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/