The Vertical Space

It was our great pleasure to have The Honorable Jim Burnley on The Vertical Space. Jim has a vast background and wealth of experience, including as the former United States Secretary of Transportation.  Jim provides his perspective on the free market, on transportation issues overall, on aviation, and how advanced air mobility fits into the big picture of transportation and logistics. Listen to Jim’s answer to the question of how he would evaluate a transportation system. We speak to many in our industry who are at times critical of our regulators – listen to Jim’s recommendations on working with regulators – a lesson for so many in our industry if they want to advance their technology. And listen to Jim’s recommendations to our entrepreneurs – how often do you directly hear recommendations from someone of Jim’s background and perspective? A smart, tough, experienced, knowledgeable national and global transportation leader who doesn’t hesitate to tell it like it is – enjoy this conversation Secretary Burnley. Thanks for joining us, Jim!  

Check out this insightful conversation with Jia Xu, the senior director of strategy for the unmanned aerial systems and urban air mobility at Honeywell Aerospace, where he leads strategy, business development, and M&A. Jia discusses how to increase access to and utilization of the vertical space. He also discusses AAM in general, autonomy, fly by wire, artificial intelligence – and use cases for AI, including defense. Listen to Honeywell’s strategy, dedication, and approach to AAM and how Honeywell is innovating from a fresh slate for AAM. Jia also talks about the megatrends in AAM and avionics, needed ground infrastructure, as well as opportunities for our entrepreneurs, how Honeywell works with startups, and investments being made in this space. A thoughtful, articulate, detailed, yet expansive discussion. Thanks Jia for joining us!

Bobby is a proven and remarkable entrepreneur and industry innovator. He has started and sold successful companies and is now pioneering service delivery with his start up, ‘Manna’ - a Drone Delivery as a Service business. Listen to what makes Bobby special, how Manna delivers value today, their tech stack, their essential value and competitive advantages, his comments on certification, and how they plan to scale. Additionally, listen to qualities he looks for in his new hires, the advice he gives to those starting a business, and those who he turns to for advice. There are common qualities of great innovators and business pioneers – see if you can identify those qualities in Bobby. Thanks Bobby for being our guest!   

In this episode we talk to Pasha Saleh, Head of Corporate Development at Alaska Airlines. Pasha is one of those industry leaders with a rare combination of experience in startups, large aerospace corporations, and management consulting – and on top of that he’s an airline pilot who still flies 737s at Alaska. This diverse background makes for an interesting perspective on the future of aviation – one that recognizes current times as the new golden age of aviation, but also tempered with a sense of realism known only to those that are deep in the aviation trenches. Among other things, we talk about Alaska’s commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040, technologies that will help decarbonize aviation, and the role of Alaska Star Ventures in helping the industry get there. Enjoy the conversation with Pasha!

Our guest is Peter Cerda – IATA’s Regional VP of the Americas. It’s a fun, fast-moving podcast. Peter provides a global perspective on a range of topics, including the role of commercial aviation and how it is recovering today – stronger in some areas more than others. Peter discusses how returning to 2019 performance isn’t good enough as well as commercial aviation’s sustainability goals. He provides his perspective on AAM – it’s challenges, and the value it may provide to the world’s travelers, including providing service to areas not served today, while maintaining today’s high safety standards. For our entrepreneurs – Peter discusses the importance of tech in achieving commercial aviation’s goals, what tech has worked, and what tech is needed for the future. Thanks for joining The Vertical Space, Peter!

Another stimulating podcast! In this episode, we interview Chris Anderson, the COO and Chief Product Officer of Kittyhawk. Foundational to this podcast is the importance Kittyhawk is placing on autonomy and an affordable aircraft. Listen to why Chris and Kittyhawk are so confident about autonomy. Also listen to our discussion on performance-based certification…about operating at automotive scale…which is critical for the affordable vehicle. Chris has a fresh perspective on infrastructure and infrastructure requirements …and where these aircraft may land…with a low-touch model. And for you entrepreneurs…what it will take to use the sky more effectively … and the fresh new opportunities in AAM. We also had to sneak in a few questions from his distinguished past – e.g., as the author of The Long Tail, and from his days at helm of Wired magazine. This is a long interview – but it’s a fun ride. Enjoy.

David Grizzle simply makes you think; he challenges how we’re thinking today around transportation – and has a vision for how our transportation will change and adapt. Listen to his thoughts and comments from his background as an airline executive, as a leader in Afghanistan in the early years as transportation was being established, and as the Chief Operating Officer of the FAA to realize that he speaks from experience. David has a refreshing perspective on how the change will occur – and that “muddling through” is the likely way to a different world vs. waiting for perfection, which may never come. 

You’ll want to take notes on this podcast! It’s a great pleasure to have Brendan Groves on our show. You advanced mobility entrepreneurs will enjoy Brendan’s talk, generated from his unique background, education, and industry experience. Listen to his perspective on a number of AAM subjects, including policy – and address why bold policy and policy goals are important. Brendan provides unique perspectives on autonomy, the importance of the tight integration of software and hardware, of artificial intelligence, as well as the value of AAM with real world applications. He addresses the Blue Drone program, and the exciting and pioneering value Skydio is providing to its customers and to our industry. Thanks for joining us Brendan! 

In this episode we talk to Brandon Suarez from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems about autonomy, certification, technology, standards, integration of unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system and a lot more. You’ll hear Brandon discuss how the internet approach to product development does not necessarily work in aviation, how autonomy will likely be rolled out in terms of missions sets and types of aircraft, and how important it is for new entrants into the world of air mobility to understand the environment they are stepping into. 

In this episode you'll hear from Scott Drennan, an accomplished aerospace innovator and executive. We discuss the DC-3 and Model T "moments" for advanced air mobility, the challenges and opportunities for the industry to manufacture at automotive speed, best practices for leveraging advanced manufacturing and digital engineering, and much more. As we always do in this podcast, you'll hear Scott's advice to entrepreneurs looking to start a business in this new chapter of aviation.