#88 Captain Lee Moak: The time for change is now

The Vertical Space

In this episode, we sit down with Captain Donald Lee Moak, a distinguished aviation leader. With experience spanning military and commercial aviation to boardroom leadership, Lee is known for driving change. He doesn’t just talk about change; he makes it happen.

Our discussion centers on three major themes: the urgent need to modernize and privatize the U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system to enhance safety and efficiency, lessons from aviation’s strong safety record, and the recent rise in incidents that Lee has warned about in op-eds and reports. We also dive into his tenure as president of the Airline Pilots Association, his insights on union and non-union leadership, and his advice for aviation CEOs and entrepreneurs navigating today’s challenges.

Lee doesn’t shy away from tough conversations, whether it’s advocating for regulatory reform, calling out safety risks, or pushing for leadership that truly prioritizes aviation’s future. From the bullhorn to the boardroom, he’s been at the forefront of meaningful change.

Chapters

1. #88 Captain Lee Moak: The time for change is now (00:00:00)

2. Near Misses and Aviation Safety Concern (00:05:56)

3. Technology Is Racing Faster Than Regulations (00:09:21)

4. Challenges with Current Safety System (00:12:16)

5. Root Cause Of Recent Trend In Increasing Accidents (00:14:06)

6. Time Out for Safety: A New Approach (00:22:47)

7. Has anything changed in the recent past? (00:29:14)

8. Is there an automation paradox? (00:35:46)

9. Privatizing and Modernizing Air Traffic Control (00:41:37)

10. Lee and The Airline Pilot Association (00:57:25)

11. Effective Leadership in Aviation (01:02:56)

12. Advice for Young CEOs and Entrepreneur (01:07:51)