The AeroExploration Podcast explores aviation’s past and the paths people are taking in the industry today. Join host Jim Schilling for stories of historic flights, modern aviation careers, and the passion that keeps us looking to the skies.
Aviation has a past worth remembering, destinations worth exploring, and people worth meeting.
This is AeroExploration.
Episode 87: Testing Air Cargo Containers With Fire | Inside IATA
What happens when something catches fire inside an aircraft's cargo compartment?
And how do you know that the equipment designed to contain that fire will actually work?
In Episode 87 of the Flying Midwest Podcast, Jim continues his conversation with Tom Brodowski, this time exploring his work with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the complex world of air cargo safety.
We take a deep dive into the testing, standards, and technology used to make air cargo safer—including live-fire testing of cargo containers and equipment. These tests aren't theoretical. Products are put through real-world conditions designed to determine how they perform when exposed to fire and other hazards.
Tom explains what goes into developing and testing these systems, what the aviation industry is looking for during a live burn test, and how the results can influence the equipment and procedures used throughout the global air cargo system.
And while most passengers never see the cargo operation happening below them, the work being done behind the scenes has a direct connection to aviation safety and the safety of the traveling public.
We'll also discuss Tom's work with IATA, the role of industry standards and collaboration, and the people working around the world to make sure air cargo can move safely through the aviation system.
If you haven't heard Episode 86 yet, start there for the first part of our conversation with Tom, where we explore the massive operation required to move baggage and cargo around the world every day.
▶️ Listen to Episode 86:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o4gCKTmcUvbZKWEGif5v6?si=QNrE5OQURzWMfZVUHqRrvQ (https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o4gCKTmcUvbZKWEGif5v6?si=QNrE5OQURzWMfZVUHqRrvQ)
From the baggage we check at the ticket counter to the cargo loaded deep inside an aircraft, there's an enormous system working behind the scenes to keep aviation moving—and keep it safe.
This is AeroExploration. Go beyond the cockpit and explore the people, technology, and systems that make aviation possible.
✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration (https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration)
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Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
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Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at (Jim@flyingmidwest.com)jim@flyingmidwest.com (jim@flyingmidwest.com) or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
#Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
31 Aug 2026
Episode 86 - The Hidden Logistics Network Behind Every Airlin
You see the airplane. You check your bag. You board your flight. But have you ever wondered about the massive logistics operation happening behind the scenes?
Every day, major airlines move thousands of pieces of baggage and enormous amounts of cargo through a global network of airports, aircraft, people, and technology. Keeping all of that moving takes a tremendous amount of coordination—and when something goes wrong, the effects can ripple across the entire system.
In this episode of AeroExploration, Jim sits down with Tom Brodowski, who works with teams around the globe to help keep this complex operation running.
We'll go far beyond baggage handling and take a deep dive into the cargo side of major airline operations—how cargo moves through the system, how it's coordinated with passenger flights, the challenges of moving freight around the world, and what happens when the plan doesn't go according to plan.
We'll also explore the people behind this operation and the aviation careers that exist outside the cockpit and maintenance hangar.
From the suitcase you check at the counter to the cargo moving across continents, there's an enormous aviation operation happening that most passengers never see.
This is the hidden logistics network behind the world's airlines.
✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration (https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration)
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101 (https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101)
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23 (https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23)
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
AeroExploration Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch (flyingmidwest.com/merch)
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at (Jim@flyingmidwest.com)jim@flyingmidwest.com (jim@flyingmidwest.com) or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
#Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
13 Aug 2026
Episode 85: From Fear of Flying to a Top Aviation Creator - With Sarah Daniels
If you follow aviation on social media, chances are you've seen Sarah Daniels — better known by her channels and social media as Sarahnautics.
But Sarah's journey into aviation is anything but ordinary.
Before becoming a pilot and one of aviation's most recognizable content creators, Sarah was an actress, performer, and even a Disney Princess. And perhaps most surprisingly, she was once afraid of flying.
That fear ultimately led her into the cockpit and set her on an incredible journey through aviation. Today, Sarah is on an ambitious mission to visit every airport in the United States, documenting the people, places, and experiences she encounters along the way.
In this episode, we go beyond the social media posts to explore Sarah's story — from her life before aviation and overcoming her fear of flying, to her journey across America's airports and the evolution of Sarahnautics.
We also talk about one of the most difficult moments she's shared publicly: capturing an in-flight emergency and making the decision to be vulnerable enough to let her audience see what really happened.
Most importantly, Sarah talks about why she creates, the responsibility that comes with having a platform, and her hope that her story can inspire more women and young girls to see themselves as part of aviation.
This is a story about fear, courage, exploration, and discovering that sometimes the thing you're most afraid of can lead you somewhere extraordinary.
✈️ FOLLOW SARAHNAUTICS
Instagram: @sarahnautics
TikTok: @sarahnautics
YouTube: Sarahnautics
Facebook: Sarahnautics
Threads: @sarahnautics
Twitch: Sarahnautics
Learn more about Sarah and follow her journey to every airport in America at Sarahnautics.com.
✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION
Check out the YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration (https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration)
Sponsor Information:
Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible!
Affiliate Links:
Lightspeed Headsets: https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101 (https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101)
Flying Eyes Sunglasses:
https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23 (https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23)
Use code Flyingmidwest10 for 10% off your purchase
AeroExploration Merch:
flyingmidwest.com/merch (flyingmidwest.com/merch)
Contact Information:
Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at (Jim@flyingmidwest.com)jim@flyingmidwest.com (jim@flyingmidwest.com) or connect with Jim through social media or the website.
🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts |
🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration!
#Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration
Who has been a guest on Fly the Transition
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jason Miller
Gary Palmer
Seth Bunker
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
83,728
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
19 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
17 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 76 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
90
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
77
Contact Fly the Transition
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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