The Future in Flight Podcast

Summary

Helicopters aren't supposed to fly upside down, but Aaron Fitzgerald flies one that way for a living. In this Story Stop episode from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Shawn visits the Lightspeed Aviation booth. Aaron, the Red Bull helicopter pilot, talks about sharing the aerobatic box with aviation legends, why airshow crowds matter, and the juggling skills he learned from his grade-school PE teacher. Lightspeed's Eric Landry and Sarah Allen explain how ten thousand conversations a week become better headsets and stronger connections across the aviation community.

Then the show heads to Tecnam. We get a first look at the Rivale, a new airplane whose cowling opens like the hood of a sports car. Lesley Poberezny, granddaughter of EAA's founder, explains why Oshkosh feels like a family reunion. And Pilot Doma Andreka tells the story of the Runway to Oshkosh: ten airplanes crossing the country together, a P-38 pilot named Bill, and the moment Bill found his flock.

Key Points

• Flying with ghosts: Every AirVenture performer flies in the same aerobatic box once flown by legends like Bob Hoover, and Aaron Fitzgerald doesn't take that lightly.
• The only one right now: Aaron says he's currently the only pilot flying helicopter aerobatics at U.S. airshows. Even after years of practice, it's "not quite second nature."
• Airshows plant the seed: Most pilots went to airshows as kids. Aaron sees the public-facing side of aviation as the place where the next generation gets inspired.
• Juggling for focus: Aaron learned to juggle from Mr. Zorn, his grade-school PE teacher. It's a relaxing skill that also trains multitasking.
• Quiet cockpits are safer cockpits: Cockpit noise causes fatigue, and tired pilots miss things. Active noise reduction helps pilots hear the tower clearly and make better decisions.
• A headset that tunes itself to you: Lightspeed built a 12-frequency hearing test into its app. It saves a custom profile to the headset and helps keep pilots with hearing loss in the air.
• Connecting the dots: Sarah Allen's approach to finding pilot stories is friendly persistence. She then builds a "Venn diagram" of people who support each other and the next generation.
• The Rivale reveal: Tecnam showed the front end of its new Rivale: a cowling that opens like a car hood, a Continental CD-300 engine and a custom MT propeller.
• Family-built airplanes: Tecnam's family story goes back more than 80 years in Italy, and the company is still family-run, with a pilot-first approach to design.
• You don't need a certificate to belong: Lesley Poberezny isn't a pilot, yet she's been part of Oshkosh since before she was born. Her grandfather's philosophy was simple: turn every friend into family.
• Find your flock: Doma, a first-generation pilot, ferried a Tecnam across the North Atlantic in December. He also led ten airplanes on the Runway to Oshkosh, where a 2/3-scale P-38 pilot named Bill found the confidence to join his fellow warbird pilots.

Timestamps

Time

Segment

00:07

Meet Aaron Fitzgerald and the helicopter that flies upside down

01:35

"I didn't invent any of this": the only U.S. helicopter aerobatic airshow pilot

03:20

Aaron's hidden talent: juggling, courtesy of Mr. Zorn

04:58

Eric Landry on 10,000 conversations and a headset that gives you a hearing test

07:04

Sarah Allen on finding pilot stories and connecting the dots

~09:20

Story Stop #2: Tecnam, plus a yellow-dot landing at Oshkosh (approximate, confirm in edit)

12:14

The Rivale reveal: an airplane you open like a sports car

14:35

Lesley Poberezny: almost born at Oshkosh

17:12

Pilot Doma: 45 hours over the North Atlantic in December

18:28

Bill and his P-38: "I found my flock"

Links

Hear the full interviews

• AviNation YouTube channel, for complete Story Stop interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@AviNationUSA

Our Story Stop hosts and guests

• Lightspeed Aviation: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com
• Aaron Fitzgerald, Red Bull athlete page: https://www.redbull.com/us-en/athlete/aaron-fitzgerald
• Tecnam: https://www.tecnam.com
• Tecnam Rivale reveal coverage (General Aviation News): https://generalaviationnews.com/2026/07/24/tecnam-unveils-rivale/
• Pilot Doma: @Pilot.Doma

More aviation

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure
• AviNation USA Magazine: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Follow the show

• Subscribe to The Future in Flight Podcast wherever you listen and leave us a review!

Summary

What do noise-canceling headphones, the first Air Force One, and a brand-new aviation magazine have in common? Each started with someone who saw a problem and didn’t wait for someone else to fix it.

Shawn first sits down with Dan Gauger, the Bose engineer who helped turn Dr. Amar Bose’s sketch on a Swissair flight into the first noise-canceling aviation headset. Then he tells the story of the bold, unapproved cold call that put those headsets on the Rutan Voyager’s history-making nonstop flight around the world.

Next, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Shawn talks with Rob Clapper of the First Air Force One Foundation about Columbine II. It’s the Lockheed Constellation that carried President Eisenhower and made the “Air Force One” call sign necessary. The Foundation is restoring it to share with students everywhere.

Finally, AviNation editor-in-chief Jacob Peed opens the fall 2026 issue, which is the first from the magazine’s new Iowa headquarters. It features the cover story of Xavier Zeller, a young pilot who turned his own training struggles into an app to help others.

Key Points

• Active noise canceling is feedback control. A microphone inside the ear cup measures pressure, and the speaker constantly adjusts to cancel the noise.
• Dan Gauger’s advice for the AI era: master the fundamentals and keep exercising “the muscle inside your skull.”
• After a military contract fell through, Dan and his partner Roman bet on general aviation. They cold-called Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager in Mojave without company approval.
• Rutan Voyager flew around the world nonstop in December 1986 with Bose headsets aboard. What the team learned on that flight helped launch a product.
• Columbine II carried Eisenhower, Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, and more, and it was the first time diplomacy really took to the air.
• Dynamic Aviation sent a team to Arizona for a year to make the Connie airworthy and fly it home. The goal now is an immersive learning experience for students.
• AviNation’s fall 2026 issue spotlights young people in flying, maintenance, engineering, and sales, because “if you can see it, you can be it.”
• Jacob Peed’s advice: don’t be afraid to ask, because “no” just means “not right now.”

Timestamps

• 00:03 Cold open: Dr. Bose’s sketch on a Swissair flight
• 01:19 Dan Gauger, from astrophysics to feedback control
• 03:17 How noise canceling actually works
• 05:51 Prototypes, fighter jets, and a cancelled program
• 07:16 Meet the Rutan Voyager, “a flying fuel tank”
• 08:38 The tarmac demo and the “trout look”
• 11:45 The mystery of the soggy circuit boards
• 14:54 Columbine II, the first Air Force One
• 19:46 Rescuing the Connie from the desert
• 22:49 Jacob Peed and AviNation’s fall 2026 issue

Links

• First Air Force One Foundation: https://www.firstairforceone.org/
• AviNation USA Magazine: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• Check Prep app:https://checkprep.com/
• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: eaa.org/airventure
• The Future in Flight Podcast: https://futureinflight.com/

Episode Summary

Day three of our Story Stop Tour at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 takes us to two booths with very different products and a surprisingly similar lesson.

First, we visit ALSIM, a French company that has been building certified flight simulators since 1994. Suliman from ALSIM explains what separates a professional training simulator from the flight sim on your laptop. He covers how engineers use real flight data and computational fluid dynamics to build a sim's flight model, and why real avionics and muscle memory are shaping the future of pilot training.

Then we head to the FLYTE tent, where an Australian sunglass company built by pilots arrived at Oshkosh with no stock and no tent and still built one of the best hangouts on the field. Co-owner Mick shares how aviators learn to stay calm when the red lights come on. Filmmaker and CFI Dakota Cyhaniuk explains why practice beats talent. Airshow pilot Patrick McAlee of Team Extreme Flight goes from the kid at the fence to the pilot in the cockpit. Natalia McAlee, host of the Wonder Women of Aviation podcast, explains why she wrote a kids' book to answer her own questions about aerobatics.

Key Points

• Sims aren't video games. Professional simulators are certified by aviation authorities like the FAA and EASA, so flight schools can use them for part of a student's required training.
• The flight model is the brain of the sim. ALSIM combines data from real flights with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to make its simulators respond like the real airplane.
• Muscle memory matters. Sims built with real Garmin avionics put every screen and knob where it is in the airplane, so your hands learn the cockpit before you ever fly it.
• What's next in sim training: higher-fidelity devices, mixed reality, and AI-powered tools that help both students and instructors.
• Procedures beat panic. Mick's four-word reaction to warning lights ("Don't like that much") shows how pilot training builds resilience you can use anywhere.
• Sometimes the best call is not to go. A 40-knot crosswind at Bryce Canyon turned into an overnight stay and a lifelong friendship.
• Talent is mostly practice. Dakota Cyhaniuk says his aviation films got better one shoot at a time, the same way pilots improve one landing at a time.
• Mechanics keep everyone flying. Patrick McAlee reminds young listeners that the shortage of mechanics and engineers is even bigger than the pilot shortage.
• STEM + Art = STEAM. Natalia McAlee uses books, coloring pages, and simulators to get kids off their screens and thinking.

Timestamps

Time

Segment

00:00

Opening: from a hangar somewhere near the flightline

01:20

Story Stop #1: ALSIM, a flight simulator company from France

03:09

Are professional sims just expensive video games?

04:21

Building a flight model: real flight data + computational fluid dynamics

06:21

The future of sim training: muscle memory, mixed reality, and AI

10:35

Story Stop #2: FLYTE, and the shipment that never arrived

12:07

"Don't like that much": Mick on staying calm when the red lights come on

13:55

Dakota Cyhaniuk on why practice beats talent

15:50

Patrick McAlee: from the kid at the fence to the airshow pilot

18:19

Natalia McAlee on aerobatics, her kids' book, and STEAM

Links

Hear the full interviews

• AviNation YouTube channel: full-length Story Stop interviews → https://www.youtube.com/@AviNationUSA

Story Stop #1: ALSIM

• ALSIM: https://www.alsim.com/
• ALSIM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alsimflight/

Story Stop #2: FLYTE

• FLYTE sunglasses: https://flyte.aero
• Team Extreme Flight (Patrick & Natalia McAlee): https://extreme-flight.com
• Wonder Women of Aviation podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5t8NwklCL4QDjqZFqikrBV
• Dakota Cyhaniuk: Instagram @dakotacyhaniuk · YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DakotaCyhaniuk

The event

• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Subscribe & review

• Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to The Future in Flight Podcast wherever you listen, and leave us a review. It helps other young aviators find the show.

Summary

Day two of the Story Stop Tour takes Jacob and Shawn straight into the action at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for three conversations that all circle the same idea: somebody has to build the thing before the next generation can use it.

First, a stop at the SUN ‘n FUN booth to trace how the Aerospace Center for Excellence turns curious kids — like the members of the Lakeland Aero Club — into licensed pilots, with insight from ACE's Eric Crump and SUN ‘n FUN CEO Gene Conrad on what it actually takes to fund that pipeline.

Then it's over to LIFT Aviation, where marketing lead Cody Wozniak explains how a single pair of shoes turned into a full line of pilot safety gear, and aerobatic performer Patrick McAlee explains exactly why he wears every piece of it.

Finally, a visit to McFarlane Aviation, where engineer Val walks through the unglamorous parts — fuel primers, shimmy dampeners, flight control cables — that quietly keep general aviation aircraft flying.

Key Points

• The Aerospace Center for Excellence's mission — "engage, educate, accelerate" — funds year-round programs (Storytime, summer camps, scholarships, the Lakeland Aero Club) entirely through net proceeds from the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo
• Three Lakeland Aero Club members share how the program's glider-first training path shaped their paths in aviation — from powered flight, to aerobatics, to a seaplane rating scholarship
• SUN ‘n FUN CEO Gene Conrad breaks down the scale of running the event: 3,000+ volunteers, 62 air traffic controllers, and a "logistical ballet" that funds ACE's "other 51 weeks"
• LIFT Aviation's origin story starts with a single pair of pilot shoes at Oshkosh 11 years ago, built around a patented rudder-control heel slider
• Aerobatic pilot Patrick McAlee explains why full safety gear — helmet, fire suit, visor, gloves — isn't optional, including a firsthand account of landing after an in-flight oil line failure coated his canopy
• McFarlane Aviation's engineering team builds and bench-tests small, often-overlooked parts (fuel primers, shimmy dampeners, flight control cables) based directly on customer and pilot feedback

Timestamps

Time

Segment

0:00

Cold open — from the hangars at Oshkosh

0:43

Lakeland Aero Club: Blythe on gliders and stick-and-rudder training

1:18

Lakeland Aero Club: TJ on chasing aerobatics over the airlines

1:44

Lakeland Aero Club: Camille on her seaplane rating scholarship

2:35

Eric Crump on ACE's "engage, educate, accelerate" mission

5:08

Gene Conrad on running SUN ‘n FUN and funding "the other 51 weeks"

9:17

LIFT Aviation: Cody Wozniak on the company's "shoe in a box" origin

12:12

Patrick McAlee on why full safety gear isn't optional

15:34

McFarlane Aviation: Val on old-fashioned customer service

17:22

McFarlane Aviation: Val on expanding the shimmy dampener line

Links

•

• Aerospace Center for Excellence
• SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo
• LIFT Aviation
• Extreme Flight — Patrick McAlee & the Blue Demon
• McFarlane Aviation

Summary

The very first Story Stop Tour episode drops Shawn right into the action on Day One of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, tracking down two brands that flew with the "Runway to Oshkosh" delivery crew.

First stop: Beringer Aero, where Shawn learns how a French racing-brake company became a leading name in general aviation wheels and brakes — and gets a plain-English lesson in braking physics and heat dissipation from the technical team.

He also has a chance to sit down with Doma Andreka, Chief Delivery Pilot for Tecnam US, about how Beringer’s brakes and wheels were a part of “every stop along the journey” of the Runway to Oshkosh flight.

Second stop: a household name that's been part of aviation since before the Wright brothers, where Shawn traces the company's path from an 1908 volcano-top flying competition to Allied maps in WWII to the Space Shuttle — before landing on today's lighter, more sustainable aircraft tires.

Plus, we talk to Patrick McAlee from Extreme Flight and Justin von Linsowe from Full Throttle Formation team about the practical application of Michelin aircraft tires.

Key Points

• Origin story: The Beringer started in 1985 as a racing brake manufacturer for cars and motorbikes before pivoting fully into aviation in the early 2000s, eventually selling off its non-aviation business to focus on the aircraft market.
• The color has a purpose: The brand's signature bright red (and other bold colors) comes from an anodizing pigment originally developed for UV-resistant signage — it just happens to also resist fading on brake components.
• Braking, explained simply: Braking converts kinetic energy into heat through friction; using aluminum instead of steel helps the system dissipate that heat faster, which is the core engineering thesis behind the product.
• US manufacturing expansion: Beringer’s North American operations, based in Greenville, South Carolina, recently received FAA PMA approval to begin manufacturing in the US, with a target of bringing production over from France in the near term.
• An unlikely neighbor: That same South Carolina hub sits just a couple of miles from Michelin's North American aviation operations — two French-born aviation suppliers now next door to each other in the US.
• Michelin's deep aviation roots: Michelin helped establish one of the first aero clubs in France, laid out the world's first concrete runway, ran the Michelin Cup (which the Wright brothers once won), supplied maps to the Allies for the Normandy invasion, and was the original tire supplier for the Space Shuttle.
• Today's tire lineup: Michelin's current general aviation tire, developed in part through collaboration with the Beringer on the experimental market, is TSO certified even though the market segment it targets doesn't strictly require it — because Michelin tests every tire regardless.
• Sustainability angle: Denser, firmer tire compounds mean better shock absorption for pilots and less rubber shed into the environment — a detail echoed by aerobatic performer Pat McAlee.
• Community impact: The Full Throttle Formation Team started during COVID by flying smoke hearts over hospitals to thank first responders, and has since grown into a recognized home-built aviation air show act — including a flyover send-off for the US Men's Soccer team ahead of the World Cup.

Timestamps

Time

Segment

00:03

Cold open — introducing the Story Stop Tour concept

00:34

Setting the scene at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

01:03

Origin story of the Beringer, from racing brakes to aviation

04:35

The story behind the brand's signature color

07:23

Braking performance and the physics of heat dissipation

10:12

Runway to Oshkosh delivery flight recap with the chief pilot

13:00

Sponsor break — Flyte Sunglasses

14:20

Michelin segment begins — aviation history from 1908 to the Space Shuttle

20:44

Michelin-sponsored aviators — Patrick McAlee/ExtremeFlight and the Full Throttle Formation Team

26:44

Episode close and sign-off

Links

• Beringer website — http://beringer-aero.com/
• Michelin Aircraft Tires (aviation division) — https://aircraft.michelin.com/
• Runway to Oshkosh video series — https://runwaytooshkosh.com/
• Flyte Sunglasses (Flyte.aero, sponsor) — https://www.flyte.aero/
• AviNation USA — https://www.avinationusa.com/
• @pilot.doma on Instagram
• @full_throttle_formation_team on Instagram
• @extremeflight Extreme Flight / Pat McAlee on Instagram

Episode Show Notes 📝 Summary

In this episode, Shawn sits down with Rachelle Spector, founder of I HART Flying Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship organization dedicated to helping women advance, complete, and lead in aviation careers. Rachelle shares how a random Facebook message from a flight instructor in 2017 led to her first flight — and, less than a year later, to the launch of I HART Flying. Nearly ten years and almost half a million dollars in flight training support later, the organization has funded close to 50 HARTFlying scholars with a 98% completion and advancement rate. Rachelle walks through the "HARTLed" approach that sets I HART Flying apart — a completion model built on mentorship, industry connections, and ongoing support rather than a one-time check — and talks candidly about the workforce shortage driving demand for pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians industry-wide. The conversation also covers building a leadership team, the growing "HartNation" community, advice for young women entering aviation, and what keeps Rachelle up at night as the organization scales toward its ten-year milestone. The episode closes with a lighter round covering favorite in-flight snacks, dream aircraft (the F-22), and a dream co-pilot (John Travolta).

✨ Key Points

• The origin story: Rachelle never planned to be a pilot. A flight instructor cold-messaged her on Facebook in August 2017 offering a free flight — she said yes, assuming he was joking, and has been flying ever since.
• From idea to nonprofit in weeks: After pitching her "I HART Flying" concept to EAA at AirVenture in July 2017, Rachelle filed her 501(c)(3) and received her IRS letter of determination in about six weeks, awarding the first scholarship that December.
• Impact by the numbers: Nearly 50 HARTFlying scholars, almost $500,000 in flight training support, a 98% completion/advancement rate, and roughly 250 qualified applications in a recent three-week cycle.
• The HARTLed model: A completion-focused approach — advance, complete, lead — built around mentorship, strategic guidance, industry connections, and support before, during, and years after a scholarship, aimed at closing funding and continuity gaps rather than just cutting a check.
• The workforce gap: Women make up just 5.5% of the global pilot population and 2.9% of aircraft maintenance technicians; Boeing projects a need for over 700,000 new pilots in the next two decades, alongside a 30,000+ worker shortage in aircraft maintenance.
• HARTNation: More than an organization, Rachelle describes I HART Flying as a community — scholars, applicants, mentors, and supporters (including men) all championing one another, with new efforts underway like a "day in the life" social series to spotlight more journeys, not just winners.
• Leadership and expansion: I HART Flying's board and selection committee include former HARTFlying scholars and industry leaders, including a former scholar now serving as head of pilot hiring at Frontier Airlines. The organization is expanding beyond flight training ahead of a 2027 milestone.
• Advice for the next generation: Rachelle's core message — don't let anyone tell you there's something you can't do, do the work, and follow what brings you joy.

⏱️ Timestamps Time Segment 00:00 Welcome and introduction of guest Rachelle Spector 00:38 Rachelle's origin story — the 2017 Facebook message and first flight 04:15 Founding I HART Flying Foundation— the EAA AirVenture pitch and rapid nonprofit launch 07:39 Building the leadership team and early impact numbers 11:45 "It's not a capability problem, it's a continuity problem" — introducing the HARTLed model 12:28 The HARTLed model explained — selection process and scholarship cycles 21:10 HARTNation — community, mentorship, and supporting non-winners 29:26 The future of aviation — pilot shortage numbers and industry opportunity 32:35 What keeps Rachelle up at night — fundraising, growth, and resilience 34:40 Lightning round — favorite snacks, dream aircraft, and dream co-pilot 🔗 Links

• I HART Flying Foundation: I HART Flying.org
• I HART Flying on Instagram: @ihartflying
• I HART Flying on Facebook: I HART Flying Foundation
• Aviation Careers Podcast https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/
• Aviation Start: https://aviationstart.org/
• The Future in Flight Podcast: https://futureinflight.com/

📝 Summary

General aviation isn't just a way to get somewhere — it's a time machine. In this episode, Shawn sits down with Kirk Fryar, co-owner of Sarasota Avionics, to talk about how flying small turns a weekend into a real weekend (lunch with mom, a concert, and back home by Sunday), how international trips like Belize become surprisingly simple with the right handler, and why "get-there-itis" is one of the most dangerous mindsets in aviation. Captain Val of Skyline Baron Pilot shares her own pre-flight discipline and how her 1976 Baron 58TC, 79er Lima, gets her home to Quebec every year after Oshkosh.

Rachelle Spector tells the story of iHeartFlying, the scholarship nonprofit she built from a single free flight into nearly $500,000 in flight training support. What started as one chance encounter at EAA AirVenture in 2017 has grown into an organization with a 98% completion rate among its scholars, driven by Rachelle's belief that the real barrier in aviation has never been talent, but continuity of support.

The episode wraps with a highlight reel from the very first Story Stop Tour at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — seven days, a dozen-plus stops, and more conversations than we can count.

🔑 Key Points

• General aviation compresses travel time dramatically — Kirk flew direct from Sarasota to a tiny airport in Winchester, TN, in 2.5 hours, versus a full day of driving and connecting flights commercially.
• International GA travel is more accessible than most people think — a ground "handler" coordinates paperwork, fuel, and flight plans in advance, often arranged over WhatsApp.
• "Get-there-itis" is a real hazard — the pressure to push through bad conditions or mechanical issues instead of turning back, which Kirk experienced firsthand with a failing alternator.
• Modern avionics reduce pilot workload, not increase it — systems like Garmin's G1000NXi and autopilot suites are built with redundancy and let pilots focus on flying rather than managing instruments.
• Preparation is everything — Captain Val's ritual of checking weather, oil, fuel, and rest days ahead of a flight is what makes long trips (like her annual run to Quebec) safe and repeatable.
• One flight can change a life's trajectory — Rachelle Spector's nonprofit iHeartFlying grew from a single free flight in 2017 into an organization with a 98% completion rate among its scholars.
• The barrier in aviation is continuity, not talent — iHeartFlying's "heart-led approach" supports scholars before, during, and years after their scholarship to prevent stalling out.
• The first-ever Story Stop Tour at Oshkosh brought the show to more than a dozen partners and guests over seven days, from Michelin's aviation history to Red Bull's Aaron Fitzgerald to ultralight seaplane pilots at Air Cam.

⏱️ Timestamps

• 00:00 — Introduction: general aviation as a "time machine"
• 00:43 — Kirk Fryar's 2.5-hour direct flight to Winchester, TN
• 01:29 — Flying internationally: handlers, paperwork, and a $400 trip to Belize
• 02:13 — "Get-there-itis" and Kirk's alternator scare
• 03:09 — How modern avionics reduce pilot workload
• 05:08 — Captain Val introduces 79er Lima, her 1976 Baron 58TC
• 06:06 — Val's annual post-Oshkosh flight home to Quebec
• 08:33 — Rachelle Spector's first free flight and the start of iHeartFlying
• 10:37 — The workforce gap: women in aviation by the numbers
• 12:29 — Story Stop Tour recap: seven days at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

🔗 Links

• iHeartFlying (scholarships, volunteering, donations): https://iheartflying.org/
• Sarasota Avionics — https://sarasotaavionics.com/
• Skyline Baron Pilot — https://www.youtube.com/c/SkylineBaronPilot
• EAA AirVenture Oshkosh https://www.eaa.org/airventure
• Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo https://flysnf.org/
• Aerospace Center for Excellence https://aceedu.org/

Show Notes: "Live From AeroSummit 2026" — Part 2

The Future in Flight Podcast

Episode Summary

Shawn Staerker is back on the ground at AeroSummit 2026 in Miami for Part 2 of this field series, sitting down with three guests who are each closing gaps in aviation in their own way. First up, DeWuan Roberson of Bridge Air explains how a structured time-building program out of Glendale, Arizona is helping pilots bridge the gap between flight instructing and the airlines. Then Jacob Fenton of Tecnam joins Shawn to talk MOSAIC, the next generation of Tecnam's light aircraft lineup, and why the company's Italian design philosophy pairs beauty with performance. Finally, Stratus Financial co-founders Anthony Geraci and Brandon Martini share the whiteboard origin story behind their flight training finance company — and how that same instinct for community-building led them to create AeroSummit itself, plus a preview of their next event, Ascend, coming to Dallas this September.

Note: One more episode in the "Live From AeroSummit 2026" series is on the way.

Key Points

Bridge Air — DeWuan Roberson

• Bridge Air operates a structured time-building program out of Glendale, Arizona, flying Pipistrel Alpha Trainers to help pilots move past the plateau around 200–300 hours toward airline minimums.
• The program flows directly into Mesa Airlines and Republic Airways, giving CFIs a clear next step once they've hit a time-building wall.
• Bridge Air flew one of its own Alpha Trainers from Glendale to Miami for AeroSummit — a roughly 29-hour cross-country flight for the fleet's 80-horsepower Rotax-powered aircraft.

Tecnam — Jacob Fenton

• Tecnam is a three-generation, family-owned Italian manufacturer where every family member — and every engineer — flies.
• The upcoming P2006T NG twin adds a third door, Rotax 912 iS engines, a new Garmin autopilot, and an ultra-lux Grand Lusso interior option; the P2008 NG will offer both 912 and 916 engine options.
• Tecnam's new Astore, built for the MOSAIC light sport category, will be the first MOSAIC aircraft to offer an in-house-developed air conditioning unit.
• Southern Cross now handles parts and service support for Tecnam's full U.S. fleet, stocking parts across multiple time zones stateside.

Stratus Financial & AeroSummit — Anthony Geraci & Brandon Martini

• Stratus Financial was born out of a whiteboard session during COVID, after Anthony (a "recovering attorney") learned to fly under Brandon's instruction and the two identified a lack of financing access for flight training.
• That same community-first philosophy led the pair to launch AeroSummit itself, built around the idea that a rising tide raises all ships across the industry.
• Stratus, AeroSummit, and NAFI (the National Association of Flight Instructors) are partnering on Ascend, a new event coming to Dallas this September, priced affordably for students and flight instructors.
• Both founders see MOSAIC and Part 141 modernization as catalysts for a coming "aviation renaissance" — more affordable aircraft, more accessible training, and a growing need for pilots even as new technologies like supersonic and point-to-point travel emerge.

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Cold Open: Live from AeroSummit 2026, Miami
• 01:30 — Intro to Bridge Air and DeWuan Roberson
• 02:15 — Interview: DeWuan Roberson, Bridge Air — time-building program, Pipistrel fleet, industry outlook
• 11:58 — Intro to Tecnam and Jacob Fenton
• 12:43 — Interview: Jacob Fenton, Tecnam — MOSAIC lineup, next-gen aircraft, family company legacy
• 29:58 — Intro to Stratus Financial / AeroSummit founders
• 30:43 — Interview: Anthony Geraci & Brandon Martini — Stratus Financial origin story, AeroSummit, Ascend preview
• 43:43 — Show Close: recap, series preview, subscribe & review CTA

Links

• Bridge Air: https://bridge-air.net/
• Tecnam: https://www.tecnam.com/
• Stratus Financial / AeroSummit: stratusaerosummit.com
• Ascend Flight Training Conference: https://ascendflighttrainingsummit.com/
• AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Episode Summary

What do a country music star, the world's greatest aviation celebration, and an AI-powered weather planning platform have in common? They all prove that aviation is about far more than airplanes—it's about people, purpose, and possibility.

In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, Shawn Staerker sits down with Nick Hoffman—country music artist, television host, and passionate pilot—to explore how childhood dreams, resilience, and a love of flying shaped his remarkable journey. Nick shares stories from growing up around aviation, overcoming rejection to build a successful entertainment career, earning his pilot certificate through determination, and finding peace in the cockpit.

Then, Shawn is joined by Dick Knapinski, Director of Communications for EAA, along with Jacob Peed, Editor-in-Chief of AviNation Magazine, for a preview of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. From KidVenture and Learn to Fly programs to unforgettable aircraft arrivals and the welcoming aviation community, they explain why AirVenture remains the world's premier aviation gathering.

The episode wraps with a spotlight on PlaneWX, where founder Mark Wolfgang discusses how artificial intelligence is helping pilots make smarter weather decisions days before departure, reducing risk and improving flight planning through personalized forecasting and mentorship.

Key Points

• Nick Hoffman reflects on growing up immersed in aviation through family projects and annual trips to Oshkosh.
• How rejection early in life became the motivation that fueled Nick's successful music and television career.
• The creative ways Nick earned his pilot certificate by working at a local flight school.
• Why flying provides mental clarity, focus, and spiritual renewal.
• Nick discusses his song "Runways, Wings & Gasoline" and what aviation means to him.
• A conversation about hearing protection, cockpit fatigue, and why Nick trusts the Lightspeed Delta Zulu headset.
• Nick introduces his "Deathbed Mentality" philosophy for living a life without regrets.
• Dick Knapinski shares what makes EAA AirVenture Oshkosh unlike any other aviation event in the world.
• An inside look at KidVenture, Learn to Fly Center, workshops, forums, and AirVenture's impact on future aviators.
• Mark Wolfgang explains how PlaneWX combines AI, FAA weather products, aircraft performance, and pilot minimums to simplify weather planning.
• How PlaneWX helps pilots reduce external pressures through early trip monitoring, passenger notifications, and mentor support.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introducing Nick Hoffman: Music, television, and aviation collide

03:00 – Learning to fly, finding peace in the cockpit, and the story behind Runways, Wings & Gasoline

05:30 – Protecting your hearing with the Lightspeed Delta Zulu headset

07:20 – Living with the "Deathbed Mentality" and saying yes to adventure

10:40 – EAA AirVenture 2026 preview with Dick Knapinski and Jacob Peed

14:20 – KidVenture, Learn to Fly, and inspiring aviation's next generation

18:00 – PlaneWX: AI-powered weather planning with Mark Wolfgang

22:30 – Personalized weather briefings, pilot mentorship, and reducing flight risk

Links

Nick Hoffman

• YouTube, Facebook & Instagram: Nick's Wild Ride
• Music: Runways, Wings & Gasoline

Lightspeed Aviation

• https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

• https://www.eaa.org/airventure

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)

• https://www.eaa.org/

PlaneWX

• https://planewx.ai/

AviNation Magazine

• https://www.avinationusa.com/

Summary

In the first installment of our special three-part Live from AeroSummit 2026 series, host Shawn Staerker sits down with three aviation leaders who are tackling one of the most overlooked aspects of flight training and pilot development: the human element.

Former A-10 pilot and mental performance coach Tammy Barlette explains why emotions, confidence, and self-awareness are critical aviation skills that deserve as much attention as stick-and-rudder proficiency. F-15E pilot, airline captain, and human factors expert Brandon Williams explores the power of debrief culture and how understanding human factors can dramatically improve safety, performance, and decision-making. Finally, Fly Orca founder and flight test engineer Adriana Barrigan shares how student pilots can reduce wasted time and money in training by taking ownership of the learning process and leveraging data-driven tools to improve efficiency.

Though their backgrounds differ, all three guests arrive at the same conclusion: better pilots start with better self-awareness, better reflection, and better habits.

Key Points

• Former A-10 pilot Tammy Barlette discusses the role of mental performance training in aviation.
• Why emotions can serve as an "early warning radar" for pilots.
• The importance of self-awareness, confidence, and recovering from mistakes.
• How military-style debriefing creates measurable performance improvements.
• Brandon Williams explains human factors and why pilots make mistakes.
• The concept of "Hack the Clock" as a tool to overcome startle response and regain composure.
• Why debrief culture remains underutilized in general aviation flight training.
• Adriana Barrigan shares how Fly Orca helps student pilots identify inefficiencies and reduce training costs.
• The average student pilot may waste $5,000–$10,000 during flight training due to preventable inefficiencies.
• A common theme emerges from all three interviews: take ownership of your progress, reflect honestly, and continuously improve.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to AeroSummit 2026 and introduction to today's guests

02:45 – Tammy Barlette: From Air Force pilot to mental performance coach

09:15 – Managing pressure, confidence, and emotions in aviation

14:35 – Why debriefing is one of the most powerful tools for improvement

18:30 – Brandon Williams joins the show: Human factors and aviation safety

31:00 – "Hack the Clock": Managing startle response and high-pressure situations

36:20 – Adriana Barrigan discusses FlyORKA and improving flight training efficiency

43:30 – Debrief culture, student pilot success, and taking ownership of your training

Links

Featured Guests:

Tammy Barlette – Cross Check Mental Performance
Cross Check Mental Performance

Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams Speaker

Adriana Barrigan & FlyORKA
FlyORKA

Check out:

• The Future in Flight Podcast
• AviNation USA
• Stratus Financial

Quote of the Episode:
"Know yourself. Debrief honestly. Take ownership of your progress." — The common thread connecting all three AeroSummit conversations.

📒 Episode Summary

What happens when 12 airplanes fly wingtip-to-wingtip across the Florida sky? For one kid in the crowd, it might be the moment everything changes.

In this special episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker brings you three inspiring stories.

First, field correspondent Vanzell Jenkins ("VanzAir") goes behind the scenes with the Full Throttle Formation Team at SUN 'n FUN 2026, America's largest precision formation aerobatic team. Learn how a group of RV pilots flying hearts over Atlanta during the pandemic evolved into a 12-ship airshow act dedicated to entertaining, inspiring, and educating future aviators.

Next, Shawn sits down with Bose Aviation's Chris Wuerfel to explore the remarkable story of how Dr. Amar Bose revolutionized aviation audio. From the historic Voyager around-the-world flight to today's A30 and ProFlight Series 2 headsets, discover how Bose has spent four decades helping pilots hear—and fly—better.

Finally, aviation entrepreneur Jamail Larkins returns to the show to discuss Aviation Start, his free platform connecting aspiring aviators with scholarships, mentors, flight schools, and career resources. If you've ever wondered how to pay for flight training or break into aviation, this conversation is for you.

Whether you're a student pilot, aviation enthusiast, or someone still dreaming of your first flight, this episode is proof that aviation has room for everyone—and that sometimes all it takes is looking up.

🔑 Key Points

•

Meet the Full Throttle Formation Team, America's largest precision formation aerobatic team.

•

Learn how "Hearts Over Atlanta" evolved into a nationally recognized airshow act.

•

Discover the discipline, safety, and teamwork required to fly 12 aircraft as one.

•

Hear the origin story of Bose Aviation and how active noise cancellation changed flying forever.

•

Explore the differences between Bose's A30 and ProFlight Series 2 aviation headsets.

•

Learn how Bose is investing in future pilots through student ambassadors, rebates, and the 40 Voices Oral History Project.

•

Jamail Larkins shares how Aviation Start helps aspiring aviators find scholarships and mentors.

•

Find out why thousands of dollars in aviation scholarships go unclaimed every year—and how you can access them.

🕰️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: The moment that inspires a future aviator
00:51 – Meet the Full Throttle Formation Team
02:13 – From Hearts Over Atlanta to airshow performers
03:44 – Safety briefings, pyro, and flying 12 aircraft as one
05:05 – Entertain. Inspire. Educate. The team's mission
08:45 – The history of Bose Aviation and active noise cancellation
10:24 – Bose A30 vs. ProFlight Series 2: Which headset is right for you?
12:35 – Bose's investment in student pilots and the 40 Voices Project
15:49 – Jamail Larkins and the mission of Aviation Start
17:42 – How Aviation Start's scholarship finder is helping future pilots

🔗 Links

✈️ Full Throttle Formation Team
https://fullthrottleformationteam.com/

✈️ Formation Flying Incorporated (FFI)
https://ffi.aero/

🎧 Bose Aviation
https://boseaviation.com/

🎓 Aviation Start
https://aviationstart.org/

🛩️ SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo
https://flysnf.org/

📓 AviNation USA

https://www.avinationusa.com/

🕶️ Flyte Sunglasses

https://www.flyte.aero/

🎧 Episode Summary

What happens when you gather some of aviation’s brightest minds, innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs under one roof?

In this special episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker takes listeners inside AeroSummit 2026 at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida. Rather than focusing on a single guest, this episode serves as a preview of the upcoming Live from AeroSummit miniseries, featuring insights from ten remarkable aviation leaders who are helping shape the future of flight.

From former military pilots teaching mental performance and resilience, to innovators reducing flight training costs, to organizations opening new pathways into aviation careers, this episode explores the people and ideas working to make aviation more accessible, effective, and inspiring for the next generation.

Along the way, you'll hear powerful lessons about self-awareness, learning under pressure, improving flight training, financing aviation dreams, finding scholarships, building aviation communities, and remembering why we fell in love with flying in the first place.

This episode is a celebration of aviation's future—and the people making it possible.

✨ Key Points

Building Better Pilots from the Inside Out

• Former fighter pilot Tammy Barlett explains how mental performance directly impacts aviation success.
• Self-awareness is a pilot's "superpower."
• Emotions serve as valuable data, not weaknesses.
• Managing pressure, recovering from mistakes, and building confidence are trainable skills.

The Power of Debriefing

• Former F-15 instructor Brandon Williams discusses why most pilots never learn how to properly debrief.
• Understanding why mistakes happen is more important than simply recognizing them.
• His "Hack the Clock" technique helps pilots manage stress and make better decisions under pressure.

Fixing Flight Training

• Flight test engineer Adriana Barragan reveals that many student pilots overspend by $5,000–$10,000 during training.
• Her company, FlyORKA, focuses on eliminating inefficiencies and improving learning continuity.
• Flight test principles emphasize moving from "not knowing" to "knowing" rather than simply proving performance.

Making Aviation More Accessible

• Jacob Fenton discusses how Tecnam is reducing operating costs for flight schools through innovative aircraft designs.
• New aircraft and MOSAIC-ready models aim to make training more affordable and efficient.

Accelerating Airline Pathways

• Bridge Air's structured time-building program allows pilots to log up to 240 flight hours per month.
• Their model creates a direct pathway toward airline careers through high-utilization training aircraft.

Financing the Aviation Dream

• Stratus Financial founders Anthony Geraci and Brandon Martini share how a simple idea evolved into a nationwide aviation financing company.
• Their mission is helping aspiring pilots overcome one of aviation's biggest barriers: funding.

Scholarships Are Waiting

• FAA Youth Aviation Ambassador Jamail Larkins highlights the power of Aviation Start.
• The platform matches students with eligible scholarships from over 1,700 organizations.
• Many aviation scholarships go unawarded simply because too few students apply.

Staying Current in Aviation

• CFI RJ discusses the importance of aviation events, podcasts, and networking.
• South Florida's complex airspace creates a unique training environment that develops strong communication and situational awareness skills.

Growing the Aviation Community

• Tim Jedrek of Right Rudder Marketing explains that aviation's real competition isn't other flight schools—it's every other activity competing for a person's time, attention, and career aspirations.
• Flight schools succeed by welcoming newcomers and sharing the passion of aviation.

Why We Fly

• Aviation Mentors Podcast co-host Carson Vasquez shares stories that remind us aviation is ultimately about connection, adventure, and inspiration.
• Sometimes all it takes is a Young Eagles flight—or a Rice Krispies Treat over the Pacific Ocean—to change a life forever.

🕒 Chapter Timestamps

0:00 – 3:52 | Introduction to AeroSummit 2026 and the upcoming Live from AeroSummit series

3:53 – 12:57 | Tammy Barlett: Mental performance, self-awareness, and managing pressure

12:58 – 17:24 | Brandon Williams: Debriefing, learning from mistakes, and "Hack the Clock"

17:25 – 23:45 | Adriana Barragan and Fly Orca: Fixing inefficiencies in flight training

23:46 – 30:45 | Tecnam Aircraft, Bridge Air, and improving aviation accessibility

30:46 – 38:05 | Stratus Financial and solving aviation's funding challenges

38:06 – 45:32 | Jamail Larkins, Aviation Start, and scholarship opportunities

45:33 – 54:08 | RJ, Right Rudder Marketing, and building aviation communities

54:09 – 1:02:15 | Carson Vasquez, Aviation Mentors, and remembering why we fly

1:02:16 – End | Final reflections and preview of the Live from AeroSummit miniseries

🔗 Links

Featured Organizations & Guests

• Aviation Start: https://www.aviationstart.org/
• FlyORKA: https://www.flyorka.com/
• Tecnam Aircraft: https://www.tecnam.com/
• Bridge Air: https://www.bridge-air.net/
• Stratus Financial: https://stratus.finance/
• Cross Check Mental Performance: https://www.crosscheckmentalperformance.com/
• Brandon Williams: https://www.brandonwilliamsspeaker.com/
• Right Rudder Marketing: https://rightruddermarketing.com/
• Aviation Mentors Podcast: https://aviationmentors.com/
• AeroSummit: https://stratusaerosummit.com/aerosummit/
• AviNationUSA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Connect with The Future in Flight Podcast

• The Future in Flight Podcast: https://www.futureinflightpodcast.com/
• Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/

✈️ Coming Soon: Live from AeroSummit — a special three-part miniseries featuring the full interviews from all ten guests highlighted in this episode. Subscribe now so you don't miss a single conversation.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker takes listeners on an unforgettable journey through aviation history, spaceflight logistics, and even the surprising origins of one of aviation’s favorite cockpit snacks.

First, field reporter Brolin McKay goes inside the world of NASA’s legendary Super Guppy at SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo. One of the strangest aircraft ever built, the Super Guppy is the last flying example of its kind — a massive cargo aircraft stitched together from components spanning multiple generations of aviation history. NASA crew member Greg explains how the aircraft supports missions like Artemis, transports oversized aerospace hardware, and continues flying decades after its original design.

The episode then shifts eastward for a flight to the Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. Flying aboard a Vans RV-9A with Ricardo Leon of Level Aviation, Shawn explores the legendary 15,000-foot runway originally built for returning space shuttles. Along the way, listeners get a pilot’s-eye view of Florida’s Space Coast, stories from shuttle history, and practical guidance for GA pilots hoping to visit KTTS themselves.

Finally, the episode closes with a surprisingly fascinating deep dive into the history of the granola bar — from 19th-century health spas to modern flight bags — and why it became one of aviation’s most enduring cockpit snacks.

Key Points

• The NASA Super Guppy is the last flying example of only four aircraft ever built.
• The aircraft combines components from multiple airplanes, including a Boeing KC-97, Boeing 777 nose gear, E-3 Sentry engines, and C-130 propellers.
• The Super Guppy played a major role in transporting hardware for NASA’s Artemis program.
• Pilots flying the Guppy manually control the aircraft with cable-driven flight controls and no hydraulic assist.
• The Shuttle Landing Facility runway measures 15,000 feet long and was purpose-built for Space Shuttle landings.
• General aviation pilots can sometimes receive clearance for low approaches over the Shuttle Landing Facility.
• Florida’s Space Coast offers one of the most unique aviation destinations in the country.
• The granola bar originated from 19th-century health reform movements and evolved into a staple aviation snack because of its portability and shelf life.

Timestamps

• 00:04 — Introduction to NASA’s legendary Super Guppy
• 01:13 — Why the Super Guppy is unlike any aircraft on Earth
• 02:21 — The “Frankenstein aircraft” maintenance challenge
• 03:13 — Carrying Artemis hardware and moon mission components
• 05:34 — What it’s really like to land the Super Guppy
• 08:45 — Flight to the Shuttle Landing Facility at KTTS
• 11:30 — The history and engineering of the Shuttle Landing Facility runway
• 15:58 — Why KTTS remains one of aviation’s greatest destinations
• 17:00 — The surprising history of the granola bar
• 21:24 — Why granola bars became essential pilot fuel

Links

• NASA Super Guppy Overview
• Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
• SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo
• AviNation USA
• NASA Artemis Program

🗒️ Summary

What does it look like to build a life in aviation from the ground up — literally? In this episode, Shawn sits down with Josh Blair, founder of BlairCraft and a multi-rated A&P/IA with one of the most diverse resumes in general aviation. From soloing at 16 out of a small Southern Ohio FBO to hanging engines on Boeing 767s, running turbine R&D programs at the University of Notre Dame, and now restoring tube-and-fabric classics in Northern Indiana — Josh has done it all, and he's just getting started.

Josh talks about the attention to detail he developed restoring his first car at 14, how that mindset carried directly into aviation maintenance, and why he took a $30,000 pay cut to get back to the airport he loves. He shares his passion for backcountry and STOL flying, his growing YouTube channel BlairCraft, and the big projects on the horizon — including a PA-16 Clipper hot rod and a ground-up restoration of a 1967 Mooney M20E. Oh, and there's a runway being carved out of the Indiana countryside. With an excavator. That he bought himself.

If you've ever wondered whether the unconventional path can still lead somewhere great in aviation, Josh Blair is your answer.

🔑 Key Points

• Attention to detail starts early. Josh restored his first car — a 1989 Firebird — at 14 years old, clear-coating under the hood and finishing it by his 16th birthday. That same mindset became the foundation of his approach to aircraft maintenance.
• A local airport changes everything. Josh's first W-2 job was at PMH (Portsmouth Municipal, Southern Ohio), just seven minutes from his house. He soloed at 16 and had his private certificate ready by his 17th birthday.
• The unconventional path is still a valid path. Josh spent time in food production maintenance at General Mills before a friend's text message pulled him into heavy airline MRO work on 767s — where he'd never used his A&P certificate until that point.
• GE Aviation and turbine R&D. After heavy maintenance, Josh landed a position at GE Aviation working on CF6 engines (50,000 lbs. thrust), then spent seven and a half years at the University of Notre Dame Turbine Machinery Lab as a build lead across five research programs — with sponsors including GE Aviation, Pratt & Whitney, and Doosan Heavy Industries.
• GA called him back — and he answered. Josh left the University of Notre Dame position and took roughly a $30,000 pay cut to return to general aviation maintenance full time, eventually earning his IA and launching BlairCraft.
• The Spirit Engineering SE-1 is turning heads. Josh breaks down why this aircraft is generating serious buzz: approximately $69,500 new, 100 mph cruise on two gallons per hour, and a production approach unlike anything seen since the 1940s.
• STOL community = family. Josh attended the High Sierra Fly-In solo (drove 29 hours each way), and describes the STOL and backcountry community as his "family reunion" — with Oshkosh as the annual centerpiece.
• The runway build is real. Josh is actively clearing and grading a 2,600-foot private airstrip on family property in Northern Indiana using an excavator he purchased himself.
• What's next for GA? Josh sees the biggest near-term shifts coming in engine options and fuel availability — noting the DeltaHawk diesel and the ongoing transition away from 100LL as areas to watch.

⏲️ Timestamps

[00:00] — Welcome & Introduction: Shawn introduces Josh Blair, founder of BlairCraft, and sets up the conversation around Josh's wide range of aviation experience.

[00:52] — How It Started: Josh's first W-2 job at PMH airport in Southern Ohio at age 16 — just seven minutes from home — and soloing within the year.

[01:26] — The Car Connection: Restoring a 1989 Firebird at 14 and a half, and how that early obsession with detail directly shaped his approach to aircraft maintenance.

[05:59] — From General Mills to 767s: How a text message from a high school friend pulled Josh from food production maintenance into heavy MRO work on Boeing 767s — his first real use of the A&P certificate he'd earned years earlier.

[07:12] — GE Aviation & Notre Dame: Josh's path from CF6 engine teardowns at GE Aviation to leading five turbine R&D programs at the University of Notre Dame, with sponsors including GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Doosan Heavy Industries.

[09:29] — The $30,000 Pay Cut: Why Josh walked away from a great university position to return to GA — and how he built BlairCraft and his IA out of that decision.

[14:25] — Spirit Engineering SE-1 Deep Dive: What makes this aircraft stand out in today's market — price, efficiency, and a production approach unlike anything in decades.

[17:27] — Building a Private Runway: Josh describes the ongoing project to grade a 2,600-foot private airstrip on family land in Northern Indiana using an excavator he sourced himself.

[21:12] — What's Next: The PA-16 Clipper hot rod nearing completion, the 1967 Mooney M20E ground-up restoration, Oshkosh Creator Hub, and Josh's five-year outlook on GA engine and fuel changes.

🔗 Links

• BlairCraft on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlairCraft
• High Sierra Fly-In: https://www.highsierraflyin.com/
• Rise and Roll Doughnuts (Shipshewana, Indiana): https://risenroll.com/
• Future in Flight Podcast: https://www.futureinflight.com/
• Subscribe & Review: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• FLYTE: https://www.flyte.aero/

📝 Summary

What does it take to build a life in aviation when the path refuses to stay straight? This episode answers that question three different ways.

We open with Josh Blair — founder of Blaircraft, A&P/IA mechanic, YouTube creator, and restorer of classic tube-and-fabric aircraft. Josh grew up in the Ohio River Valley, seven minutes from a small-town airport, and spent decades collecting skills across factory floors, heavy maintenance bays, GE Aviation, and a university turbine research lab before walking away from serious money — twice — to get back to the airplanes he loves. His story is about attention to detail, the long way around, and what a $30,000 pay cut looks like when it's actually a values decision.

Then we head to Miami, because Aero Summit 2026 is coming — and if you're a student pilot, an aspiring aviator, or someone still figuring out how to fund the dream, this is the event the show is telling you not to miss. Powered by Stratus Financial, Aero Summit brings together flight school owners, CFIs, airline recruiters, FAA insiders, and students under one roof, with a dedicated student and CFI track built specifically for the next generation.

We close on the Warbirds Ramp at SUN ‘n FUN 2026, where our friend Vanzell Jenkins — VanzAir — went on assignment and sat down with active military aviators from three branches of the armed forces: an A-10 pilot from the Air Force, a Blackhawk crew chief from the Army's 101st Airborne, and two pilots from the Air Force's First Reconnaissance Squadron — including a U-2 Dragon Lady pilot. Their origin stories are different. Their advice is remarkably consistent: start early, stay with the process, and debrief everything.

🔑 Key Points

Josh Blair — Blaircraft

• Grew up in Clarktown, Ohio — seven minutes from a small-town FBO; soloed at 16, earned his A&P, then spent years in food manufacturing and heavy maintenance (767s, GE CF6 engines, Notre Dame turbine research lab) before returning to GA
• Took a $30,000 pay cut to leave research and get back to the airport — a values decision, not a sacrifice
• Now specializes in tube-and-fabric aircraft restoration; YouTube channel Blaircraft covers restorations, backcountry flying, and events
• Building a 2,600-foot private grass strip on his northern Indiana property — cleared 1,000 feet of trees with a $2,500 used excavator
• Current project: Piper PA-16 Clipper restoration (bush gear, slats, carbon fiber prop, ~160+ hp). Next: 1967 Mooney M20E ground-up with a goal of Oshkosh 2029–2030
• Dream aircraft: J-3 Cub and Howard DGA. Dream passenger: Bob Hoover

Aero Summit 2026

• Powered by Stratus Financial | May 20–22, 2026 | J.W. Marriott Turnberry, Aventura, FL | 300+ attendees, 30+ speakers, 25+ exhibitors
• Dedicated Student and CFI Track featuring: $20M+ in scholarship resources (Jamail Larkin), AI career paths (Tom Lelyo), airline job market outlook (Kit Darby), and mental performance (Tammy Barlett, retired A-10/MQ-9 pilot)
• Main stage themes: MOSAIC regulatory changes and AI in flight training
• FIFP is a community sponsor; Shawn is the emcee; dedicated podcast area on site; AviNation on the floor
• Registration: stratusaerosummit.com

Warbirds Ramp — Sun 'n Fun 2026 with Vanzell Jenkins (Vans Air)

• Lt. Col. "Strobe" — A-10 Warthog, USAF: Flying since age 9; Air Force Academy → A-10 via competitive pipeline; primary mission is Close Air Support for ground troops. "Find what you really want to do, then chase after that."
• Cpl. Logan Wellingson — UH-60 Blackhawk, Army 101st Airborne: Age 23, crew chief, recently deployed over the Red Sea in Egypt/Sinai. Highlighted the Army Street to Seat Program as a direct high-school-to-cockpit path. "I wish I would have been out here right out of high school."
• "Huggy" & "Nova" — U-2 Dragon Lady / T-38, USAF 1st Recon Squadron, Beale AFB: Oldest flying squadron in the US military; U-2 operates above 70,000 ft; ~16 pilots selected per year Air Force-wide. Huggy's standout advice: "Focus on the debrief. You will learn so much if you can break down why you made the mistake."

⏱️ Timestamps

Time

Segment

00:04

Josh Blair — Introduction; growing up seven minutes from a small-town airport

02:06

Josh Blair — Soloing at 16; A&P; food manufacturing; 767s; GE; Notre Dame research

04:06

Josh Blair — The $30,000 pay cut; returning to GA; tube and fabric restoration; Blaircraft

07:24

Josh Blair — Building the 2,600-ft private runway; PA-16 Clipper and Mooney M20E projects

~10:00

Aero Summit 2026 — What it is; Stratus Financial; dates, venue, Student and CFI Track

~14:30

Aero Summit — MOSAIC; AI in flight training; FIFP sponsorship; Shawn as emcee

~18:30

Warbirds Ramp — Vanzell Jenkins / Vans Air; Sun 'n Fun 2026 field interviews

19:36

Lt. Col. "Strobe" — A-10 Warthog; USAF; Close Air Support; advice to young aviators

23:50

Cpl. Logan Wellingson — UH-60 Blackhawk; 101st Airborne; Army Street to Seat Program

27:53

Huggy & Nova — U-2 Dragon Lady; 1st Recon Squadron; "Focus on the debrief."

31:18

Vanzell — Sign-off: "Evolve the life you're in."

🔗 Links

• Blaircraft (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/@Blaircraft.Engines
• Aero Summit 2026 Registration: https://stratusaerosummit.com/aerosummit/
• Stratus Financial: https://stratus.finance/
• Kit Darby Aviation: https://kitdarby.com/wp/
• Tecnam Aircraft: https://tecnam.com/
• Vanzell Jenkins / VanzAir: https://www.youtube.com/@vanzair99
• AviNation: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• Future in Flight Podcast: https://futureinflight.com/

🎧 Episode Summary

Get ready for takeoff! This episode takes you from a 10-year-old's dream at a Florida air show to a global aviation career that spans continents. Host Shawn Staerker sits down with Kirk Fryer, President of Sarasota Avionics, who transforms aircraft around the world—from Bangladesh flight academies to Greek military helicopters. Plus, we meet inspiring young creators like Be Snappy from Australia, who's building his aviation YouTube empire one interview at a time.

From the Sun and Fun Aerospace Expo, we explore what it really means to build a career in aviation that doesn't stop at your home airport. Whether you're dreaming of installing cutting-edge avionics in far-off countries, creating content that connects the global aviation community, or just wondering how to turn your passion into a paycheck, this episode proves that the runway to your future extends way beyond what you can see from the tower.

✨ Key Points

• 🌍 Aviation careers can literally take you anywhere—Kirk Fryer has installed avionics in Bangladesh, Greece, Brazil, and beyond
• 📱 Young creators like Be Snappy prove you don't need fancy equipment to start—just curiosity and a camera
• ✈️ Modern avionics technology is making flying safer worldwide, from Florida flight schools to Cyprus Air Force helicopters
• 🚀 The MOSAIC rule is creating exciting opportunities for accessible, affordable aviation
• 🤝 Aviation is one of the most genuinely global communities on the planet—and there's room for everyone

🕒 Chapter Timestamps

0:07 — 1:48 | Kirk Fryer's Origin Story: From Air Show Kid to Global Avionics Expert

1:48 — 4:52 | Going Global: Bangladesh Installs and International Aviation Work

4:52 — 7:57 | Technology That Saves Lives: Modern Avionics Around the World

7:57 — 12:33 | Meet Be Snappy: Young Australian Creator Taking on Aviation YouTube

12:33 — 18:05 | International Visitors: FLYTE Aero Sunglasses from Australia

18:05 — 24:08 | Andy Litak and the Montaer MC-01: Affordable Aviation for Everyone

🔗 Links & Resources

• Sarasota Avionics: https://sarasotaavionics.com/
• FLYTE Sunglasses and Hats: https://www.flyte.aero/
• Montaer Aircraft: https://www.montaeraircraft.com/
• Be Snappy's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BeSnappy
• SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo: https://flysnf.org/
• AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

SUMMARY

What does it take to fly a 1965 Cessna 150 across the country to compete against the best collegiate aviators in the nation — and do it with a smile on your face? Ask the California Aeronautical University Flight Team.

In this episode, host Shawn Staerker sits down with Melissa Johnston, CAU's Director of Aviation Operations and flight team coach, along with team members Jackson Kaspar (Safety Officer and newly minted CFI) and Sebastian Bernal (Alumni & Community Outreach). Together, they trace the team's journey from a scrappy, student-motivated startup to a nationally recognized program earning sportsmanship awards four years running and eyeing a top-10 finish at NIFA Nationals.

They cover what it's like to practice before class, study weather charts for cross-country VFR legs in a 150, build real friendships in a competition van, and why the Lightspeed Zulu 3 makes 26 hours of flying in three days a whole lot more survivable. Plus — dream aircraft, dream destinations, and the great in-flight snack debate.

This one is for every young aviator who has ever wondered whether joining the team is worth the extra effort. Spoiler: it is.

KEY POINTS

• The Flight Team's Origin Story The CAU flight team was built from the ground up by students and one determined staff member. The university was initially uncertain — "What do you mean there's a flight team that competes against other universities?" — but early competition success and the program's networking value quickly made believers out of everyone.
• What NIFA Is and Why It Matters NIFA — the National Intercollegiate Flying Association — is the NCAA of collegiate aviation. With roughly 80 member teams across nine or ten regions nationwide, it's the proving ground where the airlines come to find their next generation of pilots. CAU competes in Region 2 alongside San Jose State University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott), and Mount San Antonio College.
• The Arc of Growth CAU's trajectory on the national stage tells the story clearly: 20th place at their first NIFA Nationals in 2022, up to 15th in 2023, a first-place landing competition finish, and four consecutive regional Sportsmanship Awards. Most recently, the team claimed its first-ever regional safety award — a milestone that reflects how deliberately this program has been built.
• The Day-to-Day Commitment Flight team membership means early morning flight practices, late-night ground event sessions, and fitting schoolwork into whatever gaps remain. Sebastian's approach: a detailed agenda, followed to the letter. Jackson's: jump in with both feet in week three and don't look back.
• Little Red — The Team's 1965 Cessna 150 "Little Red" is a 1965 straight-tail Cessna 150, Juliet model, and one of only two aircraft in the team's fleet. She's flown across the country to Oshkosh and back, competed at regionals (Jackson took second in the Power Off 180 in her), and serves as the team's unofficial mascot and biggest marketing asset. The Johnson Bar flaps are a feature, not a bug.
• The Lightspeed Partnership The relationship with Lightspeed Aviation started at Oshkosh AirVenture, when team captain Matt Anderson and co-captain James Lopez struck up a conversation with Lightspeed's president — with Little Red as the conversation starter. The partnership grew from there into a full sponsorship, with the Zulu 3 headset now a cornerstone of the team's cross-country capability. Key benefit: active noise reduction (ANR) in a cramped, loud, 60-year-old Cessna is not a luxury — it's a game changer.
• The Recording Capability Melissa and Jackson both highlighted the Lightspeed Zulu 3's flight recording capability as an untapped training tool — particularly valuable in complex airspaces like San Diego and Phoenix, where students can review ATC communications after the fact and identify exactly where things got confusing.
• Fundraising The team raises funds through an annual fly-in (held at L62 Buttonwillow Airport), door-to-door outreach, cross-country flyer drops at FBOs, raffle prizes, and a beloved campus tradition: Pie Your CFI. A nonprofit, the Aero Foundation, serves as the team's primary vehicle for donations. Additionally, proceeds from Plum Crazy pilot Vicki Benzing's merchandise go directly to the team.
• The Future of Aviation — and This Team All three guests agree: a pilot boom is coming. Aircraft are on order, airlines are building their fleets, and the industry will need trained, degree-holding aviators to fill the seats. Melissa's vision for the team: top 10 at Nationals. Jackson's: a national championship — maybe not in three years, but it's coming.
• Safety Culture Jackson serves as the team's Safety Officer and makes clear that the team's safety culture is a group effort, not a title. Sebastian describes the heightened awareness flight team members bring to every preflight and every uncontrolled field. Melissa draws the line clearly on competition days: the hotel is for fun; the ramp is for focus.

TIMESTAMPS

Time

Chapter

0:00

Cold Open — Quote Mash-Up Teaser

~0:20

Opening — Host Shawn Staerker

~1:45

Interview Begins — How the CAU Flight Team Got Started (Melissa Johnston)

~3:00

Why Sebastian Joined — Finding His People at Nationals

~4:30

Why Jackson Joined — Decided Before He Even Enrolled

~5:30

The Coach's Perspective — Daily Life on the Flight Team (Melissa)

~7:30

The Student's Perspective — Practice, Commitment, and Early Mornings (Sebastian)

~8:40

Building Team Bonds — Competition as a Community (Jackson)

~10:45

The Operations Challenge — Managing a Flight Team Alongside Full University Duties (Melissa)

~13:00

What Is NIFA? — Breaking Down the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (Jackson)

~14:50

Traveling with the Team — Van Rides, Plane Rides, and Roswell Nachos

~17:45

The Red Baron Sportsmanship Award — What It Takes to Win It Repeatedly (Melissa)

~20:10

Flying Little Red — The 1965 Cessna 150 Experience (Jackson & Sebastian)

~23:00

The Lightspeed Aviation Partnership — How It Started at Oshkosh (Melissa)

~24:55

The Zulu 3 in Action — ANR, Comfort, and 26 Hours Across the Country (Jackson & Sebastian)

~27:30

The Recording Capability — A New Training Tool for Student Pilots (Melissa & Jackson)

~29:25

Fundraising — Fly-Ins, Poker Runs, Pie Your CFI, and Plum Crazy (All)

~34:40

Academics Meets Competition — How Classroom Skills Transfer to the Flight Line

~37:40

The Future of Aviation — Pilot Boom, Degree Value, and Pathway Programs

~40:15

The Flight Team in Three to Five Years — Top 10 and Beyond

~42:25

Safety vs. Competitiveness — Building a Culture That Does Both

~46:25

The Fun Stuff — In-Flight Snacks, Dream Aircraft, and Dream Destinations

~55:00

Closing — Host Shawn Staerker / Lightspeed Aviation Thank-You / CTA

LINKS

California Aeronautical University Website: caleroaviation.edu (confirm current URL before publishing)

CAU Flight Team — https://www.instagram.com/cauflightteam/

NIFA — National Intercollegiate Flying Association Website: https://www.nifa.aero/

Lightspeed Aviation — Presenting Sponsor Website: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/

Plum Crazy / Vicki Benzing Website: https://www.vickybenzing.com

ArtCraft Paint—Website: https://artcraftpaint.com/

AviNaition USA—Website: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Episode Summary

Shawn sits down with Nate Herbert, bush pilot and founder of Black Moose Outposts, a fly-in wilderness fishing and hunting operation based out of Red Lake, Ontario — the furthest northwest you can drive in the province. What started as a napkin sketch during COVID has grown into twelve camps and a fleet of nine aircraft, including de Havilland Beavers, Blackhawk Caravans, and a Pilatus PC-6 Porter on floats.

Nate takes us inside what real bush flying looks like — from navigating months of wildfire smoke to landing on unmarked lakes with dark water and no weather radar. He shares how his dad lit the aviation fire in him (even though he spent most of his childhood getting airsick), what it takes to hire and train bush pilots, and why he believes bush flying is one of the most future-proof careers in aviation. Along the way, we get a look at Black Moose's fire suppression missions supporting Northern communities, the differences between flying a Beaver, a Caravan, and a PC-6 in the backcountry, and what it's like to hand the controls of a floatplane over to a 70-year-old guest living out a lifelong dream.

Key Points

Nate's Path into Aviation Nate grew up in Red Lake, Ontario — a town with deep bush flying roots going back to the gold rush era of the 1930s when its airport was the second busiest in the world behind Chicago. His dad was a pilot, and flying was simply transportation. Nate actually hated flying as a kid — chronic airsickness kept him miserable on every flight. The turning point came at age 15 when he overheard his parents say the family airplane would go to his cousin if he didn't get his license. He got it at 18 and never looked back.

Red Lake and the Bush Red Lake sits at the end of the road in northwest Ontario — people in Toronto can drive to Florida faster than they can drive there. Everything north of Red Lake is accessible only by winter ice roads or aircraft. It's a place where aviation isn't a hobby — it's how you get to town, get to school, and get home.

Black Moose Outposts Born out of a COVID-era conversation between friends about dream jobs, Black Moose was supposed to be two camps and one airplane. It's now twelve camps and nine aircraft. The operation runs May through October, with 90% of business being fly-in fishing trips. Offerings range from fully self-guided wilderness drop-offs with zero contact for a week, all the way up to high-end guided packages with private chefs and 24/7 hosts. Newer camps feature full indoor plumbing, individual room climate control, and family-friendly accommodations.

The Fleet

• Two Cessna 185s (one commercial with boat STC, one private)
• Two de Havilland Beavers (piston, original radials — one with STOL kit, one military surplus)
• One Blackhawk Caravan on Wipline 8750 floats
• One Cessna Caravan EX with Yukon prop on Wipline 8750 floats
• One Pilatus PC-6 Porter on Wipline 6100 floats

Bush Flying Realities No live weather, no radar, no controlled airspace beyond a five-mile zone around Red Lake. Pilots have to read weather visually and navigate by instinct and experience. Smoke from wildfires was the worst veteran pilots had ever seen last season — not days, but months of reduced visibility. Nate's safety philosophy: smoke can be pushed carefully, but cloud and fog will kill you.

Fire Suppression Flying Black Moose supports wildfire response across Northern Ontario — evacuations, gear supply runs, initial attack crew transport, and fire mapping at 50–100 feet above the trees. Last season, Nate's team flew the initial firefighting crews into a Northern community that had no water bomber support — the fire burned right to the edge of the sprinkler line his crews helped set up.

Advice for Aspiring Bush Pilots Nate values work ethic over flight hours. Backgrounds in bush firefighting, welding, farming, or any demanding hands-on work carry more weight than a logbook full of hours. Float time helps get through the door, but Nate says he can teach the flying — he can't teach someone to work hard.

The Future of Bush Flying Nate sees bush flying as one of the most secure aviation careers. Northern communities will always need air access, adventure tourism continues to grow, and the hands-on, unpredictable nature of the work makes it resistant to automation.

Fun Questions — Quick Hits

• In-flight snack: Small cans of tuna, Costco applesauce, Icon elk and bison jerky, and a Red Bull
• Dream aircraft: F-16 or a Corsair (he's already flying his dream bush plane — the PC-6)
• Flying companion: His dad — the one who lit the fire
• Dream trip: Flying a Cub or PC-6 through Iceland

Links

• Black Moose Outposts website: https://blackmooseoutposts.com
• Nate Herbert on Instagram: @nateherbert
• Wipaire (Wipline Floats): https://wipaire.com
• AviNation: https://www.avinationusa.com/

🎧 Episode Summary

Get ready for takeoff with Kirk Fryar, head of Sarasota Avionics and Maintenance, as he takes us behind the scenes of one of aviation's biggest events - SUN ‘n FUN! In this high-energy episode, Kirk shares what it's like to bring 30 team members to Florida's premier aviation showcase, complete with golf cart convoys and epic booth setups. From sponsoring aerobatic legends like Patty Wagstaff and Skip Stewart to showcasing cutting-edge avionics in a beautifully restored 1965 Piper with a full G3X system, Sarasota Avionics goes all-out to make SUN ‘n FUN unforgettable.

This conversation takes an incredible turn as Kirk opens up about his global aviation adventures - from installing avionics in Bangladesh to working with the Cyprus Air Force in Greece, and building relationships across Brazil's massive aviation community. Whether you're curious about the future of aviation under new MOSAIC rules, want to know what survival gear every pilot should carry, or just love hearing about aviation culture around the world, this episode delivers non-stop excitement. Plus, get the inside scoop on where to find Kirk's team at SUN ‘n FUN, including a special autograph session with aerobatic pilot Melissa Burns!

✨ Key Points

• 🛩️ Sarasota Avionics brings 30+ team members to SUN ‘n FUN with elaborate booth setups in Hangar C
• 🌟 They sponsor top aerobatic performers including Patty Wagstaff, Skip Stewart, and Ghost Rider airshows
• 🌍 Kirk's team travels globally for installations - from Bangladesh flight academies to Greek helicopter services
• 🔧 New Mosaic rules could revolutionize older aircraft upgrades with modern G3X systems and autopilots
• 🍺 Don't miss the new "Swamp" food court in Hangar E - plus Melissa Burns autograph session Thursday!

🕒 Chapter Timestamps

0:00 — 2:30 | SUN ‘n FUN Prep - 30 People, One Mission

2:30 — 8:00 | Patty Wagstaff Stories and Aerobatic Sponsorships

8:00 — 15:00 | Mosaic Rules and Aircraft Upgrade Opportunities

15:00 — 22:00 | The Evolution of Avionics Technology

22:00 — 28:00 | Going Global - International Aviation Adventures

28:00 — 35:00 | Bangladesh to Greece - Working Worldwide

35:00 — 42:00 | Brazil's Amazing Aviation Culture

42:00 — 47:00 | Survival Gear and Backcountry Flying Tips

47:00 — 49:00 | Where to Find Sarasota Avionics at SUN ‘n FUN

🔗 Links & Resources

Sarasota Avionics: http://www.sarasotaavionics.com

Sarasota Avionics IG: https://www.instagram.com/sarasotaavionics/

AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

SUN ‘n FUN: https://flysnf.org/

SUN ‘n FUN STOL Basecamp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STOLBasecamp

Patty Wagstaff Aviation School: https://pattywagstaff.com/school/

Melissa Burns autograph session: Thursday at Hangar C (time TBD)

New Swamp Food Court: Hangar E at SUN ‘n FUN

🎧 Episode Summary

Ever heard the sound of a de Havilland Beaver buzzing over water at dawn? For most of us, that's pure adventure movie material. But for Nate Herbert, growing up in Red Lake, Ontario—once the world's second-busiest airport during the 1930s gold rush—that was just another Tuesday morning. In this incredible episode, we dive into the wild world of bush flying with one of Canada's most authentic aviation voices, exploring how a kid who used to hate flying (seriously, he'd puke off the floats) became the pilot behind Black Moose Outpost's fleet of nine aircraft serving 12 remote wilderness camps.

From emergency wildfire response to luxury fly-out fishing adventures, Nate's story proves that the most authentic paths in aviation often start with the most unexpected motivations. His advice for aspiring bush pilots? Forget the romance—focus on character, hard work, and the reality that in bush flying, no two landings are ever the same.

Plus, we explore the legendary de Havilland Beaver in our Vintage Aircraft Spotlight and preview our upcoming SUN 'n FUN coverage that's going to be absolutely epic.

✨ Key Points

• 🛩️ Bush flying isn't about romance—it's about problem-solving, character, and landing on lakes that change every single day
• 🔥 Wildfire season transforms luxury outfitters into emergency responders, flying into smoke with half-mile visibility
• ✈️ The Pilatus PC6 Porter is Nate's pick for most capable bush plane—able to land in 150-200 foot gaps between obstacles
• 🎯 Getting hired as a bush pilot? Flight hours help, but employers want to see hard work experience like welding, farming, or firefighting
• 🤖 AI can't automate adventure—bush flying careers are among the most future-proof in aviation

🕒 Chapter Timestamps

0:00 — 1:18 | The Sound of Adventure: Growing Up in Red Lake

1:18 — 2:12 | From Hating Flying to Protecting Family Legacy

2:12 — 3:26 | When Aviation Becomes Your Social Life

3:26 — 4:40 | Pandemic Dreams to 12 Camps and 9 Aircraft

4:40 — 6:45 | The Reality of Float Plane Operations

6:45 — 8:08 | Fire Season: When Adventure Gets Serious

8:08 — 9:03 | What It Takes to Fly in the Bush

9:03 — 16:35 | Vintage Aircraft Spotlight: The de Havilland Beaver

16:35 — 19:47 | SUN 'n FUN Preview: Field Coverage and Live Broadcasting

🔗 Links & Resources

• Black Moose Outpost: https://blackmooseoutposts.com/
• Nate Herbert on Instagram: @nateherbert
• Wipaire: https://wipaire.com/
• SUN ‘n FUN: https://flysnf.org/
• Sun 'n Fun Radio: https://www.liveatc.net/ and AM 1510
• Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/
• Full Throttle Airshows: https://fullthrottleairshows.com/
• AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• Hilo Social Media: https://www.hilosocialmedia.com/