Brian Shul is one of the most popular and dynamic keynote speakers in America today. His compelling story of living fearlessly and embracing the opportunities each day brings, resonates with men and woman of all ages. As an Air Force fighter pilot, Brian was shot down in the Vietnam War and severely burned in the ensuing crash. Initially given up for dead, he was finally rescued and spent one year in hospitals, endured 15 surgeries and was told his flying days were over. Amazingly, Brian returned to active duty flying, became an Airshow Demonstration pilot, went on to become a TOPGUN instructor, and culminated his Air Force career by flying the Top Secret spy plane, the SR-71. Flying the world’s fastest and highest flying aircraft required an astronaut physical and Brian made Air Force history when he passed with no waivers. Brian retired from the Air Force in 1990 and pursued his writing and photography interests. Internationally known for his incredible aviation photography, he wrote the first book about flying the Blackbird, illustrated with his own photos. It was Aviation Book of the Year and is today the single most popular book worldwide on the SR-71. Brian masterfully uses his aviation slides and stories as a vehicle to tell a broader inspired story of hope, overcoming obstacles and daring to dream. From lying near death in the jungles of Southeast Asia to flying the world’s fastest jet, Brian shares his amazing story in this most unforgettable one-of-a-kind presentation.

Brian Shul

Brian Shul graduated from East Carolina University in 1970 with a degree in History and Anthropology. For the next 20 years he served as an Air Force fighter pilot. During the Viet Nam War he flew 212 close air support missions. Shot down near the Cambodian border, he was unable to eject and forced to ride his plane into the jungle. Severely burned in the ensuing crash, he was given up for dead. Rescued by Special Forces, Brian endured one year in military hospitals where he underwent 15 surgical procedures and was told he would never fly again. After much physical therapy, Brian miraculously returned to active duty flying. He went on to fly the A-7, the A-10, and then instructed at the Air Force’s TopGun School. He culminated his Air Force career by flying our nation’s Top Secret spy plane, the SR-71 Blackbird, the fastest aircraft ever built. Brian flew covert missions in the Blackbird for 4 years and was the pilot who provided President Reagan with detailed photos of Libyan terrorist camps in 1986. During that time he became the only SR-71 pilot in history to fly 3 missions on 3 consecutive days. Retiring from the Air Force in1990, Brian pursued his writing and photography interests. He was the first pilot to write a book about flying the Blackbird, completely illustrated with his own photography. This book won Aviation Book of the Year honors and is today the single most popular book on that plane worldwide. He is also the only man to fly extensively with both the Navy Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds as a photo-journalist. Brian’s remarkable comeback story has inspired audiences nationwide as he is in high demand as a keynote speaker. Brian is a Spirit of Freedom Award winner, and in 2011 was inducted into the Air Force Legends Hall of Fame. Brian owns Gallery One in California where his nationally acclaimed nature photography is on display.

This session covers Pre-Flight, Flight Planning, Weather and iPad Readiness. Bring your iPad charged, apps loaded, and data updated. Follow along with the session leader as real-world scenarios are used to demonstrate what proficiency looks like. Test your own skills. Prizes will be given to those answering questions correctly. This is a fun way to learn and win!

Charles Scheider, President, MyGoFlight

Charlie is an instrument rated pilot and a staunch advocate of pilots properly using advanced technology in-flight. He has always flown with an EFB starting with the use of heavy and expensive laptop computers. When the iPad became available, Charlie saw that as an opportunity to bring low cost, securable, easy to use devices such as an iPad to all pilots to make flying safer, simpler, and more fun. His popular seminar series, iPad Takes Flight!, has been given to thousands of pilots over the years.

Dr. Gregory Pinnell is a board certified Family Practitioner and Senior Aviation Medical Examiner in Saginaw, Michigan. He serves as a Senior Flight Surgeon for the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base as Deputy Chief of Space Bioastronautics for Human Space Flight Support serving NASA. He is a member of EAA’s Aeromedical Advisory Council he also serves as an adjunct professor teaching Aviation Physiology at Western Michigan University College of Aviation.

In this action-packed briefing, NORAD F-15 and F-16 pilots will provide practical steps to avoid Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) and what to do if you are intercepted. This seminar is approved for FAA WINGS credit.

Considering an international flight in your own or your company's aircraft? Don't know where to start? Here are the things a pilot must know for any international general aviation flight. From ferry tank installation to survival equipment to handlers, there is preparation needed before a launch off into another country. Be as prepared as a Boy Scout after this talk by ferry pilot, Abingdon Welch, who has flown aircraft as far south as Panama, west as Australia and China, and north as Alaska.

Ramp checks, letters of investigation from FAA Inspectors, telephone numbers given by ATC to call after landing, in-flight ATC queries... Make sure you understand your rights, what is happening, and potential consequences before you respond!

Justine Harrison, Esq., Harrison Counsel

Justine’s practice focuses on corporate and aviation law. As a multi-enginem instrument rated pilot and aircraft owner/operator, Justine brings an intimate understanding of aviation issues to her practice as well as experience in aviation transactions, FAA matters and NTSB matters.

When do you load versus activate? When do you switch the CDI needle from GPS to the ILS or VOR? What’s the difference between LPV, LNAV, LNAV+V, LP and the other minimums you can now use when flying a GPS approach? Max Trescott specializes in teaching how to use modern GPSs and has authored two books on the subject.

Max Trescott, CFI, Author

After 25 years in high tech, Max devotes full time to teaching flying, writing, consulting and giving seminars. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area and specializes in teaching in Cirrus Aircraft and G1000-equipped airplanes. He is the 2008 National Flight Instructor of the Year.

Dr. Hastings is a physician with dual board certification in neurology and aerospace medicine. He served 36 years as an AME and senior AME. He has taught initial and recurrent training for AME’s at FAA seminars for 33 years. He serves as a senior neurological consultant to the Federal Air Surgeon. Dr. Hastings holds teaching clinical positions in aerospace medicine programs at the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston and Wright State University. He has authored chapters in aviation medicine texts and was a contributing author to ICAO’s Civil Aviation Manual. Dr. Hastings is a past president of the Aerospace Medicine Association and Civil Aviation Medical Association and served for 14 years as chairman of the EAA Aeromedical Advisory Council. Dr. Hastings holds a commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings and has accumulated 6200 flying hours in 46 years. He is a Chicago native now residing in Tulsa, OK.

Fly along on an audio-visual tour with stunning aerial and ground photography with John Kounis, editor of Pilot Getaways, who has spent the last 16 years crisscrossing the country to research the best fly-in weekend getaways, airport restaurants, and even complete flying vacations for the magazine.

The FAA’s NextGen ATC modernization project has evolved from the nebulous planning stage to stark reality. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a brave new world of satellite-based air traffic management, from the upcoming ADS-B equipment mandate to WAAS LPV approach capability and everything in between.

Stephen Pope, Sr. Editor, Flying Magazine - Moderator. Panelists: Tom Harper, Avidyne, Garmin and others.

Stephen Pope is a longtime aviation journalist and pilot. He grew up in northern New Jersey, where he started taking flying lessons at the age of 15 at a small grass strip in a Piper J-3 Cub. While in high school he worked as a line boy at the East 60th Street Heliport in New York City and First Aviation Services at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport, as well as a reporter for several local newspapers.