Aero Exploration

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 overco...

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 rat...

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 Cen...

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 surround...

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 inc...

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 caree...

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 responsibi...

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,...

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 profession...

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 del...

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...

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 , w...

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 interpr...

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 Aircraf...

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 regiona...

Every delay, every grounded plane, every canceled flight has a story behind it—one you don’t see. In this episode of AeroExploration , we dive into the hidden crisis in aviation maintenance: a rapidly aging workforce, broken training pipelines, and a shortage of skilled mechanics that is grounding aircraft across the country. From major airlines to your local flight school, the impact is real, cos...

In this episode of AeroExploration , we sit down with Patrick Arnzen , airline pilot, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and CEO of Thrust Flight . Patrick has spent his career guiding aspiring aviators through the challenges of pilot training, and he’s now leading one of the nation’s premier accelerated flight schools. Together, we dig into: ✈️ Accelerated flight training — the real advantages, the c...

Join us on AeroExploration as we sit down with Anthony Dyer, a former USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator whose career includes flying AC-130 gunships and Pave Hawk rescue helicopters on dangerous missions that saved lives. In Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator , Anthony doesn’t just chronicle the adrenaline and action of combat search-and-rescue, casualty e...

In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast , Jim sits down with Collin, a corporate jet pilot with NetJets , to explore his unconventional path into aviation. Collin didn’t grow up with a headset in hand or a lifelong dream of flying. Instead, his early life revolved around farming. But a chance meeting with a pilot on a party bus changed everything. That single conversation set him on the pat...

On September 11, 2001, the aviation industry changed forever. While most remember the immediate shutdown of U.S. airspace and the introduction of tighter airport security, the ripple effects of that day continue to shape aviation more than two decades later. In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast , we take a deep dive into how 9/11 reshaped every corner of the industry—from pilots, flight...

In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we have another Fly the Transition story. We sit down with Joe, a pilot whose career path proves that chasing your dream job in aviation isn’t always a straight line. Joe takes us from his days on the factory floor to his first aviation gigs, sharing how he and his family sacrificed to keep his flying dream alive. From check run flights in the middle...

Hangar space has become one of the most competitive and confusing parts of the industry, and getting it wrong can cost you time, money, and peace of mind. In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast , we deliver the step-by-step playbook for hangar ownership. From finding hidden opportunities that never hit the market, to deciding between sole ownership and partnerships, to understanding the in...

Welcome to a new era of the AeroExploration Podcast ! To kick things off, we’re catching up with a familiar voice — Christy Shaffer , who first joined us during her transition into the airlines. Since then, Christy has upgraded to captain and now serves as a line check airman , guiding the next generation of pilots through their first days on the line. In this episode, Christy shares what new airl...

This episode comes with a big announcement! In this episode I get personal, I get reflective, and I tell you what big things I learned this year at Airventure that will change my world of content creation, hopefully for the better. Airventure '25 gave me a good deal of time to assess my content creation and reflect on how I provide that content to all of you. I'm making some changes moving ahead,...

Caleb Green’s Journey from Army Officer to Corporate Jet Pilot In this inspiring episode of Fly the Transition , host Jim Schilling sits down with Caleb Green , a former Army logistics officer who made a bold leap from a background in agricultural business and military service into the cockpit of a corporate jet . Caleb shares his powerful story of navigating the transition from a structured Army...