The Aerpod

Don't skimp on flight-critical hardware. Find best-in-class ANR with the Lightspeed Zulu 3 using my affiliate link: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/ref/204/ In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Filippo Marchino, an aviation attorney and engineer whose work has placed him at the center of some of the most significant aviation accident cases in recent history. Drawing on his background in both engineering and law, Filippo offers a unique perspective on how accidents are inv...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Halsey Schider, CEO of Sellacopter and North American Aircraft Brokerage, to explore one of the most visible and most overlooked corners of aviation. Halsey shares what he’s learned from both flying and brokering helicopters, how deals really come together, and where buyers and sellers consistently get it wrong. From pricing psychology to market timing, to the people and equipment that quietly impact every part of the US economy. In thi...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with former NASA engineer and Test Pilot School graduate Kate Gunderson to talk about what it actually takes to break into (and succeed in) one of the most competitive and misunderstood fields in aviation. Kate shares her journey from student to engineer, the surprising culture of NASA, the challenges that test pilots face, and why the stereotype of what a career in engineering looks like is completely wrong. This conversation gives a behind-...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Russ Torgerson, a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot and rescue swimmer whose career spanned decades of search and rescue missions at sea. Russ shares what it’s really like operating in environments where the weather, the ocean, and the mission itself can all push a crew to the limit. From ship-based helicopter operations to moments where seconds meant the difference between disaster and survival, Russ walks through the realities of Co...

Airline hiring has shifted and a lot of pilots haven’t caught up. In this episode, I sit down with resume expert and aviation recruiter Carolynn from pilotresumes.com to talk about what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s hiring market. We break down the difference between being qualified on paper and being hireable in practice, and why those are not the same thing. We talk about: - Why we’re in a company hiring market, not a candidate market - How airlines actually evaluate c...

In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Creighton Johannes, an A&P mechanic and Director of Maintenance who’s worked on everything from light GA aircraft to King Airs, Gulfstreams, and helicopters. Creighton breaks down what aviation maintenance really looks like day to day, what pilots often misunderstand about maintenance, and why an A&P license is often described as a license to learn. From training pathways and accelerated programs to corrosion, deferred maintenance...

In this episode of The Aerpod, former FAA executive director of aircraft certification Earl Lawrence breaks down how safety, regulation, and innovation actually work inside aviation. Earl shares stories from his time at the FAA, EAA, and Joby Aviation. He reveals how MOSAIC, UAS integration, and eVTOL aircraft are reshaping the industry. You'll learn: - How aircraft certification and manufacturing are changing under MOSAIC - What it really takes to bring drones and eVTOLs into the national a...

In this episode of The AirPod, host Mitchell Banks interviews Colin Dunne, a jet broker with experience in both the US and European markets. They discuss the evolving landscape of private jet sales, including the changing demographics of buyers, the differences between first-time and experienced owners, and the unique challenges of selling high-value assets. Colin shares insights on the importance of building a reputation in the industry, the impact of technology on transactions, and the futu...

In this episode of the The Aerpod podcast, host Mitchell Banks speaks with Colton Whitesell, a flight instructor and corporate pilot, about his journey in aviation. They discuss the various pathways to becoming a pilot, the importance of flight training, and the challenges faced in the industry. Colton shares his experiences transitioning from flight instruction to corporate aviation, the significance of networking, and the current state of the aviation industry. The conversation emphasizes t...