AeroTalk

Take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate John D. Odegard being inducted into the 2026 National Aviation Hall of Fame. In a live special of AeroTalk during Aviation Family Weekend, Stephanie LaDue, Odegard’s daughter, led a conversation with Kent Lovelace, Ken Polovitz, Karen Ruth, and Larry Martin about the incredible impact and legacy John created.

This week on AeroTalk we highlight Dan Kasowski, a legend at flight ops who has been at UND for over 46 years. Dan has been an integral part of UND Aerospace, serving as the Director of Maintenance and overseeing a team of about 100 employees. As he prepares for retirement, Dan takes us back through his time at UND and the evolution of the Maintenance Department.

New to the annual Aviation Family Weekend at UND? SAMA President and AHP President, Jack Usiak and Grant Hoff, help break down the activities taking place during Aviation Family Weekend, including the SAMA Conference and Career Fair, family flights, and the Aviation Banquet Dinner plus AHP Auction! For additional information and list of events visit: https://aero.und.edu/events/family-weekend.html

Cody Stauffer, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at UND joins us to discuss how the CFI hiring process at UND works. Matt and Cody discuss how the initial application process works, what you can expect in the written exam, and what follows in your interview and sim. Additionally, they address what happens after you get hired, from your onboarding process to your stan flight, and getting your first...

In this episode, we’re joined by UpLift Chair and Vice Chair, Zoe Thompson and Lydia Schock to share how UpLift actually works and why it’s important to prioritize well-being in the aviation industry. They share the story behind UpLift, the mission driving it forward, and how it supports pilots at the University of North Dakota through peer-based connection. More about UpLift: www.upliftpeer.com

This week, Matt Opsahl sits down to answer frequently asked questions from students before they start AVIT 480, Advanced Aircraft Operations (also known as the Jet Transition Course) at UND. Matt breaks down how the course works, study tips, and the benefits for students in their future careers in the airlines.

This week on AeroTalk we are joined by Brianna Black from the Aerospace Success Center. Brianna and Matt go over all the different ways you can get involved at UND and how the Aerospace Success Center can change your future helping you branch out and make important connections in the aviation industry.

This week we’re bringing back one of our most downloaded episodes that is still very relevant this season. Flying in Cold Weather! We’re joined by Katia Peters and Rav Meddepola, both Senior Lead Flight Instructors at the University of North Dakota. During the winter, pilots face unique challenges when flying in cold weather. In this episode, Kat and Rav share essential tips and best practices to...

This week, Matt sits down with Helicopter Chief Flight Instructor, Wesley Van Dell, to break down how our Helicopter Program works and what potential opportunities lie beyond UND!

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Bryan Smith and Lead Flight Instructor Brett Taifer discuss how to successfully prepare for your Instrument Rating. They share practical guidance, common pitfalls to avoid, and insights from working with instrument students to help you start your training with confidence and a clear plan for success.

This week we sit down with Samantha Ross, Assistant Professor at UND to discuss the Dispatch specialization offered at UND. Discover why dispatch might be the aviation career you’ve been looking for, what it takes to earn your certification, and how it can create exciting new pathways in the industry.

Get to know Jeff VanLooy, Professor and Department Chair of Earth System Science & Policy (ESSP) at UND as he takes us through his recent research expedition to Peru! In August 2025, Dr. VanLooy traveled to southern Peru with two ESSP graduate students to collect water samples from glacier-fed lakes and rivers as part of two research projects. Take a listen to discover what they found—and why...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Ella Hedman, President of the Student Aerospace Advisory Council (SAAC) , and Nawin Bravo, Vice President, to discuss the vital role SAAC plays within the Aerospace College. Ella and Nawin explain SAAC’s mission and the ways students can contribute ideas, raise concerns, and help shape the future of UND Aerospace.

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor Taylor Miesel joins us to break down key areas to improving your landings. We discuss how a solid traffic pattern sets you up for success, what to focus on during the final approach, and how to smoothly manage the roundout, flare, and rollout for consistent, controlled touchdowns. ✈️

This week we’re joined by Lead Flight Instructors Zachary Hoff and Caroline Kelley to break down the real-world do’s and don’ts of cross country (XC) flight planning. They discuss why good XC planning is about smart decision-making, preparing thoroughly, and avoiding common mistakes that start before the flight even begins.

This week we're joined by two aviation trailblazers whose careers helped redefine what was possible for women in the cockpit: Karen Ruth and Jill Newby . They take us from their early days as roommates at UND to remarkably accomplished careers in the airline industry. Karen Ruth, a Delta Air Lines captain, has logged over 23,000 flight hours, flew the first delivery of Delta’s A330 from France to...

Jim Sweeney brings decades of real-world experience in aviation and entrepreneurship. As Co-Founder and President of Fargo Jet Center , he has spent his career building, leading, and scaling aviation businesses with a focus on operational excellence and world-class service. In this episode, he shares his perspective and insights from a career spent growing successful businesses in aviation.

In this episode, we sit down with Don Dubuque, a key architect behind the growth of UND Aerospace, to reflect on his nearly four decades shaping our aviation programs. Don graduated from UND in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration. From there, he built a distinguished career at UND, serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chief Flight Instructor, A...

We’re wishing you a joyful holiday season and relaxing break. Thanks for being part of the AeroTalk community, and don’t forget to join us next week for our regularly scheduled episodes!

As graduation approaches, UND Aerospace seniors take a moment to reflect on their journey and look ahead to what’s next. In this episode, we ventured outside of the studio and chatted with seniors on campus, asking four thoughtful questions about their experiences, advice for new students, and hopes for the future. 🎓 The four questions we asked: Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What’s one pi...

Settle in and get comfortable! This 30-minute study mix combines lofi music with real airplane and airport sounds from UND Flight Operations—perfect for staying focused while preparing for finals or stage checks. Replay this episode as many times as you need to stay productive and in the zone! ✈️📚

In this episode, conflict-resolution expert, Emily Holth , shares practical ways to manage stress and handle tough conversations. Heading into the hectic season of holidays and finals, her insight can help you reduce stress, communicate with clarity, and create more peace in your relationships.

Meet Fred Remer —pilot, storm chaser, researcher, and long-time professor who helped shape the culture of meteorology and aviation at the University of North Dakota before retiring in 2024. From flying UND’s Citation research jet to teaching the legendary Aviation Meteorology course, Fred’s 30+ years at UND are filled with stories that blend science, adventure, and a deep love for helping students...

Getting ready for your Private Pilot Written? In this episode, we sit down with Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Jason Bensley, to break down how the written exam works. 🔹 What We Cover in This Episode What is the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam? Knowledge Prep: How to Study Effectively Endorsements Explained How to Schedule Your Exam Preparing Yourself Taking the Test: What to Expect After the Te...

Meet Sarah Simek, more commonly referred to as JT, an Air Traffic Controller at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) and Union President for GFK NATCA. In this episode of AeroTalk , JT shares what it’s like working in the control tower at GFK and discusses how teamwork, adaptability, and resilience play a vital role in keeping operations safe and efficient. JT began her aviation journey at a CT...