What happens when you give a kid a model aircraft… and let curiosity take over?
In this episode, we sit down with Martin Thompson — entrepreneur, aviation advocate, author, and winner of Beauty and the Geek — to unpack a remarkable journey that started at age 7, turned into a business at 10, and evolved into a mission to change how young people discover aviation.
Martin shares how leaving school at 13, choosing a non-academic path, and saying yes to hands-on experiences shaped everything that followed — from running businesses, appearing on Channel 4’s Battle of Britain, travelling to Bangladesh, winning Beauty and the Geek, and ultimately building an ecosystem of aviation businesses that fund his real purpose: giving kids the chance to experience flight.
This conversation isn’t just about model aircraft.
It’s about confidence, curiosity, frustration, risk… and why experience matters more than direction.
In this episode, we cover:
✈️ Starting model flying at 7 — and launching a business at 10
📚 Running a business through school & leaving education at 13
📺 Channel 4’s Battle of Britain & winning Beauty and the Geek
🌍 Travelling to Bangladesh and writing his first book
🎙 Podcasting and meeting reality TV personalities around the world
💥 Walking out of a UAV company and rebuilding from frustration
🏢 Buying Wings & Wheels, Propguy & Black Raven Aerosports
💻 Why he owns 20 laptops
🧠 The powerful link between childhood hobbies and lifelong careers
👨👩👧 Advice for kids who don’t fit the academic system — and parents who want to help
Key takeaway:
“Give kids an experience — and let them take it wherever they want.”
Whether you remember Martin from Beauty and the Geek, work in aviation or STEM, or simply care about helping young people find their path, this episode offers powerful perspective and practical inspiration.
👇 Let us know in the comments:
What experience changed your path?
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Hi, I'm Matt when I’m not busy working my 'day job' in tech I like to spend time doing my main hobby which is all things related to radio controlled aircraft.
On this channel you will find videos of plane builds, , model shows, flights, crashes (hopefully not many) and tutorials.
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