This category focuses on equipment, gear, and other products associated with recreational aviation.
Recreational flying is primarily for leisure and enjoyment, using small private airplanes, gliders, ultralights, or even balloons. Recreational aviation offers a thrilling escape from the mundane, allowing flying enthusiasts to soar through the skies in various types of aircraft, whether this is accomplished by piloting a traditional aircraft, an amateur-built plane, a glider, a gyroplane, a balloon, or other type of ultralight aircraft.
Since this is the shopping area of our guide, we'll focus on the equipment, gear, supplies, and other products associated with recreational flying. Further information and resources on the subject can be found in the corresponding category within our Sports & Recreation section.
Often referred to as general aviation aircraft, traditional aircraft include single-engine and multi-engine planes. Besides the aircraft itself, essential equipment includes avionics (GPS, transponders, radios), safety gear (life vests, fire extinguishers, first aid kits), and maintenance tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, specialized aviation tools).
There are several options, but common manufacturers and retailers for traditional aviation include Cessna, Piper Aircraft, and Sporty's Pilot Shop.
Amateur-built aircraft, also known as homebuilt planes, are constructed by enthusiasts from kits of plans. The key supplies include aircraft kits, building tools, and materials. Kits generally include the necessary materials and components. Van's Aircraft is a leading supplier of homebuilt aircraft kits, while Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Company offers a wide range of building materials and tools.
Gliders, or sailplanes, rely on thermal currents to stay in the air. Besides the glider, the essential gear includes parachutes for emergency purposes, variometers to measure the rate of climb or descent, and tow ropes for launching gliders. Schempp-Hirth is known for its high-performance gliders, while Wings & Wheels is a retailer specializing in glider equipment and accessories.
Gyroplanes (autogyros) combine elements of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Besides the craft, the equipment involved includes main and tail rotors, pre-rotators to spin the motor before takeoff, and flight instruments (altimeters, airspeed indicators, compasses). AutoGyro is a leading manufacturer of gyroplanes, and RotorSport UK provides gyroplane kits and components.
Hot air balloons are a serene way of experiencing flying. The fabric portion of the balloon is known as the envelope, while the burner heats the air inside the envelope, and the basket is where the pilot and passengers stand. One of the largest hot air balloon manufacturers is Cameron Balloons, while Ballooning Adventures is a prominent retailer.
Ultralight aircraft are lightweight aircraft designed for short recreational flights. They are equipped with either 2-stroke, 4-stroke, or electric engines. Rotax Engines are known for their reliability and performance, while ULPower Engines feature electronic ignition and multi-point fuel injections, and some ultralight models are capable of using electric propulsion, although adoption is limited. Ultralight airframes are made from aluminum or composite materials. These aircraft may be equipped with parachutes and emergency locator transmitters. Quicksilver Aircraft is known for its ultralight aircraft. Aero Adventure offers a range of ultralight kits, parts, and components.
Manufacturers and retailers serving the recreational flying market are appropriate topics for this category, including those offering complete aircraft, as well as those offering kits, components, parts, gear, or supplies.
Recommended Resources
Based in Walton Beach, Florida, Airtime Aircraft is best known for its Cygnet, a popular recreational amphibious trike, designed for recreational use. Airtime also manufactures the Explorer 103, a single-seat, Part 103, amphibious aircraft which is also designed for recreational use. Its products are highlighted, including a gallery of photographs, media exposure, and information about flight training. A shopping area is included. Career information and contacts are provided.
https://airtimeamphib.com/
American AutoGyro is known for producing the SparrowHawk III Gyroplane, a popular kit for homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts. Designed to be centerline-thrust and hands-off stable, the SparrowHawk III is a safe option for gyroplane builders. It comes with a 165 hp Subaru EJ-25 power plant, flight instruments, propeller, and rotor blades. Headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland, they have several independent dealers in the United States. A photo gallery is included.
https://www.americanautogyro.com/
The Arizona-based Apex Balloons is a custom hot air balloon manufacturer specializing in the design and construction of affordable ultralight and lightweight experimental hot air balloons and airships in various shapes and designs. Its products are highlighted on its website, along with an instructional primer on hot air balloon design, project data, and random tips and hints. The company also offers hot air balloon rides in various U.S. locations. Contacts are included.
https://www.apexballoons.com/
Headquartered in Stevensville, Maryland, with several independent dealers in the United States, AutoGyro USA is an American representative of AutoGyro GmbH, a leading gyroplane manufacturer from Germany. An autogyro (gyroplane) is a class of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. In other words, the rotors are not engine-driven except for initial starting. Forward thrust is provided by an engine-driven propeller. Models and sales information are noted.
https://autogyrousa.com/
In business since 1971, Cameron Balloons was founded by Don Cameron, an aeronautical engineer, in Bristol, England, where it is headquartered. The company has become a renowned manufacturer of hot air balloons, offering a range of products, including ready-built hot air balloons in various sizes and styles, custom balloon designs with three color palettes to choose from, special shape balloons, passenger ride operations, and hot air and helium airships, all of which are featured here.
https://cameronballoons.com/
Owned by Textron Aviation since 2014, Cessna is an American brand of general aviation aircraft. Initially a brand of the Cessna Aircraft Company, Cessna ceased operations as a subsidiary company when Textron purchased the Beechcraft and Hawker Aircraft corporations, joining the others as one of the three distinct brands produced by Textron. Its Citation, Turboprop, and Piston aircraft are highlighted, and pre-owned aircraft may also be available. Textron aviation services are described.
https://cessna.txtav.com/
Located in Watsonia, Victoria, Clear Prop is a pilot and aircraft supply shop servicing all of Australia and New Zealand. It offers a curated selection of pilot gear, aircraft supplies, and aviation accessories from top industry brands and its own manufacturer-sourced products, from headsets to flight bags and instruments to cockpit essentials. Equipment and gear for avionics, hangars, airfields, pilots, and aircraft are featured, along with gifts, novelties, and sale items.
https://www.clearprop.com.au/
Hot Air Flight is an e-commerce site for products and information related to hot air ballooning. The website features complete new or used balloons for sale, along with envelopes, baskets, and equipment. Descriptions, specifications, photographs, and prices are posted on the website. Additionally, there is a database of hot air balloon ride locations, ballooning festivals, pilot training information, licensure requirements, contacts, and an informational blog.
https://hotairflight.com/
HpH is a Czech company that specializes in designing and manufacturing sailplanes. They offer a range of gliders, including the HpH Shark Jet Turbine, the Electro Shark, and the Twin Shark Selflauncher, each of which is highlighted on its site, including versions, features, technical data, configuration, and a gallery of photographs. Those interested in a test flight or a price inquiry may contact the company for a quote or to request additional information or tech support.
https://hph.cz/
Icon is a privately held US-based aircraft design and production company headquartered in Vacaville, California. The company has produced the Icon A5, an amphibious light sport aircraft with wings that fold. The company offers the Icon A5 LSA for US-based pilots and an FAA-Type Certified Edition of the Icon A5 for customers outside the United States. Both may be viewed on the website. A demo flight may be requested. and contacts for its sales team are provided.
https://www.iconaircraft.com/
Online since 1998, MyPilotStore is an e-commerce shop specializing in pilot supplies and aviation equipment, including a wide range of products, such as charts, GPS devices, headsets, transceivers, handheld radios, flight bags, kneeboards, pilot guides, maps, aviation books, FAA training materials, software, apparel, pilot gifts, and other items, carrying products from such well-known brands as ASA, David Clark, Flightcom, Garmin, Gleim, Icom, Jeppesen, and LightSpeed.
https://www.mypilotstore.com/
Founded as the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Manufacturing Company in 1927, Piper Aircraft is located at the Vero Beach Regional Airport in Vero Beach, Florida, although it has been owned by the Government of Brunei since 2009. The company produces business M700 Fury, M500, M350) and personal (M500, M350, Archer LX, Archer DLX) models. Aircraft and fleet sales, a list of dealers, financing options, and requests for a demo flight are featured, and contacts are provided.
https://www.piper.com/
Recreational Flying: Classifieds
Recreational Flying is a hub for recreational and general aviation enthusiasts. The website offers forums, articles, photos, videos, events, news, and other information, as well as a classified area offering aircraft, engines and props, aircraft parts, pilot supplies, other aviation products, and non-aviation products. Powered by Invision Community, members can list aircraft-related products they have for sale. Generally, photos, descriptions, and prices are noted.
https://www.recreationalflying.com/classifieds/
Rotax is a well-known manufacturer of aircraft engines, including those used in ultralight and experimental aircraft. These engines are popular for their reliability, performance, and efficiency. Rotax engines are used in various aircraft, from ultralights to light-sport aircraft and special light-sport aircraft. All of the parts for its engines suitable for ultralight aircraft are featured and made available for purchase here, along with training and servicing data.
https://rotax-ultralight.com/
Based in Los Angeles, California, Sport Flying Shop is an e-commerce site offering a range of products for light sport aircraft, including avionics, instruments, radios, and flying gear. They also provide resources for pilots and aviation enthusiasts, such as informational books and instructional videos, vinyl N-numbers and passenger warning placards, and other products. Shoppers may browse product categories and make purchases online, by email, or by telephone.
http://sportflyingshop.com/
Located in Eagle, Idaho, Wings & Wheels is a specialized business focused on sailplanes and soaring supplies. It acts as the American representative for HpH Ltd, a well-known Czech producer of high-quality sailplanes. The company offers a wide range of products and services for glider pilots and enthusiasts, including sailplanes, parts and accessories, maintenance and repair services, and consultation and support services. Interested people may shop via product categories.
https://wingsandwheels.com/
