Every pilot’s journey starts differently.
For some, it’s a defining moment that sets everything in motion. For others, it’s a connection that builds over time, shaped by family, environment, or curiosity. No matter the path, the outcome is often the same: a lasting pull toward flight.
This World Pilots Day, we’re spotlighting two members of the Cirrus team whose experiences reflect both the individuality and shared spirit of aviation — Ivy McIver, Executive Director of the SR Product Line, and Travis Klumb, Director of Aircraft Flight Logistics.
Ivy McIver (Exec. Director of SR Product Line)
Travis Klumb (Director of Delivery and Flight Logistics)
The Spark That Starts It All
“I remember seeing Top Gun when I was little and thinking I wanted to be a fighter pilot,” Ivy says. “While the military path wasn’t ultimately mine, watching Maverick and Goose rip around in an F-14 sparked something that never left me.”
That early inspiration evolved. What started as fascination became a career centered around not only flying, but shaping the experience for others.
Ivy’s first discovery flight in Quonset Airport at 13 years old.
For Travis, the connection to aviation was quieter, but just as meaningful.
“Growing up on a farm in South Dakota, aviation wasn’t the path most of my friends took,” he explains. “But it was always in my family. Two of my great uncles flew—one in World War II, the other for TWA as a 747 navigator.”
Different beginnings, but the same gravitational pull. Aviation has a way of finding people, whether through a moment of awe or a legacy carried forward.
Travis’ first solo checkride in Mitchell, South Dakota in 1999.
What Makes Flight Meaningful
“Aviation touches the soul on so many levels,” Ivy shares.
“There’s satisfaction in a perfect landing. Joy in planning and executing a challenging flight. And exhilaration in exploring new places.”
“Being part of the SR Series team means I can turn those experiences into something others can feel too,” she continues. “That’s what I love most. Building an airplane that inspires people to go have adventures.”
It’s a perspective that reflects something larger than the aircraft itself. At its best, aviation expands what feels possible.
One of many occasions when Ivy put her bike in the back of the Cirrus and went on an adventure. This time in St. George, UT.
As Travis puts it, “Aviation makes the world smaller. You can cover a third of the country in just a few hours. The places you can go—even in a single weekend—are hard to imagine until you do it.”
Beginning the Journey
For those just beginning to explore aviation, the idea of becoming a pilot can feel like a big step. But both Ivy and Travis point to the same mindset: consistency over perfection.
“Keep showing up,” Ivy says. “It can feel intimidating at first, but there are people who want to see you succeed.”
The reward is something that stays with you.
“There’s nothing like lifting off the ground in an airplane you’re flying on your own,” she adds. “Seeing the world from that perspective is humbling. It’s worth it.”
Ivy formation flying for a Cirrus photoshoot
Travis echoes that sentiment, but emphasizes the long-term nature of the journey.
“It’s an incredibly rewarding journey—but it is a journey,” he says. “If you have the passion and commitment, you won’t regret it.”
Aviation doesn’t ask for instant mastery. It rewards those who stay curious, stay disciplined and keep coming back.
Travis formation flying during a Cirrus photoshoot
A Community Unlike the Rest
Beyond the aircraft and flight training, one of the most defining aspects of aviation is the community.
“Flying is serious business.”
“Aviation is a tight-knit community of passionate people,” Travis says. “Not many groups go out of their way to spend time together like this—fly-in breakfasts say it all.”
It’s a shared language of experience. One that connects people across backgrounds, geographies, and stages of their journey.
Travis and Ivy crossing the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Marathon line alongside their teammates
“Weather planning will always challenge me,” Ivy says. “It’s part science, part art.”
“Piecing together forecasts, tools and experience—and then executing a safe flight—is incredibly satisfying. A little nerdy, maybe. But that’s part of the fun.”
For Travis, that inspiration is rooted in what aviation unlocks.
“It’s the freedom,” he says. “The ability to go, explore, and experience more in a way that just isn’t possible otherwise.”
Travis lands on a glacier in a DeHaviland Beaver aircraft in Alaska
Keep Your Eyes on the Horizon
To Ivy and Travis, aviation is something you grow into.
Ivy gets seaplane rated in Seattle, WA
It’s a craft, a community and a perspective that continues to evolve with every flight.
And for those considering that first step, their message is simple:
“Keep showing up.”
On set of a Cirrus photoshoot at Farmer’s Cay in the Bahamas
To the ones who keep learning, exploring and climbing higher.
Happy World Pilots Day!