Aero Exploration

Flying Midwest Media

The AeroExploration Podcast explores aviation’s past and the paths people are taking in the industry today. Join host Jim Schilling for stories of historic flights, modern aviation careers, and the passion that keeps us looking to the skies.

Aviation has a past worth remembering, destinations worth exploring, and people worth meeting.

This is AeroExploration.

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24 episodes
Avg 47 min
English

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#87
Monday · 40 min
Episode 87: Testing Air Cargo Containers With Fire | Inside IATA
What happens when something catches fire inside an aircraft's cargo compartment? And how do you know that the equipment designed to contain that fire will actually work? In Episode 87 of the Flying Midwest Podcast, Jim continues his conversation with Tom Brodowski, this time exploring his work with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the complex world of air cargo safety. We take a deep dive into the testing, standards, and technology used to make air cargo safer—including live-fire testing of cargo containers and equipment. These tests aren't theoretical. Products are put through real-world conditions designed to determine how they perform when exposed to fire and other hazards. Tom explains what goes into developing and testing these systems, what the aviation industry is looking for during a live burn test, and how the results can influence the equipment and procedures used throughout the global air cargo system. And while most passengers never see the cargo operation happening below them, the work being done behind the scenes has a direct connection to aviation safety and the safety of the traveling public. We'll also discuss Tom's work with IATA, the role of industry standards and collaboration, and the people working around the world to make sure air cargo can move safely through the aviation system. If you haven't heard Episode 86 yet, start there for the first part of our conversation with Tom, where we explore the massive operation required to move baggage and cargo around the world every day. ▶️ Listen to Episode 86: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o4gCKTmcUvbZKWEGif5v6?si=QNrE5OQURzWMfZVUHqRrvQ From the baggage we check at the ticket counter to the cargo loaded deep inside an aircraft, there's an enormous system working behind the scenes to keep aviation moving—and keep it safe. This is AeroExploration. Go beyond the cockpit and explore the people, technology, and systems that make aviation possible. ✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! #Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
#86
August 31 · 50 min
Episode 86 - The Hidden Logistics Network Behind Every Airlin
You see the airplane. You check your bag. You board your flight. But have you ever wondered about the massive logistics operation happening behind the scenes? Every day, major airlines move thousands of pieces of baggage and enormous amounts of cargo through a global network of airports, aircraft, people, and technology. Keeping all of that moving takes a tremendous amount of coordination—and when something goes wrong, the effects can ripple across the entire system. In this episode of AeroExploration, Jim sits down with Tom Brodowski, who works with teams around the globe to help keep this complex operation running. We'll go far beyond baggage handling and take a deep dive into the cargo side of major airline operations—how cargo moves through the system, how it's coordinated with passenger flights, the challenges of moving freight around the world, and what happens when the plan doesn't go according to plan. We'll also explore the people behind this operation and the aviation careers that exist outside the cockpit and maintenance hangar. From the suitcase you check at the counter to the cargo moving across continents, there's an enormous aviation operation happening that most passengers never see. This is the hidden logistics network behind the world's airlines. ✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! #Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
#85
August 13 · 38 min
Episode 85: From Fear of Flying to a Top Aviation Creator - With Sarah Daniels
If you follow aviation on social media, chances are you've seen Sarah Daniels — better known by her channels and social media as Sarahnautics. But Sarah's journey into aviation is anything but ordinary. Before becoming a pilot and one of aviation's most recognizable content creators, Sarah was an actress, performer, and even a Disney Princess. And perhaps most surprisingly, she was once afraid of flying. That fear ultimately led her into the cockpit and set her on an incredible journey through aviation. Today, Sarah is on an ambitious mission to visit every airport in the United States, documenting the people, places, and experiences she encounters along the way. In this episode, we go beyond the social media posts to explore Sarah's story — from her life before aviation and overcoming her fear of flying, to her journey across America's airports and the evolution of Sarahnautics. We also talk about one of the most difficult moments she's shared publicly: capturing an in-flight emergency and making the decision to be vulnerable enough to let her audience see what really happened. Most importantly, Sarah talks about why she creates, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and her hope that her story can inspire more women and young girls to see themselves as part of aviation. This is a story about fear, courage, exploration, and discovering that sometimes the thing you're most afraid of can lead you somewhere extraordinary. ✈️ FOLLOW SARAHNAUTICS Instagram: @sarahnautics TikTok: @sarahnautics YouTube: Sarahnautics Facebook: Sarahnautics Threads: @sarahnautics Twitch: Sarahnautics Learn more about Sarah and follow her journey to every airport in America at Sarahnautics.com. ✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! #Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
#84
August 5 · 48 min
Episode 84 - How Aviation Changed His Life: A Sun Country Captain's Story
Every pilot has a story, but few are as remarkable as Mark's. Before becoming a respected captain at Sun Country Airlines, Marc was a young man searching for direction. That path led him to the U.S. Navy, where he served on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War—an experience that instilled the discipline and work ethic that would shape the rest of his life. After leaving the military, Marc pursued work as an aircraft mechanic and found himself at the very beginning of Sun Country Airlines. He shares what it was like helping build a startup airline with just three airplanes into one of the nation's most recognizable leisure carriers. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges, unforgettable flights, lessons learned in the cockpit, and the moments that defined his decades-long aviation career. This isn't just the story of an airline captain—it's a story about second chances, perseverance, and how aviation can change the course of a person's life. Whether you're a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring life stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! 🎉 Exclusive Listener Discount
#83
July 16 · 29 min
Episode 83 - Your Ultimate Guide to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Whether you're flying into Oshkosh, driving through the gates for the first time, or simply wondering what all the excitement is about, this episode is your complete guide to EAA AirVenture. We're covering everything a first-time visitor needs to know—from planning your trip and navigating the massive grounds to finding the best exhibits, forums, daily airshows, the legendary Night Airshow, camping, transportation, and the hidden gems that many attendees don't discover until their second or third visit. You'll also learn: How to plan your day without feeling overwhelmed What to pack for a day—or an entire week Where to find the best aviation experiences on the grounds Tips for parking, admission, and getting around Common mistakes first-time visitors make Insider recommendations from seasoned AirVenture attendees Whether you're a pilot, aviation enthusiast, photographer, or bringing the family, this crash course will help you make the most of one of the greatest aviation events in the world. If AirVenture has been on your bucket list, this is the perfect place to start. Subscribe to AeroExploration for more aviation stories, travel guides, flight training tips, and conversations with the people who make aviation extraordinary.
#82
July 9 · 52 min
Episode 82 - From Aerospace Engineer to Ground School Pioneer: The Unexpected CEO of Part-Time Pilot
What if you could dramatically cut your flight training costs and accelerate your progress simply by understanding how to study smarter? Nick Smith, a former aerospace engineer turned flight training coach, reveals the insider secrets that helped him finally conquer the challenging private pilot course—despite years of costly setbacks. His story isn’t just about flying; it’s a blueprint for overcoming the mental hurdles that keep so many from reaching their aviation dreams.Tune in as Nick breaks down his transformational journey from NASA-inspired childhood ambitions to struggling through heavily delayed flight training, and then turning that chaos into clarity with his innovative online ground school, Part-Time Pilot. You’ll discover the common pitfalls that trip up students, such as poor mental prep and bad study habits—and exactly how to avoid them. This episode isn’t just about learning to fly—it’s about mastering the mindset that turns setbacks into opportunities. If you've ever felt overwhelmed or stuck, or are worried about the financial drain of flight training, this conversation will inspire you to push through with clarity and confidence. Perfect for aspiring pilots, instructors guiding their students, or aviation enthusiasts committed to flying smarter, not harder. Learn More Here: Parttimepilot.com
#81
July 1 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 81 - PlaneWX: Better Weather Decisions, Safer Flights
After a bit of a break, AeroExploration is back—and we've got an incredible lineup of episodes coming your way! To kick things off, I'm joined by Mark Wolfgang, founder of PlaneWX, for a fascinating conversation about aviation, technology, and weather. Mark shares his unique journey from a successful career in technology and cybersecurity to becoming an avid pilot. After earning his ratings and flying cross-country, he found himself frustrated by the challenge of piecing together weather information from multiple sources to answer one simple question: "Is this flight going to happen?" That frustration inspired him to build PlaneWX, an AI-powered aviation weather planning platform designed to help pilots better understand forecast trends, assess risk, and make more informed go/no-go decisions through personalized weather intelligence, long-range planning, and transparent risk scoring. In this episode, we discuss: Mark's transition from tech entrepreneur to pilot Why aviation weather remains one of the biggest challenges for pilots The story behind creating PlaneWX How artificial intelligence is changing the way pilots prepare for flights Practical tips for improving weather decision-making and aeronautical judgment Whether you're a student pilot, weekend flyer, or seasoned IFR veteran, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the most important aspects of aviation safety. Learn more about PlaneWX: PlaneWX Merchandise: shop.planewx.ai Use promo code FLYINGMIDWEST to receive 10% OFF any paid PlaneWX subscription and PlaneWX merchandise! Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! 🎉 Exclusive Listener Discount
April 12 · 1 hr 15 min
Episode 80 - Flight Sim Kid Becomes Air Traffic Controller | W/ @PropHatCat
What if the voice you hear at 35,000 feet started with a kid behind a computer screen playing flight simulator?This week on AeroExploration, we sit down with @PropHatCat—an air traffic controller and viral aviation creator who’s pulling back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood roles in aviation.From running “imaginary traffic” in 8th grade on flight sim to working real aircraft at a Center facility, his journey is anything but typical. We dive into the FAA hiring process, what it actually takes to make it through training, and the mental demands of working high-altitude traffic where every call matters.But what makes this conversation stand out is how he’s using social media to bridge a long-standing gap between pilots and controllers—translating phraseology, breaking down real-world scenarios, and giving aviators a rare, unfiltered look behind the mic.If you’ve ever wondered what controllers are really thinking… or how to become one… this episode delivers.AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#79
March 25 · 1 hr 8 min
Episode 79 - We're All WRONG about the FAA: Inside the FSDO with Nick Matlock
What really happens behind the scenes at the FAA? In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we sit down with FAA Inspector Nick Matlock (@incommand0) to break down one of aviation’s most misunderstood roles. From his journey as a pilot to his transition into the FAA, Nick shares what it’s actually like working inside a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). We dive into the stigma surrounding the FAA, common misconceptions among pilots, and how inspectors are working to improve safety—not punish aviators. Nick offers valuable insight into regulations, compliance, and how pilots can better work with the FAA instead of fearing it. If you’ve ever wondered what happens on the other side of the clipboard, this episode pulls back the curtain. In This Episode:Nick Matlock’s aviation journey and career transition What an FAA Inspector actually does day-to-day Inside the FSDO: roles, responsibilities, and priorities Breaking the stigma: Is the FAA really “out to get pilots”? Any opinions or statements made by Nick are solely his own and are not made in any official capacity. They do not reflect the views, policies, or positions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the U.S. Government. Connect with Nick: Social: @incommand0 (Instagram, TikTok, and more) AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#78
March 17 · 21 min
Episode 78 - Saving Airports from SNOWMAGEDDON: Airport Snow Operations
How do airports stay open during massive snowstorms? When a blizzard hits, pilots aren’t the only ones fighting the weather. Behind the scenes, an entire operation is working nonstop to keep runways open, aircraft moving, and passengers safe. In this episode of AeroExploration, we take you inside the world of airport winter operations—from the high-stakes decisions inside the Snow Desk to the incredible precision of snow removal convoys clearing runways in minutes. You’ll learn how: ✈️ Airports execute coordinated “snow ballet” plowing operations ✈️ Runway conditions are measured using TALPA and RCAM ✈️ Pilots determine whether they can safely land on snow-covered runways ✈️ Deicing, holdover times, and winter weather impact every flight ✈️ A single snowstorm can trigger massive delays across the entire aviation system Whether you’re a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or just someone who’s been stuck in a winter delay, this is the story behind what’s really happening outside your window. AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#77
March 12 · 57 min
Episode 77 - What It Takes to Livestream MSP Airport: With Alex Redding
What does it take to livestream one of America’s busiest airports? In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we sit down with Alex Redding, the creator behind MSP Airport LIVE, the popular plane-spotting livestream focused on Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP). Alex grew up just minutes from the airport, where a lfascination with airplanes eventually collided with a career in video production and broadcasting. That combination led to the creation of MSP Airport LIVE — a YouTube channel that allows aviation enthusiasts around the world to watch aircraft arrivals and departures from MSP in real time. In this conversation we explore: • Growing up near Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport • How a passion for aviation turned into a YouTube channel • The equipment and production behind an airport livestream • What it takes to run a live plane-spotting broadcast • The aviation community that formed around the channel • Where Alex hopes to take MSP Airport LIVE in the future If you enjoy plane spotting, aviation YouTube channels, airport livestreams, or behind-the-scenes aviation content, this episode offers a fascinating look at how aviation passion projects can reach audiences around the world. MSP AIRPORT LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/@mspairportlive AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#76
March 4 · 56 min
Episode 76 - Beyond the Airlines: Careers in Aircraft Management
Episode 76 – Finding an Aviation Career Through Aircraft Management Not every aviation career follows the traditional airline pipeline. In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, Jim sits down with Ellen, a CFI, CFII, and Part 135 commercial pilot working in the specialized world of aircraft management. Aircraft management companies help non-pilot aircraft owners handle the many responsibilities of aircraft ownership. From coordinating maintenance and insurance to maintaining logbooks and managing day-to-day operational details, these companies make it possible for owners to enjoy the benefits of aircraft ownership without managing every detail themselves. When it’s time for the aircraft to fly, Ellen’s team works to match the mission with the right pilot. Ellen shares how networking at the FBO opened unexpected career doors, and why aviation offers far more career paths than many pilots realize. Her story is a great reminder that the aviation industry is full of opportunities if you’re willing to build relationships and stay curious. What aircraft management companies do Working with non-pilot aircraft owners How Part 135 charter fits into aircraft management Coordinating pilots for owner flights Why networking at the FBO matters Finding your own path in aviation AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#75
February 25 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode 75- The Second Take: Erik Fletcher's Charter Pilot Life
Two years ago, Eric Fletcher joined us to share his incredible journey from Hollywood camera operator to corporate pilot. After years behind the lens capturing iconic moments in shows like Dexter and True Blood, Eric traded red carpets for runways and began a bold second chapter in aviation. Now he’s back. In this follow-up conversation, we revisit Eric’s transition story — but this time from 35,000 feet. Since our last episode, Eric has moved into the world of international charter operations, flying longer legs to fascinating destinations across the globe. He shares what it’s really like stepping into high-end charter flying, how the job differs from traditional corporate aviation, and the realities of operating in diverse airspace, cultures, and time zones. AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#74
Dec 31, 2025 · 18 min
Episode 74 - Aviation Year in Review '25: Under Pressure
In this Aviation 2025 Year in Review episode, we examine a year defined by pressure, scrutiny, and silent success. From the DCA mid-air collision and aviation near misses to Air Traffic Control staffing challenges, infrastructure strain, and the impacts of a government shutdown, the aviation industry faced unprecedented attention. This episode looks beyond the headlines to highlight the professionals and systems that kept aviation safe every day, reflects on how AeroExploration evolved in 2025, and outlines the direction of the podcast heading into 2026. AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#73
Dec 12, 2025 · 21 min
Episode 73 - Stuck in Flight Training? You’re Not Alone
In this episode of AeroExploration, Jim opens up about his long, winding journey toward the CFI certificate — a path filled with delays, job changes, health setbacks, family obligations, and everything in between. If your own training has stalled, stretched out, or taken an unexpected detour, this episode is designed to be the encouragement and practical guidance you need. We talk through why delays in flight training are so common, how legendary aviators faced their own obstacles, and how you can stay motivated even when you’re grounded. You’ll walk away with mindset tools, study strategies, and real-world advice for pushing through the slow seasons of aviation training. This is an honest, coffee-table-style conversation for every pilot who’s ever thought: “Why is this taking so long?” AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#72
Dec 4, 2025 · 54 min
Episode 72 - Just Plane Silly, Just Got Serious- with Airline Pilot Bryan Turner.
In this episode of AeroExploration, we’re joined once again by aviation YouTuber Bryan Turner to close out his Fly the Transition journey. Two years ago, Bryan shared his goals and early steps toward a career in professional aviation. Today, we pick up that story as he reflects on the final push—finishing training, navigating the ups and downs of hiring cycles, and ultimately landing in the right seat of a regional airliner. Bryan’s path is one built on perseverance, patience, humor, and an undeniable passion for flight. If you’ve ever wondered what the transition from GA pilot to airline pilot really looks like—or you just enjoy a good aviation success story—this episode will keep you listening all the way through. Check out Bryan Turner’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JustPlaneSilly AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#71
Nov 26, 2025 · 40 min
Episode 71 - U-2 Spy Plane: The Aircraft, The Missions, and The Pilots Who Fly It
The U-2 “Dragon Lady” remains one of the most iconic and mysterious aircraft ever flown—designed in secrecy, flown at the edge of space, and still serving critical intelligence missions nearly 70 years after its first flight. In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we expand on the recent YouTube feature with additional insights, extended storytelling, and the full interview with Gogo, who brings first-hand knowledge and perspective on what it takes to fly, operate, and support this legendary reconnaissance aircraft. We explore the U-2’s origins during the Cold War, the missions that shaped its legacy, the demanding training pipeline for pilots, and the unique flight characteristics that make it one of the most challenging aircraft in the world to master. You’ll also hear behind-the-scenes details from the making of the video and extended conversation you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re an aviation history buff, a military aviation enthusiast, or simply fascinated by aircraft that operate where few dare to fly—this episode takes you deeper into the story of the Dragon Lady than ever before. AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#70
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 70 - FAA Written Tests and Lesson Plans
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we kick things off with a practical deep dive into FAA written test prep—how to study smart, avoid common pitfalls, and use solid test-taking strategies on exam day. More importantly, we break down what to do after you’ve completed the test. Your score report isn’t just a number; it’s a targeted roadmap for checkride prep. We’ll cover how to interpret your ACS codes, strengthen your weak areas, and turn that written exam into a powerful tool for oral exam readiness. We’re then joined by Nate Ehlers, United Airlines pilot, Air Force Reserve C-17 veteran, and creator of Backseat Pilot. Nate walks us through his diverse aviation journey: becoming a CFI, navigating the challenges of military recruiting, securing a Reserve C-17 slot, flying and instructing in the military, and eventually transitioning to the airlines. His unique path gives insight into both civilian and military flying and the balancing act between them. Nate also takes us behind the curtain of Backseat Pilot, sharing why he created the platform, how he builds effective lesson plans, and his philosophy on what makes quality flight training resources. We talk about the real differences between pre-made lesson plans and starting from scratch—and when each approach makes sense for instructors and students. To close out the episode, Jim shares his personal plan for the final stretch leading up to his CFI checkride. He discusses how he’s using his written results, refining lesson plans, tightening up weak spots, and structuring his at-home and in-air practice to be fully prepared for the big day. Checkout Backseat Pilot Here : www.thebackseatpilot.com AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#69
Nov 5, 2025 · 27 min
Episode 69 - MOSAIC Unlocked: What the FAA Rule Means for Pilots
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, I dive deep into the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule — a landmark change from the Federal Aviation Administration that expands what pilots can fly, how aircraft are certified, and how our aviation world is evolving. We’ll start with the history — how we got here from the original Sport Pilot and Light‑Sport Aircraft rules of 2004. Then, I’ll walk you through the purpose behind MOSAIC: more choice, more capability, more accessibility — without compromising safety. Next, I take you into the major changes that matter to pilots: night flying, retractable gear, constant‑speed props, and four‑seat LSAs. We’ll explore the critical difference between pilot privileges (what you as a pilot can do) and aircraft certification (what the plane is allowed to be), and why a seemingly small stall‑speed difference makes a big difference under the rule. Finally, we’ll clear up the confusion: Why might a private pilot intentionally fly under sport‑pilot privileges? What endorsements do you need? What aircraft will now qualify? What does it mean for CFIs and flight schools? If you’re a pilot, future CFI, aircraft owner or just curious about how regulations shape the cockpit, this episode gives you the keys to MOSAIC. Links for show notes: FAA: “New rule: FAA ready for air travel of the future” — FAA newsroom AOPA: “Light sport rules expand dramatically” — AOPA article EAA: “Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft 2.0 (MOSAIC)” — EAA page General Aviation News: “Long‑awaited MOSAIC final rule released” — GANews piece AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
#68
Oct 29, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Episode 68 - Trading Badges for Boarding Passes: A State Trooper's Flight to the Airlines
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we meet Matt Peschong, a North Dakota Highway Patrol veteran who traded his patrol car for a cockpit. After 15 years in law enforcement, Matt decided it was time to chase the dream he’d held since childhood — becoming an airline pilot. From earning his CFI, CFII, and MEI ratings in between patrol shifts to now flying as a First Officer at a regional airline, Matt’s story captures the challenge and reward of starting over in aviation. We talk about the reality of making a major career transition, the role of networking and mentorship in aviation, and what life is really like for a new First Officer. Matt also shares how his years of service shaped his approach to flying, professionalism, and teamwork on the flight deck. Whether you’re considering your own career change or just curious about the journey from law enforcement to the airlines, this episode offers an honest look at the path, the process, and the passion behind the transition. AeroExploration: Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join our Community: If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media. Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase Fly the Transition Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jim@flyingmidwest.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!

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