In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys welcomes Captain Steve Scheibner, a veteran naval aviator, commercial airline captain, and leadership mentor whose career and life were forever altered by a fateful twist of history. Beginning his career as a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion pilot, Scheibner played a vital role in Cold War anti-submarine warfare, where decentralized command and trust were essential to mission success. Transitioning into commercial aviation with American Airlines, he expanded his skills and perspectives as a professional aviator.

On September 11, 2001, a last-minute scheduling change kept Scheibner from being in the cockpit of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane hijacked that morning. That near miss reframed his life’s purpose, compelling him to integrate leadership, faith, and mentorship into every aspect of his journey. He went on to design Navy core values training that impacted over 10,000 service members, founded a thriving church in Maine, and built programs that bridge the gap between military discipline and personal character development.

Today, Scheibner is known to many as “Captain Steve” through his popular aviation YouTube channel with more than 800,000 followers. His unique blend of operational expertise, theological insight, and leadership training makes him a sought-after speaker and mentor. Whether conducting Cold War missions, guiding airline crews, or inspiring audiences worldwide, Scheibner exemplifies purposeful living rooted in core values, resilience, and service.

His story demonstrates how moments of fate can fuel a lifelong mission to lead with integrity and make every day count—lessons as relevant in the ready room as they are in civilian life.

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Highlights and YouTube Chapters: