|
|
Aviation Fun over the Holidays! |
|
|---|
|
Looking for aviation-related activities for the upcoming holidays? Here's some ideas:
- For Simmers, details on a new app from Navigraph Academy that interfaces with Microsoft Flight Sim is below.
- Interested in Drones? Both Educators and Veterans will love this new collab utilizing Drone Soccer for K-12 delivered by our friends at CrewConcept Drone Lab.
- Checkout the STEM kits, bundles and resources from NAVISPIRE.
|
|
|
|
|
Our December AviNation Rising Stars sponsored by ASA, Ben and David, are traveling very different paths pursuing their aviation dreams. We also share a video of Gracie, a prior AviNation magazine cover, giving her advice how to make it in the industry - ask for a mentor!
A heartfelt thank you to our December supporter NAVISPIRE, and our Cornerstone Sponsor, Envoy Air. Their dedication helps young people take flight—please take a moment to check out and support these great partners in youth aviation. And a big thanks to Funky Pilot Academy for the lessons and laughs.
Blue Skies and may you enjoy a peaceful and joyous holiday,
|
|
|---|
|
|
Prepare Your STEM Classroom with NAVISPIRE |
|
|---|
|
|
As the school year ramps up, now is the perfect time to check out Navispire, 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
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
|
|
What happens when a kid born into aviation paradise grows up surrounded by warbirds, bush planes, and breakfast fly-outs—and decides to make short-field flying his life’s calling? In this backcountry flying focused episode of the
Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker takes you deep into the world of STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aviation with pilot and competitor Sheldon Heatherington—a flyer whose story embodies the spirit of community, innovation, and grit that defines backcountry aviation.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
|
|
What happens when leadership meets grit, curiosity, and a genuine love for people? In this episode of the Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker spotlights Michelle Leon, Operations Manager at Levil Aviation, and one of aviation and manufacturing’s most powerful emerging voices.
The episode also shifts gears into a high-energy segment with several aviation photography tips, where Shawn and top creators break down how anyone—from smartphone shooters to DSLR pros—can capture jaw-dropping aircraft photos. From shutter speed to vapor trails, you’ll walk away ready to level up your aviation content. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Video Feature: Gracie Main Carmichael of CubCrafters |
|
|---|
|
|
Gracie Main Carmichael, Delivery Coordinator for CubCrafters, shares her experience how she found her way in the Aviation Industry: She asked for a mentor! Now two years since filming this video, she's still at Cubcrafters loving her role - must be great advice! |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
Congratulations December's
AviNation Rising Stars
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
My ultimate goal is to become a United States Air Force pilot, continuing a proud family legacy in military aviation.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
David has wanted to be a pilot since he was a toddler pointing at airplanes in the sky. Throughout the years, he never swayed from that goal changing only which aircraft he would fly: private planes, plane ferrying, crop dusting, or stunt pilot.
While David was fighting cancer at the age of four, he took a discovery flight at a local airport. When he turned fourteen, he learned to fly gliders over the summer. He completed the training and hours needed to fly solo as well as earning his B Badge for a 45 minute solo flight from a 3,000 foot tow. David plans to earn his private pilot certificate and work towards a career in aviation.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Educators, CFI's, Parents:
Do you have a Rising Star at your school or flight school
that deserves recognition? |
|
|---|
|
|
Veterans Serving Teachers -
A new initiative to launch aerospace pathways |
|
|---|
|
Drone technology is a powerful way to engage students and launch career skills pathways into aviation, computer science, and STEM fields. School districts interested in aerospace technology may receive help from military veterans who are now professionals into the drone industry. Last month a partnership was announced between national nonprofit Vets to Drones and CrewConcept Drone Lab, a veteran-owned educational vendor. This initiative will help districts secure grant funding to establish new pathways, employ veteran mentors to directly support teachers with classroom and after-school programs, and implement the exciting Drone Soccer Academy career skills curriculum. This hands-on curriculum uses buildable crashable indoor drones to teach real career skills with NGSS and FAA-aligned standards. Students learn to fly safely indoors and on virtual flight simulators, and are eligible to compete in virtual and head-to-head robotics competitions. All drone products are NDAA-compliant for purchase by federal funding (including JROTC and states such as AR, FL, MS, TN, & TX).
Grant support is available, read the full article for more information about this initiative.
Written by Kyle Sanders, CoFounder and CEO of CrewConcepts Drone Lab.
|
|
|---|
|
|
Navigraph, the leading provider of charts, navigation data, and planning tools for flight simulation, today announced the launch of Navigraph Academy, an online training platform designed to make aviation knowledge and skills more accessible to flight simulation enthusiasts around the world.
Navigraph Academy offers structured, instructor-led courses based on real-world pilot training. The first course, the Virtual Private Pilot License (VPPL) program, introduces simmers to the fundamentals of flying and navigation using Microsoft Flight Simulator as the primary training environment. The platform blends professional instruction with interactive elements to bring real-world aviation training into the home simulator experience.
|
|
|---|
|
|
BOOK OF THE MONTH:
The Charms Book Series (Books 1–7)
|
|
|---|
|
|
Welcome to the Charms Book Series — where adventure meets STREAM skills. Follow Attie McAllister, a fearless 15-year-old inventor, as she tackles mysteries, friendships, and epic projects with the help of her mentor, Aunt Loxley.
Each book is packed with action, life lessons, and a secret side of STEM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) that shows girls how to take charge of their future.
But the story doesn’t end on the page. Dive into Attie’s Journal for smart, sassy articles about school, friendships, and career exploration.
Unlock free downloads for every book — project planners, time trackers, code-breaking puzzles, and travel guides — designed to help teens build real-world life skills while they read.The first gift you need? A good story. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
UPCOMING AVINATION EVENTS |
|
|---|
|
|
|
Dates being scheduled for 2026
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.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
| |
This newsletter is made possible by the support of
AviNation's Cornerstone Supporter: |
|
|---|
|
|
| |
|
|
