Description

🎧 Episode Summary

What happens when a 12-year-old gamer with a dream and a copy of Microsoft Flight Simulator decides to make it real? In this episode, host Shawn Staerker sits down with Jamail Larkins, one of aviation’s most inspiring trailblazers, whose journey from virtual skies to real-world leadership is nothing short of remarkable.

From flying over his middle school in a Cessna 172 to soloing a powered aircraft at just 14 years old, Jamail’s story is a masterclass in persistence and passion. He faced 93 rejections before earning his first sponsorship, performed aerobatics as a teenager opening for the Blue Angels, and went on to become the FAA’s first Ambassador for Aviation Education.

Together, Shawn and Jamail explore how gaming inspired a career, how rejection became a teacher, and how Jamail’s latest venture—Aviation Start—is helping connect young people with millions in aviation scholarships and opportunities.

This is a story about refusing to take “no” for an answer, the transformative power of mentors, and how a kid from Augusta, Georgia is helping to shape the future of flight.

• Discovered aviation through Microsoft Flight Simulator at age 12.
• Took his first flight through the Young Eagles program—flying over his home and school.
• Petitioned the FAA to solo before age 16; when denied, he made it happen legally in Canada at 14.

Persistence and Breakthroughs

• Wrote to over 100 aviation companies seeking sponsorship—after 93 rejections, #94 said yes.
• Became one of the youngest Americans to solo a powered aircraft.
• Started a small aviation supply business as a teen to fund aerobatic training.
• By 18, became an airshow performer, opening for the Blue Angels.
• Later appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, demonstrating aerobatic flight live on national TV.

Aviation Start & Legacy

• Founded Aviation Start, a platform connecting students to $20M+ in scholarships.
• Advocates for inclusion and access in aviation education.
• Continues to inspire the next generation through outreach and mentorship.

Lessons from Jamail’s Journey

• “No” is not failure—it’s feedback. Persistence creates opportunity.
• Passion for aviation can lead to countless careers beyond airline piloting.
• Mentorship and community are key to sustaining aviation’s future.

0:00 – 0:44 | Introduction: A game-changer in aviation
0:45 – 3:51 | From gamer to first flight: The Young Eagles story
3:52 – 9:37 | Petitions, rejections, and the road to soloing at 14
9:38 – 11:26 | Lessons in perseverance and mindset
11:27 – 13:50 | Crossing borders: Flying solo in Canada
13:51 – 17:29 | From flight school to the airshow stage
17:30 – 19:13 | Performing for David Letterman: Taking aviation to primetime
19:14 – End | Reflections, aerobatics, and advice for the next generation

• Aviation Start: https://www.aviationstart.org/
• AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/
• Follow The Future in Flight Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms