Welcome to The Black Box Aviation Podcast!
The Black Box Aviation Podcast
The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Aviation related topics brought to you by airline pilots, military pilots and professional aviation experts. In Aviation Podcast discussions including personal experience involving life as a professional aviator, the airline industry and everything else that comes with the curiosity of flying.
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Feb. 18, 2026

Pilot Career Tips & Flight Training with Ava Almquist

Pilot Career Tips & Flight Training with Ava Almquist

How do you balance an airline career, a social media brand, and a healthy lifestyle? In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, we sit down with Ava Almquist (@pilot.avabelle) to discuss the modern path to the flight deck. From navigating the flight training "hamster tunnels" at the University of North Dakota (UND) to the realities of sitting on airport reserve, Ava provides a transparent look at the industry.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The 1,000-hour Restricted ATP and why your degree matters.

  • Managing exhaustion and maintaining fitness on the road.

  • Breaking the "old school" pilot mold through social media education.

  • Transitioning from CFI to the Regional Airlines.

Whether you’re a student pilot or an aviation enthusiast, Ava’s "SparkNotes" for aviation success are a must-listen.

Connect with Ava:

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Balancing Act: Airline Career, Social Media, and a Healthy Lifestyle

Welcome back to the blog, aviation enthusiasts! In our latest episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, we had the incredible opportunity to chat with Ava Almquist, a pilot who truly embodies the modern aviator. Her journey from flight school to th…