There’s an assumption that progress means newer, faster, more automated. But I think real progress is knowing where we all came from before we decide… - Kate Broug

When I first set foot in Aishalton, I brought with me a convenient dichotomy: the miners as villains, the villagers as victims. But the truth is far more complex. The miners, many of them actually themselves Indigenous peoples (and some even Aishalton villagers) are not only plunderers, they are also survivors, navigating a harsh reality in which environmental exploitation often feels like the only way out. And the villagers, far from being passive, are changing too — trying to become true stewards of the forest, armed with a professional grasp of aviation tech. It has become a story about two ways of living, each struggling to survive.

Aviation is full of untapped narratives. Whether it’s the spirit of our early aviators or the technological leaps we’re seeing today – there’s always something new to discover.

The Stearman demands a lot—both in upkeep and in regular flight. There’s no autopilot, no insulation from the elements, nothing between you and the air but your own ability.