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Every delay, every grounded plane, every canceled flight has a story behind it—one you don’t see. In this episode of AeroExploration, we dive into the hidden crisis in aviation maintenance: a rapidly aging workforce, broken training pipelines, and a shortage of skilled mechanics that is grounding aircraft across the country. From major airlines to your local flight school, the impact is real, costly, and growing.
We’ll explore why planes sit idle, how this workforce shortage is costing billions, and what the aviation industry is doing to fight back.
Tune in to discover the invisible threat that could affect every flight you take—and why the solutions could reshape the future of flying.
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
In this episode of AeroExploration, we sit down with Patrick Arnzen, airline pilot, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, and CEO of Thrust Flight. Patrick has spent his career guiding aspiring aviators through the challenges of pilot training, and he’s now leading one of the nation’s premier accelerated flight schools.
Together, we dig into:
✈️ Accelerated flight training — the real advantages, the common misconceptions, and what future pilots need to know before enrolling.
🎓 Do you really need a 4-year degree to fly for the airlines? Patrick shares his take on what the industry truly values today.
🔧 Thrust Flight’s bold expansion — how the launch of their new aircraft maintenance schools will open even more doors for those looking to build aviation careers.
Whether you’re a student pilot, career-changer, or simply fascinated by how airlines build their pilot pipelines, this conversation will give you insider perspective on what it takes to succeed in aviation today.
Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most talked-about training models in the industry — and the people behind it.
Check out Thrust Flight: Thrust Flight. https://www.thrustflight.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrust-flight/
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Join us on AeroExploration as we sit down with Anthony Dyer, a former USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator whose career includes flying AC-130 gunships and Pave Hawk rescue helicopters on dangerous missions that saved lives. In Moon Child: The Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator, Anthony doesn’t just chronicle the adrenaline and action of combat search-and-rescue, casualty evac, and gunship close air support—he also shares the heavy cost of war: trauma, addiction, moral injury, and what it takes to find meaning after service.
If you’re fascinated by aerial warfare, helicopter rescue, AC-130 operations, or the human stories behind veterans’ journeys, this episode is for you. Learn what it’s like to fly rescue missions under fire, to carry the memories home, and to build a new “why” in peacetime.
Get Anthony’s Book:
On Amazon → [Moon Child - Amazon] Amazon
On Barnes & Noble → [Moon Child - Barnes & Noble] Barnes & Noble
Winter Merch is HERE!
Winter is coming, and so is our brand-new merch lineup! Stay warm and rep your love for aviation with cozy long sleeve tees, hoodies, and beanies. For a limited time, you can score 20% off your order with code Cold20—but hurry, this offer only lasts until October 1st. Gear up now and head into the season in style!
Flyingmidwest.com/Merch
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, Jim sits down with Collin, a corporate jet pilot with NetJets, to explore his unconventional path into aviation.
Collin didn’t grow up with a headset in hand or a lifelong dream of flying. Instead, his early life revolved around farming. But a chance meeting with a pilot on a party bus changed everything. That single conversation set him on the path to becoming a professional pilot.
We cover:
Collin’s early farm life and unexpected introduction to aviation
How a party bus encounter sparked his desire to fly
His pilot training process and how he built flight hours
The steps that led to flying with NetJets.
What a corporate pilot lifestyle really looks like
Why corporate aviation can be a rewarding career path for aspiring pilots
This episode is perfect for:
Anyone interested in corporate aviation careers
Aspiring pilots curious about the NetJets pilot life
Aviation fans who love unique and unexpected career stories
Winter Merch is HERE!
Winter is coming, and so is our brand-new merch lineup! Stay warm and rep your love for aviation with cozy long sleeve tees, hoodies, and beanies. For a limited time, you can score 20% off your order with code Cold20—but hurry, this offer only lasts until October 1st. Gear up now and head into the season in style!
Flyingmidwest.com/Merch
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
On September 11, 2001, the aviation industry changed forever. While most remember the immediate shutdown of U.S. airspace and the introduction of tighter airport security, the ripple effects of that day continue to shape aviation more than two decades later.
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we take a deep dive into how 9/11 reshaped every corner of the industry—from pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics to air traffic controllers, airport operations staff, and the flying public. We’ll examine the creation of the TSA, the dramatic expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service, and how general aviation faced restrictions and scrutiny that still influence operations today.
We’ll also explore the evolving impacts: the lasting influence on airline economics and hiring, challenges for general aviation airports near metropolitan areas, and how security mandates continue to affect the balance between safety and accessibility.
More than a story of loss, this is also a story of resilience. Aviation professionals adapted, rebuilt, and found new ways to move the world forward—under the shadow of one of the most defining days in modern history.
Join us as we reflect on the past, analyze the present, and look ahead at how the legacy of 9/11 continues to shape the future of flight.
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we have another Fly the Transition story.
We sit down with Joe, a pilot whose career path proves that chasing your dream job in aviation isn’t always a straight line. Joe takes us from his days on the factory floor to his first aviation gigs, sharing how he and his family sacrificed to keep his flying dream alive.
From check run flights in the middle of the night to the demanding world of Part 135 charter operations, Joe opens up about the lessons learned, the resilience it takes, and the payoff of finally landing in the right seat of his dream career.
Whether you’re a student pilot, career changer, or someone who simply loves hearing the human side of aviation, Joe’s story is a testament to perseverance and passion.
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Hangar space has become one of the most competitive and confusing parts of the industry, and getting it wrong can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.
In this episode of the AeroExploration Podcast, we deliver the step-by-step playbook for hangar ownership. From finding hidden opportunities that never hit the market, to deciding between sole ownership and partnerships, to understanding the ins and outs of airport ground leases, we break down every phase of the process.
We’ll cover how to approach due diligence, what to look for during inspections, how to navigate financing, and the essential insurance coverage that every hangar owner needs. You’ll also hear strategies for maintaining your investment and even generating income by leasing space.
Whether you’re actively searching or just want to understand what goes into securing hangar space, this episode gives you the knowledge and tools to navigate the hangar shortage with confidence.
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Welcome to a new era of the AeroExploration Podcast! To kick things off, we’re catching up with a familiar voice — Christy Shaffer, who first joined us during her transition into the airlines. Since then, Christy has upgraded to captain and now serves as a line check airman, guiding the next generation of pilots through their first days on the line.
In this episode, Christy shares what new airline pilots can expect from Initial Operating Experience (IOE), the unique challenges and rewards of moving into the left seat, and what it means to evaluate and mentor pilots as a line check airman. It’s an inside look at airline training, leadership, and growth that every aspiring airline pilot will want to hear.
Join us as we launch the next chapter of AeroExploration with a conversation about careers, confidence, and the journey of becoming a captain.
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
This episode comes with a big announcement!
In this episode I get personal, I get reflective, and I tell you what big things I learned this year at Airventure that will change my world of content creation, hopefully for the better.
Airventure '25 gave me a good deal of time to assess my content creation and reflect on how I provide that content to all of you. I'm making some changes moving ahead, and I hope you will be as excited for the change as I am.
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Caleb Green’s Journey from Army Officer to Corporate Jet Pilot
In this inspiring episode of Fly the Transition, host Jim Schilling sits down with Caleb Green, a former Army logistics officer who made a bold leap from a background in agricultural business and military service into the cockpit of a corporate jet.
Caleb shares his powerful story of navigating the transition from a structured Army career to the dynamic world of professional aviation. With encouragement from his wife and a deep-rooted passion for flight, he not only earned his wings but also launched his own flight school, all while playing a key role in the safety program of his current corporate flight operation.
His path blends general aviation roots with the professionalism of Part 91 and 135 jet flying, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring pilots, veterans exploring aviation careers, or anyone seeking inspiration to make a major career pivot.
✈️ Special Event at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh!
We hope you’ll join us for The Aviation Podcaster Q&A and Meet & Greet at AirVenture!
📍 Forum Stage 3
📅 July 26th | 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Ask your favorite podcasters your burning aviation questions, and stick around after the panel to meet the creators, take some photos, and connect with fellow aviation podcast enthusiasts.
🎧 Featured Podcasts:Flying Midwest • Fly the Transition • The Finer Points • AvTalk • The Green Dot • Taking Off • The Pilot Network — and more!
Support the Show:
If you are looking for early releases, exclusive content, or just want to support the show, consider joining me on Patreon!
There are several levels of support and extra goodies at each level.
Patreon: www.patreon.com/flyingmidwest
AeroExploration:
Check out Jim's new YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Join our Community:
If you enjoy Fly the Transition and want to continue the conversation, consider joining our Discord community. To request an invite, simply reach out to Jim by email or social media.
Social Media Handles:
Website: www.flyingmidwest.com
Facebook: facebook.com/flymidwestjim
Jim on Instagram: @flymidwestjim
Email: [email protected]
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
Fly the Transition Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at [email protected] or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
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