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 Annie Vogel, also known as Pilot Annie, to talk about building a life and career in aviation without following the traditional path. From discovering flying almost by accident to building an audience around general aviation and eventually turning that passion into an aviation-focused creative agency, Annie’s career is a case study in what can happen when you put yourself out there and stay involved in the industry.Annie shares how networking opened doors to flying across northern Canada and Alaska, experiencing remote operations in the Arctic, and working throughout the aviation industry. They also discuss the less obvious jobs pilots overlook while chasing the airlines, building a reputation online, whether there’s room for vulnerability in aviation, the changing role of influencers, AI-generated content, and what the future of general aviation could look like.In this episode:- How Annie discovered aviation and earned her pilot certificates- Why she chose general aviation instead of the traditional airline path- Flying through British Columbia, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Alaska- The unusual flying experiences and opportunities GA can provide- Why networking is “the key to everything in aviation”- How simply showing up at airports, organizations, and industry events can open doors- Why aspiring pilots shouldn't overlook unconventional flying jobs- The importance of the “character building years” early in an aviation career- How online networking compares with meeting people face-to-face- Turning an aviation social media following into real career opportunities- How your online reputation can help or hurt your aviation career- Whether there is room for vulnerability and authenticity in aviation content- How aviation social media and influencers have changed general aviation- Storytelling, authenticity, and what actually works online today- AI-generated content and where creative work is headed- Building Avian Creative into an aviation-focused marketing agency- Why understanding aviation matters when marketing aviation companies- The challenges facing general aviation and bringing new people into the industry- Annie’s advice for creating opportunities instead of waiting for them to appearAbout the guest:Annie Vogel is a pilot, storyteller, content creator, and founder of Avian Creative, a full-service marketing agency focused on the aviation industry. Known online as Pilot Annie, she has spent nearly 15 years immersed in GA while sharing her flying experiences with an audience of nearly 60,000. Through Avian Creative, Annie and her team work with aviation companies across multiple segments of the industry, combining aviation knowledge with content production, branding, digital marketing, and storytelling.Support the show

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 his background in both engineering and law, Filippo offers a unique perspective on how accidents are investigated, how liability is assigned, and why the public often misunderstands what actually causes aviation disasters.From the Lion Air 610 crash and Boeing 737 MAX controversy to Delta 89 and UPS 2976, this conversation explores the intersection of aviation safety, engineering, human performance, and the legal system. Along the way, Filippo explains why pilots are sometimes blamed for failures they didn't create and when they truly deserve accountability.In this episode:- How an engineering background shaped Filippo's approach to law- How accident investigations often reveal far more than pilot error- The Boeing 737 MAX crashes and the role of MCAS- How the legal system evaluates responsibility after an aviation accident- Why pilots are sometimes blamed for systemic failures- The challenges of separating human error from negligence- Lessons learned from the Lion Air 610 litigation- The controversy surrounding Delta 89's fuel dumping incident- When pilots deserve blame and when they don't- How insurance companies influence aviation litigation- The Swiss cheese model and why accidents rarely have a single cause- What pilots can learn from major accident investigationsAbout the guest:Filippo Marchino is an aerospace engineer and attorney with X Law Group whose practice focuses on aviation accidents, regulatory matters, and complex litigation. Combining technical engineering expertise with legal experience, Filippo has worked on high-profile cases involving airline accidents, helicopter operations, product liability, and aviation safety. His work provides a rare perspective on how engineering decisions, human factors, operational pressures, and legal accountability intersect in the aviation industry. Find out more about Filippo at www.xlawx.comSupport the show

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. From networking and professionalism to resume mistakes and reputation within the industry, this conversation dives into the realities of what airlines are actually looking for in today’s environment.In this episode:- Why many qualified pilots still aren’t getting interviews- How the airline hiring market has changed over the last year- The impact of the Spirit shutdown and increased pilot competition- Common resume mistakes recruiters see constantly- Why networking matters more than most pilots realize- How pilots damage their reputation without even knowing- Why professionalism outside the cockpit still matters- How low-time pilots can still separate themselves in a difficult market- What pilots misunderstand about airline culture and fit- Advice for pilots trying to navigate a slowing hiring environmentAbout the guest:Carolynn is a pilot recruiter, career consultant, and aviation writer with extensive experience helping pilots navigate airline hiring and career progression. Before entering aviation, she spent nearly a decade in recruiting and headhunting, reviewing well over a million resumes across multiple industries. Today, through PilotResumes.com and her work within the aviation community, she helps pilots better understand the hiring process, improve their applications, and position themselves competitively in an increasingly selective market.Support the show

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 market timing, to the people and equipment that quietly impact every part of the US economy.In this episode:- The who and why of buying helicopters- The biggest misconceptions buyers have going into a purchase- Transforming an outdated and broken sales process- Lessons from transitioning from pilot to business owner- How COVID temporarily disrupted supply, demand, and pricing- The impact of global unrest on the helicopter market- Helicopter pilot careers vs fixed wing alternatives- How the industry can improve- Influencer-fueled helicopter renaissance About the guest:Halsey Schider is the CEO of Sellacopter, an aircraft brokerage focused on buying and selling helicopters across a wide range of missions and operators. A former professional helicopter pilot, Halsey brings firsthand operational experience along with deep insight into aircraft transactions, market dynamics, and client strategy. He has worked with private owners and commercial operators navigating complex aircraft purchases and sales.Halsey is also the host of The Helicopter Podcast where he digs deep into the people, equipment, and operations behind the helicopter industry.You can work with Halsey and his team at Sellacopter and North American Aircraft Brokerage (fixed-wing) here: https://sellacopter.com/https://www.northamericanaircraft.com/You can listen to The Helicopter Podcast here:https://verticalhelicasts.com/the-helicopter-podcast/Support the show

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 charter.From NetJets and fractional ownership to the psychology behind why people choose to fly private, this conversation challenges the way most people think about cost, value, and decision-making in aviation.In this episode:- The biggest misconceptions about private aircraft ownership- How NetJets became the dominant player in fractional aviation- Why even ultra-wealthy individuals struggle to justify private flying- Why “dollars per hour” is the wrong way to evaluate private aviation- How Preston built a high-value audience through transparency- The benefits of fractional ownership vs charter vs full ownership- Why private aviation decisions aren’t purely financial- The "empty leg" problem in charter and how to solve it- How the industry actually works behind the scenesAbout the guest:Preston Holland is founder and president of Prestige Aircraft finance, cofounder of FastJets, cohost of The VIP Seat podcast, and author of the Private Jet Insider newsletter. He built a following of over 27,000 on Twitter/X sharing transparent pricing information about private jet ownership and has interviewed some of the industry's biggest players on his podcast. You can find out more about Preston here:https://prestigefinance.com/https://www.thevipseat.com/https://fastjets.com/https://prestonholland.com/Support the show

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 of what a career in engineering looks like is completely wrong. This conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at the people building and testing the systems that keep aviation moving forward.In this episode:- What aerospace engineering actually looks like day-to-day- The biggest misconceptions about becoming an engineer- Why many people feel like they don’t “fit” the industry stereotype- How young engineers are given real responsibility early in their careers- How the landscape of space launches have changed- The importance of honesty and accountability for flight test engineers and pilots- Why small details are often what separate top performers- Lessons from test pilot school- Advice for students and aspiring engineers looking to break into the fieldAbout the guest:Kate Gunderson is a mechanical and aerospace engineer with experience in both government and private-sector aviation programs. She provided engineering support to a fleet of more than 20 aircraft at NASA's Johnson Space Center, flew hundreds of hours aboard two Gulfstream aircraft as NASA’s youngest Flight Science Officer aircrew member, and left her dream career at NASA for a full-ride fellowship at the National Test Pilot School in California. She holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master's in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech.Kate passionate about breaking down barriers in the field and helping guide others on the pathways into aviation and aerospace careers. She shares her journey on her website, https://katelyngunderson.com/, and her Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/theplanekate/Support the show

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 happens when those systems fail to account for how people actually think, process information, and make decisions under pressure.From automation and ATC workload to confirmation bias and cockpit design flaws, this conversation dives into the real reasons mistakes happen in aviation and what can be done to prevent them.In this episode:- What “human factors” is and why it matters more than ever- How poor system design can lead to “pilot error” accidents- The role of human limitations in ATC workload and airspace congestion- Why more technology can sometimes increase workload instead of reducing it- How automation improves safety and when it can become dangerous- The importance of “human in the loop” testing in aircraft design- Common cognitive errors like confirmation bias and normalization of deviance- Why complacency is one of the biggest threats in general aviation- The debate around single-pilot cockpits and the future of automation- How training, decision-making, and experience shape pilot safety outcomesAbout the guest:Vanesa Miksa is a Human Factors engineer at Boeing with a background in psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is also a pilot and flight instructor, combining technical expertise with real-world flying experience to help design systems that align with human capabilities and limitations. Vanesa focuses on improving cockpit design, pilot interaction, and overall aviation safety through human-centered engineering.Support the show

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 seconds meant the difference between disaster and survival, Russ walks through the realities of Coast Guard aviation and the responsibility that comes with launching into the unknown.In this episode:- What Coast Guard aviation actually does day-to-day- The unique challenges of the Coast Guard's operational environment- The importance of Crew Resource Management in high-risk environments- The difference between Coast Guard aviation and other military flight communities- Lessons learned from both great leaders and the leaders who got it wrong- The emotional toll of losing friends in aviation- What civilian and fixed-wing aviators can learn from Coast Guard helicopter operationsAbout the guest:Russ Torgerson is a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot, C-130 pilot, and rescue swimmer with decades of experience flying search and rescue missions, maritime patrols, and ship-based helicopter operations. Throughout his career, Russ operated in some of the most demanding environments in aviation, working closely with rescue swimmers and flight crews to conduct lifesaving missions at sea. Russ is also a recipient of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for superior performance of duty. Today, he shares lessons from leadership, aviation safety, and the realities of flying missions where the outcome is never guaranteed.Support the show

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 small habits compounded over time, not one catastrophic event.We talk about:- Why 8 hours of sleep doesn’t mean you’re actually recovered- The downward spiral of fatigue and caffeine dependence- Why you don’t need to be 10% body fat to perform at a high level- The connection between physical health and cognitive performance- Why accountability is the missing piece for most pilots- The ego problem that keeps pilots stuck- How small habits compound into career longevityIf you're just starting your aviation journey and want to develop habits for the long haul, or are approaching the end of an illustrious career and want to maintain your medical through retirement, this episode is for you.Support the show

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:- Why we’re in a company hiring market, not a candidate market- How airlines actually evaluate checkride failures- What recruiters are screening for beyond flight time- The psychology of interviews (and the answers recruiters hear over and over)- Whether flight school reputation really matters- The truth about 141 vs 61 programs- Why some “qualified” pilots never get a call back- What companies are really trying to avoid in trainingIf you’re a student pilot, CFI, regional FO, or aiming for a legacy, this conversation is invaluable to your career journey.Support the show