A few days ago, an iconic aviation legend, Clay Lacy, founder of Clay Lacy Aviation, turned 93 years old. It is a milestone that encompasses a lifetime of passion for aviation from the consummate aviator who simply says "lucky me".

A few days ago, an iconic aviation legend, Clay Lacy, founder of Clay Lacy Aviation, turned 93 years old. It is a milestone that encompasses a lifetime of passion for aviation from the consummate aviator who simply says "lucky me".

I have had the honor of knowing the former United Airlines Captain Lacy for many years as well as the privilege of being able to call him a friend. While he is a giant of giants in our incredible industry of aviation with an innumerable amount of awards, accolades, and tributes, that includes being enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He also represents that generation of humbleness, kindness, and incredible, off the charts flying talent.

A while back, I enjoyed the opportunity to be a guest at his home where we chowed down on a nice lunch before hanging out in one of his aviation-filled rooms to chat a little about his life, his legacy, and how he managed to accumulate over 50,000 piloting hours during his flying career. Here are some highlights from that conversation.

If you want the full scoop, I highly recommend going to https://lnkd.in/ee5NMefR and read
'Lucky Me' The Life and Flights of Veteran Aviator Clay Lacy.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Meet in person the author of 'Memories of a Tuskegee Airmen Nurse and Her Military Sisters' Pia Marie Winters Jordan this Saturday, March 8th at 1:00pm in the College Park Aviation Museum located at College Park Airport.

Pia Jordan is the daughter of U.S. Army Nurse First Lieutenant Louise Lomax, one of 28 members of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen medical facility,  joined me for a one on one conversation about her Mom's story and the legacy of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Please checkout this live mentoring conversation with the up and coming generation of private aviation culinary professionals including one who is also pursuing a professional pilot career. Join Executive Chef Young Park, the founder of First Chime and I as we discuss in detail the rewarding opportunities of catering meals for private jet passengers.

You'll meet Kailyn Williams, a recent graduate of DuVal High School's Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Technology program who is currently pursuing a degree in aviation at Delaware State University with a concentration in professional pilot training, and Christian Gray, who is currently in his first year at Frederick Community College studying business with plans to transfer to a four-year, then eventually study business law, and is currently employed by First Chime a Prep Cook.

Chef Young Park offers a grass roots perspective on often an overlooked aspect of private aviation, sharing her story of transitioning from being a corporate flight attendant to becoming a renown executive chef. She attributes much of First Chime's Michelin Star level of service to her culinary partnership, inspiration, and guidance from Michelin-starred Chef Pangaud.

As a way of giving back, Chef Park visits and speaks to high school and college students who have a passion for cooking and suggests they explore applying that passion to private aviation catering. To solidify their involvement she created an internship program and offers a Yong-Sung Park Scholarship annually.

This show is also available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented podcast and webcast available wherever you get your podcasts as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Linkedin. Its primary objective is to provide insight on the plethora of opportunities and possibilities in the commercial and private aviation as well as aerospace. Its executive producer, host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies regularly for personal and business. Navy Veteran Mickens' background includes executive roles for the last couple of decades with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation. He also had all a 28-year broadcast journalism career that included working in 7 major television and radio markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Attention all students looking for scholarship support in pursuit of a career in aviation. Hear all of the details, inside perspectives, and application strategies from two leading aviation organizations focused on giving a boost to aspiring young aviation professionals. Joining me is Tracie Carwile, the CEO & Executive Director on the Board of Directors for Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) who also is the Vice President of Global Sales and Inclusion for GGT Worldwise; and Rebecca (Becca) Greskoviak, the Scholarship and Fund Stewardship Coordinator for the EAA Aviation Foundation part of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented podcast and webcast available wherever you get your podcasts as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Linkedin. Its primary objective is to provide insight on the plethora of opportunities and possibilities in the commercial and private aviation as well as aerospace. Its executive producer, host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies regularly for personal and business. Navy Veteran Mickens' background includes executive roles for the last couple of decades with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation. He also had all a 28-year broadcast journalism career that included working in 7 major television and radio markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

While discussing the origin of her storied flying career, Captain Theresa Claiborne and I had an inspiring roundtable airline career mentoring talk with three very impressive aspiring aviators who are all well on their way towards flying professionally one day.

Joining us were Abby Awosanya, a commercial pilot with a multiengine rating and is a certified instrument flight instructor who graduated from the United Airlines Aviate Academy. Prior to her flight training, Abby received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She actively volunteers for organizations like Sisters of the Skies, OBAP (the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals), and Women in Aviation International (WAI).

Oded Vazquez, who is originally from Cuba started flying only a few years ago after she discovered it was something she could do for a career and had a passion for. She has her private pilots license and is currently working on her commercial license. Her day job is working as a successful real estate agent with the Nova Realty Group, a Redfin Partner in Miami. Oded has Bachelors in International Relations from Florida International University.

Mariah Ervin is the youngest of the group and currently at student at Elizabeth City State University. She is very involved with the ECSU OBAP chapter and serves as their Director of Public Relations. Mariah has her private pilot certificate with an instrument rating and is now working on her commercial pilot certification.

Captain Theresa Claiborne has a storied aviation career that began during ROTC in college and manifested into her becoming the first Black woman United States Air Force Pilot followed by 34 years as a United Airlines pilot flying all of the Boeing aircraft in its fleet. She most recently was the captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner which she did her “retirement” flight in with family and friends. Captain Claiborne was also the 2024 recipient of the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Aviation Inspiration Award as part of AOPA Bob Hoover Trophy event honors and is a founding member of ‘Sisters of the Skies’ an organization dedicated to furthering careers of aspiring young aviation professionals.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented podcast and webcast available wherever you get your podcasts as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Linkedin. Its primary objective is to provide insight on the plethora of opportunities and possibilities in the commercial and private aviation as well as aerospace. Its executive producer, host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies regularly for personal and business. Navy Veteran Mickens' background includes executive roles for the last couple of decades with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation. He also had all a 28-year broadcast journalism career that included working in 7 major television and radio markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Starting their 30th year with great recognition, Go Rentals co-founder and CEO Kaye Gitibin is being honored at the 22nd Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards Gala with the Eren Ozmen Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Highly appropriate given their modest start with one location with a little over a handful of vehicles to over 250 locations and growing. I feel privileged knowing Kaye and being friends for nearly three decades. Even for me, the interview was very insightful, enlightening, and inspiring.

Go Rentals, a family-owned business, was founded in 1995 by brothers Kaye and Kavous Gitibin to meet a clear need for a high-touch, quality vehicle rental service for discerning business and leisure travelers. Since its launch, Go Rentals has grown into a leading rental service company with unrivaled knowledge, experience, and passion for aviation and hospitality.

Today, Go Rentals continues to cater to the needs of Guests as well as aviation, travel, and hospitality professionals, with an extraordinary level of personalized service, beautifully maintained vehicles, and a dedicated team who go to heroic lengths to make the travel experience enjoyable, memorable, and convenient.

Service is Go Rentals passion. By fostering strong, meaningful relationships with clients and partners alike, Go Rentals has continued to expand its reach and reputation to airports, FBOs, world-class hotels and resorts nationwide. Go Rentals is committed to finding, training, and retaining the best talent in aviation, customer service, hospitality, and transportation, who share its company’s core values and passion for always putting the client first.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented podcast and webcast available wherever you get your podcasts as well as YouTube, Facebook, and Linkedin. It's primary objective is to provide insight on the plethora of opportunities and possibilities in the commercial and private aviation as well as aerospace. Its executive producer, host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies regularly for personal and business. Navy Veteran Mickens' background includes executive roles for the last couple of decades with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation. He also had all a 28-year broadcast journalism career that included working in 7 major television and radio markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Welcome to Latinas in Aviation. For the last three years the iconic College Park Aviation Museum located at the historical College Park Airport which is conveniently located in the heart of the DMV (District. Maryland, Virginia) has hosted the Latinas in Aviation Global Festival. This Saturday, September 14th will be the 4th annual celebration of Latinas in Aviation with a variety of activities and events for young Latinas and everyone in the community interested in aviation and aerospace.

Joining me to share more details about the event and the museum are John McCaskill, Public Program Director for the College Park Aviation Museum; Kimbely Schwartz, Education Manager for the museum; Jacqueline Ruiz, CEO of JJR and founder of the Latinas in Aviation Global Festival brand; and Lourdes Tatiana Gonzalez, an airline Dispatch Supervisor.

In addition to the particulars about the show, you will find my conversation with this inspiring team of aviation professionals enlightening, enjoyable, and engaging.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

NASA is looking for aspiring aerospace professionals from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about the opportunities and possibilities with all that NASA offers. My conversation included expertise and guidance from `Mai Miller, the NASA Pathways Program Coordinator, at the NASA Kennedy Space Center, and personal insight and perspectives from current NASA Pathways interns Cedric Anderson at the Marshall Space Flight Center and Mercedes George at NASA's Johnson Space Center, as well as interns who are now full-time NASA employees, Jaden Chambers, a robotics engineer at the NASA Kennedy Space Center and SanJog Gururaj, a software engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented webcast providing insight on the variety of opportunities and possibilities in the aviation and aerospace industries. Its host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies frequently for both personal and business. Mickens' background includes strategic partnership executive roles over the last 17 years with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, all after a 28-year broadcast journalism career working in seven major television and radio broadcast markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting and touring the DaVinci Inflight Training Institute which is adjacent to the Ft. Lauderdale Executive airport. Besides being impressed with what I saw at this state of the art cabin crew member professional training facility, I had an enlightening sidebar conversation with Paula Kraft that made me ask, how soon can you be a guest on my show?

Her awe-inspiring family aviation lineage along with her distinguished accomplishments in inflight catering and cabin crew member training will inspire anyone who likes cooking and traveling. Her extensive accomplishments range from world-class expertise in corporate inflight food service and corporate flight attendants services, to food safety management, handling, and mitigation. Paula is also the founder of Tastefully Yours Catering.

DaVinci InFlight Training Institute covers everything from Culinary, Cabin Safety, and Elite Service Training, to Sommelier, Butler, and Aviation Security/Awareness Training. So again, if you have ever considered a career in catering for the private jet/business aviation industry, you'll want to hear all that Paula has to share. 

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented webcast providing insight on the variety of opportunities and possibilities in the aviation and aerospace industries. Its host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies frequently for both personal and business. Mickens' background includes strategic partnership executive roles over the last 17 years with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, all after a 28-year broadcast journalism career working in seven major television and radio broadcast markets nationwide.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/

Airport management legend Angela Gittens talks openly with me and shares insight about her distinguished aviation career, her unexpected career path, and the rewards of her accomplishments. Angela has served as the Director General of Airports Council International (ACI World) before retiring in 2020; she was CEO for Miami International and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta airports; and in addition to serving on numerous aviation industry boards and committees, was on the FAA Management Advisory Committee of the Transportation Research Board and the Board of Directors of JetBlue Airways. She has also been enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

During our conversation, Angela offered mentoring advice to  aspiring young aviation professional Shauntel Clarke, an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University graduate student on the verge of graduating with a Master of Science degree in Aviation/Aerospace Operations, Management, and Sustainability from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona  Beach, Florida.

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is an aviation career-oriented webcast providing insight on the variety of opportunities and possibilities in the aviation and aerospace industries. Its host and moderator, Vince Mickens, is a long time private pilot who flies frequently for both personal and business. Mickens' background includes strategic partnership executive roles over the last 17 years with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the AOPA Air Safety Foundation, and the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, all after a 28-year broadcast journalism career working in seven major television and radio broadcast markets nationwide. including the rewards and challenges of running to of the largest airport operations in the U.S., Miami International and Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta airports, as well as serving as Director General of Airports Council International (ACI World).

All Things Aviation & Aerospace is also available on my Private Air Media YouTube Channel, Facebook Page, and Linkedin.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnAgvYp8gF4w8WSRdU7Dn4w

https://www.facebook.com/privateairmediagroup

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentmickens-privateairmediagroup-allthingsaviationandaerospace/