# Reimagining The Future of Aviation Training with Ted Slusher, founder & CEO of Silent Crown

- Show: [Tough Tech Vets](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets)
- Published: 2024-11-25
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 1
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d258bc2

## Summary

Ted Slusher, founder and CEO of Silent Crown, and former Air Force pilot, explains how his company is reshaping military aviation training by replacing outdated 'chair flying' methods with advanced synthetic simulation environments that build critical thinking. He details the transition from his 524 combat missions to entrepreneurship, highlighting the shift from rigid military structures to the agile, high-agency culture required for a startup. Slusher emphasizes that Silent Crown’s technology automates administrative burdens to reduce instructor burnout and allows aviators to focus on mission-specific scenarios, ultimately aiming to create a deterrent through superior readiness. The episode explores the intersection of hardware and software in defense tech, focusing on the business case for integrating simulation with operational efficiency.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=3) Introduction: Ted Slusher and Silent Crown
- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=112) Slusher's Air Force Career and Combat Experience
- [6:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=390) The Problem with Current Aviation Training Methods
- [12:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=769) Leadership Lessons from Special Operations
- [21:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=1292) Silent Crown's Simulation Technology and Value Prop
- [33:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tough-tech-vets/2024-11-25-reimagining-the-future-of-aviation-training-with-ted-slusher-founder-ceo-of-sile#t=2029) Advice for Veteran Entrepreneurs: Asking the Right Questions

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Silent Crown (company)
- Starcube (company)
- Air Force (other)
- CAE (company)
- Pinfed Foundation (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Bob Ferris | Engineering More Effective Training Hardware & Simulators for Law Enforcement & Military](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-03-bob-ferris-engineering-more-effective-training-hardware-simulators-for-law-enfor) (Being an Engineer)
- [What's the BEST Avionics Setup for Pilots? Analog vs Glass Cockpits #27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-12-13-whats-the-best-avionics-setup-for-pilots-analog-vs-glass-cockpits-27) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [S6E21 Ron Higgs | Systems Thinking, People Skills, & Executive Leadership](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-05-23-s6e21-ron-higgs-systems-thinking-people-skills-executive-leadership) (Being an Engineer)
- [S6E29 Joshua Tarbutton | Lessons From the Military Applied to Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-07-18-s6e29-joshua-tarbutton-lessons-from-the-military-applied-to-engineering) (Being an Engineer)
- [HIBT Lab! OpenAI: Sam Altman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-09-29-hibt-lab-openai-sam-altman) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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