In this episode of “Mike Dell’s World,” host Mike Dell interviews Dan Jonkhoff, the founder and chairman of Legacy Aviation Learning Center in Traverse City. The episode discusses the unique opportunity to earn an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license in just one year, as opposed to the typical two or more years required by other programs.

He begins the interview with Dan, who shares his background as a former funeral director and his journey into aviation. Dan discusses how his retirement was dull, prompting him to seek involvement in the airport authority, leading to the creation of Legacy Aviation.

The conversation covers the school’s unique one-year program, facilitated by new FAA regulations aimed at addressing a significant shortage of A&P mechanics projected in the coming years. Dan explains how they turned the idea of creating a mechanic school into reality, assisted by Dr. Sean Galligan, who helped them develop the program within a year. The school allows students to learn in a hands-on environment, focusing on practical experience with various projects like safety wiring and riveting.

Dan highlights that students can expect a tight-knit learning environment, with a favorable instructor-to-student ratio, and discusses the school’s job placement success rate, boasting that all graduates find jobs shortly after completing their training. He outlines how the school has gradually increased its student enrollment and plans to accept even more in the future.

Throughout the interview, they touch on the various learning facilities, the support for veterans, and the exciting community atmosphere that has emerged around the school. The program includes additional support to ensure all students can take their FAA licensing exams without the financial burden typically associated with such tests.

Episode 30 of NaPodPoMo2025 is in the books, and it’s got me thinking — I’m not quite ready to stop doing daily episodes. But instead of continuing that here on Mike Dell’s World, I’m spinning up something new.

Starting December 1st, 2025, I’m launching a brand-new weekday morning show called “Cup of Traverse City.” You’ll find it on its own feed at:

• https://podcast.show/cotc/

• https://cupoftraversecity.com

The plan is simple: a 5-minute (or so) episode every weekday around 8 a.m. Traverse City time. I’ll be recording while I’m having my morning coffee, chatting about whatever’s going on — interesting weather, life stuff, and what’s happening in and around Northern Michigan.

The format will be a bit of a work in progress at first. I’m sure I’ll settle into a groove over time, and my hope is that it becomes a nice little part of your morning routine.

I’d really love your feedback as this gets rolling.

You can reach me:

• By email: mike@mikedell.com

• On social media: mostly Facebook or X

Let me know what you think, and what you’d like me to talk about on Cup of Traverse City.

In this episode, I spend some time reflecting on what makes podcasting such a unique and enduring medium. After more than twenty years behind the microphone, I’m still struck by how something so simple — an audio file delivered through a humble RSS feed — continues to connect people in a way no other medium really does.

I talk about how podcasting grew up as an open technology, free from the control of big platforms or gatekeepers. That openness is part of its magic. Anyone can start a show, anyone can subscribe, and no single company controls whether a podcast lives or dies. It’s the last truly open publishing system on the internet, and that freedom is worth celebrating.

But podcasting is special for more than just the technology. There’s a kind of intimacy in audio that you don’t get with video or with text on a screen. When someone listens to a podcast, the host is right there with them — in their car, on a walk, working in the garage, or flying along on a cross-country in the RV-12. It’s a personal connection, one voice to one listener, in a way that feels almost old-fashioned, yet perfectly modern.

I also talk about how easy podcasting is to get started with and how accessible it still is for anyone who wants to share a story. You don’t need fancy cameras or editing suites. You just need a microphone, a place to publish, and something to say. That simplicity has helped the medium grow without losing its soul.

Toward the end, I share a bit of personal appreciation — how even after all these years, podcasting still feels fun, creative, and liberating. It’s a place where I can talk about anything from Northern Michigan history to flying to everyday life, and people choose to come along for the ride.

If you’ve ever wondered why podcasting still matters, or if you’ve been thinking about starting your own show, this episode is my way of reminding you what makes this medium so special.