Flight Department Show
Dr. Chris Broyhill
4.8from 17 ratings
- 15
- Episodes
- 17
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2026
- First episode
About Flight Department Show
The only business aviation show that will make you a better leader…so you make more money, get your people treated fairly, and stay in the business you love. We have a leadership crisis in business aviation. But through conversations with Aviation Directors, leaders and experts, you'll come away with practical, actionable steps to become the leader you were meant to be. From inside secrets to managing up your internal reporting executive…and simple steps to handle change more effectively…to powerful insights to setting a culture of belonging in your flight dept. You'll also learn how to uncover hidden pay raises… avoid dinner-table mistakes that make you look irresponsible to your partner or spouse… and how to walk into your next comp review armed with an approach HR respects and responds to. This show has one mission - make you a better Business Aviation Leader. Because when you're a better leader, you're better equipped to stay in the business you love.
- Publisher
- Dr. Chris Broyhill
- Category
- business · business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 19 Mar 2026
- Latest episode
- 8 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
15 episodes in the feed.
8 Oct 2026
Change Management for Aviation Directors: How To Win Over Your Flight Department w/ Lisa Archambeau
In my own change management experience, I wasn't as proactive as I could have been. I grew a flight department from nothing and nobody to four jets, a helicopter, 30-plus people, and two locations in just under four years. I realized later that I made lots of mistakes, including failing to get people involved at every level and early in the process. So I brought in co-author Lisa Archambeau to cover her chapter on change management. Lisa is President and Facilitator of ServiceElements International and a fellow member of the NBAA Business Aviation Management Committee (BAMC). We covered some of the key mistakes aviation directors make, and what we can do differently to get more buy-in and lead though change. What You'll Discover In This Episode Lisa's experience fueling aircraft and apprenticing as an A&P mechanic to 2 decades coaching business aviation leadership teams Why change must be sold…not just managed How to create excitement for change Why we need 'champions' at all levels (and how to create them) How to manage sudden, top-down change Keys to handling the 'hold-outs' who won't get on board About the Guest Lisa Archambeau, CAM, is President and Facilitator of ServiceElements International, Inc. She authored Chapter 14, Change Management, in The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence (2025). Her 30+ years in business aviation span roles from apprentice aviation mechanic and scheduler to program manager, sales director, and business development manager at FlightSafety International, FirstFlight Aircraft Management and Charter, and Universal Weather & Aviation. A member of the NBAA Business Aviation Management Committee, she is co-chairing the 2026 and 2027 NBAA Leadership Conferences. She is also a Certified Flight Instructor and a frequent speaker at industry events. Click to learn more about Lisa and ServiceElements (https://serviceelements.com/), or connect with Lisa on LinkedIn. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
17 Sept 2026
Total Rewards & Compensation in Business Aviation | Corporate Pilot Salary
HR and flight departments don't speak the same language on compensation. So if you understand their language, you'll have a big advantage in any salary negotiation. This conversation breaks down total rewards and different categories of compensation. So whether you want to raise your corporate pilot salary, or get our entire flight department paid fairly, you go into every negotiation with an approach HR respects. What You'll Discover In This Episode The 5 components of total rewards One phrase that will make HR treat you differently The hidden $15k raise buried inside your medical benefits The lever HR can pull even if your base salary is maxed out Why 'cheap' always shows up in safety What it looks like to 'go to bat' for your people on compensation About the CoHost Matt Johnson is the founder of MicroFamous, a video marketing agency, as well as the author of MicroFamous. A former licensed agent, Matt was a founding co-host of Real Estate Uncensored, a podcast that received over 3.5 million views and downloads. Matt and the MicroFamous team are behind the video shows and podcasts of top real estate coaches and thought leaders. Learn more at GetMicroFamous.com. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
3 Sept 2026
The Leadership Pipeline Business Aviation Isn't Building w/ Dan Wolfe
Business aviation has spent years talking about talent shortages, leadership gaps, and the difficulty of attracting the next generation. But the deeper problem may be what happens after people enter the industry. Too many flight departments rely on informal knowledge transfer, loosely structured onboarding, and leaders who are too consumed by daily operations to deliberately develop their people. The result is a fragile leadership pipeline: employees may learn how to perform the job, but not how the department supports the business, how to lead a team, or how to prepare for the next stage of their careers. Dan Wolfe believes mentorship must become a purposeful leadership responsibility, not an occasional conversation or an optional act of generosity. Drawing on nearly five decades in aviation and more than 30 years rising from copilot to aviation vice president, Dan explains how structured mentorship strengthens culture, improves succession planning, develops future leaders, and helps departments preserve the knowledge the industry cannot afford to lose. The question is not simply whether you are mentoring someone. It is whether your department will be stronger after you leave. What You'll Discover In This Episode Why mentorship should be treated as a core leadership responsibility rather than something leaders provide when time allows How failing to develop internal talent leaves flight departments dependent on external hires when leadership positions suddenly open Why every new employee needs to understand the company's mission and the business purpose of the aircraft, not only their operational role How formal internship programs can strengthen the entire department by turning experienced employees into teachers, mentors, and emerging leaders Why effective mentorship requires individual development plans, clear deliverables, and active accountability from both the mentor and the mentee How leaders can identify potential in employees who do not yet see themselves as future managers or aviation directors Why developing a high performer who eventually leaves for a larger opportunity should be viewed as an industry success, not a departmental failure. About the Guest Dan Wolfe is an aviation leader, experienced vice president, aircraft captain, coach, consultant, and mentor with ServiceElements International Inc. He brings nearly five decades of aviation experience, including more than 31 years with Nationwide, where he progressed from copilot to captain, chief pilot, associate vice president, and ultimately vice president, general manager, and aircraft captain. Throughout his career, Dan has built a strong track record in business aviation leadership, operations management, talent development, workforce retention, and succession planning. His work has centered not only on operating high-performing flight departments, but also on developing the people and leadership pipelines needed to sustain them. Dan's aviation qualifications include ATP, CFII, and A&P certifications, along with numerous aircraft type ratings. Today, he applies that experience as a coach, consultant, and mentor, helping aviation professionals and flight departments strengthen leadership, culture, and operational performance. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
13 Aug 2026
Flight Dept Conflict Is Rarely About the First Problem You See w/ Kellie Rittenhouse
What if conflict in a flight department is rarely about the first problem you see? In business aviation, pressure tests more than the aircraft, the schedule, or the procedures. It tests the culture behind the operation. Kellie Rittenhouse, Director of Aviation and contributor to The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence, joins us to share a practical lens on conflict resolution. Her message? Strong flight department leadership starts with asking better questions, communicating where people are, and addressing tension before it becomes a bigger operational issue. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why conflict resolution is not a "soft skill," but a core leadership capability in high-performing flight departments How Kellie's non-traditional path from scheduling and dispatch to director of aviation gives her a different view of operational leadership Why business aviation leaders must build trust before stress, travel disruptions, or mechanical issues expose communication gaps How small misunderstandings can become major team conflicts when leaders fail to ask better questions early Why "communicating where people are" matters more than simply sending the message How crucial conversations can give flight departments a shared language for tension, accountability, and repair Why retention is not only about compensation, and how schedule, trust, professional development, and life stage all shape whether people stay About the Guest Kellie Rittenhouse is an accomplished aviation professional, CAM fellow, and the Director of Aviation at Hangar Aviation Management, LLC. With a strong background in the industry, Kellie has been an integral part of the CAM Governing Board. Based at the Oakland County International Airport (PTK) in Waterford, MI, Hangar Aviation Management is an aviation services company that supports a fleet of four aircraft with a domestic and international travel profile for both business and personal use. Kellie's dedication to the aviation community extends beyond her role as the Director of Aviation. She is actively involved in shaping the future of business aviation as the Chair of the Michigan Business Aviation Association's (MBAA) Board of Directors. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
6 Aug 2026
Before the Seat Is Empty: What It Takes to Develop Tomorrow's Flight Dept Leaders w/ Dr. John Gale
Flight departments often think carefully about aircraft, safety systems, operations, budgets, and compliance. But the same level of intentionality is not always applied to people. Development is too often treated as something that happens after someone shows promise, asks for support, or gets pushed into a larger role. By then, the department may already be reacting to a gap that should have been addressed years earlier. Dr. John Gale argues that development has to become part of the flight department's operating discipline. Not just leadership training, another certification, or a generic corporate learning module. A real development culture connects individual interests, aptitude, organizational needs, aviation-specific capability, and long-term business value. With experience across military aviation, Fortune 100 flight departments, business education, and consulting, John brings a practical view of what it takes to build stronger teams over time. In this episode, Dr. Gale explains why development in business aviation can't be treated as a perk, a checkbox, or something that begins when a leadership role opens. What You'll Discover In This Episode Why development should begin long before someone is considered for promotion, succession, or a larger leadership role How to think about development as an investment in people, not a discretionary benefit or budget extra Why strong development plans have to align the individual's interests, aptitudes, timing, and goals with the needs of the flight department The difference between generic company training and aviation-specific development that actually strengthens the department Why "fit" matters in hiring, development, retention, and culture — and why credentials alone are not enough How leaders can support both future leaders and high-performing individual contributors who do not want to manage people Why investing in development influences far more than career growth, including safety, morale, resilience, retention, and enterprise credibility About the Guest Dr. John Gale (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johngale1/) is a business aviation leader, consultant, and former Fortune 100 aviation executive with extensive experience leading complex global flight departments. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Aviation for two major Fortune 100 companies, overseeing large-scale aviation operations with significant aircraft assets, global travel demands, and high-performing teams. His career spans military aviation, corporate aviation, public affairs, government affairs, and executive leadership. A former Marine Corps aviator, Dr. Gale is an ATP-rated pilot with approximately 9,000 flight hours and type ratings across multiple aircraft, including Gulfstreams, Falcons, Citations, King Airs, and DC-9s. As a contributor to The Business Aviation Book, Dr. Gale authored the chapter on development, bringing a practical and strategic perspective on how flight departments can prepare people earlier, build stronger teams, and align individual growth with the needs of the organization. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
16 Jul 2026
The Cost of Reactive Flight Department Leadership w/ Dylan Miller and Max Palmer
What happens when the compensation market moves faster than your flight department? Business aviation compensation continues to outpace the salary increases offered by many corporations. Yet leaders often do not recognize how far behind they have fallen until a valued employee leaves, and replacing that person may require a type rating, higher market compensation, and months of rebuilding operational trust. But compensation is only part of the leadership challenge. In this special crossover episode, I'm sharing the conversation on the 21.Five Professional Pilots Podcast, with Dylan Miller and Max Palmer. My message? Leadership cannot begin after someone resigns, a compliance problem surfaces, or tension becomes impossible to ignore. What You'll Discover In This Episode Why relying on standard 3- 4% corporate raises can leave aviation compensation significantly behind the market How paying at the 50th percentile introduces retention risk, and when schedule predictability can offset a lower salary Why expensive type ratings need to be accompanied by a visible compensation and career-progression path How aircraft class, mission profile, position, and location influence compensation more than experience, flight hours, or tenure Why informal salary comparisons between flight department leaders can create antitrust and price-fixing concerns How technically accomplished pilots are promoted into leadership without preparation for taxes, employment law, financial management, and organizational strategy Why strong aviation leaders never stop learning, and must identify operational knowledge gaps before those gaps threaten people, compliance, or the flight department itself About the Guests Dylan Miller is a Business Aviation Leader and co-host of the 21.Five Professional Pilots Podcast. He is a seasoned professional pilot with 20 years of experience across various aviation sectors, including airlines, Part 135 charter, and Part 91 corporate/HNWI operations. Currently, he manages a small flight department that operates a Challenger 350. An active participant in the business aviation community, Dylan has held several leadership positions, such as President of the Arizona Business Aviation Association and Co-Chair of NBAA's Small Flight Department Committee. Max Palmer is a Professional Pilot, G280 Captain, First Officer at Southwest Airlines, and co-host of the 21.Five Professional Pilots Podcast. He has a broad range of aviation experience in both private and commercial aviation. Max is also an experienced flight department manager, pilot, and real estate professional. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
2 Jul 2026
Employment Law Questions Every Aviation Director Should Be Asking w/ Mike Nichols
Employment regulations are one of those leadership responsibilities aviation directors know they cannot ignore. But knowing they matter is not the same as knowing where the real risks are. A flight department can be highly disciplined about FAA compliance, safety, training, maintenance, and operational standards, but still have blind spots. These can be around how employees are classified, how overtime is handled, whether a salaried role is truly exempt, or whether a job description still matches what someone actually does every day. That is where employment law becomes more than an HR topic. It affects compensation, retention, employee trust, legal exposure, and the way the company evaluates the professionalism of the flight department itself. It also forces aviation leaders to confront a reality many were never formally trained for: leading a flight department means understanding the business and people systems around the operation, not just the aircraft and the mission. In this episode, Mike Nichols returns to unpack the employment regulations aviation leaders most need to understand, from FLSA and OSHA to age discrimination and retirement policies. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why employment law belongs in the aviation director's leadership toolkit, not buried in the background as a purely HR function The FLSA misconception that can create real risk: assuming a salaried aviation employee is automatically exempt from overtime Why job titles are not enough and how what someone actually does day to day can matter more than what their position is called The classification challenges that show up around pilots, maintenance professionals, schedulers, and dispatchers in Part 91 flight departments How irregular schedules, after-hours calls, holiday travel, and "availability to fly" complicate the way aviation work fits inside corporate HR systems Why OSHA still matters for small flight departments, including the misunderstood "rule of 10" and where FAA jurisdiction begins How mandatory retirement policies can become legally risky when aviation leaders apply airline assumptions to corporate flight departments Why the strongest move for aviation directors is not trying to know everything, but building the right relationship with HR, legal counsel, and internal business partners About the Guest Mike Nichols (CAM, CAE, IOM) is the founder of Flieger Strategies, a consulting company serving non-profit organizations, private/business aviation companies, and aircraft owners/operators. Flieger's primary client is the Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) and the PMOPA Safety & Education Foundation, where Mike serves as CEO. Nichols was a senior executive at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), where he worked for 18 years. During his tenure at NBAA, Nichols advocated for the business aviation industry on FAA rule-making committees, effectively preventing the implementation of onerous regulations while facilitating those that enhance safety and operations (among many other accomplishments). He is also an active instrument-rated private pilot and owns a Grumman Tiger aircraft. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
18 Jun 2026
The Flight Departments That Win Talent Before They Need It w/ Sheryl Barden
Flight departments often feel the pressure of hiring only after someone leaves. But by then, the real work may already be overdue. In business aviation, attracting and retaining talent is no longer just about compensation, type ratings, or filling an open seat. The strongest departments are thinking much earlier: Why is this role open? What does the team actually need? What kind of culture are people walking into? Are current employees becoming advocates for the organization, or warning signs? Sheryl Barden of Aviation Personnel International has spent her career inside these questions. Her chapter in The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence looks at talent through the full lifecycle: recruiting, hiring, onboarding, retaining, and even supporting people through difficult transitions when departments downsize or close. In this conversation, Sheryl explains why recruitment has become a 24/7 leadership responsibility, how culture shapes retention, and why the departments that become true employers of choice are the ones best positioned for the decade ahead. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why recruitment in business aviation has to happen before there is an open position, not after the team is already under pressure How to diagnose whether a job opening is a healthy growth, a natural transition, or a warning sign of deeper retention problems Why turnover is not just expensive — it disrupts culture, strains the remaining team, and can introduce new risk into the safety environment The difference between hiring for credentials and hiring for true organizational fit Why "hire slowly" does not mean dragging out the process, but doing the strategic work before candidates ever enter the pipeline How weak communication around problem employees can create its own damaging narrative inside a flight department Why aviation leaders need HR as a real partner, not just a compliance function they call when something goes wrong About the Guest Sheryl Barden is a workforce strategist and the CEO of Aviation Personnel International (API), the longest-running HR consulting and recruiting firm in business aviation. A visionary leader and respected HR professional, Sheryl helps Part 91 aviation organizations create transformative teams and workplace cultures that elevate performance, retain top talent, and strengthen service excellence. A trusted thought leader and monthly AINsight columnist for Aviation International News, Sheryl is frequently invited to speak and write about compensation, mentorship, retention, and workforce trends. She offers practical, creative solutions that help business aviation operators become an "employer of choice." About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
4 Jun 2026
Flight Dept Leadership Isn't Corporate Leadership With Airplanes w/ Matt Johnson
Leadership in business aviation carries a weight most corporate leaders never have to think about. Aviation directors aren't simply managing schedules, aircraft, people, and budgets. They are leading an operation where poor decisions can have life-and-death consequences, while often reporting to executives who may not fully understand aviation at all. That creates a unique leadership challenge. The aviation leader has to translate technical complexity into business language, manage up with clarity, build trust across departments, and shape a culture where people understand what matters long before pressure hits. In this episode, I'm joined by our podcast producer and CEO of MicroFamous, Matt Johnson, for a discussion around Chapter Two of The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence. We explore why leadership had to appear early in the book, what makes aviation leadership different from other corporate roles, and why culture is not built through slogans. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why leadership in business aviation carries an "unlimited liability" that separates it from most corporate functions How aviation directors can educate executives without overwhelming them with technical language or industry acronyms Why managing up starts with understanding how the executive team really views the flight department The difference between military authority and civilian leadership How authenticity, integrity, and emotional intelligence show up in practical leadership moments, not just leadership theory Why culture is shaped by small visible decisions: who gets praised, promoted, resourced, or corrected The "near rocks, far rocks, check six" framework for separating management from leadership About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
21 May 2026
"Best Person for the Job" Is More Complicated Than Flight Depts Think w/ Jennifer Pickerel
For years, business aviation has relied on familiar hiring patterns: the known network, the same backgrounds, the same assumptions about who is "qualified," and the same narrow definitions of merit. But in an industry facing real talent pressure, that approach is becoming harder to defend. The conversation around diversity often becomes politicized before the real business issue gets addressed. Jennifer Pickerel of Aviation Personnel International brings the discussion back to where it belongs: culture, fit, readiness, and varied perspectives. Jennifer was the right person to write one of the most important and difficult chapters in The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence. Her point is that many flight departments talk about standards, but few have clearly defined what those standards actually are. If "best person for the job" only means the person who looks most familiar on paper, leaders may be missing capable candidates, importing cultural problems, and creating teams with dangerous blind spots. In this episode, Jennifer explains why diverse thinking is not a slogan; it is an operational advantage. She also breaks down what flight departments need to do before bringing different backgrounds into the room. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why "best person for the job" is often more subjective than aviation leaders realize How narrow hiring filters can create groupthink, even inside technically excellent flight departments Why cultural fit should not be confused with hiring people who already feel familiar The hidden risk of relying too heavily on friends-and-family networks when filling aviation roles Why non-pilot leaders may bring valuable advantages to director-level roles traditionally held by pilots How departments can unintentionally set diverse hires up to fail when the team has not been prepared for change Why business aviation's lack of transparency is making the talent crisis harder to solve Guest Bio Jennifer Pickerel is President of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running business aviation recruitment and HR workforce solutions firm serving corporate and private aviation. With more than 20 years in business aviation, Jennifer brings deep expertise in talent identification, workforce strategy, leadership development, organisational wellness, culture, retention, and employee experience. At API, she works closely with aviation directors, corporate HR teams, reporting executives, and high-net-worth flight departments to help organisations identify the right talent, strengthen team health, and build cultures that support safety, trust, and long-term performance. A recognised thought leader in business aviation, Jennifer frequently speaks and writes on hiring trends, inclusion, retention, and organisational health. Connect with her on LinkedIn or learn more at API Aviation. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
7 May 2026
Promoted but Unprepared: The Truth About Going from the Line to Leadership w/ Matt Gray & Jamie Stember
Most leadership roles in business aviation aren't earned; they're inherited. The best pilot becomes the chief pilot. The strongest technician becomes the manager. And suddenly, someone trained to execute is expected to lead. But leadership isn't an extension of technical skill. It's a completely different discipline. As flight departments evolve into true business units, accountable for performance, talent, and strategic value, the cracks in that assumption are starting to show. Teams are harder to manage, expectations are higher, and the cost of weak leadership is no longer just internal friction; it's turnover, inefficiency, and lost credibility at the executive level. In this conversation, Matt Gray and Jamie Stember, both contributors to The Business Aviation Book, where they authored the chapter on management theories, break down why management theory still matters and what most leaders misunderstand about their role. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why leadership and management are fundamentally different disciplines, and why confusing them creates hidden failure points The real reason technical experts struggle when promoted into leadership roles How modern flight departments are shifting from "luxury function" to accountable business units, and what that demands from leaders Why one-size-fits-all leadership fails, and how effective leaders adapt to individual motivations inside the same team The overlooked role of incentives - what people say they want vs. what actually drives their behavior The real driver behind talent loss (it's not compensation) Why self-awareness and feedback are the foundation of effective leadership Guests Bio Matt Gray is the Assistant Chief Pilot at The Hershey Company, where he brings decades of experience across business aviation operations and leadership. With a career spanning nearly 30 years in aviation, including time in airline, charter, and corporate environments, Matt has built a reputation for bridging technical expertise with people-focused leadership. He currently serves as Chair of the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Governing Board and is a CAM Fellow, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing leadership standards within the industry. Jamie Stember is a seasoned business aviation leader, pilot, and asset manager with more than three decades of experience in the industry. A former Director of Aviation, Jamie spent 20 years leading an in-house flight department, overseeing aircraft operations, team development, budgeting, and strategic transportation solutions. Today, he is part of the team at Eagle Aircraft and Transportation Management, where he helps deliver tailored aviation solutions for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Jamie is a Fellow of the NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program and has served in leadership roles at the industry level, including as Chair of the CAM Governing Board. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
16 Apr 2026
The Aviation Director Role Has Changed, Most Leaders Haven't w/ Steve Brechter
Flight departments are no longer operating in the environment they were built for. It used to be a CEO-aligned function. Now it's often pushed deeper into the organization. Reporting to leaders who may not even use the aircraft, competing for budget, and forced to justify its existence like any other business unit. At the same time, the expectations placed on aviation directors have expanded dramatically. The problem? Most were never developed for that role. When we began shaping The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence, it became clear that before you can teach operational excellence, you have to redefine the role itself. That's why Steve's perspective didn't just fit into the book; it became Chapter One. Today, Steve Brechter of Greystone Advisors breaks down why so many leaders are struggling to adapt. He outlines the competencies that now define success and the leadership gaps quietly reshaping the industry. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why the aviation director role has moved away from the CEO, and how that changes everything about influence, budget, and survival The critical mistake of promoting top technical performers into leadership roles without developing business capability The five competencies modern aviation leaders actually need (and why most are missing at least two) How financial fluency, not flight hours, has become a defining leadership advantage Why flight departments are shutting down, and how weak internal "marketing" is often the real cause The overlooked importance of presence inside the corporate office (and why "two offices" is now essential) The difference between training and development, and why this gap is quietly driving turnover, frustration, and leadership failure Guest Bio Steve Brechter is a Senior Advisor, Operations at Gray Stone Advisors, where he helps organizations improve performance through operational excellence, leadership development, and strategic transformation. With a career spanning over four decades, Steve has held senior leadership roles across business aviation and industrial sectors, including serving as Chief Operating Officer of NetJets and leading United Technologies' corporate flight operation, UTFlight, to become the first in the world to achieve ISO9000 certification. He began his career at United Technologies Corporation, rising through engineering, manufacturing, and executive leadership roles, including VP of Quality and Environmental Health & Safety. Steve holds both an MS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was named a Distinguished Alumnus, and continues to serve on multiple nonprofit boards. Learn more or connect with Steve via Greystone Advisors' website or professional networks. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
2 Apr 2026
Business Aviation Leaders Needed This Resource…So We Created It w/ Mike Nichols
Flight departments are stretched thin. Aviation Directors spend more time fighting fires than leading. Organizations are going through massive shifts in culture and reporting structure. When Mike and I looked at this landscape, we knew something was missing. A resource needed to be created. So we split the workload in half and rolled up our sleeves. Two years later, we realized we'd made a fundamental mistake…a leadership mistake. Today Mike Nichols joins us to share the genesis of The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence, the shift that unlocked the completion of the book, and how we aimed the book at the key challenges facing modern flight departments. What You'll Discover in This Episode The real reason aviation directors spend their days firefighting instead of leading…and why even the largest flight departments are structured almost to prevent great leadership The most limiting mindset a flight department leader can have… and the broader framework the industry desperately needs to adopt Why Mike walked away from a Senior VP role he loved at the peak of his career…and the uncomfortable question he asked himself that drove him to take drastic action Why the "Chairman's Chariot" era is over… and what it means for every flight department leader who still thinks job security comes from the corner office upstairs The uncomfortable truth about how most Aviation Directors got their role…and how this directly leads to the leadership crisis we're facing How the industry's most important annual leadership conference can deliver lots of inspiration, yet very little change…and what actually has to happen for leadership development to stick Why Mike Nichols believes some flight departments should close…and how the role of some flight departments may radically shift in the coming years Guest Bio Mike Nichols (CAM, CAE, IOM) is the founder of Flieger Strategies, a consulting company serving non-profit organizations, private/business aviation companies, and aircraft owners/operators. Flieger's primary client is the Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) and the PMOPA Safety & Education Foundation where Mike serves as CEO. Nichols was a senior executive at National Business Aviation Association (https://nbaa.org/) (NBAA) where he worked for 18 years. During his tenure at NBAA, Nichols advocated for the business aviation industry on FAA rule making committees, effectively preventing the implementation of onerous regulations while facilitating those that enhance safety and operations (among many other accomplishments). He is also an active instrument-rated private pilot and owns a Grumman Tiger aircraft. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
2 Apr 2026
The Quiet Crisis in Business Aviation
A Vietnam-era fighter pilot who landed in a mud pit. A 34-chapter encyclopedia of business aviation wisdom. A new data-driven method for analyzing flight department compensation. It took all those factors…and years of flight department leadership…to create one epiphany. A breakthrough insight into business aviation's current crisis. I'm your host, Dr. Chris Broyhill. In this first episode, I break down this quiet crisis and how I created The Flight Department Show to address it. Through stories, anecdotes, and real-world data, I hope you'll see the crisis the way I do…as an opportunity. By leveling up our skills in one key area, we can get ourselves and our people paid fairly, create a culture of belonging, and stay in the business we all love. Here's what You'll Discover in This Episode What a Vietnam-era fighter pilot who landed in a mud pit taught me about leadership…and why you've almost certainly never met a business aviation leader you'd "follow into war" The missing ingredient to getting paid fairly…so you can stay in the business you love The overlooked factors that drive retention…or drive good people out of your flight department The hidden downside of flying for the airlines…and why moving into business aviation was one of my best decisions The most dangerous words a flight department leader can say to themselves The "Leadership Lab" hiding inside the military…that exposed the same deficiencies our industry suffers from today How a one-question LinkedIn poll revealed an uncomfortable truth about business aviation leadership The conversation most flight department leaders are too uncomfortable to have…and the skills it takes to have the conversation and win About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Resources Get the Data, Win the Negotiation, Stay in the Business You Love. To get your compensation report, visit AirCompCalculator.com (http://aircompcalculator.com/). We have a range of options for different scenarios and budgets, from validating a specific job offer, to packages for entire departments. Check out this episode on our website, YouTube, 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 leaders in business aviation. Thank you!
19 Mar 2026
The Flight Department Show - Trailer
The only business aviation show that will make you a better leader…so you make more money, get your people treated fairly, and stay in the business you love. We have a leadership crisis in business aviation. But through conversations with Aviation Directors, leaders and experts, you'll come away with practical, actionable steps to become the leader you were meant to be. From inside secrets to managing up your internal reporting executive…and simple steps to handle change more effectively…to powerful insights to setting a culture of belonging in your flight dept. You'll also learn how to uncover hidden pay raises… avoid dinner-table mistakes that make you look irresponsible to your partner or spouse… and how to walk into your next comp review armed with an approach HR respects and responds to. This show has one mission - make you a better Business Aviation Leader. Because when you're a better leader, you're better equipped to stay in the business you love. About Your Host Dr. Chris Broyhill is the industry's most respected authority on business aviation compensation. An industry veteran with over 43 years of aviation experience, Dr. Broyhill has led several scientific research projects on personnel retention, compensation, and leadership for the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) since 2017. Dr. Chris holds a Ph.D. in Aviation and has published two books that feature the results of his work. He's also an outstanding graduate of the USAF Fighter Weapons School, an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Fellow, and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).
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- 13 ratings
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- 4 ratings
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