Sporty’s updates Cessna Skyhawk training fleet to TAA standards

Garmin G5 installations replace antiquated vacuum systems

Sporty’s has upgraded its Cessna Skyhawk fleet to meet technically advanced aircraft (TAA) standards and provide greater safety and reliability to pilots. Dual Garmin G5 installations were recently completed, delivering bright LCD color instrument displays and a modern cockpit to its Cessna fleet.

Combining information from a number of traditional flight instruments, including attitude, airspeed, altitude, and more, the Garmin G5 attitude indicator makes flight information easier to scan so pilots can respond quickly and intuitively. The addition of the second G5 display for heading/HSI guidance, provides pilots with backup attitude redundancy. The secondary G5 will automatically revert to displaying attitude information in the unlikely event of a failure of the primary attitude indicator.

For added protection and safety, each G5 display is equipped with a backup lithium-ion battery providing 4 hours of emergency operation in case of electrical failure. The weight of the Skyhawks was reduced during the upgrade resulting in an increase in useful load.  This benefit was realized through the removal of vacuum pumps that supported the traditional attitude and heading indicator.

“Mechanical gyros don’t stand up well in the training environment,” said Sporty’s Academy Chief Instructor, Eric Radtke. “The dual, G5 installations are safer, deliver more information with better reliability, and provide our customers training flexibility with a TAA-equipped aircraft.”

The TAA Skyhawk fleet is now an option for Sporty’s students to fulfill the Commercial pilot training requirement of 10 hours in a complex airplane or TAA. Given that fewer aircraft are available that meet the definition of complex, Sporty’s TAA-equipped aircraft offer greater training flexibility at a more economical price. For an aircraft to be technically advanced, it must be equipped with an electronic primary flight display, multifunction display, and two-axis autopilot.

Sporty’s Cessna Skyhawk fleet is available for recreational to career pilot training and rentals. Pilot training is provided by Sporty’s flight school, Sporty’s Academy, an FAA Part 141-approved training academy based at the Clermont County Airport (I69) in Batavia, Ohio.

For more information, and to explore pilot training programs, please visit SportysAcademy.com.

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS of a Sporty’s Cessna Skyhawk upgraded panel 

Sporty’s Releases Updated Flight Review Course

New video segments make course the perfect at-home refresher

Sporty’s has updated and expanded its popular Flight Review Course, adding new content focused on flight proficiency and stick and rudder skills. The addition of flight maneuvers training, featuring step-by-step instructions, helps pilots prepare for the flight portion of their next flight review and also makes a great review for anyone who hasn’t flown recently.

“We know that many pilots’ flight time has been limited lately,” said Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “We believe this updated course is a valuable resource for staying current and preparing for a summer filled with flying.”

A number of new video segments have been added, including: tips on using the Graphical Forecast for Aviation, a review of the latest requirements for ADS-B transponders, a detailed look at crosswind landings, tips on how to recover from less than perfect landings, and practical advice for better slow flight and stalls. When combined with existing segments—like flying with iPads in the cockpit, flying under BasicMed, ADS-B weather, and runway safety—Sporty’s Flight Review Course is a complete refresher. It’s packed with over two and a half hours of dynamic video and animations, plus an interactive review quiz and a helpful document library.

Under new FAA regulations, some pilots are able to extend their flight review expiration for up to three months, in part by completing three FAA safety courses. Many of Sporty’s courses, including Flight Review, are accepted by the FAA for WINGS credit, making them an easy and affordable way to satisfy the new training requirements.

Sporty’s Flight Review Course [#E401A] is available for $39.99. It can be accessed, along with all of Sporty’s course offerings, on Sporty’s award-winning Pilot Training platform. This provides the ultimate flexibility by allowing pilots to train using the device that works best on any given day: access online in a web browser, in Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iOS and Android, on AppleTV or RokuTV. Access to all platforms is included and course progress always stays in sync. For more information or to purchase a course please visit Sportys.com/PilotTraining.

Medium resolution pictures for online:

Sporty’s Extends Headset Test Flight Guarantee to 60 Days

Many pilots have seen their flight time greatly reduced or even paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sporty’s wants to help reassure pilots they will have ample time to evaluate their headset purchase and has increased the duration of their popular Test Flight Guarantee from 30 to 60 days. This guarantee now gives pilots additional time to take their headset flying and make sure it’s the right choice.

“During these difficult times, we realize it may take longer than normal to evaluate a purchase,” said John Zimmerman, Sporty’s Pilot Shop Vice President. “We want our customers to feel confident that they will have the necessary time to try out their new headset in real world conditions.”

The Test Flight Guarantee is just one of several tools Sporty’s makes available for pilots to choose and purchase a headset. There are extensive buying tools available at sportys.com, including headset webinars, detailed blog posts, and even a dedicated pilot advisor ([email protected]) to answer additional questions. Pilots can also count on same day shipping, guaranteed lowest prices, and convenient payment options—including PayPal financing that offers no interest for six months.

Participation in the Test Flight Guarantee is automatic and is included with the purchase of any headset from Sporty’s. Customers can take their new headset flying and make sure it’s the right choice for them and their aircraft. If they are not thrilled, customers simply return the headset within 60 days in the same condition as purchased. Sporty’s will exchange it for another headset or refund the purchase price, at the direction of the customer.

Sporty’s is an authorized dealer for Bose, Lightspeed, David Clark, Sigtronics, Telex, Clarity Aloft, Faro, and ASA headsets. To see the complete selection, visit sportys.com/headsets.

Sporty’s Awards Latest Flight Crew Scholarship

Graduating high school senior receives $2,500 award to advance his qualifications

Vedant “Vedu” Ruia, of Tampa, FL, is the latest recipient of a $2,500 scholarship awarded through his membership in Sporty’s Flight Crew program. Ruia recently earned his Private Pilot certificate from Atlas Aviation at the Peter O. Knight Airport (KTPF) near Tampa. He currently pilots a Kolb Super Pelican light sport airplane based at the Tampa North Aero Park (X39).

“I’ve wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember,” remarked Ruia. “My career goal is to work for a large aerospace company at the intersection of business and aviation.” Ruia will graduate high school this spring and has plans to enroll in an industrial or aerospace engineering program.

Ruia saved for nearly four years to fund his Private pilot training, primarily tutoring youth in mathematics and flute performance. “I have a passion for teaching people skills that I possess,” Ruia commented. “One of the most satisfying aspects of teaching for me is seeing students succeed.”

Ruia will use his award to begin Instrument training at Global Pilot Academy in Tampa. He hopes to pursue his passion for teaching as a flight instructor and later, a designated pilot examiner. Because he has always been a nervous test-taker, Ruia hopes to help alleviate the added pressure students often experience that comes with checkride day through an empathetic and understanding approach to his evaluation technique.

Sporty’s Flight Crew is a three-level customer benefit program that rewards customers with access to training programs, unlimited free shipping, an on-call personal Sporty’s shopper, and more. The top two levels (gold and platinum) include the opportunity to apply for a $2,500 flying scholarship.

It’s easy to enroll as a Sporty’s Flight Crew member by visiting sportys.com/flightcrew.

Medium resolution pictures for online:

Air Facts Announces Winner of Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots

Chandler Webb of Oregon wins $2,500 prize

Chandler Webb, a 19-year old commercial pilot from Oregon, is the winner of the second annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. His article, “Pilot in Command,” was selected as the entry that best answered this year’s writing prompt: “an event that changed or shaped the author’s flying.” Chandler’s article recounts a long cross-country flight with his mother and father that didn’t go as planned, and the valuable lessons he learned.

When the family encountered changing weather conditions en route, Chandler and his father (also a pilot) were unsure who the real pilot in command was, and the Cessna 182 entered clouds. As Chandler admits, he was afraid to be assertive “because I was the ‘kid.’” He eventually found a hole and landed safely. It was a mistake, but he says, “never again will I let anyone question my authority as the Pilot in Command.” The winning article may be read in full at airfactsjournal.com.

Air Facts Editor John Zimmerman awarded Chandler the $2,500 prize to encourage his aviation and writing pursuits, and the winning article was published in Air Facts. Chandler is currently an instrument-rated commercial pilot who works for Van’s Aircraft in their Aircraft Assembly Division, but his interest in flying started early: he started flying when he was 14, soloed at 16, earned his Private Pilot certificate at 17, Instrument Rating at 18, and Commercial certificate at 19. He has big plans for the future too, including earning his Associate of Applied Science degree in the fall, finishing his CFI and CFII, serving a mission for his church, earning an A&P rating, and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation management. His eventual goal is to start his own aviation business.

The Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots is funded through the royalties from Collins’s book sales and is augmented by contributions from his children, Richard, Jr. (who was also one of the judges), Sarah and Charlotte.

Air Facts began publication in 1938, edited by Richard’s father, Leighton Collins, and was the magazine starting point for such authors as Wolfgang Langewiesche, Bob Buck, Bill Mauldin and Richard Bach. Sporty’s relaunched Air Facts as an online magazine in 2011.