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).

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.

Whether instructor or student, highly experienced or brand new in your role, you need to take time to review the material that you are teaching or learning. Instructors owe this review and refresher to their students. Students owe this review to themselves. Take some time and start planning today.

A funny and thought-provoking article from one of our CFIs.

Some helpful tips here, especially for new pilots.

Interesting article - Collins was involved in one almost 60 years ago. His story is worth reading for all pilots.

Flight training, as you might expect, is a highly regulated activity.  Flight instructors must be trained and certificated to a specific level.  Flight schools can fall under further regulatory requirements.  Most airport personnel having contact with students and the students themselves fall under regulations defined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

As a budding student pilot, it is highly recommended that you check out a number of local flight schools and interview potential flight instructors.  Some areas of the country will have more options than others.  As you talk to flight school operators and instructors, some regulatory terms may be brought up in an effort to sway your decision.  Be forewarned and forearmed by understanding the basics.