Eric Radtke

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Hal Shevers on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Founder and longtime chairman of Sporty’s, Hal was a pioneering force in pilot training and a beloved leader in the aviation community. Hal’s life’s work shaped the landscape of general aviation for more than six decades.

For Addison Morgan, aviation has long been part of the background—but in late 2024, at a crossroads in his career, it moved to the forefront. Now nearing his Private Pilot checkride, Addison has been awarded Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship to help him complete the final cross-country requirements of his training.

Just in time for those long summer days on the ramp and evenings at the hangar, Sporty’s has introduced a new lineup of AeroWear Polo shirts. These performance shirts combine aviation-inspired design with performance comfort that pilots are sure to appreciate.

At our home airport (I69), the traffic pattern stays busy—especially with our flight school airplanes. It’s common to have multiple airplanes in the pattern, a steady stream of radio calls, and a lot happening in a short amount of time. For many student pilots, that’s where things start to feel overwhelming.

A pilot’s headset is one of the most valuable pieces of gear they own; so protecting it on every flight isn’t optional:  it’s essential. That’s why the pilots at Sporty’s designed the Flight Gear® Molded Headset Case, a purpose-built solution that delivers durable, compact protection for everyday flying.

If you’re on final, slightly high, a touch fast, maybe not perfectly lined up, your first instinct is often to try to “fix” it. After all, we don’t want to fail, especially after a good pattern. That’s exactly when you should start thinking about a go-around. Waiting too long usually comes down to ego and fear of “failure” or the hope you can salvage the landing—and that’s when things get tricky.

Designed as the ultimate “Plan B” in the cockpit, the PJ2 GPS adds essential navigation capabilities to its core communication role. Built-in GPS provides critical in-flight data, including groundspeed, altitude, and track, along with simplified waypoint navigation to help pilots get home in an emergency.

Sporty’s is pleased to announce the release of its Limited Edition 2026 Cessna 172 Die-Cast Model, a finely detailed 1:72 scale replica, inspired by a real aircraft with a remarkable story. This year’s model honors a 1974 Cessna Skyhawk II named Gypsy, owned by the Hurtuk family. The aircraft was selected as the winner of Sporty’s nationwide “Shrink My Cessna” contest, which invited owners to submit photos and stories of their Skyhawks.

Trying to follow an instruction you don’t fully understand or aren’t ready to execute can create a lot more risk than politely declining. Ask for clarification, request an alternative, or stick to something you can handle safely.

Sporty’s Aviation Gifts is bringing a touch of aviation charm to your garden with its new Solar-Powered Aviator Garden Gnome. Positioned on its bright red airplane, this whimsical gnome features a solar-powered LED light that illuminates the airplane’s nose cone at dusk, automatically charging by day—no cords or batteries required.