From first flight to next step, Sporty’s helps advance EAA’s Mission 2.5
As the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) works toward its ambitious Mission 2.5 goal of flying 2.5 million Young Eagles by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, Sporty’s is reaffirming its long-standing commitment to introducing youth to aviation and supporting the next generation of pilots.
EAA’s Young Eagles program, launched in 1992, has provided free introductory flights to youth, ages 8–17, inspiring nearly 2.5 million young people to experience flying through the generosity of volunteer pilots. Mission 2.5 aims to reach the program’s next major milestone by the opening of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 on July 20 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with pilots across the country stepping up to expand access and participation.
For more than 15 years, Sporty’s has supported EAA’s mission by providing free access to its Learn to Fly Course to every Young Eagle who becomes an EAA student member. This award-winning online course, valued at $299, gives youth a clear next step after their first flight—helping turn inspiration into action. Since the initiative began in 2009, more than 190,000 Young Eagles have registered for the course, reinforcing the connection between early exposure and long-term engagement in aviation.
“Supporting Young Eagles isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we actively do,” said John Zimmerman, President and CEO of Sporty’s. “From providing free training resources to flying Young Eagles at our home airport, our team is committed to giving kids that first spark of inspiration and a clear path forward.”
While Sporty’s supports Young Eagles on a national level, the company is also deeply involved at its home airport. Sporty’s pilots regularly volunteer at local Young Eagles rallies at the Clermont County Airport in Batavia, Ohio.
In 2025, Sporty’s pilots flew 48 Young Eagles across six rallies, with the goal of flying more than 84 youth in 2026. Much of that local effort is coordinated by Sporty’s team member and flight instructor Eric Carnahan, the Young Eagles coordinator for local EAA Chapter 174. These efforts contribute directly to the work of Chapter 174, which flew 223 Young Eagles in 2025 with the help of 11 volunteer pilots.
"EAA is greatly appreciative of the support that Sporty's provides to the Young Eagles program," said David Leiting, EAA Young Eagles Program Manager. “The access provided to the Learn to Fly Course is a key element that helps distinguish Young Eagles from other youth aviation programs, by providing these youth with tangible first steps to kickstart their flight training. The youth that go through this course are often those that become qualified for EAA scholarships such as the Ray Aviation Scholarship.”
By combining free introductory flights with free educational resources, Sporty’s both supports and directly advances EAA’s Mission 2.5, helping move the program closer to its goal of flying 2.5 million youth by the opening day of AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
For more information, visit EAA.org.
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