The Air Show

Podcast: The Air Show
Hosts: Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers
Episode: "Where in the World is Steve Giordano"
Date: February 20, 2026
Guest: Steve Giordano, Founder of Nomadic Aviation Group

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the offbeat world of aircraft ferrying and the modern realities of the aviation business through the experiences of Steve Giordano, renowned for his "Cockpit Casual" YouTube series. The conversation covers the current market challenges, the engine business, evolving pilot roles, fatigue management, pilot training standards, media representation of pilots, and the unique stories behind Steve's global adventures—both in the cockpit and on TV.

Key Discussion Points

1. The State of the Aircraft Ferrying Business

• Nomadic Aviation Group’s Niche

  • A small operation (12 employees, 30–40 contract pilots) ferrying aircraft for leasing companies and airlines worldwide, not working much with U.S. airlines.

• Current Industry Slowdown ([03:11])

  • Business is "feast or famine." Prolonged slump:

    "In 23 years, 24 years of doing this, I've never seen it stay this dead for this long." — Steve Giordano (04:00)

  • Most current activity comes from part-out operations, especially of 737-700s, A319s, and A321 classic models—primarily for their engines.

• International Focus

  "90%, maybe even 95% [of our business] internationally." — Steve Giordano (03:30)

  • Nomadic acts as a "canary in the coal mine" for international aviation trends due to their global focus.

2. The Engine Economy

• Centerpiece: CFM56 Engines

  • Engines drive airplane value and much of Nomadic's ferry work.

    "It's 100% an engine, an engine play." — Steve Giordano (05:59)

  • Teardown/part-out operations mostly motivated by engine demand, with companies like FTAI Aviation (engine leasing) as key clients.

• Aircraft Lease Extensions Due to Engine Issues ([07:26])

  • Issues with new-generation engines (LEAP, GTF) mean airlines keep older aircraft longer.

    "Airlines...have extended leases on all those aircraft...by a year, by two years, by three years." — Steve Giordano (08:17)

  • Anticipation of a "massive spike" in fleet replacement beginning late 2026–2027 as these leases expire.

3. Single-Pilot Operations and Pilot Unions

• Job Realities and Future Tech ([09:54])

  • Modern aircraft:

    "If all things are going well nobody is necessary, human-wise." — Steve Giordano (10:03)

  • Today’s planes are certified for two pilots; technology for mid-cruise single-pilot ops is feasible, but real-world adoption (especially for passengers) will lag, likely starting with cargo.

• Union Resistance

  • U.S. pilot unions fiercely oppose single-pilot ops, officially citing safety but also job protection.

    "I think people will be responsive to single pilot in the cockpit...once it's been proven out on the cargo side." — Steve Giordano (11:53)

4. Fatigue, Training, and Managing Multiple Aircraft Types

• Ferry Flying Fatigue Challenges ([14:41])

  • Demanding compared to airline operations:

    "Ferry flying is more demanding than airline flying for a variety of reasons." — Steve Giordano (14:44)

  • No CPDLC/datacomms on long hauls, have to manually build navigation routes.
  • Fatigue management relies heavily on experience, hydration, diet, and adapting rest needs on the go.

• Type Ratings and Switching Aircraft

  • Steve holds 12 type ratings, cycling between A320/330/737 series regularly.

    "A Boeing is a Boeing and a bus is a bus." — Steve Giordano (17:25)

  • For rare birds like the 787, he flies with more experienced “retired guy” pilots until he’s comfortable again.

5. Merit, Seniority, and Diversity in Pilot Hiring

• Political Context of Hiring Practices ([22:33])
  • Discussion of new U.S. policy for merit-based airline pilot hiring, with implications for seniority systems.

    "My political persuasions are pretty commonly known. I'm a centrist...What these guys do day in and day out is they gaslight us, in my opinion." — Steve Giordano (22:38)

  • Steve argues all pilots must meet the same FAA standards, regardless of background, making allegations against diversity efforts largely unfounded.

    "Every pilot has to meet those established standards. And to say otherwise, I think it's kind of a false flag type of a situation." — Steve Giordano (25:14)

6. Aviation Safety, Checkrides, and The HBO Series "The Rehearsal"

• Steve’s Consulting Role & Show’s Impact ([25:47])

  • Steve consulted for HBO’s "The Rehearsal" Season 2, heavily involved for two years.

    "I can't really go into everything that I did, but it was a long time in the works...until the episodes aired, I did not have the slightest idea what the show was about." — Steve Giordano (27:10)

  • The show examines pilot communication, safety, and personality—deliberately highlighting the quirks and dysfunctions found among professional pilots.

• Reactions in the Pilot Community

  • Some pilots/unionists are incensed, arguing that the series misrepresents pilots.

    "If that doesn't look good, well, you know, there are sections of this...industry that would shock people." — Steve Giordano (34:16)

  • Steve’s take: the oddball personalities are real, if not the only type, and present in all professions:

    "For every 15 or 20 [pilots], there's one of those. The vast majority...are just solid folks but...there are lunatics around us, among us." — Steve Giordano (34:14; 34:49)

• Personal Anecdotes About Pilots on the Show

  • Many pilot participants were from Steve’s orbit; some lost jobs after the airing.

    "Several of them got in trouble afterwards. And I know one guy lost his job over [it]." — Steve Giordano (37:45)

7. Cockpit Casual and the Future

• Channel Philosophy and Next Steps ([38:17])
  • Content fuses adventure, aviation, and people—intended for both pilots and non-aviators.

    "Being somewhere different was what really made me fall in love with this profession...what the show is really doing is it's doing the same." — Steve Giordano (38:20)

  • Steve hopes to broaden the show’s appeal beyond avgeeks:

    "I want to do something bigger and that reaches more people." — Steve Giordano (39:38)

Notable Quotes & Moments

On Business Cyclicality:

• "We ride the wave up, we ride the wave down. And so we're always rooting for change in this business." — Steve Giordano [01:43]

On Part-Out Operations:

• "Part out—the retirement of mostly 737 undesirables, we call them the 700s, the 319s are the big ones and then the 321cos." — Steve Giordano [05:00]

On Boredom and Technology in Cockpit:

• "If all things are going well nobody is necessary, human-wise… the aircraft follows the route programmed into the FMC." — Steve Giordano [10:03]

On Pilot Fatigue:

• "When I was in my 20s and 30s, I legitimately could stay awake for 24 hours and be fine. That has gotten more difficult as I've aged." — Steve Giordano [15:52]

On Diversity and Standards:

• "There are no different standards for airmen, for pilots... every pilot has to meet those established standards." — Steve Giordano [24:08]

On 'The Rehearsal' and Real Pilot Behavior:

• "They nailed it. Those are real live personalities that every pilot knows, sees, and deals with all the time in their jobs." — Steve Giordano [34:11]

On His Passion for Travel and Filming:

• "What really made me fall in love with this profession and what ultimately made me leave the airline world in favor of a life nomadic... it was more about the destinations than the actual ferrying for me." — Steve Giordano [38:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:11 – Is Nomadic a leading/trailing aviation indicator?
• 05:59 – Engines and part-out: why it’s all about the CFM56
• 09:54 – Single-pilot ops: future of cockpit crew structure
• 14:41 – Managing fatigue, swapping between multiple aircraft types
• 22:33 – Discussion on merit, diversity, and seniority in pilot hiring
• 25:47 – Steve’s consulting for HBO’s "The Rehearsal"
• 33:52 – Is pilot behavior on screen really representative?
• 38:17 – The philosophy and future of "Cockpit Casual"

Episode Tone and Style

• Candid, conversational, irreverent
• Steve is direct, humorous, and enjoys peeling back the curtain on aviation’s less-glamorous realities.
• The hosts match Steve's avgeek enthusiasm but keep the discussion introspective and wide-reaching.

Conclusion

This episode offers a revealing look at the business, operations, human dynamics, and public perception of today’s global aviation industry through the lens of one of its most adventurous and outspoken ferry pilots. The interplay between serious industry insight and playful banter makes for both an educational and entertaining listen—whether you’re an industry pro or an armchair traveler.