Sporty's Pilot Shop

After testing dozens of screen protectors that claimed to reduce glare (hint: they didn’t), we finally found a winner.

Growing up in Ohio, the phrase, “if you don’t like the weather, wait a while and it’ll change,” is quite common. As pilots venturing to new places, we may want to pay extra attention whenever we hear locals chatting about weird or sudden weather changes they have witnessed.

Many new pilots regard Air Traffic Controllers with a mix of respect and fear. They seem to be a divine voice, unseen but all-knowing, orchestrating the movements of dozens of airplanes from a dark room. So it’s only natural that we trust them and want to follow their instructions no matter what.

But as Ben Franklin famously said, “It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.” Franklin may have meant that in a revolutionary way, but the same basic idea still applies today. Whether it’s a kid questioning his parents or a driver talking to the police officer who pulled him over, there’s nothing wrong with double-checking that the authority is correct (just be respectful about it).

It’s common now (and completely legal) for GA pilots to fly with a paperless cockpit, relying on the iPad and iPhone for chart and document storage and viewing. While these devices are very reliable when configured with an app like ForeFlight and properly set up before flight, many IFR pilots still like an extra form of backup and carry a few paper charts with them. Fortunately several of aviation’s top apps make it quick and easy to print these charts right from the app, to either an AirPrint enabled printer or one configured on your wireless network. Here’s how to do it:

Editor’s Note: In order to have a robust general aviation community, we need to learn from all participants, not just those multi-thousand hour pilots. Here 18-year old Kyle Libby, a new pilot, shares his insight into the training process and his flight training experience. His perspective offers a lot to think about for more experienced pilots.

A Fresh Private Pilot’s Story on the Trials and Adventure of Flight Training (Part 1 of 3)

It wasn’t something that I would describe as easy.

But worth it? Absolutely.

What I mean is being a senior in high school, managing the work load of AP classes, getting college applications in, studying for finals, and trying to maintain a semblance of a social life, while training for my private ticket. Have people been through more adverse conditions? Sure, and I’m not knocking those, but I never expected the work that a Private Pilot’s license could take in conjunction with everything else.

Looking for a flight school? We can help.

The iPad with Foreflight is quickly becoming a popular choice for paper chart replacement. If you’re flying a large airplane (more than 12,500lbs) or turbine-powered airplane governed by Part 91, Subpart F, or if you’re flying as a fractional or an on-demand, Part 135 operation, you’ll need formal FAA approval. Gaining approval for your iPad as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) can be a time-consuming and complicated process – enlisting an expert can save you precious time and resources.

Sporty’s Easy Approval offers a complete, hassle-free solution for FAA approval of your iPad as an EFB and paper chart replacement. Sporty’s expert team will guide you step-by-step through the approval process and provide required documentation, training and operational guidance.