First Flight

First Flight with Hendrik Hoppe

Hendrik Hoppe on Airplane Wing

For hobbyist pilot Hendrik Hoppe, the journey into the skies was a long and winding one. Growing up in Eastern Germany, achieving a dream of personal aviation simply wasn’t an option. “I was born and grew up in Eastern Germany,” Hoppe said. “(General) aviation was not existing at all, because somebody could easily take a…

Read More

Latest

Articles Transportation
First Flight with Jimmy Fordham

After 50 years in the air, it may be a fair question to ask Jimmy Fordham if he has spent more time on earth or in its skies. “My dad was really the person that got me interested in flying. I was very thankful that he enjoyed aviation because he put a real love of…

Read More
First Flight
First Flight with Larry Gaines

Larry Gaines is the leader of B2OSH, or Bonanzas to Oshkosh! Every year he groups up with other pilots to make the trek to Oshkosh in their Bonanzas. Aspen Avionics took some time to sit down with Larry and find out where his passion for flying came from, and why he continues to fly today….

Read More

Latest

Johnnie Akin
From Deloitte to Startup CEO: Johnnie Akin on Risk, Faith, and Reinvention
November 5, 2025

Success today looks different—defined less by stability and more by the freedom to adapt and evolve. Professionals across industries are reimagining their careers, moving away from predictable ladders toward paths that reflect purpose and balance. What once meant climbing steadily toward partnership or promotion now often means taking bold pivots or pursuing second acts…

Read More
caregiver
From Caregiver to Changemaker: How Purpose and Community Create Lasting Impact
November 5, 2025

Resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges — it’s about leading with compassion, patience, and faith, even when the path feels uncertain. It’s a quality embodied by every caregiver, whose daily acts of care and commitment reflect the essence of true leadership — helping others grow stronger through empathy, service, and understanding. In this episode…

Read More
leaders
Great Leaders Share Knowledge, Build Trust, and Empower Future Talent
November 3, 2025

The conversation around skilled trades is shifting fast. After decades of “college for all” messaging, trade school enrollment is climbing steadily, signaling a renewed respect for hands-on, high-skill careers that literally keep the world running. In commercial HVAC and mechanical service, this change is not just academic — it’s shaping the next generation of leaders…

Read More
NBA
Slow Stories in a Fast League: Why the NBA Still Deserves Real, In-Depth Journalism
November 3, 2025

In a sports world increasingly defined by short-form clips, social algorithms, and viral takes, long-form storytelling remains a vital counterweight — the place where depth, nuance, and narrative still matter. The NBA, perhaps more than any other league, sits at the center of this tension: every quote can become a meme, every story a highlight…

Read More