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

What happens when a teenager refuses to let age—or anything else—limit what’s possible in aviation? In this episode, host Shawn Staerker sits down with rising aviator Luke Pylypciw, whose story spans from a spark ignited on childhood vacations to impactful charitable flights, collegiate aviation training, and inspiring the next generation online.

Luke shares how he balanced high school academics with flight training, convinced a hesitant family to support his flying goals, and cultivated discipline that continues to guide him today. You’ll also hear how the Goodrich Flying Club shaped his early flying years, why he chose Florida Tech, and how he avoids burnout in an intense collegiate aviation environment.

We also dive deep into “Loop for the Troops”—Luke’s ambitious multi-state charitable mission flown solo at just 17–18 years old, raising $15,000 for post-9/11 combat veterans. And finally, Luke opens up about using social media to inspire young aviators to pursue meaningful work while following their passion for flying.

This episode is a celebration of purpose, perseverance, and the power of aviation to change lives—one young pilot at a time.

Starting flight training and want some awesome gear? Check out our “25 Days of Flightsmas” giveaway! We’re giving away a pair of FLYTE sunglasses and a sweet BULBag utility bag!

Enter here to win: https://futureinflight.com/flightsmas/

Luke’s Journey Into Aviation

• Inspired by childhood travel and exposure to a family friend who was a corporate pilot.
• Took a discovery flight at 15 and began training two months later.
• Balanced accelerated high-school academics with flight lessons.
• Navigated early hesitancy from his family by proving commitment and maintaining strong grades.
• Became the youngest member of the Goodrich Flying Club, flying solo before he could drive.
• Found an encouraging aviation community that helped fuel his fast growth.

Florida Tech & Avoiding Burnout

• Chose Florida Tech for flight-training opportunities, diversity, and its location on the Space Coast.
• Uses intentional downtime—sunshine, the beach, exercise, and screen-free time—to stay grounded and safe.
• Focuses on compartmentalization: flying when flying, studying when studying, relaxing when relaxing.

Loop for the Troops

• At 17–18 years old, planned and executed a multi-state flight honoring veterans.
• Raised $15,000 for Hope for the Warriors, visiting veterans’ homes along the East Coast.
• Flew over 2,000 miles in a Mooney, supported by sponsors and local aviation communities.
• Used YouTube and Instagram to inspire youth by showing how passion and purpose can align.

Social Media & Inspiring the Next Generation

• Began posting flights for self-review and skill improvement.
• Shifted to sharing meaningful aviation projects to motivate young followers.
• Received feedback from youth who launched their own charitable initiatives because of his example.

00:00 Introduction to Luke Pylypciw's Journey 05:02 Navigating Early Challenges in Aviation 10:09 Community Impact through Aviation 15:04 Innovative Philanthropy: Wings of Opportunity 19:53 Sky Scholar: Guiding Future Aviators 24:56 The Role of Technology in Aviation 29:47 Pursuing Dual Degrees and Career Diversity 34:34 Personal Insights and Future Aspirations

AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/ Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/

SKYSCHOLAR: https://www.myskyscholar.com/

25 Days of Flightsmas: https://futureinflight.com/flightsmas/

What happens when lifesaving tech, real-world experience, and two powerhouse creators collide? In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker dives into the life-changing importance of a truly great aviation headset—through the firsthand stories of Cooper the Pilot and YouTube creator Carl Hancock (Fly With The Guys).

From Cooper’s unforgettable first flight as a young adoptee from Korea to her mission-driven Hangar 22 scholarship program… to Carl’s terrifying real-world carbon monoxide emergencies and how the Lightspeed Delta Zulu literally saved his life—this episode is an inside look at the gear that keeps pilots safe, alert, and connected.

Shawn explores how today’s headsets do far more than quiet the cockpit: they prevent CO poisoning, adapt to your hearing profile, support training, and help build aviation’s next generation. Then, the episode shifts gears with exclusive updates on two major announcements from Van’s Aircraft, including upgrades to the RV-12iS Trainer and the rugged new RV-15 made for backcountry flying.

This episode is about safety, innovation, and the future of flight—and the people working every day to make aviation better for everyone.

✨ Special thanks to our episode partner — Lightspeed Aviation Makers of the Delta Zulu—built for your mission with life-saving CO detection, personalized hearing profiles, and the best ANR Lightspeed has ever engineered.

Reminder about the “25 Days of Flightsmas” giveaway happening right now! Enter for a chance to win a pair of Flyte Sunglasses or a BULBag Utility Bag! Visit the Future in Flight website for more information.

The 25 Days of Flightsmas Giveaway

Cooper the Pilot — Lessons & Takeaways

• Her aviation journey began during her first flight to the U.S. at age 5—“the flying house.”
• Runs the Hangar 22 scholarship program empowering young aviators.
• Chooses gear intentionally and tested the Lightspeed Delta Zulu before recommending it to students.
• The Delta Zulu’s CO detector alerted her when her aircraft’s built-in sensor failed.
• Loves the dual-volume controls, audio clarity, ATC recording, and modular plugs for switching between helicopters and fixed-wing.

Carl Hancock — Survival, Training & Tech

• Survived a dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning incident in a new-to-him aircraft.
• A second CO leak occurred months later—this time, the Delta Zulu caught it instantly.
• Uses hearing-profile tuning in the Lightspeed app to customize audio.
• Many students using his aircraft no longer need hearing aids when flying with the headset.
• Launching Empower Flight, a nonprofit flight school, and opening a new channel, Guys Aviation.

Why the Delta Zulu Matters

• Built-in, instant CO monitoring saves lives—unlike card-style detectors that take ~45 minutes to change.
• Customizable hearing profile via app.
• Independent left/right volume controls.
• High-end ANR reduces fatigue for students and instructors.
• Multi-platform recording for education and content creation.
• Holiday promo: $100 off, and $200 off for CFIs/pro pilots.

Vans Aircraft 2026 Announcements

• RV-12iS Trainer
  • Structural strengthening based on training-fleet feedback.
  • Improved systems and comfort upgrades (including new seat cushions for CFIs).
  • Designed to meet Mosaic requirements—IFR capability, heated pitot, more electrical capacity.
• RV-15 Backcountry
  • A rugged, STOL-friendly design built for backcountry adventure.
  • Vans continues pushing innovation with 12,000+ aircraft flying worldwide.

00:00 The Importance of Aviation Headsets 08:58 Innovations in Aircraft Design 16:44 Making Aviation Training Affordable

• Lightspeed Aviation Delta Zulu: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/lightspeed-delta-zulu-anr-headset/
• Cooper the Pilot / Hangar 22: https://instagram.com/hangart22.official
• Fly With The Guys: https://flywiththeguys.com/
• AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/
• Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/