Sporty’s Next Step program motivates 2,500 potential pilots

Some 2,500 Young Eagles have taken the second step in becoming a pilot—they have started participating in Sporty’s Pilot Shop’s Next Step program.

Youth who take an EAA Young Eagles introductory flight now get a free logbook for logging their first flight. In the logbook is a certificate for logging onto the Sporty’s Web site to take one private or recreational pilot course online at no cost.

The Next Step program, a partnership between Sporty’s and EAA, is designed to keep Young Eagles participants motivated to start flying. The program was announced a year ago, with 2,500 having logged on to start the free courses. Sporty’s reports that one of the students is ready to take his private pilot checkride.

“My mission,” said Sporty’s founder Hal Shevers, “is to get everyone to take their first flight lesson. I remind people that if there’s no freshman class, in four years there will be no senior class. We need new pilots now!”