Today we have a special guest Irwin Wenzel Author of Nice Jewish Boys Don't Fly Airplanes : A sharp, funny, and heartfelt memoir about defying expectations—and finding your own flight path. Sponsor: https://pilotcounsel.com/ Talking Points: How he developed his passion for aviation. Growing up in the Queens and understanding Why Jewish Boys Don't Fly. Irwin's journey to the flight deck of a commercial airliner. Challenges of being Jewish boy wanting to fly. His career and why persistence and following your dream are important. Why the book and why now? What is next for Irwin?. Links: https://nicejewishboysdontflyairplanes.com/ Link to Jewish Pilot Associations: https://jia.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page id=22&club _ _ dule id=140015 id=738936&mo _ Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

The most common question I get after publishing my last episode about surviving a furlough is "What does Spirit shutting down mean for new pilots?" Today, I will also answer the question of how this affects all pilots at all levels. Talking Points: https://www.alpa.org/press-room/2026/05/spirit-airlines-closure-a-devastati ng-blow-to-more-than-2000-pilots-thousands-more-workers This news does not affect the new pilots. You are at all if you are looking at this as a career and have more than 10 years left in your career. I have been a furlough representative for ALPA through multiple furloughs and airline closings, and let me help you understand how pilots react to losing their jobs. If you are looking to get hired in the next year or 2 this will affect you and we can have. - - More pilots are choosing private and business aviation. More competition, so increase your hours. What if you have a background challenge? https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/coaching/ If you have more than 10 years ahead of you, this is just one of many layoffs you will see in your career. So how do you protect yourself and survive a furlough? Watch my last episode: https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/acp454-how-to-survive-a-furlough/ What should you do? If you are concerned, get with a career coach. Build hours towards your ATP. Get more ratings. Some regional airlines like to see the Instrument instructor license. Fly! Be humble and don't turn down a flying job because it is "beneath you" . Hubris has killed many careers and companies. Take one step every day towards your career goal. Links: Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

ACP455 Getting Started with FAA Medical Certification Today we have a special guest Chris Pezalla to discuss getting started with FAA Medical Certification. Talking Points: Steps before you apply -Read the user guide -Have your medical information ready -Application process (MedExpress) and AME visit -Be accurate and complete -Find additional documentation -Save the confirmation number -Post AME Visit -Issued (But always subject to review) -Deferment (20%) -Requests for more information -Happens both with issued and deferred medical certificates Listener Mail: Hi Carl! I've got two questions for your upcoming coaching session experts on SI Medical. I've got a special issuance with a letter that is valid for five years. It requires an annual exam and prognosis letter from my specialist physician, but my condition is otherwise in maintenance and observation. I've also heard that if the condition improves (such as improved & normalized lab results), the special issuance may revert to a standard issuance? Should I expect that, or is that very, very rare? Or should I expect the special issuance to be a permanent fixture for my career/lifetime? Second question: my medical certificate is a Second class. What happens when I want to upgrade to a First class, if I get the ATP 1500 hours before the five-year window on the letter is reached? Will the FAA expect a very detailed re-evaluation of the special issuance, with a long processing delay again? Links: https://medxpress.faa.gov/ Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

ACP454 How To Survive A Furlough If you have been furloughed, are facing a furlough, or want to know what a furlough is, this podcast is for you. I know what it is like to be furloughed and have been assisting furloughed pilots for over 25 years. Today I am going to share with you proven steps that work in surviving a furlough. Talking Points: What is a furlough, a leave of absence normally involuntary? Communicate. Family and friends, This is not your fault so don't be ashamed. Use all available resources. ALPA [email protected] with your date furloughed and your first and last name. We will set up one month of free time in our mentorship group. State and local unemployment services. Step back from all the negativity on the internet. Be prepared to be on furlough for 24 months. Have 24 months of expenses or share of expenses saved. Go where the jobs are. Be humble. Keep flying and don't be afraid to take a "step back in your career" You may be flying a turboprop even if you consider yourself a jet pilot. If you can afford to add ratings etc. Make a true assessment of your competitiveness in this career field. What was competitive a year ago is no longer competitive. If you are going to instruct you will need to find your own students. Most importantly take one step each day towards your career goal. Links: Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

Do you ever wonder why some airline pilots retire early, even though we have heard this is a dream job? Today we have a special guest, Max Kohnke, who recently retired early as an airline pilot, and he shares why he retired early and what he misses and doesn't miss about the job one year later. Talking Points: Max's journey to the fight deck. Why did he choose to become an airline pilot? What are his favorite things about being an airline pilot? What are his least favorite aspects of being an airline pilot? Why did he retire early? Advice for those looking at this as a career. What are some reasons you would advise people against becoming an airline pilot? Why are many pilots cautious about flying outside of work? Will you fly as a hobby now that you are retired? What is next for Max? Where can we find you online? Links: YouTube channels https://www.youtube.com/@Pilotsandpropwash-me6vq https://www.youtube.com/@maxsmodels Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

Do you ever wonder why some airline pilots retire early, even though we have heard this is a dream job? Today we have a special guest, Max Kohnke, who recently retired early as an airline pilot, and he shares why he retired early and what he misses and doesn't miss about the job one year later. Talking Points: Max's journey to the fight deck. Why did he choose to become an airline pilot? What are his favorite things about being an airline pilot? What are his least favorite aspects of being an airline pilot? Why did he retire early? Advice for those looking at this as a career. What are some reasons you would advise people against becoming an airline pilot? Why are many pilots cautious about flying outside of work? Will you fly as a hobby now that you are retired? What is next for Max? Where can we find you online? Links: YouTube channels https://www.youtube.com/@Pilotsandpropwash-me6vq https://www.youtube.com/@maxsmodels Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube www.youtube.com/@AviationCareersPodcast Questions: [email protected]

I Hart flying scholarships have been in our scholarships guide since their inception. Don't forget through the generous support of our listeners and sponsors you can get a scholarship guide for free by visiting https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/free/. Rachelle from I Hart is joining us today to announce a new initiative to support women in flight. As many of you know, a member of our team, Leslie Caubble is a recipient of a scholarship helping her to move forward in her career in aviation. Rachelle and how she developed her passion for aviation Why she started https://www.ihartflying.org/ Organizational Focus & Industry Positioning • Strengthening the Aviation workforce pipeline through a structured model supporting Women in Flight • Positioning IHFF as a workforce pipeline solution, not just a scholarship organization • Approaching our 10-year milestone and scaling national impact HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff Campaign • Launch of our new multi-year initiative: HART-LED: Cleared for Takeoff • Focused on ensuring Access, Advancement, and Completion throughout Flight Training • A structured, measurable approach to long-term workforce development in Aviation The Core Industry Challenge • The real challenge in Aviation is not capability, it is continuity • Financial gaps between certifications are the primary barrier to progression • Why many aspiring pilots start training but do not complete it The HART-LED: Approach • A three-phase model: Access • Advancement • Completion • Focused on eliminating funding gaps and maintaining momentum • Creating a clear pathway from first flight to career readiness 2026 Scholarship Series • Introduction of a two-part scholarship series aligned with different stages of training First Series: Access Granted — Runway to Rise (Launching April 21) • Focused on the earliest stage of Flight Training where Access is the greatest barrier • Designed to power a scholar's first step into Aviation and build early momentum • Removing financial barriers that often interrupt progress at the start of training • Establishing the foundation for continued Advancement and Completion Broader Industry Impact • Supporting the full Aviation ecosystem beyond pilots • Strengthening workforce development across operations, maintenance, and leadership pipelines • Reinforcing that when Women advance, Aviation leads Role of Industry Partnerships • Partners play a critical role in supporting Access, Advancement, and Completion • Engagement extends beyond funding into visibility, mentorship, and alignment • Creating connection between industry leaders and the next generation of Aviation professionals Links: https://www.ihartflying.org Scholarships, Mentorship, and Interview Preparation: https://ValeriAviation.com Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Scholarships Guide: https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/scholarships/ Pilot Interview Course: https://www.PilotInterviewCourse.com Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCku2icAOvMuEmYs-UarMG7g/join Questions: [email protected]

Today we have a special guest who is living her dream flying a Falcon 50 to exotic and exciting airports. Talking Points: What fueled her passion for aviation? Schools attended including college Funny story from her training. Tips for student pilots. Why did you choose corporate aviation? Advice for those looking to get into corporate aviation. Giveaway link: https://www.instagram.com/brookemcampbell/ What is your favorite airport from a flying perspective What is your favorite airport to visit? What is next in your career? Links: https://www.instagram.com/brookemcampbell/ Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pilot Interview Course: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/pilot-interview Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube. Questions: [email protected]

Is it still worth becoming a pilot in 2026?

Is flying safe as a career? Due to recent news I have received questions from people in our coaching community asking if flying is safe. First, if you have reached this video and are wanting to discover if flying is safe as a mode of transportation the answer is yes. Flying is the safest mode of transportation and there are numerous videos covering that topic. https://www.statista.com/chart/18264/the-most-dangerous-ways-to-travel-in -the-us/ What is safety? The condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss. It is as safe as the pilot and the operation. Everything has risks. The pilot and operation reduce the risk. As a professional pilot one of our primary concerns is hazard recognition and risk mitigation. Here is my advice to those who want to reduce the risk in their career until they reach the pinnacle of aviation safety: the airlines. 1. There is no flight worth killing yourself to complete. 2. When evaluating risk and making a decision ask yourself what will your rational sound like at the NTSB hearing 3. Use the many risk assessment tools at your disposal. https://www.faa.gov/regulationspolicies/handbooksmanuals/risk-mana gement-handbook-faa-h-8083-2a 4. Look at the operation and any accidents or incidents reported or otherwise related. 5. Would you fly your family on this flight? Links: https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/cwc/flying-too-high-workers-fatalities-in-the-ae ronautics-field.pdf https://www.bls.gov/iif/additional-publications/archive/dangerous-jobs.pdf https://www.statista.com/statistics/187154/occupational-injury-deaths-in-the -us-by-private-industry-sector/ https://www.bls.gov/iif/fatal-injuries-tables.htm https://www.oshaeducationcenter.com/dangerous-jobs-in-united-states/#:~:t ext=Fatal%20Injuries%20per%20100%2C000:%2050.9,Aircraft%20Pilots% 20and%20Flight%20Engineers https://www.statista.com/chart/26595/number-of-deaths-on-the-job-per-100 000-full-time-equivalent-workers-in-the-us/ https://avweb.com/aviation-news/iata-2025-airline-accident-safety-report/ Book of the Month: The Killing Zone: How and Why Pilots Die. https://amzn.to/4kKScQE Mentorship: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/group-career-coaching Use the coupon code "CoachItForward" for the first month free. One-On-One Coaching: https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/career-coaching Special: One month of free access when you sign up for one-on-one coaching. Pay It Forward: Become a member or like and subscribe on YouTube. Questions: [email protected]