In this episode we talk with Neshomar, a Medevac pilot from Bonaire flying Learjets around the Caribbean and South America. We talk about how he got involved in aviation and his flight training experience. He also tells us about his professional career path from flying the Twin Otter into challenging airports with short runways and the steep learning curve and fast paced environment of flying Learjets on Medevac flights.

In this episode we speak with Dr. Jorge Guerra, Director of Aviation & Safety Department at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in North Miami, Florida. He shares with us the different aviation programs they offer and the advantages of learning to fly in a college environment in regards to airline transport pilot minimum hour requirements.

In this episode we speak with Robert Arkin, a prolific fixed and rotary wing pilot from South Florida. We’ll talk about his aviation journey and the ins-and-outs flying to The Bahamas.

In this episode we talk with Carlos Rivera, SOC Duty Manager at National Airlines. National Airlines is a Part 121 cargo and charter airline based out of Orlando, Florida. We speak about how it is working in the operations center of an international airline and the complexity of managing the logistics of it all.

We are pleased to have Nina MacPherson Airport Manager at North Perry on our podcast! She has the important job of managing all affairs at North Perry Airport and has a wealth of knowledge and experience. Learn what it is like to be in charge of one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country.

S1.15 - Who doesn't love Tim Schmelzer? Tim is a very well known professor and pilot examiner in the SoFlo area and we were happy to have him on our podcast! Listen and learn from a very experienced DPE. 

0:00 Introduction. 

3:30 Talking about the history of Eig Watson school of Aviation (Miami Dade College). 

5:05 Where did you go to college? 

5:45 How did you get into Aviation? 

7:45 What was your favorite part of flight training? 

9:35 Talking about the ups & downs of the Aviation industry. 

13:35 Discussing Tim’s journey and some tips for future Aviation students. 

16:15 Talking about flight schools. 

18:10 The mindset of a student, how to get things done and talking about scholarships. 

24:30 How to get started in Aviation; discovery flights. 

29:50 Did you have any mentors during your career? 

33:30 Tips for future students and talking about being prepared. 

38:25 How was the transition from a professor to being a pilot examiner? 

41:00 The mindset in an emergency. 

43:00 Talking about checkrides. 

45:30 Viewer questions.

S1.14 - Rob is one of the lucky few who gets to fly Aerobatic aeroplanes including the Extra & Citabria. What is it like to be in his shoes and to work with world famous aviator Mike Goulian? Find out in this episode!  

0:00 – 2:00 Introduction 

2:43 How did you get interested in Aviation? 

6:00 Talking about training airplanes and their pro’s and cons. 

7:02 Where are you from originally? 

7:50 Rob’s journey to working with Michael Goulian. 

11:00 Talking about Michael Goulian aerobatic pilot. 

12:05 Aviation interviews & check rides. 

15:35 How many hours do you have now? 

16:30 Talking about the Extra aerobatic airplane, the Blimp and aerobatic flying. 

22:20 Should you jump into a Citabria or Extra first? 

25:35 Why is flight experience important? 

28:55 Short conversation about the pilot shortage. 

30:20 Building experience as a pilot and talking about the process of being a safe pilot. 

34:20 Keeping standards in Aviation. 

35:50 Robs journey and his presentation about Aerobatic flying. 

46:20 Viewer Questions:

S1.13 - United just announced a major order of airplanes for the coming few years. Edwin Garcia is a passionate pilot at United and he talks about his journey, the present and future outlook of the Aviation industry. 

0:00-1:00 introduction 

1:15 What is your role at United? 

1:50 What routes did you fly? 

3:20 Talking about United’s airplane order. 

5:00 The different routes that United flies. 

7:11 Will the 757/767 fleet be impacted by this large order of new aircraft? 

9:40 What do you think about United’s investment in supersonic flight? 

11:10 KTNT a supersonic jetport? 12:35 How did you get interested in aviation? 

19:15 Why did you choose Broward College? 

20:10 Talking about part 61 and part 141 training. 

23:20 The office life versus the pilot life. 

25:20 Aviation. The biggest industry with the smallest community. 

26:10 Why you should get involved in Aviation. 

28:00 Why you should join an Aviation organization. 

29:00 Leadership and doing volunteer work. 

32:00 Edwin’s journey to the cockpit. 

41:00 Committed to Aviation. 

44:10 Talking about getting a degree. 

51:10 Viewer questions.

Interview with Captain Wayne from jetBlue where we discuss hireing, the pandemic and his aviation journey!