What if aerospace engineering students didn’t just design aircraft on paper—but actually watched real test pilots fly their creations? In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker takes you inside IT FLIES, an innovative international design-build-fly competition where students bring their aircraft concepts to life in high-fidelity simulators used in real-world aircraft development.

We hear from competition leaders and test pilots about how simulation transforms abstract aerodynamics into hands-on experience—and why iteration, feedback, and collaboration between engineers and pilots mirrors the real aerospace industry.

Then, Shawn sits down with Nate Ehlers—C-17 instructor pilot, airline captain, and founder of the Backseat Pilot training system. Nate shares his unconventional path through civilian training, regional airlines, and the Air Force Reserve, proving that persistence beats rejection every time. From landing with light gun signals after a radio failure to building a tool that’s helped thousands of CFIs save time and money, his story is one of innovation born from challenge.

Finally, we break down one of aviation’s universal languages: V-speeds. From V1 and rotation to maneuvering speed and landing reference speeds, this segment demystifies the “cheat codes” that keep pilots safe and aircraft performing at their best.

This episode is about bridging theory and reality, turning obstacles into opportunity, and understanding the language of flight.

Thank you to our partners:

IT FLIES: From Theory to Test Flight

Nate Ehlers’ Aviation Journey

C-17 Flying Highlights

V-Speeds: The Language of Flight

0:00 – Introduction: Engineering meets real-world flight

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

IT FLIES Competition: https://steantycip.com/events/it-flies-usa-2026/