This episode takes you on an incredible journey through aviation excellence and history.

We kick things off rolling down the runway with California Aeronautical University's competitive flight team—a squad that’s climbed from 20th place at nationals in 2022 to seriously eyeing a top-10 finish. Along the way, they take to the skies cross-country in “Little Red,” a 1965 Cessna 150, competing in NIFA events while building a culture rooted in safety, discipline, and sportsmanship. That commitment has earned them four consecutive Red Baron Team Sportsmanship Awards.

Then, host Shawn Staerker is joined by his daughter Ellie for a powerful Women’s History Month segment celebrating the trailblazers who helped build aviation from the ground up. From Raymonde de Laroche—the first woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1910—to the legendary Night Witches of World War II, and modern pioneers like Lucy Young, still flying at 71, this conversation makes one thing clear: aviation has always belonged to those bold enough to pursue it.

We wrap things up with a destination spotlight on Everglades Air Park, where presidential history meets short-field flying and Cuban sandwiches—and where every landing adds another story to the logbook.

• ✈️ From Underdogs to Contenders CAU’s flight team has transformed from a 20th-place program into a top-10 contender through grit and teamwork.
• 🏆 Character Counts Four straight Red Baron Team Sportsmanship Awards highlight that how you fly matters just as much as how well you fly.
• 👩‍✈️ Women in Aviation—From Day One Since 1910, women have played a central role in aviation’s growth—not as footnotes, but as pioneers.
• 🌙 The Night Witches Soviet pilots flew daring nighttime bombing missions in WWII—cutting engines mid-flight to silently glide over enemy targets.
• 🐊 Destination: Everglades Air Park A 2,400-foot runway, rich history, and unforgettable food make this a must-visit for adventurous pilots.

• 0:00 — 1:27 | Introduction to CAU Flight Team’s Journey
• 1:27 — 2:44 | Understanding NIFA Competition Structure
• 2:44 — 4:30 | Student Commitment & “Little Red” the Cessna 150
• 4:30 — 7:13 | Cross-Country Adventures & Lightspeed Aviation Partnership
• 7:13 — 9:35 | Awards, Safety Culture & Future Goals
• 9:35 — 11:11 | Transition to Women’s History Month Segment
• 11:11 — 19:28 | Women Who Built Aviation (featuring Ellie Staerker)
• 19:28 — End | Future in Flight Destinations: Everglades Air Park

• California Aeronautical University Flight Team
• Lightspeed Aviation
• The 99s (Women Pilots Organization)
• Women in Aviation International
• Everglades Air Park (X01) — Everglades City, Florida
• NIFA (National Intercollegiate Flying Association)
• AviNation USA

From a tiny corner of a Venice hangar to multiple locations across Florida, Sarasota Avionics has built something truly special in the aviation world.

In this episode, we sit down with Zach Fryar and Mat Davis—two key team members—who share the incredible journey of how three guys fixing radios grew into one of aviation’s most beloved avionics companies. Their secret? Treating customers and employees like family while delivering cutting-edge technology upgrades.

Zach and Mat take us behind the scenes of modern avionics installations—from full glass panel upgrades to becoming a Cirrus Service Center. They discuss the ongoing challenge of finding skilled technicians, share their thoughts on the future of aviation technology (spoiler: they’re not ready for pilotless planes), and explain why treating your iPad like backup equipment is always a smart move.

Plus, we explore career opportunities in avionics and get the inside scoop on their famous Sun ’n Fun parties that draw crowds from across the aviation community.

• 🛠️ Humble beginnings: Started with three guys in one-third of a hangar fixing radios—now operating multiple locations across Florida

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-first culture: Employees and customers are treated like family, complete with birthday parties and holiday invitations

• 🎯 Shift to glass panels: Upgrades dominate as pilots move away from six-pack instruments due to parts availability

• ✈️ Cirrus Service Center: Achieved through a rigorous certification process and specialized training

• 🔮 Future of aviation: More automation is coming—but human pilots remain essential for dynamic situations

• 0:00 — 2:18 | From Three Guys to Aviation Empire: The Sarasota Avionics Origin Story

• 2:18 — 4:25 | Building Family Culture: Keeping the Small Shop Feel

• 4:25 — 8:29 | Finding Great Techs: The Challenge of Aviation Talent

• 8:29 — 11:14 | Career Transition: From Automotive to Avionics

• 11:14 — 15:02 | Consultation Process: Understanding Customer Needs

• 15:02 — 18:13 | Cirrus Service Center: The Path to Certification

• 18:13 — 20:13 | Future of Aviation: Will Pilots Become Obsolete?

• 20:13 — 24:59 | Avionics Upgrade Process: From Consultation to Delivery

• 24:59 — 28:00 | Industry Trends: Glass Panels & iPad Integration

• 28:00 — 32:12 | Sun ’n Fun & Customer Connections

• 32:12 — 35:19 | Career Advice for Future Avionics Techs

• 35:19 — 38:54 | Rapid Fire Fun: Snacks, Dream Aircraft & Flying with Legends

• Sarasota Avionics Website – https://sarasotaavionics.com/

• SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo – https://flysnf.org/

• AviNation – https://www.avinationusa.com/

Ever wonder what makes those glass screens in airplane cockpits actually work? This episode takes you inside the world of avionics with Zach Fryar from Sarasota Avionics and lead technician Mat Davis. From a humble corner of a Venice, Florida hangar with three guys and broken radios, Sarasota Avionics has grown into one of the Southeast's most respected shops. But this isn't just a business success story—it's about the people who make modern aviation possible and why avionics might be the perfect career path for tech-savvy young people.

We also go behind the scenes with Jacob Peed, Editor-in-Chief of AviNation USA Magazine, as they gear up for Sun and Fun 2026. Plus, in our Vintage Aircraft Spotlight, we explore the massive Convair B-36 Peacemaker—a 10-engine beast that could fly around the world without stopping and helped define the Cold War era. Whether you're curious about cutting-edge cockpit technology or aviation history, this episode shows how the past, present, and future of flight all connect.

• 🔧 Modern avionics is more than just screens—it's integrated systems that require skilled techs who are part engineer, part detective
• 💼 Avionics careers are future-proof with aging workforce and increasing technology complexity creating huge opportunities
• 📱 If you can use an iPhone, you can probably master modern glass cockpit systems like Garmin's GTN and G1000
• 📰 Aviation USA Magazine connects aviation stories from contributors aged 8 to 78, proving everyone has a story worth telling
• ✈️ The B-36 Peacemaker had a 230-foot wingspan, 10 engines, and could carry nuclear weapons—but never dropped a bomb in combat

0:00 — 1:21 | Introduction: From Corner Hangar to Aviation Empire

1:21 — 2:25 | The Culture That Builds Craftspeople

2:25 — 4:52 | What Avionics Actually Is: Systems Thinking

4:52 — 7:07 | The Glass Revolution and Garmin's Dominance

7:07 — 9:29 | Career Paths: Why Avionics Needs You

9:29 — 11:56 | The Future of Automation vs. Human Pilots

12:00 — 19:21 | Aviation USA Magazine and Sun and Fun Preview

19:21 — 25:42 | Vintage Spotlight: The Convair B-36 Peacemaker

• Sarasota Avionics: sarasotaavionics.com
• AviNation USA Magazine: avinationusa.com
• Sun and Fun Fly-In: flysnf.org
• National Museum of the US Air Force (B-36 location): nationalmuseum.af.mil

What if aerospace students could take their classroom equations and turn them into real, flyable aircraft designs—without ever cutting balsa wood or stepping into a wind tunnel?

In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker sits down with Amir Kosh and Gordon McClymont to explore ST Engineering Antycip’s IT FLIES—a groundbreaking design-build-fly competition powered by high-fidelity, physics-based simulators.

Unlike traditional competitions, students don’t just design aircraft on paper—they fly them in professional-grade simulators and receive real-time feedback from experienced test pilots. From sixth-generation fighters to humanitarian aid drones, teams bring bold concepts to life and experience the full aerospace engineering cycle: briefing, flight testing, debriefing, iteration, and refinement.

With competitions hosted in the U.S. at University of Dayton and in the UK at Swansea University, IT FLIES is shaping the next generation of aerospace engineers by bridging theory and real-world application.

This episode dives into simulation fidelity, the power of iteration, the importance of engineer–pilot collaboration, and why feeling lift and drag—even virtually—changes everything.

If you’ve ever wondered how today’s students become tomorrow’s aircraft designers, this is the inside look you’ve been waiting for.

What Makes IT FLIES Different

• Students design aircraft and fly them in real-time, physics-based simulators.
• Professional test pilots evaluate each design.
• The competition mirrors real aerospace development cycles.
• Brief → Fly → Debrief → Revise.

Why Simulation Matters

• Turns equations into physical motion.
• Allows rapid iteration before major investment.
• Prevents “negative training” from entertainment-based simulators.
• Helps students feel aerodynamics instead of just calculating it.

Lessons Students Learn

• Iteration is essential to engineering success.
• Communication between engineers and pilots is critical.
• Not every bold design works—but every flight teaches something.
• Real-world aerospace is collaborative, not siloed.

Competition Highlights

• Hosted twice yearly (U.S. and UK).
• Open to international university teams.
• Awards for Best Flight Performance, Best Presentation, and Most Innovative Design.
• Winning university holds the traveling trophy until the next competition.

Careers & Real-World Impact

• Students have earned internships following the competition.
• IT FLIES strengthens resumes with practical, applied experience.
• Participants gain exposure to real aerospace industry processes.

0:00 – 1:17 | Introduction: What is IT FLIES? 1:18 – 5:00 | Origins of the Competition & Why Simulation Matters 5:01 – 10:57 | The Test Pilot Perspective: Real-World Design Cycles 10:58 – 16:26 | Aerodynamics Comes to Life: Feeling Lift & Drag 16:27 – 20:17 | Design Surprises & Iteration in Action 20:18 – 23:56 | Skills That Translate to Aerospace Careers 23:57 – 28:30 | International Competitions: U.S. & UK 28:31 – 32:09 | Awards, Innovation & Student Experience 32:10 – 39:52 | Fun Questions: Dream Aircraft, Destinations & Flight Legends 39:53 – End | Final Reflections: Iteration, Courage & the Future of Aerospace

IT FLIES Competition (ST Engineering Antycip): https://steantycip.com/events/

AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/

Blue skies, smart designs, and remember—great aircraft aren’t built in a single pass. They’re built through iteration, collaboration, and the courage to test your ideas.

In this episode of the Future in Flight podcast, host Shawn Staerker welcomes Robbie Sturdivant and Yuri Milner from Riverside Flight Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to discuss their unique approach to flight training and the success stories that have emerged over their 25 years in business. They delve into the advantages of training in Oklahoma's diverse weather conditions and bustling airspace, which prepares pilots for real-world challenges. Riverside Flight Center's student-first philosophy, commitment to high standards, and focus on creating well-rounded, safe, and competent pilots are highlighted throughout the conversation.

The discussion explores Riverside Flight Center's structured part 141 training program, their emphasis on visual flight training before introducing advanced technology, and the value of their in-house maintenance program. Robbie and Yuri share insights into how they address the pilot shortage by attracting both domestic and international students, fostering a positive learning environment, and offering a $25 discovery flight to break down barriers to entry. This episode provides valuable information for aspiring pilots and anyone interested in the future of flight training.

• Strategic Location: Oklahoma offers diverse weather and busy airspace, ideal for comprehensive training.
• Student-First Approach: Riverside Flight Center prioritizes student success with structured training and personalized attention.
• In-House Maintenance: On-site maintenance ensures high safety standards and well-maintained aircraft.
• Comprehensive Training: A blend of traditional methods and modern technology prepares pilots for various aviation careers.
• Addressing Pilot Shortage: Focus on domestic students and accessible discovery flights help grow the pilot community.

0:00 — 0:25 | Introduction to Riverside Flight Center and the Flight Training Landscape

0:26 — 1:16 | Location and Environment: Flying in Tulsa, Oklahoma

1:17 — 3:00 | Advantages of Training in Oklahoma's Weather and Airspace

3:01 — 4:08 | 25 Years of Success: Yuri's Vision for Riverside Flight Center

4:09 — 5:56 | Riverside Flight Center's Training Philosophy and Part 141 Structure

5:57 — 7:44 | Student-First Approach: Yuri's Philosophy on Flight Training

7:45 — 9:15 | Addressing the Pilot Shortage: Domestic vs. International Students

9:16 — 12:10 | A Typical Day at Riverside Flight Center: Concurrent Flight and Ground Training

12:11 — 13:53 | Aircraft and Technology: Foundational Visual Flight Training

13:54 — 16:16 | Simulation and Advanced Training: Integrating Technology

16:17 — 17:01 | Success Stories: Pilots Flying Worldwide

17:02 — 19:15 | Measuring Success: The Impact of Riverside Flight Center Graduates

19:16 — 21:43 | Maintenance Program: On-Site Maintenance and Safety Standards

21:44 — 23:47 | Examining Authority: Benefits for Students

23:48 — 26:41 | Motivation and Positivity: Maintaining High Success Rates

26:42 — 28:46 | Student Focus: Skills for Success in Flight Training

28:47 — 31:58 | Fun in Aviation: Discovery Flights and Introductory Experiences

31:59 — 34:20 | Overcoming Challenges: Focusing on Education and Excellent Pilots

34:21 — 35:30 | Riverside Flight Center's Commitment to the Aviation Community

35:31 — 37:10 | Connecting with Riverside Flight Center: Contact Information

37:11 — 39:19 | The Future of Flight Training: Adapting to Technology and Regulations

39:20 — 41:38 | Favorite In-Flight Snacks and Dream Aircraft

41:39 — 42:28 | Dream Co-Pilot/Passenger and Destination

42:29 — 43:31 | Closing Remarks and Contact Information

43:32 — 47:25 | Financing Challenges in Vocational Flight Training

47:26 — 50:00 | Shift in Mentality: Vocational vs. Collegiate Training

50:01 — 53:33 | Career Landscape: Opportunities Beyond Airlines and Final Thoughts

Riverside Flight Center: riversideflightcenter.com

Riverside Flight Center Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiversideFlightCenter/

AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/

Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/