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Aero Exploration

Flying Midwest Media
Aviation
Air Traffic Control
Law Enforcement
Flight Training
Mosaic
Backseat Pilot
U-2
Aviation Safety
MSP Airport
Airport Snow Removal
Federal Aviation Administration
Aircraft Management
Thrust Flight
Airline Hiring
Aviation Maintenance Technicians
Light Sport Aircraft
Sport Pilot
CFI
Dragon Lady
Public Trust In Aviation

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.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes90Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AviationLeisure

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Latest 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 carg... more

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... more

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 air... more

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 kn... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Marcus Miller
Air traffic controller and aviation content creator known as PropHatCat
PropHatCat
Episode: Episode 80 - Flight Sim Kid Becomes Air Traffic Controller | W/ @PropHatCat ​
Nick Matlock
FAA inspector, talks about his role and path into the FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (FISDO)
Episode: Episode 79 - We're All WRONG about the FAA: Inside the FSDO with Nick Matlock
Alex Redding
YouTube channel creator at MSP Airport LIVE
MSP Airport LIVE
Episode: Episode 77 - What It Takes to Livestream MSP Airport: With Alex Redding
Ellen Quist
Aviation professional specializing in aircraft management
Independent aviation professional / part of the management company
Episode: Episode 76 - Beyond the Airlines: Careers in Aircraft Management
Erik Fletcher
Former Hollywood camera operator turned pilot
135 Outreach / current operator in part 135 and long-haul aviation
Episode: Episode 75- The Second Take: Erik Fletcher's Charter Pilot Life
Bryan Turner
Just Plain Silly Fame on YouTube; airline pilot
Just Plain Silly/YouTube; Envoy (employer)
Episode: Episode 72 - Just Plane Silly, Just Got Serious- with Airline Pilot Bryan Turner.
Matt Peschong
Former North Dakota Highway Patrol trooper and current regional airline pilot
Aviation career transition guest
Episode: Episode 68 - Trading Badges for Boarding Passes: A State Trooper's Flight to the Airlines
Patrick Arnzen
CEO of Thrust Flight, flight instructor, ANP advocate
Thrust Flight
Episode: Episode 66 - From Zero Time to Airline: Inside Thrust Flight’s Approach to Accelerated Pilot Training

Host

Jim Schilling
Host of the show, frequently anchors conversations on aviation careers, safety, and media storytelling in aviation.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Trading Badges for Boarding Passed

    Great episode. Determination, focus and appreciating those around you to reach a goal all reflected in this podcast. True in all lines of work/career.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flynn113
    United States4 days ago
  • Tons of helpful info!

    Great podcast to help with the “real world” aspects of flying that occur outside of training. From the stories, behind the scenes looks, and tips on topics like hanger ownership, the podcast has really helped me round out my aviation education. Always an informative and helpful listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GitaCBrown
    United States7 months ago
  • An inspirational podcast for those of us who wish to at least learn how to fly and for those who want to make it a career.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Hicksville hotelier
    a year ago
  • High dose of aviation inspiration!

    This is a podcast that really speaks to me! Jim is able to find and share inspiring stories of people chasing their dreams. So many get stuck in the daily grind and just dream, but the stories of everyday people taking that leap of faith is relatable and makes those dreams seem in reach.

    Can’t wait for more stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FrozenFlyer77
    United Statesa year ago
  • The Most Inspiring Aviation Podcast Out There!

    We’re all tired of the same old story… a teenager rushes through their ratings, builds time on the backs of others, then bails for the airlines. Host Jim breaks the monotony with his podcast Fly The Transition. His interviews explore the unique and inspiring stories of people chasing their dreams later in life and finding a second career in aviation. A must-listen show for anybody considering a change in their life, whether aviation-related or otherwise. Take the leap, put in the hard work, and ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    golls17
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate practical, real-world aviation insights that go beyond training basics.
Audience notes that episodes mix technical detail with relatable, human-interest narratives.
Show is praised for candid, hands-on episodes with insiders explaining regulatory and operational realities.
Fans find inspiration in midlife career pivots and storytelling that demystifies aviation.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#190
Canada/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#102
France/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#10
Philippines/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#26
South Africa/Leisure/Aviation
Apple Podcasts
#101
Spain/Leisure/Aviation

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 66 - From Zero Time to Airline: Inside Thrust Flight’s Approach to Accelerated Pilot Training
Q: Could you tell us a bit about your background in aviation and the path you took to get there?
Arnzen describes a winding path through flying, teaching, and ultimately founding a flight school and Thrust Flight, emphasizing resilience through downturns and a pivot to focus on producing professional pilots since 2017.
Episode 79 - We're All WRONG about the FAA: Inside the FSDO with Nick Matlock
Q: What misconceptions do pilots have about the FAA and its inspections?
Many think inspectors are out to trap pilots; in reality, the mission is safety promotion, with inspections announced in advance when possible, and most interactions are with management rather than individual pilots.
Episode 79 - We're All WRONG about the FAA: Inside the FSDO with Nick Matlock
Q: How does someone get hired into the FAA, and what is the interview process like?
Applicants apply online, go through a screening process, interview with office managers (sometimes a virtual review board), complete a flight checkride as part of the process, and may undergo fingerprinting and background checks before final placement.
Episode 79 - We're All WRONG about the FAA: Inside the FSDO with Nick Matlock
Q: What exactly does your role as an operations inspector involve on a day-to-day basis?
I oversee a handful of Part 135 operators and other certificate holders, conduct inspections, and ensure ongoing compliance through a mix of scheduled surveillance and unplanned inquiries, while communicating findings and working toward safety improvements.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Aero Exploration

What is Aero Exploration about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Accessible discussions of real-world aviation topics, from how air traffic control works to career transitions in aviation and behind-the-scenes operations at airports. Listeners tend to value practical insights, personal journeys, and concrete tips—from training paths and regulatory realities to maintenance staffing and live-content creation in aviation. A standout aspect is the mix of technical detail with human-interest storytelling, plus regular deep-dives with guests who bring hands-on expertise and relatable career pivots.

Where can I find podcast stats for Aero Exploration?

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How many listeners does Aero Exploration get?

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What are the audience demographics for Aero Exploration?

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How many subscribers and views does Aero Exploration have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Aero Exploration has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Aero Exploration?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Aero Exploration:

1. Flying Midwest Podcast
2. Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast
3. 21.FIVE - Professional Pilots Podcast
4. Pilot to Pilot
5. Ask the A&Ps

How many episodes of Aero Exploration are there?

Aero Exploration launched 4 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Aero Exploration?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Aero Exploration?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Aero Exploration from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Aero Exploration?

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What guests have appeared on Aero Exploration?

Recent guests on Aero Exploration include:

1. Marcus Miller
2. Nick Matlock
3. Alex Redding
4. Ellen Quist
5. Erik Fletcher
6. Bryan Turner
7. Matt Peschong
8. Patrick Arnzen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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