Pilot to Pilot

What does it take to run one of the world's largest aviation events? Gene Conrad, President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, pulls back the curtain on Florida's premier aviation gathering. Growing up in Oshkosh as the son of an airport director, Gene counted aircraft at EAA AirVenture as a teenager to see who had more planes. Now, he's running Sun 'n Fun—a six-day event that costs $7 million to produce, attracts over 60,000 attendees, and requires coordination with everyone from the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Amazon Air operations. In this episode, you'll discover: - The real costs of running a major aviation event ($700K just for tents!) - How Sun 'n Fun coordinates with Amazon's massive Lakeland hub - Why they're making major schedule changes for 2025 - The difference between running an airport vs. running an air show - Future expansion plans including new 40,000 sq ft air-conditioned exhibit buildings - What makes Gene happiest: closing the airport because there's no more parking space - Behind-the-scenes secrets like the Island, the Swamp, and Chick-fil-A coming to the event Gene also shares candid insights about working with 3,000+ volunteers, learning from his biggest mistakes (like the WiFi disaster), and why his ultimate measure of success isn't attendance or revenue—it's making sure everyone goes home safe. Whether you're planning to attend Sun 'n Fun, curious about aviation event management, or just love air shows, this episode delivers insider knowledge you won't find anywhere else.

In Episode 351, Justin sits down with Ariel Johnson (@whiskeyflies on Instagram), a North Carolina-based flight instructor who earned her Citation type rating at just 800 hours. At not even 21 years old, Arielle shares her accelerated journey from discovering aviation at Sun ’n Fun to teaching students and flying corporate jets—all while completing her aviation degree.
This conversation explores the realities of flight training, the power of networking in aviation, and what it takes to break into corporate flying. Ariel discusses her experience getting typed in a Citation, the differences between Part 91 and 135 operations, and her approach to building a career through genuine relationships and hard work. She also offers candid advice for aspiring pilots on making the most of every rating, avoiding common pitfalls, and maintaining passion throughout the journey.
Whether you’re a student pilot wondering about your path forward, a CFI building time, or someone curious about corporate aviation opportunities, this episode delivers practical insights from someone who’s living proof that age is just a number when you combine dedication with smart networking.
Topics covered:
∙ Transitioning from private pilot to corporate jet operations
∙ The value of mentorship and networking in aviation
∙ Part 91 vs Part 135 flying: what to expect
∙ Getting a jet type rating early in your career
∙ Building flight time efficiently as a CFI
∙ Social media’s role in aviation careers
∙ North Carolina flying destinations (Wilmington, Oak Island, and more)

Ever wondered what air traffic controllers actually see on their screens when you check in? Or why they sometimes seem frustrated with certain pilot behaviors? In this eye-opening conversation, Marcus Miller (aka Prop Hat Cat) from Houston Center pulls back the curtain on the world of ATC.
Marcus shares his unique journey from controlling virtual aircraft in his mom's bakery at age 14 to managing real traffic at one of the nation's busiest centers. We dive deep into:
What Controllers Actually See:
Breaking down the data block: what all those numbers and symbols mean
Why TRACON controllers don't know your destination
The technology behind the scope (and why it's from the 1960s)

Making Controllers' Lives Easier:
Why you should WAIT before checking in (it's not a race!)
The cross-coupling problem that causes frequency chaos
How CPDLC is changing everything

Demystifying Phone Numbers (Brasher Warnings):
What actually happens when you get "the number"
Why 90% of pilot deviations are learning opportunities, not punishments
Marcus reveals he's never had to give out a phone number

Controller Pet Peeves & Favorites:
The weather question epidemic
Pilots trying to "outsmart the system"
What makes a controller's day great (hint: your attitude matters)

The Future of ATC:
New technology coming to centers
Why consolidation might be on the horizon
How the Enhanced CTI program is changing controller training

Plus: Academy training secrets, the personality test you never knew existed, why Florida is the "wild west" of aviation, and the real reason controllers need your help with flight following.
Whether you're a student pilot, airline captain, or aviation enthusiast, this episode will transform how you communicate with ATC and understand the critical work happening on the other end of the frequency
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In this episode, I sit down with Luke, a flight instructor based in Utah who's currently at around 900 hours and grinding his way toward the airlines. Luke shares his experience going through ATP Flight Training in just 8.5 months, the reality of being a CFI without the guaranteed job he expected, and how social media helped him land his current position as chief instructor at a flight school in Provo.
We discuss the challenges of building time in today's aviation environment, the pros and cons of the ATP route, and what it's really like to be in the trenches as a CFI. Luke opens up about his ultimate goal of flying for Delta, his concerns about being an aviation influencer while job hunting, and the valuable lesson he's learned about building relationships in this industry.
Whether you're currently grinding toward 1,500 hours, considering flight training, or just finished your ratings, Luke's honest perspective on the realities of early career aviation will resonate with you. This is the grind—unfiltered and real.
Topics covered:
Why Luke chose ATP and if he regrets it
The hidden costs and realities of accelerated flight training
Finding CFI work without the ATP guarantee
Building time through aerobatics and upset recovery training
Balancing social media presence with professional aviation career
The importance of mentorship and networking in aviation

Not every pilot's journey starts with dreams of flight—some begin with a challenge and a bottle of Eagle Rare bourbon.
In this episode, we sit down with Nick Fialka, captain at a major airline, host of the Ready for Pushback podcast, and interview coach at Spitfire Elite. Nick's path to the cockpit is anything but conventional. From attending The Citadel (not exactly known for churning out pilots) to flying helicopters in the Navy, then leaving it all to build a successful RV park in Florida—Nick thought the airlines weren't in his future.
That changed when a retired Delta captain rolled into his RV park with a $700,000 rig and convinced him over whiskey that he belonged at 35,000 feet.
We dive deep into what it really takes to land a job at a major airline in today's market. Nick pulls back the curtain on the interview process, sharing the mistakes that sink applications before they're even read, the logbook disasters that cost pilots their dream jobs, and why spending $600 on interview prep for a $22 million career is the easiest decision you'll ever make.
We also tackle the reality of aviation's boom-and-bust cycles, what the 2026 hiring landscape looks like, and why even the most senior pilots need to keep one eye on their next move. Whether you're building hours at a regional, prepping for your first major airline interview, or just trying to figure out if this career is right for you—this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable advice.
Plus, Nick shares why leading with empathy beats canned answers every time, and how your attitude might matter more than your flight time.