Soaring With Shawn is your ultimate destination for all things gliding! Join veteran aviator Shawn as he takes you behind the scenes of the exhilarating world of soaring—from thrilling competition circuits and epic long-distance flights to expert tips on self-launch glider training. Whether you're an aspiring pilot or a seasoned soaring enthusiast, this channel delivers high-altitude insights, awe-inspiring visuals, and deep dives into the latest aviation news and policy. Buckle up and catch the thermal—Soaring With Shawn is where passion for flight meets real-world experience!
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LET'S FLY!!
SHAWN
KNICKERBOCKER
Hey there! I’m Shawn Knickerbocker, and aviation has been a part of my life for, well... just over 57 years now.
I've logged more than 25,000 flight hours flying everything from gliders and helicopters to classics like the DC-3 and even the legendary B-17. I’m a Certified Flight Instructor—Gold Seal, actually—and I’ve had the privilege of training and evaluating countless pilots over the years, both as an instructor and as a former FAA Designated Pilot Examiner.
My journey has taken me through the military as a Chief Warrant Officer in both the U.S. Army and National Guard, flying missions and teaching others how to do the same safely and effectively. Later, I served as a senior pilot with Homeland Security, and I’ve done contract work flying ISR missions with Air Tech.
I also work as an aviation consultant and expert witness, helping folks understand what really happened in complex aviation cases—things like in-flight breakups, wire strikes, and controlled flight into terrain. If it flies, and especially if something went wrong, there’s a good chance I’ve seen it before.
Along the way, I’ve picked up a few honors—Master CFI, FAA Master Pilot, and some military medals I’m proud of. And if you want to chat about Night Vision Goggle ops, helicopter fire suppression, or long-range cross-country soaring... I’m your guy.
Thanks for tuning in—whether you’re here to learn, fly, or just talk shop, I’m glad to share the sky with you!
