Justin Siems

Pilot to Pilot

Leisure EN ↓ 369 episodes

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.

Author

Justin Siems

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

www.pilottopilothq.com

Latest episode

Jun 24, 2026

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Episodes

363: Fighter Pilot. Snowbird Team Leader. Filmmaker. Rob “Scratch” Mitchell on Leading Through Loss, Chasing Excellence, and Finding a New Sky 24.06.2026

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 •...

E362: A Career Changer's Road from Orchestra Halls to the Airlines 10.06.2026

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 •...

E361: Electric Planes, Forest Fires & Vancouver Island: A Canadian Pilot's Unconventional Path 28.05.2026

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 •...

E360: No Pilot's License, No Problem: How Marci Veronie Climbed to the Top of Aviation Without Ever Leaving the Ground 19.05.2026

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 •...

E359: The End of Spirit Airlines: What Happened, What's Next, and What It Means for Pilots 07.05.2026

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 reorganiz...

E358: Spirit Going Under? United-American Rumors & 2026 Pilot Hiring Forecast — Jim Higgins Returns 28.04.2026

🎙️ 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...

E357: Evan Davis - How Flying Saved My Life 23.04.2026

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 becomin...

E356: From SWAT to Corporate Jet Pilot - How Josh Changed Careers and Built a Life in Aviation 14.04.2026

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 episo...

E355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions 03.03.2026

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 in...

Ep. 354: Trent Palmer | FAA Called On Me Twice, Lost My License, and Almost Quit Flying 24.02.2026

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 Holl...

Flying the San Diego Coastline at 15 Knots | Chancy Arnold 11.02.2026

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-buil...

E352: From Oshkosh to Lakeland: Gene Conrad on Running Sun 'n Fun's $7M Aviation Spectacular 03.02.2026

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 Fu...

E351: Type Rated at 800 Hours: Building a Corporate Aviation Career Early | Ariel Johnson 27.01.2026

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 t...

E350: Inside Air Traffic Control: What Controllers Really See, Think, and Want Pilots to Know 22.01.2026

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...

E349: Building Time as a CFI: Luke's Journey from ATP to 900 Hours 16.01.2026

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 P...

E348: Nick Fialka's Unconventional Path and Interview Secrets 13.01.2026

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)...

E347: Fractional Pilot vs Airline Pilot 15.12.2025

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 pr...

E346: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian Wloch 09.12.2025

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...

E345: Three Surgeries, Multiple Rejections, One Dream: Jake Tishman's Journey to the Airlines 25.11.2025

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 h...

E344: Fighter Pilot to 777 - Emergencies, 9/11 Scrambles and Flying Drew Brees 18.11.2025

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...

E343 - When Will Pilot Hiring Boom Again? Industry Trends & Airline Strategy 14.10.2025

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 bankrupt...

How You Can Save Money in Flight Training 23.09.2025

We're diving deep into how to save money in flight training, which is no small feat! In this episode, Jason Miller joins us to share valuable insights on managing the financial burden of becoming a pilot, especially for those of us who are navigating tight budgets. We talk about practical strategies that cater to both novice student pilots and those looking to transition into professional flying,...

E341 - Brewing Success in the Skies - Thomas of Hangar 22 Coffee Roasters 09.09.2025

Hangar 22 Coffee In this episode of the Pilot to Pilot podcast, host Justin Siems chats with Thomas, a 737 airline pilot and the founder of Hangar 22 Coffee Roasters. Thomas shares his inspiring journey into aviation starting at age 4, navigating the challenges of COVID-19 right after flight school, and balancing a demanding flying career with building a thriving aviation-themed coffee business. F...

E340: Ryan Graves UAP’s and F18’s 02.09.2025

Ryan Graves, a former F-18 pilot and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, joins us to delve into the intriguing and often perplexing world of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). We kick off the conversation by exploring Ryan’s journey from aviation novice to military aviator, discussing the intense training and experiences that shaped his career. He shares some mind-boggling encoun...

E339 Leah Froehlich: From Doubts to Dominating the Skies as a CFI and Aviation Influencer 26.08.2025

In Episode 339 of the Pilot to Pilot Podcast, host Justin Siems chats with Leah Froehlich, a passionate flight instructor and Instagram content creator. Leah shares her unexpected journey into aviation, sparked by a flight with her stepdad after pursuing physical therapy. She opens up about overcoming early confidence struggles, the realities of CFI life, the importance of humility in flying, and...

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