Flying high: Nick Hoffman on music, GA, SiriusXM Aviation

Nick first soloed as a teenager, earning his private pilot certificate at 18. “My life is truly measured in before and after that moment,” he recalls. Flying became a lifelong passion.

Today, Nick and a friend own a bright yellow Glasair Sportsman, affectionately called Pikachu. “It’s like a 182 on steroids,” he says. As an experimental aircraft, it offers flexibility and customization that can’t be found in the certified world.

But beyond performance, safety and awareness are paramount. Nick first discovered SiriusXM Aviation in a rented Piper Arrow equipped with a GTN 650. It quickly became indispensable. “Why wouldn’t I fly with SiriusXM? I’m all about being safe and having fun,” he explains. The combination of real-time weather and in-flight entertainment struck the perfect balance between practicality and enjoyment.

For Nick, the real value comes when conditions get challenging. “The goal is situational awareness, and SiriusXM is your ace in the hole,” he says. During instrument training and later in solo flights in instrument meteorological conditions, SiriusXM’s weather products helped to provide clarity and confidence.

He vividly remembers his first solo in IMC — a rite of passage for every instrument pilot. “No matter how much you’ve trained, the first time is terrifying. Every sound feels different, everything is heightened.” With SiriusXM weather, he had a picture of what lay ahead. That confidence, he says, transformed the flight from frightening to simply intense.

Now, whether hosting a TV show, performing on stage, or flying his Sportsman, Nick embraces adventure in every form. For him, SiriusXM adds more than convenience—it helps to add confidence, and a little music along the way.

“In the end, it’s about safety, awareness, and enjoying the ride,” he says. “SiriusXM just makes all of that better.”

To learn more about SiriusXM Aviation and start your 3-month trial for AOPA members, visit aopa.org/siriusxm.