Sporty’s Adds “New” Airplane to Training Fleet

N121UC’s updated panel

Everything old is new again

A remanufactured 1998 Cessna 172R was just added to the Sporty’s Academy training fleet after receiving a thorough makeover.  N121UC received a complete propeller-to-tail refurbishment with the goal of inspecting, replacing or repairing each component of the airplane.

No item was deemed too insignificant.  Along with a new propeller and engine, the control cables, bushings, pulleys, guides, hinges, wing bolts and wheels were all scrutinized and replaced.  The aircraft received a new interior including overhauling the seat structures. All the old paint was stripped; aircraft skins were repaired as required and the airplane was painted in University of Cincinnati colors. The exterior and interior lights were replaced with modern LEDs.

The panel received special attention. Cessna NavComs and GPS, once state-of-the-art avionics, were removed along with the vacuum-driven attitude indicator and direction indicator. Cincinnati Avionics installed new electrically driven (with battery backup) Garmin G5 Attitude Indicator and Horizontal Situation Indicator eliminating the need for the dual vacuum pump system originally on the aircraft.  For communication and navigation, a Garmin GTN 650 and Garmin 255 along with the ADS-B out compliant Garmin GTX 335 were added to the panel. A Stratus Power with dual 2.4 amp USB outlets was added for portable electronics.

“The end result is an affordable training aircraft,” says Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke “Everything the customer sees or feels is new.  By replacing the old carpet and upholstered sidewalls with new, lighter-weight materials and removing the vacuum system, the aircraft’s empty weight was reduced by 78 pounds, increasing the efficiency of the airframe.”

For more information please visit SportysAcademy.com.

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Organize Your Cockpit with Two New Flight Gear® Kneeboards

Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Bi-Fold Kneeboard with iPad

Paper or Plastic? Now pilots don’t have to choose

As part of Sporty’s extensive line of kneeboards to satisfy any pilot’s particular requirements, Sporty’s offers two new kneeboards in its Flight Gear line. Both can be used with paper charts or an iPad.

The Flight Gear Bi-Fold Kneeboard provides a solid writing surface and space for commonly used items, like checklists, nav logs, and sectional charts with a smaller footprint than many kneeboards. Elastic straps are attached at the corners and are perfectly spaced for holding an iPad mini. This kneeboard’s clipboard is printed with quick reference placard information including basic VFR weather minimums, mandatory IFR reports, airport traffic light signals, as well as other basic information needed during flight. The clipboard is reversible so the kneeboard can be oriented in either direction on either leg.

Sporty’s Flight Gear Tri-Fold Kneeboard is the ultimate in-flight organizer. It will keep charts, timers, notes, calculators, and cables organized with a spot for everything. The solid clipboard is great for copying clearances or managing a sectional chart, plus it doubles as a quick reference tool. Elastic straps are attached at the corners and are perfectly spaced for holding a 9.7″ iPad Air or Pro.

Both the Bi-Fold and the Tri-Fold Kneeboard may be customized using Sporty’s Gear Mods. Both side flaps are constructed with a soft felt material, ideal for attaching add-on storage pockets for charging cords, screen cleaners, or batteries. Some pilots have placed Velcro on a much-used accessory to attach it to the kneeboard for quick in-flight access.

Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Bi-Fold Kneeboard [6367A] measures 14.5” x 10” open and 7.5” x 10” closed and is available for $24.95. Sporty’s Flight Gear Tri-Fold Kneeboard [7004A] may be used on the right or left knee. Measuring 11.5” x 20” open and 11.5” x 7” closed, this kneeboard is available for $29.95. Sporty’s complete line of kneeboards may be ordered at sportys.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

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Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Bi-Fold Kneeboard

Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Tri-Fold Kneeboard with iPad

Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Tri-Fold Kneeboard

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Download hi-res EPS Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Bi-Fold Kneeboard

Download hi-res EPS Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Tri-Fold Kneeboard with iPad

Download hi-res EPS Sporty’s Flight Gear HP Tri-Fold Kneeboard

Sporty’s and University of Cincinnati – Clermont Celebrate 25 Years of Partnership

Professional pilot training program has flourished

For 25 years, Sporty’s Academy has partnered with the University of Cincinnati – Clermont College to offer a two-year associate degree program in aviation technology. At the completion of this degree, students continue their studies transitioning into one of multiple baccalaureate tracks while working as flight instructors at Sporty’s Academy. Graduates will acquire up to 800 hours of total flying experience. This desirable experience and skill set allows graduates to succeed in a variety of aviation career paths.

“Working with the University of Cincinnati is a great example of leveraging the core strengths of two highly regarded organizations to provide an educational offering unique to our region,” said Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “Our graduates have helped to ease the growing demand for pilots in all areas.”

At the beginning, Joe Vorbeck, who many may remember as the former chair of general aviation training at Purdue University, was working at Sporty’s developing training materials so he was an ideal candidate to establish this new collegiate aviation program. Joe’s work led to the University of Cincinnati filing a new program application with the Ohio Board of Regents in May 1991. That application was approved in time for the first class of UC Clermont’s Aviation Technology Program to begin in the fall of 1992.

“The 25th anniversary of UC Clermont’s aviation program is a great example of a private/public partnership,” said Dean Jeff Bauer. “The support of Sporty’s Academy, and founders Hal and Sandy Shevers, have helped make this program among the best in the country. We are proud to continue to offer such an opportunity to students and our community.”

The program delivers a variety of experiential learning opportunities as well in the form of partnerships, co-ops and internships. “The experience and diverse experience acquired during the program allows University of Cincinnati graduates to excel in a variety of aviation fields,” says Radtke. “Our alumni represent every imaginable segment within aviation, from airlines to corporate flight departments to the armed forces.”

For more information on the University of Cincinnati Aviation Technology Program, visit https://sportysacademy.com/ucaviation/ or email [email protected].

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Sporty’s award-winning Learn to Fly Course and Instrument Rating Course now have complete subtitles. Subtitles are another benefit that makes learning the material easier. Subtitles are particularly helpful to individuals who are not native English speakers. Being able to see the words while you hear them clarifies much if English is not your first language.

“Stating that English is the universal language of aviation is easier said than done,” says Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “We had our international customers in mind when we added subtitles in the hopes the feature would make learning a bit easier.”

Subtitles also benefit new pilots, who in addition to hearing information can now read the precise language required for communicating with ATC.  The subtitles are available in the DVD, online and on the app versions of these courses, so this learning boost is available across all platforms.

Sporty’s 2018 Learn to Fly Course [1753A] is available for $199.99 and may be purchased at sportys.com/courses. Sporty’s 2018 Instrument Rating Course [4200-1A] is available for $199.99 and may be purchased and accessed at sportys.com.

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Foundation continues its work encouraging young people to join the aviation community

The Sporty’s Foundation 2017 Annual Report

The Sporty’s Foundation made bequests totaling $284,900 during 2017 to fulfill its goal to attract young people to the aviation community both as a career and a lifestyle. The Foundation has issued its most recent Annual Report, detailing activities and bequests during 2017 and may be seen online at SportysFoundation.org.

The Sporty’s Foundation remains among the largest donors to EAA’s successful Young Eagles program, both from a financial commitment as well as by making Sporty’s award-winning Learn to Fly course available at no charge to all Young Eagles. The number of Young Eagles who have accessed this course recently surpassed 50,000.

The Sporty’s Foundation has as its focus STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities and has funded numerous scholarships during 2017. During 2017 The Sporty’s Foundation also assumed total responsibility for funding the scholarships for Aviation Exploring.

“We invite our donors and potential donors to examine our IRS Form 990 which will show that not one cent is paid for administrative costs for our Foundation – these costs are assumed by Sporty’s Pilot Shop – which means 100 percent of every donated dollar goes to program, not overhead,” says  Sporty’s Founder and Chairman Hal Shevers.

Online contributions are being accepted, either as a one-time payment or a recurring monthly donation. As a 501(c)3 foundation, all donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. For more information on The Sporty’s Foundation, visit SportysFoundation.org.

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