The Aerospace Executive Podcast

Charter Clients Want Speed, So Why Are Bookings Still Slow? w/ Greg Johnson

For an industry that promises speed and convenience, booking a charter flight is still painfully slow. Customers pay a premium for flexibility and time, but the booking experience feels stuck in another era.  Manual steps, disconnected systems, PDFs bouncing around, and payment delays that leave too much uncertainty after a decision’s already been made.  Demand isn’t the issue; the process is. And the tricky part is that the problem doesn’t live in one place. It shows up between quoting and booking. Between booking and payment. Between sales and dispatch.  Everyone’s doing their part, but they’re doing it on tools that don’t really talk to each other. As volumes grow, those gaps don’t just slow things down. They create blind spots, add risk, and make scaling harder than it needs to be. On paper, the workflow looks fine. In practice, handoffs pile up, confirmation gets fuzzy, and convenience starts to break down. What breaks when charter sales and payments are treated as separate problems, and what does it look like when a platform is built around both? In this episode, I sit down with Greg Johnson, President of Tuvoli. We talk about why the charter industry is lagging behind customer demand, where things start to slip after a deal is supposed to be done, and how Tuvoli is bringing clarity to that moment instead of adding more steps. You’ll also learn; * Why charter booking still feels slow in a premium, time-sensitive market * Where the process starts to break down between the quote, booking, and payment * How disconnected systems create blind spots for brokers and operators * Why payments became the anchor point for trust and visibility * What happens when confirmation isn’t clear or timely * Why fixing one step in isolation doesn’t solve the bigger issue * How charter-specific tools differ from generic sales platforms * Where automation is already reducing friction * How AI is starting to influence quoting and pricing decisions * What operators risk by sticking with legacy workflows About the Guest Greg Johnson is the President of Tuvoli, an end-to-end platform built to simplify quoting, booking, and trip management in charter aviation. Greg is an entrepreneurial leader with deep experience at the intersection of aviation, operations, and technology. He’s known for identifying where processes break down and using technology to drive real, measurable improvements. Colleagues often describe him as “a business guy who actually understands the technology.” His background spans contract services for major passenger airlines, a business process improvement role at Federal Express, the founding of a technology-driven private jet charter brokerage, leadership of the IT team at the world’s largest air charter brokerage, and the creation of an online community serving the charter aviation space. Greg has worked across Fortune 100 companies, private equity-backed organizations, and early-stage startups. His experience covers Part 121 airlines, cargo operations, general aviation, and private jets, with leadership roles spanning operations, executive management, technology, and business development. To learn more, visit https://www.tuvoli.com/ [https://www.tuvoli.com/] and connect with Greg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bizavgreg/].  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.    For more aerospace industry news & commentary: https://craigpicken.com/insights/ [https://craigpicken.com/insights/].  To learn more about Craig Picken, visit https://craigpicken.com/ [https://craigpicken.com/].

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

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 back * How uncaptured and unstructured spoken information creates hidden risk in regulated industries * Why forcing people to “enter data” guarantees low-quality outcomes * How speech can become structured, compliant data without retraining massive models * What United Airlines saw that made them invest before becoming a customer * How real-time spoken data changes safety culture, not just reporting * Why most AI pilots fail to show ROI and how to avoid that trap * How capturing frontline insights early enables proactive safety instead of reactive investigations * Why 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/ [https://aiola.ai/], send an email to amir@aiola.ai, [http://aiola.ai/]or connect with Amir on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirharamaty/].    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.

The Hardest Transition in Leadership w/ Bill Koch

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 challenging * How 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 do * Why 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/ [https://www.kochleadership.com/] or read Bill’s latest insights on Forbes [https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescoachescouncil/2025/11/06/from-entrepreneur-to-enterprise-leader-the-founders-biggest-challenge/].    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 [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], 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!

Business Aviation Is Stuck in the Past, This is What It Needs w/ Jack Lambert

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 see * How a tech marketplace with 2,000+ airplanes solves the real bottleneck: lift, not luxury * The cultural and behavioral shifts operators must make for safety to actually mean something * Why the “Henry” flyer (high earner, not rich yet) is reshaping private travel demand * The economics behind brokers, GRPs, and why seven middlemen on one trip destroys value * How small operators can access fuel savings, maintenance leverage, and real safety oversight through scale * How Flyhouse’s split-flight functionality turns private travel into a predictable, shareable, lifestyle product * The 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/ [https://www.goflyhouse.com/] and connect with Jack on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlambert32].   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 [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], 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!

Thin Film Solar Panels Unlock Maneuverability Without Regret in Space w/ Paul Warley

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 orbit * How thin-film’s flexibility and high-voltage capability unlock new spacecraft architectures * Why 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 shift * Why 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/ [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 [https://aerospaceexecutive.podbean.com/], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134/], or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4yFXeO6eiYQTSDEtlQ2K6x?si=61d6b2bd825c4ed1/], 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!