PFS Legal Ranged, Flying, Mounted Combatant Help!

[Krell44]

I am interested in building a mounted character who flys on his mount and attacks from ranged. Looking at either an Archer or Spellcasting Nuker.

I know that Ranger would make a good archer, but being small sized and requiring STR for archery damage is a bit hindering. However, a small sized Sorcerer casting spells from the back of his flying mount would possibly work.

My questions revolve around the best option for a flying mount? Roc? Dire Bat? And, since I rarely play a nuke class what are the must have casting feats?

[avr]

If you're looking at a wildblooded sylvan sorcerer or a ranger a necessary feat will be boon companion of course. For blasting you'll want spell focus, varisian tattoo, and/or spell specialization, and later on empower spell & either spell penetration or piercing spell.

A roc is faster, tougher, has more attacks and is stronger. A bat has blindsense and good maneuverability. If you might be forced into melee a roc is better, if you just want a good flying platform the bat has its points.

Wayangs are small without a strength penalty. I think they're PFS legal if you've played the right adventure or something? Boons, whatever they are.

[Grandlounge]

It may also be worth considering that a mauler familiar can fly a small character around. It works well for spell casters.

[Cory Stafford 29]

A hunter could easily do this, especially if they are small sized. I am pretty sure a small inquisitor with the feather subdomain could do it with a medium roc. There is also and alchemist discovery that gives you wings, so you don't even need a mount.