Showcasing the most innovative and in-demand products
As 2024 comes to a close, Sporty’s is thrilled to showcase the year’s most innovative and in-demand products. These top picks highlight cutting-edge technology, enhanced functionality, and thoughtful designs. Sporty’s 2024 Gear of the Year is sure to inspire, from groundbreaking tools for pilot training to must-have accessories for every flight deck, so get ready to explore these industry-leading essentials.
BEST NEW PRODUCT
Sporty’s 2025 Learn to Fly Course—Sporty’s recently released an extensive update to its Learn to Fly Course, which blends cutting-edge Aviation Intelligence℠ (AI) tools, immersive video lessons, and integrated real-world flight simulation—all designed to make your learning experience faster, easier, and more engaging.
Sporty’s new AI features include ChatDPE℠, a virtual pilot examiner, for interactive study sessions that simulate the experience of the oral exam portion of a Private Pilot practical test. ChatDPE can be paired with another new AI tool, ChatFAR℠, which explains the regulations in plain English.
TOP FLIGHT BAG
Flight Outfitters Lift 2.0 Flight Bag—Perfect for the modern-day pilot with its compact size, this bag is large enough for all your gear. External pockets keep frequently-used items close at hand, while the zipper side compartments can be used for your iPad and all related accessories, including your logbook and other training essentials. The larger interior compartment is ideal for stowing your headset.
BEST KNEEBOARD
Flight Gear iPad Organizer Kneeboard—This universal mounting surface is compatible with iPads in a wide range of screen sizes and even accommodates most iPad cases. The kneeboard’s elastic retention straps are movable to help avoid the annoyance of inadvertently hitting buttons. Two convenient pockets can secure a backup battery and charging cables, while an adjustable leg strap fits most leg sizes. Side flaps completely cover the iPad screen when stowed to protect your valuable device.
FAVORITE HEADSET
Lightspeed Delta Zulu—This headset is built to last with a rugged stainless-steel headband, tangle-free cables wrapped in Kevlar, and an unmatched seven-year warranty. As you would expect with a premium ANR headset, Delta Zulu has complete Bluetooth integration. Listen to music in flight (a passenger favorite) or make phone calls on the ground, and enjoy the headset’s noise cancellation to make everything clearer. The Lightspeed Delta Zulu is also the first headset with a built-in carbon monoxide detector and alerting system.
Honorable mention: Bose A30—With a new aluminum alloy headband and a redesigned center torsion spring, this headset more evenly distributes weight on your head--and a new headband pad provides an extra cushion. The A30 features a completely digital ANR system to provide full attenuation across a wide variety of noise environments, and the firmware is upgradeable to take advantage of new technologies.
MOST RELIABLE PORTABLE RADIO
PJ2+ COM Radio—Building on the success of the PJ2 COM radio, the patented PJ2+ continues to set the bar for what a handheld aviation radio can do. In addition to standard GA headset jacks, the PJ2+ also features a 3.5mm jack to accommodate wired earbuds or a computer headset. An updated, high-contrast screen and 6 watts peak transmit power make the PJ2+ the perfect addition to any flight bag.
HIGHEST DEMAND ADS-B RECEIVER
ForeFlight Sentry Plus—For the price of a few flight lessons, you can have in-flight weather (ADS-B or SiriusXM), GPS, traffic, flight data recorder and a backup attitude/heading display, all on your iPad. With an integrated OLED display, 18-hour battery life, and a next-generation flight data recorder, Sentry Plus keeps essential information within reach. Plus, it’s equipped with jam-resistant GPS, a built-in G-meter, and even a carbon monoxide detector.
MOST DEPENDABLE FLASHLIGHT
Flight Gear Bite Light—Built with a silicone bite ring on the back so the light can be comfortably held in your mouth, this flashlight frees up your hands for other important tasks. It includes a bright white light for preflight and postflight activities, as well as a soft red light for flight deck operations. Independent switches for these two modes of illumination on the Bite Light ensure that you select the light appropriate for your needs.
MOST VERSATILE FLIGHT JACKET
The X-1 AeroWear Flight Jacket—This tough, lightweight jacket is equipped with multiple button-snap exterior pockets, side hand pockets, and adjustable cuffs for a customized fit. Additional zippered inside pockets provide secure storage but can be tucked away when not in use. The removable hood offers added flexibility for a variety of weather conditions, and the water-repellent, polyester fabric ensures you will stay dry in light rain.
BEST VALUE FLIGHT SIM ACCESSORY
Honeycomb Alpha Flight Simulator Yoke—This item has a realistic full 180° yoke rotation and a solid steel shaft with dual linear ball bearings that provide smooth control with a dampened, self-centering mechanism and no center detent or dead zone. The base includes a switch panel with master, alternator, avionics and light switches, as well as a 5-position ignition switch.
BEST AVIATION WATCH
Garmin D2 Air X10—This watch is made exclusively for pilots. The first thing you notice about the D2 Air is the bright AMOLED touchscreen. Its 30mm Gorilla Glass 3 lens and stainless-steel bezel make it tough enough for daily use. The touchscreen interface is easy to use and reduces button pushing. At just 1.6 oz., the D2 Air is almost 50% lighter than previous generation D2 watches—and this watch is packed with sensors, including a built-in pulse oximeter to track your blood oxygen saturation.
MOST INNOVATIVE AIRCRAFT TIE-DOWN
Flight Gear Pull Down Tie-Down Set—Securing your aircraft has never been easier. Simply attach one of the coated hooks to the aircraft and the other hook to the tie-down anchor point. Then, with very little effort, pull the rope through the automatic ratcheting system to secure the aircraft. When you are ready to fly, use the quick-release trigger on the ratcheting mechanism to release the ropes. It is that simple and quick, with no complicated knots or manual ratcheting required.
