The Sport Flyers Association, or simply SportFlyers.org, was founded by Glyn Thrash and Justin Shelley in 2009. The organization began with the realization that the pilot community was dwindling and little was being done to correct the problem. With a little research and some simple experiments, it became very clear that a large percentage of the general public has a repressed desire to fly. But for one reason or another, the dream has remained nothing more than a dream.

At SportFlyers.org, we have a vision: to allow all those who wish to fly the privilege to do so. Some just need a gentle push, others need to be inspired and motivated. Many need to find a way to fit it into the budget. All concerns will be addressed. We will not rest until the dream, the passion, the fantasy . . . takes flight!

The first step, becoming a pilot, is not the last. During flight training, every flight is carefully planned out by a professional flight instructor. The student never has to worry about what comes next. Even the solo flights are often structured, with a list of tasks to accomplish while the instructor is absent. Once the license is acquired, many pilots hang up their wings except for the occasional $100 hamburger or trip to grandma’s house. One flight instructor commented, “I would say that the majority of the flight reviews (BFRs) that I give are to people who haven’t flown in months, or even years.”

So why is it that we stop flying? A student pilot said of his recent solo flight, “It was fun and exciting for the first few minutes. Then I thought: now what? There was no one to talk to or share the excitement with. After I attained my license, I all but quit flying.” It is our philosophy that fun is contagious. Excitement is only amplified in a group setting. We are social beings and flying is no exception to that rule. SportFlyers.org is about social flying. Through pilot rallies, competitions, fly-ins, fly-outs (the list could go on forever) we are committed to keeping flying social and exciting. $100 hamburgers are great. But I bet you $100 I can land closer to that spot than you can! Shall we give it a go?

Safety

Aviation is statistically very safe. Learn how to keep it that way!

Community Events

Bringing the general public and the pilot community together under one roof.

Education

Learn all you need to know through seminars, web forums, and one-on-one interaction with experienced pilots.

Fun

Above all, flying is meant to be fun. The Sport Pilot Association will always be focused on the thrill of taking to the skies!