Episode Summary

What happens when a lifelong aviation enthusiast turns passion into a multifaceted career in air shows and military service?

In this episode of The Future in Flight Podcast, host Shawn Staerker sits down with Jeremy Meyers, a Technical Sergeant in the Air Force, operations manager for the NextGen Eagles Aerobatic Team, and founder of Brakes Off Media. From his early days as a five-year-old captivated by the Thunderbirds to launching aircraft in Iraq and mentoring the next generation, Jeremy shares his inspiring journey through aviation. This episode is about persistence, passion, and the impact of mentorship in shaping the future of aviation.

Thank you to our newest show supporters, Flyte sunglasses! “Light on weight, not on quality.”  Check out their incredible selection at flyte.aero!

Key Points
Jeremy Meyers’ Journey

• Fell in love with aviation at age five at Felts Field, Spokane, inspired by the Thunderbirds and B-52s.


• Attended over 140 air shows across multiple countries, including a memorable lunch with General Chuck Yeager in 2009.


• Served 19+ years in the Air Force as a maintainer and crew chief on F-15s and F-16s, with deployments to Iraq, Pakistan, and the UAE.


• Founded Brakes Off Media to revitalize the air show industry through storytelling, photography, and mentorship.


• Operations manager for the NextGen Eagles, managing ground operations for their iconic Christian Eagle biplane performances.


• Pursuing a master’s in mental health counseling to support the aviation community’s well-being.

Lessons from Jeremy’s Story

• Mentorship is critical for success in the fast-paced air show industry.


• Persistence and clear communication are key to navigating challenges and building a professional reputation.


• Aviation offers diverse career paths, from maintenance to media, beyond just piloting.

Chapter Timestamps

• 0:00 – 1:39 | Introduction: From a young aviation enthusiast to a multifaceted career


• 1:40 – 24:27 | Jeremy Meyers’ Journey: Air shows, military service, and Brakes Off Media


• 24:28 – 31:49 | Next Gen Eagles: Behind the scenes of their aerobatic performances


• 31:50 – 43:36 | Military Career: Maintainer to crew chief to instructor


• 43:37 – 46:45 | Mental Health in Aviation: Addressing a critical need


• 46:46 – 48:22 | Under His Wing: Jeremy’s guiding philosophy


• 48:23 – 54:44 | Closing Reflections: Motivation, advice, and fun questions

Links

• Brakes Off Media FB: https://www.facebook.com/brakesoffmedia/


• Flyte Sunglasses: flyte.aero


• Next Gen Eagles: thenextgeneagles.com


• AviNation USA: avinationusa.com


• Creative Relay Media: creativerelaymedia.com