Hal Shevers has died

Despite vision limitations that nearly ended his flying aspirations, Shevers secured a student medical certificate and, ultimately, his pilot certificate—at a time when a Piper J–3 Cub could be rented for $2.50 an hour and a private certificate, blue book included, cost $215.

Sporty’s Pilot Shop began in 1961 with Shevers selling pilot supplies from the trunk of his car. The business grew shaped by a hands-on philosophy: “The products come about because we really fly,” he said. Sporty’s would become one of the most respected brands in aviation, renowned both for its comprehensive catalog and for its innovative approach to pilot education.

Shevers pioneered the three-day ground school, first locking four hopeful aviators in a building with coursework at Lunken Field (LUK), resulting in all of them passing the written exam and launching a new industry model. For decades, the three-day ground school dominated flight training. This focus on practical, accessible training continued with the FAA’s introduction of the recreational pilot certificate in 1989, a move Shevers supported because it lowered barriers for students and emphasized the exhilaration of the first solo.

A flight instructor for more than 50 years, he was inducted into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame and relished every student’s first solo. His company’s training programs grew from ground schools to multimedia courses—on VHS, DVD, and digital download—keeping pace with technology yet grounded in practical flying experience. Sporty’s today thrives as not just an aviation catalog company and training provider—it also is a busy flight school, maintenance facility, and avionics shop. Sporty’s expanded into managing its Ohio airport, developing a residential airpark, and providing maintenance and avionics services, all while maintaining its signature catalog of more than 7,000 products and shipping thousands of orders daily.

Shevers and his wife, Sandy, established the Sporty’s Foundation, supporting scholarships, youth initiatives, and aviation organizations including EAA Young Eagles and the AOPA Air Safety Institute. Sporty’s has given away more than 200,000 Young Eagles courses since the program started in 2009, and 28 sweepstakes airplanes.

“Today is a moment to appreciate what an extraordinary life Hal lived and what an enduring company he created,” said John Zimmerman, president and CEO of Sporty’s Pilot Shop. “Very few people get the chance to build something that lasts so long and impacts so many people. Sporty’s will continue to honor his legacy by serving pilots with enthusiasm and integrity.”