Derek Vento: More Than Airplanes...

It's been two years since I launched The Traffic Pattern podcast. In one word...wow. But life has been different lately, and that's what I want to share. A little bit more about me. I'm talking about family, a reflection on my time at Atlanta TRACON, a few personal stories and experiences, but most of all explaining life balance. On today's episode it's just me. A raw and transparent version. Hope you enjoy. I hope you all stay safe! Love ya'll.

Captain Dana Colten, from Acme Airlines shares his flying journey during the midst of a global pandemic. Stick around for the heartfelt ending. Long live the Maddog!

She piloted the B777, B767, B757, B747, B737, B727, A319 and A320 as an international airline pilot/captain for United Airlines.She flew for Eastern and Pan Am regionals before that. On her way to becoming an airline pilot, she worked as a flight instructor, charter pilot, freight pilot and aerial sightseeing tour pilot.Today only 5% of pilots are female, a number essentially unchanged since Amelia Earhart’s era. Of those, less than 1% are Captains. She wants to change this. Her dream now is to help other young women rock STEM fields!

Airbus 330 Captain, Eric Jordan has been flying for over 30 years! His passion for flying is undeniable. With a plethora of unknowns in the aviation industry, Eric reflects on the early stages of the pandemic, the gracious moments of his flying career, and most of all...family.

At age 19, after spending two years planning, training, and fundraising over a quarter of a million dollars, Ryan successfully flew solo around the world. This expedition broke the world record for the youngest pilot and first teenager to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single engine airplane. 24,000 nautical miles, 35 destinations, and 15 countries providing some profound life lessons. Although Ryan’s world flight brought its own brand of adversity, the true test would come just two years later. A normal day at work turned into anyone’s worst nightmare. A plane crash that occurred after liftoff left Ryan in the hospital, fighting for his life. Six months of hospitalization, over a year-and-a-half in rehabilitation, and the ongoing struggles of living with a spinal injury transformed Ryan into a different person. “I may have lost out physically, but I gained mentally in ways I never knew possible.”

While I offer a personal sentiment in this episode, Kevin from PilotEdge ATC shares all of the details about the upcoming SimVenture event! Have you ever considered flying into Oshkosh?! Try it virtually first! Give it a try! You don't want to miss it!

I am incredibly privileged to have father, husband, veteran, nonprofit enthusiast, founder of the ProSocial Network and 2021 law student candidate, Robert Burgess on the podcast tomorrow afternoon to discuss race relations, implicit bias, and policing in America.Robert’s friendship has pushed me to educate and stretch myself on the importance of correct public practice and policy while embracing my journey.

Today I sit down with CEO of Eastern Airlines Steve Harfst. Commissioned in the U.S. Navy, Harfst graduated number one in his class at flight school. As a Naval aviator, he served the rest of his decorated 10-year career in the cockpit of the F-14 Tomcat, logging 38 combat missions and 227 aircraft carrier landings. Temporarily, Eastern Airlines took on a new mission: to go boldly wherever there is a critical mass of displaced Americans and bring them home. Season 5 of The Traffic Pattern premieres June 23rd on Apple Podcasts, Spotify & iHeartRadio. Big thanks to creative director, of Amalgam, Ned Wallroth for all of your help. Looking to improve your brand... Amalgam is an agency built for precision. They help companies grow with brand development, digital marketing, and content creation.

Season 5 is here at last! New guests, fresh content, you don't want to miss it! Host Derek Vento and Producer Chris Phillips provide a little bit of insight as to how they make their show come alive! Season 5 premiers June 23rd!

Join me as I sit down with experienced Captain...real Captain, Cory Schow. Cory explains the importance of education outside of the cockpit through his platform PilotVlogs. You know him on Instagram as realcaptaincory. Listen in as he explains the importance of being well rounded in the cockpit.