Welcome to episode 89 of The Hangar Z Podcast Brought to you by Vertical Valor Magazine.

Our guest, Erik Sabiston, developed a lifelong fascination with aviation as a young man. A former US Army Blackhawk pilot, author of the best-selling book "Dustoff 7-3 Saving Lives Under Fire in Afghanistan", the founder of RTAG,  co-founder of the ICARUS device, current airline pilot, and owner of Sabiston Consulting.  Erik takes us on his unique journey, from his early days in the music industry to living off the grid,  then to the military as a pilot, and ultimately to becoming a legacy airline pilot.

Erik’s dedication to the aviation industry extends beyond the cockpit. His experiences transitioning from military to civilian life inspired him to create RTAG, a charity focused on veteran hiring within the aviation industry. We explore the ups and downs of this transition period, and how Erik’s organization strives to support veterans in their journey. We also dive into discussing the process of becoming an airline pilot and the benefits of transition programs for military personnel. Erik talks about his exit from RTAG and what he is doing now with his consulting business where he is still helping veterans and civilians achieve their dream of a career in aviation.

The episode concludes with Erik sharing his personal encounters from his military service, including an unforgettable military medevac incident. We reflect on the significance of rigorous training and the role it plays in life-threatening scenarios.

This episode is part one of a two-part series. Stand by to hear part two.

I would like to thank our sponsors Metro Aviation SHOTOVER and CNC Technologies as well as our supporters on Patreon.