News

Ethan DeVries knew from an early age that he was happiest while in and around airplanes. As a high school student in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he continued to dream of flying; but it would be several years before Ethan would take his first Discovery Flight.

Now, Ethan is the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship. Since earning a political science degree from Calvin University, Ethan has worked professionally as a technology consultant, assisting both start-ups and government entities. His professional career has taken him from Washington, D.C., to Honolulu, Hawaii, where he currently resides with his wife and 17-month-old son.

May is Learn to Fly Month at Sporty’s, a celebration of learning to fly designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to offering savings on popular pilot gear and training resources, Sporty’s will be posting inspiring content on its social media channels, presenting webinars, and delivering valuable flight training resources throughout Sporty’s media network sites, including FlightTrainingCentral.com and Sporty’s PIREPs Blog.

Sporty's, the industry’s leading provider of aviation products and training content, announced today that CEO Michael Wolf will retire on January 31, 2025.  Wolf has been a part of the  Sporty’s team for more than 50 years, and has served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer since 2008, leading the organization through significant milestones and growth. Sporty’s President, John Zimmerman, will assume the role of CEO upon Wolf’s retirement.

Traveling just got a lot more comfortable and convenient with the launch of the Flight Gear Inflatable Neck Pillow, designed to transform the way passengers experience long flights. Crafted with the highest quality materials and ergonomic design principles, the Flight Gear Inflatable Neck Pillow is engineered to provide unparalleled comfort and support for the neck and head.

Sporty’s is proud to announce the launch of its new line of Pilot License Plaques, designed to commemorate the significant milestones achieved by aviators worldwide. These beautifully crafted plaques are a symbol of commitment, skill, and passion for aviation, making them the perfect way to honor pilot achievements.

Clay Simmons, a 22-year old aircraft builder and pilot based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is the winner of the sixth annual Richard L. Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots. His article, “Blister Flight: Six Pilots and an Angel,” was selected as the entry that best answered this year’s writing prompt:  “My Most Memorable Flight.”  Simmons’s article describes a lifelong love of aviation, his desire to be the world’s youngest aircraft builder, and his emotional journey to his most memorable flight.