In this episode of Beyond The Sky, host Zach O’Brien sits down with Danny, a flight instructor at North Star Aviation, to explore his unique path into aviation. Unlike many pilots who grow up surrounded by aviation, Danny had no family or friends in the industry—his decision to fly came as an impulse during his senior year of high school. From there, he built his career step by step, finding a passion for flight training and mentoring new students. This episode highlights how aviation can inspire anyone, regardless of background, and showcases the resources like MyFlightLab that support student success at North Star Aviation.

In this episode of Beyond The Sky, host Zach O’Brien sits down with Zachary Crowe, a North Star Aviation alum who is now flying for the airlines. Zachary shares his journey from high school aviation programs to professional pilot training, and ultimately achieving his dream job in the airline industry. Listeners get an inside look at the day-to-day realities of airline life, the importance of training foundations at North Star Aviation, and the advice he has for students aspiring to take their aviation careers beyond the cockpit of a training aircraft.

In the first episode of Beyond The Sky, host Zach O’Brien sits down with Rob McGregor to talk about the roots of North Star Aviation and Rob’s personal journey in aviation. From his very first 30-minute intro flight in Mankato in the early ’90s to his career in flight instruction and beyond, Rob shares stories of what drew him to the skies, the challenges and rewards of aviation, and how North Star Aviation has grown alongside Minnesota State University, Mankato. This episode highlights the passion, persistence, and opportunities that make aviation a life-changing path for students and professionals alike.