The Aerpod

Don't skimp on flight-critical hardware. Find best-in-class ANR with the Lightspeed Zulu 3 using my affiliate link: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/ref/204/ In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Filippo Marchino, an aviation attorney and engineer whose work has placed him at the center of some of the most significant aviation accident cases in recent history. Drawing on hi...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down once again with Carolynn from PilotResumes.com to break down the current state of airline hiring, why qualified pilots still aren’t getting calls, and the factors recruiters evaluate long before an interview ever happens. As the hiring market shifts and competition increases, Carolynn explains why flight time alone is no longer enough to stand out....

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Halsey Schider, CEO of Sellacopter and North American Aircraft Brokerage, to explore one of the most visible and most overlooked corners of aviation. Halsey shares what he’s learned from both flying and brokering helicopters, how deals really come together, and where buyers and sellers consistently get it wrong. From pricing psychology to mark...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Preston Holland to break down the economics behind private aviation and why so many pilots, owners, and even high-net-worth individuals completely misunderstand how it actually works. Preston shares how he built one of the most valuable audiences in aviation by sharing a peek behind the curtain of aircraft ownership, operating costs, and chart...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with former NASA engineer and Test Pilot School graduate Kate Gunderson to talk about what it actually takes to break into (and succeed in) one of the most competitive and misunderstood fields in aviation. Kate shares her journey from student to engineer, the surprising culture of NASA, the challenges that test pilots face, and why the stereotype o...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Vanesa Miksa, a Human Factors engineer at Boeing and pilot, to break down the hidden science behind how pilots interact with aircraft and why many aviation accidents aren’t just “pilot error,” but systematic failures in disguise. Vanesa shares how cockpit design, automation, and airspace systems are all built around human limitations, and what...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Russ Torgerson, a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot and rescue swimmer whose career spanned decades of search and rescue missions at sea. Russ shares what it’s really like operating in environments where the weather, the ocean, and the mission itself can all push a crew to the limit. From ship-based helicopter operations to moments where se...

Health decline in aviation is common, and most pilots don't notice until it becomes an issue during their medical. In this episode, I sit down with commercial pilot and pilot fitness coach Josh Ageeb to talk about the biggest health risks facing aviation professionals today. We break down the slow creep of fatigue, weight gain, and burnout, and why losing your medical is often the result of s...

Airline hiring has shifted and a lot of pilots haven’t caught up. In this episode, I sit down with resume expert and aviation recruiter Carolynn from pilotresumes.com to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s hiring market. We break down the difference between being qualified on paper and being hireable in practice, and why those are not the same thing. We talk about: - Wh...

Austin is back. After his first appearance became the most-watched full-length episode on The Aerpod, we went straight to the comments and brought him back to answer them. Austin is a Boeing 777 First Officer at Atlas Air and a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). In this Q&A episode, we dig into checkride pass rates, common DPE myths, Atlas Air schedules and pay, gateway commuting, and more. In t...

In this episode of The Aerpod , Mitchell sits down with Creighton Johannes , an A&P mechanic and Director of Maintenance who’s worked on everything from light GA aircraft to King Airs, Gulfstreams, and helicopters. Creighton breaks down what aviation maintenance really looks like day to day, what pilots often misunderstand about maintenance, and why an A&P license is often described as a l...

In this episode of The Aerpod , host Mitchell Banks speaks with Spencer Bailey, a paramedic turned helicopter pilot whose career has spanned emergency medical flights, offshore oil operations, and utility inspection. Spencer shares what it’s really like to fly air medical missions, how EMS pilots balance urgency with safety, and what the public often misunderstands about helicopter operations. He...

In this episode of The Aerpod, former FAA executive director of aircraft certification Earl Lawrence breaks down how safety, regulation, and innovation actually work inside aviation. Earl shares stories from his time at the FAA, EAA, and Joby Aviation. He reveals how MOSAIC, UAS integration, and eVTOL aircraft are reshaping the industry. You'll learn: - How aircraft certification and manufact...

In this episode of The Aerpod, host Mitchell Banks talks with Julia Rivera, a former KC-10 boom operator and flight engineer whose career bridges both manned and unmanned operations. Julia shares how she found aviation through family influence, why she chose the enlisted route, and what it was like training on one of the most capable refueling platforms ever built. She breaks down the debate aroun...

In this episode of The AirPod, host Mitchell Banks interviews Colin Dunne, a jet broker with experience in both the US and European markets. They discuss the evolving landscape of private jet sales, including the changing demographics of buyers, the differences between first-time and experienced owners, and the unique challenges of selling high-value assets. Colin shares insights on the importance...

In this episode, Austin Greenheck shares his journey from learning to fly in Minot, North Dakota, to becoming a first officer on a Boeing 777 freighter. He discusses his diverse flying experiences, including corporate flying and flying warbirds like the P-51 Mustang. Austin emphasizes the importance of quality of life in aviation careers, the challenges of the current pilot market, and the signifi...

In this episode of the The Aerpod podcast, host Mitchell Banks speaks with Colton Whitesell, a flight instructor and corporate pilot, about his journey in aviation. They discuss the various pathways to becoming a pilot, the importance of flight training, and the challenges faced in the industry. Colton shares his experiences transitioning from flight instruction to corporate aviation, the signific...