WAI On Air Podcast

Women in Aviation International
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Aviation

WAI On Air Launches Podcast WAI will expand its On Air content to include podcasts. Each episode will take you behind the scenes of the aviation/aerospace world to meet the remarkable women shaping its future. From pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers, aerospace executives, and innovators, On Air celebrates the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women (and men) across every corner of the aviation industry— all aimed at empowering the next generation and honoring the pioneers who paved the way.

  1. 11h ago

    Changing the Equation: Nelda Lee | S2E17

    WAI On Air Podcast – Season 2 Episode 17 , “Changing the Equation” is live! 🎙️✈️ Meet Nelda Lee, a trailblazing flight test engineer with 45 years at McDonnell Douglas and The Boeing Company.  Nelda was responsible for flight and ground test engineering on all four military aircraft manufactured in St. Louis — the F-15 Eagle, AV-8 Harrier, T-45 Goshawk, and F/A-18 Hornet — and served as the Level 2 Manager for Test & Evaluation personnel based in St. Louis and at military test sites in China Lake, California; Patuxent River, Maryland; and Eglin AFB, Florida. In 1980, she logged 1.5 hours of flight time in the F-15 Eagle herself — a career highlight and a rare, remarkable experience for a woman in aerospace at that time.  Nelda holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University, where she was the second woman ever to earn the degree, and an MA in Management and Human Resources Development from Webster University. She retired from Boeing in 2014 after 45 years.  Aviation remains both a passion and a pastime for Nelda. She's a licensed commercial pilot with instrument, multi-engine, and helicopter ratings, and a longtime leader across the aviation community: a member of The Ninety-Nines (and former Governor of the nine-state North Central Section), currently serving on the board of trustees for the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, Whirly-Girl member 247 and former International President of The Whirly-Girls, and charter member 15 of Women in Aviation International, on whose Board of Directors she has served.  🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.  📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast  #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    Changing the Equation: Nelda Lee | S2E17

  2. Aug 4

    Space2Inspire: Dr. Sian Proctor | On Air S2E16

    Meet Dr. Sian ProctorBorn just after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, Sian calls herself a "celebration baby" — and that connection to space has shaped her path ever since, even when it wasn't a straight line to NASA. When NASA said no at age 39, she didn't give up. She became an analogue astronaut, kept pushing, and eventually earned her seat on Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit the Earth — becoming the first woman commercial spaceship pilot, the first Black commercial astronaut, and the first artist selected to become an astronaut.Sian discovered art and poetry during COVID-19 as an outlet during one of the hardest periods of her life — and that creativity has become central to how she sees her role as a scientist and astronaut. Her artwork Seeker sold for $100,000, and her poem "Space2inspire" flew to space.As founder and chief inspiration astronaut of Space2inspire, Sian is guided by her motto: "space to inspire." She uses art and media to build a J.E.D.I. space — Just, Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive — believing that concept matters as much on Earth as it does in space. With over 25 years of experience as a geoscientist and STEAM communicator, she teaches students from age 17 to 75 and continues reaching into new frontiers — from spaceflight to art to laser cutting to augmented reality.🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast#WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    Space2Inspire: Dr. Sian Proctor | On Air S2E16

  3. Jul 22

    Change Equals Opportunity: Jim Keyes | On Air S2E15

    Meet James “Jim” W. Keyes, a global business leader, philanthropist, educator, artist, musician, commercial pilot, and modern renaissance man. He is the former CEO of two globally recognized Fortune 500 companies, 7-Eleven, Inc, and Blockbuster, Inc. His other business interests cover a broad range of industries including retail, consumer products, technology, new space, energy, and advanced nuclear. He sits on several public company boards and serves as a board adviser to a venture capital firm and a number of start-up companies. Jim Keyes has experience in successfully leading multinational corporations with a deep understanding of global and local franchise operations. His creativity, innovation, and adoption of leading-edge technology contributed to the successful transformation of both public and private organizations. He is a seasoned executive, known internationally for leading transformational change. Keyes is a respected philanthropist who combines his passion for business, education, and technology to advance education for all mankind. As a founding director of the Dallas Education Foundation and founder of the Education is Freedom Foundation, he has helped hardworking youth across the country realize their dreams by raising over $450 million for fellowships and scholarships. His bestselling book, Education is Freedom: The Future Is in Your Hands, celebrates the power of education to help individuals become engaged and active participants in the democratic process and make a positive impact on their communities.  🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast  #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    Change Equals Opportunity: Jim Keyes | On Air S2E15

  4. Jul 8

    Safety is No Accident: Wendy Morse | On Air S2E14

    Meet Capt. Wendy Morse, a United captain and the first woman to serve as an ALPA national officer bringing more than 35 years of union experience to her role. She exemplifies a “see it, be it” leadership role model for girls and young women entering aviation — particularly the piloting profession.   As national safety coordinator, Wendy oversees the Association’s Air Safety Organization (ASO), the world’s largest nongovernmental aviation safety organization. With a team of more than 425 of the union’s pilot representatives, she leads the ASO, which operates the union’s safety, security, pilot assistance, and jumpseat programs.   During her four-year term as first vice president, the current aviation safety and security landscape is changing systemically, as regulators in the United States and around the globe define aviation standards for the new era. These opportunities include how airline pilots safely share the airspace with new entrants, such as spacecraft, drones, and electric vertical lift operators, to name a few.   Based in Chicago, Illinois, Wendy flies the Boeing 787 for United and previously was a corporate pilot and instructor for Precision Airlines.   🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast  #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    Safety is No Accident: Wendy Morse | On Air S2E14

  5. Jun 24

    Leading the Lines: Jacqui Key| On Air S2E13

    Meet Jacqui Key, vice president of domestic line stations at United Airlines, where she oversees U.S. line station operations across the country. With 20+ years in the industry, Jacqui brings a wealth of experience and perspective to this conversation. Previously, Jacqui held leadership positions as the managing director of domestic line stations, managing director of premium solutions and recovery, and managing director of customer service at the Chicago O'Hare hub. Beginning her career at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Jacqui later moved to Ronald Reagan Washington National where she led the station as general manager. Jacqui has a Bachelor of Science from Springfield College and resides in the Chicagoland area. Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    Leading the Lines: Jacqui Key| On Air S2E13

  6. Jun 10

    Rethink Impossible: Jessica Cox | On Air S2E12

    Meet Jessica Cox, the world's first licensed armless pilot. Adaptability has defined Jessica Cox's life. Refusing to see herself as different, she mastered everyday tasks with her feet and continually defied expectations. Her lifetime of adapting led her to become a fourth-degree black belt in Taekwondo and the world's first licensed armless pilot. Jessica's journey, from dreaming of flying on the playground to achieving extraordinary feats, epitomizes the limitless potential of an adaptable mindset. She founded Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to arm children born with bilateral limb difference with the skills and tools needed to live independent and fulfilling lives. Through their unique programs, Jessica is leading the charge in changing perceptions of people with disabilities while advocating for accessibility and inclusion. This effort includes her Life With Feet channel on YouTube, which to date has more than 1.7 million views and 10.2K subscribers.🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #Rightfooted #ImpossibleAirplane #VansRV10

    Rethink Impossible: Jessica Cox | On Air S2E12

  7. May 27

    CNN's Pete Muntean on Aviation, Loss, and Finding His Path | On Air S2E11

    Pete Muntean is a CNN correspondent based in Washington, D.C. A pilot and flight instructor, he covers aviation and transportation as well as general assignment stories for the network.Pete came to CNN in 2020 after a decade in local news. He was the transportation reporter for WUSA9 in Washington, D.C. where he detailed chronic safety problems on the Metro public transit system and led the station’s coverage of air disasters including the Boeing 737 Max and the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.Prior, Pete covered the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for WGAL News 8. There, he covered two gubernatorial administrations, a months-long state government shutdown, and earned an Emmy nomination for exposing wasteful spending by state lawmakers. He reported on the Penn State child sex abuse scandal and the trial of Jerry Sandusky from start to finish.Pete draws on his knowledge from a lifetime in aviation. Taught by his late parents, he’s been flying airplanes since he was a teenager and now mentors new pilots and competes in aerobatic flying competitions. He holds a commercial license and is a Certificated Flight Instructor - Instrument.Pete began his broadcasting career as an intern at CNN Center in Atlanta, working under former CNN anchor and correspondent Miles O’Brien. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism.🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. 📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast

    CNN's Pete Muntean on Aviation, Loss, and Finding His Path | On Air S2E11

  8. May 13

    Changing Course: Amy Tomlinson |OnAirS2E10

    Meet Amy Tomlinson—the Blue Angels' first female weapons system officer— who leads drone delivery at Amazon Prime Air. Amy has over 25 years of leadership and management experience including a strong background in instructing, mentoring, and program/project management. Her skills include combat operations, flight training, team building, planning, risk management, data analysis, public speaking and personnel management.  Amy served her country as a Naval Aviator for 21 years, flying in the F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Super Hornet as a Weapons System Officer and accumulating over 1600 flight hours and 220 carrier arrested landings. She was the first female weapons system officer (aviator) ever selected to serve with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron.  With a BA in public relations from the University of Southern California and her MBA from Santa Clara University she lives in Pacific Grove, California, with her husband and two children. She was elected to serve her community as a City Council Member from 2018-2022 and four years ago joined Amazon as a Senior Program Manager. In her most recent role, Amy has taken on the exciting challenge of advancing cutting-edge technology of commercial drone delivery at Amazon Prime Air. In this position, she leverages her aviation background and leadership skills to drive forward Amazon's innovative drone delivery program, helping to shape the future of logistics and last-mile delivery solutions. 🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.  📲 Follow us on Spotify: WAI On Air Podcast  #WomeninAviationInternational #IamWAI #WeAreWAI #Aviation #Aerospace #WAITogether #WAIOnAir #WAIPodcast #AviationPodcast #BlueAngels #DroneDelivery

    Changing Course: Amy Tomlinson |OnAirS2E10
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

WAI On Air Launches Podcast WAI will expand its On Air content to include podcasts. Each episode will take you behind the scenes of the aviation/aerospace world to meet the remarkable women shaping its future. From pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers, aerospace executives, and innovators, On Air celebrates the stories, challenges, and triumphs of women (and men) across every corner of the aviation industry— all aimed at empowering the next generation and honoring the pioneers who paved the way.

Information

  • Creator
    Women in Aviation International
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Women in Aviation International
  • Show Website
    WAI On Air Podcast

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