Writer

Amy Wilder

Sporty’s is expanding its support of the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program by continuing to provide free access to its Learn to Fly Course, a move aimed at helping EAA reach its <a href="https://www.eaa.org/eaa/youth/free-ye-flights/young-eagles-mission-2-5">Mission 2.5</a> goal of flying 2.5 million youths by the opening of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
EAA Young Eagles program manager David Leiting said Sporty’s free Learn to Fly access offers tangible next steps for motivated youth, including paths to scholarship eligibility. Combining free introductory flights with educational resources directly advances Mission 2.5 and moves the program closer to its target.
Since its launch in 1992, the Young Eagles program's volunteer pilots have given free introductory flights to kids ages 8 to 17, inspiring youngsters to experience aviation. Sporty’s has supported that mission for more than 15 years, offering complimentary access to its Learn to Fly Course to every Young Eagle who becomes an EAA student member. The online course, valued at $299, provides a structured educational step after a first flight, and more than 190,000 Young Eagles have registered for it since the initiative began in 2009.
“Supporting Young Eagles isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we actively do,” said John Zimmerman, Sporty’s president and CEO. At its home airport in Batavia, Ohio, Sporty’s pilots volunteered across six rallies in 2025, flying 48 Young Eagles, and are aiming to fly more than 84 youth in 2026.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Sporty’s Supports EAA Young Eagles Mission 2.5 Goal with Free Course for Kids

Educational access extends Young Eagles engagement

Sporty’s supports EAA Young Eagles Mission 2.5 with free training and volunteer flying to help reach 2.5 million youth flights by AirVenture 2026.

Sporty’s Free Course Boosts Effort To Reach 2.5M Youth

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Eve Air Mobility will use full-flight simulator for certification work 

CAE To Supply First Simulator for eVTOL Pilot Training

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Baker and Pribyl to serve as acting co-presidents while search is ongoing

AOPA CEO Darren Pleasance Steps Down

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

JobsOhio is at the Singapore Airshow seeking inward investment

Ohio Stakes Its Claim As Incubator For Aviation's Future

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Hong Kong-based charter operator extends agreement with CAE for another three years

TAG Renews Bizjet Training Contract with CAE

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Level-5 device has floor-mounted visual displays and mixed-reality hoist station

Entrol To Deliver Mission-ready H145 Sim to NZ Firm

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Training systems provider bidding for an air force rotary-wing training requirement

CAE Pitching for Asia-Pacific Military Helicopter Training

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

More In Training and Workforce

CAE To Supply First Simulator for eVTOL Pilot Training

Eve Air Mobility will use full-flight simulator for certification work

AOPA CEO Darren Pleasance Steps Down

Baker and Pribyl to serve as acting co-presidents while search is ongoing

Ohio Stakes Its Claim As Incubator For Aviation's Future

JobsOhio is at the Singapore Airshow seeking inward investment

TAG Renews Bizjet Training Contract with CAE

Hong Kong-based charter operator extends agreement with CAE for another three years

Entrol To Deliver Mission-ready H145 Sim to NZ Firm

Level-5 device has floor-mounted visual displays and mixed-reality hoist station

CAE Pitching for Asia-Pacific Military Helicopter Training

Training systems provider bidding for an air force rotary-wing training requirement

CAE Adds 777X Simulator at Singapore Training Center

Investment expands training group's Boeing portfolio

Cebu Pacific Extends Pilot Training Agreement with CAE

CAE trains pilots for the Philippines carrier's Airbus and ATR fleets

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN