The Aerospace Executive Podcast

In aerospace and defense, predictability, stability and certainty are the fuel all deals run on. Buyers purchase companies expecting a sure thing that will sustain for decades.  What happens when you throw the possibility of unpredictable tariffs into this market?  You get buyer and seller uncertainty which slows the market down. No one knows exactly how President Trump’s tariffs will impact the s...

The aerospace industry thrives on precision, strategy, and resilience—the same qualities that define elite intelligence operations. But how do the skills developed in espionage translate to executive leadership, negotiation, and business strategy? In this re-run episode of The Aerospace Executive Podcast, we revisit a compelling conversation with Michele Rigby Assad, a former CIA officer and count...

2024 was a solid year for business aviation, and 2025 looks even better. But let’s be real—owning, operating, and maintaining private jets is more complex (and costly) than ever. We all know about the ongoing pilot shortages and talent retention struggles, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Aircraft acquisition hurdles Rising maintenance costs & longer lead times Increasing regulatory &am...

If there’s one thing that can propel or stall a career, it’s the boss you work for. A great leader can impact you for a lifetime. They create a winning environment, and allow their people to soak in the skills they need to succeed and become great leaders too.  Thinking ahead, taking charge and fixing problems, executing flawlessly and redeeming yourself after an error. These are just a few powerf...

In the aircraft parts market, some SKUs fly off the shelves easily, but that’s not the case for every part. Some parts sit in warehouses for years, gathering dust, adding up to hundreds of billions in write-offs.  80% of inventory gets snapped up, but the 20% can’t sell itself. It requires someone to do some in-depth spelunking to breathe new life into these forgotten parts and connect them with b...

An aviation education can turn into an incredible career with countless opportunities to put passion and talent to work. But that requires training programs that open people’s eyes to the different ways they can leverage their expertise.  The industry is evolving, and so the career paths within it have to shift too. From regulatory roles and jet pilots to aviation-trained business leaders, there a...

In the aerospace industry, growth and innovation aren’t just buzzwords—they're vital for survival in one of the most competitive sectors in the world.  This year, I had the privilege of sitting down with some of the most forward-thinking leaders, companies that have not only weathered the turbulence of today’s challenges but have come out stronger on the other side. From supply chain crises to str...

The airline industry is renowned for its safety, but the pandemic threw a curveball into the mix. The world was forced to grapple with new realities of travel, and even though it was a challenge, it also presented new opportunities that the industry can go after. Fleet flexibility, operational efficiency, and paying attention to demographic shifts—these are some ways the industry can adapt and piv...

The business jet maintenance industry faces a persistent challenge: getting aircraft out on time and on budget seems nearly impossible. At the core of this issue? Labor shortages, high turnover, and a lack of skilled talent. Hiring new mechanics is costly, the learning curve is steep, and customers ultimately bear the financial burden. While many have tried to solve these issues, Jets MRO took a b...

As the aerospace and defense industry continues to face supply resiliency issues coupled with talent shortages, India has emerged as a solution.  Many marquee OEMs have been able to harness the full capabilities that can be found in India and gain all the benefits of manufacturing there.  Jeh Aerospace is helping US companies unlock the talent pool, manufacturing and state of the art technology th...

Many people think military leadership is as simple as giving orders and people just blindly following them. They couldn’t be more mistaken.  While people will do what they’re told, this “sir, yes, sir” style of leadership doesn’t lead to high performance. It leads to a workforce that begrudgingly follows orders and passive aggressively does the bare minimum.  Getting people to take pride in their...

Whether you’re in the Blue Angels, on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier or an elite athlete, being on a high performing team isn’t about you. Your success depends on working together, sacrificing, covering for each other and collaborating.  In order to do this right, everyone on the team has to hold up their end of the bargain. The leader has to be willing to hold up a mirror to their own per...

Airplanes aren’t retiring the way they used to. They are more sophisticated than ever before. They are staying around longer and they are getting larger with each generation.  This creates a challenge and a lot of complexity for MRO but also a massive opportunity.  How do you run an organization with the capacity, talent and sheer size to support all of this growth?  That’s something West Star Avi...

With the recent Boeing and Textron strikes, it seems the business of manufacturing new planes just can’t catch a break.  These labor woes are just another challenge clobbering the production and availability of new aircraft, and we have to brace for a challenging few weeks (or months).  Unfortunately, this could be the tip of the iceberg that can trickle down, but it’s not all bad news for the who...

In the highly competitive and specialized world of business jet interiors, standing out with something truly unique is no small feat. The challenge of innovation is compounded by the complex certification processes involved, making it difficult for most companies in this space to create disruptive designs. Interestingly, some of the most significant innovations often come from outside the aviation...

The pilot shortage might feel like a relatively recent thing, but it has been decades in the making. The foundation had been buckling for a long time and now we’re in full-on free fall, which is being reflected in the salaries and contracts we’re seeing today.  Will this be the new normal going forward? In order to solve this issue, the whole industry has to present a united front to create a soli...

In the world of business branding, there are 2 kinds of organizations. The ones that talk about what they do, and the ones that focus on what makes them unique.  You can guess which one grows faster and has more loyal customers. Branding is non-negotiable - it’s the only way to stand out in a crowded marketplace.  In this industry, many companies don’t do enough to brand themselves differently, or...

Commercial Airlines in the United States have achieved an amazing accomplishment– 10 years without a major mishap. This is an enviable safety record that is a direct result of professionalism and industry improvements made through the years. Resting on our laurels, however, is not an option. How do we maintain this stellar record despite massive industry changes? In this episode, I’m joined by for...

Leading an aircraft carrier with a 5,000 person crew is like running an entire city. The flight deck is dangerous, the number of moving parts is countless, the stakes are high. and the magnitude of responsibility is unparalleled.  How do you deal with all this and still manage to be an approachable leader with the respect and loyalty of your crew? Why is delegation THE key to success?  In this epi...

If all you’re known for is what you do, you’ve basically rendered yourself uncompetitive. -Ken Schmidt   For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw . To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/ .    In a competitive marketplace, nothing kills you faster than trying to brand yourself on your product or service. That’s a less...

Trust is really the water that all relationships swim in. When the trust is high, the water is clear and it’s a wonderful experience. When trust isn’t there, the water’s dark and there’s misery and drudgery. -George Dom   For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://goo.gl/3piJkw . To learn more about Craig Picken and the NorthStar Group, visit http://northstaresg.com/ .    In the hi...

Everyone wants to have A-players in their teams, but when it comes to recruiting those rockstars, many of us don’t even know where to start.  Does recruitment look any different when we’re looking to onboard the best of the best? How do top-tier achievers want to be approached, and what could entice them to work with our organizations, over everyone else? On the flipside, how can recruits present...

In order to build a successful, scalable business that sets us free, we have to first build a really great team.   Our teams and the way they operate dictate the success of our organizations, and most of us know that. However, when it comes to building those teams, most of us just don’t know what we don’t know.   So, how can we build the kinds of teams that allow us to create the businesses of our...

Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates into a full-blown disaster.   The difference between a "disruption" and a "disaster" is more than just semantics. A disruption is a minor hiccup, but without strategic anticipation and planning, it can become catastrophic. The problem with man...

Disruptions, crises, and unexpected challenges are inevitable in business. While we may not be able to prevent a crisis, we can control whether it escalates into a full-blown disaster.   The difference between a "disruption" and a "disaster" is more than just semantics. A disruption is a minor hiccup, but without strategic anticipation and planning, it can become catastrophic. The problem with man...