10/19/2026
Meet the guy behind the Blue Skies Foundation!
Spencer Payne describes himself as a non-practicing engineer and recovering pilot, and we’d add “professional Longhorns fan” to the list.
A Tennessee native and Merchant Marine Academy grad, Spencer spent ten years as an Army Aviator and Black Hawk pilot, including a deployment to Afghanistan. In 2015, he and two friends started Brotallion as a social media page for Army helicopter pics. In 2020, that community became Blue Skies, a nonprofit built to show up for Gold Star Army Aviation families when they need it most.
Since then, Blue Skies has supported 50 Gold Star families after the loss of 53 lives, delivered $704K in direct financial assistance, and invested $123K in an education fund for the children left behind. Spencer says it best: “If you spend enough time in the Army Aviation profession, you will eventually know someone who has taken their final flight. I love doing something challenging with good people to honor our fallen.”
Now he’s lacing up and running with the flag for the Rivalry Relay, Dec 5-6, from College Station to Austin. Say hi when you see him out there and help us cheer him on!
