Throughout the month of February 2023, Sporty’s is celebrating IFR Month, a four-week focus on the challenges and rewards of instrument flying, according to company officials.
In addition to special savings on pilot gear, Sporty’s will offer a new YouTube video series, interactive webinars, articles, livestream events, and contests. The goal is to encourage pilots to earn their instrument rating, get current, and enjoy more utility from their pilot certificate, officials noted.
“Instrument flying has always been important to Sporty’s, beginning with Founder Hal Shevers and his innovative three-day ground school in the early 1960s,” said Sporty’s President John Zimmerman. “We’re excited to launch IFR Month as a way of building on that heritage and encouraging pilots to explore the fascinating world of instrument flight.”
Sporty’s has partnered with air show pilot and instrument flight instructor Spencer Suderman for a new video series called “IFR Insights” that will be available free on YouTube. In each episode, Suderman shows how to use modern tools like iPad apps and datalink weather to make IFR flying safer and easier. Multiple camera angles and real-world ATC audio allow viewers to ride along and see why “flying IFR” doesn’t have to mean shooting approaches to 200 feet.
IFR Month will also be celebrated across Sporty’s Media Network, including Flight Training Central, Air Facts, iPad Pilot News, and Flight Sim Update websites. Each will include articles, videos, and quizzes on instrument flying topics, written by Sporty’s team of pilots, as well as industry experts like pilot examiner Jason Blair.
Sporty’s Pilot’s Discretion podcast will feature two IFR-centric episodes in February, with well-known flight instructors Tom Turner and Elaine Kauh.
Webinar topics include passing the instrument rating knowledge test and using home flight simulators for instrument proficiency.
Limited time IFR Month specials will be available on a variety of products, including Sporty’s Instrument Rating Course. Updated for 2023, the course is available on a variety of mobile devices and includes free lifetime updates, according to Sporty’s officials.
Pilots will also have the opportunity to participate in contests and livestreams from Sporty’s store.
“We hope pilots of all experience levels will get something out of IFR Month,” said Zimmerman. “Whether it’s tackling the instrument written test, firing up a simulator to get current, or just flying a more precise LPV approach, there’s always something to learn about instrument flying.”
For a complete list of content and events, go to Sportys.com/IFR.