AviationPros Podcast

Dustin Zeitler on How Franchising and Specialized Services Set RealClean Up for Success

In this episode of the Aviation Pros Podcast, Dustin Zeitler, co-owner of RealClean Aircraft Detailing shares an inside look at his company’s operations and the ways franchising has improved services for the company and for customers.

Zeitler gives insight into the value of specialized services in aircraft cleaning and detailing and the benefits of franchising for aircraft detailing and maintenance companies. He also offers advice to new professionals who want to pursue a career in aircraft detailing and seasoned aviation experts who might be considering a career transition.

Who Will Be Ground Support Worldwide’s 2026 Leaders of the Year?

In this AviationPros Podcast episode, Ground Support Worldwide Editor Jenny Lescohier shares how the annual Leaders of the Year awards program highlights the individuals and organizations advancing safety, performance and innovation on the ramp. She invites listeners to nominate candidates before the March 13 deadline.

To make a nomination, click here. 

What Ground Handlers Need to Know About Lithium Batteries and eGSE Adoption

Electrification is transforming ground support equipment, but battery technology is at the center of making that transition practical and reliable. In this AviationPros podcast episode, Green Cubes’ Jerry Crump and Darin Kiefer join Ground Support Worldwide Editor Jenny Lescohier to break down how lithium battery systems are helping ground handlers address real-world operational challenges.

They explain how faster charging, opportunity charging, and improved battery capacity can help fleets operate effectively, even when charging infrastructure is limited or constantly changing. The discussion also covers how lithium batteries deliver more consistent performance, longer lifespan, and reduced maintenance compared to traditional lead-acid systems.

Crump and Kiefer also share how battery management systems and telematics are providing valuable data to improve uptime, enable predictive maintenance, and optimize fleet operations. As adoption grows, education, customization, and strong service support are proving essential to helping operators successfully transition to electric GSE.

How MROs Can Respond to Compliance Changes and Complexities

With compliance oversight becoming more complex in MRO, maintenance organizations can use new tools and systems to stay organized, efficient and compliant.

Director of Operations – Americas at Web Manuals Justin Raymond joined the Aviation Pros Podcast to discuss compliance in MRO. Listen for a dive into why complying with regulatory bodies can be complex and how repair shops can improve compliance management.

What Separates Successful Airport Capital Programs From the Rest

In this episode of the AviationPros Podcast, Joe Petrie sits down with Vincent Lewis, Assistant Director of Capital and Infrastructure Development for the City of Dallas Department of Aviation, to explore what it really takes to lead large airport capital programs successfully.

AI on the Ramp: How Samsara Is Using Real-Time Coaching to Reduce Ground Incidents

In this podcast, Ground Support Worldwide Editor Jenny Lescohier speaks with Johan Land, Senior Vice President, Safety and AI at Samsara, about how artificial intelligence is being applied to improve safety and performance in aviation ground operations.

Land explains how Samsara uses AI-enabled cameras and telematics on ground support vehicles to identify risky behaviors such as mobile phone use, distraction, and hard braking. The system provides real-time alerts that help operators self-correct, while giving supervisors visibility into trends that can be addressed through targeted coaching and training. Customers using these programs have reported reductions of more than 70% in unsafe behaviors and incidents.

The discussion also explores driver acceptance of in-vehicle cameras, and how programs built around transparency, coaching, and positive reinforcement can turn initial resistance into support. Looking ahead, Land shares how Samsara is expanding AI capabilities beyond collision prevention to address more specialized ground handling events, helping operators reduce damage, improve reliability, and drive safer ramp operations overall.

Electrifying the Ramp: A Conversation on the Future of Electric GSE

Luke Mulvaney, chief revenue officer and co-founder of Waev Inc., and Gerry Hoadley, GSE sales director, discuss how electric ground support equipment adoption is taking shape on the ramp, from infrastructure and operations to the realities of scaling e-GSE across airport environments.

Nicole Dyehouse on Why Digitalization in MRO is Crucial and How planeKrafty Can Help

Nicole Dyehouse, founder and CEO of planeKrafty, speaks with the Aviation Pros Podcast about her cutting-edge platform that could make a huge difference for MROs. Informed by her expertise from more than 20 years as an aircraft mechanic, Dyehouse explains how planeKrafty aims to solve an industry-wide problem that persists in aviation maintenance: paper records management.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about the importance of digitalization in MRO and the ways in which planeKrafty may be the ideal solution for many maintenance departments.

Aviation in 2025: The Year That Reset Airport Strategy — And What’s Coming in 2026

In this end-of-year breakdown, Joe Petrie looks back at the major events that shaped airport strategy this year and offers bold predictions for what’s ahead in 2026.

How Stratos Jets is Raising Service Reliability Standards with AOG Recovery Insurance

On this episode of the Aviation Pros podcast, CEO and Founder of Stratos Jets Joel Thomas discusses how the company is revolutionizing AOG response for private charters. Thomas highlights FlightGuard, the company’s AOG mechanical recovery coverage solution that helps clients avoid delays and reduce costs for recovery flights.

Learn about the importance of effective response during AOG events, the implications AOG incidents can have for aviation businesses and the ways Stratos Jets is mitigating common challenges in AOG response.