Dream Machines and Whiteboard Ideas — AeroSummit 2026, Part 2

Show Notes: "Live From AeroSummit 2026" — Part 2 The Future in Flight Podcast Episode Summary Shawn Staerker is back on the ground at AeroSummit 2026 in Miami for Part 2 of this field series, sitting down with three guests who are each closing gaps in aviation in their own way. First up, DeWuan Roberson of Bridge Air explains how a structured time-building program out of Glendale, Arizona is helping pilots bridge the gap between flight instructing and the airlines. Then Jacob Fenton of Tecnam joins Shawn to talk MOSAIC, the next generation of Tecnam's light aircraft lineup, and why the company's Italian design philosophy pairs beauty with performance. Finally, Stratus Financial co-founders Anthony Geraci and Brandon Martini share the whiteboard origin story behind their flight training finance company — and how that same instinct for community-building led them to create AeroSummit itself, plus a preview of their next event, Ascend, coming to Dallas this September. Note: One more episode in the "Live From AeroSummit 2026" series is on the way. Key Points Bridge Air — DeWuan Roberson Bridge Air operates a structured time-building program out of Glendale, Arizona, flying Pipistrel Alpha Trainers to help pilots move past the plateau around 200–300 hours toward airline minimums. The program flows directly into Mesa Airlines and Republic Airways, giving CFIs a clear next step once they've hit a time-building wall. Bridge Air flew one of its own Alpha Trainers from Glendale to Miami for AeroSummit — a roughly 29-hour cross-country flight for the fleet's 80-horsepower Rotax-powered aircraft. Tecnam — Jacob Fenton Tecnam is a three-generation, family-owned Italian manufacturer where every family member — and every engineer — flies. The upcoming P2006T NG twin adds a third door, Rotax 912 iS engines, a new Garmin autopilot, and an ultra-lux Grand Lusso interior option; the P2008 NG will offer both 912 and 916 engine options. Tecnam's new Astore, built for the MOSAIC light sport category, will be the first MOSAIC aircraft to offer an in-house-developed air conditioning unit. Southern Cross now handles parts and service support for Tecnam's full U.S. fleet, stocking parts across multiple time zones stateside. Stratus Financial & AeroSummit — Anthony Geraci & Brandon Martini Stratus Financial was born out of a whiteboard session during COVID, after Anthony (a "recovering attorney") learned to fly under Brandon's instruction and the two identified a lack of financing access for flight training. That same community-first philosophy led the pair to launch AeroSummit itself, built around the idea that a rising tide raises all ships across the industry. Stratus, AeroSummit, and NAFI (the National Association of Flight Instructors) are partnering on Ascend, a new event coming to Dallas this September, priced affordably for students and flight instructors. Both founders see MOSAIC and Part 141 modernization as catalysts for a coming "aviation renaissance" — more affordable aircraft, more accessible training, and a growing need for pilots even as new technologies like supersonic and point-to-point travel emerge. Timestamps 00:00 — Cold Open: Live from AeroSummit 2026, Miami 01:30 — Intro to Bridge Air and DeWuan Roberson 02:15 — Interview: DeWuan Roberson, Bridge Air — time-building program, Pipistrel fleet, industry outlook 11:58 — Intro to Tecnam and Jacob Fenton 12:43 — Interview: Jacob Fenton, Tecnam — MOSAIC lineup, next-gen aircraft, family company legacy 29:58 — Intro to Stratus Financial / AeroSummit founders 30:43 — Interview: Anthony Geraci & Brandon Martini — Stratus Financial origin story, AeroSummit, Ascend preview 43:43 — Show Close: recap, series preview, subscribe & review CTA Links Bridge Air: bridge-air.net Tecnam: tecnam.com Stratus Financial / AeroSummit: stratusaerosummit.com Ascend Flight Training Conference: ascendflighttrainingsummit.com/ AviNation USA: avinationusa.com