Aero Exploration

In this episode of "Fly the Transition," we explore the compelling journey of Bryan Turner, the popular aviation content creator behind the YouTube Channel Just Plane Silly. While Bryan has enjoyed a successful career in the IT industry, he has recently started to transition into commercial aviation. Bryan shares valuable insights into his career shift and the challenges he encounters along the way.

Bryan will be one of several guests who are mid-transition that we hope to follow and gain their unique perspective on career transitions within the aviation industry. Follow us as we track Bryan's progress in future episodes, sharing in his triumphs and gaining inspiration from his resilience as he navigates the skies to achieve his aviation goals.

If you want to check out Bryan's content, check out his links below:

Youtube - www.youtube.com/@JustPlaneSilly

Instagram - www.instagram.com/justplanesilly

Website - http://www.worldsgreatestpilot.com/

Funny Aviation Weather - https://metaraf.com/

Call-to-Action:

Social Media Handles:

Sponsor Information:

Visit www.pilotquarters.com to explore their wide variety of aviation chart inspired apparel.

You can also check out our affiliate links for Lightspeed Headset and Flying Eyes Sunglasses. Your purchase through our links help support the podcast.

Lightspeed Headets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101

Flying Eyes Sunglasses: Flying Eyes Affiliate Page

Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10%off your purchase

Contact Information:

Welcome back to the Fly the Transition Podcast! In this episode, we're bringing you a special "State of the Podcast" address, filling you in on what led to the temporary hiatus and sharing some exciting updates from the past few months.

For more aviation insights and updates, be sure to visit our website at www.flyingmidwest.com.

Thank you for being part of the Fly the Transition community. We're thrilled to have you on board for this exciting journey!

Welcome back for Episode 7 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Commercial Pilot and Content Creator, Allyssa VanMeter, also known as FlyAllyssa on Instagram and Tiktok.

Allyssa didn't experience aviation until she was an adult, when she took a helicopter tour over the Lake of the Ozarks. The new perspective of the world was enough to let the aviation bug take hold.

Allyssa was a successful hairstylist and salon owner. When she found aviation, she wasn't exploring it as a career change. She flew for fun and became exposed to all sorts of aviation along the way, attending any event she could afford to.

She started an Instagram account out of her pride for being a pilot, which expanded into sharing photos or her flying and her trips. This network expanded into a large following, where she continues to inspire others as she shares her adventures in aviation.

Allyssa would eventually work to realize a dream in flying, now working as a commercial pilot for commercial real estate.

Hear Allyssa's story on this episode of Fly the Transition.

You can find Allyssa on any of these social media links.

⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@flyallyssa⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/flyallyssa/⁠

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/flymidwestjim/

Welcome back for Episode 5 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Mat Dolezal. He is a corporate part 135 pilot in the Chicago area

Mat didn't have an upbringing in aviation. He was interested in airshows and WW2 model airplanes, but never saw aviation as something for him. He would go to Perdue University and earn a degree in Business and Engineering. When he graduated, he found work with his father at a local bank, but the business world wasn't for him. He then tried his hand at engineering, it was this opportunity that set him on his path to aviation. 

Mat completely uprooted his life to chase his newly found love of aviation. He had a roller coaster of an adventure and opportunities to fly for the major airlines. Mat today enjoys his life flying various jets with his Part 135 operation. 

Hear Mat's story on this episode of Fly the Transition.

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flymidwestjim/

Welcome back for Episode 5 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Youtube's Taking Off Co-Host Christy Wong! 

Christy talks about her upbringing and lack of access to aviation as a child, but that didn't stop her from being bit early by the aviation bug. A book given to her by her grandfather as a young girl sparked her interest in aviation. 

Christy overcame many challenges to become one of the first in her family to graduate college, and did so with two degrees and acceptance into Pre-med. Christy would go into the sciences instead, working in the field of allergies. 

Christy never lost her spark for aviation. She knew her heart belonged in the sky and she would chase that dream. Now, Christy is a successful pilot with Envoy, an aviation celebrity with her role on Taking Off, and she hopes to continue to give back and inspire others. 

Hear Christy's story on this episode of Fly the Transition.

You can find Christy on any of these social media links.

https://www.youtube.com/@TakingOff 

https://www.instagram.com/pilotchristy

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/flymidwestjim/

Welcome back for Episode 4 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Airport Manager and social media content creator, Emily Herron. Emily has been around aviation her entire life. She is the third generation to fly in her family's WW2 era Piper J3 Cub. But growing up spending her weekends at turf airfields surrounded by tail draggers provided limited exposure to the vast opportunities aviation has to offer.  

Emily went into education before getting the chance to serve on the board of a local airport. If was this opportunity that would start her down the path to a new career managing an airport. Emily tells us all about the efforts that go into running an airport. 

Finally, Emily talks to us about how she got into content creation, the great community that she has found in it, and what is coming up for her in the future. 

Hear Emily's story on this episode of Fly the Transition.

You can find Emily on any of these social media links. 

https://www.facebook.com/emilyattheairport

https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyattheairport

https://www.instagram.com/emilyattheairport/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXf6Zzyko5I4W_uipBR1aYw

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram at @flymidwest_jim

Welcome back for Episode 3 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by AOPA's 2022 CFI of the Year, Ambyr Peterson. Ambyr is a regional airline pilot, but aviation wasn't her first career path. Ambyr started out her aviation journey at 17, but never saw if as a plausible career option. She would go into engineering as a profession. She traveled often, and always dreamed of turning left into the flight deck. 

After a 20 year break from flying, a chance conversation led her to change directions. She worked hard at getting her medical, powering through her ratings and becoming a CFI. She refused to just sitting in the right seat and build her hours until the airlines came calling. She was a passionate instructor, taking care of her students, and ultimately becoming AOPA's National CFI of the Year. 

Hear Ambyr's story on this episode of Fly the Transition. 

You can reach out to Ambyr Here: 

linkedin.com/in/ambyr-peterson-94a5537

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram at @flymidwest_jim

Welcome back for Episode 2 of the Fly the Transition!

In this podcast we explore the aviation industry and how more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Retired Police Officer and EMS Helicopter Pilot Lou Gregoire. Lou grew up with a father who was an engineer with Piper, and had plenty of exposure to general aviation as a youth. He never considered a career in it as a teen. He would join the Air Force and work in a few miscellaneous fields before finding his path in policing. 

Lou would find his way into and eventually command the aviation unit with his police department, flying police helicopters in the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia. Lou took advantage of many opportunities presented to him, building his hours and ratings. When he retired from policing he would make the transition into a new career flying EMS helicopters. 

Hear Lou's story on this episode of Fly the Transition. 

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to me at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram at @flymw_jim

Welcome to the first full episode of Fly the Transition. In this podcast we explore how the aviation industry is seeing more and more people transition into second careers as pilots, controllers, content creators, and so much more. So, where did they come from? What were they doing before? What made them realize and chase their dreams? We find out right here, on Fly the Transition.

I'm joined by Scott Oleson, a pilot with a Part 135 private charter operation. Scott got an early start to aviation as a child flying with his father, and a hobby in RC aircraft. But it wasn't until later in his that Scott took the leap into a second career in aviation. After a successful career in the light energy industry, Scott got the opportunity of a lifetime to chase his dream of a career on the flight deck. 

Be sure to check out the facebook page: facebook.com/flythetransition

Do you have a great aviation transition story. Reach out to us at [email protected]

You can also follow Jim on Instagram at @flymw_jim