The Flight Club Podcast

Jason Middleton is a current G550 captain, CEO of Silver Air Private Jets, and host of the Flight Club Podcast. In this conversation he shares what the private aviation industry rarely talks about publicly - unqualified brokers, hidden safety risks, the real cost of aircraft ownership, and what it takes to operate at the highest level of safety in the world. He breaks down the difference between o...

What if technology could cut your turbulence encounters in half before you even take off?  In this episode of Flight Club, host Jason Middleton sits down with Maya Shpak, CEO of SkyPath,  the crowdsourced turbulence intelligence platform transforming aviation safety for millions of passengers every day. Maya breaks down how SkyPath leverages iPad accelerometers and machine learning to deliver real...

Captain Christopher Behnam saved 381 lives on United Flight 1175 when his Boeing 777 suffered catastrophic engine failure over the Pacific - an incident so severe simulators couldn't replicate it without breaking.    From arriving in the U.S. with $200 in his pocket to becoming United's youngest 747 captain at 28, Christopher's story is one of resilience, precision, and the immigrant dream.   In t...

In this episode of Flight Club, host Jason sits down with Kenny Dichter - co-founder of Marquee Jet and Wheels Up - for an unfiltered look at what it truly takes to build a billion-dollar private aviation brand, not once, but twice.  Kenny shares the story behind Marquee Jet's origin, including eight relentless pitches to NetJets founder Richard Santulli and Warren Buffett, and the Coca-Cola analo...

When Stephanie Goetz’s very first flying lesson was broadcast live on NBC, it set her life on an entirely new course. After more than a decade as a news anchor for ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates, a story assignment with an 80-year-old flight instructor landed her in the left seat of a Piper Archer, and she was instantly hooked. Today, Stephanie is a professional pilot, executive coach, and steward o...

What happens when an NFL tight end takes to the skies? In this inspiring episode, we sit down with professional football player Pharaoh Brown, who's trading touchdowns for takeoffs as he pursues his passion for aviation. From surviving a dramatic bird strike during instrument training to his first solo flight in challenging winds, Pharaoh shares the raw, unfiltered journey of becoming a pilot whil...

Marine One pilot John “Rico” Ballinger spent over 20 years as a Marine aviator, deploying into combat zones, and leading elite Marine aviation teams, yet the hardest transition of his life came after he left the military. In this powerful episode, John shares his journey from the cockpit to civilian life, the grief of losing his daughter, the near collapse of his marriage, and how he rebuilt his i...

Behind the glamour of private jets lies a world of pressure, precision, and extraordinary service. Flightess founder Jamie Gibson, one of the leading voices in corporate aviation, shares what it really takes to be a corporate flight attendant. From safety training that saves lives to the emotional and logistical demands of high-net-worth travel, Jamie breaks down the unseen work, the culture of “s...

Take flight with industry leader Josh Allen in this episode of The Flight Club Podcast. From running large-scale aircraft operations to founding Charter Flight Support, Josh reveals the grit, innovation, and human connections driving aviation’s high-stakes world. Discover the untold stories behind AOG emergencies, ethical challenges, and the future of flight powered by AI and purpose, not profit.

Welcome to the Flight Club Podcast! Join us for an electrifying episode with Keenan Wyrobek from Zipline as we explore how autonomous drones are revolutionizing aviation. Discover Zipline’s 100 million miles flown with zero injuries, life-saving medical deliveries in Rwanda, and their vision to end pilot error. Uncover jaw-dropping insights on navigating extreme weather and reducing environmental...

Welcome to Flight Club Podcast! In this captivating episode, our host joins forces with aviation legend Ben to uncover the astonishing journey of aviation—from daring jungle landings to thefuturistic realm of air taxis and pilotless planes. What You'll Uncover: -The dramatic shift in aviation over 20 years, from high-stakes cash deals to cutting-edge tech innovations -The truth about pilotless air...

In this episode we sit down with Andrew Day, the Senior Vice President for WYVERN Ltd, the premier private aviation safety risk management organization! We go all in on the current state of safety in aviation, tackling topics like aviation safety in 2025 and how the number of reported accidents has gone down since 2024, Andrew’s role at WYVERN Ltd and his unrelenting commitment to keeping aviation...

In this episode we sit down with Dexter Holland, frontman of The Offspring to talk about his lifelong love of aviation! We get into how he balances touring with flying, what drew him to aviation in the first place, why he loves his Cessna Citation CJ1, and what it was like flying himself across the country during Offspring tours. We also talk about pilot discipline, the focus it takes to fly jets...

In this episode, we sit down with a true legend in aviation’s history, Clay Lacy! We discuss Clay’s early life, how his passion for aviation began, amazing stories behind some of his most notable flights, his greatest films, and all the fun stories along the way! This was a massive honor for me because Clay Lacy is one of my biggest inspirations in aviation. Let me know what you think of the episo...

In this episode, we sit down with John Cox, CEO at Safety Operating Systems to talk about all things aircraft safety!  Worried about the buzz surrounding aircraft accidents in 2025? People like John Cox have a massive role to play in why air travel has never been safer! We tackle everything you need to know about how aircrafts operate at such high safety levels, why accidents are so rare, emergenc...

In this episode, we sit down with Neil Casey, a successful film writer and actor who developed a passion for aviation and can’t get enough of it! We explore Neil’s life before aviation, including his work as a writer on SNL and his roles in various notable projects. Then we fast forward to 2014, when Neil moved to Los Angeles and decided to explore the world of aviation. We cover topics like why h...

Ever wondered what it takes to become a stunt pilot or aerial coordinator in film and television? In this episode, host Jason Middleton sits down with Kevin LaRosa II, the aerial coordinator and stunt pilot behind Top Gun: Maverick! Kevin shares his journey, reflecting on his childhood and following in the footsteps of his father, also an aerial coordinator. He talks about stepping out of his dad’...

In this episode of the Flight Club Podcast, host Jason Middleton sits down with Shawn Dugan, a veteran aerial firefighter who pilots massive aircraft like the DC-10 and Boeing 737 in dangerous fire fighting missions. Shawn shares his inspiring story, tracing his path from a childhood fascination with firefighting pilots to becoming a leader in the field. The episode dives deep into the dangers of...

Watch & Subscribe to this Show on YouTube @FlightClubPodcast In this episode of Flight Club, host Jason Middleton chats with Alyssa Carson, an accomplished young pilot and astrobiologist, call sign 'NASABlueberry.' Alyssa shares her journey from NASA space camps to advanced training experiences like scuba diving, skydiving, and flying with the Thunderbirds. They delve into the exciting possibi...

In this episode of the Flight Club Podcast, host Jason Middleton sits down with Chris Kunkle, a passionate bush pilot and aviation entrepreneur. Chris discusses his unique experiences as a bush pilot in California, an area not traditionally known for such activities, and the tight-knit aviation community in San Ynez. He touches on his family's deep-rooted aviation legacy, including his grandfather...

Watch & Subscribe to this Show on YouTube @FlightClubPodcast & Follow Us on Instagram @FlightClubPod and learn more at https://www.flightclubpodcast.com/ In this engaging and hilarious episode of the Flight Club Podcast, Craig Ferguson shares thrilling tales from his aviation journeys, discussing the challenges and joys he experienced while flying. From nerve-wracking flights to memorable...

In this episode of the Flight Club podcast, host Jason Middleton takes us on a profound journey with Daniel Baker, founder of FlightAware - and truly the “Mark Zuckerberg” of Aviation. From early inspirations that led to solving a personal problem which then revolutionized flight tracking worldwide, to the future of air traffic control, this conversation explores AI in aviation, and the entreprene...

Watch & Subscribe to this Show on YouTube @FlightClubPodcast & Follow Us on Instagram @FlightClubPod   This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Cyrus Sigari, a notable figure in aviation, exploring his journey as a pilot, entrepreneur, and investor. The discussion covers his experiences flying various aircraft, his role in advancing air mobility through electric vertical...

Watch & Subscribe to this Show on YouTube @FlightClubPodcast & Follow Us on Instagram @FlightClubPod   In the premiere episode of The Flight Club Podcast hosted by Jason Middleton, we meet Brian Monette. Brian is a Gulfstream G550 captain with a diverse background in aviation. In this interview he shares his journey from an aviation enthusiast to becoming a multi-type-rated pilot for aircr...

Aviators, welcome to Flight Club! Join your host Jason Middleton - a pilot, an aviation entrepreneur, and a huge fan of all the people that make aviation happen. The Flight Club Podcast is all about showcasing the diverse group of people that make up our aviation community, and the extraordinary things they're doing inside and outside of the cockpit. Join us as we explore the people and the storie...