Category: news

Valeri Aviation Corporation Acquires Stuck Mic AvCast – Former Owner of Popular Aviation Podcast Retires, Travels the World

For Immediate Release:

Valeri Aviation Corporation Acquires Stuck Mic AvCast
Former Owner of Popular Aviation Podcast Retires, Travels the World

(South Pasadena, FL.) – Stuck Mic AvCast has quickly grown with more than 229,000 downloads in less than three years, proving to be a popular bi-monthly aviation internet radio show. Len Costa, founder and creator of Stuck Mic AvCast, has passed the captains mic to co-host of the show, Carl Valeri. Officially announced today, Valeri Aviation Corporation has acquired Stuck Mic AvCast.

With more than 17 years in the aviation industry, including his most recent role flying Embraer 145 regional jets as pilot-in-command, Costa was the creative mastermind of the podcast bringing the concept of learning to fly, living to fly, and loving to fly, to life through Stuck Mic AvCast.

“My entire childhood I dreamt of soaring into space and becoming a pilot was the next best thing,” stated Costa. “Regarding my accomplishments as an aviator, I’ve reached every goal and desire I’ve ever had in aviation, and it is time for the next chapter in my life.”

Costa will begin a new journey as he formally retires his airline captain’s wings for a new adventure traveling the world. He is an avid traveler, who has paid off all his financial debts, downsized his life to a single backpack, and on April 15 departs the United States with his girlfriend for a legendary, life-long dream of extended global travel.

When asked the reason for his decision to leave Stuck Mic AvCast, Costa said, “As a business owner, you have to know when you’re no longer capable of steering the ship. With my overseas absence, I would not be in a position to appropriately lead the Stuck Mic AvCast. So for the integrity of the show, our listeners, and our visitors, I’ve decided to step down and ‘transfer the controls’ to my great friend, my co-host, and accomplished business owner himself, Carl Valeri.”

Valeri, whose company owns and operates two other aviation websites, The Expert Aviator and Aviation Careers Podcast, brings with him a fresh perspective for the future of Stuck Mic AvCast.

“I have some very big shoes to fill here with Len leaving the show,” said Valeri. “But, I’m excited for the challenge.”

While Costa is extremely excited for his new adventure, he will miss Stuck Mic AvCast.

“Admittedly, this was a tough decision for me,” said Costa. “I will miss being a part of this awesome team, I will miss hearing from our valued and loyal listeners, and mostly, I’ll miss the family we’ve all become. I’ve found solace in my accomplishments as an aviator and I’m sincerely humbled for having the chance to serve everyone.”

Stuck Mic AvCast is produced bi-monthly and can be downloaded at StuckMicAvCast.com. Follow Costa’s new adventures at TrekAboutLife.com.

1 Year Anniversary, Thank You, & Free Cake

Wow, it’s amazing how time flies when you’re having fun! One year ago today we started our adventure into the world of aviation podcasting and our lives have never been the same.

When Len Costa of ThePilotReport.com came up with the idea for an aviation podcast he knew he couldn’t do it alone. With the connections and friends he’d made on Twitter, he decided it would be not only more fun but also more entertaining to include some addition co-hosts on the podcast. Enter Victoria Neuville, Rick Felty, and Carl Valeri.

Len had known Victoria only through Twitter until one day they went on an AOPA Headquarters Tour together. From there the friendship grew into asking Victoria to become a part of the podcast. Funny story here, she thought Len was asking her to be guest on one of the shows, not a full time co-host! Though she had some reservations at first she decided to test the boundaries of her comfort zone and stuck with us for the long haul.

Rick and Len had actually met at an Uncontrolled Airspace Podcast meetup at the Midfield Cafe, Boire Field, Nashua, NH KASH. These breakfast meetups are put on every fews months and hosted by one of the UCAP founders himself, Jack Hodgson (so you can all thank Uncle Jack for bringing Rick and Len together in person). It wasn’t long before Len asked Rick to join the show as well knowing his love and passion for aviation as shared on his YouTube channel through his flying videos. How cool!

And last, but certainly not least, is Carl Valeri. Len and Carl actually met at the airlines where they flew a few trips together, even spending one Thanksgiving on the road in Nowhere, Texas. When Carl had heard about the podcast he instantly knew he wanted to be a part of the show. His audition was brutal, there were jumping jacks and hot dog eating contest. More like hazing but he made the cut and we’re certainly glad that he did!

Together our group consists of an Airline Captain, Airline First Officer, Commercial/Instrument Pilot, and Private Pilot giving our show some of the most diverse level of flying conversations and stories on the podcast circuit. It’s without a doubt one of the reasons our show has become so successful as we continue to find out through listener emails and comments.

Through all of this adventure, some of us have had a chance to meet many of you listeners out there win the real world and that’s by far been our favorite part; meeting and interacting with our fans on the ground at airshows and various other aviation events. Of course, we can’t forget our greatest opportunity to be a part of Sun n Fun 2012 thanks especially to Dave Shallbetter!

We truly wouldn’t be where we are today, 12 months later, with out YOU THE LISTENERS! So thank you from the bottom of our hearts for tuning in twice a month, emailing questions and comments, interacting with us, and even supporting the show through your generous financial donations. WE COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

Cheers,

Victoria, Rick, Carl, & Len

Your Stuck Mic AvCast Co-Hosts

The Stuck Mic AvCast is an aviation podcast brought to you by ThePilotReport.com about Learning To Fly, Living to Fly, and Loving to Fly!

PS – There was free cake but Carl ate it all 😉

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