Appareo, ForeFlight and Sporty’s continue upgrade program

With ForeFlight version 6.0, Stratus 2 pilots can now view in-flight weather and backup attitude information side-by-side.

Stratus, the best-selling ADS-B receiver in aviation, has received three significant enhancements from partners Appareo, ForeFlight and Sporty’s. A split screen attitude view, animated radar and the iPad battery-saving Stratus Replay feature are all available as a free update for Stratus 2 owners.

Stratus Replay nearly doubles the effective battery life of an iPad by allowing pilots to turn off the screen between uses. When the screen is turned on again, Stratus automatically sends ForeFlight Mobile any ADS-B weather that was missed, including radar, METARs and PIREPs. This is particularly helpful for long flight segments and it also allows pilots to switch to other apps without missing important weather data. Conveniently, there’s nothing for the pilot to do–it’s completely automatic.

Animated radar adds an important safety feature for pilots flying in convective weather, allowing them to monitor the trend in NEXRAD radar images. By simply tapping the play button on ForeFlight’s map page, pilots can loop the previous 30 minutes of both regional and national radar and help determine a cell’s direction and energy. Combined with Stratus Replay, animated radar offers a powerful decision-making tool.

The Stratus built-in Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) has proven to be a popular feature with pilots, delivering backup attitude information to the iPad–complete with pitch, bank, groundspeed, track and altitude. Now this data can be displayed right in ForeFlight, with a glass cockpit-style split screen view. The attitude indicator updates multiple times per second so it moves smoothly, and it can be used in either portrait or landscape mode. Now pilots can view ADS-B weather, traffic, moving map and attitude all on the same screen.

“We’ve always focused on how Stratus works, not just what it does,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “These recent enhancements continue our commitment to making Stratus a reliable, easy-to-use tool that pilots can trust on every flight.”

To access these new features, pilots should first download ForeFlight version 6.0, available soon in the App Store. This includes new Stratus firmware, which pilots can update directly from ForeFlight. There is no charge for the upgrade.

Stratus 2 [#8217A] is available for $899.00 and may be ordered by calling 1.800.SPORTYS or visiting Sportys.com/Stratus.

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Sporty’s Flying Club Rebate Program

New program already benefitting clubs

Flying clubs who enrolled as part of Sporty’s Flying Club Rebate Program have now received their first quarterly checks. Rebates for clubs enrolled in this brand-new program totaled over $1000.

The rebates were easily earned by the flying clubs when their members made normal purchases at Sporty’s. All the flying club had to do is provide the flying club roster, and Sporty’s did all the tracking and bookkeeping.

“We are pleased with the early results of this program,” said Sporty’s President Michael Wolf. “As more clubs sign up we hope to issue larger rebates. It’s really a simple program. Flying club members make a purchase, and their club gets a check.”

To participate in Sporty’s Flying Club Rebate Initiative, each flying club registers with Sporty’s at sportys.com/flyingclub. Part of the registration process is to supply a copy of the bylaws, which must include a provision that the flying club is accepting new members.

“The financial health of a flying club is important, and a club can’t always be tapping members for higher dues and fees,” says Wolf. “Sporty’s has provided one pathway to bring revenue to the club with almost no effort.”

Each Flying club will be able to earn up to $5,000 a year through Sporty’s program. Clubs can add new members at any time and will be asked twice a year to review their registered club members to delete those individuals who are no longer affiliated with a particular club.

Flying clubs interested in additional revenue can also sign up to become a Sporty’s dealer. This simple and flexible program allows flying clubs to sell training videos, flight bags and much more, with attractive wholesale pricing.

To sign up for Sporty’s Flying Club Rebate Program or Dealer program, visit sportys.com/partner.

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Flying Club Badge

$25 gift card awarded for each course sold

Sporty’s Flight Instructor Rebate Program

Sporty’s Pilot Shop announced today that flight and ground instructors may now earn a $25 Sporty’s Gift Card each time one of their students buys a Sporty’s complete pilot course – available for Private, Sport, Recreational and Instrument training. In order to qualify for the valuable rewards, instructors simply register for the rebate program at sportys.com/CFIRebate.

“With roots deeply planted in aviation education, we have always worked hard to support student pilots as well as instructors,” says Sporty’s President Michael Wolf. “We’ve invested heavily to create an industry-leading learning experience and want these resources to help instructors.”

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course for Private, Sport and Recreational pilot, as well as Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course, allows pilots to customize their learning experience and train at their own pace. Recent enhancements make the comprehensive ground school, test prep and flight training companion even more powerful. It is also the only course to cover each and every element of the Practical Test Standards (PTS).

Sporty’s Courses are delivered in a mobile-friendly, online format as well as DVD and a dedicated app for iOS devices.  Courses include video-based training, dedicated written test prep software, flight training syllabus, PTS and more.  Pilots are guaranteed to pass their written, oral and flight test.

Sporty’s CFI Rebate does not include any complicated rebate or redemption procedures.  Once the CFI enrolls in the program, and a student orders a course, the student enters the instructor’s unique code.  The $25 CFI Gift Card is automatically credited to the instructor.  Gift cards do not expire and are mailed to instructors monthly.  There is no limit to the number of cards that can be earned by an instructor.

Instructors should go to sportys.com/cfirebate to register for free.

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.

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Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course

Sporty’s checklists app for your iPad or iPhone

Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App

Sporty’s Aircraft Checklists for iPhone and iPad, powered by Qref®, are expertly designed and written procedures specifically for your aircraft. The same award-winning content found in the Qref printed checklists are now available in a customizable, easy-access app.

“A checklist app makes total sense for pilots,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “Every detail has been meticulously designed to make the checklist quick, easy-to-use and accurate.”

Checklists for more than 50 models of aircraft are available including Cessna, Cirrus, Diamond and Piper. Beyond that, a pilot can customize any item to an individual checklist directly on the iPhone or iPad without having to go to a website to upload.  As a bonus, the checklist has a 12-function conversion calculator.

“These checklists cover all phases of flight, including emergency procedures,” adds Zimmerman. “The typeface is particularly readable in a large font size with a check-and-response format.”

The checklists have no “gotcha’s” either. No subscription is involved; there is no time limit and a checklist can be moved from one device to another at no charge.

Sporty’s Aircraft Checklists require a minimum of iOS6 and work on iPhone (3GS and newer); iPod Touch (4^th generation and newer); and iPad mini and iPad 2 (and newer). The app is available as a free download and includes a sample checklist that allows you to test drive the features of the app. Each customizable aircraft model is available as an in-app purchase for only $9.95. To download the free Checklist app, go to www.sportys.com/apps.

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App on an iPhone

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App on an iPad

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App on an iPhone

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Aircraft Checklist App on an iPad

Two new products show the world you are a pilot

Pilot Wings Backpack

When you’re a pilot, you want people to know. Sporty’s now offers a Pilot Wings Backpack that can be used either as a flight bag or simply your everyday carryall. This backpack provides great organizational pockets and is light enough to wear for extended periods of time.

“We’ve made this backpack light enough that you will be able to wear it comfortably all day long,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “At under three pounds, you’re starting out light so by the time you stuff it with what you need, it’s not backbreaking.”

Sporty’s Wings Backpack is durable as well, with high quality construction and heavy-duty zippers, including two zippered side compartments.

“What sets this backpack apart is its modern features including a fleece-lined drop-in audio pocket with a headphone exit port and a laptop sleeve perfect for iPads or up to 17” laptops,” adds Zimmerman. “Embroidered pilot wings show off your pilot status.”

Pilot Wings Knife, Too

Sporty’s Pilot Wings Knife packs a number of useful features into a small space, making it ideally suited for the flight bag or hangar. The smooth 3” blade is sharp enough to cut rope, rubber hose and more.

“The knife features a protected blade for safe seat belt cutting and a sharpened window punch for fast emergency use.” says Zimmerman. “It’s a priority survival item for any airplane or car.”

The pilot wings are laser engraved on the blade front. You can keep it in your flight bag, your airplane, your hangar or wear it with a steel belt clip.

The Pilot Wings Backpack [8638A] is available for $79.95 and the Wings Knife [9420A] is available for $18.95 at sportys.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

Pilot Wings Knife

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res EPS of Sporty’s Pilot Wings Backpack

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