What does automation and autonomy feel like from the pilot’s seat?

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, our host Adam Kress sits down with seasoned pilots Alyssa Silva, First Officer and Pilot for Republic Airlines, and Pete Zaccagnino, CEO and Owner of PC Aviators, to explore how these evolving technologies are reshaping responsibilities in the cockpit and what it means for the future of flight.

Episode Highlights:

• Pilots’ Experience with Autonomy’s Evolution in Aviation: Learn about our guests’ aviation journeys and how they’ve encountered autonomy’s impact in aviation. 

• Real-World Applications: From advanced weather radar to terrain-following technology, hear how autonomy actively enhances flight safety.

• Balancing Technology and Human Skill: Why pilots believe automation should support, not replace, critical decision-making.

• What’s Next: What rigorous simulation and real-world testing will look like as AI and autonomy expand and how the role of pilots will evolve.

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Download our Autonomy Whitepaper to discover the latest expert insights on the current state of aviation, autonomy and more.

Autonomy is unfolding through a series of deliberate steps across defense, cargo and eventually passenger travel – each one building toward a safer, smarter future.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, our host Adam Kress talks with Sapan Shah, Senior Director of Product Management for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, about how autonomy and automation differ, where Honeywell is leading and why trust is key to adoption.

You’ll hear how we’re helping partners retrofit existing airframes, simplify complex systems and build new solutions that support safety, scale and readiness.

Episode Highlights:

• Difference Between Automation and Autonomy: Why the distinction matters in real-world aviation applications and how each has evolved over the years.

• Autonomy and Automation’s Role in Aviation: How they each contribute to enhancing safety and reduce pilot workload.

• Misconceptions About Autonomy: What it is (and isn’t), and how it’s key to advancing the future of aviation across applications 

• The Future of Autonomy: Where the technology is headed and how Honeywell is leading the way 

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Download our Autonomy Whitepaper to discover the latest expert insights on the current state of aviation, autonomy and more.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, we dive into the fascinating history and evolution of black boxes in aviation. We discuss why they were developed, their role in ensuring flight safety, and their importance in accident investigations. 

Our host, Adam Kress, is joined by Borka Vlacic, a Director of Product Management for SATCOM at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, and Stephen Leaper, the Recorder Product Line Manager for our partner Curtiss Wright Avionics, Video and System. 

From discussing how black boxes have transformed over the years to exploring the groundbreaking advancements driving aviation safety into the future, don’t miss out on this insightful conversation.

Episode Highlights:

• Historical Content and Impact: Discover why black boxes were developed and what challenges they were designed to address in the aviation industry.
• Technological Evolution: Learn how the technology advancements have transformed the early flight records to today’s advanced devices.
• Connected Recorders Improving Aviation Safety: Dive into the critical role connected recorders play in improving accident prevention.
• Future Prospects and Operator Feedback: Learn about operators’ perspectives on the latest connected recorder technologies and what the future holds for the evolution of black boxes.
  
  

Want to dive deeper?
Explore more about our Honeywell Connected Recorders.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, host Adam Kress sits down with Thea Feyereisen, a Distinguished Fellow at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies and one of the world’s leading experts in the study of human factors and their critical role in aviation safety. 

Join them as they explore how understanding human behavior can drive innovation in cockpit design, enhance safety measures and reduce pilot errors. 

From the latest advancements in technology to the fascinating intersection of engineering and psychology, Feyereisen shares insights that are transforming the future of aviation and beyond. 

Episode Highlights:

• Human Factors in Aviation: Discover how analyzing human behavior is revolutionizing cockpit design and improving safety in flight.
• Automation & Human Control: Explore the challenges of balancing automation with pilot engagement in engineering new technologies. 
• Improving Runway Safety: Get the inside scoop on the human factors behind the cutting-edge Surface Alerts (SURF-A) cockpit alerting software.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, we take a break from deep dives on the latest aviation technologies and trends to focus on people shaping the future of aerospace.

Host Adam Kress is joined by four inspiring women from Honeywell Aerospace Technologies—leaders in business and engineering—who share their insights and career journeys in a field still largely dominated by men.

From these women finding mentorship to overcoming challenges, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. 

Episode Highlights:

• Career Paths & Passion for Aviation: How each guest discovered their path to aerospace and carved out their career.
• Challenges & Triumphs: Learn about their personal experiences navigating the industry, overcoming obstacles, and finding confidence.
• Lessons Learned & Future Outlook: Hear key takeaways and advice from their career journeys plus, what excites them about the future of aviation.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, we tackle 2025's top aviation safety issues: rising close calls on runways and the growing threat of GPS jamming and spoofing.

Our host, Adam Kress chats with Priya Poyil, a Director of Offering Management at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, about aviation safety and industry efforts to tackle key challenges in this insightful discussion.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, we dive into the vision of one of our partner’s, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC). We discuss the missions and innovative ideas driving their programs forward, including how they aim to power their aircraft with the help of hydrogen.  

Our host, Adam Kress, is joined by John Piasecki, the Chief Executive Officer of PiAC, and Dan Newman, the Chief Technology Officer for Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. From discussing the challenges of hydrogen as a propulsion method and its opportunity as a clean and renewable energy source, to insights of what the future may hold for this industry, this is a discussion you don’t want to miss.

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, we dive into the key discussions and insights from the 2024 Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Summit held in Washington, DC. Now in its third year, the summit brought together industry leaders, regulators, and lawmakers for a day of programming and conversations focused on advancing the AAM industry.

Our host, Adam Kress, is joined by Sapan Shah, Senior Director of Product Management for Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, and Sean Deverey, Senior Director of Government Relations at Honeywell. Together, they discuss takeaways from the event and share key insights from the summit’s expert industry panelists.

Gaining public acceptance is crucial in the rapidly evolving world of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Without the public's trust and confidence, adopting innovative technologies like autonomous aircraft and urban air taxis could face significant hurdles. 

In this episode of Aerospace Unplugged, our host, Adam Kress, is joined by Alison Wyrick, Senior Director of Innovation at Honeywell. Alison recently moderated a session at the 3rd Annual Honeywell Advanced Air Mobility Summit, where she and her distinguished panelists delved into the critical factors influencing societal acceptance of AAM. Listen for key takeaways from this insightful session and get Alison's perspective on driving public adoption of AAM through effective communication, strategic framing, community involvement, and more.

Together they will talk through how different satellite systems work in harmony to deliver seamless communication, ensuring a flight path is as connected as is it comfortable. Join us for this deep dive episode into the heart of aerospace communication technology.