Nik sits down with Ben Lobaugh, a former FAA air traffic controller and now a First Officer at JSX, to discuss how he left a stable FAA career to get back into the cockpit. Ben shares what ultimately drove his decision to make the leap, including staffing pressures, pay trade-offs, recency requirements, and family considerations.

He explains how he rebuilt his flight currency, navigated the hiring process, and what life looks like today flying semi-private with more predictable time at home. Whether you're an air traffic controller, pilot, or anyone wondering if it's too late to make a career change, this episode offers practical advice, honest insight, and a step-by-step roadmap for making the transition.

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