Pilot to Pilot
- Episodes
- 378
- Released
- every two weeks
- Latest episode
- Oct 22, 2026
About the podcast
Pilot to Pilot is the podcast for anyone who flies — or dreams about it. Host Justin Siems sits down with airline captains, bush pilots, CFIs, and everyone in between for honest conversations about the path to the cockpit, the grind of the career, and the love of flying that keeps us coming back. Whether you're a student pilot chasing your first solo or a captain with 20,000 hours, there's a seat for you here. New episodes weekly.
Episodes 378
I Threw Away Half My Airplane: Building a Zenith Kit Plane with Carson Stilson
Carson Stilson built his own Zenith Super Duty kit plane in two and a half years and about 1,200 hours, then flew it to Oshkosh. He shares what building an experimental aircraft really takes.Carson never …
Show notes
Carson Stilson built his own Zenith Super Duty kit plane in two and a half years and about 1,200 hours, then flew it to Oshkosh. He shares what building an experimental aircraft really takes.
Carson never planned to build an airplane in his thirties. He did it anyway, while working full time and raising two young kids. He explains why he chose a Zenith over a tailwheel kit, why he did most of the build himself, and how he kept going through the slow stretches. One of those stretches came a few weeks in, when he accidentally threw away half his airplane's skins.
In this episode:
- Why Carson chose a Zenith: STOL performance, cost, and no ground-loop worries
- How the Zenith rudder workshop led him to buy the kit
- Builder Assist vs. building it yourself, and when to get help with the engine and avionics
- "90% done, 90% to go": wiring, final assembly, and the last six months
- Putting a Lycoming IO-390 on a Super Duty for high-density-altitude backcountry flying in Utah
- The DAR inspection, the first flight on July 4th, and flying to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
- Why experimental and kit aircraft, along with MOSAIC, could be the future of personal aviation
- Carson's dream fleet: a bush plane, a 200-knot family hauler, and a show plane
Thinking about building a kit plane? Send this to the friend who keeps saying "someday."
Pilot to Pilot Magazine
Get your copy at https://pilottopilothq.com/magOur Sponsors
Please support the companies that support the show.Aero Tow: The Aero Tow T2 moves tail draggers and medium twins up to 15,000 lbs. Pilot to Pilot listeners get $100 off with promo code PILOT100 at https://amigoaerotow.com
Textron Aviation: Owner support from the people who built your aircraft. Learn more at https://txtav.com
Avemco Insurance: Pilot to Pilot listeners save 5%. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit:
Aircraft owners: https://avemco.com/4297-owner
Non-owners: https://avemco.com/4297-non-ownerGarmin: Plan, file, fly, and log with the Garmin Pilot app.
Allworth Airline Advisors: Watch "The Hot Seat," an on-demand webinar where airline benefits experts answer pilots' open enrollment questions. Register at https://allworthairline.com/justin
How to Pass Your Check-ride: A DPE's 5 Tips
A Designated Pilot Examiner shares 5 tips to pass your checkride, plus the story of his engine failure and landing on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive at 3 PM on a Friday.Johnny Ginley, a young DPE and fellow Ohio …
Show notes
A Designated Pilot Examiner shares 5 tips to pass your checkride, plus the story of his engine failure and landing on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive at 3 PM on a Friday.
Johnny Ginley, a young DPE and fellow Ohio State aviation alum, explains what examiners see from the other side of the table. The advice applies to private, instrument, commercial, CFI, ATP, and type-rating checkrides. Many checkrides end before they even begin because of missing flight time, a bad endorsement, or aircraft paperwork that can't prove airworthiness.
In this episode:
- Logbook mistakes that disqualify applicants, and why airlines still want clean logbooks years later
- Proving airworthiness: inspections, ADs, and why a printed status sheet isn't enough
- "Know your numbers": why cruising at 2,300 RPM needs a reason behind it
- Don't force the flight: making a go/no-go call when the wind picks up on checkride day
- Don't force the landing, and the one maneuver where a go-around now counts as unsatisfactory
- Average checkride pass rates and how the ACS changed the CFI oral
- The throttle cable failure that put Johnny on Lake Shore Drive, and how he got back in the cockpit afterward
Got a checkride coming up? Send this episode to someone who needs it. You can read Johnny's full article in Pilot to Pilot Magazine.
Pilot to Pilot Magazine
Get your copy at https://pilottopilothq.com/magOur Sponsors
Please support the companies that support the show.Aero Tow: The Aero Tow T2 moves tail draggers and medium twins up to 15,000 lbs. Pilot to Pilot listeners get $100 off with promo code PILOT100 at https://amigoaerotow.com
Textron Aviation: Owner support from the people who built your aircraft. Learn more at https://txtav.com
Avemco Insurance: Pilot to Pilot listeners save 5%. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit:
Aircraft owners: https://avemco.com/4297-owner
Non-owners: https://avemco.com/4297-non-ownerGarmin: Plan, file, fly, and log with the Garmin Pilot app.
Allworth Airline Advisors: Watch "The Hot Seat," an on-demand webinar where airline benefits experts answer pilots' open enrollment questions. Register at https://allworthairline.com/justin
He Threw His Airline Uniform in the Trash | Steve Giordano | Ep. 370
Steve Giordano left a senior captain seat at Allegiant to build Nomadic Aviation Group, one of the most trusted ferry operations in the business. He breaks down how a ferry flight actually gets quoted and flown …
Show notes
Steve Giordano left a senior captain seat at Allegiant to build Nomadic Aviation Group, one of the most trusted ferry operations in the business. He breaks down how a ferry flight actually gets quoted and flown — lessors, permits, DARs, tankering fuel at $18 a gallon — what trips really cost, the margins behind them, and what he looks for when contracting pilots. Plus the Alice Springs COVID runs, Equatorial Africa thunderstorms, and the operational failure in Korea he still calls his worst.
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show:
• AeroTow — $100 off an AeroTow T2 for Pilot to Pilot listeners. Use promo code PILOT100 at amigoaerotow.com
• Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-nonowner (non-owners)
• Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup
• Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app
• Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement&lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
How to get hired at an airline with Nik Fialka
Nik Fialka has watched pilots lose the job before they ever sat down.The Spitfire Elite coach and Ready 4 Pushback host joins us to walk through his ten rules for the airline interview — five things to do, five …
Show notes
Nik Fialka has watched pilots lose the job before they ever sat down.
The Spitfire Elite coach and Ready 4 Pushback host joins us to walk through his ten rules for the airline interview — five things to do, five things that'll sink you.
The first one starts tonight, not the week your application gets picked up. Nik's habit: after shutdown, open your notes app and write down one thing that happened on that flight. The disagreement with your instructor. The divert. The passenger you went out of your way for. Do it for a year and you'll never be the candidate staring blankly when someone asks for a conflict story.
We get into paperwork nobody wants to think about until they need it, and why a gap you find today can take months to fix. Logbooks, too — Nik's line is that your logbook is your dissertation: you don't just present it, you defend it. Cover page, totals that add up, no white-out, addendums for the errors you find. As one airline logbook reviewer told him, don't make me pull out a calculator.
Then the other half. Why hiding or shading your data ends the interview faster than you'd believe. Why adding a previously undisclosed failure after you've been invited is a very different conversation than adding a new type rating. The pilot whose expunged record still got him fired for failure to disclose. And the one Nik is best known for — the candidate in a conference room full of finalists who dropped an F-bomb at the wrong moment and never made it to the logbook review.
The bigger point underneath all of it: from the second you leave your house, you're being interviewed. Be good to the Uber driver, the gate agent, the hotel desk. Jobs get won and lost when you least expect it.
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • NEW SPONSOR ALERT I'd like to welcome AeroTow to the Pilot to Pilot sponsors! check out their AeroTow T2 Engineered for easier maneuverability, the AeroTow T2 is versatile for a variety of aircraft. Its universal cradle provides a seamless towing experience ( Pilot to Pilot listeners can save $100 by using the code in the podcast!) Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Learn more about the exciting innovations at Textron Aviation today… just go to TXTAV.com • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Allworth Financial - https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
I flew around the world and built a plane w/ JP Schulze E368
In 1999, a handful of people gathered at a dusty Namibian airfield to meet two men flying weight-shift microlights around the world. One of them was Mike Blyth. Watching from the crowd was a boy who had never …
Show notes
In 1999, a handful of people gathered at a dusty Namibian airfield to meet two men flying weight-shift microlights around the world. One of them was Mike Blyth. Watching from the crowd was a boy who had never left the country, whose family couldn't afford much flying, and who had no real concept of where these men had come from — only that whatever they were doing, he wanted to do it too.
Twenty-five years later, JP Schulze has flown around the world himself, built the first Sling High Wing off the line — designed by the same Mike Blyth — and become one of the most distinctive filmmakers in aviation.
This one took a while to make happen. We finally met at Oshkosh this year, and JP is candid about being a naturally shy person who ended up with a career in front of a camera.
He grew up in Namibia with no art classes and no creative outlets, thinking in German and Afrikaans, teaching himself English from the Discovery Channel at eight years old. He was taking the controls of his dad's microlight at ten. He funded his first licence by free-diving for crayfish, selling snake venom, and restringing tennis rackets.
The around-the-world trip nearly didn't happen twice. Sponsors walked after a Cirrus ditched near Hawaii and the CAPS pull ran on every news channel — nobody wanted their logo on a small plane over an ocean. So JP and Louis Cole self-funded it, and JP is honest about what that cost: the fourteen-hour legs, the multi-hour shouting match somewhere between Fiji and Kiribati, and the weight of being responsible for a non-pilot's life for the first time.
In this episode:
- Meeting Mike Blyth in 1999 — and building his airplane twenty years later
- Growing up flying "sketchy" weight-shift trikes over the African bush
- Why Southern Africa has a GA scene almost nobody expects
- Moving to New Zealand at seventeen and rebuilding from scratch in a third language
- Meeting Louis Cole on a sand dune and having his life change in a day
- Signing with Discovery, then watching the money disappear
- What flying around the world actually took — and why he'd do it again
- Insisting on being the first to build the Sling High Wing, then helping write the manual
- Why he refuses to post weekly, and what that has cost him
- The sunglasses he built because a $350 pair costs $10 to make
- Why print still matters, and what we both think is at stake
We also recorded a second conversation about the around-the-world flight itself — that one is exclusive to the magazine, with the audio released free a year after publication.
Happy Flying,
JustinSupport JP - otavi.co best sunglasses for pilots
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • NEW SPONSOR ALERT I'd like to welcome AeroTow to the Pilot to Pilot sponsors! check out their AeroTow T2 Engineered for easier maneuverability, the AeroTow T2 is versatile for a variety of aircraft. Its universal cradle provides a seamless towing experience ( Pilot to Pilot listeners can save $100 by using the code in the podcast!) Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Learn more about the exciting innovations at Textron Aviation today… just go to TXTAV.com • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Allworth Financial - https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
He's Owned 12 Airplanes in 25 Years. Here's How to Buy the Right One | Mark Woglom E367
Mark Woglom has bought and sold roughly a dozen airplanes in twenty-five years — a new Cessna 182 he learned to fly in, a Baron he never got comfortable in, a pressurized 414, a Cheyenne II XL, four separate …
Show notes
Mark Woglom has bought and sold roughly a dozen airplanes in twenty-five years — a new Cessna 182 he learned to fly in, a Baron he never got comfortable in, a pressurized 414, a Cheyenne II XL, four separate Cirrus SR22s, a Vision Jet, a TBM 960, a Citation M2, and the CJ3+ he flies today. Six weeks ago he added an Icon A5, because you can't go sightseeing in a jet.
Along the way he built a framework for making the decision the rest of us agonize over.
In this episode we cover:
- The three F's — finances, features, and function — and why mission is the one most buyers skip
- The "fourth F": buying the wrong airplane, and how to avoid it
- Why he never trusts manufacturer range claims, broker enthusiasm, or forum consensus
- His normalized fuel reserve method for comparing aircraft honestly, apples to apples
- Real rules of thumb for insurance, capital cost, maintenance, and the ancillary costs that ambush new owners
- Why he took a five-year break from flying while still owning an airplane
- What changed when he decided to earn a type rating in his mid-fifties
- Why his wife's headset ended a turboprop purchase
- Never get plane poor — and why a fuel stop isn't the end of the world
Whether you're saving toward your first 172 or wondering whether the step up is worth it, this one's a masterclass in buying with your head instead of your heart.
Happy Flying,
JustinPilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • NEW SPONSOR ALERT I'd like to welcome AeroTow to the Pilot to Pilot sponsors! check out their AeroTow T2 Engineered for easier maneuverability, the AeroTow T2 is versatile for a variety of aircraft. Its universal cradle provides a seamless towing experience ( Pilot to Pilot listeners can save $100 by using the code in the podcast!) Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Learn more about the exciting innovations at Textron Aviation today… just go to TXTAV.com • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Allworth Financial - https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
E366: F-15, F-16, F/A-18: A Fighter Pilot's Rules for a Life Worth Flying
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for high utilization flight training, easy ownership and broader access to aviation • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
Kyle Skylaski had never been on an airplane — not even as a passenger — until his senior year of high school. A local orchardist flew him across Washington in a Cessna 172 so he could make a state playoff baseball game. He got there as the game started, changed in the car, and hit a three-run homer off a future big leaguer to win it.
That flight sent him to the Air Force Academy and into 23 years in the cockpit: F-15s at Holloman, F-16s as an aggressor during the fall of the Soviet Union, an exchange tour with the Navy in the F/A-18, and later a modified 727 as a test pilot for Raytheon.
In episode 366 we get into what sports actually teaches you about flying, why leadership is service and nothing else, the three C's every team needs, what it feels like at Mach 2 versus 300 feet and nine miles a minute, losing seven friends early in his career and what it changed about how he takes risk, and where electric and hybrid training aircraft might actually make sense.
Kyle's book, The Sky Less Traveled: The Maverick Life of Leadership, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Purpose, is on Amazon now, with the audiobook coming this fall.
In this episode: first flight over the Cascades • Air Force Academy football and gliders • pilot training at Laughlin, where half the class washed out • F-15 vs F-16 vs F/A-18 • the aggressor years • flying the 727 as a test pilot • the squadron bar, call signs, and crud • three things he'd tell anyone starting over
E365: Pete Stavrides: From Watching Challenger Explode to Flying Super Hornets
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for high utilization flight training, easy ownership and broader access to aviation • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
Pete Stavridis was nine years old, watching the Challenger explode on live TV, when he decided he was going to fly airplanes. No pilots in the family. No money for it. So he enlisted in the Navy out of high school in 1995 — not the optimal path to fighters — flew P-3 Orions as an enlisted aircrewman on counter-drug ops over Panama and Colombia, and worked his way into a commission. He selected #1 out of T-34s, got the Super Hornet, and flew combat over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now he's an Airbus first officer (by design), an FAA examiner with roughly 700 checkrides behind him, an aircraft management guy specializing in the Piaggio, and he runs upset recovery training in the L-39. He also raced at Reno in the gold jet class at 500 mph, four to six feet off another airplane — until he watched his friend and competitor Aaron Hoag G-LOC and go into the ground in front of him in 2022.
We get into:
- Why enlisting first was a risk he'd take again
- What a Navy flight surgeon prescribed when Pete was struggling in T-45s (hint: Halo)
- Being shot off a carrier deck, and why nothing else compares
- Fighter pilot ego vs. actual humility — and why humility can't read as weakness
- What air racing really takes: micro-knots, wake vortices, and why pole position changes everything
- Losing Aaron, "stem power," and how he got the jet on the ground
- Why the DPE shortage isn't a DPE problem, it's an FAA problem
- What he can read about an applicant in the first two minutes
- Honesty, knowledge, determination — his three traits of a good captain, FO, or wingman
- Exposing your kids to aviation without pushing it
"When we get in an airplane, we're in a survival situation. We're not supposed to be there."
Happy Flying,Justin
E364: Stepping up with Jason Rhode and why he loves the Citation CJ3+
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is at the printers. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magGIVEAWAY - Complete the survey to be entered to win a Pilot to Pilot hat and Magazine subscriptions Big thanks to …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is at the printers. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
GIVEAWAY - Complete the survey to be entered to win a Pilot to Pilot hat and Magazine subscriptions
Big thanks to Textron Aviation for sponsoring this week's episode of Pilot to Pilot! This week I'm joined by Jason Rhode as we talk bout his unconventional journey in aviation - from where he started to what ultimately led up to step up into larger aircraft.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear how the right aircraft can help you take the next step in your aviation journey!
What happens when a public company CEO gets tired of the airlines and decides to fly himself? Jason Rhode, former CEO of Cirrus Logic, joins Justin to share one of the most unique aviation journeys we've featured — one that started not with a childhood dream of flying, but with a sweaty preflight in 110-degree Austin heat and a finance guy's ForeFlight demo.
In this Textron Aviation-sponsored episode, Jason walks through every aircraft in his progression — DA40, DA62, Kodiak, TBM, and finally the Citation CJ3+ — and why Textron Aviation was the throughline that made each transition smoother than the last. He breaks down what the pro ownership program actually looks like from the inside, how Textron connected him with the right mentor pilots and Flight Safety simulator training, and why the M2-to-jet transition is far less intimidating than the insurance market wants you to believe.
In this episode:- Why owning a plane extended Jason's career as a CEO by four to five years
- How Textron's pro ownership program handles maintenance tracking, mentor pilots, and service center coordination
- The CJ3+ acquisition story: buying a plane that had been in a ditch, flying it to 45,000 feet before the seller had
- Finding the right insurance underwriter for jet transitions (and why your broker matters more than you think)
- Pilot and Paws missions, concert chasing in the Citation, and the lifestyle that makes it all worth it
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: •Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
363: Fighter Pilot. Snowbird Team Leader. Filmmaker. Rob “Scratch” Mitchell on Leading Through Loss, Chasing Excellence, and Finding a New Sky
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
Some people are drawn to the sky. Others are forged there.
Rob “Scratch” Mitchell grew up surrounded by aviation legend — his grandfather flew Spitfires over occupied Europe, his father patrolled Cold War skies in a Royal Canadian Air Force jet. By the time Scratch sat down to choose his own path, there was never really a question. He wanted to fly fighters. He wanted to be the best. And through relentless focus, iron discipline, and a willingness to outwork everyone around him, that’s exactly what he became.
In this episode of the Pilot to Pilot Podcast, Scratch takes us from the crucible of Canadian military pilot training — where attrition rates hovered near 50% — through the unforgiving world of F-18 tactical flying, into the bright lights of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, where he eventually led the team as commanding officer. Along the way, he opens up about the fatal accident that occurred on his watch during his very first airshow weekend as team lead, and what it taught him about leadership, humanity, and what it truly means to hold a team together when the world falls apart.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
- How Scratch finished number one in his pilot training class to guarantee a fighter slot — and why second place wasn’t an option
- The story behind his callsign, involving a French tanker, the wrong basket technique, and a very expensive canopy
- What 95 airshows in a single season does to a team — and to a marriage
- The moment during the Snowbirds’ first airshow of the season when his wingman was lost, and how Scratch led nine pilots back to earth when the world had just gone silent
- Why ego has no place in the debrief room — even when you’re debriefing your commanding officer
- The civilian world’s hardest lesson for a fighter pilot: sometimes skill and effort aren’t enough, and luck is a variable you cannot control
- His pivot from the cockpit to the camera — and why aviation storytelling was always the through line
Whether you fly airliners, light aircraft, or simply love the world above the clouds, this is an episode about what it means to commit completely — to a mission, to a team, and to yourself.
E362: A Career Changer's Road from Orchestra Halls to the Airlines
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. You plan for everything when you fly. But have you planned for life after the cockpit? Download the free guide from Allworth Airline Advisors https://allworthairline.com/justin.
His uncle flew F-18s in the Marines before becoming a UPS MD-11 captain. His dad plays organ. His twin sister teaches choir in Texas. And David spent the better part of a decade as a professional tuba player before a global pandemic, a family hotel, and one YouTube rabbit hole set him on an entirely different flight path. In this episode, David traces every step of a career change that most people would have talked themselves out of — the 141 versus 61 debate, the flight school that felt like family, the stage check that became his most memorable moment as a CFI, and the three-to-five-minute orchestra audition that taught him everything he needed to know about showing up prepared. His advice is simple, honest, and hard-won: don't chase the end goal. Just be the best version of wherever you are right now.
E361: Electric Planes, Forest Fires & Vancouver Island: A Canadian Pilot's Unconventional Path
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
Canadian pilot Mike Andrews has never taken the direct route — and that's exactly what makes his story worth hearing. Growing up in Southern Ontario, Mike got his start through Canada's Air Cadet program, earning a glider license at 16 and a private pilot license at 17 before nearly going the Canadian Armed Forces fighter pilot route. A heart murmur medical delay, a backpacking trip to New Zealand, and a hard reset later, he found himself building a flight school from scratch on Vancouver Island with one airplane and a jacket that said "ask me about flying."
Now based on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Mike is one of Canada's leading instructors on the Pipistrel Velis Electro — the country's first electric aircraft approved for primary flight training — and he's about to embark on a brand new chapter as a bird dog pilot doing aerial wildfire fighting in BC's rugged mountain terrain.
In this episode, Justin and Mike dig into the Canadian pilot training system, what it's actually like to fly and teach in an electric airplane, the unique aviation culture of the Pacific Northwest coast, and what draws a variety-hungry pilot to a career where low-level mountain flying meets public service. Plus — Mike shares what it was like to nearly make it into Canadian fighter pilot selection before a three-day paperwork deadline changed everything.
Topics Covered:- Canada's Air Cadet program and glider scholarships
- Canadian vs. American pilot training and instructor rating systems
- Flying the Pipistrel Velis Electro — Canada's first electric flight trainer
- Electric aviation: where it works today and where it's headed
- Aerial wildfire fighting and the bird dog role
- Building a sub-base flight school on Vancouver Island from the ground up
- The TBM 960's "Home Safe" emergency automation features
- Why variety — not the airlines — has driven Mike's entire career
E360: No Pilot's License, No Problem: How Marci Veronie Climbed to the Top of Aviation Without Ever Leaving the Ground
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call …
Show notes
Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin. https://allworthfinancial.com/airlines/lp/runway-for-retirement-webinar?utm_campaign=airlines+-+more+runway+for+retirement?lmls=Partner+Channel&lmld=Pilot+to+Pilot&ad_version=Social
Marci Veronie is the Senior Vice President of AVEMCO Insurance, and she's one of the most fascinating people in aviation — not because she's a pilot, but because she's spent nearly four decades watching what happens when things go wrong. Landings. Taxiing. Overconfident airline pilots in light sport aircraft. She's seen it all, and she's got the data to back it up.
In this episode, Marci opens up about her wildly unexpected path from a Pittsburgh girl chasing a paralegal certificate to becoming the first non-pilot sales underwriter at AVEMCO — and eventually SVP. She talks about the calls she dreads taking on Monday mornings, what separates a superior pilot from a scary one, and why 60% of pilots are leaving real money on the table every single year.
She also gets candid about being a woman in a male-dominated industry for decades, her work with Women in Aviation International, and what it actually takes to build a 39-year career at one company.
Whether you fly a J-3 Cub or a 737, this episode will change how you think about risk, training, and what it means to truly be a safe pilot.\
Happy Flying,
JustinE359: The End of Spirit Airlines: What Happened, What's Next, and What It Means for Pilots
Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2 at 3am, and in this episode Justin sits down with Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to unpack what happened and what …
Show notes
Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2 at 3am, and in this episode Justin sits down with Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to unpack what happened and what comes next.
They dig into the chain of events that brought one of the country's most recognizable low-cost carriers to a halt — from a business model under pressure, to two Chapter 11 reorganizations, to the spike in oil prices that finally pushed Spirit past the point of recovery. Jim breaks down why the federal bailout package fell apart, why no other airline stepped in to acquire Spirit despite multiple asks, and how $9 billion in debt made a merger virtually impossible.
The conversation also turns to the roughly 2,000 Spirit pilots now entering an already active hiring market. Justin and Jim talk through how the majors are likely to respond, what this means for regional pilots and pilots holding CJOs, and why Spirit aviators have a strong reputation among hiring departments across the industry. They also cover the resources available through ALPA, the importance of leaning on the aviation community, and the often-overlooked mental health side of losing a job you loved.
Whether you're a Spirit pilot, a regional pilot watching the hiring landscape shift, or simply someone trying to make sense of what just happened to a 34-year-old airline with an impeccable safety record, this episode offers context, perspective, and a reminder that the industry takes care of its own.
If you know a Spirit pilot, reach out. A letter of recommendation, a connection, or just a conversation can go a long way.
E358: Spirit Going Under? United-American Rumors & 2026 Pilot Hiring Forecast — Jim Higgins Returns
🎙️ Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/magSponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call …
Show notes
🎙️ Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag
Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner (non-owners) • Textron Aviation — Built for lifelong aviators. Plan your next chapter at txtav.com/stepup • Garmin — Plan, file, fly, log with the Garmin Pilot app • Allworth Airline Advisors — Register for their latest webinar at allworthfinancial.com/justin • Learn the Finer Points — Save 10% off your first year at learnthefinerpoints.com/justin
State of the Industry!Spirit's on the brink, Scott Kirby is publicly floating a United–American merger, and the entire airline industry feels like it's holding its breath. Welcome to silly season.
Jim Higgins, professor of aviation at the University of North Dakota and former MEC chair, returns to the Pilot to Pilot Podcast to break down everything happening across the majors right now — and what could happen next.
In this episode, Justin and Jim dig into:
• Where pilot hiring actually stands in 2026 (and the FAPA numbers that tell the real story) • What verbiage in earnings calls and press releases signals trouble before furloughs hit • Fuel prices, the Strait of Hormuz, and how a war on the other side of the world hits your paycheck • The Spirit situation and what bankruptcy vs. liquidation would actually mean • The United–JetBlue rumors — and whether "merging with American" was a smokescreen • Seniority list integration, ALPA merger protocols, and why Southwest hired an M&A law firm • What Delta, Alaska, and Southwest would HAVE to do if a United mega-merger goes through • The Allegiant–Sun Country deal nobody's talking about • Could Delta go international by buying foreign carriers outright?
Drop a comment with YOUR merger prediction. We'll be wrong together.
E357: Evan Davis - How Flying Saved My Life
NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner …
Show notes
NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco.com/4297-nonowner!
Subscribe to the Pilot to Pilot Magazine
This is one of the most raw, honest, and inspiring aviation stories you'll ever hear. Evan Davis didn't take a traditional path to becoming an Alaska pilot—he fought through addiction, FAA scrutiny, and personal demons to get there. His story proves that your past doesn't define your future, and that the aviation community has room for second chances when you're willing to do the hard work. Evan Davis was eight hours into his flight training when his AME asked the question that changed everything: have you ever struggled with alcohol? He told the truth — and the FAA grounded him before he ever soloed. More than a decade later, Evan is a PC-12 medevac captain based in Wasilla, Alaska, flying out of Kotzebue two weeks a month, north of the Arctic Circle. In this conversation, he walks Justin through the whole arc: getting honest on his medical application, a Valentine's Day slip two months into sobriety, the HIMS program, and the year of breathalyzers, AA meetings, and flight simulator hours that rebuilt his life. From there, it's the flying story pilots come here for — a 90-hour trip into the Frank Church, a Cessna 182 used to commute to work, a chance resume drop in Homer that turned into a job offer, and eventually Bettles, the Brooks Range, and medevac work on the western coast of Alaska. Evan talks honestly about the weather that moves differently above the Arctic Circle, why saying "no" is the most important skill in the cockpit, what four months of darkness does to you, and why the pilots who make it in Alaska are almost always the ones who can live with other humans in a village for two weeks at a stretch. A story about addiction, second chances, and what it actually takes to fly in one of the last wild places left.
Happy Flying,
Justin
E356: From SWAT to Corporate Jet Pilot - How Josh Changed Careers and Built a Life in Aviation
NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner …
Show notes
NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco.com/4297-nonowner!
What does it take to walk away from a two-decade law enforcement career — including 13 years on SWAT — and start over as a pilot? Josh Schirard did exactly that, and in this episode he breaks down every step of the journey.
Josh is now a corporate pilot flying Hawker 800s and Lear 60s, a professional skydiver with the REMAX Skydive team, and the author of the upcoming book Burn Your Boats. He's also one of the most thoughtful guests we've had on the show when it comes to the mindset side of aviation.
In this episode we talk about:
- How skydiving pulled him back into aviation after years away
- His ATP flight training experience — the good, the hard, and what he'd do differently
- How SWAT-level decision-making and crew resource management overlap more than you'd think
- Building flight time as a jump pilot and why he skipped the CFI route
- How he landed his first corporate gig through pure networking
- Whether the airlines are in his future — and why he keeps his options open
- His philosophy on personal minimums, comfort zones, and why you need to push the gap between the two
Whether you're thinking about a career change into aviation, grinding through your ratings, or already flying professionally and wondering what's next — this episode is for you.
Happy Flying,
JustinE355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions
Most pilots dream of smooth 10,000-foot runways.Tyler Flagg trained to land a 30,000-pound aircraft on a 25-foot dirt strip… in total darkness.After 9/11 changed his life trajectory, Tyler went from zero …
Show notes
Most pilots dream of smooth 10,000-foot runways.
Tyler Flagg trained to land a 30,000-pound aircraft on a 25-foot dirt strip… in total darkness.
After 9/11 changed his life trajectory, Tyler went from zero aviation background to flying Special Operations missions around the globe. With minimal information and maximum responsibility, he deployed into multiple combat theaters — moving elite teams into places most people will never see on a map.
In this episode:
- The unconventional path into Air Force Special Ops
- What it feels like to deploy with barely 250 flight hours
- Flying through Saharan fuel-risk zones and Pacific icing
- The culture differences inside military aviation
- Why humility matters more than ego in elite units
- Building a company after walking away from a “dream job”
This one is raw, honest, and packed with perspective.
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Ep. 354: Trent Palmer | FAA Called On Me Twice, Lost My License, and Almost Quit Flying
He's the most-requested guest in Pilot to Pilot history — and the wait was worth it. Trent Palmer, recreational bush pilot and one of aviation's most recognized YouTube creators, finally sits down with Justin …
Show notes
He's the most-requested guest in Pilot to Pilot history — and the wait was worth it. Trent Palmer, recreational bush pilot and one of aviation's most recognized YouTube creators, finally sits down with Justin for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of a life built around flying and filmmaking.
Trent opens up about his journey from RC helicopters and drone cinematography in Hollywood to becoming a full-time content creator — including how FAA regulations ironically pushed him into getting his pilot's license in the first place. But this episode goes far deeper than flying cool places and making beautiful videos.
Trent shares the gut-wrenching details of his engine failure in the Nevada backcountry, what it actually feels like when the prop stops and you have 45 seconds to find a field, and why the flight home may have been scarier than the emergency itself. He talks candidly about watching a close friend crash — and somehow survive — and how each close call reshapes your relationship with risk.
Then there's the FAA battle that nearly broke him. Trent walks through both investigations, the $50,000 in legal fees, the four-year court fight that went all the way to the Ninth Circuit, the license suspension he wishes he'd just accepted, and the personal toll of having your character questioned publicly.
This one is honest, emotional, and packed with lessons — whether you're a pilot, a content creator, or just someone who loves a great story.
What you'll hear:
- From drones on Hollywood sets to bush pilot YouTuber
- Engine failure over remote Nevada — the full story
- Watching a friend crash and survive a "unsurvivable" impact
- Two FAA investigations, $50K in legal fees, and hard lessons learned
- How YouTube became his full-time career (and why he almost walked away)
- Advice for pilots who want to start creating content
- What's next: floats, new adventures, and maybe finally starting that podcast
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Flying the San Diego Coastline at 15 Knots | Chancy Arnold
Ever wonder what it's like to fly slower than freeway traffic — on purpose? Chancy Arnold is a banner tow pilot flying a Super Cub up and down the San Diego beaches, and in this episode he breaks down …
Show notes
Ever wonder what it's like to fly slower than freeway traffic — on purpose? Chancy Arnold is a banner tow pilot flying a Super Cub up and down the San Diego beaches, and in this episode he breaks down everything about the job. From the dive-and-hook pickup technique to four-hour flights strapped into a tiny seat with no breaks, Chancy gives an honest look at one of aviation's most unique time-building gigs. We talk about what it's really like flying at 50 knots indicated (and 15 knots ground speed in a headwind), how he built connections on the FBO ramp that got him the job, the territory system between banner towing companies, and flying over Padres games, golf tournaments, and gender reveals. Chancy also shares why he skipped the CFI route, why IFR was actually his favorite phase of training, and how he's stacking hours toward the airlines. Plus — look for Chancy in Volume 2 of the Pilot to Pilot Magazine with a full spread on building your time through banner towing.
E352: From Oshkosh to Lakeland: Gene Conrad on Running Sun 'n Fun's $7M Aviation Spectacular
What does it take to run one of the world's largest aviation events? Gene Conrad, President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, pulls back the curtain on Florida's …
Show notes
What does it take to run one of the world's largest aviation events? Gene Conrad, President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, pulls back the curtain on Florida's premier aviation gathering. Growing up in Oshkosh as the son of an airport director, Gene counted aircraft at EAA AirVenture as a teenager to see who had more planes. Now, he's running Sun 'n Fun—a six-day event that costs $7 million to produce, attracts over 60,000 attendees, and requires coordination with everyone from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Amazon Air operations. In this episode, you'll discover: - The real costs of running a major aviation event ($700K just for tents!) - How Sun 'n Fun coordinates with Amazon's massive Lakeland hub - Why they're making major schedule changes for 2025 - The difference between running an airport vs. running an air show - Future expansion plans including new 40,000 sq ft air-conditioned exhibit buildings - What makes Gene happiest: closing the airport because there's no more parking space - Behind-the-scenes secrets like the Island, the Swamp, and Chick-fil-A coming to the event Gene also shares candid insights about working with 3,000+ volunteers, learning from his biggest mistakes (like the WiFi disaster), and why his ultimate measure of success isn't attendance or revenue—it's making sure everyone goes home safe. Whether you're planning to attend Sun 'n Fun, curious about aviation event management, or just love air shows, this episode delivers insider knowledge you won't find anywhere else.
E351: Type Rated at 800 Hours: Building a Corporate Aviation Career Early | Ariel Johnson
In Episode 351, Justin sits down with Ariel Johnson (@whiskeyflies on Instagram), a North Carolina-based flight instructor who earned her Citation type rating at just 800 hours. At not even 21 years old …
Show notes
In Episode 351, Justin sits down with Ariel Johnson (@whiskeyflies on Instagram), a North Carolina-based flight instructor who earned her Citation type rating at just 800 hours. At not even 21 years old, Arielle shares her accelerated journey from discovering aviation at Sun ’n Fun to teaching students and flying corporate jets—all while completing her aviation degree.
This conversation explores the realities of flight training, the power of networking in aviation, and what it takes to break into corporate flying. Ariel discusses her experience getting typed in a Citation, the differences between Part 91 and 135 operations, and her approach to building a career through genuine relationships and hard work. She also offers candid advice for aspiring pilots on making the most of every rating, avoiding common pitfalls, and maintaining passion throughout the journey.
Whether you’re a student pilot wondering about your path forward, a CFI building time, or someone curious about corporate aviation opportunities, this episode delivers practical insights from someone who’s living proof that age is just a number when you combine dedication with smart networking.
Topics covered:
∙ Transitioning from private pilot to corporate jet operations
∙ The value of mentorship and networking in aviation
∙ Part 91 vs Part 135 flying: what to expect
∙ Getting a jet type rating early in your career
∙ Building flight time efficiently as a CFI
∙ Social media’s role in aviation careers
∙ North Carolina flying destinations (Wilmington, Oak Island, and more)
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E350: Inside Air Traffic Control: What Controllers Really See, Think, and Want Pilots to Know
Ever wondered what air traffic controllers actually see on their screens when you check in? Or why they sometimes seem frustrated with certain pilot behaviors? In this eye-opening conversation, Marcus Miller …
Show notes
Ever wondered what air traffic controllers actually see on their screens when you check in? Or why they sometimes seem frustrated with certain pilot behaviors? In this eye-opening conversation, Marcus Miller (aka Prop Hat Cat) from Houston Center pulls back the curtain on the world of ATC.
Marcus shares his unique journey from controlling virtual aircraft in his mom's bakery at age 14 to managing real traffic at one of the nation's busiest centers. We dive deep into:
What Controllers Actually See:
- Breaking down the data block: what all those numbers and symbols mean
- Why TRACON controllers don't know your destination
- The technology behind the scope (and why it's from the 1960s)
Making Controllers' Lives Easier:
- Why you should WAIT before checking in (it's not a race!)
- The cross-coupling problem that causes frequency chaos
- How CPDLC is changing everything
Demystifying Phone Numbers (Brasher Warnings):
- What actually happens when you get "the number"
- Why 90% of pilot deviations are learning opportunities, not punishments
- Marcus reveals he's never had to give out a phone number
Controller Pet Peeves & Favorites:
- The weather question epidemic
- Pilots trying to "outsmart the system"
- What makes a controller's day great (hint: your attitude matters)
The Future of ATC:
- New technology coming to centers
- Why consolidation might be on the horizon
- How the Enhanced CTI program is changing controller training
Plus: Academy training secrets, the personality test you never knew existed, why Florida is the "wild west" of aviation, and the real reason controllers need your help with flight following.
Whether you're a student pilot, airline captain, or aviation enthusiast, this episode will transform how you communicate with ATC and understand the critical work happening on the other end of the frequency
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E349: Building Time as a CFI: Luke's Journey from ATP to 900 Hours
In this episode, I sit down with Luke, a flight instructor based in Utah who's currently at around 900 hours and grinding his way toward the airlines. Luke shares his experience going through ATP Flight …
Show notes
In this episode, I sit down with Luke, a flight instructor based in Utah who's currently at around 900 hours and grinding his way toward the airlines. Luke shares his experience going through ATP Flight Training in just 8.5 months, the reality of being a CFI without the guaranteed job he expected, and how social media helped him land his current position as chief instructor at a flight school in Provo.
We discuss the challenges of building time in today's aviation environment, the pros and cons of the ATP route, and what it's really like to be in the trenches as a CFI. Luke opens up about his ultimate goal of flying for Delta, his concerns about being an aviation influencer while job hunting, and the valuable lesson he's learned about building relationships in this industry.
Whether you're currently grinding toward 1,500 hours, considering flight training, or just finished your ratings, Luke's honest perspective on the realities of early career aviation will resonate with you. This is the grind—unfiltered and real.
Topics covered:
- Why Luke chose ATP and if he regrets it
- The hidden costs and realities of accelerated flight training
- Finding CFI work without the ATP guarantee
- Building time through aerobatics and upset recovery training
- Balancing social media presence with professional aviation career
- The importance of mentorship and networking in aviation
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E348: Nick Fialka's Unconventional Path and Interview Secrets
Not every pilot's journey starts with dreams of flight—some begin with a challenge and a bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon.In this episode, we sit down with Nick Fialka, captain at a major airline, host of the Ready …
Show notes
Not every pilot's journey starts with dreams of flight—some begin with a challenge and a bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon.
In this episode, we sit down with Nick Fialka, captain at a major airline, host of the Ready for Pushback podcast, and interview coach at Spitfire Elite. Nick's path to the cockpit is anything but conventional. From attending The Citadel (not exactly known for churning out pilots) to flying helicopters in the Navy, then leaving it all to build a successful RV park in Florida—Nick thought the airlines weren't in his future.
That changed when a retired Delta captain rolled into his RV park with a $700,000 rig and convinced him over whiskey that he belonged at 35,000 feet.
We dive deep into what it really takes to land a job at a major airline in today's market. Nick pulls back the curtain on the interview process, sharing the mistakes that sink applications before they're even read, the logbook disasters that cost pilots their dream jobs, and why spending $600 on interview prep for a $22 million career is the easiest decision you'll ever make.
We also tackle the reality of aviation's boom-and-bust cycles, what the 2026 hiring landscape looks like, and why even the most senior pilots need to keep one eye on their next move. Whether you're building hours at a regional, prepping for your first major airline interview, or just trying to figure out if this career is right for you—this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable advice.
Plus, Nick shares why leading with empathy beats canned answers every time, and how your attitude might matter more than your flight time.
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E347: Fractional Pilot vs Airline Pilot
THE PILOT TO PILOT MAGAZINE HAS LANDED!!!!!Thirteen articles + thirteen companion podcasts.Read. Listen. Share.Thinking about making the jump from fractional to the airlines—or wondering which path is right for …
Show notes
THE PILOT TO PILOT MAGAZINE HAS LANDED!!!!!
Thirteen articles + thirteen companion podcasts.
Read. Listen. Share.
Thinking about making the jump from fractional to the airlines—or wondering which path is right for you? In this episode, I break down my personal experience going from flying the Citation Latitude at a fractional operation to flying a 737 as a major airline pilot.
We cover the real pros and cons of each career path: the seven-day work weeks and FBO life of fractional flying versus the "turn left and you're done" simplicity of airline operations. From quality of life changes after becoming a parent to the grind of short-call reserve, I try to give an honest, no-holds-barred comparison of both worlds.
Whether you're chasing Garmin avionics and owner interactions or looking for longer overnights and schedule predictability, this episode will help you understand what to expect from each side of the professional pilot world.
Topics covered:
- Quality of life: 7 on 7 off vs. airline scheduling
- Customer service and crew dynamics
- The reality of short-call reserve
- Making the decision that's right for your family
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E346: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian Wloch
Podcast Title:Building the Ultimate Flight Simulator: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian WlochPodcast Description:Join host Justin Seams as he sits down with Jorg Neumann (Head of …
Show notes
Podcast Title:
Building the Ultimate Flight Simulator: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian Wloch
Podcast Description:
Join host Justin Seams as he sits down with Jorg Neumann (Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator) and Sebastian Wloch (CEO of Asobo Studio) for an in-depth look at one of aviation's most influential training tools. Discover how Microsoft Flight Simulator has evolved since its 2020 release, with groundbreaking additions like career mode, wake turbulence simulation, and photorealistic graphics that even fool experienced pilots.
In this episode, Jorg and Sebastian share behind-the-scenes stories about:
- Working with real test pilots from Boom Supersonic, Red Bull Air Race, and Boeing
- The painstaking process of achieving 99.9% realism in atmospheric lighting
- Simulating complex airport ground operations with thousands of moving parts
- How Flight Simulator inspires the next generation of pilots (an estimated 50% of all pilots started with the sim!)
- Partnerships with manufacturers like Boeing for virtual airplane training programs
- The future of flight simulation as a legitimate pilot training tool
Whether you're a seasoned pilot, aspiring aviator, or passionate sim enthusiast, this conversation reveals the incredible dedication and innovation behind the game that continues to spark the aviation bug in millions worldwide.
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E345: Three Surgeries, Multiple Rejections, One Dream: Jake Tishman's Journey to the Airlines
In this powerful Thanksgiving episode, host Justin Siems sits down with A320 Captain Jake Tishman to discuss one of the most inspiring aviation journeys you'll hear. Jake shares his decade-long battle with an …
Show notes
In this powerful Thanksgiving episode, host Justin Siems sits down with A320 Captain Jake Tishman to discuss one of the most inspiring aviation journeys you'll hear. Jake shares his decade-long battle with an autoimmune disease that threatened to derail his dream of becoming an airline pilot at every turn—from getting medically disqualified from the Naval Academy to facing multiple surgeries and hospital stays while trying to complete his flight training.
Despite the setbacks, Jake persevered through:
- Multiple hospitalizations during college and flight training
- Completing all his ratings from instrument through CFI/CFII in just 5.5 months
- Taking medical leave from his first airline job
- Navigating the corporate aviation world when airlines rejected his applications
- Finally landing at his current carrier after nearly giving up
This episode goes beyond the typical aviation career story to explore resilience, gratitude, and finding perspective through adversity. Jake's candid discussion about learning to appreciate the smallest victories—even just having the energy to get out of the car—offers valuable lessons for anyone facing challenges in their career or life.
Whether you're a student pilot facing obstacles, an instructor dealing with setbacks, or an airline pilot who rushed through training, Jake's story reminds us all to appreciate where we are and recognize that our unique paths shape who we become.
Plus, there's plenty of good-natured ribbing about Ohio State vs. Florida State football, corporate aviation perks, and the reality of chasing airline seniority numbers.
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E344: Fighter Pilot to 777 - Emergencies, 9/11 Scrambles and Flying Drew Brees
Former Air Force F-15 pilot Roy “Deacon” Qualls shares incredible stories from a 38-year aviation career that includes scrambling to intercept Air Force One on 9/11, crash-landing a burning OV-10 at McCarran …
Show notes
Former Air Force F-15 pilot Roy “Deacon” Qualls shares incredible stories from a 38-year aviation career that includes scrambling to intercept Air Force One on 9/11, crash-landing a burning OV-10 at McCarran Airport, and taking NFL legend Drew Brees for the ride of his life.
In this episode, Deacon reveals:
• How watching Top Gun literally changed his life in four days—from graduate student to Air Force recruit
• Landing a flaming OV-10 off-runway in Las Vegas after being given the wrong winds
• The Vice President’s authorization to shoot down aircraft on 9/11 and what it was like scrambling to intercept Air Force One
• Transitioning from F-15s to Boeing 777s—his first landing of anything bigger than a fighter was a triple seven at Charles de Gaulle with 290 passengers
• Why Drew Brees asked to pull MORE Gs and what made him such an incredible person to fly with
Deacon just released his book “Pilot’s Edge: Think, Train, and Fly Like a Pro” with 25% of profits funding aviation scholarships for the next generation.
Happy Flying,
Justin
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E343 - When Will Pilot Hiring Boom Again? Industry Trends & Airline Strategy
In this state-of-the-industry episode, host Justin Seals sits down with Dr. Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to break down what's really happening in aviation right now.They …
Show notes
In this state-of-the-industry episode, host Justin Seals sits down with Dr. Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to break down what's really happening in aviation right now.
They cover:
- Why hiring has slowed and what it means for aspiring pilots
- Boeing's production increase from 38 to 42 jets—and why that signals major changes ahead
- Spirit Airlines' double bankruptcy and what it reveals about low-cost carrier economics
- The government shutdown's impact on air traffic control and safety
- Privatization of ATC: Is it the answer?
- The $725 billion backlog of aircraft orders
- What pilot contract negotiations will look like when money's already good
Whether you're considering a pilot career, navigating the current market, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this conversation cuts through the hype to give you the real picture.
Key Topics: pilot hiring, Boeing, Spirit Airlines, government shutdown, ATC staffing, airline economics, contract negotiations
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