of taildraggers and…

Sporty’s updates Pilot Training courses with new features for 2022

Sporty’s courses have helped over 100,000 pilots learn to fly, and are famous for their relentless pace of innovation. Every year, we add new content, new training tools, and technological enhancements. This year is no exception, with a host of upgrades that make training more engaging and more efficient. Here’s a look at some highlights.

Top 4 passive aviation headsets (great for student pilots)

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

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. 

Video: behind the scenes with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course

Join Sporty's course development team as they demo the latest new features in Sporty's 2021 Learn to Fly Course. This webinar recording shows all the new features in Sporty's award-winning pilot training course how to use it to save time and money during your flight training. Presented by Sporty's Eric Radtke and Bret Koebbe. 

Video: how to get started with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

The new Microsoft Flight Simulator program is limitless in possibilities, but where do we start? In this video, Sporty's flight simulator expert Chris McGonegle will take you through those first steps to get airborne. We'll begin at the home page and cover how to choose an airport, aircraft, release the parking brake, and move to an external view.
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Top 10 things you need when starting flight training

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.