✈️ In this episode of LD Aviation, we talk with Luis Rodriguez — a rising private pilot with over 200 hours PIC time, an instrument rating, and a story that proves passion + persistence > privilege.

💼 From ramp work at SheltAir to receiving the NBAA IOC 2025 scholarship, Luis is on a mission to take his career (and community) to new heights — all while repping the Latino Pilots Association, volunteering with Feeding Tampa Bay, and building his own brand: Pilot L Rod.

🎧 We talk:

Part 61 vs Part 141 training differences

Tips for scholarship seekers and student pilots

Why ramp life builds underrated aviation instincts

The power of great mentorship

What real diversity in aviation looks like

Building discipline, routines, and side hustles

His dream of flying a Gulfstream 650 and future with NetJets/FlexJet

💡 Whether you’re a student pilot, FBO worker, or aviation enthusiast — this episode is packed with value, motivation, and hustle mindset.

🎯 Connect with Luis:

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Meet Luis Rodriguez

01:02 – Aviation roots & family in the airline world

02:15 – Buddy passes, Hawaii, and early exposure to flight

04:00 – Flight training: Part 61 vs Part 141

06:15 – Financing flight school & cost breakdown

07:30 – What ramp life taught him that instructors didn’t

09:20 – Close call stories with King Airs on the ramp

10:25 – Winning the NBAA IOC Scholarship: The story

12:30 – How mentorship changed everything

14:10 – Building relationships on the ramp

15:55 – What he’s doing with the scholarship

17:30 – Balancing work, school, gym & a fiancée

19:00 – His Puerto Rican roots & bilingual advantage

20:30 – Impact of the Latino Pilots Association & networking

23:00 – What aviation can do better for underrepresented groups

24:00 – Volunteering with Feeding Tampa Bay

25:45 – Servant leadership & mindset from Chick-fil-A

27:00 – 5-Year Plan: Gulfstream dreams & NetJets goals

28:30 – Ramp experiences that shaped his aviation perspective

29:15 – Favorite FBO snacks 🍪

30:00 – Rapid Fire: Motivational quote, dream route & playlist

32:00 – Final message: Keep chasing blue skies 🌤️

#LDAviation #LuisRodriguez #LatinoPilots #FuturePilot #NBAAScholarship #StudentPilotLife #RampLife #FlyingDreams #PrivatePilot #Part61vsPart141 #IFRTraining #DiversityInAviation

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