The Pilots Pandemic

This week we are joined by fellow aeromedical reform advocate, Courtney Anderson. Courtney is a student pilot at Embry Riddle, Daytona Beach. During freshman year she became sick and had no clue why. After multiple appointments, unanswered questions, and not being taken seriously by doctors for almost an entire year… Courtney was eventually diagnosed with Hashimoto disease. She describes her exper...

This week we wanted to cover the events that took place in 2020, where corporate greed & the oversight of our government regulator aka FAA lead to the biggest airline disaster of the 21st century. Following the Netflix documentary Downfall: a case against Boeing we wanted to break it down even farther to pinpoint some of the major keys regarding the crash and add our own opinions since we have man...

This week we are joined by Captain Reyné O’Shaughnessy; Reyné is the Founder of Piloting 2 Wellbeing, an aviation-based organization that builds on her 34+ years of experience as a commercial airline pilot. Reyné helps pilots achieve a healthier life using practical techniques tailored for their careers. She is certified in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at Brown University and earned a...

This week we are joined by Morgan, known as @le_captain_morgan on Instagram. There’s a good chance if you’re on IG that you’ve seen one of her hilarious aviation inspired reels. Morgan tells us about her flight training experience as a 141 student and what got her into aviation; how she’s taken those experiences and turned them into creative content that any pilot can relate to. She’s just as funn...

This week we give you our honest opinions… I mean truly, brutally, honest opinions on the FAA’s Instagram. A recent post on their IG captioned, “@FAA: Regulatory authorities worldwide consider Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) a disqualifying condition for pilots, but proper diagnosis of ADHD is a complex process. Tap the link in our bio” has spread like wildfire through the communit...

***The views expressed in this episode reflect only those of the speaker and not necessarily those of the Department of Defense, the US Air Force, or the Brooke Army Medical Center.*** This week we are discussing aeromedical reform with Aeromedical researcher, Dr. William Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman is a physician, aeromedical examiner, and researcher who leads an aeromedical research group in the United...

We are solo this week and discussing solo pilot operations; the risks involved and how this would change the face of the airline industry. For this episode we will mainly be referencing the ALPA white paper that warns of the dangers of single pilot operation. SOCIAL LINKS- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/thepilotspandemic https://instagram.com/emneonicon https://Instagram.com/thefitaviatrix Tikto...

Meet Evanthia, a 19 year old aircraft technician and maintainer. Evanthia discusses the challenges she’s faced as a young professional and also as a female, in one of the most male dominated industries within aviation. Learn what a day in the life of an aircraft maintainer is like at one of the busiest airports in the country. SOCIAL LINKS- Instagram: @esoldaa https://Instagram.com/thepilotspandem...

This week we switch things up and pod swap with the ‘Cancelled for Maintenance’ podcast; “A behind the scenes look into the gritty, non-glamorous, life of an aircraft maintainer.” We sit down with Six and MBP to discuss the roots of their platform, and what inspired them to start podcasting. Sharing their stories via comedy has made a significant impact to their own mental health but also to their...

This week Emma and Maddie sit down with Maddie’s good friend John Ferreira. John is a Captain for a major airline, father of two, and Author. John has been through the Special Issuance process and says it changed his life for the better. His super inspiring story reminds us all how it is possible to put yourself first, get the help you need, and still have a successful aviation career. https://www...

We are closing out the past year with some rather comical aviation news. The Trevor Jacob “I crashed my plane” video has been circulating the av community for the past two weeks. We giggle over the bizarre details, and obvious red flags from the video; then changing focus to some of the the darker aspects of social media & how younger generations seem to be creating riskier content to feel seen by...

The girls are joined this week by guest and friend Emily; creator of the Pilots With Clipped Wings page. Emily had around 900 hours of flight time when she experienced some unexpected physical setbacks. These concerns ultimately led to choosing to ground herself. Emily shares her Clipped Wings story and gives valuable insight into her life outside of being a pilot. Emily reminds us all that there...

Emma and Maddie converse over the UND Summit, who was there, what they discussed, what it means in the aviation world, and what we can do to keep pushing for aeromedical reform. The UND Mental Health Summit was held in Chicago, December 15, 2021, in honor of John A. Hauser; a UND aviation student who passed away in October of this year. John was a compassionate person who should be here today, and...

This week on the pilots pandemic Emma and Maddie breakdown the ERAU planned shooting, the severity of the mental health stigma that surrounds the planned shootings, as well as the warning signs that may have shed light on the students mental fitness. - We do not condone the students actions but want to hold space for a mental health talk to be covered. - Because this happened on an aviation campus...

Emma and Maddie sit down with Emilee to talk about her position as an Air Attack Pilot, her transition from 121 to 135 flying, tackling the ins and outs of being a woman in aviation & her inspiration behind flying. GIVEAWAY: Maddie is give away a free cup of coffee to listeners who rate, review and subscribe to the show. Each week we will take the names and put them in a random raffle. The winner...

This week Emma and Maddie break down news articles covering the ongoing pilot shortage. The girls unpack how this could affect the av industry and certain pressures already in effect at certain airlines. “The root cause of the coming shortage varies by region: In the United States, it’s an aging workforce facing mandatory retirement, fewer pilots exiting the military, and barriers to entry, includ...

On part two of our episode with Teya we discuss some heavy topics. We talk about what it was like for her to lose a close friend to a plane crash, and the frustrations of being unable to seek help because of FAA regulations. When things seemed to look the worst she realized she must keep their dream alive. Before the passing of her friend Parker they had plans of starting an air service that offer...

Proof you can do both; our guest this week is female pilot Teya, who received her CPL 6 months pregnant. She is a female pilot, CFI, mother and friend. Her journey into the aviation world is not only unique, but inspiring. We discuss her adventure to becoming a CFI and how she’s overcome life’s battles. Balancing mom life with her life, and what it’s like to be a female CFI. Teyas’ story is touchi...

//: On this weeks episode Emma and Maddie recap the recent events following the UND student pilot fatality. “UND pilot was dealing with ‘mental health concerns’ NTSB report finds no mechanical problems in fatal UND crash.” -We discuss the importance of news coverage and it’s pros and cons. Maddie talks about the family confirming a mental health issue and how this could be huge in changing a NTSB...

Emma and Maddie have been keeping up with the current news and following up with people that are near the current investigation. This is a conversation we wanted to create around the UND crash as it has sparked action in the mental health arena for pilots. //// 📍The tragic passing of a UND student just last week has a multitude of pilots wondering why they still have no access to mental health ca...

Emma went MIA but she’s back with a new addition to the pod, Maddie Miller. Maddie is a Aero-med reform advocate, aviation wellness expert, pilots wife and former airline employee. On this weeks episode we discuss the following. -how Maddie started down aeromedical reform path - her naivety in thinking safety orgs were going to follow through on safety risks - Union talks with MEC heads & lawyers...

This episode I sit down and talk to Maddie known as the fit aviatrix on Instagram. Maddie is a former airline employee, pilots daughter and a pilots wife. We talk about issues within the industry, how to stay healthy on the line and the impact aeromedical standards have had on the aviation community. We also touch on the topic of relationships and what being a pilots wife is like. Maddie provides...

Today I have the pleasure of speaking with fellow female aviator, Claire Schindler. Claire is a corporate pilot, event coordinator for CA Sky Kids, and advocate for aeromedical reform. We talk about Claire’s journey and her passion for flying; the ins and out of a professional aviatrix, and facing adversity in the work place. She opens up about mental health, the struggles the pandemic has posed f...

!!!!!!!!!! IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER !!!!!!!!!The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker's alone and do not represent the views of the US Government, the US Department of Defense, the Brooke Army Medical Center, or the Federal Aviation Administration. END DISCLAIMER On this weeks episode I speak to Dr. Billy Hoffman. We discuss his recent studies on pilot health care seeking anxiety,...

Matt is a type 1 diabetic and drone pilot who has been fighting to obtain his 3rd class medical. Matt shares with us some of his hardships and everything he’s endured to try and become a private pilot. Everyone deserves the chance to fly, especially after multiple doctors have given you a clean bill of health. To help pilots like Matt and others, please share and sign my petition for aeromedical r...