Sporty’s makes answering that question easy

While the rest of your family receives presents that fill them with delight, don’t be opening the box with a boring sweater or an uninteresting book. Sporty’s knows what pilots want to see when it comes to gifts and have made it easy for friends and families to turn your wish list into reality.

“Non-pilots are in uncharted territory when it comes to selecting a gift for a pilot on their list,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “We’ve created our gift guide as the map to simplify gift buying on behalf of pilots.”

Sporty’s has grouped appropriate gifts into sections for Student Pilots, Advanced Pilots, Aircraft Owners, and Aviation Enthusiasts to help narrow your search. If your pilot is an iPad user, there’s a selection of iPad accessories as well. Gifts are also categorized by price range to make selection even easier.

For even more gift ideas, six Sporty’s pilots have created their own wish lists.  Each one targets a specific type of pilot, from “the rusty pilot” to “the pilot who has everything.”

For those gift buyers who still can’t make up their minds, Sporty’s has gift cards available in any denomination. Gift wrapping is also available on most items.

To access Sporty’s Gift Guide, go to Sportys.com/GiftGuide. Gifts ordered from Sporty’s by Tuesday, December 23, 2014, may be received in time for Christmas.

 

 

 

VFR & IFR Communications will help pilots sound like a pro

Two popular Sporty’s training programs, VFR Communications and IFR Communications, have been updated and are now available as online courses.

VFR Communications covers all types of communications, including Air Traffic Control, pilot-controlled airport operations and emergency situations. Eight subject areas and 23 individual video segments engage the viewer with more than an hour of helpful 3D animations, in-flight video and real-world communications scenarios.

The training program goes in depth with en route communications, arriving and departing in Class B, C and D airspace. Recordings of real communications will familiarize viewers on the language and pace of speaking on the radio.

IFR Communications Course will get you “current” again with your IFR radio transmissions by taking you on three separate instrument flights. This course gives today’s instrument pilot a real-world look at IFR operations through all phases of flight. The action-packed flights take place in a Cessna Skyhawk equipped with VOR receivers for navigation, a Garmin G1000-equipped Cessna Skylane and a high-performance Piper Malibu Mirage.

The viewer is taken to several types of airports including rural, non-towered airports along with the high-density Chicago Midway airport. You’ll see and hear first-hand the demands of each flight and how the pilots effectively manage all available resources to complete each flight. Emergency communications are also included – always a beneficial refresher for any pilot.

“It’s not only new pilots who can falter on the radio,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “If you’ve been out of the cockpit for awhile, these communication courses will help you feel confident on your next flight.”

Sporty’s VFR Communications [E933A] and IFR Communications [E932A] are available for $34.99 each both of which include a review quiz for instant feedback and the opportunity to earn FAA WINGS credit.  Both courses may be ordered at sportys.com. Like all Sporty’s online courses, they are designed using the latest in HTML5 technology, meaning you can access it on your computer, iPhone, iPad, Android or other mobile device, as long as it has a web browser and internet connection. There is no software to install – once purchased, just sign-in.

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS Sporty’s VFR Communications Course

Download hi-res EPS Sporty’s IFR Communications Course

Smaller model fits in shirt pocket

This slim, but powerful, flashlight is the newest addition to Sporty’s line up of Smith & Wesson products. The hands-free design incorporates white and red LEDs all in a slim profile that easily fits in a shirt pocket.

One button operates this flashlight, making it easy to use without having to take your eyes off your panel or preflight. Pushing the button once illuminates one red LED, twice illuminates both red LEDs and holding the button down lights up seven extra bright, white LEDs.

“Our Smith & Wesson flashlights are popular as pilots discover the false economy of cheap, drugstore lights that need frequent replacement,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman.

Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, the Smith & Wesson LED Flashlight has a built-in magnet to keep it readily available and a pivoting shirt clip. This flashlight measures 6.25 inches in length and uses three AAA batteries, which are included.

The Smith & Wesson Hands-Free LED Light [8641A] is available for $24.95 and may be ordered at sportys.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS of the Smith & Wesson Hands-Free LED light showing Red LED

Download hi-res EPS of the Smith & Wesson Hands-Free LED light showing White LED

Download hi-res EPS of the Smith & Wesson Hands-Free Led light

E6B, Flight Review and Study Buddy apps have just been overhauled. 

Sporty’s E6B for Android: This app features the formulas from Sporty’s popular handheld electronic E6B with the convenience of a mobile app. Offers 23 aviation calculations, 18 conversions, time zone tracking and a timer. This version adds a new, modern interface designed specifically for the latest release of the Android operating system. It also improves the layout for tablets, ensuring that all features are visible and accessible in both portrait and landscape orientations.

“The bonus is that these updates are free for Sporty’s customers who already own a particular app,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman.

The Sporty’s E6B for Android app is available for $9.99 in the Google Play Store.

Sporty’s Flight Review for Android: Pilots preparing for their next flight review don’t have to go it alone. Sporty’s Flight Review App for Android covers topics every pilot should be prepared for in a flight review such as regulations, weather reports, airspace, aeromedical factors, aeronautical charts, and airport signs and markings.

It has now been updated with a new design for the latest Android OS.  The interface has been improved allowing for better viewing on tablets. All-new Airspace content

has also been added to address the latest changes to regulations.

As with all of Sporty’s Apps the video and content will continue to receive updates free to app owners.

The Sporty’s Flight Review for Android app is available for $29.99 in the Google Play Store.

Sporty’s Study Buddy for Android: Sporty’s Study Buddy provides a tool for student pilots to study FAA test questions and take practice tests in preparation for the actual FAA written test. Every question and answer includes a custom explanation written by the CFIs at Sporty’s to help you better learn the subject matter behind each question, instead of relying on rote memorization. There are four separate Study Buddy apps available, one each for the Private, Recreational, Instrument and Commercial tests.

What’s new in the Study Buddy app is the new FAA full-color figures supplement to the Private and Recreational apps, making it much easier to view and interpret the information required to answer certain questions. The figures are also now presented in an interactive viewer allowing you to read any of the figures or legends at any time, and not just the ones specifically referenced in the question. These four apps include the latest FAA test question updates and were improved to be more user-friendly on tablets. The four test apps range in price from $9.99 to $14.99 and may be purchased at the Google Play Store.

 

 

 

Partners with ABX Airlines in Wilmington, Ohio

With the FAA mandate that all pilots seeking an ATP certificate be required to complete an FAA-approved ATP Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) prior to taking the ATP Knowledge test, Sporty’s has partnered with ABX Airlines in Wilmington, Ohio to offer this training.

The ATP-CTP training requires at least 30 hours of classroom work and 10 hours of simulator training, six of which must be completed in a level C flight simulator or higher. As planned, Sporty’s ATP-CTP course will take place at the ABX Airlines learning center in Wilmington, Ohio.  The six-day course will include four days of classroom instruction and the remainder of time in the simulator.

“ABX Air is proud to partner with Sporty’s in the launch of the ATP-CTP,” says ABX Flight Standards & Training Supervisor  Steve Hanshew.  “Besides a wealth of airline training experience, ABX also offers a world class flight simulator training facility where pilots will benefit from learning in modern, full-motion flight simulators from professional and experienced airline pilots.”

To be eligible for the ATP-CTP, you must possess a minimum of an FAA Private Pilot Certification.  At course completion you will be provided a graduation certificate required to take the FAA knowledge test for multiengine ATP.  ATP knowledge test results are then valid for 60 calendar months.

“Of course, the training includes all those FAA subject areas that are required by the FAA,” says Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “Those topics encompass aerodynamics, upset prevention & recovery, meteorology, air carrier operations, turbine engines, performance, automation, leadership, and crew resource management.”

Simulator training will include navigation, automation and high altitude operations in the DC-9 level C flight simulator under the guidance of the experienced ABX Airlines instructors.  Classes are available approximately twice per month and may be scheduled up to six months in advance.

The ATP-CTP course [2200A] costs $4500 which includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of simulator training and required materials and supplies. The fee does not include travel and lodging. The course fee is non-refundable beginning 30 days from the scheduled class.

For more information, including a helpful webinar on ATP requirements or to enroll, visit Sportys.com/ATP.