What happens when an old pilot’s logbook sparks a new generation of aviators? In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker introduces us to Brandon Martini, Co-CEO of Stratus Financial, whose personal journey from maxed-out credit cards to helping 1,000 new pilots earn their wings proves one thing: the dream of flight doesn’t have to stay out of reach. From starting a flight school with one plane and a $96 office, to launching a financial platform that partners with over 400 flight schools, Brandon’s story is a blueprint for perseverance and innovation in aviation finance.

Then, Shawn takes us on a deep dive into the Aeroverse — the new streaming platform built exclusively for aviation lovers — and closes with a high-energy look into the fast-growing global sport of Drone Soccer, where coding, flight, and competition collide to inspire the next generation of aviators.

This episode is all about visionaries — the ones who don’t wait for permission to make aviation more accessible, more entertaining, and more inclusive.

✨ Thank you to ASA (Aviation Supplies and Academics) for helping us reach the next generation of aviators and aviation enthusiasts!

0:00 – 0:44 | Introduction: When the cost of flight becomes the challenge