Mike Gillen is the Senior Manager Fleet Standards of the Boeing 737 for a global, U.S. based airline.   

Mike's wealth of academic study and professional experience make him a true leader of global airline safety.  By age 30 he was the Lead Instructor Pilot of the B777 for his airline.  He has subsequently undertaken the professional roles of: Check Airman Captain, New Hire Pilot Program Manager, Command Development Program Manager, Project Manager of Corporate Safety Integration of merged airlines, and Management Representative for ASAP programs.  He has earned both Masters of Science, and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Science with focus on degradation of pilot skills, and the effects of startle training on pilots.   

In this conversation we discuss: Startle training and effects, airline safety in general, attitudes for successful training events, staying proficient, hand-flying the 737, Mike's career path, and what makes a good pilot.   

I'm grateful for Mike sharing his perspectives in this conversation.

Seth Witcher is a musician/songwriter living in southeast PA.  His energy is contagious.   I loved talking to him.  I think he will achieve his dreams. This is not a typical interview of mine.  We get philosophical, spiritual and deep.  I hope you like it.  I have three more aviation interviews recorded coming out soon. Stay tuned!  Check out Seth on:  https://www.sethwitcherofficial.com  https://linktr.ee/SethWitcher  https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ZhkKeKtiudozmRzWpcBwM?si=DrkQZI0WTBeJyoimGw6YYw  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnPmKJ5Wk3dA3uwrrVQYTKQ  https://www.instagram.com/seth_witcher/  23:55 Trials of faith   33:50 Goals   39:30 What sustains Seth’s career   41:30 Lehigh valley   48:20 How do you make your music   52:35 Headspace for recordings   55:15 The Making of “We’re All Human” video   64:20 Seth’s Electric Guitar   71:45 Marionette   75:00 No Backup plan   78:30 Drums   83:45 Singles vs Albums   87:15 I Hate Love Songs   93:00 Flying   103:00 Seth’s ties to aviation

Robert Gandt is an award winning author and a highly accomplished pilot. His books have won multiple awards for excellence in history. His pilot skills have elevated him to the upper echelons in every organization in which he has flown. He has experience as a naval aviator, supervisory airline pilot, and general aviation aerobatic team leader. He has written more than a dozen books. You can find access to his books and learn more about Bob here: Gandt.com — His official site https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gandt https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Gandt/e/B000APS3Q8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 Bob has been a featured contributor for the recent three part documentary “Across the Pacific”. Check it out here: https://www.panam.org/about/606-across-the-pacific-film Bob was hired by Pan-Am in 1965 and stayed until his feet got acquired by Delta airlines near the end of Pan Am. I am highly honored that he would have a conversation with me about his book SkyGods: The Fall of Pan Am, and his experience of being a pilot for the airliner This interview is a certainty a highlight of my podcasting endeavors. I cannot express enough gratitude to Bob for this opportunity. I hope you enjoy the following conversation.

In the following interview with Lamont McClure, Northampton county executive you’ll learn his take on the context of the warehouse development in the Lehigh Valley and more. We discuss his role and responsibilities, and various other issues affecting the the Lehigh Valley today. This is the first in what will become a series of episodes where I meet with our elected officials, and those who seek office, to better understand their perspectives and what motivates them. I am always looking for feedback. Please send any comments or questions to sjctalks@gmail.com 00:00 What the Executive does 5:20 Fair elections 10:45 Are local Politics as polarized at the local level? Differences between Democrats and Republicans 11:30 Why did you choose the Democratic Party 13:00 Perspective on Republican point of view. 16:00 Warehouses 18:30 The effect of the collapse of Bethlehem Steel as it relates to the economic development efforts in the Lehigh Valley 20:00 Land preservation. 22:30 Farmland preservation particulars 24:40 Zoning 29:30 Attracting white collar jobs to the Valley and help for small businesses 32:20 Resources for entrepreneurs/small businesses 34:00 Mental Health in the Lehigh Valley 36:40 The role of unions in our economy 43:45 The call to public service 46:00 Taxes 48:15 Lamont asks me questions about my career

Rob Bendall was the lead certification pilot for the launch of Virgin America. Along with certification Rob has had a role in most things involving the pilots at Virgin America.  Hiring, checking, training, and otherwise supporting the pilots; he has acted as certification pilot, check airman, base chief pilot to system chief pilot.  In this interview we talk about what it took to launch the airline from a pilot’s perspective and many other aspects of the airline.  Rob’s integrity is something I have always admired.  I hope you enjoy this conversation.  Bendall Interview  00:00 Role in Certification  6:00  Pre-Virgin Background  12:25 How the FAA tests the operation via scenario cards on test flights.  16:45 Early VX manual sets  19:45 Pilot Culture and uniforms.    25:30 Goatees, FuManchus, and Professional looks.  44:00 The VA Inflight Entertainment System.  47:45 Ken Beiler Cabin 3.0  49:00 Unions and VX  53:00 ALPA organizing drive.  57:00 Biggest Challenges  60:00  Interviewing Pilots  69:00 Consolidation  71:00 B6/NK  76:50 Who owned the Planes  81:00  The Most Virgin Virgin Company  83:15 Own Safety  84:15 Props to Tech Ops  87:00  Protecting the dignity of the airline.

Iain Day was 3 years old when his father took him to an airshow at RAF Leuchars outside Dundee in Scotland and he was hooked. He received a Flying Scholarship from the UKs Royal Air Force at the age of 16 as a member of the Air Training Corps. Iain was, for a while, the youngest Private pilot in Scotland being only 17 when he achieved that. At 18 Iain left home and moved to the United States to continue his aviation education. Capitalizing on on the more cost effective training environment in the States; Iain arrived in Phoenix, Arizona in late December 1994. There he started working on more licenses and ratings, eventually gaining all levels of flight instructor and advanced ground instructor certificates before he turned 21. Along with flight instructing, Iain worked as a support pilot and announcer for a nationally touring airshow act. In 2001 left Phoenix and moved to New England as a First Officer and later Captain for the now defunct Colgan Air flying all over the North East. He then flew corporate jets for 10 years. After that he went to went to Virgin America where he met me, we were flying the A320 out of JFK and EWR. He left this job after the sale of VX and they closed the only East Coast base it had. He now works for a large Cargo outfit; recently having transitioned from the Boeing 747 to the Boeing 777. Just over a year ago he traded his 1974 Bellanca Decathlon aircraft, N401AD, for my current aircraft, a 1992 Yakovlev 55M, N55YA. Follow him on Instagram @capecodyak

Cover Photo:  Captain Richard Vaux(left), and Brad Kuhn(right): Co-Authors of Dirty Work. Brad Kuhn is a professional author.  He has often performed as a ghost-writer.   He helped Captain Richard Vaux tell the story of recovering the hijacked TWA B-727 from war torn Beirut, Lebanon in 1985.   The book can be found here: Dirty Work: The untold story of my secret mission to steal back TWA Flight 847 from Hezbollah https://www.amazon.com/dp/1072352885/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_PFPM9VD7JNEBER6XZRE6 He can be reached at BradKuhnandassociates.com   2:30 Ghostwriter vs Co-Author   6:00 From pilot stories to relevant context   8:00 Afghanistan    10:45 Geopolitical Context of the Times   13:00 Sense of Duty   15:00 TWA in Turmoil   16:10 Naabi Berri (SP?)   18:00. Hijackers let free   20:00 Carl Seeland   20:40 Memories over time   22:30  Corrections to a Print on Demand Book   25:35  Print on Demand as a business model   29:00  Where this Podcast is headed   29:45 Great Aviation Stories   31:00 The Craft of Making a Good Book   32:50. Sense of camaraderie after a job well done   34:40 Shared Stories   38:00  Respect the telling of a story   39:00 Lou Rehr   41:30 Evolution of a Story.. Maine ANG Training Runs   47:15 Twa Cargo for US Military Over Iran   53:00 White Line Fever   60:00  When you fail at trucking   62:50 Truckers and Pilots   67:00 Truthiness   70:30 Talking Heads and Conflict   78:00 Getting into a Hobby   79:33 Dedication

Matt received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina in 1994, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Sherman received his master's degree in international relations from Cambridge University in 1996. As a Fulbright Scholar, he worked with the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs on US - Australian trade regulations. He later returned to Chapel Hill and received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2002. (Source:Wikipedia—But also confirmed by Matt) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Sherman_(lawyer)  Matt’s unique charismatic personality helped him build relationships with all types of players on all sides of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.  His resulting perspective would inform the key decision makers in both wars.  The list of people he advised includes General Stanley McChrystal, General David Petraeus, and General John F Campbell.   12:46 Nothing Simple  14:00 Geography plays huge role in how nations evolve  15:30 Long term force presence  17:00  How to interpret the political views regarding now..  18:50 Forever War isn’t the way to look at it  21:00 How wars end  32:20 Afghani Institutions today  33:46 US Mission in Afghanistan  34:30 Reason for Pride in the mission  35:00 What caused 9/11 and will the Taliban be able to enforce prevention of terrorist training camps.  38:40 Justification for Invading Afghanistan and whether the Taliban could have turned over Osama Bin Laden to the US.  41:00 How Important was finding and killing OBL.  44:45  Perceptions of Force  46:20 The Fierce debate in Washington on the first surge in 2006  51:10 Obama Surge  53:20 The psychological impact of leaving  54:30 How many Americans are in Afghanistan against their will right now  56:20  Afghani helpers to the US left there  56:50 Helping People Out of Afghanistan  78:30 Advertisement  88:00 Dan Carlin  93:20 Wars bringing out the best in people.  94:00  Looking for more or broader perspective  100:00 Round up of Saddam’s AirForce  109:30 Colin Powell’s perspectives  1:58:00 Sister BA   Acknowledgments: Thanks to Matt Sherman for his time and the sharing of his perspectives.  Thanks to Sheila Corley for help in general in life and more specifically to this episode helping me consolidate my thoughts for the Intro.  Chad H for showing up.  The Ninja 9 for the intro music.  (Solstice from the Pandemia album.)  Mike Marts for creative connections.  Parkin Corley for writing/playing drums on the outro music.  Brendan Ruane, who is an outstanding audio engineer, for coaching me over the last year plus to help me get to the point where I was able to create the sound mix from this episode by myself….  Shawn G Smith for demanding better from me.

Jaimie Rousseau was a flight attendant for over a decade before deciding to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a pilot.  In this episode she shares her experiences of her journey as both a pilot and flight attendant and the value of having been a flight attendant in her new role as a pilot.  Flight Attendants are highly trained aviation safety professionals.  They are the often overlooked first-responders, trained to ensure that your flight is a safe as possible when things go right or wrong.  I’m quite grateful for Jaimie’s sharing of her experiences in both roles.  I hope you enjoy this interview with her.   Jaimie recommends getting involved in any of these organizations if you're looking for support, encouragement, mentorship, or camaraderie on your aviation journey.   ninety-nines.org  flyfortheculture.org  ngpa.org  wai.org  https://sites.google.com/ladyaviators.co/whatglassceiling/home sistersoftheskies.org obap.org  eaa.org  aopa.org   From Jaimie: And a personal shoutout to New England Aviation Association and Left Base 29, where I have made friends for life. I couldn’t have gotten through this without them.     3:40 When the flying bug hit  8:10 Importance of encouragement   10:28 Opportunities for women in aviation.  10:56 On being a woman ..Pros Cons  16:20 Organizations  19:45 What does becoming a pilot cost?  22:45 Paying the dues of a career  29:00 Steve Randall  30:30 Crash Pad life  31:13 Regional life..  32:20 Married crew life 3258 great sound byte  44:25 Path of going from CFI to 135  45:13 Mark for valuable time as CFI  49:05 The importance of self study on the accelerated program  56:42 141 vs 61  66:00 You have the right to fire your instructor  71:42 to be a good captain…  77:06 Thankful for having been a flight attendant.  78:54 Ive learned so much from being an FA  80:20 Change briefing

John Carlson and I have a fun discussion about the Auto Sales industry and life!

Anthony Pascale is the owner and Executive Chef of Saiko Sushi in San Diego.  With two locations, one in Coronado, and one in North Park, he offers sublime sushi. View this episode on YouTube.  There are pictures discussed later in the interview. He has been a successful restaurant owner for over a decade.    Follow Saiko Sushi on Instagram at www.instagram.com/saikosushi/ Email any feedback to me at sjctalks@gmail.com

Lori Clark and I discuss the interview process for major airlines.

Lori Clark runs Clark Aviation Consulting.  She has been helping pilots land their dream jobs for over 17 years.  We talk about the hiring and interview process,  adversarial interviewers, networking, college, imposter syndrome, surprises, and automation.

I had a lot of fun interviewing her.

Find her on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/clarkconsult...Her Email: Lori@Flytheline.com

I like talking to many different people about many different interests.  It is my highest hope for this podcast that others might find these conversations interesting and/or helpful.  Please reach out to me at sjctalks@gmail.com with any comments.

sjctalks@gmail.com

Part 2 of 2 Steve Randall gained his early pilot experience by moving airplanes around the world for hire.  He described his journeys in the book, Rubber Suits & Lukewarm Soup: Surviving Life as an Oceanic Ferry Pilot. To allow the most proceeds to get to the charity from the purchase of the book, order a copy at redwoodbusdriver.com All proceeds go to the Douglas Bader Foundation.   https://www.douglasbaderfoundation.com Steve also chronicles his journeys in his deHaviland DHC-1 "Chipmunk" on his website:  https://www.wg430.com Follow him on Instagram @redwoodbusdriver

Steve Randall gained his early pilot experience by moving airplanes around the world for hire.  He described his journeys in the book, Rubber Suits & Lukewarm Soup: Surviving Life as an Oceanic Ferry Pilot.   To allow the most proceeds to get to the charity from the purchase of the book, order a copy at redwoodbusdriver.com  All proceeds go to the Douglas Bader Foundation.   https://www.douglasbaderfoundation.com Steve also chronicles his journeys in his deHaviland DHC-1 "Chipmunk" on his website:  https://www.wg430.com Follow him on Instagram @redwoodbusdriver

Ken Simons is the founder and inventor of VeloChair. He is also a good friend. I have admired Ken since I first met him back when I was a flight instructor and charter pilot at Somerset Airport back in 1998. Ken was then an executive for a large home building corporation. I was never a flight instructor of his, but I remember Ken taking tailwheel lessons with a fellow flight instructor. He would come out of each lesson beaming. He would have a glow that only comes from the type of joy that arises from the sense of accomplishment of getting better at a thing that you love to do, and thirst to know more about. Being a young flight instructor around an airport is a great experience. You get to rub elbows with older and wiser people who now have the resources coupled with the sense of adventure to do things like learn to fly. Ken’s success as a businessman earned him sole ownership of a Piper Turbo Aztec, a six seat, twin engine plane. I didn’t realize it then but Ken was a living embodiment of the aspects of great leadership. Ken never takes things personally, is slow to judge, and quick to forgive. Now, having retired from construction, he has turned his disability into a gift to the world, by developing his invention the VeloChair. Follow VeloChair on Instagram. www.myvelochair.com The Ted talk on seduction referenced @ 22:00: https://youtu.be/TBIL2sdfoVc 1:00 Disability 2:00 Problem solving 3:15 Who can use VeloChair 7:45 Biggest obstacles facing VeloChair today 9:00 Where you can use VeloChair and how it works 14:45 How to get a VeloChair www.myvelochair.com 15:25 How VeloChair was developed 16:45 The secret to Ken’s ability to thrive 18:25 Starting from the beginning of Ken’s life 20:30 Religion and Coca-Cola 21:40 Sensual Ken 23:00 Focusing on positives 24:40 Perspectives on forgiveness and non-judgement 28:45 Win as much as you can… trusting again 34:00 Not being afraid of fear 38:45 Leading those who are smarter than you 39:30 Hiring quality people 46:20 Different perspectives 57:00 Discovering new interests at young age and getting fit 59:30 Early money lessons 62:00 College paid for by US Army 63:10 Marrying Wendy and off to Germany 64:40 If you hang with those doobie smokers I’m calling the cops 69:50 Meeting the SS 72:00 Perspectives on the Holocaust 78:45Religion 80:30 Measuring the success of your children 82:15 Seeing eye to eye in raising kids 89:00 Ken’s rule of one Change your perspectives of the problem 91:45 Meaning and Purpose

Mike Marts is the Editor-in-Chief of AfterShock Comics.   Mike tells the story of how he arrived where he is in the comic industry today:  How he got his feet back underneath himself after dropping out of USMA West Point in the first two weeks; to becoming Executive Editor to famed comic book productions including X-Men and Batman.  Finally his story culminates in being a founding partner of AfterShock Comics.   Mike's hard work, dedication, and genuine good character are something I admire. Therefore, he was the perfect first guest for my podcast! Check out AfterShock comics: https://aftershockcomics.com Mike offers coaching to aspiring comic writers: https://www.comicscoach.com Mike is on Instagram @mikemarts. 02:00 Dropping out of West Point 11:00 Trying to find a path 15:30 Finding it. 18:15 Showing up. 21:15 First Marvel Internship. 26:30 First Job. 29:00 Leaving Marvel for the first time. Marvel bankruptcy. 31:30 What it means to be an editor/executive editor. 35:20 How an editor treats different writers. 37:50 Switch to DC Batman. 39:55 favorite comic book character What makes Batman so great. 45:55 Recovering from mistakes. 48:50 What is Mike excited about in the industry. 56:45 Comic books that made it to streaming. 58:55 Aftershock business model rewards creators 1:02:55 How aftershock started. 1:04:35 Robert Kirkman and the Walking Dead business model. 1:07:45 Working with Kevin Smith. 1:11:30 The Mandolorian. 1:15:20 The Ninja 9.