SPORTY'S & AOPA: Working together for general aviation AOPA FOUNDED 1939 39 Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association SPORTY'S FOUNDED 1961 61 3-DAY GROUND SCHOOL 1962 AOPA APPAREL FROM SPORTY'S 62 Hal Shevers sells pilot supplies out of the trunk of his car Sporty's was founded when Hal Shevers, a young flight instructor, started selling pilot supplies to his students in his spare time. Hal's first warehouse was the trunk of his car. Sporty's pairs with AOPA for first three-day ground school Sporty's Founder Hal Shevers created the first three-day ground school courses in collaboration with the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. He traveled the country, teaching pilots everything they needed to know for the written test-in just one weekend. 1987 87 1998 2013 Working to save Meigs Field in Chicago SAVE MEIGS FIELD AOPA and Sporty's were leaders in the decadeslong fight to keep Merrill C. Meigs Field open on Chicago's lakefront. In recognition of their significant financial support and hard work, both organizations received the prestigious Meigs Spirit of Flight Award. 98 THE NEXT GENERATION 13 Inspiring the next generation of pilots In recent years, Sporty's has worked closely with AOPA to improve the student pilot dropout rate and encourage the next generation of pilots. In 2013, Sporty's Academy (our on-site flight school) received a prestigious Outstanding Flight School Award from AOPA for its leadership in this area. * 1.800.SPORTYS * SPORTYS.COM ©2014 Sportsman's Market, Inc. AP1405Ahttp://www.SPORTYS.COM http://www.SPORTYS.COM