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Making (Aviation) Dreams a Reality |
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Keeping aviation dreams alive for future aviators takes a whole lot of passionate, smart people to accomplish.
We here at AviNation are honored to support a significant fundraiser to sustain the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube based in Texas. In keeping with the theme of the infamous Cannonball Run, the "Coast to Coast in 31hrs for Tango 31" will depart Jacksonville Beach, FL on May 1st and make it to San Diego Beach within 31 hours. Kevin Lacey, made famous on the series "Airplane Repo," started the club in 2017 with the sole mission to "give young people hands-on access to aviation and mentorship from seasoned professionals. It is taking a community of aviators to sustain it since Lacey's passing in February 2025. This fundraising event will help in that endeavor. |
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Kevin Lacey, center, with members of the Clube just prior to his passing. |
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This month's AviNation Rising Stars sponsored by ASA, Dino, Alex, and Cora are at very different points in their aviation journey. Check out their stories below.
A heartfelt thank you to our January supporter NAVISPIRE. Their hands-on STEM kits give students meaningful experiences and more time for educators!
AviNation is constantly on the move so come see us, subscribe to our Future in Flight Podcast, follow us on social, and share these monthly newsletters with your students, colleagues and friends...and enjoy our current AviNation Fall Magazine Issue! Be on the lookout for our Winter issue which will be released later this month.
Blue Skies,
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As students return from winter break, now is a great time to refresh your STEM plans for the rest of the school year. Navispire is your one-stop shop for aviation and STEM education resources.
From hands-on STEM kits to aviation-focused lesson plans and test prep materials, we help you give students meaningful, hands-on experiences—without extra prep time for you.
- Complete activity kits
- Exclusive discounts on Prepware
- Simplify preparation
- Teach with confidence
Navispire is powered by California Aeronautical University.
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Congratulations To This Month's
AviNation Rising Stars
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When I started taking aviation classes in high school, I was originally interested in becoming an aerospace engineer. After going on a Civil Air Patrol Orientation Flight, I discovered my passion for flying. Since that flight, I have tried to get involved with as many aviation organizations as possible. I began volunteering at Triple Tree Aerodrome and AviCom, a simulated flight competition in South Carolina. In Civil Air Patrol, I attended a powered flight academy, where I received my first 10 hours of flight instruction. Later that year, I was accepted into Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Wings program, which has funded the rest of my training for my private pilot certificate. I recently achieved the Civil Air Patrol’s second-highest cadet rank, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel, and received my private pilot certificate.
The best advice I can offer to someone interested in pursuing a career in aviation is to find an organization to take your first flight with and then try to become involved with as many organizations as possible. |
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Grand Forks, North Dakota
Helping a hot air balloon crew at age six got Alex hooked on flying. An EAA Young Eagles flight and Sporty's course led to a first try FAA written "pass." He challenged himself during high school, completing 47 college credits, his PPL, and the Fly Iowa Challenge. Currently enrolled in Commercial Aviation at UND and instrument training, he actively participates in aviation clubs (SAMA, LPA), and volunteers in the community as a prestigious Presidential Leadership Fellows member. Alex is passionate about service and using aviation for good, like improving medical access through Angel Flights, inspired by his grandmother's courageous cancer battle.
Alex lives by his advice that you can do anything you set your mind to and the sky is the limit if you use every setback as an opportunity to grow. Alex’s leadership, drive, integrity, citizenship, positive attitude, and passion for helping others is both infectious and inspiring. |
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Northhampton, MA
Cora started her aviation journey in January 2025 when she received a discovery flight for her birthday. She’s always enjoyed flying when we went on vacation, but that discovery flight was just the beginning. Since then she has enrolled in her local aviation school's ground school. When she's not in school she enjoys visiting local air museums, joining aviation groups, and visiting control tower centers in the area.
Cora's ultimate goal is to be a commercial pilot. Right now she is focusing on obtaining her Private Pilot License. |
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Educators, CFI's, Parents:
Do you have a Rising Star at your school or flight school
that deserves recognition? |
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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.
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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. |
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Hear 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.
Then enjoy 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.
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Listeners are taken on a forward-looking journey through the biggest shifts shaping aviation’s near future. From airline industry pressures and evolving airport experiences, to revolutionary changes in flight training and the FAA’s new MOSAIC rule.
Spotlight hands-on innovation with a deep dive into the Silverlight Aviation Recon, a versatile, trailerable experimental aircraft designed to solve real-world ownership challenges like hangar shortages and rising costs—without sacrificing performance or fun.
The episode wraps with expert insight from Lou Mancuso, “The Landing Doctor,” whose unconventional training philosophy has helped produce safer pilots and buttery-smooth landings through a return to fundamentals.
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BOOK OF THE MONTH:
THE FLIPSIDE
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Meet Michelle "MACE" Curran |
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Michelle Wasn't Born Fearless.
She Learned How to Flip Into Action. |
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A Special Message from Michelle for AviNation Readers:
“Aviation teaches you very quickly that confidence doesn’t come from having all the answers. It comes from learning how to respond when you don’t.
The Flipside is about building that inner skill set early, learning to quiet self-doubt, take action in the face of uncertainty, and trust yourself through the uncomfortable parts of growth. Those are the skills that don’t just make better pilots. They make better leaders in any career.” |
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Across the country, schools are introducing students to drones at very different speeds. Some states have robust, integrated drone education pipelines connected to career pathways, while others are only beginning to recognize drones as more than a hobby.
So, where does your state fall? Think of drone education as a timeline ranging from five years behind to right on pace with the future of aerospace education.
6-10 Years Behind: Drones Are Toys
At this stage, drones are still seen as gadgets, not tools. Educators, parents, and administrators may say,
“My kid has one of those,” without realizing the deeper educational and career potential drones offer.
Drones might appear occasionally in classrooms or clubs, but usually as novelties rather than learning instruments. There’s no structured curriculum, no safety framework, and little connection to STEM or CTE education.
The challenge here isn’t technology it’s mindset. The first step forward is recognizing that drones aren’t toys; they’re learning platforms for engineering, coding, design, and problem-solving.
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Video Feature:
Tram Talk with Chase Lee, Lakeland Aero Club |
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UPCOMING AVINATION SCHEDULE |
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Contact Tom Flavin, Business Development Manager, to discuss how to bring the Tour to your school or organization. 310-709-0844 or Tom@elevatorpitch.surf.
EVENTS
Buckeye Air Fair
February 13th - 15th
Buckeye, AZ
The Buckeye Air Fair, featuring the AOPA Fly-In, returns February 13–15, 2026, to the Buckeye Municipal Airport. This premier event welcomes over 35,000 enthusiasts for a spectacular celebration of aviation, STEM and entertainment.
Experience elite performers delivering precision stunts Friday through Sunday afternoons. The crown jewel is the Saturday Night Airshow on February 14 at 5:30 p.m., featuring breathtaking pyrotechnics and a massive fireworks finale, a perfect Valentine’s date under the stars.
Unity in Flight : Air and STEM Expo
February 28th
Houston, TX
SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo
April 14th - 19th
Lakeland, FL
AeroSummit
May 20th - 22nd
Miami, FL
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Step into the world of FunkyPilot Academy, where every character and airplane has a unique story to tell! Here, you’ll meet the courageous pilots, curious kids, and quirky personalities that make this series a soaring adventure. Each character brings something special to the team, from the seasoned wisdom of Captain Jack to the enthusiastic energy of the academy’s youngest recruits.
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