Just released is the 2021 version of Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, which adds a host of features to help pilots save time and money during flight training, according to Sporty’s officials.
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 the course is the more than 15 hours of HD video that puts the viewer in the airplane, supplemented by 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.
Dozens of smaller updates include the latest technology and regulation changes, so pilots are always up-to-date. The course also includes the latest airman testing updates from the FAA.
New online features
Sporty’s online learning platform has been redesigned for 2021 to make it faster, easier to use, and 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, Sporty’s officials noted.
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 database of more than 1,000 test questions.
To extend flight training beyond the airplane, Sporty’s course 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.”
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course includes dozens of documents in the library section, from FAA textbooks to Advisory Circulars. Pilots also can upload their own documents, whether it’s a scanned copy of an airplane’s manual or a flight school’s training documents.
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course, priced at $249, includes free lifetime updates. Existing users have access to all new features and content automatically.