AeroTalk

Today, we welcome Heather Rider, Regional Sales Director for Citation Aircraft at Textron Aviation and a UND alumna. Heather shares her unconventional path to UND and how it led to a successful career in aircraft sales with Mooney, Cessna, Beechcraft, and now Textron Aviation. She describes how her career goals evolved over time, skills that are critical for students interested in aviation sales, and memorable experiences from her time at UND.

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Wagener, a UND alum and first-generation pilot who grew up near Eau Claire and now resides in Grand Forks. Today, he serves as a Captain for R.D. Offutt Company, flying the Challenger 350/300 and Citation XLS.

Along the way, he earned a wide range of certificates and type ratings, including the CE-525S, CE-560XL, CL-30, and EMB-505. We discuss his path from UND to corporate aviation, the realities of flying business jets, and what it took to build a career as a professional pilot coming from a non-aviation background.

On this week’s episode of AeroTalk, we sit down with two United Airlines pilots who also hold management positions within the airline to discuss what it is like balancing responsibilities both in the cockpit and in the corporate side of aviation. They share how their careers developed from their time at UND to flying for a major airline, the experiences that helped them move into leadership roles at United, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with managing both flying and desk duties. This episode offers an inside look at career growth, leadership, and the many different paths available within the airline industry.

This week on AeroTalk, we sit down with Vanya Voskresensky, Manager of SMS Policy, Promotion, and Oversight at Southwest Airlines, to discuss his role in airline safety management and the responsibilities that come with overseeing Safety Management Systems (SMS) at a major airline. Vanya also shares how his experiences at University of North Dakota helped shape his path into the aviation industry and led him to his current position at Southwest.

This week’s episode features Associate Professor Alan Frazier and Commercial Aviation student Kathleen Thompson as they explore two UND Aerospace study abroad programs focused on the Battle of Britain or D-Day.

They discuss the academic structure of these courses, how immersive travel enhances the learning experience, and the historical significance of the sites visited. Having attended the Battle of Britain trip, Kathleen offers insight into the personal and educational impact of participating in these unique programs.

If you're interested in pursuing these opportunities check out the syllabi and applications here: https://ndusbpos-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/hyungwoo_jo_ndus_edu/IQAUMTqCZWEUSbITJGQq1g5FAY9JVb-5IAoTI9aE9tHCy3s?e=8Y6eN4

Take a trip down memory lane as we celebrate John D. Odegard being inducted into the 2026 National Aviation Hall of Fame.

In a live special of AeroTalk during Aviation Family Weekend, Stephanie LaDue, Odegard’s daughter, led a conversation with Kent Lovelace, Ken Polovitz, Karen Ruth, and Larry Martin about the incredible impact and legacy John created.

This week on AeroTalk we highlight Dan Kasowski, a legend at flight ops who has been at UND for over 46 years. Dan has been an integral part of UND Aerospace, serving as the Director of Maintenance and overseeing a team of about 100 employees. As he prepares for retirement, Dan takes us back through his time at UND and the evolution of the Maintenance Department.

New to the annual Aviation Family Weekend at UND? SAMA President and AHP President, Jack Usiak and Grant Hoff, help break down the activities taking place during Aviation Family Weekend, including the SAMA Conference and Career Fair, family flights, and the Aviation Banquet Dinner plus AHP Auction!

For additional information and list of events visit: https://aero.und.edu/events/family-weekend.html

Cody Stauffer, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at UND joins us to discuss how the CFI hiring process at UND works. Matt and Cody discuss how the initial application process works, what you can expect in the written exam, and what follows in your interview and sim. Additionally, they address what happens after you get hired, from your onboarding process to your stan flight, and getting your first student!

In this episode, we’re joined by UpLift Chair and Vice Chair, Zoe Thompson and Lydia Schock to share how UpLift actually works and why it’s important to prioritize well-being in the aviation industry. They share the story behind UpLift, the mission driving it forward, and how it supports pilots at the University of North Dakota through peer-based connection.

More about UpLift: www.upliftpeer.com