Here’s my interview with Julien Martinson; the acclaimed aviation author, aviation speaker, and career coach.

When I first learned of author Julien Martinson, I was impressed to learn how much he grasped book marketing. Second, what a strong social media following he has. As I learned more, notably that he was invited to give a TED Talk in Africa, I knew I wanted to have interview him. I’m grateful that Julien accepted the invitation.

Your successful career in the aviation industry is a passion of yours. What inspired you to write and share your expertise through a book and a blog?

I have been passionate about aviation since my early childhood. Over the years, I have been exposed to various occupations in the aviation industry. This includes inflight services, airside security operations, ground-side security as well as customer service for Canada’s leading airline. I desired to understand the industry better, so I started undergraduate studies in aviation management at Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario. I really enjoyed the program. 

During the pandemic, I decided to continue my studies with a master’s in aviation management. I completed my thesis on Global Pilot Supply and Demand. From that study, I came to realize what the driving factors are to cause a surge in passenger volume globally, where there is a lack of pilots, and what can be done about it. I desired to make a bigger impact on the world.

Therefore, I wrote the book entitled “The Ultimate Guide to Careers in Aviation.” My book is targeted at GEN Z, ages 12 to 28, who have graduated from high school and who are still exploring career options. The book briefly explains the history of aviation and the issues that airports and airlines are facing around the world. It branches off into 4 career groupings: pilot, air traffic control, aircraft engineer and aviation management. 

Can you tell me about the journey that led to the creation of your aviation book and what you aim to accomplish with it? 

Many young people may not know how to get into the aviation industry due to a lack of career guidance and awareness. This book gives a brief overview of the aviation industry. My intention is to write a series of books, this being the beginning. As people enjoy the career options, readers can specialize in various career options which may also include the future trends in aviation, environmental issues within aviation, emotional intelligence within aviation etc. 

With your extensive experience in aviation, how do you approach the writing process? Do you have any specific routines that help you translate your practical experience into the written word?

Yes, I base my writing on what is currently happening within the industry. I see that there is a pilot shortage in Canada. Other countries/airlines may offer more lucrative compensation or better work/life balance. In so doing, pilots may leave Canada to work abroad. Therefore, the first book was written to address the pilot shortage and to draw attention to other aviation careers that require higher education.

Typically, I pick a major trend or issue within the aviation industry, such as “The Future Trends.” I then source what the major global organizations have to say about that trend and then break that into small pieces, such as e-volt, electric aircraft, vertical take-off aircraft, piloted and autonomous drones, etc. Once the reader can “see” what the issues are, then it is easy to find a career path to solve those problems. 

What have been some of the most significant challenges you faced while transitioning from aviation professional to author, and how did you overcome them? 

Making a career transition is not easy at all. All my former roles have been operational roles. However, as an aviation author, aviation public speaker, and aviation career coach, I put myself in the position of influencer and mentor. I reinforce my authority and insight that I have with a strong academic foundation, strong networking skills as well as branding and marketing. 

Are there any authors or industry experts who have influenced your writing style or how you convey complex aviation content? 

Yes and no. My writing style is easy to read, targeting GEN Z. I avoid complex technical jargon. I include numerous anecdotes from my various job roles, my travels, and various articles that I source. The aviation industry is managed by large organizations such as ICAO and IATA. (International Civil Aviation Organization and International Air Transport Association). They write articles about the major trends. Interpreting those trends in a way that young people can understand them. 

Your writing focuses on intricate technical details and pilot perspectives. What do you want readers, especially aviation enthusiasts and professionals, to take away from your work?

I slightly disagree. As I am not a pilot, my writings aren’t very technical from a cockpit perspective. I studied aviation management, which is the business management side of airport management and airline management. What I have learned from my thesis is what is causing the surge in travel demand and how airlines and airports must adapt to the increase in passenger volume. Not all regions of the world will experience the same increase.

My book explains more about the issues that airlines and airports are facing, such as passenger volume, environmental trends, and future trends in aviation, such as vertical take-off and electric vehicles, as well as drones. It is more about explaining what the career options are to solve those kinds of problems and which undergraduate and postgraduate programs are offered by colleges and universities.

Within my book, I also explored lifestyle, wages, and work lifestyle issues a little bit. In addition, I will discuss how the industry is evolving to become more inclusive for its workforce, embrace diversity and inclusion, address women’s issues, and overcome racism. 

Writing and aviation both require a great deal of focus. How do you deal with writer’s block or lack of motivation in your writing endeavors?

I don’t have writer’s block here. My head is overflowing with new books and new ideas. The world is big, aviation is global, there is so much to talk about. Including emotional intelligence within the aviation industry, aircraft manufacturing careers, striving for excellence, and setting goals. I plan to write a book on environmental trends in aviation. Airports and Airlines also face numerous challenges related to environmental awareness. This includes recycling, greenhouse gases, noise pollution, global connectivity, and multicultural integration. 

As someone with experience in the skies and writing, please share an interesting anecdote that readers might find surprising or enlightening.

I recall one day, while on duty as a flight attendant, I was working the flight from Vancouver to Cancun, one of my favorite destinations.  A passenger asked me… “Where are we?” pointing to a brown patch of fields somewhere over the USA. I replied while looking out the window…. “We are coming up to exit 35 on the I-5.” The passenger didn’t know if I was joking or serious. The lesson that I learned from this is that in life, sometimes a different perspective on reality is all it takes to see the current circumstances. A good sense of humor goes a long way. 

I agree. Do you have any more stories?

Yes, here’s another funny story. Many people may be familiar with the vendors on the subway in Mexico City who sell all kinds of merchandise from CDs to puzzles, to soup all for 10 pesos. Typically, vendors will board the train and start chanting to entice people to buy their products. 

One day, while working at Toronto Pearson Airport, I was assigned to meet a group of 46 Mexican students who were connecting through Toronto. I was assigned to meet the flight and escort them to their departure gate. We all had to cram into one elevator, which was packed just like the metro in Mexico City during rush hour.

Spontaneously, I started chanting like the vendors, “Plalleras, Plalleras, 10 pesos, 10 pesos” (T-shirts for sale, 10 pesos). The whole elevator burst out laughing. The irony is that those students expected Canada to be extremely different from Mexico until they met Julien Martinson in the elevator to bring back that special something very familiar, such as trying to sell t-shirts in the elevator. 

Being able to bring cultural barriers with humor and relating to people in a meaningful way is the best way to build an instant rapport. 

In engaging with your readers and audience, have you received any feedback that has significantly shaped your approach to writing and speaking?

Yes… no matter how many times people ask me the same question, for that person, it is always the first time they ask them. I always take the time to explain everything thoroughly. Because of the insight that I have gained from the thesis, I now have a global perspective on the aviation industry that most people wouldn’t have.

When I read the article that Indigo Airlines ordered 500 Airbus 321s, I understood that manpower would be required to fly those airplanes. Young people may not be able to interpret this information and what it means to them. 

In a similar way, if the weatherman says it will rain, for a businessman, it means to take an umbrella. For a housewife, it means that the kids will play inside. However, for a landscaper, it may mean it’s a work-from-home day or admin day. In a similar way, I interpret the aviation trends and make them applicable to my audience. This allows them to take the correct action. 

Building on your success, are there any new writing projects, speaking engagements, or workshops you’re currently working on? Anything that you can share with our readers?

Yes. In November of 2023, I was invited to do a TED TALK in Zimbabwe. Never in my life, did I think I would ever visit Africa, but I was invited to speak there. 

The talk is about the impact of women on aviation, striving for excellence and not settling for mediocrity in our choices and actions, and carefully considering the results of our actions.

This talk has motivated me to write about role models within the aviation industry and outside the aviation industry. What happens when things don’t go as planned, and how to take corrective action? 

On July 29th and 30th, Griffith University has invited me to attend the graduation ceremony in Brisbane Australia. I have applied to also speak at the graduation ceremony on behalf of the class. As well as the Griffith’s online campus, which is the university’s 2nd largest campus. 

For those in the aviation field who are considering sharing their knowledge through writing, what advice would you give them to get started?

My advice is to always share something to inspire and motivate others to take positive action. The words that are put on paper (or in digital format) are a beacon of hope for others who may be struggling with critical life decisions. Choosing a career path and taking steps to pave the way through higher education is one of the biggest challenges that a young person takes on their own. Getting the correct direction, support and mentorship is critical for future success. 

Outside of your publications, do you have any favorite reads or authors in the aviation genre that you would recommend to our blog readers?

Yes, the one book that inspired me the most is called “From Worst, to First“. It is story about how Continental Airlines was rated the worst airline in the US. Through strong leadership, goal setting and engaging with the employees, the airline was completely turned around. It ended up being the best airline in the USA. Finally, the book is about goal setting, taking positive action, being committed to excellence, and understanding what passengers want from an airline. 

Thank you, Julien! It was a pleasure working with you and learning more about your book. I look forward to seeing your future books as they are published.

You can purchase Julien Martinson’s book on Amazon. You can also follow him on social media below:

*This interview was edited slightly for clarity.

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