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PODCAST · leisure

Pilot to Pilot

by Justin Siems

Pilot to Pilot Podcast is your go-to destination for aviation inspiration, insight, and real talk from the cockpit and beyond. Pilot to Pilot aims to support all pilots who fly from students to professionals and recreational flyers. The show includes genuine discussions with pilots who work in all aviation sectors including airline captains and bush pilots to share their experiences of flying. Join our worldwide pilot community through subscription to track your flying aspirations with other aviation enthusiasts.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 11, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. I Threw Away Half My Airplane: Building a Zenith Kit Plane with Carson Stilson

    Carson Stilson built his own Zenith Super Duty kit plane in two and a half years and about 1,200 hours, then flew it to Oshkosh. He shares what building an experimental aircraft really takes. Carson never planned to build an airplane in his thirties. He did it anyway, while working full time and...

  2. How to Pass Your Check-ride: A DPE's 5 Tips

    A Designated Pilot Examiner shares 5 tips to pass your checkride, plus the story of his engine failure and landing on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive at 3 PM on a Friday. Johnny Ginley, a young DPE and fellow Ohio State aviation alum, explains what examiners see from the other side of the table. The...

  3. He Threw His Airline Uniform in the Trash | Steve Giordano | Ep. 370

    Steve Giordano left a senior captain seat at Allegiant to build Nomadic Aviation Group, one of the most trusted ferry operations in the business. He breaks down how a ferry flight actually gets quoted and flown — lessors, permits, DARs, tankering fuel at $18 a gallon — what trips really cost, the...

  4. How to get hired at an airline with Nik Fialka

    Nik Fialka has watched pilots lose the job before they ever sat down. The Spitfire Elite coach and Ready 4 Pushback host joins us to walk through his ten rules for the airline interview — five things to do, five things that'll sink you. The first one starts tonight, not the week your application...

  5. I flew around the world and built a plane w/ JP Schulze E368

    In 1999, a handful of people gathered at a dusty Namibian airfield to meet two men flying weight-shift microlights around the world. One of them was Mike Blyth. Watching from the crowd was a boy who had never left the country, whose family couldn't afford much flying, and who had no real concept…

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  6. He's Owned 12 Airplanes in 25 Years. Here's How to Buy the Right One | Mark Woglom E367

    Mark Woglom has bought and sold roughly a dozen airplanes in twenty-five years — a new Cessna 182 he learned to fly in, a Baron he never got comfortable in, a pressurized 414, a Cheyenne II XL, four separate Cirrus SR22s, a Vision Jet, a TBM 960, a Citation M2, and the CJ3+ he flies today. Six...

  7. E366: F-15, F-16, F/A-18: A Fighter Pilot's Rules for a Life Worth Flying

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for high utilization flight training, easy ownership and broader access to aviation • Avemco...

  8. E365: Pete Stavrides: From Watching Challenger Explode to Flying Super Hornets

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Textron Aviation — The Pipistrel Voyager is perfect answer for high utilization flight training, easy ownership and broader access to aviation • Avemco...

  9. E364: Stepping up with Jason Rhode and why he loves the Citation CJ3+

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 003 is at the printers. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag GIVEAWAY - Complete the survey to be entered to win a Pilot to Pilot hat and Magazine subscriptions Big thanks to Textron Aviation for sponsoring this week's episode of Pilot to Pilot! This week I'm…

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  10. 363: Fighter Pilot. Snowbird Team Leader. Filmmaker. Rob “Scratch” Mitchell on Leading Through Loss, Chasing Excellence, and Finding a New Sky

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner...

  11. E362: A Career Changer's Road from Orchestra Halls to the Airlines

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner...

  12. E361: Electric Planes, Forest Fires & Vancouver Island: A Canadian Pilot's Unconventional Path

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner...

  13. E360: No Pilot's License, No Problem: How Marci Veronie Climbed to the Top of Aviation Without Ever Leaving the Ground

    Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner...

  14. E359: The End of Spirit Airlines: What Happened, What's Next, and What It Means for Pilots

    Spirit Airlines officially ceased operations on May 2 at 3am, and in this episode Justin sits down with Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to unpack what happened and what comes next. They dig into the chain of events that brought one of the country's most...

  15. E358: Spirit Going Under? United-American Rumors & 2026 Pilot Hiring Forecast — Jim Higgins Returns

    🎙️ Pilot to Pilot Magazine — Volume 002 is out now. Get yours at pilottopilothq.com/mag Sponsors — please support the people who support the show: • Avemco Insurance — Save 5% as a Pilot to Pilot listener. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit avemco.com/4297-owner (owners) or avemco.com/4297-non-owner...

  16. E357: Evan Davis - How Flying Saved My Life

    NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco.com/4297-nonowner! Subscribe to the Pilot to Pilot Magazine This is one of the most raw, honest,...

  17. E356: From SWAT to Corporate Jet Pilot - How Josh Changed Careers and Built a Life in Aviation

    NEW SPONSOR ALERT!! Truly honored to have Avemco as new sponsor for the podcast. save 5% on your aircraft insurance by with Avemco. Call (888) 635-4297 or visit www.avemco.com/4297-owner - www.avemco.com/4297-nonowner! What does it take to walk away from a two-decade law enforcement career —...

  18. E355: From 9/11 to Special Ops: Flying Secret Missions

    Most pilots dream of smooth 10,000-foot runways. Tyler Flagg trained to land a 30,000-pound aircraft on a 25-foot dirt strip… in total darkness. After 9/11 changed his life trajectory, Tyler went from zero aviation background to flying Special Operations missions around the globe. With minimal...

  19. Ep. 354: Trent Palmer | FAA Called On Me Twice, Lost My License, and Almost Quit Flying

    He's the most-requested guest in Pilot to Pilot history — and the wait was worth it. Trent Palmer, recreational bush pilot and one of aviation's most recognized YouTube creators, finally sits down with Justin for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of a life built around…

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  20. Flying the San Diego Coastline at 15 Knots | Chancy Arnold

    Ever wonder what it's like to fly slower than freeway traffic — on purpose? Chancy Arnold is a banner tow pilot flying a Super Cub up and down the San Diego beaches, and in this episode he breaks down everything about the job. From the dive-and-hook pickup technique to four-hour flights strapped...

  21. E352: From Oshkosh to Lakeland: Gene Conrad on Running Sun 'n Fun's $7M Aviation Spectacular

    What does it take to run one of the world's largest aviation events? Gene Conrad, President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, pulls back the curtain on Florida's premier aviation gathering. Growing up in Oshkosh as the son of an airport director, Gene...

  22. E351: Type Rated at 800 Hours: Building a Corporate Aviation Career Early | Ariel Johnson

    In Episode 351, Justin sits down with Ariel Johnson (@whiskeyflies on Instagram), a North Carolina-based flight instructor who earned her Citation type rating at just 800 hours. At not even 21 years old, Arielle shares her accelerated journey from discovering aviation at Sun ’n Fun to teaching...

  23. E350: Inside Air Traffic Control: What Controllers Really See, Think, and Want Pilots to Know

    Ever wondered what air traffic controllers actually see on their screens when you check in? Or why they sometimes seem frustrated with certain pilot behaviors? In this eye-opening conversation, Marcus Miller (aka Prop Hat Cat) from Houston Center pulls back the curtain on the world of ATC. Marcus...

  24. E349: Building Time as a CFI: Luke's Journey from ATP to 900 Hours

    In this episode, I sit down with Luke, a flight instructor based in Utah who's currently at around 900 hours and grinding his way toward the airlines. Luke shares his experience going through ATP Flight Training in just 8.5 months, the reality of being a CFI without the guaranteed job he…

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  25. E348: Nick Fialka's Unconventional Path and Interview Secrets

    Not every pilot's journey starts with dreams of flight—some begin with a challenge and a bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon. In this episode, we sit down with Nick Fialka, captain at a major airline, host of the Ready for Pushback podcast, and interview coach at Spitfire Elite. Nick's path to the…

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  26. E347: Fractional Pilot vs Airline Pilot

    THE PILOT TO PILOT MAGAZINE HAS LANDED!!!!! Thirteen articles + thirteen companion podcasts. Read. Listen. Share. Thinking about making the jump from fractional to the airlines—or wondering which path is right for you? In this episode, I break down my personal experience going from flying the...

  27. E346: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian Wloch

    Podcast Title: Building the Ultimate Flight Simulator: Inside Microsoft Flight Sim 2024 with Jorg Neumann & Sebastian Wloch Podcast Description: Join host Justin Seams as he sits down with Jorg Neumann (Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator) and Sebastian Wloch (CEO of Asobo Studio) for an in-depth...

  28. E345: Three Surgeries, Multiple Rejections, One Dream: Jake Tishman's Journey to the Airlines

    In this powerful Thanksgiving episode, host Justin Siems sits down with A320 Captain Jake Tishman to discuss one of the most inspiring aviation journeys you'll hear. Jake shares his decade-long battle with an autoimmune disease that threatened to derail his dream of becoming an airline pilot at...

  29. E344: Fighter Pilot to 777 - Emergencies, 9/11 Scrambles and Flying Drew Brees

    Former Air Force F-15 pilot Roy “Deacon” Qualls shares incredible stories from a 38-year aviation career that includes scrambling to intercept Air Force One on 9/11, crash-landing a burning OV-10 at McCarran Airport, and taking NFL legend Drew Brees for the ride of his life. In this episode…

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  30. E343 - When Will Pilot Hiring Boom Again? Industry Trends & Airline Strategy

    In this state-of-the-industry episode, host Justin Seals sits down with Dr. Jim Higgins, Professor of Aviation at the University of North Dakota, to break down what's really happening in aviation right now. They cover: Why hiring has slowed and what it means for aspiring pilots Boeing's…

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  31. How You Can Save Money in Flight Training

    We're diving deep into how to save money in flight training, which is no small feat! In this episode, Jason Miller joins us to share valuable insights on managing the financial burden of becoming a pilot, especially for those of us who are navigating tight budgets. We talk about practical...

  32. E341 - Brewing Success in the Skies - Thomas of Hangar 22 Coffee Roasters

    Hangar 22 Coffee In this episode of the Pilot to Pilot podcast, host Justin Siems chats with Thomas, a 737 airline pilot and the founder of Hangar 22 Coffee Roasters. Thomas shares his inspiring journey into aviation starting at age 4, navigating the challenges of COVID-19 right after flight...

  33. E340: Ryan Graves UAP’s and F18’s

    Ryan Graves, a former F-18 pilot and Executive Director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, joins us to delve into the intriguing and often perplexing world of UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). We kick off the conversation by exploring Ryan’s journey from aviation novice to military aviator,...

  34. E339 Leah Froehlich: From Doubts to Dominating the Skies as a CFI and Aviation Influencer

    In Episode 339 of the Pilot to Pilot Podcast, host Justin Siems chats with Leah Froehlich, a passionate flight instructor and Instagram content creator. Leah shares her unexpected journey into aviation, sparked by a flight with her stepdad after pursuing physical therapy. She opens up about...

  35. E338 - No Regrets: Why You Should Take the Leap into Aviation

    Flying High with Charlie Gasmire: Lessons from the Cockpit and Beyond Join us as we soar into the world of aviation with Charlie Gasmire, the brain behind Airplane Academy. With a family legacy of aviators, Charlie’s journey from a young boy inspired by his grandfather and father to a successful...

  36. E337 - Exploring Contract Flying with Evan Luft

    Evan Luft joins us on the podcast today, and he's here to share his unique journey through the world of aviation as a contract pilot. One of the standout points we discuss is that you don't have to follow the traditional path of becoming an airline pilot to enjoy a fulfilling and lucrative career...

  37. Couple Goals: How Erin and Paul Built Their Dream Plane

    Erin and Paul, the dynamic husband-wife pilot duo, have taken their passion for aviation to new heights by building their very own Bearhawk 5. In this episode, they share the incredible journey of finding the perfect aircraft, navigating the world of airplane kits, and the challenges of...

  38. E335 - State of the Industry and Your Finances with Jim Higgins & Elise Dominguez

    Avination, welcome back to Episode 335 of the Pilot to Pilot podcast! Host Justin Siems sits down with aviation expert Jim Higgins, a former airline pilot and University of North Dakota professor, and Elise Dominguez, a Certified Financial Planner at Allworth Airline Advisors, for a deep dive…

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  39. E334 - The Role of Technology in Modern Aviation with Skypath

    The episode features an engaging discussion with Hagai Makov, the Vice President of Business Development at Skypath, a revolutionary application designed to enhance the aviation experience through innovative technology. Makov shares his personal journey, revealing how his aspirations shifted from...

  40. Backcountry Flying Adventures: Embracing the Freedom

    The focus of this episode revolves around the captivating journey of Steve, a former F15 pilot and now an accomplished airline pilot, who shares his remarkable experiences, including a harrowing incident involving a forced water landing that tested his mettle and resilience. Steve recounts his...

  41. Flying High: The Transformation from Engineer to Aviator

    welcome back to episode 332 of the Pilot to Pilot podcast. In todays podcast episode we talk about the journey of Tom, a commercial pilot transitioning from a successful engineering career to pursue his lifelong aspiration of becoming a professional pilot. Throughout the discussion, we delve into...

  42. E331 - Enhancing Flight Safety: The Turbulence Detection Revolution

    SkyPath Free Trial - https://skypath.io/start_a_trial/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=SkyPath&utm_id=Pilot2Pilot&utm_content=Guypodcast The salient point of this podcast episode centers on the innovative advancements in turbulence detection and management provided by Skypath, as...

  43. The Art of Flight: Mastering Aerobatics and Airline Operations

    The salient point of this episode revolves around the remarkable journey of Marco Bouw, who transitioned from a career in regional airlines to becoming a major airline pilot while also pursuing his passion for aerobatics. Throughout our discourse, we delve into Marco's early inspirations…

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  44. Transitioning to the 121 World: A Pilot's Perspective on New Challenges

    Avination, welcome back to episode 329 of the Pilot to Pilot podcast today’s episode is with my buddy, Mike Pardillo. Mike and I were in the same class at our major airline and were a day apart in our 737 training. In this episode, Mike, talks about why he went the military route, what the…

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  45. The State of Aviation: Hiring Trends and Industry Insights

    The Pilot to Pilot Podcast dives deep into the current state of the aviation industry, with host Justin Seams engaging in a thorough discussion with Dr. Jim Higgins, a professor of aviation. The conversation begins with a candid update on the challenges faced by the podcast team, including…

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  46. The Life of a Thunderbird Pilot: Caroline Blaze Jensen Shares Her Story

    Caroline Blaze Jensen, a former Thunderbird pilot and accomplished fighter pilot, shares her incredible journey through aviation, including her experiences flying combat missions and performing in air shows. She emphasizes the importance of determination and resilience, highlighting that success...

  47. Innovations in Aviation: A Conversation with Cirrus CEO Zean Nielsen

    Zean Nielsen, the CEO of Cirrus, joins Justin on the Pilot to Pilot podcast to discuss the evolving landscape of general aviation and the exciting innovations at Cirrus, including the recently launched G7. Nielsen emphasizes the significant investment Cirrus is making in research and development…

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  48. The Evolution of Flight Training: Insights from Bob Werderich at Spartan Education Group

    Bob Werderich, a professional pilot and executive vice president of Spartan Flight Operations, shares his inspiring journey into aviation, emphasizing the importance of personal connections in flight training. He discusses how his early experiences with his father, a pilot for North Central...

  49. Navigating Career Changes: Tips from a 17-Year Airline Pilot

    Darren Byrd, a dedicated airline pilot with nearly two decades of experience, recounts his inspirational journey into the aviation industry, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Starting with a childhood fascination for flight simulators, Darren's desire to become a pilot was...

  50. Behind the Scenes of SkyPath: The App Revolutionizing Air Travel

    Maya Shpak, CEO of SkyPath, shares her journey from a military helicopter pilot to leading an innovative aviation technology company focused on turbulence reporting. With a unique app likened to "Waze for turbulence," SkyPath empowers pilots by harnessing real-time data to enhance flight safety…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Pilot to Pilot Podcast is your go-to destination for aviation inspiration, insight, and real talk from the cockpit and beyond. Pilot to Pilot aims to support all pilots who fly from students to professionals and recreational flyers. The show includes genuine discussions with pilots who work in all aviation sectors including airline captains and bush pilots to share their experiences of flying. Join our worldwide pilot community through subscription to track your flying aspirations with other aviation enthusiasts.

HOSTED BY

Justin Siems

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Pilot to Pilot have?

Pilot to Pilot currently has 361 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Pilot to Pilot about?

Pilot to Pilot Podcast is your go-to destination for aviation inspiration, insight, and real talk from the cockpit and beyond. Pilot to Pilot aims to support all pilots who fly from students to professionals and recreational flyers. The show includes genuine discussions with pilots who work in all...

How often does Pilot to Pilot release new episodes?

Pilot to Pilot publishes regularly with 361 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Pilot to Pilot?

You can listen to Pilot to Pilot on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Pilot to Pilot?

Pilot to Pilot is created and hosted by Justin Siems.
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