Destination: Sporty’s for Summer Fun : Media Center

Make Sporty’s your summer destination.

Make I69 a stop on your next flying trip for pilot-friendly service

Whether it’s for a fuel stop on the way to Oshkosh, a weekend outing or a place for quality flight instruction, Sporty’s headquarters at the Clermont County Airport (I69) should be on every pilot’s flight plan this summer. With a full schedule of events and on-site services including FBO, flight school, avionics shop and pilot store, there’s always something happening at Sporty’s.

Conveniently located in southwest Ohio, Sporty’s airport is an ideal fuel stop on the way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. Eastern Cincinnati Aviation, Sporty’s full-service FBO, offers excellent prices on Avgas and Jet A, and the overnight parking fee is waived with a fuel purchase. There are never landing or facility fees, and with no tower, arrivals and departures are quick and easy.

Sporty’s also offers free on-site camping (including shower facilities), special rates at area hotels and rental cars. There is even a deluxe weather briefing center that includes live Doppler radar.

“We make all of Sporty’s resources available to our student pilots and transient pilots,” says Sporty’s president and CEO Michael Wolf. “Consult with a flight instructor at no charge; use our crew car or relax in Sporty’s café with free WiFi while you watch the airplanes take off and land.”

The airport is also home to Sporty’s Academy, a world-class flight school with a fleet of 13 aircraft. Many pilots come for accelerated training programs or to fly the all-new Frasca Mentor flight simulator. The Mentor replicates a Cessna 172S cockpit layout, complete with an authentic Garmin G1000 panel with integrated GFC-700 autopilot that features advanced aerodynamic modeling, robust customization options and an impressive 200 degree visual display. Sporty’s Academy is also offering a variety of weekend ground schools throughout the summer.

During a visit, pilots also have the opportunity to schedule an appointment with Sporty’s on-site Aviation Medical Examiner, shop the famous retail store, visit Cincinnati Avionics or even take an FAA test at the Sporty’s Academy written testing center. In addition, the Tri-State Warbird Museum is across the runway with an impressive collection of restored and flying World War II airplanes.

Many pilots choose to come on Saturday to take part in Sporty’s weekly customer appreciation cookout where hot dogs, mettwurst and bratwurst are served free of charge from noon to 2 p.m. The event has become a tradition for thousands of pilots, with nearly 200,000 hot dogs served since the cookout began.

“And just like travelers enjoy getting their passports stamped, we’ll stamp your logbook to show that you’ve visited one of aviation’s prime destinations – the largest pilot shop in the world,” says Wolf.