90 episodes
- You see the airplane. You check your bag. You board your flight. But have you ever wondered about the massive logistics operation happening behind the scenes?
Every day, major airlines move thousands of pieces of baggage and enormous amounts of cargo through a global network of airports, aircraft, people, and technology. Keeping all of that moving takes a tremendous amount of coordination—and when something goes wrong, the effects can ripple across the entire system.
In this episode of AeroExploration, Jim sits down with Tom Brodowski, who works with teams around the globe to help keep this complex operation running.
We'll go far beyond baggage handling and take a deep dive into the cargo side of major airline operations—how cargo moves through the system, how it's coordinated with passenger flights, the challenges of moving freight around the world, and what happens when the plan doesn't go according to plan.
We'll also explore the people behind this operation and the aviation careers that exist outside the cockpit and maintenance hangar.
From the suitcase you check at the counter to the cargo moving across continents, there's an enormous aviation operation happening that most passengers never see.
This is the hidden logistics network behind the world's airlines.
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Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at jim@flyingmidwest.com or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
#Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration - If you follow aviation on social media, chances are you've seen Sarah Daniels — better known by her channels and social media as Sarahnautics.
But Sarah's journey into aviation is anything but ordinary.
Before becoming a pilot and one of aviation's most recognizable content creators, Sarah was an actress, performer, and even a Disney Princess. And perhaps most surprisingly, she was once afraid of flying.
That fear ultimately led her into the cockpit and set her on an incredible journey through aviation. Today, Sarah is on an ambitious mission to visit every airport in the United States, documenting the people, places, and experiences she encounters along the way.
In this episode, we go beyond the social media posts to explore Sarah's story — from her life before aviation and overcoming her fear of flying, to her journey across America's airports and the evolution of Sarahnautics.
We also talk about one of the most difficult moments she's shared publicly: capturing an in-flight emergency and making the decision to be vulnerable enough to let her audience see what really happened.
Most importantly, Sarah talks about why she creates, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and her hope that her story can inspire more women and young girls to see themselves as part of aviation.
This is a story about fear, courage, exploration, and discovering that sometimes the thing you're most afraid of can lead you somewhere extraordinary.
✈️ FOLLOW SARAHNAUTICS
Instagram: @sarahnautics
TikTok: @sarahnautics
YouTube: Sarahnautics
Facebook: Sarahnautics
Threads: @sarahnautics
Twitch: Sarahnautics
Learn more about Sarah and follow her journey to every airport in America at Sarahnautics.com.
✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
AeroExploration Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at jim@flyingmidwest.com or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
#Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration - Every pilot has a story, but few are as remarkable as Mark's.
Before becoming a respected captain at Sun Country Airlines, Marc was a young man searching for direction. That path led him to the U.S. Navy, where he served on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War—an experience that instilled the discipline and work ethic that would shape the rest of his life.
After leaving the military, Marc pursued work as an aircraft mechanic and found himself at the very beginning of Sun Country Airlines. He shares what it was like helping build a startup airline with just three airplanes into one of the nation's most recognizable leisure carriers. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges, unforgettable flights, lessons learned in the cockpit, and the moments that defined his decades-long aviation career.
This isn't just the story of an airline captain—it's a story about second chances, perseverance, and how aviation can change the course of a person's life.
Whether you're a pilot, aviation enthusiast, or simply enjoy hearing inspiring life stories, this is an episode you won't want to miss.
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
AeroExploration Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at jim@flyingmidwest.com or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
🎉 Exclusive Listener Discount - Whether you're flying into Oshkosh, driving through the gates for the first time, or simply wondering what all the excitement is about, this episode is your complete guide to EAA AirVenture.
We're covering everything a first-time visitor needs to know—from planning your trip and navigating the massive grounds to finding the best exhibits, forums, daily airshows, the legendary Night Airshow, camping, transportation, and the hidden gems that many attendees don't discover until their second or third visit.
You'll also learn:
How to plan your day without feeling overwhelmed
What to pack for a day—or an entire week
Where to find the best aviation experiences on the grounds
Tips for parking, admission, and getting around
Common mistakes first-time visitors make
Insider recommendations from seasoned AirVenture attendees
Whether you're a pilot, aviation enthusiast, photographer, or bringing the family, this crash course will help you make the most of one of the greatest aviation events in the world.
If AirVenture has been on your bucket list, this is the perfect place to start.
Subscribe to AeroExploration for more aviation stories, travel guides, flight training tips, and conversations with the people who make aviation extraordinary. Episode 82 - From Aerospace Engineer to Ground School Pioneer: The Unexpected CEO of Part-Time Pilot
09/07/2026 | 52 mins.What if you could dramatically cut your flight training costs and accelerate your progress simply by understanding how to study smarter? Nick Smith, a former aerospace engineer turned flight training coach, reveals the insider secrets that helped him finally conquer the challenging private pilot course—despite years of costly setbacks.
His story isn’t just about flying; it’s a blueprint for overcoming the mental hurdles that keep so many from reaching their aviation dreams.Tune in as Nick breaks down his transformational journey from NASA-inspired childhood ambitions to struggling through heavily delayed flight training, and then turning that chaos into clarity with his innovative online ground school, Part-Time Pilot.
You’ll discover the common pitfalls that trip up students, such as poor mental prep and bad study habits—and exactly how to avoid them. This episode isn’t just about learning to fly—it’s about mastering the mindset that turns setbacks into opportunities.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed or stuck, or are worried about the financial drain of flight training, this conversation will inspire you to push through with clarity and confidence. Perfect for aspiring pilots, instructors guiding their students, or aviation enthusiasts committed to flying smarter, not harder.
Learn More Here: Parttimepilot.com
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About Aero Exploration
The AeroExploration Podcast explores aviation’s past and the paths people are taking in the industry today. Join host Jim Schilling for stories of historic flights, modern aviation careers, and the passion that keeps us looking to the skies.
Aviation has a past worth remembering, destinations worth exploring, and people worth meeting.
This is AeroExploration.
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