AeroTalk

This week we're joined by two aviation trailblazers whose careers helped redefine what was possible for women in the cockpit: Karen Ruth and Jill Newby. They take us from their early days as roommates at UND to remarkably accomplished careers in the airline industry.

Karen Ruth, a Delta Air Lines captain, has logged over 23,000 flight hours, flew the first delivery of Delta’s A330 from France to the United States, and has received both Delta’s prestigious Chairman’s Club Award and the Northwest Airlines President’s Club honor. A lifelong mentor and leader, Karen has shaped aviation from the flight deck to the classroom.

Jill Newby, was one of the first 30 women pilots hired by United Airlines, and after 40 years she retired as number 1 on the seniority list for 757/767 pilots. Along with mentoring, Jill enjoyed piloting flights for children traveling through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Jim Sweeney brings decades of real-world experience in aviation and entrepreneurship. As Co-Founder and President of Fargo Jet Center, he has spent his career building, leading, and scaling aviation businesses with a focus on operational excellence and world-class service. In this episode, he shares his perspective and insights from a career spent growing successful businesses in aviation.

In this episode, we sit down with Don Dubuque, a key architect behind the growth of UND Aerospace, to reflect on his nearly four decades shaping our aviation programs. Don graduated from UND in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration. From there, he built a distinguished career at UND, serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Director of Flight Operations, Director of Extension Programs, and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Along the way, he helped certify more than 1,000 pilots, many of them UND students and instructors.

Don also played a critical role in UND Aerospace’s fleet expansion—buying and selling over 300 aircraft, pushing the strategy of ownership over leasing aircraft, and establishing eight extension sites through the UND Aerospace Foundation. Join us as we catch up with Don and revisit those early days of UND Aerospace.

We’re wishing you a joyful holiday season and relaxing break. Thanks for being part of the AeroTalk community, and don’t forget to join us next week for our regularly scheduled episodes!

As graduation approaches, UND Aerospace seniors take a moment to reflect on their journey and look ahead to what’s next. In this episode, we ventured outside of the studio and chatted with seniors on campus, asking four thoughtful questions about their experiences, advice for new students, and hopes for the future.

🎓 The four questions we asked:

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What’s one piece of advice you have after going through the program?
• If you were to watch this back in 10 years, what’s one thing you want to remind your future self of?
• What’s your favorite memory from your time at UND?

Settle in and get comfortable! This 30-minute study mix combines lofi music with real airplane and airport sounds from UND Flight Operations—perfect for staying focused while preparing for finals or stage checks. Replay this episode as many times as you need to stay productive and in the zone! ✈️📚

In this episode, conflict-resolution expert, Emily Holth, shares practical ways to manage stress and handle tough conversations. Heading into the hectic season of holidays and finals, her insight can help you reduce stress, communicate with clarity, and create more peace in your relationships.

Meet Fred Remer—pilot, storm chaser, researcher, and long-time professor who helped shape the culture of meteorology and aviation at the University of North Dakota before retiring in 2024. From flying UND’s Citation research jet to teaching the legendary Aviation Meteorology course, Fred’s 30+ years at UND are filled with stories that blend science, adventure, and a deep love for helping students succeed. In this episode, we dive into his early passion for flying, his path into atmospheric sciences, and the experiences that made him a cornerstone of UND Aerospace.

Getting ready for your Private Pilot Written? In this episode, we sit down with Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Jason Bensley, to break down how the written exam works.

🔹 What We Cover in This Episode

1. What is the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam?
2. Knowledge Prep: How to Study Effectively
3. Endorsements Explained
4. How to Schedule Your Exam
5. Preparing Yourself
6. Taking the Test: What to Expect
7. After the Test

Meet Sarah Simek, more commonly referred to as JT, an Air Traffic Controller at Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) and Union President for GFK NATCA. In this episode of AeroTalk, JT shares what it’s like working in the control tower at GFK and discusses how teamwork, adaptability, and resilience play a vital role in keeping operations safe and efficient.

JT began her aviation journey at a CTO school in New Braunfels, Texas, where she trained both as a pilot and an air traffic controller. She joined the FAA in 2007 and has since worked in facilities across Houston, Evansville, Dayton, and now Grand Forks. In addition to her role as a controller and Union President for GFK NATCA, JT serves as the the Great Lakes Regional Communications Representative, and the National Communications Committee Vice Chair.