🎧 Episode Summary
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 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.
From his early days flying a beat-up Cherokee to competing in National STOL events across the U.S., Sheldon shares how determination, precision, and passion turned him into one of the sport’s most inspiring figures. Shawn also takes you behind the scenes of Bushwheel Base Camp at the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo—a grassroots aviation gathering where bush planes, acoustic jams, and incredible food collide.
Finally, the episode’s Trailblazers of the Skies segment introduces listeners to Noel Wien, the pioneer who brought aviation to Alaska and helped build one of America’s first airlines.
This episode celebrates aviation at its most adventurous—from gravel bars in Alaska to grass strips in Florida—and reminds us that you don’t need a big runway to dream big.
✨ Key Points
Sheldon Heatherington’s Journey
•First airplane ride at one week old, growing up in the pilot community of Spruce Creek, Florida.
•Learned to fly in a worn-out Cherokee 140—his “most clapped-out but most expensive” training plane.
•Fell in love with STOL flying after seeing Mike Patey’s Draco at EAA AirVenture 2018.
•Competes in National STOL events across the U.S. with his modified Zenith CH750 “Redbird.”
•Passionate advocate for accessibility in aviation—encouraging new pilots through National STOL’s Rookie Class.
The World of STOL Flying
•STOL = Short Takeoff and Landing—planes capable of lifting off in under 50 feet and landing in even less.
•Modern STOL competitions combine precision, performance, and spectacle, attracting thousands of spectators.
•Events range from Alaska’s gravel bars to National STOL meets in Nashville, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
•Community-driven and family-friendly—open pits, mentorship programs, and volunteer opportunities welcome all.
Bushwheel Base Camp at SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo
•A full-fledged aviation village dedicated to backcountry flying.
•Features the STOL Invitational, “Pickin’ & Grinnin’” jam sessions, Cajun Jambalaya Night, and student outreach programs.
•Pilots and homebuilders showcase aircraft like the Alpha 1 and Patriot bush planes.
•An open invitation for anyone to join, volunteer, or just hang out among the aviation family.
Trailblazers of the Skies: Noel Wien
•The “Father of Alaskan Aviation,” Wien founded Alaska’s first airline in 1927.
•First to fly across the Bering Strait—connecting America and Asia.
•Earned U.S. pilot license #39, signed by Orville Wright.
•Proved that aviation could conquer distance, terrain, and doubt—forever changing life in Alaska.
🕒 Chapter Timestamps
0:00 – 0:44 | Intro: The magic of short-field flying
0:45 – 9:40 | Sheldon Heatherington’s early aviation roots and training days
9:41 – 11:58 | STOL competitions: From Valdez to National STOL
11:59 – 14:28 | The Redbird: Inside Sheldon’s Zenith CH750 and the art of precision flying
14:29 – 18:16 | Bushwheel Base Camp at SUN ’n FUN: A new frontier for backcountry aviation
18:17 – 24:30 | Trailblazers of the Skies: Noel Wien—the pilot who brought flight to Alaska
24:31 – end | Closing reflections: Aviation’s growing frontier
🔗 Links
Sheldon Heatherington: https://www.instagram.com/sheldonphotoguy/
National STOL: https://nationalstol.com/
Bushwheel Base Camp: https://flysnf.org/activities/aircraft/bushwheel-basecamp/
AviNation USA: https://www.avinationusa.com/
Creative Relay Media: https://creativerelaymedia.com/