The Cross-Check

The Frequency Network: The Wave
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Uncovering the stories, challenges, and careers shaping business aviation today

  1. 12/17/2025

    Halsey Schider: From Passion to Profession

    Sometimes you have to be your own mentor. Conventional wisdom doesn't always apply and following your heart can sometimes lead to great things. Halsey Schider, helicopter pilot, podcast host and founder of the aviation marketplace, Sellacopter shares his journey from zero to hero to zero again. And why his decision to walk away from it all, was the best move he ever made. Halsey's journey into aviation is both inspirational and enlightening, from his transition to becoming a professional pilot, and subsequent pivot into his entrepreneurial ventures in the aviation industry. He delves into his experiences in air medical services, the differences in selling helicopters versus jets, and the intricacies of the aircraft sales process. Halsey also highlights the importance of client relationships, the impact of his podcast, and his aspirations for the future of the rotorcraft market. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:50 Halsey's Aviation Journey: From Childhood Dreams to Professional Pilot 05:32 Transitioning to Helicopters: The Shift from Fixed Wing to Rotary Wing 08:19 Entrepreneurial Ventures: Starting a Helicopter Tour Business 11:16 Air Medical Experience: The Reality of Helicopter Emergency Services 13:47 Misconceptions in Aviation: Fixed Wing vs. Rotor Wing Perspectives 16:42 The Sales Side: Differences Between Selling Helicopters and Jets 19:27 Navigating Aircraft Transactions: The Broker's Perspective 24:10 Client Relationships: Trust and Respect in Aircraft Brokerage 26:14 Client Acquisition in Aviation 27:26 The Birth of the Helicopter Podcast 32:59 Future of the Helicopter Market 36:25 Favorite Aircraft and Experiences 38:00 Memorable Moments in Aviation 40:05 Personal and Professional Aspirations 43:03 Giving Back to the Community Follow Halsey Schider on The Helicopter Podcast: https://verticalhelicasts.com/the-helicopter-podcast/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min

  2. 11/24/2025

    Innovating Pilot Education From Drones To Planes

    Greg Reverdiau, co-founder of Pilot Institute shares his journey from a young aviation enthusiast to a successful entrepreneur in aviation education. The conversation explores Greg's innovative approach to making aviation training more accessible and engaging through online platforms and technology, including virtual reality. He discusses the impact of drone technology on various industries including business aviation, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Greg also shares inspiring success stories from his students and highlights the role of YouTube in educating future pilots and drone operators. To find out more about Greg Reverdiau or the Pilot Institute visit: https://pilotinstitute.com/ Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: Greg's Early Love for Aviation 03:05 From Flight Instructor to Entrepreneur: The Birth of Pilot Institute 05:53 Innovative Training: Making Aviation Education Accessible 09:09 Success Stories: Transforming Lives Through Aviation 11:57 Drones in Focus: The Expanding Role of Drone Technology 15:07 The Future of Drones: Applications and Opportunities 18:01 Regulatory Landscape: Navigating Drone Regulations 20:56 YouTube Journey: Educating Through Digital Platforms 23:51 Inspiring Future Aviators: The Importance of Mentorship 26:59 The Intersection of Manned and Unmanned Aviation 29:55 Final Thoughts: The Future of Aviation and Drones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min

  3. 11/03/2025

    Is Loyalty A Two Way Street In The Workplace?

    Business aviation is experiencing workforce turbulence. And our guests Jenny Showalter and Carrie Wicht join The Cross-Check to help navigate the way as they delve into the challenges and opportunities within the industry, particularly focusing on career transitions, the importance of networking, and the emotional aspects of job loss. They share personal stories and insights on how mentorship and a strong professional network can aid in navigating these changes, as well as discussing the current state and future of the aviation industry. Chapters: 00:00 Navigating Career Changes in Aviation 10:04 The Importance of Networking 19:53 Overcoming Job Loss and Emotional Resilience 29:48 Future of Business Aviation: Challenges and Opportunities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min

  4. 10/15/2025

    From Cockpit to Compliance: Ryan DeMoor's Journey

    Is there a disconnect between your flight department, payroll and tax reporting? Sometimes it takes a unicorn like Ryan DeMoor to create system to tie it all together. Ryan shares his journey from being a commercial pilot to transitioning into the aviation tax and finance sector. He discusses the impact of 9/11 on his career, the importance of bridging the gap between finance and aviation, and the innovative solutions being developed at MySky to address tax compliance in at Part 91 and 135 operations. Ryan emphasizes the need for effective communication within flight departments and the importance of engaging the next generation in aviation tax roles. He also outlines future directions for MySky and the ongoing challenges in the aviation tax landscape. Chapters: 00:00 From Pilot to Professional: The Journey Begins 02:14 Navigating Career Changes: The Impact of 9/11 04:11 Bridging Two Worlds: Aviation and Finance 06:24 The Evolution of MySky: From Auditing to Software 08:34 Tax Compliance Challenges in Aviation 10:42 Misconceptions in Aviation Taxation 13:06 The Role of MySky in Flight Classification 15:15 Leadership in Aviation Tax: A Unique Perspective 17:42 Engaging Young Professionals in Aviation Tax 19:53 Future Directions for MySky and Aviation Tax 22:26 Closing Thoughts and Connections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    36 min

  5. 10/10/2025

    Navigating Entrepreneurship: Lessons from Joe Peebles

    Joe Peebles shares his journey as an entrepreneur in aviation maintenance, discussing the challenges and growth of his business, JP Aeronautics. He reflects on the lessons learned from past failures, the importance of strategic hiring, and the role of mentorship in leadership development. Joe also highlights his commitment to supporting veterans through his nonprofit, Higher Vets, which aims to assist veterans in transitioning to civilian life. The discussion covers the creation of a supportive community for veterans and the launch of the NBAA Military Connect initiative to facilitate networking and job opportunities. To find out more about Higher Vets or JP Aero, visit: www.highervets.org www.jpaerotechnics.com Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:59 Business Growth and Challenges 08:33 Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship 13:40 The Importance of Passion in Work 19:09 Higher Vets: Supporting Veterans' Transitions 26:40 The Struggles of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 27:05 Overcoming Challenges in the Military 29:03 Building a Supportive Community for Veterans 30:23 Partnering for Success: Military Connect Initiative 32:07 Navigating Civilian Careers: Opportunities for Veterans 34:33 The Importance of Support Systems 36:39 Introduction to Joe Peebles and His Journey 36:58 The Impact of Hire Vets and Community Support Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min

  6. 09/26/2025

    A First Officer's Inspiring Journey

    Joseph Tar Schmidt is a first officer for a major US airline, but how he got there is noteworthy. As president of the Professional Pilots of Tomorrow and a recipient and now President of the Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund, Joseph has dedicated his career to pulling up others. Joseph shares his journey into aviation, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of the scholarship fund in supporting aspiring pilots. The conversation highlights the challenges and rewards of a career in aviation, the significance of giving back to the community, and advice for those looking to enter the field. To find out more about scholarship, mentorship or sponsorship opportunities, please reach out through the following links: Professional Pilots of Tomorrow https://www.theppot.org/ Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund https://www.dahlfund.org/ Just A Buck https://www.justabuck.info/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 05:21 Professional Pilots of Tomorrow 13:30 The Captain Jason Dahl Scholarship Fund 20:39 Advice for Aspiring Pilots 25:51 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    31 min

  7. 08/26/2025

    Fearless Flight: MACE Curran's Incredible Journey

    Michelle "MACE" Curran, a former US Air Force fighter pilot and lead solo for the Thunderbirds, shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Wisconsin to the skies as a fighter pilot. She discusses the challenges she faced during pilot training, her experiences in combat squadrons, and the evolution of her identity as 'MACE' and how her journey can serve as an inspiration to us all. Michelle reflects on her time with the Thunderbirds, the high-stakes maneuvers, and the lessons learned from adversity. She also talks about her transition to public speaking, the importance of mentorship, and her upcoming book release, 'The Flip Side.' To find out more about MACE, visit: www.macecurran.com Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Michelle "MACE" Curran 01:32 The Journey Begins: From Small Town to Fighter Pilot 07:28 Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training 11:36 Facing Adversity: The Struggles of a New Fighter Pilot 19:17 The Call Sign Story: Learning from Mistakes 22:55 Transformational Experiences: The Path to the Thunderbirds 30:24 The Application Process: From Candidate to Thunderbird Pilot 34:23 The Journey to Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot 35:44 The Thrill of Aerobatics and Team Dynamics 38:53 Overcoming Challenges and Redefining the Show 42:30 Intense Moments in the Cockpit 48:32 Transitioning from the Thunderbirds to New Opportunities 53:22 Inspiring Future Generations of Female Pilots 55:58 The Launch of a New Book and Its Impact 59:36 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Advice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  8. 08/11/2025

    Tables are Turned! When the Podcaster Becomes the Podcastee

    It's Opposite Day at The Cross-Check as our first guest, Neil Capano takes over the hosting duties to celebrate the 15th episode of the show. The conversation explores the surprises and engagement from their audience, the impact of their guests, and the valuable insights gained throughout their journey. They discuss their dream guests, the advice they've received, along with some lighthearted disagreements. Looking ahead, they share predictions for the future of the industry, the importance of investing in people and sustainability, and tease exciting upcoming episodes. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Celebration of Milestones 02:50 Audience Engagement and Surprises 07:34 Guest Experiences and Insights 11:00 Dream Guests and Aspirations 15:08 Valuable Advice from Guests 20:29 Disagreements and Lighthearted Banter 26:27 Future Aspirations and Predictions 32:45 Industry Investments and Sustainability 40:51 Preview of Upcoming Episodes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min
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About

Uncovering the stories, challenges, and careers shaping business aviation today

Information

  • Creator
    The Frequency Network: The Wave
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ian Lumpp and Rob Hoffman
  • Show Website
    The Cross-Check