Episode
Flight Dept Conflict Is Rarely About the First Problem You See w/ Kellie Rittenhouse
- Podcast
- Flight Department Show
- Published
- Aug 13, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3557
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Summary
What if conflict in a flight department is rarely about the first problem you see? In business aviation, pressure tests more than the aircraft, the schedule, or the procedures. It tests the culture behind the operation. Kellie Rittenhouse, Director of Aviation and contributor to The Business Aviation Book: Leading Operational Excellence, joins us to share a practical lens on conflict resolution. Her message? Strong flight department leadership starts with asking better questions, communicating where people are, and addressing tension before it becomes a bigger operational issue. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why conflict resolution is not a "soft skill," but a core leadership capability in high-performing flight departments How Kellie's non-traditional path from scheduling and dispatch to director of aviation gives her a different view of operational leadership Why business aviation leaders must build trust before stress, travel disruptions, or mechanical issues expose communication gaps How small misunderstandings can become major team conflicts when leaders fail to ask better questions early Why "communicating where people are" matters more than simply sending the message How crucial conversations can give flight departments a shared language for tension, accountability, and repair Why retention is not only about compensation, and how schedule, trust, professional development, and life stage all shape whether people stay About the Guest Kellie Rittenhouse is an accomplished aviation professional, CAM fellow, and the Director of Aviation at Hangar Aviation Management, LLC. With a strong background in the industry, Kellie has been an integral part of the CAM Governing Board. Based at the Oakland County International Airport (PTK) in Waterford, MI, Hangar Aviatio…