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In This Episode:
Crank up the volume: this episode is about to get loud. Co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter invite RDU’s Noise Officer, John Wiatrak, on the pod to dispel myths about aircraft noise. Meanwhile, a new economic study on North Carolina’s aviation industry yields surprising results, and flyers prepare for new CDC requirements on international travel.
Episode Guests:
John Wiatrak is the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority’s noise officer. A native of Raleigh, Wiatrak previously served as airport manager at Treasure Coast International Airport and in airfield operations at Orlando International Airport. An instrument rated pilot with a master’s in Commercial Aviation from Florida Institute of Technology, Wiatrak and his family live in Cary, N.C.
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 4: Airports and Aircraft Noise

The Fly Angle is Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s official podcast. Each episode takes you behind-the-scenes at RDU, meeting special guests and exploring what happens each day at a busy international airport. Hosted by RDU’s Communications, Government &amp; Community Affairs staff, The Fly Angle is for occasional flyers and #AvGeeks alike.

Aviation

Games & Hobbies

Leisure

In This Episode:
RDU recently broke ground on the replacement of its primary runway — but it’s not as simple as just building a new road. RDU’s
runway engineer Ron Jewett sits down with co-hosts Jake and Stephanie to talk about “the most important two miles of pavement in North Carolina.” Meanwhile, find out where the airport’s two newest international airlines are set to start flying in 2024.
 
Episode Guest:
Ron Jewett is vice president of facilities asset management at the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. With more than two decades
of aviation construction engineering experience, Jewett oversees RDU’s construction and repair efforts for airport facilities.
 
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
 
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 22: How Do Airports Replace Runways?

In This Episode:
David Neeleman — founder of jetBlue and other airlines — has made a splash this year at Raleigh-Durham International Airport with his newest venture, Breeze Airways. Neeleman joins the podcast to share the
experience, and what he sees next for aviation. Meanwhile, co-hosts Jake and Stephanie cover route planning, Air France’s new flight in North Carolina and more.
Episode Guest:
David Neeleman is an entrepreneur who has founded several airlines, including jetBlue, WestJet, Azul and more. His latest airline, Breeze Airways, began operating in 2021.
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 21: Breeze Airways’ David Neeleman Talks Airline Trends

In This Episode:
It was one of the most-requested service additions at Raleigh-Durham International Airport — and now, CLEAR’s popular identity verification lanes and kiosks are open in both of RDU’s terminals. Co-hosts Jake Potter and Stephanie Hawco sit down with Kyle McLaughlin, senior vice president of operations at CLEAR, to learn about how the service works and why flyers are so eager to sign up. Meanwhile, Jake and Stephanie tackle all the new airlines and routes coming to RDU this spring, and do a little international trip planning.
Episode Guest:
Kyle McLaughlin is senior vice president of operations at CLEAR, an international identity platform available in airports, stadiums and events. Prior to joining CLEAR, McLaughlin served as CEO of endurance event series Tough Mudder.
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 20: CLEAR’s Identity Service Is Changing Airport Screening

In This Episode:
You’ve asked to hear from other airports on the podcast – and this episode, you get to hear about three! First, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter welcome Amanda Ohbayashi, who handles digital marketing for Washington Reagan (DCA) and Dulles (IAD) airports, to learn about aviation in the nation’s capital. Then, Stephanie Kitts joins to recap her tenure leading social media for Albuquerque Sunport (ABQ) – and share things to check out while in New Mexico. Meanwhile, Jake and Mary answer questions about CLEAR and new international service at RDU.
Episode Guests:
Amanda Ohbayashi is digital marketing specialist for Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, where she connects flyers to the Washington, D.C. area’s two major airports, Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport.
Stephanie Kitts is creative services manager at The Quotient Group, leading marketing efforts for a variety of aviation clients. Kitts recently served as digital content coordinator for Albuquerque International Sunport, where she managed social media and other creative and digital content for New Mexico’s capital airport.
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 19: Meet ABQ, DCA, IAD Airports

In This Episode:
There’s no shortage of work to do each day at a busy international airport. RDU’s new head of recruiting Kirsten Nicholas stops by the studio to talk about the Airport Authority’s plans to hire operations staff, firefighters and other roles, and how people interested in aviation can plan their next career move. Meanwhile, co-hosts Mary Griffith and Jake Potter talk seat assignment etiquette, and share upcoming construction projects around campus.
Episode Guest:
Kirsten Nicholas is director of recruiting at the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. With more than 20 years of experience recruiting for Fortune 500 members in education, healthcare and packaging, Nicholas is co-author of career development university textbook Paths in a Working Life – Charting your 21st Century Career.
Send Us Airmail!
We want to hear from you – drop us an email at communications@rdu.com to let us know what you’d like to hear on The Fly Angle. Be sure to include your name and other details about yourself and we might feature your Airmail in an upcoming episode.
Music
“Moment” — Amine Maxwell
Music provided by Audio Library Plus

Episode 4: Airports and Aircraft Noise

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