AeroTalk

For more than 40 years, UND Aerospace has been a leader in collegiate helicopter flight training. Now, that legacy continues with the Helicopter Operations Degree , newly separated from the Commercial Aviation degree program. In this episode, we discuss what’s new, the flight training and certifications students earn, career pathways, and how to apply. Whether you're exploring a future in helicopt...

Anne Simpson and Karen Ruth have known each other for many years. In this episode, we dive into how their lasting friendship and meaningful mentorship shaped their careers and helped them navigate both the triumphs and trials of life. Anne Simpson was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. Anne was hired by Northwest Airlines in 1981 as their third woman pilot. Her 35 year career at Northwest and...

The UND Air Race Classic Team, also known as "The Frozen Force," is comprised of four female pilots from UND. Join us this week as we chat with two members of the 2026 Frozen Force Team before they takeoff for their race on Tuesday, June 23rd! Support the team: https://aero.und.edu/aviation/air-race-classic-team.html Follow the race: https://airraceclassic2026.maprogress.com

Matt Brown’s path to the flight deck began in Sugar Grove, Illinois, where he started private pilot lessons at age 15. At UND, Matt became actively involved in campus life as a member of SAMA and Sigma Chi. As a recipient of the UND AAAB Scholarship in 1998, he's come full circle and is currently serving as President of the UND Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board. Now based in Las Vegas, flying the B7...

Established in 1966, the UND Flying Team competes under the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) at regional and national competitions. The team, made up of students and faculty, competes in numerous ground, simulator, and flying events throughout the year. At the 2026 National SAFECON, the UND Flying Team placed 2nd overall among 25+ universities, while UND pilots secured both the 1...

Today, we welcome Heather Rider, Regional Sales Director for Citation Aircraft at Textron Aviation and a UND alumna. Heather shares her unconventional path to UND and how it led to a successful career in aircraft sales with Mooney, Cessna, Beechcraft, and now Textron Aviation. She describes how her career goals evolved over time, skills that are critical for students interested in aviation sales,...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Wagener, a UND alum and first-generation pilot who grew up near Eau Claire and now resides in Grand Forks. Today, he serves as a Captain for R.D. Offutt Company, flying the Challenger 350/300 and Citation XLS. Along the way, he earned a wide range of certificates and type ratings, including the CE-525S, CE-560XL, CL-30, and EMB-505. We discuss his path from UN...

On this week’s episode of AeroTalk, we sit down with two United Airlines pilots who also hold management positions within the airline to discuss what it is like balancing responsibilities both in the cockpit and in the corporate side of aviation. They share how their careers developed from their time at UND to flying for a major airline, the experiences that helped them move into leadership roles...

This week on AeroTalk, we sit down with Vanya Voskresensky, Manager of SMS Policy, Promotion, and Oversight at Southwest Airlines, to discuss his role in airline safety management and the responsibilities that come with overseeing Safety Management Systems (SMS) at a major airline. Vanya also shares how his experiences at University of North Dakota helped shape his path into the aviation industry...

This week’s episode features Associate Professor Alan Frazier and Commercial Aviation student Kathleen Thompson as they explore two UND Aerospace study abroad programs focused on the Battle of Britain or D-Day. They discuss the academic structure of these courses, how immersive travel enhances the learning experience, and the historical significance of the sites visited. Having attended the Battle...

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.