7 Great Aviation Podcasts To Listen To

For pilots, student pilots, and aviation enthusiasts looking for entertaining and informative podcasts about flying, there’s a lot to choose from. Let FLYING save you some time with our list highlighting some of the best aviation podcasts and pilot podcasts. The list spans multiple aviation sectors including: flight training, military aviation, GA, aviation enthusiasts, women in aviation, aviation safety, and aviation in the news. No matter what you’re looking for in a pilot podcast or podcasts about aviation, this list will help you navigate your way to becoming a better and more informed aviator. 

During long-distance flights when your workload is limited, and with the right kind of headset, listening to aviation podcasts while flying can be an enriching experience—though you should be cautious about becoming distracted from the act of flying. No matter when or where we enjoy them, learning and sharing experiences is what podcasts are all about. Some focus on historical information. Others offer expertise and guidance. Here’s a quick list of some of the best pilot podcasts and aviation podcasts out there. 

This aviation podcast features exclusive interviews with pilots from FLYING’s iconic series, including fascinating stories that will appeal to virtually anyone. Hear these pilots describe in their own words how they overcame unique emergencies, crises, and mistakes. Pilots might find a few lessons here that might come in handy in the future. 

Best for: This podcast is for anyone who enjoys riveting, true-life adventure stories—especially about aviation and flying aircraft. 

Host: Rob Reider is a pilot, aviation educator, host of Sporty’s Pilot Shops’ “Learn to Fly” video series, award-winning air show announcer, and Emmy-winning former TV personality.

Main Focus: These dramatic, real-life flying stories include interviews with pilots that dive deep into the lessons they learned. In addition to the stories, this aviation podcast offers information about how pilots can apply these lessons to their own flight skills. They expand on the long-running series in FLYING magazine.

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Years Active: 2020-present

Sponsors: Avemco

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Presented by the AOPA Air Safety Institute, this podcast takes listeners into the cockpit with pilots across the aviation community. They share their stories about handling demanding situations in the air, offering a valuable resource for other pilots. 

Best for: GA pilots, student pilots, and aviation enthusiasts who are interested in learning more about best practices during unexpected flying scenarios. 

Host: Richard McSpadden, senior vice president, AOPA Air Safety Institute 

Main Focus: Safety 

Years Active: 2017-present

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Sponsors: Sirius/XM

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This podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat, including aircraft, weapons systems, and the pilots. It features interviews with experts with deep subject matter experience. The host is a veteran fighter pilot with background and knowledge that makes guest interviews more interesting and appealing. 

Best for: Current and former military pilots as well as military aviation enthusiasts. 

Host: Retired U.S. Navy F-16, F/A-18, and A-4 pilot Vincent Aiello—call sign Jell-O—a graduate and former instructor of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons Training School, aka TOPGUN.

Main Focus: Military aviation

Years Active: 2018-present

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Sponsors: None

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This aviation podcast aims to help preserve and promote the history of women in aviation by telling their stories. We hear interviews with women involved in aviation and learn about their fascinating experiences and how they’ve made an impact.

Best for: People interested in learning more about women in aviation and their contributions to the industry and aviation history. 

Host: Natalia Mcalee, published author, aviation professional, and multimedia storyteller.

Main Focus: Women in aviation and the aviation industry.

Years Active: 2021-present

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Sponsors: None

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A fun, conversational journey into the world of flying—professionally and for fun. Hosts and guests share their personal experiences, successes, and lessons learned on their path to being better pilots. 

Best for: Pilots, student pilots, pilots looking to reach the next level of instruction, aviation enthusiasts, and people who aspire to learn how to fly. 

Hosts: Carl Valeri (airline pilot/flight instructor), Victoria Zajko (GA flying enthusiast/blogger), Rick Felty (GA flying enthusiast/in-flight video artist), and Sean Moody (GA flying enthusiast/aspiring CFI).  

Main Focus: Civilian and commercial flight training and enjoyment

Years Active: 2011-present

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Sponsors: PlaneEnglishSim.com

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This aviation podcast offers an insider's perspective on aviation safety issues from two seasoned, veteran NTSB accident investigators, along with interviews with guest experts on various topical aviation safety issues. 

Best for: Pilots and aviation enthusiasts interested in safety tips and learning more about aircraft accident investigations.

Hosts: Former NTSB investigators John Goglia and Greg Feith.

Main Focus: Tips on flying safely, expert guests, behind-the-scenes facts about aviation accidents, valuable discussions about issues that impact airlines and general aviation.

Years Active: 2019-present

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Sponsors: Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, Avemco, Axis Communications

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Produced by the popular ADS-B aircraft tracking app Flightradar24, AvTalk offers a delightful, conversational mix of aviation industry news, deep dives into interesting subjects, and expert guests. 

Best for: “Anyone who looks up when they hear a plane flying overhead.” Entertaining and informed hosts bring you aviation news, views, and special guests.

Hosts: Flightradar24 director of communications Ian Petchenik; Jason Rabinowitz, who researches and writes about all things airlines, airplanes, transit, and travel; and Gabriel Leigh, who writes about transport for The New York Times, Monocle, and Forbes.

Main Focus: Commercial airline industry, including OEMs; airports, air traffic control, and issues involving the NTSB, and FAA. 

Years Active: 2017-present

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Sponsors: None

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Around the turn of the 21st century, with the increasing popularity of mp3 digital audio files and players, experts, and enthusiasts began producing short audio presentations about specific topics, offering listeners a convenient way to consume content while on the go. 

In 2005, podcasts got a huge boost when Apple included them on its iTunes platform, allowing users to easily search, download, and listen to podcasts about their favorite topics, including aviation. 

In the mid-2010s, podcasting entered the mainstream, lifted by the success of true-crime serial podcasts. Sponsorships for podcasts skyrocketed, fueling an entire industry that harkened back to the early days of radio, a century earlier. One of the oldest known aviation podcasts was “The Wings Over New Zealand Show,” which released its first episode in December 2011 and is still available on iTunes. Today, there are hundreds of aviation podcasts, each one different in its own special way. 

Some aviation podcasts talk about a wide range of aviation related subjects that are currently in the news. Other podcasts focus on specific sectors of the aviation industry such as general aviation, commercial airlines, manufacturing, flight training, safety, or aviation history. Some podcasts are limited to talking about military aviation. Others will only talk about civil and commercial aviation. Some podcasts specialize in interviewing guests who offer a wide variety of experiences within the broader aviation community and industry. 

Aviation is a constantly evolving industry that requires continuous education and exposure to new data and information. Listening to the best aviation podcasts can be an efficient and effective way to stay current, expand your knowledge, and learn new things and ideas.