Sporty's Pilot Shop was founded in 1962 by Hal Shevers and was originally located at Cincinnati's Lunken Airport. Rapid growth led to a new, larger facility being built at Clermont County/Sporty's Airport, which continued to expand over the next 15 years. All operations were moved to Sporty's current location across the field at Clermont County/Sporty's Airport in 1990.

The continuing success of Sporty's Pilot Shop led to the addition of another product line in 1977. These products were targeted at the affluent homeowner and were originally marketed under the title of Sporty's Tool Shop. The name was changed to Sporty's Preferred Living which continues today. Sporty's Tool Shop was later revived and now offers products for lawn care, automotive maintenance, home and shop organization and home care.

Wright Bros. Collection, a fourth title, was launched in 1993 and features aviation-themed gift products for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. Sporty's Men Collection was introduced in 2004 and features hundreds of unique products-from classy to tacky-a catalog for what guys want.

In 1987, Sporty's Academy was founded to develop aviation courses and to produce videos that teach pilots everything they need to know about aviation-from weather and safety to technique and air traffic control-the focus is always on real world flying. For several years, Sporty's Academy gave three-day ground school courses in conjunction with AOPA's Air Safety Foundation. Today, Sporty's Academy is an FAA approved Part 141 flight school and provides flight training for international students as well as for the University of Cincinnati's Professional Pilot program.

In 2002, Sporty's received Flying magazine's Editors' Choice award for its innovative Recreational, Private and Instrument Flight Training Courses on interactive DVD.

Eastern Cincinnati Aviation (ECA), Sporty's closely affiliated fixed base operator, was founded in 1988 to provide flight instruction, rental aircraft, service and fuel sales for Clermont County/Sporty's Airport. ECA also operates, maintains and manages all airport operations on behalf of Clermont County. Avionics installation and repairs are also available on the airport through a division of ECA, Cincinnati Avionics.

Current projects at Clermont County/Sporty's Airport include Sandy's Farm, a gated, 13 acre residential airpark in a park-like setting featuring common green space, peaceful, wooded surroundings and access to a general aviation-friendly airport. In all, eleven homes with hangars will be built in this airpark.

Sporty's corporate philosophy is summed up by Founder/Chairman Hal Shevers: "Sporty's is an educational institution. We educate pilots to be safe and proficient. We have hundreds of hours of our own educational DVD video on topics ranging from helicopters to weather to GPS and most recently glass-cockpit technology, topics for the beginner to the seasoned veteran. That is the focus of our business."

Today, Sporty's is one of the most respected names in aviation. With corporate activities in every segment of light aircraft from training to maintenance to Cessna new aircraft sales along with hangar space for more than 150 aircraft, Sporty's has evolved from the "World's Largest Pilot Shop" to "More Than A Pilot Shop."