The Aerpod

Mitchell Banks
  • 5.0 (6)
  • AVIATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Aviation professionals discussing aviation professions.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Aviation Career You Weren't Told About | Flight Test Engineer

    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-the-scenes look at the people building and testing the systems that keep aviation moving forward. In this episode: - What aerospace engineering actually looks like day-to-day - The biggest misconceptions about becoming an engineer - Why many people feel like they don’t “fit” the industry stereotype - How young engineers are given real responsibility early in their careers - How the landscape of space launches have changed - The importance of honesty and accountability for flight test engineers and pilots - Why small details are often what separate top performers - Lessons from test pilot school - Advice for students and aspiring engineers looking to break into the field About the guest: Kate Gunderson is a mechanical and aerospace engineer with experience in both government and private-sector aviation programs. She provided engineering support to a fleet of more than 20 aircraft at NASA's Johnson Space Center, flew hundreds of hours aboard two Gulfstream aircraft as NASA’s youngest Flight Science Officer aircrew member, and left her dream career at NASA for a full-ride fellowship at the National Test Pilot School in California. She holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master's in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech. Kate passionate about breaking down barriers in the field and helping guide others on the pathways into aviation and aerospace careers. She shares her journey on her website, https://katelyngunderson.com/, and her Instagram page, https://www.instagram.com/theplanekate/ Support the show

    57 min

  2. MAR 25

    The Hidden Science Behind Aviation Accidents | Human Factors Engineering

    In this episode of The Aerpod, Mitchell sits down with Vanesa Miksa, a Human Factors engineer at Boeing and pilot, to break down the hidden science behind how pilots interact with aircraft and why many aviation accidents aren’t just “pilot error,” but systematic failures in disguise. Vanesa shares how cockpit design, automation, and airspace systems are all built around human limitations, and what happens when those systems fail to account for how people actually think, process information, and make decisions under pressure. From automation and ATC workload to confirmation bias and cockpit design flaws, this conversation dives into the real reasons mistakes happen in aviation and what can be done to prevent them. In this episode: - What “human factors” is and why it matters more than ever - How poor system design can lead to “pilot error” accidents - The role of human limitations in ATC workload and airspace congestion - Why more technology can sometimes increase workload instead of reducing it - How automation improves safety and when it can become dangerous - The importance of “human in the loop” testing in aircraft design - Common cognitive errors like confirmation bias and normalization of deviance - Why complacency is one of the biggest threats in general aviation - The debate around single-pilot cockpits and the future of automation - How training, decision-making, and experience shape pilot safety outcomes About the guest: Vanesa Miksa is a Human Factors engineer at Boeing with a background in psychology and a Master’s degree in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is also a pilot and flight instructor, combining technical expertise with real-world flying experience to help design systems that align with human capabilities and limitations. Vanesa focuses on improving cockpit design, pilot interaction, and overall aviation safety through human-centered engineering. Support the show

    1h 28m

  3. MAR 11

    Inside The Most Unforgiving Job In Aviation | Coast Guard Search & Rescue

    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 Coast Guard aviation and the responsibility that comes with launching into the unknown. In this episode: - What Coast Guard aviation actually does day-to-day - The unique challenges of the Coast Guard's operational environment - The importance of Crew Resource Management in high-risk environments - The difference between Coast Guard aviation and other military flight communities - Lessons learned from both great leaders and the leaders who got it wrong - The emotional toll of losing friends in aviation - What civilian and fixed-wing aviators can learn from Coast Guard helicopter operations About the guest: Russ Torgerson is a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot, C-130 pilot, and rescue swimmer with decades of experience flying search and rescue missions, maritime patrols, and ship-based helicopter operations. Throughout his career, Russ operated in some of the most demanding environments in aviation, working closely with rescue swimmers and flight crews to conduct lifesaving missions at sea. Russ is also a recipient of the Coast Guard Achievement Medal for superior performance of duty. Today, he shares lessons from leadership, aviation safety, and the realities of flying missions where the outcome is never guaranteed. Support the show

    1h 50m

  4. FEB 25

    Fit to Fly? | Your Health Could Cost You Your Career

    Health decline in aviation is common, and most pilots don't notice until it becomes an issue during their medical. In this episode, I sit down with commercial pilot and pilot fitness coach Josh Ageeb to talk about the biggest health risks facing aviation professionals today. We break down the slow creep of fatigue, weight gain, and burnout, and why losing your medical is often the result of small habits compounded over time, not one catastrophic event. We talk about: - Why 8 hours of sleep doesn’t mean you’re actually recovered - The downward spiral of fatigue and caffeine dependence - Why you don’t need to be 10% body fat to perform at a high level - The connection between physical health and cognitive performance - Why accountability is the missing piece for most pilots - The ego problem that keeps pilots stuck - How small habits compound into career longevity If you're just starting your aviation journey and want to develop habits for the long haul, or are approaching the end of an illustrious career and want to maintain your medical through retirement, this episode is for you. Support the show

    1h 10m

  5. FEB 11

    Pilot Resumes Matter | Why Qualified Pilots Aren't Being Hired

    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 checkride failures - What recruiters are screening for beyond flight time - The psychology of interviews (and the answers recruiters hear over and over) - Whether flight school reputation really matters - The truth about 141 vs 61 programs - Why some “qualified” pilots never get a call back - What companies are really trying to avoid in training If you’re a student pilot, CFI, regional FO, or aiming for a legacy, this conversation is invaluable to your career journey. Support the show

    1h 37m

  6. JAN 28

    777 Pilot & DPE Answers YOUR Questions | The Aerpod Q&A

    Austin is back. After his first appearance became the most-watched full-length episode on The Aerpod, we went straight to the comments and brought him back to answer them. Austin is a Boeing 777 First Officer at Atlas Air and a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). In this Q&A episode, we dig into checkride pass rates, common DPE myths, Atlas Air schedules and pay, gateway commuting, and more. In this episode: - Why the private pilot checkride now has the lowest pass rate - What DPEs really look for on a checkride (and why the ACS matters) - Why “shopping for an easy DPE” usually backfires - How Austin became a DPE at a young age - Atlas Air schedules, minimum guarantee, and reserve life - Gateway travel and living outside base (including internationally) - Why some pilots choose cargo over the majors - The realities of widebody flying, fatigue, and long-range decision-making Support the show

    45 min

  7. JAN 14

    A License To Learn | Secrets of Aviation Maintenance

    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, and human factors, this conversation offers an inside look at the people who keep aircraft airworthy and the responsibility that comes with it. In this episode: What A&P school is actually like—and why hands-on time mattersWhy the A&P license lets mechanics work across aircraft types immediatelyHow aviation maintenance differs from automotive and diesel workThe biggest misconceptions pilots have about maintenance timelinesWhy corrosion is one of the most dangerous and overlooked threats in GAHow maintenance culture has evolved around safety and human factorsThe realities of parts shortages, salvage yards, and traceabilityDifferences between Part 91, 135, and 121 maintenance standardsCareer paths, pay expectations, and progression for A&P mechanicsWhy networking matters just as much for maintainers as it does for pilotsAdvice for students, career-changers, and aspiring aircraft mechanicsAbout the guest: Creighton Johannes is an A&P mechanic and Director of Maintenance based in Arizona. He has experience across general aviation, charter operations, and helicopters, including factory training on the Bell 407. Creighton brings a practical, safety-first perspective to aviation maintenance and mentorship for the next generation of mechanics. Support the show

    1h 1m
  8. Helicopter Careers: From EMT to Oil Rigs

    12/10/2025

    Helicopter Careers: From EMT to Oil Rigs

    In this episode of The Aerpod, host Mitchell Banks speaks with Spencer Bailey, a paramedic turned helicopter pilot whose career has spanned emergency medical flights, offshore oil operations, and utility inspection. Spencer shares what it’s really like to fly air medical missions, how EMS pilots balance urgency with safety, and what the public often misunderstands about helicopter operations. He also explains the unique demands of low-level utility flying, the progression from flight school to turbine time, and his advice for anyone looking to build a career in rotorcraft aviation. Support the show

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Aviation professionals discussing aviation professions.

Information

  • Creator
    Mitchell Banks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Aerpod
  • Show Website
    The Aerpod

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