Sporty's founder and chairman, Hal Shevers, dies at 90 years old

Sporty’s announced on Wednesday that its founder and longtime chairman, Hal Shevers, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 90 years old. Hal launched Sporty’s in 1961 after earning his private pilot certificate as a member of the Purdue Flying Club and graduating from Purdue University in mechanical engineering. He would sell small radios that picked up airport control tower transmissions from the trunk of his car. While he originally called his store Sportsman’s Market, the name evolved into Sporty’s after pilots gave it a nickname, and the name stuck.He later created one of the first three-day ground school courses in the early 1960s and traveled across the country in general aviation aircraft to teach ground school to pilots nationwide. This built the foundation for Academy, the FAA-approved Part 141 flight school for both in-person instruction and online courses.
“Without a freshman class, in just three years, there won’t be a senior class,” said Hal about the Academy.
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He received multiple honors in his lifetime, including the Silver Beaver Award. In 2007, Hal was inducted into the National Association of Flight Instructors Hall of Fame. He also supported the Clermont County Airport (I69) in Ohio and created partnerships with organizations such as the University of Cincinnati, which uses Sporty’s Academy for its aviation program.
“Hal’s passion and dedication transformed Sporty’s from an idea into a great American business story,” said John Zimmerman, Sporty’s President andamp; CEO. “As an employee-owned company, we remain committed to his original vision: create uniquely high-quality products and back them up with friendly, helpful service.””Hal Shevers’ love and enthusiasm for general aviation is part of his enduring legacy,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Through Sporty’s Academy and Sporty’s Pilot Shop, he trained and equipped countless pilots. But it was his Saturday fly-ins, tireless work on behalf of the Boy Scouts and Aviation Explorer programs and involvement in the Air Race Classic that made general aviation even more accessible and fun.”