AviNation

05/29/2026

05/15/2026

05/14/2026

Listen on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5uBrS8LCQg&t=872s

What does it take to build a life in aviation when the path refuses to stay straight?

Josh Blair grew up in a small Ohio town — seven minutes from a local airport that changed everything. He soloed at 16, earned his A&P, spent years in heavy maintenance on Boeing 767s, led turbine research programs at the University of Notre Dame, and then walked away from serious money — twice — because he just missed the airport.

His story is the heart of this episode. But there’s a lot more on the runway.

We’re also headed to the Warbirds Ramp at SUN ‘n FUN 2026, where our friend Vanzell Jenkins (VanzAir Inc.) sat down with active military aviators from three branches of the armed forces:
∙ “Strobe” — A-10 Warthog pilot, USAF, talking Close Air Support and what it means to protect troops from the air
∙ Cpl. Logan Wellingson — Blackhawk crew chief, Army 101st Airborne, deployed over the Red Sea at 23 years old
∙ “Huggy” and “Nova” — U-2 Dragon Lady and T-38 pilots from the oldest flying squadron in the US military, sharing what it takes to reach 70,000 feet

(You can hear Vanzell’s full interviews streaming soon on SnFRadio at LiveATC.net.)

And if you’re a student pilot or aspiring aviator, don’t miss our preview of AeroSummit 2026 — May 20–22 in Miami. Over 300 attendees, $20 million in scholarship resources, and a dedicated student track built for exactly where you are right now. Registration is open at now.

Every aviator in this episode found their way to the flightline by a different road. Yours is out there too.

🎧 Find Your Flightline — new episode out now.

Link in the comments.

Special “thank you” to FLYTE for being a part of the next generation of aviation through your support of The Future in Flight!

05/14/2026

Check out one of our founder's first video interviews...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Cnaz5IXaY

The mission has not changed since the beginning, only increased over the years!

Thank you to the Experimental Aircraft Channel for the interview!

05/14/2026

Max Smith
Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin
Burlington, Wisconsin

Max Smith is a junior honors student at Westosha Central High School in Wisconsin with a strong academic record and a growing passion for aviation. He has consistently demonstrated dedication to his studies while actively exploring opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

Since his freshman year, Max has been involved with Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin (ENPWI), a STEM aviation program that provides hands-on experience in aircraft construction, aviation systems, and flight training. Through ENPWI, he has participated in a variety of technical and educational activities that reflect real-world aviation practices.

Max has contributed to multiple aircraft build projects, gaining exposure to construction techniques, safety standards, and the teamwork essential in aviation maintenance and engineering. Working alongside mentors and industry professionals has helped him develop valuable insight into aircraft systems and the skills required in the field.

He is also an active and emerging leader within the program, regularly engaging in projects, contributing to discussions, and supporting fellow students. His curiosity, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn make him a valued member of the ENPWI team.

In addition to his aviation involvement, Max maintains strong academic performance with coursework focused on science, mathematics, and technology. He is currently on track to earn his Private Pilot License (PPL) this summer, an important step toward his goal of a career in aviation.

If you’re attending EAA AirVenture Oshkosh this year, be sure to stop by the ENPWI booth and meet Max and the team.

ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics)

05/12/2026

These travel guitars are amazing! Sign up for our giveaway by following the link below.

Sponsor Voyage Air Guitar has donated a VAD-O04DLX guitar to be given to an individual at the end of the sign-up period of June 11, 2026. Sponsor AviNationUSA will be promote the program to generat…

05/08/2026

These photos from the 2026 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo show exactly why AviNation Magazine is so unique.

We take aviation stories, career pathways, and industry supporters directly to the people who need to see them — at airshows, inside FBOs, flight schools, colleges, classrooms, aviation events, mentor groups, and family outreach across the country.

AviNation is not just sitting on a rack somewhere.

It is being placed in front of future pilots, future A&P mechanics, aerospace students, parents, educators, mentors, industry leaders, and people who are just beginning to discover aviation.

Our upcoming Summer issue will have distribution at all of the shows this summer season along with our continued outreach, school, FBO, and industry distribution all the way until our Fall issue comes out in October.

We are currently asking aviation industry players to consider supporting this issue through advertising.

Your support helps us continue promoting aviation careers, youth pathways, workforce development, mentorship, and the companies helping build the future of aviation.

We have limited advertising space available, and ad reservations are due the first week of June.

If your company wants to be seen supporting the next generation of aviation, we would love to connect.

05/07/2026

Excited to be part of AeroSummit 2026 this May 20-22 in Miami as a Title Sponsor.

There’s something different about bringing together people from across aviation — educators, operators, and innovators — all in one place with a shared focus on what’s next.

Looking forward to a few days of meaningful conversations, new connections, and fresh perspectives from across the industry.
If you’re thinking about attending, this is one you won’t want to sit out.

Be in the room. Register here: https://stratusaerosummit.com/

I look forward to reconnecting with familiar colleagues and meeting new movers and shakers! Let us together be the change that moves the needle!!!

05/06/2026

Listen to this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cj9zBTUSXOo

At 10 years old, standing on the flightline at SUN 'n FUN…
Kirk Fryar watched an airplane defy gravity—and it changed everything.

Fast forward 40 years:

He’s now leading avionics installs across the globe for Sarasota Avionics—Bangladesh, Greece, Brazil, Thailand—bringing modern cockpit technology to pilots everywhere.

✈️ This week on The Future in Flight Podcast:

We explore what a global aviation career really looks like—and why the runway doesn’t end at your home airport.

You’ll also hear:

🎥 Ellie catches up with BeSnappy at the SUN 'n FUN Press Center
😎 FLYTE talks about their first trip to SUN 'n FUN
🛩️ We explore the Montaer Aircraft MC-01 w/Andy Litak

This episode is a reminder:

You don’t need the whole plan—you just need to take the first step onto the runway.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform.

05/01/2026

Ahmad-Hassan Zubaidi
Union High School Innovation Lab
Tulsa, Oklahoma

I have always been someone who loves new experiences, trying new things, and seeing new sights. When I was enrolling for my Freshman year, I ended up seeing something I'd never seen before offered at my school: aviation. What began as simple curiosity for me bloomed into a fervent need. I enjoyed aviation and what it offered: new opportunities, possibilities, and experiences.

In my 2nd year of aviation at Union High School, my aviation teacher offered me the opportunity to represent the school district in the first-of-its-kind Oklahoma State Aviation Championship. Without hesitation, I took the chance at this new experience. After a week of practice, the hard work and dedication paid off. We made it to the Final Round of the championship, eventually placing 3rd out of 103 participating schools across Oklahoma.

Without a doubt, I can say that the Union Aerospace program has sparked my love for aviation. The world of aviation was opened to me through this program and I am committed to continue through it. I plan to see where I will be taken by the program, whether it will be for me to take flight as a pilot, guide aircraft as an air traffic controller, or even design and develop systems as an aerospace engineer.


ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics)