Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this episode, we sit down with Don Dubuque, a key architect behind the growth of UND Aerospace, to reflect on his nearly four decades shaping our aviation programs.
Don graduated from UND in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration. From there, he built a distinguished career at UND, serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Director of Flight Operations, Director of Extension Programs, and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Along the way, he helped certify more than 1,000 pilots, many of them UND students and instructors.
Don also played a critical role in UND Aerospace’s fleet expansion—buying and selling over 300 aircraft, pushing the strategy of ownership over leasing aircraft, and establishing eight extension sites through the UND Aerospace Foundation. Join us as we catch up with Don and revisit those early days of UND Aerospace.
AeroTalk is the the official podcast of UND Aerospace with new episodes released every Monday! Alongside our host, Matt Opsahl, listeners will explore a range of topics within the field of aerospace. We’ll take you beyond the classroom, talking with alumni, exploring career opportunities in aviation and aerospace, and sharing a few stories along the way. From hands-on tips to industry insights, this podcast is your weekly co-pilot through the ups and downs of life.
Catch every episode on your favorite platform:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XBDIY9...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff7...
Thanks for tuning in and supporting the show! Don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. 🙌
UND Aerospace is a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric research, space studies, and earth system science and policy research. With more than 500 faculty and staff members, 1,800+ students from around the world, and myriad programs and projects, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is setting the pace for the future of flight.
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: instagram.com/undaerospace
Facebook: facebook.com/UNDAerospace
Twitter: twitter.com/UNDAerospace?s=20
In this episode, we sit down with Don Dubuque, a key architect behind the growth of UND Aerospace, to reflect on his nearly four decades shaping our aviation programs.
Don graduated from UND in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Aviation Administration. From there, he built a distinguished career at UND, serving in numerous leadership positions including: Chief Flight Instructor, Assistant Director of Flight Operations, Director of Extension Programs, and FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Along the way, he helped certify more than 1,000 pilots, many of them UND students and instructors.
Don also played a critical role in UND Aerospace’s fleet expansion—buying and selling over 300 aircraft, pushing the strategy of ownership over leasing aircraft, and establishing eight extension sites through the UND Aerospace Foundation. Join us as we catch up with Don and revisit those early days of UND Aerospace.
AeroTalk is the the official podcast of UND Aerospace with new episodes released every Monday! Alongside our host, Matt Opsahl, listeners will explore a range of topics within the field of aerospace. We’ll take you beyond the classroom, talking with alumni, exploring career opportunities in aviation and aerospace, and sharing a few stories along the way. From hands-on tips to industry insights, this podcast is your weekly co-pilot through the ups and downs of life.
Catch every episode on your favorite platform:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4XBDIY9...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ff7...
Thanks for tuning in and supporting the show! Don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. 🙌
UND Aerospace is a world-renowned center for aerospace learning, nationally acclaimed for our achievements in collegiate aviation education, atmospheric research, space studies, and earth system science and policy research. With more than 500 faculty and staff members, 1,800+ students from around the world, and myriad programs and projects, the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences is setting the pace for the future of flight.
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram: instagram.com/undaerospace
Facebook: facebook.com/UNDAerospace
Twitter: twitter.com/UNDAerospace?s=20
