Ep 347 Developing Aviation Professionals at Kansas State University with Ty Pina

May 11, 2026 · 1h 4m · Season 2026 · Episode 347

About this episode

Nik Fialka interviews Ty Pina about developing aviation professionals at Kansas State University.

In this episode, Nik sits down with Ty Pina, Aviation Department Head at Kansas State University. Drawing on 21 years of service in the Air Force, Ty reflects on his journey leading K-State's aviation program and shares his perspective on mentorship, networking, and cultivating a strong culture of professionalism and safety. With an emphasis on CRM, soft skills, and student motivation, he is dedicated to developing well-rounded pilots prepared for diverse career paths - from the airlines and business aviation to NOAA and aerial firefighting. To learn more, connect with Tysen on LinkedIn or visit K-State Salina online at www.salina.k-state.edu . CONNECT WITH US Are you ready to take your preparation to the next level? Don't wait until it's too late. Use the promo code "R4P2026" and save 10% on all our services. Check us out at www.spitfireelite.com! If you want to recommend someone to guest on the show, email Nik at podcast@spitfireelite.com, and if you need a professional pilot resume, go to www.spitfireelite.com/podcast/ for FREE templates! SPONSOR Are you a pilot just coming out of the military and looking for the perfect second home for your family? Look no further! Reach out…

People in this episode

Host: Nik Fialka

Guest: Ty Pina

Topics covered

aviation education
mentorship
professionalism
career paths
CRM
soft skills

Keywords

aviation
mentorship
professionalism
career development
CRM
soft skills
K-State

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kansas State University, NOAA, Spitfire Elite