Infinite Flight Partners with Sporty’s Pilot Shop

In an exciting revelation at Flight Sim Expo 2024, Sporty’s and Infinite Flight announced a partnership, aiming to bridge the gap between flight simulation and real-world aviation training. This collaboration strives to revolutionize how aspiring pilots learn and practice flying skills, offering a seamless integration of mobile flight simulation and comprehensive flight training courses.

What is Infinite Flight?

Infinite Flight is a mobile flight simulator available on iOS and Android devices. It offers users the ability to fly to and from thousands of different airports in the world, with access to real-world navigation and weather. The software is designed to provide a realistic flying experience, complete with real-world approaches and departures.

Jason Rosewell at Infinite Flight, explains, “We wanted to create a platform where pilots can practice flying anywhere in the world, right from their mobile devices. Our goal is to fuel a passion for flying and learning among aviation enthusiasts, students, and pilots alike.”

Infinite Flight’s platform is user-friendly, utilizing the device’s accelerometer and gyroscope for pitch and roll control, making it accessible for both seasoned pilots and beginners. It also integrates with popular EFBs like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot, allowing pilots to practice navigation and procedures before taking to the skies in real aircraft.

Sporty’s Pilot Shop: A Legacy of Aviation Excellence

Sporty’s Pilot Shop, founded in 1961, has grown into the world’s largest pilot shop, offering a wide range of products and services for aviators. Located at Clermont County/Sporty’s Airport (I69) in Batavia, Ohio, 15 miles east of Cincinnati, Sporty’s is renowned for its aviation training programs and innovative learning tools. Chris McGonegle of Sporty’s shares, “We have a rich history of supporting pilots with high-quality training resources here at Sporty’s. Our Learn to Fly course is designed to provide student pilots with the knowledge and skills they need to earn their pilot certificate.” Sporty’s Learn to Fly course features over 15 hours of 4K video content, fully narrated maneuvers, in-flight videos, interactive scenarios, a comprehensive question bank for the FAA Knowledge Test, and much more. One of its standout features is free lifetime access, allowing pilots to revisit and refresh their knowledge anytime throughout their flying journey.

Scenarios and Training: A New Approach

Infinite Flight’s scenario system offers a range of custom-made flights that simulate real-world training situations. These scenarios provide specific starting points and objectives, allowing pilots to practice tasks such as engine failure recovery, high-density altitude operations, and more.

The system also includes pass/fail criteria, offering valuable feedback to students. By integrating this technology with Sporty’s courses, students can practice procedures and maneuvers in a safe, controlled environment, gaining valuable experience and confidence.

The Partnership: Chair Flying 2.0

The partnership between Sporty’s and Infinite Flight brings together the best of both worlds—comprehensive aviation training and cutting-edge flight simulation. This collaboration introduces a new level of “chair flying.” The integration of Infinite Flight’s scenario system with Sporty’s Learn to Fly course allows students to seamlessly transition from watching instructional videos to flying simulated maneuvers. With just a click, students can jump into a scenario and practice what they’ve learned, reinforcing their understanding and confidence before entering the cockpit.

Chris highlights the benefits of this partnership, saying “With Infinite Flight, students can now experience realistic flight scenarios and receive immediate feedback on their performance. It’s like having a virtual instructor guiding you through each maneuver.”

These scenarios are not merely about flying from point A to point B; they are built to challenge decision-making, situational awareness, and proficiency. By engaging with these scenarios, students can practice complex maneuvers and techniques under varied conditions, all of which are essential for building confidence and competence that translates into real-world flying.

Accessibility and Engagement

One of the key advantages of this partnership is the accessibility it offers. With Infinite Flight available on mobile devices, students can practice anywhere with an internet connection, anytime, without the need for a complete PC setup. This convenience is particularly beneficial for aspiring aviators who are seeking flexibility. The collaboration also introduces gamification elements, encouraging engagement and motivation among students. As Chris explains, “We’re bringing a new level of excitement to flight training. With Infinite Flight, students can track their progress, compete in challenges, and share their achievements with the aviation community.”

How to Get Started

1. Download the latest version of the free Infinite Flight app from the App Store here.
2. Ensure you have the latest version of the Sporty’s Pilot Training app installed on your iPad or iPhone here.
3. Within the Sporty’s Pilot Training app, open the first lesson in the Learn to Fly course titled “Getting Started with Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.”
4. Select the Related Content tab (far right tab), and press the “Fly” button for the Taxi and Normal Takeoff scenario; you’ll see the Infinite Flight app instantly launch and load that scenario.
5. Throughout the remainder of the Learn to Fly course, users will find each of the 8 scenarios connected to the relevant video lesson as such.Note: Some remaining scenarios require users to launch the scenario directly from the Sporty’s Pilot Training app via the Learn to Fly course.

Debriefing

Sporty’s and Infinite Flight’s partnership marks a significant milestone in aviation training, providing students with an innovative, immersive learning experience. By combining comprehensive flight courses with realistic simulation, this collaboration empowers aspiring pilots to achieve their aviation dreams. Sporty’s and Infinite Flight are poised to inspire and help the next generation of pilots and aviation enthusiasts achieve their flying goals.

For more details on Sporty’s Learn to Fly course and Infinite Flight, watch the Flight Sim Expo 2024 partnership announcement with Chris and Jason below.