Description

🎧 Episode Summary

What happens when a year of aviation inspiration, grit, generosity, and discovery all comes together on Christmas week? In this festive episode, host Shawn Staerker brings you a heartwarming holiday special straight from “a hangar somewhere near the flightline.”

Shawn unwraps some of the most powerful, uplifting, and unforgettable moments from the 2025 season—from sparking first-time aviation magic in kids, to stories of perseverance, to veterans being honored from the sky, to life-changing career pathways opening across the country.

You’ll revisit:

✨ The spark of aviation awe through paper airplanes…
✨ The butterflies of a flight-test engineer who discovered the beauty behind complex systems…
✨ The power of networking and mentorship for young aviators…
✨ The resilience of those who faced rejection, delays, or setbacks—yet kept climbing…
✨ The generosity of pilots who used their own aircraft to lift up others…
✨ The emotional weight of military flying and the unseen realities of those who serve.

Plus—Shawn shares an incredible new Christmas aviation story:
“’Twas the Flight Before the Night Before Christmas.”

This episode is about gratitude, growth, and the powerful ways aviation brings people together—especially during the holidays.

Special thanks to Flyte Sunglasses—light on weight, not on quality! And be sure to join the 25 Days of Flightsmas Giveaway for your chance to win amazing gear this holiday season.

Inspiring Moments From Our 2025 Guests

Sparking the Magic – with Mike Salmon (ADS)

• Demonstrated paper airplane aerodynamics to children ages 5–13.
• Witnessed their “first aviation spark” as their eyes lit up with discovery.
• Reminded us that aviation inspiration starts young.

Flight Test Excitement – with Adriana Barragan (FlyORKA)

• Described the moment complex engineering “clicked” for her.
• Talked about turning something extraordinary and intimidating into something she could understand—and love.

Networking as a Superpower – with Claire Mahr (Fly Girl Aircraft Detailing)

• Encouraged young aviators to walk into FBOs, join every aviation group they can, and meet everyone possible.
• Reinforced that opportunity grows through community.

Career Pathways – with Mary Lamie (St. Louis Freightway / BSD)

• Explained aviation career roadmaps showing job options, earning potential, and next-step guidance.
• Highlighted the importance of clear, accessible paths to high-paying aviation careers.

Perseverance – with Brian Kincaid (6 Zero Alpha)

• Once told his color blindness meant he could never fly fighters—so he quit aviation at 17.
• Returned years later and earned his pilot certificate at 31.
• Message: Never let someone else define your limits.

Persistence & Funding – with Jamail Larkins (AviationStart)

• Faced 93 rejections before receiving his first aviation sponsorship.
• Now helps thousands through free scholarship resources.

Giving Back – with Luke Pylypciw (SkyScholar)

• Flew a Mooney on an East Coast tour to visit veteran centers.
• Raised $15,000 for Hope for the Warriors.
• A true example of aviation used for service and meaning.

Military Strength & Sacrifice (Jeremy Meyers and Anthony Dyer)

• Pilots shared emotional stories from combat deployments, including difficult missions, near-empty fuel returns, and the unseen moments that shape the lives of those who serve.

0:00 – 0:44 | Welcome from the hangar + Christmas kickoff
0:45 – 1:35 | Sparking aviation magic with paper airplanes
1:36 – 1:55 | Flight test butterflies and discovering understanding
1:56 – 2:34 | Networking advice from Claire Maher
2:35 – 3:00 | Aviation career roadmaps for students
3:01 – 3:30 | Perseverance: Never giving up on flying
3:31 – 3:55 | Jamail Larkins and 93 rejections
3:56 – 4:09 | Break: 25 Days of Flightsmas
4:10 – 5:05 | Luke Pylypciw on “Luke for the Troops”
5:06 – 6:17 | Stories from military pilots and powerful missions
6:18 – End | Christmas story + Year-in-review reflections + closing

AviNation USA – https://www.avinationusa.com/
Creative Relay Media – https://creativerelaymedia.com/
Flightsmas Giveaway – https://futureinflight.com/flightsmas