The Aeropedia Podcast

Tom Lelyo navigated a unique path into aviation, learning the industry through calls, training, and persistence. Join us as we hear how jet brokerages work, and how Tom launched his own brokerage and now pays it forward through coaching and training the next generation aviation professional.

Ignacio Ottati shares his path from Venezuela where he flew Cessna's with his dad to his current role in air service development at Calgary International Airport. Learn what it takes to connect Calgary to the world, and how YYC punches above its weight in passengers and routes, and why aviation in Canada is structurally different from the U.S. Additionally, Ignacio shares practical advice for getting into airport air service development roles.

Amy Ashburg, Learning & Organizational Development Manager for the City of Charlotte Aviation department joins the podcast to share more about how the Charlotte Douglas International Airport implements learning and development for its employees.

What goes into effective communications at a world leading aviation company? Mark Masluch of Bombardier fills us in, while also sharing some fascinating insights into the Bombardier company and his unique career journey.

You likely know, and even flown in, the CRJ. In this episode we learn from Ross Mitchell about the role MHI RJ now has in this legendary aircraft, as well as the other roles MHI RJ plays in the aviation industry. Ross also shares a number of great stories and perspectives from his vast experience in aviation business development and strategy.

Travelers regularly encounter airline customer service agents, but what does their role entail behind the scenes, and how do they help keep the passenger journey smooth? Listen in as Kristi MunLeeuw shares a bit more, along with her unique journey from cosmetology to aviation!

Marina Efthymiou shares her fascinating career path that began in Greek tourism and eventually landed at Dublin City University, with strategic fuel stops on the way. Join us to hear Marina's story, as well as the great aviation learning opportunities at Dublin City University.

We welcome Vasuki Prasad who shares insights of his expansive aviation career journey from engineering, to airline planning, aircraft marketing and sales, all tapping his passion for data analytics. Vasuki also shares perspectives about aviation in India, so be sure to listen in.

We welcome Captain Matthew Fischbacher, an airline pilot with over 20 years of flight experience, who shares insights from his career flying in various parts of the world as well as details about sustainable aviation from a flight operations perspective.

We welcome back two special guests, Courtney Miller and Brian Rynott, for this episode to close out 2024 and kick off 2025 with their perspectives. Also, we open our trivia round to a round robin, with Courtney, Brian, Ashwin and Peeter each asking the group a trivia question. We all learned something new, and hope you do too!

In our first "pilot" episode we are very lucky to welcome Captain Jeff Whiteman, Chief Pilot for UPS! Hear all about UPS flight operations, the role of the Chief Pilot, as well as the many other roles that help keep UPS flying smoothly. Captain Whiteman also gave us some fun UPS trivia along the way, so be sure to listen in!

Since Kansas City operates two airports, why not have two guests? We welcome Melissa Cooper and Justin Meyer, Director and Deputy Director of Aviation for the Kansas City Aviation Department to share more about the Kansas City International Airport and Wheeler Downtown Airport. This team makes a dynamic duo on aviation trivia too! Listen in to see how they strategized their way through the round.

What role does an airport take in attracting new airline service? We welcome Nate Lavin, Air Service and Business Development Manager at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC / KSLC) to share more about how SLC has done it, while also transitioning from a historically majority connecting airport to one now with more origin & destination traffic.