Sporty’s Introduces 2021 Learn to Fly Course

/in /by

Sporty’s Introduces 2021 Learn to Fly Course

Updates include new online platform, flight simulator syllabus and document upload tool

The latest version of Sporty’s award winning Learn to Fly Course adds a host of features to help pilots save time and money during flight training. From passing the knowledge test to flying safely after the checkride, it’s a complete companion for student pilots and rusty pilots alike. The course is available on multiple platforms, including iOS and Android devices, and a one time purchase includes lifetime access.

“Now more than ever, a home study course is an important way for pilots to keep their skills sharp and customize their learning experience,” said Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “Our course is designed to be hassle-free: use it on any of your devices without ever worrying about progress syncing or subscriptions expiring.”

The heart of Sporty’s course has always been the 15+ hours of dynamic HD video that puts the viewer in the airplane, supplemented by sophisticated 3D animations. The 2021 edition continues this focus with plenty of new video, including segments on how to use flight following with air traffic control, how to plan a cross-country flight with an iPad, and how to use ForeFlight’s Imagery tab. Plus, dozens of smaller updates include the latest technology and regulation changes, so pilots are always up-to-date. The course even includes the latest airman testing updates from the FAA.

 New online features

Sporty’s online learning platform has been completely redesigned for 2021 to make it faster, easier to use, and completely mobile-friendly. Menus are easy to access on different screen sizes and video automatically streams at the highest quality possible, based on the internet connection.

Knowledge test prep tools have also been upgraded to be more versatile. Now pilots can build their own study sessions from any keyword. Just search for a topic and start studying relevant questions, pulled from Sporty’s exclusive database of over 1,000 test questions.

To extend flight training beyond the airplane, Sporty’s course now includes a detailed lesson guide for the new Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developed by the flight instructors at Sporty’s Academy, this document includes tips for getting started, plus 14 suggested simulator training flights, complete with objectives, scenarios, tasks to accomplish, and performance goals to further enhance simulator flying.

 “We’ve seen tremendous interest in Microsoft’s new flight simulator program, and we believe it can be used as more than just a game,” said Radtke. “This new syllabus will help pilots go beyond fun flights and practice important maneuvers in a structured and thoughtful way.”

 Once a pilot has completed the video segments and test prep study sessions, Sporty’s enhanced flashcard mode is a great way to study for the knowledge test or checkride without seeing multiple choice answers. This feature allows pilots to digitally flip the cards and see how well important topics have been mastered while focusing on correct answer choices

 Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course includes dozens of helpful documents in the library section, from FAA textbooks to important Advisory Circulars. Now pilots can upload their own documents, whether it’s a scanned copy of an airplane’s manual or a flight school’s training documents. This is a simple and reliable way to keep all training materials in one place, and a solid backup.

New app features

Highlight an important segment of the training syllabus, type notes in the Airplane Flying Handbook, or draw helpful diagrams on an Advisory circular—it’s all possible with the new annotation tools in Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iOS. Simply tap the pen icon at the top of the screen and to display a full suite of options. These intuitive controls work with or without an internet connection, and are available for any document in the Pilot Training app.

Another convenient addition to the Pilot Training app is dark mode. This changes the app layout to show light text on a dark background, which can reduce eye strain and extend battery life on your device (it also looks pretty cool).

Sporty’s course was the first to include a custom Apple TV app, perfect for watching video segments on a large screen TV. The latest version of Sporty’s Apple TV app has an all-new design that’s easier to use, but stays in sync with the iOS, Android, and online apps. It also includes the free Get Started course, packed with tips for finding a flight school and beginning your training.

Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course [E1753A] includes free lifetime updates and may be purchased for $249 at sportys.com/courses or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS. Existing users have access to all new features and content automatically.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

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

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Ask a CFI)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Annotations)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Apple TV)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Dark Mode)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (New Design)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Flight Sim)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Video)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Checkride Prep)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course (Test Prep)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cessna 172 Skyhawk PlaneTag™

/in /by

Cessna 172 Skyhawk PlaneTag®

Exclusively made for Sporty’s Wright Brothers Collection

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk, first introduced by the Cessna Aircraft Company in 1955, is the most popular single-engine aircraft ever built. More 172s have been produced than any other aircraft and it still remains in production today.

The Cessna 172 Skyhawk PlaneTag is a chance to own a piece of this well-loved aircraft. These PlaneTags were salvaged from a Cessna 172K model, tail # N7262G. This Cessna 172 was one of 759 built in 1970, making 2020 the 50th anniversary for this particular aircraft.

PlaneTags are hand selected, cut, and stamped, to be truly one-of-a-kind. Each piece will look like no other, and will be assigned a number in the series.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find a pilot who hasn’t flown a 172,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “PlaneTags are a practical memento from many pilots’ training experience.”

The Cessna 172 PlaneTag [3067W] is available for $29.99 and may be purchased at wright-bros.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Wright Bros. PlaneTag

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Wright Bros. PlaneTag (scene)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Wright Bros. PlaneTag (bag)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Flight Gear Charging Cables

/in /by

New Flight Gear Charging Cables

Won’t Interfere with Avionics

Pilots have plenty of batteries to keep charged these days, from iPads to smartphones to portable ADS-B receivers. There are a lot of options when it comes to selecting a charging cable, but how many of them actually work?  Inferior charging cables can tangle, break and even cause interference with avionics.

To solve these problems Sporty’s developed the Flight Gear USB to Lightning braided cable and the USB to USB-C braided cable. These specially designed cables are perfectly suited for the cockpit. “Any time you add an electronic device to the cockpit, you run the risk of interference with the radios,” says Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “We’re very concerned about that problem, so we’ve tested the Flight Gear Charging Cables in multiple aircraft and through hundreds of flight hours to ensure they won’t become a nuisance in the plane.”

Each cable has a braided nylon sleeve to help resist tangles, kinks and knots. The plugs are cased in high-end aluminum to ensure that these cables will stand up to the most demanding environments, airborne and on land. The USB to Lightning Cable is MFi certified and will work with all lightning plug devices. Each Cable measures just over three feet in length.

The Flight Gear USB to Lightning Braided Cable [5472A] and the Flight Gear USB to USB-C Braided Cable [6317A] are available for $14.95. Each may be purchased at sportys.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Flight Gear USB to Lightning Braided Cable

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Flight Gear USB to USB-C Braided Cable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Flight Gear Sunglasses Are Made for Flying

/in /by

New Flight Gear Sunglasses Are Made for Flying

Handmade in Italy exclusively for Sporty’s

Sporty’s new Flight Gear Captain’s Sunglasses are loaded with pilot friendly features. These high-quality sunglasses are lightweight yet durable which make them perfect for those long cross country flights. The non-polarized lenses are ideal for viewing iPads or phones, and won’t cause instruments to fade at certain viewing angles. The iconic Aviator style provides ultimate coverage and sun protection.

“When we set out to design the perfect sunglasses for pilots, we had three goals,” said Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “The lens had to work with iPads and glass cockpits, the temples couldn’t interfere with ANR headsets, and the price had to be under $100. The Flight Gear Captain’s Sunglasses hit all three.”

Sporty’s Flight Gear Captain’s Sunglasses feature:

Flight Deck Friendly Lens

The flight deck friendly lens sharpens your view while eliminating glare. These ultra-high-definition lenses have a green tint to minimize blue light interference.

Tapered Temples

The most abused part of your sunglasses is the hinge. Flight Gear sunglasses feature a custom tapered hinge that provides the maximum amount of durability where you need it most. The temple tapers down to a smaller form to not interfere with your headset.

Spring Hinges

These unique hinges provide a custom fit. Most sunglasses will open to a predetermined point. If your head is wider than that point, your head will feel increased side pressure. The hinges on these Flight Gear sunglasses allow the temples to go further than the width of the sunglasses, reducing the amount of side pressure.

Lightweight, high strength frames

The frames are made from high-quality Italian metals that offer a premium feel without the additional weight typical in other metal frames. We have put them through tests and have been pleasantly surprised by the extreme strength they display. These frames will easily put up with day to day abuse or being thrown in a flight bag until you’re ready to fly.

Each pair of Flight Gear Captain’s Sunglasses come with a molded crush-resistant case and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Lens measures 58mm across and frames are offered in gold or black. The Flight Gear Captain’s Sunglasses [3150A] are available for $89.95 by calling 1-800-SPORTYS or at sportys.com.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Flight Gear Sunglasses (Black)

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Flight Gear Sunglasses (Gold)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sporty’s Foundation supports EAA with $25,000 Matching Fund Donation

/in /by

The Sporty’s Foundation supports EAA with $25,000 Matching Fund Donation

Sporty’s and their customers pitch in to give general aviation a boost

With the cancellation of this year’s AirVenture, pilots were unable to attend the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAA lost revenue that helps support its important work for general aviation and youth programs. In the spirit of supporting general aviation and helping EAA, Sporty’s launched a matching funds campaign through The Sporty’s Foundation.  This fundraiser was supported by Sporty’s customers throughout the month of July during Sporty’s Virtual Air Show.

“Sporty’s and EAA have been partners for decades, with a relentless focus on growing participation in aviation,” said Michael Wolf, Sporty’s President and CEO. “The important work of inspiring the next generation of pilots does not stop because AirVenture is on hold for a year, and hopefully this gift will help that work continue.”

The call to support EAA resonated with many pilots who chose to donate and do their part to help in a difficult time.  The most common donations received were in the amounts equal to an AirVenture admission charge.  In total, over $38,000 was donated to EAA by both Sporty’s customers and The Sporty’s Foundation.

 

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

Sporty's Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sporty’s Launches Second Aerobatics Course with Patty Wagstaff

/in /by

Sporty’s Launches Second Aerobatics Course with Patty Wagstaff

Basic Aerobatics covers the fundamentals of loops, rolls, and spins

Five months after announcing a partnership to develop online aerobatics training, Sporty’s and Patty Wagstaff have introduced a second course, Basic Aerobatics. This detailed course is a great complement to in-airplane training and explores three essential aerobatic maneuvers in all their varieties: loops, rolls, and spins.

“The flight instructors at Sporty’s Academy and Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety share the same goal: to make flying safer and more fun,” said Wagstaff. “These courses do exactly that, by taking pilots beyond straight and level to see what high performance flying is all about.”

In Basic Aerobatics, viewers will go flying in a Super Decathlon over the beautiful beaches of St. Augustine, Florida, for a detailed look at everything from basic loops to hesitation rolls. Wagstaff explains every maneuver step-by-step, complete with sophisticated animations, and tips for better technique. She also answers frequently asked questions and provides solutions to common errors. The course presents techniques for each aerobatic maneuver when in an airplane without an inverted fuel and oil system, so this course is perfect whether you’re flying a high performance showplane or a Cessna Aerobat.

“We’ve worked hard to make it feel like you’re riding along with Patty in the airplane,” said Sporty’s Academy President Eric Radtke. “Beautiful HD video shows the pilot’s perspective for each maneuver and split-screen segments simultaneously show the flight controls, flight instruments, and views out each window. The course even includes bonus 360-degree videos showing Patty flying each maneuver.”

Basic Aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff [#E905A] is available for $99.99. Volume 1 in the series, Intro to Aerobatics [#E312A], is available for $49.99, and both courses can be purchased as a bundle [#E936A] for $129.99. Basic Aerobatics 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/aerobatics.

 

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sporty’s Awards Next Flight Crew Scholarship

/in /by

Sporty’s Awards Next Flight Crew Scholarship

Private pilot with desire to give back to the aviation community receives $2,500 award

Jeff Goodsill of Sudbury, MA, is the recipient of Sporty’s latest $2,500 flying scholarship awarded through his membership in Sporty’s Flight Crew program. Jeff is a Private pilot working toward his Instrument Rating and is flying a Cessna 172 Skyhawk through the Aero Club of New England at the Hanscom Field Airport in Bedford, MA (KBED).

Jeff’s interest in flying was sparked at an early age through home simulators. His growing passion for aviation would later translate to gliders and airplanes. Jeff currently devotes most of his time to studying for his Instrument Rating with the goal of completing his training this summer. Following instrument, he intends to transition into Commercial pilot followed by Certified Flight Instructor training so that he can give back to the aviation community.

“My overall goal is to become one of the best flight instructors out there,” remarked Goodsill. “I believe my passion for flying will be transferred to many others. Like others before me, I will give back what has been passed onto me for the benefit of many.”

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:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sporty’s Launches Virtual Airshow Experience

/in /by

Sporty’s Launches Virtual Airshow Experience

Oshkosh is canceled but the aviation celebration isn’t

Today Sporty’s kicked off its first ever virtual airshow, a five-week-long series of events and experiences that will be hosted on Sportys.com and various social media platforms. In addition to new product introductions and show specials, Sporty’s will also offer weekly webinars, live stream events, contests, and fun flying videos. The goal is to keep pilots connected and excited about aviation, no matter what their flying plans are this summer.

“AirVenture is our favorite week of the year, where we get to meet thousands of customers, show off the latest products, and see amazing airplanes in action,” said Sporty’s President Michael Wolf. “But while we can’t be together in Wisconsin, we hope we can help recreate some of the Oshkosh atmosphere online.”

Webinar topics include what’s new in aviation headsets, practical tips for flying with an iPad, how to use flight simulators to stay current, proficiency strategies from Sporty’s team of flight instructors, and an interactive IFR quiz hour. Sporty’s will also host webinars from other companies, including ForeFlight and Redbird. Limited time Virtual Airshow specials will be available on a variety of products, from training courses and headsets to flight bags and avionics.

Other events include a virtual exhibit hangar video series, with exclusive videos from major aviation brands, live stream sessions with Sporty’s product experts, and weekly contests. There’s plenty of fun planned as well, including a live stream concert from Sporty’s video host and longtime musician Rob Reider and a virtual airshow routine from legendary performer Patty Wagstaff. At the end of July, one Sporty’s Flight Crew member will be awarded a $2,500 flight training scholarship.

Sporty’s is also encouraging pilots to give back during this challenging airshow season, with The Sporty’s Foundation Matching Gift Initiative. For every dollar Sporty’s customers donate to EAA this July, up to $25,000, the foundation will match it. There is no overhead, so 100% of donations will go to the area of greatest need at EAA. Donations of any amount are accepted, and Sporty’s is asking pilots to consider an amount equal to their expected ticket fee for AirVenture 2020.

“Sporty’s and EAA have been partners for decades, with a relentless focus on growing participation in aviation,” said Wolf. “The important work of inspiring the next generation of pilots does not stop because AirVenture is on hold for a year, and hopefully this gift will help that work continue.”

Sporty’s 2020 Virtual Airshow runs from June 29 to August 2. For a complete schedule of events, visit Sportys.com/Airshow.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Virtual Airshow Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Show Your Love of Flying with Sporty’s Masks

/in /by

Show Your Love of Flying with Sporty’s Masks

Protect those around you as well as yourself

Sporty’s has launched its own series of masks that are all about aviation. Wear one of these masks to show your enthusiasm for aviation, even when you’re not at the airport.

The masks are made of 4-layered CDC compliant fabric. The lining and the interior fabric are 100% cotton and the exterior fabric is soft-spun poly. Masks have adjustable bands so one size fits most, and include a pocket for a filter. They are machine washable and measure about 7” x 5”.

Two styles are available:

Keep Calm and Fly On Mask: playing off the British slogan in use during World War II of “Keep calm and carry on,” the slogan has been adapted with an aviation message. This mask is blue with the slogan in white.

flyGIRL Mask: This mask features the flyGIRL logo surrounded by aircraft on a blue background. A portion of every flyGIRL sale goes to support the group’s scholarship fund, which awards $5,000 to a woman (young or old) who is pursuing flight training.

Sporty’s Keep Calm and Fly On Mask [6032A] and Sporty’s flyGIRL Mask[3140A]  are each available for $14.99 and may be ordered at sportys.com or by calling 1-800-SPORTYS.

 

Medium resolution pictures for online:

 

 

High resolution pictures for print:

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Keep Calm and Fly on Mask

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s flyGIRL Mask

Download hi-res image of Sporty’s Mask (inside)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Getting Started Course Available From Sporty’s

/in /by

Free Getting Started Course Available From Sporty’s

Provides helpful resources to begin your pilot training

Learning to fly is a process, but oftentimes the most confusing part is taking that first step. How do you find a flight school? What should you ask a prospective flight instructor? What’s the difference between a Sport Pilot and Private Pilot certificate? Sporty’s has recently released a new course to help answer these questions, and it’s completely free.

The course, called Get Started with Learning to Fly, features videos, articles, and other resources for the brand-new pilot. This includes:

  • Four video segments covering the basics of learning to fly, finding a flight school, and what a first lesson looks like
  • A twelve-part article series that addresses common questions, like Part 61 vs. 141 schools, FAA medical requirements, and cost
  • A flight school directory, searchable by zip code, with contact information for nearby schools
  • A high-resolution Cessna 172 cockpit poster, great for getting acquainted with a common training airplane
  • Helpful links to other resources and essential pilot supplies.

The course works on a variety of devices, including web browsers, iOS devices, and Android devices. The course is 100% free, but registration is required. You can sign up here.