Episodios

  • Aviation Runs on Speech. Almost None of It Becomes Data w/ Amir Haramaty

    Aviation Runs on Speech. Almost None of It Becomes Data w/ Amir Haramaty
    Jan 15 2026
    In aviation, the majority of operational intelligence lives in speech, but most of it is uncaptured or unstructured. It exists in radio calls, verbal handoffs, inspections, checklists, maintenance conversations, and moment-to-moment judgments made on the ground and in the air. That information moves fast, across teams and borders, yet rarely becomes data that systems can reliably use. That creates a quiet but persistent gap. Aviation depends on precision and standardization, yet the human layer it runs on is anything but uniform. Accents, regional language differences, local jargon, and noisy environments all sit between what’s said and what’s actually understood. And while aviation vocabulary may be limited, it has to be interpreted perfectly, every time. When it isn’t, friction shows up in safety processes, operational efficiency, compliance, and customer experience. The industry was never designed to systematically capture spoken work on a global scale. People don’t like entering data, especially in time-critical environments, so critical information is often late, partial, or lost altogether. What gets recorded rarely reflects what actually happened in the moment. That’s where aiOla comes in. The company helps aviation organizations turn natural speech into accurate, structured data across languages, accents, and environments (without forcing people to change how they work). With a mission to “flatten the world” and make aviation more connected and reliable, they’ve gained early traction across airlines and airports, including a strategic investment from United Airlines. How can data reduce friction in a system that asks for perfection? What happens when spoken workflows finally become usable data? What safety, efficiency, and operational blind spots disappear when aviation systems can truly listen? In this episode, I’m joined by the CEO of aiOla, Amir Haramaty. He talks about why uncaptured speech is one of aviation’s biggest data gaps, and what it takes to turn spoken workflows into structured data that works anywhere aviation operates. You’ll also learn: Why data is the real bottleneck holding most organizations backHow uncaptured and unstructured spoken information creates hidden risk in regulated industriesWhy forcing people to “enter data” guarantees low-quality outcomesHow speech can become structured, compliant data without retraining massive modelsWhat United Airlines saw that made them invest before becoming a customerHow real-time spoken data changes safety culture, not just reportingWhy most AI pilots fail to show ROI and how to avoid that trapHow capturing frontline insights early enables proactive safety instead of reactive investigationsWhy the future of human–machine interaction won’t involve keyboards at all About the Guest Amir Haramaty is the CEO of aiOla. aiOla provides an AI operating layer that turns spoken interactions into structured, actionable data. Designed for highly complex, global operations, the platform enables organizations to capture critical information through speech—across languages, accents, and environments, while maintaining accuracy and compliance. Aiola helps aviation and other regulated industries unlock data that was previously uncaptured, improving safety, operational efficiency, and insight at scale. To learn more, go to https://aiola.ai/, send an email to amir@aiola.ai, or connect with Amir on LinkedIn. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.
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    46 m
  • The Hardest Transition in Leadership w/ Bill Koch

    The Hardest Transition in Leadership w/ Bill Koch
    Jan 8 2026
    The transition from being a rockstar in your vertical to leading at the C-suite level is one of the hardest jumps in modern business. Not because you aren’t capable, but because the job changes faster than anyone prepares you for, and the timeline to become effective has collapsed from years to months. You used to have a multi-year runway to listen, learn, and settle in. Now the proving ground has accelerated, and you’re expected to think enterprise-wide, set direction, shape culture, and operate with conviction almost immediately. And that’s where so many leaders get blindsided. They step into the role with deep expertise, strong track records, and every intention of succeeding. But they quickly discover that the behaviors that powered their rise don’t automatically translate to the top job. The stakes are higher, the scrutiny is sharper, and the margin for a slow learning curve is gone. Boards, investors, and teams are already forming judgments before you’ve even taken your seat. And without realizing it, new executives find themselves operating on outdated instincts in a completely different environment. Bill Koch is a former CEO who now coaches leaders navigating some of the most high-pressure environments. He helps new CEOs compress the transition, build real executive presence, and operate with clarity and confidence. In this episode, we talk about how to accelerate that transition, how to understand how you’re actually being perceived, and how to adapt fast enough to avoid losing ground in your first critical months. You’ll also learn: Why the jump from functional mastery to C-suite leadership is so challengingHow the timeline for becoming effective has collapsed, and what that means for new executives.The behaviors that helped you rise and why they can quietly derail you in a senior role.How to understand the difference between vertical thinking and enterprise thinking.Why a 360 assessment is often the first real mirror a new executive has ever seen.How boards and teams perceive you long before you think they doWhy private equity environments expose leadership weaknesses faster than any other setting.How to cultivate executive presence that signals quiet confidence, not overcompensation.The importance of building a “personal boardroom” to think clearly under pressure. About the Guest Bill Koch is an executive coach with more than 25 years of C-suite and senior leadership experience across public companies, private enterprises, and private equity–backed firms. A former CEO himself, Bill brings a rare blend of operational depth, boardroom insight, and executive maturity to his coaching practice. His work centers on one mission: helping high performers become highly effective enterprise leaders. For more than a decade, Bill has served as a trusted advisor to CEOs and senior executives navigating high-pressure, high-visibility roles. He coaches leaders across Fortune 500 companies, growth-stage organizations, and academic institutions—guiding them through pivotal transitions, accelerated timelines, and complex leadership challenges. His clients turn to him to gain clarity, sharpen judgment, and build the confident executive presence required to lead at the top. Bill’s clients include American Express, Apple, Boeing, Goldman Sachs, John Deere, Mars, MGM, McKesson, Toyota, and others. To learn more, visit https://www.kochleadership.com/ or read Bill’s latest insights on Forbes. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. Subscribe, Rate & Review Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
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    55 m
  • Business Aviation Is Stuck in the Past, This is What It Needs w/ Jack Lambert

    Business Aviation Is Stuck in the Past, This is What It Needs w/ Jack Lambert
    Dec 18 2025
    Private aviation has a reputation problem, and it’s not because demand is slow, but because the system behind it is still operating like it’s 1998. Too many operators are stuck in old behaviors: seven brokers on a single trip, opaque pricing, and a customer experience that feels more like chasing down a missing receipt than stepping into a premium service. We talk about “frictionless” tech in every other industry, but in aviation, friction is still the business model. And yet, the real opportunity in private aviation isn’t more luxury, it’s more transparency, standardization, and efficiency. The industry doesn’t struggle because people don’t want to fly. It struggles because the little guys can’t scale, the big guys can’t personalize, and customers end up paying $100 for a turkey sandwich wrapped like a gas-station snack. If 90% of operators have fewer than 10 airplanes, how do they compete, maintain safety standards, reduce costs, or deliver anything resembling a modern experience? That’s where FlyHouse is flipping the script. Their thesis is simple but radical for aviation: create a unified tech ecosystem, give small operators scale, tie owners and flyers directly to availability, and make safety a cultural standard, not a checkbox. How is FlyHouse building a marketplace where transparency replaces guesswork, lift becomes predictable, and users can split a $40,000 flight as seamlessly as splitting a dinner bill? My guest today, Jack Lambert, the CEO of FlyHouse, has spent the last three years building something the industry has resisted for decades: a tech-driven aviation model where operators, owners, and flyers all win. In this conversation, we break down what it actually takes to modernize a legacy industry, where the real inefficiencies sit, and why culture (not just airplanes) is the asset that determines who survives the next wave of consolidation. You’ll also learn; Why private aviation feels chaotic today, and the hidden friction points customers never seeHow a tech marketplace with 2,000+ airplanes solves the real bottleneck: lift, not luxuryThe cultural and behavioral shifts operators must make for safety to actually mean somethingWhy the “Henry” flyer (high earner, not rich yet) is reshaping private travel demandThe economics behind brokers, GRPs, and why seven middlemen on one trip destroys valueHow small operators can access fuel savings, maintenance leverage, and real safety oversight through scaleHow Flyhouse’s split-flight functionality turns private travel into a predictable, shareable, lifestyle productThe little details that separate forgettable operators from world-class ones About the Guest Jack Lambert is the CEO of FlyHouse. He is an industry veteran, widely respected for his leadership and innovation in private aviation. His aviation career is backed by decades of experience, and his personal achievements extend beyond business. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston, Jack was a standout student-athlete, holding records in three sports and earning All-American honors. His exceptional achievements led to his induction into the university’s Hall of Fame, further fueling the drive and determination that would later define his leadership in aviation. Building on this foundation of excellence, Jack went on to found and serve as CEO of Jet Access Aviation. Known for his creative vision and hands-on approach, Jack has earned a reputation for reshaping how businesses and clients experience private aviation. At FlyHouse, Jack continues his forward-thinking leadership style. His vision is rooted in the belief that transparency, trust, and putting people first are key to sustainable success. He leverages his deep industry knowledge to drive FlyHouse forward, fostering a culture of innovation while delivering exceptional client experiences. Jack’s passion for aviation and unwavering commitment to service have enabled FlyHouse to redefine private flight, offering luxury, convenience, and affordability through a groundbreaking business model that benefits both jet owners and customers. To learn more, visit https://www.goflyhouse.com/ and connect with Jack on LinkedIn. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer –...
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    48 m
  • Thin Film Solar Panels Unlock Maneuverability Without Regret in Space w/ Paul Warley

    Thin Film Solar Panels Unlock Maneuverability Without Regret in Space w/ Paul Warley
    Dec 11 2025
    Most people talk about space power like it’s a solved problem. Big arrays, rigid panels, high-efficiency silicon; the same architecture we’ve been flying for decades. But the more you look at where national security and commercial space are headed, the clearer it becomes: our power systems weren’t designed for the missions we’re trying to execute today. Space is no longer a passive environment. It’s dynamic, congested, competitive, and increasingly contested. If you’re operating a satellite that needs to reposition, evade, maneuver, or maintain persistent awareness over the oceans, every kilogram of mass and every square inch of surface area starts to matter. Traditional solar arrays generate plenty of power, but they come with a hidden cost: fragility, deployment complexity, and a form factor that locks spacecraft into decisions they can’t easily undo. Thin-film solar panels change that. When you can generate meaningful power without rigid wings. When your power source can be wrapped around a body, integrated into a surface, or rolled out without fear of shattering, Maneuverability becomes an asset instead of a liability. High-radiation orbits are more viable, high-voltage architectures make sense, and persistent maritime sensing becomes more realistic. And the same characteristics that matter in orbit start unlocking terrestrial defense applications as well. What are some of the new opportunities arising for thin-film solar? How are they able to ability to fulfill smaller, specialized, high-value orders quickly? In this episode, I sit down with the CEO of Ascent Solar, Paul Warley. We talk about how thin-film is reshaping what’s possible in orbit, why defense customers are paying attention, and how a microcap manufacturer found itself aligned with some of the biggest trends in national security and space power. You’ll also learn; Why maneuverability is becoming the real strategic advantage in orbitHow thin-film’s flexibility and high-voltage capability unlock new spacecraft architecturesWhy reaching 12–13% efficiency is a tipping point that suddenly makes thin-film viable for LEO, MEO, and even high-radiation GEO missions.How defense customers are rethinking power as mission profiles shiftWhy thin-film’s resilience in high-radiation and atomic oxygen environments gives it advantages that silicon can’t match.What the increasing launch cadence means for power requirements, mass budgets, and the economics of spacecraft design.How decades of sunk R&D and process knowledge create a moat that would be difficult and expensive for new entrants to replicate.Where Paul sees thin-film fitting into the future of both defense and space operations, from niche platforms to major programs. About the Guest Paul Warley is the President and CEO of Ascent Solar, a small microcap company in Colorado. Ascent’s thin-film is the solar power solution for scenarios where traditional rigid panels won't work. Ascent brings together 20+ years of R&D, 17 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio to cement its leadership in the photovoltaics market. To learn more, visit https://ascentsolar.com/. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. Subscribe, Rate & Review Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
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    34 m
  • He Learned How to Fly at Age 43, and then Circumnavigated the Earth w/ Robert DeLaurentis

    He Learned How to Fly at Age 43, and then Circumnavigated the Earth w/ Robert DeLaurentis
    Dec 4 2025
    Flying around the world is rare. Doing it solo is even rarer. Doing it twice, once along the equator and once over both poles, is unheard of. But that’s exactly what entrepreneur and aviator, Robert DeLaurentis, achieved. And he didn’t do it in a jet with a support crew on standby. He did it in highly modified aircraft pushed beyond its intended envelope, relying on custom ferry tanks, improvised fixes, and the kind of real-time decision-making that leaves zero margin for error. These weren’t sightseeing flights; they were missions built on risk, resilience, and engineering improvisation at 31,000 feet. Most circumnavigations are engineering challenges. Robert turned his into a multi-layered mission: scientific research, global outreach, and a stress test of what a single pilot and a single aircraft can actually endure. Along the way, he carried NASA-funded experiments, gathered atmospheric data over the poles, and documented systems failures that would’ve ended most expeditions. He navigated cyclones, fuel constraints, unpredictable polar weather, and airspace so remote he had to calculate every pound of fuel twice. But the story doesn’t stop at the poles. Robert has also built a financially self-sustaining airport, a discovery-flight pipeline for high school students, and a blueprint for how small airports can support the future of urban air mobility. How do you take the mindset required for a polar circumnavigation and apply it to rebuilding an airport from scratch? And what does it look like when an aviation legacy is engineered just as intentionally as a record-breaking flight? In this episode, the star of the new movie PEACE PILOT joins me to unpack the equatorial flight that pushed a Malibu Mirage to its limits, the polar expedition that demanded a three-times-extended-range Commander, and the string of failures, near-misses, last-second adjustments, and improbable wins that held the entire mission together. You’ll also learn; Why meaning (not adrenaline) sustains pilots through extreme-risk missionsWhat it takes to execute equatorial and polar circumnavigationsThe scientific payloads carried over the polesThe realization that reframed Robert’s entire missionThe emotional and spiritual cost of flying alone in the most remote places on earthThe business model behind a self-sustaining private airportHow discovery flights and upgraded training aircraft engage the next generationWhy legacy matters more than any single record or milestone About the Guest Robert DeLaurentis is a Polar and Equatorial Circumnavigator, Peace Pilot, Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur. Robert went on the audacious quest to fly to the South Pole and then the North Pole, surviving temperatures as low as -60°C, in a 38-year-old, heavily modified Turbo Commander 900. This daring venture is not merely a test of flying skill and human endurance but a profound journey of peace and planetary unity under the banner “One planet. One people. One plane.” Setting out three years after his first solo circumnavigation, Robert confronts not only the extreme challenges of the polar skies but also a series of life-threatening technical mishaps and a global pandemic. From taking off against unfavorable winds over daunting mountain ranges to dealing with fuel leaks and multiple system failures, each moment of the flight could very well be his last. PEACE PILOT captures not only the heart-stopping action and terrifying close calls but also delves into Robert’s internal voyage towards greater self-awareness and commitment to environmental conservation. This film is a gripping narrative of survival, human fortitude, and the urgent collective effort needed to safeguard our planet. To watch the movie, visit peacepilotthemovie.com or go to https://flyingthrulife.com/ to learn more about Robert. About Your Host Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level executives in sales, operations, and leadership roles within the aviation and aerospace industries. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, ...
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    45 m
  • The Next Great Leap in Jet Design: Otto Aviation’s Laminar Flow Revolution w/ Paul Touw

    The Next Great Leap in Jet Design: Otto Aviation’s Laminar Flow Revolution w/ Paul Touw
    Nov 20 2025

    For decades, business aviation has advanced in small, predictable steps. Quieter cabins, digital cockpits, incremental gains in fuel efficiency. But real breakthroughs are generational.

    What Otto Aviation is building may be the most significant leap in private jet design since the invention of the high-bypass turbofan. This isn’t another luxury aircraft chasing prestige. It’s a reimagining of how far, how fast, and how efficiently a jet can fly.

    At the center of that transformation is laminar flow: an aerodynamic principle nature has perfected but aviation has struggled to harness.

    Until now.

    By achieving true laminar flow across both the wing and fuselage, Otto has unlocked a 50% reduction in fuel burn. That creates a cascade of benefits: lighter engines, smaller tanks, reduced maintenance, and dramatically lower operating costs.

    For the first time, private aviation could expand beyond the elite few and into a broader market of business travelers.

    In this episode, CEO of Otto Aviation, Paul Touw, joins me to talk about how laminar flow moved from a theoretical possibility to a practical breakthrough, what it takes to bring a billion-dollar clean-sheet aircraft to market, and how this technology could reshape the economics of flight for decades to come.

    You’ll also learn;

    • Why laminar flow is the biggest aerodynamic breakthrough since the 707
    • How Otto’s design rewrites aircraft economics, cutting weight, fuel, and maintenance while extending range and performance.
    • Why flying higher delivers radical efficiency and passenger comfort.
    • How stealth-era manufacturing and modern computing finally made laminar flow possible.
    • How Otto is minimizing risk by combining in-house final assembly with proven certified systems.
    • How Flexjet’s $10B order signals commercial confidence in Otto’s clean-sheet aircraft.
    • What it takes to recruit elite engineers from Boeing, Textron, and Gulfstream into a startup building the first new jet of its kind in over a decade.
    • How lessons from XOJet shaped a customer-first approach to designing the next era of business aviation.

    Guest Bio

    Paul Touw is an Engineer, Entrepreneur, and CEO of Otto Aviation. The Otto Aerospace Phantom 3500 is a masterpiece of engineering— utilizing groundbreaking laminar flow technology, digital design tools, and modern manufacturing techniques to achieve unparalleled efficiency, luxury, and environmental stewardship. Designed for leaders, visionaries, and innovators, the Phantom 3500 sets a new standard in private jet flight where performance and sustainability exist in perfect harmony. To learn more, head to https://ottoaerospace.com/ or connect with Paul on LinkedIn.

    About Your Host

    Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker, and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers, and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.

    Podcast CTA

    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review helps our show reach more people. Thank you!

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    35 m
  • The Inflection Point for Flight: Inside Electra Aero's Quiet Revolution in Air Mobility w/ Marc Allen

    The Inflection Point for Flight: Inside Electra Aero's Quiet Revolution in Air Mobility w/ Marc Allen
    Nov 6 2025
    In aerospace, we talk a lot about "the future of flight." But most of that conversation has been driven by fantasy. Fully electric aircraft that can't fly far enough, and technologies that look good in a render but can't sustain the physics or economics of real aviation. That's why what Electra Aero is building feels like the first practical revolution in modern air mobility. It's not about escaping airports altogether; it's about rethinking what access to the air actually means. A platform that combines the short-range flexibility of a helicopter with the efficiency, speed, and safety of a fixed-wing aircraft. A system that can land in 150 feet, carry nine passengers, and fly 1,000 miles...all at a cost per seat mile that rivals a Cessna Caravan. In other words, not a science experiment, but an aircraft for both the Pentagon and Palm Springs. When you look at the infrastructure, the capital, and the technology now converging, from turbo generators to hybrid propulsion, it's clear the "inflection point" for advanced air mobility is already here. The question isn't if we'll see it, but when the iceberg breaks the surface and everyone suddenly realizes how much has already been built underneath. What makes this design different enough for the Department of Defense to back it, and powerful enough to fly missions no existing aircraft can? In this episode, the CEO of Electra Aero, Mark Allen, joins me to dive into what it takes to turn an experimental prototype into a scalable aircraft production company. We also discuss how hybrid-electric flight could redefine how people and goods move between cities in the next decade. Things You’ll Learn In This Episode Why "payload-to-range" is the real metric that will define the winners in advanced air mobilityHow Electra's hybrid-electric system radically cuts maintenance and lifecycle costsWhy vertical takeoff isn't the future, ultra-short takeoff and landing isHow runway independence could transform both defense logistics and civilian travelWhat it takes to fund deep-tech aviation in a VC world built for SaaSWhy the next big shift in aerospace will feel like a "ketchup bottle" moment: slow, then all at onceHow leadership and team "swing" drive complex innovation when the mission is bigger than any one person Guest Bio: Marc Allen is the CEO of Electra Aero. At Electra, Marc is leading the charge in developing hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft to define the next level of seamless air travel connectivity. Through direct aviation, Electra is bringing air travel closer to where people live, work, and play - without airports, emissions, or noise. Marc joined Electra after a distinguished career at The Boeing Company, where he held several key leadership roles, including Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President for Strategy and Corporate Development. He led the $5 billion customer finance business before spending nearly a decade on Boeing's Executive Council, where he served as President of Boeing International and oversaw critical enterprise-wide functions. As head of all venture businesses, he led Wisk Aero's restructuring and full acquisition, focusing on the future of autonomous flight and serving as Chairman. Other roles at Boeing included President of the Embraer Partnership, President of Boeing China, and General Counsel of Boeing International. To learn more, go to http://electra.aero/ or connect with Marc on LinkedIn. Host Bio: Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years' experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer - with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings - Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women's Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you!
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    38 m
  • Cosmic Land Grab: Inside the New Space Arms Race w/ Tory Bruno [Replay]

    Cosmic Land Grab: Inside the New Space Arms Race w/ Tory Bruno [Replay]
    Oct 23 2025

    The new space race is beginning; It’s not just between nations, but between commercial giants, shadow governments, and emerging players staking claims to orbits that are becoming dangerously crowded. The world is entering an era where control of the orbits will define global power.

    What’s fueling this revolution isn’t just rocket science. It’s economic scale, exotic propellants, and a surge in miniaturized, high-functioning satellites. But with this explosion comes risk: orbital debris fields, collisions that could cripple constellations, and the looming specter of space warfare.

    In this replay episode, Tory Bruno, CEO of United Launch Alliance—the man behind one of the most ambitious launch companies—joins me on The Aerospace Executive Podcast. He brings unparalleled insight into what’s next in space—from transforming ULA away from the use of Russian engines to pioneering modular rockets designed for both commercial and defense missions, he has done it all!

    We cover the radical shifts reshaping orbital real estate, why small launch companies are failing despite demand, and why directed energy weapons in space might be the future of global defense.

    You’ll also learn:

    • Why the true space cost revolution isn’t in launch, but in satellite architecture

    • The hard truth about the “300% drop in launch prices” myth

    • How mini satellites are creating billion-dollar constellations and traffic jams in orbit

    • The quiet arms race: Anti-satellite weapons, Kessler syndrome, and debris fields that could end entire constellations

    • Why lasers may be the only real answer to hypersonic threats

    • Why methane propulsion is suddenly viable and what finally cracked the code

    • Why the biggest competitive edge isn’t rockets, it’s people

    Guest Bio

    Tory Bruno is the President and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), the largest rocket launch company in the world. Since taking the helm in August 2014, he has led ULA through a transformative era, retiring legacy systems, developing the next-generation Vulcan rocket, and expanding the company’s commercial and national security portfolio. Before ULA, Tory spent over three decades at Lockheed Martin, where he began his career as a propulsion engineer and steadily rose through the ranks to become a senior executive. He has deep expertise in advanced propulsion, hypersonics, missile defense, and launch systems, and is widely recognized as one of the aerospace industry’s most accomplished and forward-thinking leaders. Connect with Tory on LinkedIn.

    About Your Host

    Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association.

    Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm so our show reaches more people. Thank you!

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    59 m
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