Bob Bonjukian joins us on Talking Flight and introduces our audience to the Airline Dispatcher and Flight Control Career Field. He just finished an amazing career at Alaska Airlines.

Bob dreamed of becoming a pilot when he was in High School, but life got in the way. So he found a workaround and entered the prestigious field of Airline Dispatching and later became one of the "Field Generals" who makes the critical minute to minute decisions to keep the Alaska Airlines operation running smoothly.

We learn about the behind the scenes efforts of our Dispatcher to assist the Pilots in making their flights safe and efficient. The Dispatchers begin to work on a flight long before the pilots arrive at the airport. They are a major reason why the Airline Business has built such a great safety record.

Bob says "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams".

Captain Mike Swanigan visits with his boss, Alaska Airlines Chief Pilot, Captain John Hornibrook.

They have a great conversation about John's aviation journey, and what it takes to become a pilot for Alaska Airlines.

John shares his adventures as a young pilot flying for Great Lakes Aviation in the upper midwest of the USA. We learn about the people who mentored John, and we talk about the importance of relationships in aviation.

We visit with Empire Airlines Captain Mark Holden. Mark is one of our regular listeners, and he reached out to us at www.talkingflight@gmail.com.

Mark graciously agreed to appear on this episode of Talking Flight and he is the very first Regional Pilot to appear on our program.

Mark talks about his early days flying as a Student Pilot at the Redmond Roberts Field in Redmond Oregon. He met the Airport Manager, Carrie Novick, and she encouraged him to persue his dream of becoming a Professional Aviator.

After getting his Private Certificate as a High School kid, Mark went on to Embry Riddle University to obtain his advanced certificates and his College Degree.

Mark tells us about his varied flying background, including his time as a Freight Pilot, and later progressing into the Medical Airlift Business. 

Mark is currently a Captain for Empire Airlines, and he is flying ATR42-500 in the Hawaiian Islands. The Airlines serves as a feeder for Hawaiian Airlines under the brand name of "Ohana by Hawaiian".

When I asked Mark what advice that he had for beginning pilots, he said "Don't be shy, ask a lot of questions".

Captain James "Zip" Trower visits us at Talking Flight. Zip is a Retired Naval Officer and a Retired Alaska Airlines Captain.

My friendship with Zip goes back more than 30 years. He is an amazing leader with a wicked sense of humor!

In this Podcast, we talk to Zip about his Naval career. We learn about the rigorous training, and what it is like to land a jet on an Aircraft Carrier. Zip also tells us about his duties as a Landing Signal Officer (LSO), and what happens when you have a fake Admiral on your plane.

After leaving the Active Duty Navy, Zip went to Alaska Airlines to begin his civilian career. He had to learn the differences and nuances between Military flying and flying a Commercial Airliner with 140 passengers on board. Captain Don Fox took him under his wing, and showed him the real way that an airliner should be flown.

Zip was part of the Check Airman team that indroduced the MD-83 Aircraft to Alaska Airlines. He later became the Fleet Captain on that jet. We discuss the challenges that they faced in bringing a group of hard core stick and rudder pilots into the digital flight guidance age.

Alaska Airlines spent several years flying into the Russian Far East, and Zip shares some of the challenges of flying into that part of the world. 

Zip says "Put your ego aside, and learn and practice, learn and practice."

I hope that you will enjoy our time with Zip as much as I did. Pure Magic!

Contact us at: www.talkingflight@gmail.com

Alaska Airlines Captain George Bozlinski joins us on this episode of Talking Flight. We have a great conversation about George's journey into a flying career and his adventures at Alaska Airlines.

Here are some of the things that we covered in this episode:

• How he worked with a student pilot who had a fear of flying.
• George's past life as a Mime.
• His most embarrasing moment as a 727 Second Officer (Flight Engineer).
• A retirement flight that went rogue, and how today's technology would prevent that from happening.
• The life of a 727 First Officer (Copilot).
• How the September 11, 2001 Terror Attacks inspired George to become a Television Producer.
• George's methods of getting a pilot through a training issue on the 737.
• The day George and his friends hit a golf ball on the world's longest commercial runway.

This is a great conversation that we know everyone will enjoy. George says "Don't Give up!....Believe in yourself!"

Captain Mike Swanigan interviews Alaska Airlines Flight Simulator Engineer DeMarco Best about his journey into the world of Flight Simulation. It all began on a 6th grade field trip to the JFK airport in New York.

Demarco tells us what he had to do to overcome his initial difficulties in getting through the challenging USAF training environment. 

Later, they talk about the upcoming shortage of Simulator Engineers and Simulator Technicians.

"In Technology, you have to keep learning, or you will be left behind." DeMarco Best.

Mike Swanigan gives some helpful advice on how to improve your performance on flight checks. Remember to Bug It, Brief It, Scan It, and Check It! 

Contact us at talkingflight@gmail.com

Mike goes up to Canada to spend time with John Lovelace. John has produced and hosted several aviation themed television programs, including "Wings over Canada", "The Aviators", and "West Coast Escapes TV". John is also the President of the Century Flight Club. Mike talks to John about his adventures as an aviator, and about the aviation television shows that he has created.

You can find more information about John at JohnLovelace.com and CrossCanadaflight.com

Contact us at TalkingFlight@gmail.com

Recorded April 18th 2013

Alaska Airlines Captain Mike Swanigan interviews First Officer Latisha "Tish" Shupert. Tish shares the story of her journey from a college basketball court to the flight deck of an Alaska Airlines 737. Her motto is "Wish it, Dream it, Do it". Special thanks to Alaska Airlines Captain Phil Parrish for the opening theme. Note: This is a re-release with audio correction.

Mike Swanigan interviews Alaska Airlines First Officer Michael Hendrix on how he succeeded in starting his quest to be an airline pilot at age 38.