Pilot to Pilot

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
Pilot to Pilot Magazine
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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.

THE PILOT TO PILOT MAGAZINE HAS LANDED!!!!!
Thirteen articles + thirteen companion podcasts.
Read. Listen. Share.
Thinking about making the jump from fractional to the airlines—or wondering which path is right for you? In this episode, I break down my personal experience going from flying the Citation Latitude at a fractional operation to flying a 737 as a major airline pilot.
We cover the real pros and cons of each career path: the seven-day work weeks and FBO life of fractional flying versus the "turn left and you're done" simplicity of airline operations. From quality of life changes after becoming a parent to the grind of short-call reserve, I try to give an honest, no-holds-barred comparison of both worlds.
Whether you're chasing Garmin avionics and owner interactions or looking for longer overnights and schedule predictability, this episode will help you understand what to expect from each side of the professional pilot world.
Topics covered:
Quality of life: 7 on 7 off vs. airline scheduling
Customer service and crew dynamics
The reality of short-call reserve
Making the decision that's right for your family