Organization Unveils Annual Ornament Design

Sporty’s has officially announced its 2024 Christmas Ornament design. This year’s limited-edition crystal piece features a Lockwood AirCam.

The “low and slow” AirCam is a twin-engine, open cockpit, experimental kit aircraft. It utilizes Rotax 912 power plants, producing 50-100 mph cruise while burning as low as 3.5 gph. The 3rd Generation kit has an empty weight of 1100 lbs, leaving 800 lbs of useful load. AirCam also offers an amphibious floats option weighing in at 1400 lbs.

The quick-build kit traditionally takes around 1200 hours to complete. Customers can also choose to purchase a pre-riveted fuselage, dropping construction times to around 800 hours.

The AirCam was originally built in the early 2000s for National Geographic. It flew around Congo’s Ndoki rainforest with the network in 2001. Now, the company estimates that 200 AirCams are flying and roughly 30 are in construction.

“Such slow and low exploration can't be done in any other twin-engine GA plane, or any other Aircraft, with the same level of assurance,” AirCam stated. “This is just a small piece of why we say that the AirCam from Lockwood Aircraft is simply the greatest flying experience in the world.”

The Sporty's Christmas Ornament is a 40-year annual community tradition. Last year, Sporty’s chose to feature the classic Aeronca Champ: a high-wing taildragger aircraft that soared in the lightsport community in the late 1940s.

Each custom-etched ornament measures 2.25 inches across. The 2024 ornament, plus a red ribbon and keepsake box, is available for purchase at $24.95.

“The 2024 edition of the Sporty’s Christmas Ornament captures the sleek design and adventurous essence of the AirCam,” Sporty’s explained. “This limited-edition, crystal ornament brings together the magic of flight and the spirit of the holiday season, making it the perfect gift for pilots and aviation enthusiasts—and an ideal client gift for flight schools and FBOs.”

FMI: www.sportys.com