The Aerospace Executive Podcast

The biggest obstacle to cybersecurity stems from our unwillingness to understand our risks. We can set up all the security systems in the world, but if we’re not actively looking for threats, it’s all for naught. Ignoring threats until they become a reality means setting ourselves up for bigger problems. What’s stopping us from facing the truth head-on? How do we prioritize our cybersecurity? Is t...

The aerospace industry was rocked in 2020 and nobody went unscathed. While many focused on Boeing, Airbus the bigger companies, very few talked about the little guys. How has the lower middle market fared, and what does 2021 have in store for them? Who will bounce back and who is in danger? In this episode, Managing Director of Patriot Industrial Partners, Alex Krutz shares his outlook for the sma...

Mindset is the primary driver of our results. To see success requires the right mindset! What mindset should we be cultivating for the best results and do we hold ourselves back by playing our inner game the wrong way? In this episode, Founder and CEO of Extraordinary Advisors, Todd Palmer returns to the show to share his tips for getting to the right mindset.  "Your mindset about how you handle l...

Want to be an entrepreneur? Then expect some turbulence along the way.  As in any business, ups and downs are inevitable and one can never be too prepared for the unknown. What can we do to give our startups the best shot at success, no matter what life throws our way? From Navy Admiral to Bourbon distiller, Scott Sanders shares how he got his startup off the ground and how his 700 MPH Bourbon wil...

Business evolves quickly and if leaders want to survive they need to adapt along the way. Yesterday’s strategies won’t work tomorrow and we have to adapt to the new reality. But, WHAT IS THE NEW REALITY?   What should leaders be changing today to ensure their organizations make it to tomorrow? Is there a blueprint for uncharted territory? In this episode, workplace futurist, author, and speaker, M...

The airline industry is renowned for its safety, but the pandemic threw a curveball into the mix. How did airlines fare in terms of creating a safer travel experience in the wake of the virus, and how did our efforts compare to those of other industries? Ben Baldanza, former CEO of Spirit Airlines returns to share his thoughts on airline safety during and beyond the pandemic.  "The idea is to make...

Innovation, working in small, nimble teams, and driving a culture is what helps small companies compete. Perhaps it’s just the lack of boundaries.   Airborne ECS is just one example of a small but mighty business making big waves in the industry. The question is, how have they done it? How can small businesses keep pushing the needle on new ideas, and are they ever at an advantage over their bigge...

What can we expect from the airlines in 2021? How will they change and what will drive their business? In this episode, economist and former CEO of Spirit Airlines, Ben Baldanza shares the changes we’ll need to make as an industry.    "Everybody will have to adjust their business model in some way, shape, or form." -Ben Baldanza Three Things You’ll Learn In This Episode    How a decrease in busine...

Highly acclaimed industry analyst and Forbes contributor, Brian Foley, shares his thoughts for 2021. With the New Year comes a ton of excitement. While many of us are still feeling cautious, many are also curious as to what the future holds. How big a dent did 2020 leave in our industry, and what can we do to rebuild and move forward? Did anyone benefit in spite of the difficulties?     "The stren...

What is the future of aviation?  Will we be bearing the brunt of coronavirus for years to come or will the impact be short-lived? In this episode, author of Aircraft Valuation, David Yu shares his prognosis for aviation in 2021 and beyond.  The faster we take the difficulties of our reality into account, the faster we can get back on a growth path as an industry. -David Yu Three Things You’ll Lear...

Alpine Advanced Materials innovative HX5 composites are driving weight-saving solutions that took a whopping 2,000 lbs. of weight out of a Boeing 777!  As a venture-backed, early stage start-up, the company is also creating big waves in aerospace manufacturing.     Getting a startup off the ground is challenging in the best of times, and a pandemic only adds another hurdle to the mix. What have Ro...

Despite receiving billions in government bailouts, the world’s airlines are struggling and will continue to do so.    Bank bailouts and state financial assistance have certainly done their part to provide lifelines, but this path is not the most sustainable path forward.   Will the aid and bailouts do more to help the industry or hurt it? Are there any viable alternatives?  In this episode, renown...

Travis Roderick, President of Air Ambulance Worldwide, made the difficult transition from running hospitals to running an aviation business. The transition has been even more complex as it was interrupted by a pandemic.   In this episode he describes his journey into Aviation, how the aeromedical industry has been negatively affected, and how it will positively transition into 2021.    People real...

In the mid-1990’s nobody could have predicted how far and how fast the internet would develop and the past 30 years have been revolutionary.   Once limited to science fiction, Artificial Intelligence is becoming our reality. That being said, the AI we’ve seen in movies isn’t quite the same as what we’re seeing in real life today.    When we think of AI, we tend to think of robots with human qualit...

Cyber technology is an integral part of our lives, and with so many new advancements, keeping up has become non-negotiable.   However, there is a price to pay. The competition between the US and China over AI and 5G is one of the greatest threats we’re currently facing. How we approach cybersecurity won’t just protect us, it can also create opportunities for peacebuilding and stronger alliances.  ...

A big lesson we learn is how quickly change can be forced on us. The people who successfully adapt don’t change by force, they pivot with intention and purpose.     Many think that change and transition are the same thing, but there’s a difference. Change is forced on us; transition is a choice we make and is something we control.    Our world will continue to change and the more we can transition...

2020 has been a wild ride. Between the pandemic and the subsequent economic fallout, it’s easy to view everything through a negative lens.      Keeping a positive isn’t just necessary, it’s our responsibility. Even in the most challenging times, business leaders have to keep the ship steady, look ahead, and optimize the effectiveness of our teams. If we feel defeated, our teams will follow suit an...

Leading a small business in the current business climate comes with many challenges, but there’s still a lot of opportunity for leaders who have the right mindset. The pandemic has affected manufacturing extensively but this also creates SIGNIFICANT opportunities for local businesses to gain market share, and help OEMs protect their supply chains. How can small and mid-sized businesses grow throug...

2020 has been anything but the norm for businesses, entrepreneurs, employees, and customers. Every business has been hit with new challenges. Some businesses have come out stronger. These are the companies that successfully pivoted, kept a focus on their marketing, treated their employees well, and kept going despite the challenges.  Anchor Harvey is an example of a company that pivoted, rolled wi...

COVID-19 dealt a devastating blow to the airline and aircraft leasing industries, but the cracks were already there pre-pandemic. The pandemic merely sped up the inevitable. How do we rebuild? Do we play it safe until the storm passes over or do we try new things in a frozen aircraft market? Industry expert and Partner at Split Rock Aviation, Andy Mansell shares how the industry should use this ti...

Hiring the right people is never easy. If we’re seeing talent and potential in someone, odds are our competitors see that too.  It’s also important to remember that people exist in a fluid marketplace – our existing talent is constantly being enticed with other offers. Thus, it is OUR responsibility to ensure they’re happier with us. What can we do to make sure top recruits are drawn to us, rather...

In a completely online world, the difference between Harvard and the University of Phoenix becomes very small. How does one differentiate the two without the personal classroom and extracurricular interaction?   In similar fashion, the Work From Home trend certainly has its advantages. But as the business world goes virtual, how does one differentiate themselves and grow without the ability to net...

Starting a small business is daunting. Many people with massive potential don’t take advantage of the opportunities out of fear, but that’s exactly why we need to take the plunge.     There are unique benefits to running a smaller, more nimble operation, especially right now. Small business leadership isn’t for everyone, but those up for the task stand to gain massive success.    What unique oppor...

With domestic air travel reopening across the world the airlines are bouncing back. But there is more short term pain.      To move forward from this crisis let’s focus on the fact that there’s opportunity for long-term gain. Who do the airline turn to for survival? Governments? Capital Markets?    Industry expert, Senior ISTAT Aircraft Appraiser and successful investment professional, David Yu, s...

No one could have predicted everything that’s happened in 2020, or what the rest of the year holds. Uncertain times are tough, but they’re also opportunities for innovation.   Where can business leaders still find great opportunities for growth?   In this episode Chad Cundiff, President of the Astronautics Corporation of America shares his thoughts on the future of aviation and the role innovation...