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Episode 46 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

Summer may be associated with blue skies, holidays and seemingly perfect flying weather. For airline crews, however, high temperatures and powerful summer weather can create an entirely different operational picture.

Recorded on August 12, 2026, just hours before a solar eclipse passed close to Stefan Lorenz’s home base in Palma de Mallorca, Episode 46 of Aviation-Quest.cc reunites host Jürgen Reis with his co-host and Airbus A320 First Officer for the seasonal counterpart to Episode 22, “Winter Ops.”

This time, the focus is heat rather than ice — and the question of whether...

Episode 45 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes Pablo Padrón Sanz, commercial pilot, former theoretical knowledge instructor, and one of the youngest guests ever featured on the podcast.

The conversation begins with Pablo's current situation as he prepares for the next phase of his professional aviation journey after successfully completing the assessment process for a major European airline. Looking ahead to airline training, he reflects on the steps that brought him to this point at only 21 years of age.

The discussion then traces his aviation journey...

Episode 44 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above welcomes Adil Tagnaout, a 28-year-old aircraft maintenance engineer from Morocco and the first African guest on the podcast.

Recorded in early June 2026, host Jürgen Reis speaks with Adil about his current work in aircraft maintenance, his professional development, and the responsibilities that come with helping keep commercial aircraft safe and airworthy.

The conversation begins with a look at Adil's current week and working environment, offering listeners an authentic glimpse into the realities of shift work and day-to-day operations in modern aircraft maintenance.

Together, they discuss:

- A typical week in the...

Episode 43 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes Captain Dave Samson, G650 Captain, former Chief Pilot, and aviation professional with more than 44 years of experience in both military and corporate aviation.

The conversation begins with a look at Captain Samson's current role and what a typical flying week involves today, both inside and outside the cockpit. He reflects on what continues to motivate him after more than four decades in aviation and how his perspective has evolved throughout his career.

The discussion then traces his path...

Episode 42 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

Recorded in May 2026, this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above welcomes helicopter pilot, line training captain, instructor, and examiner Falko Baguhl for a broad and highly personal look at his journey through professional aviation.

Host Jürgen Reis begins where the story started: on short final to runway 23 at Hamburg Airport, where Falko grew up surrounded by aircraft, aviation noise, and the unmistakable smell of Jet A-1. What began as childhood fascination gradually evolved into a clear professional goal.

The conversation explores Falko's early years in gliding, the important foundations...

Episode 41 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes James Parks, a 36-year-old professional pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours who is currently pursuing the next chapter of his aviation career.

Recorded on July 7th, 2026, the conversation follows James' path from his first introduction to aviation through Caravan operations, cargo flying, skydiving flying, and even movie work. Along the way, he shares lessons learned from challenging years in aviation, demanding flying jobs, wind drops, professional decision-making, and the experiences that shaped him as a pilot.

The...

Episode 40 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above welcomes Patty Wagstaff, one of the most respected names in aerobatic aviation, multiple-time U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, airshow performer, flight instructor, and advocate for advanced pilot training.

Recorded on June 10, 2026, host Jürgen Reis sits down with Patty for a thoughtful conversation about aviation, airmanship, and the lessons learned from decades spent flying at the highest levels of precision.

Together, they discuss:

- How aviation evolved from an early fascination into a lifelong profession and passion
- Why she chose a very different path from the traditional airline career route
-...

Episode 39 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above brings John Pipkin back into the “podcast cockpit” for a deeper follow-up conversation — recorded on May 9, 2026.

Now 82 years old and still flying almost daily for a Sheriff’s Department in South Carolina, John once again shares the perspective of a pilot whose aviation life spans more than 30,000 flight hours across mission flying, airline operations, corporate aviation, FAA leadership, and law-enforcement work.

Following the strong listener response to Episode 29, co-host and A320 First Officer Stefan Lorenz listened closely to the original interview and forwarded a detailed set of...

In this 38th episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes Commander Joshua Rannenberg, Hurricane Aircraft Commander and Instructor Pilot at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center.

Recorded in April 2026, this conversation provides a structured and professional overview of one of the most unique operational environments in aviation: airborne hurricane research missions in direct support of forecasting models and public safety.

Commander Rannenberg begins by outlining the mission and role of the Aircraft Operations Center and how its crews contribute to the broader system of atmospheric data collection. A key distinction throughout the discussion is the role...

Episode 37 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, Airbus A320 First Officer and co-host Stefan Lorenz welcomes Captain Josefine Schuhmann for a detailed and highly personal conversation about her unusual and inspiring aviation career.

Recorded on May 17th, 2026, this episode follows Captain Schuhmann’s path from the airline ground environment into the cockpit—showing how determination, curiosity, and persistence can gradually open doors within aviation.

The conversation begins with her early years after school and international studies in London before entering the aviation world through ground operations in Munich at the age...