The P-56 Aviation Podcast

After a holiday hiatus, the P-56 Podcast returns this week with special guest John Heimlich, Vice President and Chief Economist of Airlines For America. In this episode, we discuss the current state of the airline industry, some of the lesser-known-yet-incredibly-helpful provisions of the CARES Act, the future of propulsion & fuel, and more. 

John Heimlich currently serves as Vice President and Chief Economist for Airlines For America (A4A), where he has worked since 2001. He is responsible for matters pertaining to economics and energy and frequently engages with members of the media. Prior to A4A, Heimlich spent five years at United Airlines in financial planning, financial analysis and international and regulatory affairs. In the latter role, he worked on competition matters, mergers, route cases and antitrust immunity for alliances. A native of Kent, Ohio, Heimlich holds a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Cornell University and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Airlines for America, also known as A4A, advocates on behalf of 10 US carriers (including Delta, Southwest, American, United, FedEx, UPS, and others) to help shape crucial policies and measures that promote safety, security and a healthy U.S. airline industry. Under John's leadership, A4A regularly publishes and maintains a current state of the industry that can be found here: https://www.airlines.org/data/.

More information about the organization can be found by visiting the A4A website. In addition, the organization regularly posts updates and other news via their Twitter, @airlinesdotorg.

This has been an exciting week in the aviation and transportation policy world, with Pete Buttigieg being named as President-Elect Biden’s Secretary of Transportation and the increased prospect of new funding support for airlines as part of the larger stimulus package working its way through Congress. With these significant events alongside the rest of the issues facing the airline industry today, there's no more perfect guest to help parse the ongoing changes to the industry than Faye Malarkey Black, President and CEO of the Regional Airline Association, or more commonly known as RAA.

As President and CEO of RAA, Faye leads an industry trade organization representing 17 North American regional airlines and 150 associate members. In the United States, RAA member airlines operate 40 percent of the flights, at the end of 2019 employed about 70,000 individuals, and provide the only source of scheduled passenger air service to two-thirds of the nation’s airports. Ms. Black oversees the daily operations of the Association, develops and executes its policy and business objectives, and serves as the primary spokesperson for the regional airline industry.

With more than two decades of experience in policy, strategic leadership, business development, and management, Ms. Black has served the RAA since 1998 and was formerly senior vice president - government affairs. Ms. Black began her career in Pennsylvania, holding key positions in voter targeting and communications in 1994 and 1996 coordinated state campaigns. She formerly worked for U.S. Senator Harris Wofford and later served as an executive at Smithbucklin Corporation, providing strategic advice to trade associations seeking to build effective advocacy programs and helping emerging businesses in developing democracies develop business support networks under a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) subcontract. Ms. Black holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh and is based in Washington DC.

More information about the Regional Airline Association can be found by visiting the Association's website at http://www.raa.org and the organization posts regular news and policy updates on Twitter at @RAATweets.

Within the United States, the vast majority of airline pilots have organized themselves into unions, which collectively represent and bargain with each airline’s management regarding work rules, pay, and other elements of working life. The largest and arguably most well known of these unions is the Air Line Pilots Association, International, or ALPA. Joining the podcast are four leaders from ALPA’s national-level Professional Development Group for a conversation about the union, its role in the industry, and what the union is doing in these turbulent times. ALPA’s national-level Professional Development Group, which is led by ALPA’s Vice President of Administration, Capt. Bill Couette, is tasked with enhancing the professional development and well-being of all current and future ALPA pilots by promoting, fostering, supporting, and securing a sustainable career path.

Joining the podcast today are:

First Officer Kandy Bernskoetter serves as the National Membership Chair for ALPA, which represents 59,000 plus pilots at 35 airlines across the United States and Canada. She is a First Officer on the Boeing 777 for FedEx, and currently serves as an appointed member to the Secretary of Transportation's Women in Aviation Advisory Board.

Captain David Farmer serves as the National Leadership Committee Chair, which engages in training and mentorship for local Council, Master Executive Council officers, and national committee leaders. He is currently an Airbus A330 Captain for Delta Air Lines, and has over 30 years of service as an ALPA volunteer across all levels of the organization.

First Officer Justin Dahan is a member of ALPA's Education Committee and the liaison to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which helps foster the next generation of ALPA members at universities and flight schools around the United States. He currently flies the Boeing 757 for FedEx and has worked with ALPA from his time as a student at ERAU, to a regional airline, and now to his current role.

First Officer Camila Turrieta is Chair of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which works to engage the industry and organization toward becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. She currently flies the Airbus A320 series for JetBlue and has extensive experience as a volunteer for Women in Aviation, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, and the Latino Pilots Association.

More information about ALPA and its mission can be found by visiting www.alpa.org. The organization can be found on social media by following @wearealpa on Twitter and @we_are_alpa on Instagram. ALPA also hosts its own podcast series, Flying the Line. More information for students or those interested in a career in aviation, can visit clearedtodream.org, which has more information about the pathway to a pilot career.

Pour yourself a Friday #avgeek Cocktail for today's episode, as Henry Harteveldt, the Founder and President of Atmosphere Research Group and God-Tier Avgeek joins P-56 for an interesting and insightful discussion of the economics of air travel today. This episode takes a deep dive into the current business travel landscape along with unique insights from Henry's surveys of passengers and business travel managers regarding to resumption of travel and attitudes toward flying on the 737 MAX. 

Henry Harteveldt is one of the travel industry’s most well-known and respected analysts and advisors. He currently serves as Founder and President of the Atmosphere Research Group, which provides objective research and perspectives for the global travel industry including airlines, hotels, and other providers. With expertise in marketing, technology, customer experience, advertising, and many more areas, Henry is regularly called upon to provide advice and insight to large airlines, industry insiders, and the media.

Prior to founding the Atmosphere Research Group, Henry headed Forrester Research's global travel practice; and cut his teeth working in various marketing, planning, distribution, and strategy roles for TWA, Continental Airlines, and the Fairmount Hotel Group.

In addition to his professional experience, Henry is a God-Tier aviation geek, with particular appreciation for TWA, Braniff, and airline-themed "Friday AvGeek Cocktails" featuring vintage airline glassware to match the drink. He is based in San Francisco. You can find Henry and the weekly #avgeek cocktail on Twitter at @hharteveldt or e-mail him at [email protected].

After a short hiatus due to the election and other pressing current events, The P-56 Podcast returns to the airwaves with Jon Ostrower, Editor in Chief of The Air Current, one of the newest and most in-depth aviation news sources for public consumption today. In this episode we discuss Jon and his colleague Courtney Miller's forecast for airline recovery, the relationship between aviation and the environment, how automotive development in the late 1800s and early 1900s and its effect on the aviation industry mirrors the developments happening today in the electric vehicle world, what's to come for aviation in President-Elect Biden's administration, and the all-important return of the Boeing 737MAX to the skies in the coming weeks and months.

Jon Ostrower is Editor in Chief of The Air Current, an exclusive source of news and insight for the business and technology of flying. Prior to launching TAC, Jon served as Aviation Editor for CNN International, as an aerospace business and safety writer for the Wall Street Journal, and editor of the award-winning FlightBlogger for Flightglobal and Flight International Magazine. He's covered Boeing extensively, with a focus on new airplane programs from the Boeing 787 to today's new developments. Originally from Boston, he graduated from The George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs. He's currently based in Seattle. The Air Current can be found at TheAirCurrent.com and Jon can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @jonostrower.

Four Episodes. Four incredible guests. A host that many know, but many do not. After a fast start to the P-56 Podcast, a realization that aside from a brief introduction, there was no broader introduction to who Martin Rottler was, where he’s been, or why he’s started this podcast. Today’s episode is that chance to catch up with the who, the what, the where, the when, and the why of the P-56 Podcast.

Joining the episode is guest host Evan Baach. Evan is a pilot with a major airline in the United States, has flown for a regional airline, holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from Northwestern University and a bachelors degree in aviation from Purdue University. He is one of Martin’s closest friends and confidantes, making him the perfect person to dig deep into why P-56 was created and to learn more about what makes an aviation podcast host’s brain tick.

Over the past six months there has been significant discussion, conversation, and reflection in the aviation world and greater United States with regards to inequality within our society and our industry. The Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals has been at the forefront of this effort in the aviation industry through engagement and the Courageous Conversations Series, a five part industry town hall on race in America, and particularly in the aviation industry. Alongside educational programming and outreach that reaches 60,000+ students around the country, OBAP continues to work to engage young people and industry professionals alike to make the aviation and aerospace industry more inclusive and equitable for all.

These herculean efforts have been spearheaded by a dedicated team of volunteers, backed up by sponsors and donors, and in recent years, under the leadership of Vanessa Blacknall-Jamison, OBAP's Chairwoman. In an organization that is about breaking barriers, Vanessa breaks barriers as the first non-pilot Chair of the organization. With a background in change management, recruitment, and safety programs, she brings 40+ years of experience as a trailblazer and leader to the podcast. We discuss more about OBAP's programs, check in with where the industry's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion efforts stand nearly 6 months after George Floyd's death, and how allies can help achieve a more equitable and inclusive aviation and aerospace world and society as a whole. 

OBAP's website is http://www.obap.org; the Courageous Conversations series can be found at https://www.obap.org/courageous-conversations-series/.

Editorial Note: Some may caution that in the first few weeks of building a podcast audience, a host should avoid controversial subjects. To those that may say or think that, or that may take issue with the title and subject of today’s podcast, my hope is that you are able to step confidently outside your comfort zone and listen to the discussion and use it as a springboard to listen to the larger conversations going on in our country and around the world today. Aviation will not survive and will not thrive unless those that are already within it make the effort to ensure our leadership, employee base, and customer base reflects the communities in which we serve. This is a safety issue, this is an economic issue, and most importantly, it’s a human issue.

“In the federal aviation system, violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations are investigated by a group of individuals known as Aviation Safety Inspectors. These are their stories.”

DUN DUN

Flying along on any normal day, you accidentally miss a radio call; perhaps you descend below an assigned altitude or fly inadvertently into a TFR or other restricted airspace. Air traffic control may ask you to call; you may be surprised with a certified letter in your mailbox asking you to share more information with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector. The process of what occurs after a violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations is sometimes hard to find, confusing, and, in the past 5 years, has changed, particularly for inadvertent violations. 

Joining the podcast to help understand the ins and outs of FAA enforcement is former Aviation Safety Inspector David Williams. Dave's experience in the aviation world includes working as flight instructor, flying for the regional airlines, flying for a major airline, and working for the FAA as an Aviation Safety Inspector. Having previously helped Martin develop an FAA enforcement lecture for his Aviation Regulations class in a past life at Ohio State, Dave brings his expertise to the podcast for a unique look into the process and steps that may be taken in the course of a potential violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

A quick note about this episode: this conversation is for informational purposes only and not meant to serve as, or be construed as, legal advice on the part of David Williams, Martin Rottler, or the P-56 Aviation Group. In any and all situations where you may find yourself under investigation by the FAA for a violation of the FARs, you should seek legal counsel for advice pertaining to your situation.

Would it surprise you to know that the percentages in the episode title represent the share of female professional pilots, airline captains, airline C-Suite executives, or A&P mechanics, respectively, in the United States?

In a world where the regular workforce is close to near-parity in terms of males and females, the aviation industry has long lagged behind achieving equity for women across many career paths. Fresh off the heels of an incredibly successful Girls in Aviation Day from Women in Aviation, Dr. Rebecca Lutte, Assistant Professor from the University of Nebraska Omaha Aviation Institute, joins the podcast to discuss her in-depth research on the demographics of various work groups in aviation, what motivates prospective young women and those women established in their careers, as well as research into what makes good policy for companies looking to be more intentional and inclusive in the makeup of their work groups. Additionally, we'll discuss the effects of the recent economic downturn on this segment of the workforce and Dr. Lutte will share some initial insights from beginning service as an appointed member of the Federal Aviation Administration's Women in Aviation Advisory Board.

Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Lutte is an Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. Her degrees include a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; MPA and PhD, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Lutte is a current commercial pilot, CFII, MEI, aircraft owner (experimental RV7 with RV10 in progress), and active in the general aviation community. She is an active member of many aviation organizations including the 99s, Women in Aviation International, Experimental Aircraft Association, and serves on the board of the University Aviation Association.  She is also an appointed board member to the FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board. More information for Dr. Lutte can be found on her UNO profile page.

As I set out to chart a course for who to invite for the first several episodes of the P-56 Podcast, Bill Swelbar was at or near the top of the list for his unique insights, deep knowledge of the airline industry, and experience with airport service development. In the premiere podcast for P-56, Bill discusses his updated forecast for air service from 2020-2025, what he's gotten right in the forecast, what he's gotten wrong in the forecast, and what he'd really like to be wrong about in the forecast for the future. We also discuss a lack of replacements for the 50-seat regional jet, airports that may be winners and losers in the new economic reality of airline travel, and where business aviation might be able to fill the gaps left by a shrinking airline industry.

Currently with the Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy, Bill has been at the forefront of airline industry analysis throughout a changing world. Previously with Delta Airport Consultants and InterVistas, he also holds positions at MIT and sits on the Board of Directors for Hawaiian Airlines. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and an MBA from The George Washington University. The Swelbar-Zhong Consultancy website is currently under construction, but Bill can be found on LinkedIn here or reached via e-mail at [email protected] with questions about the forecast.