The Aeropedia Podcast
by Ashwin
Welcome to our ”easy-listening” podcast introducing the exciting variety of commercial aviation! Tailored for budding aviation enthusiasts, young aviation professionals, students thinking about aviation careers, and of course the long-time AvGeek too!
Episodes
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Reimagining Regional Connectivity with Landline
What if your next flight took off on a bus? In this episode we're joined by David Sunde of The Landline Company, a company challenging the conventional boundaries of the airport, as well as air and ground transportation. We dive into David's journey and discover how Landline is reimagining…
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Selling Private Jets - From Youth Ministry to Private Jet Broker
Tom Lelyo navigated a unique path into aviation, learning the industry through calls, training, and persistence. Join us as we hear how jet brokerages work, and how Tom launched his own brokerage and now pays it forward through coaching and training the next generation aviation professional.
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The Science of Safe Skies
From childhood in Zimbabwe singing to approaching airplanes to now helping safeguard aviation across Africa, this episode explores the science, coordination, and passion behind safe flight with Chinga Mazhetese, Regional Officer at the ICAO Eastern and Southern African Regional Office.
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Connecting Calgary to the World: How YYC Punches Above its Weight
Ignacio Ottati shares his path from Venezuela where he flew Cessna's with his dad to his current role in air service development at Calgary International Airport. Learn what it takes to connect Calgary to the world, and how YYC punches above its weight in passengers and routes, and why aviation…
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Education at Altitude: Inside Cranfield's National Flying Laboratory with Robert Harrison
A former Royal Air Force pilot, Robert Harrison, shares his journey from military cockpits and NetJets to leading Cranfield University’s National Flying Laboratory. He explains how Cranfield's Saab 340 “flying classroom” and aerobatic trainers give aerospace engineering students unique hands-on...
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People Power at CLT: Inside Airport Learning & Leadership with Amy Ashburg
Amy Ashburg, Learning & Organizational Development Manager for the City of Charlotte Aviation department joins the podcast to share more about how the Charlotte Douglas International Airport implements learning and development for its employees.
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Beyond the Boarding Gate: How Austin Airport is Redefining Smart Travel
Rick Belliotti of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport shares how information technology systems play a critical role in the airport passenger experience. In addition, learn all about Austin-Bergstrom's rapid growth and plans for the future!
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Bombardier - Public Relations and Employee Communications
What goes into effective communications at a world leading aviation company? Mark Masluch of Bombardier fills us in, while also sharing some fascinating insights into the Bombardier company and his unique career journey.
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Brussels Airlines - Multi Crew Pilot License Coordinator
Vincent Verbiest joins the podcast to share more about his long-time passion for aviation, and his role as pilot and multi crew pilot license coordinator at Brussels Airlines. This episode is packed full of insights into Brussels Airlines as well as Vincent's own experiences as a pilot in Belgium.
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MHI RJ - Strategy, Business Development, Communications
You likely know, and even flown in, the CRJ. In this episode we learn from Ross Mitchell about the role MHI RJ now has in this legendary aircraft, as well as the other roles MHI RJ plays in the aviation industry. Ross also shares a number of great stories and perspectives from his vast experience...
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Airline Sustainability - Norwegian
Aviation has been increasing its focus on environmental sustainability, with many airlines committing to improving their carbon efficiency. Listen in as Anders Fagernæs, Vice President of Sustainability at Norwegian, shares about his role and the sustainability initiatives at Norwegian.
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Airline Customer Service Agent
Travelers regularly encounter airline customer service agents, but what does their role entail behind the scenes, and how do they help keep the passenger journey smooth? Listen in as Kristi MunLeeuw shares a bit more, along with her unique journey from cosmetology to aviation!
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EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
You are likely aware of EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, and some of that is thanks to the work of Dick Knapinski, Director of Communications at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Hear more about Dick's aviation career as well as all the activities the Experimental Aircraft Association…
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Teaching Aviation - Dublin City University
Marina Efthymiou shares her fascinating career path that began in Greek tourism and eventually landed at Dublin City University, with strategic fuel stops on the way. Join us to hear Marina's story, as well as the great aviation learning opportunities at Dublin City University.
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2024 Trivia Champion!
Very excited to announce our 2024 Aeropedia Podcast Trivia Champion! Over 29 Aeropedia episodes in 2024 just one pair of contestants got all 5 trivia answers correct. In this episode we let our champion challenge the hosts, hear how Ashwin and Peeter did.
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India Aviation | Aviation Analytics
We welcome Vasuki Prasad who shares insights of his expansive aviation career journey from engineering, to airline planning, aircraft marketing and sales, all tapping his passion for data analytics. Vasuki also shares perspectives about aviation in India, so be sure to listen in.
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Airline Journalism
How does one get into reporting on aviation, and what does it entail? Brian Sumers, editor of "The Airline Observer" and co-host of "The Airshow" podcast, shares his fascinating and unique path with us!
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Pilot Perspective - Sustainability
We welcome Captain Matthew Fischbacher, an airline pilot with over 20 years of flight experience, who shares insights from his career flying in various parts of the world as well as details about sustainable aviation from a flight operations perspective.
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Oakland Airport - Director of Aviation
We cover a variety of airport topics with Craig Simon, Director of Aviation, at California's Oakland airport. From infrastructure, to air service, and airline relations, Craig gives great insight into all it takes to be a Director of Aviation. Craig is also a wealth of knowledge about Oakland...
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2024 Year in Review & 2025 Predictions
We welcome back two special guests, Courtney Miller and Brian Rynott, for this episode to close out 2024 and kick off 2025 with their perspectives. Also, we open our trivia round to a round robin, with Courtney, Brian, Ashwin and Peeter each asking the group a trivia question. We all learned...
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Maintenance Training to Aircraft Brokering
Given the extensive background of our guest, Lee Brewster, we are able to pack a lot of fascinating topics into this episode! From maintenance training, to aircraft brokering, and the International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA), listen in to hear about Lee's vast experience and learn about...
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Flight Operations - UPS Chief Pilot
In our first "pilot" episode we are very lucky to welcome Captain Jeff Whiteman, Chief Pilot for UPS! Hear all about UPS flight operations, the role of the Chief Pilot, as well as the many other roles that help keep UPS flying smoothly. Captain Whiteman also gave us some fun UPS trivia along the...
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Private Aviation Customer Experience
Happy to have Andy Balser, from Air Partner, joining us to share the intricacies of private aviation customer service and customer experience. What are the differences and how are both manifested in aviation? Andy offers a number of interesting personal examples and insights from his extensive...
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Kansas City Aviation Department
Since Kansas City operates two airports, why not have two guests? We welcome Melissa Cooper and Justin Meyer, Director and Deputy Director of Aviation for the Kansas City Aviation Department to share more about the Kansas City International Airport and Wheeler Downtown Airport. This team makes a...
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Air Taxi - Fly Aeolus
What is a relatively affordable way to take advantage of private aviation in Europe? Consider an air taxi! We speak with Stefaan Ghijs, Founder & CEO of Fly Aeolus, to tell us how his air taxi business model has taken shape and grown.
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Airports - Air Service Development
What role does an airport take in attracting new airline service? We welcome Nate Lavin, Air Service and Business Development Manager at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC / KSLC) to share more about how SLC has done it, while also transitioning from a historically majority connecting...
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Altavair and an AvGeek's Dream Career
We welcome Brian Rynott to the podcast to hear about his broad and unique aviation career, including a deeper dive into Altavair where he is currently Senior Vice President of Marketing for the Americas. Brian is arguably one of the industry's most respected AvGeeks, so we had to up the ante on…
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Routes
Get the inside scoop on Routes, an amazing forum and network that airlines and airports around the world use to plan prospective new air service. We welcome Deanna Dow, Director of Airline Partnerships at Informa Markets, to explain more about Routes and the critical role its forums and offerings...
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Drones & Safety Policy
We welcome Harrison Wolf to the podcast as we take a slight tangent into the world of drones and Harrison's role at the Flight Safety Foundation. Aviation touches so many facets, and we were excited to hear a bit more about this fascinating and growing segment.
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Aviation as a Strategic Investment
What role can aviation play as a personal or corporate investment? We speak with Shelley Svoren, of Infinite Branches, to find out. We also get to hear Shelley's unique career path vector into aviation.
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Aircraft Cabins
What goes into the perfect cabin design? How do you achieve great passenger experience while keeping it financially viable? We welcome Blake Emery to discuss! Hear how Blake tapped "research driven strategy" to help develop the well recognized Boeing Sky Interior. From Airbus' winglets, to new...
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Aviation Data - Part Deux
Courtney Miller joins us again, on a more impromptu episode (let us know how you liked the format), to share some insights into two previous aviation data analyses of his, including how they came about, and how they had an impact. Of course we had to challenge him again on trivia, but threw him a...
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SITA and the International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA)
In this episode we discuss two great aviation topics with our esteemed guest Cristiane Dart: SITA and International Aviation Women's Association (IAWA). Working communications and marketing at both SITA and IAWA, learn more about these organizations and about Cristiane's experience. Yes, of…
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Airline Business Models
From network carriers to regional, charter to ultra-low cost, our guest Koen Karsbergen of Air52 explains the many different airline business models that exist today. From Saab spotting, to African alliance carriers, Koen proves his #AvGeek chops during the Aeropedia Trivia Challenge!
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Business Aviation
Join us as we venture into the world of business aviation with our guest Steve Saxton. Also known as corporate aviation or private aviation, we learn about the many facets and breadth of opportunities in this exciting segment of aviation. Stay tuned for the Aeropedia Trivia Challenge round too…
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Aviation Finance
David Yu provides us with insight into how finance energizes the aviation industry. If you aren't a finance person, don't worry, David walks us through in a very engaging and easy to follow way. Even as David predicted he would get no trivia questions right, he proved he does have Aeropedia…
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Airports Council International (ACI)
How can airports collaborate on common industry topics? This week we welcome Adam Zampini from Airports Council International (ACI) to share how ACI helps airports and the global aviation ecosystem. Landing lights, exclusive takeoff and landing runways, and two very similar European airline…
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Aviation Data & Analytics
We have the pleasure of hosting Courtney Miller to discuss aviation data and analytics. Courtney is a fellow aviation podcaster (Time on Wing Podcast) and owner of Visual Approach Analytics. Listen closely to our trivia round, where we asked Courtney about the “Whisperliner”, a U.S. airline...
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Air Traffic Control
We’re cleared for takeoff as we discuss Air Traffic Control with Richard Kennington, a controller at Portland International Airport (PDX / KPDX). Learn about the various air traffic control facilities, what characteristics make for a good air traffic controller, the paths to becoming a controller...
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Aircraft Seating
A key contributor to the passenger experience, we sit down with Antonio Ficca from Expliseat to talk about . . . seats. From seat innovation to whether the industry will evolve beyond "lifting the metal buckle", Antonio shares his insights and passion. We “wing” it in this week’s Trivia Round…
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Aircraft Leasing
Why do airlines lease airplanes? What are wet and dry leases? Learn this and so much more about aviation leasing from Tony Santos. From # configured runways, to airlines that arrive and depart with one word, hear how Tony did in the Trivia Challenge!
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Airport Management
How do airports make revenue? Is the airport responsible for your lost bags? Learn this and so much more about airport management with our guest Marty Lenss. From his first flight in 7th grade, to now overseeing the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), listen in to how Marty got into the business of...
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Simulator Flight Training
Listen in as we learn the fascinating ins and outs of aircraft flight simulators and training from our guest Marika Dwyer. While every #AvGeek dreams of installing one of these functioning airliner cockpit replicas in their garage, Marika explains how airlines use them, and the diversity of roles...
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Aircraft Product Marketing
Why do I want this airplane and not that one? Join us as we discuss Aircraft Product Marketing with Rodrigo Lezama. Learn about the airliner buyers journey, and what things differentiate one airplane from another at an airline. Also, how does smoking on-board and SUX relate to Aeropedia? Listen…
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Aircraft Finance - Asset Valuations
How much is that airplane worth? Join us as we chat with Gueric Dechavanne about asset valuations - how aircraft and engines are valued for financing, purchasing, etc. From airliners adorned with Marge Simpson of The Simpsons, to airport Lamborghinis, learn something new with Gueric during his...
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Airline Business - Ancillary Revenue
Welcome aboard this week as we meet with Juan Diego Mora Nogueira for an engaging introduction into the world of airline ancillary revenue; the offering of services and products passengers can purchase beyond baseline air fares. Tune in to the trivia challenge too, and hear how Juan Diego did...
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Aviation Safety - Safety Management Systems (SMS)
Our guest this week is Natasha Rao, an aviation safety specialist. Join us as Natasha explains what airline Safety Management Systems (SMS) are and how they are implemented. Using some fun and useful everyday analogies, Natasha helps us gain a better understanding of all things SMS. Also, from...
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Aeropedia Podcast - Continuing our climb
In this second episode, we continue our initial climb and introduce you to co-host Ashwin. From his earliest aviation memory, to the least understood aspects of aviation, come learn more from Ashwin. Also, find out which Aeropedia Trivia Challenge questions stumped Ashwin! Would they stump you too?
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Aeropedia Podcast - Inaugural Flight
Welcome to our inaugural episode of the Aeropedia Podcast! Join us as we introduce the podcast and intended journey with you our guests.
About this show
Welcome to our ”easy-listening” podcast introducing the exciting variety of commercial aviation!
Tailored for budding aviation enthusiasts, young aviation professionals, students thinking about aviation careers, and of course the long-time AvGeek too!
Hosted by
Ashwin