May 21, 2024 • 1hr 6min

Mark Groden - The Future of Flying - [Invest Like the Best, EP.374]

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

In this episode of Invest Like the Best, Patrick O'Shaughnessy interviews Mark Groden, founder and CEO of Skyryse. Skyryse is a company working to make general aviation as safe as commercial aviation through advanced automation and a universal flight control system. The conversation covers the current state of general aviation safety, the technological advances enabling Skyryse's approach, the potential economic and societal impacts of safer and more accessible flight, and Groden's mission-driven approach to building the company.

0:00

-0:00

Key Takeaways

General aviation safety gap: There are around 300-400 fatalities per year in general aviation in the US alone, compared to commercial aviation which is extremely safe. This safety gap is a "quiet crisis" that Skyryse is working to address.
Technology limitations: Until recently, the processing power and miniaturization needed to bring commercial aviation-level automation to smaller aircraft was not possible. Advances in technology now make this feasible.
Human-machine collaboration: The goal is not full autonomy, but rather augmenting human pilots with automation to dramatically improve safety. This maintains the benefits of human decision-making while reducing errors.
Universal interface: Skyryse is developing a standardized cockpit and control system that works across different aircraft types, similar to how car controls are standardized. This could make piloting much more accessible.
Economic impact: Improving safety and ease of use could dramatically increase utilization of general aviation aircraft, unlocking new transportation possibilities and economic value.
Infrastructure readiness: Much of the infrastructure needed for expanded general aviation already exists in the form of small airports across the country. The "subway stations of the sky" are already built.
Mission-driven approach: Skyryse's founder Mark Groden is intensely focused on the mission of reducing general aviation deaths to zero, structuring his entire life around this goal.

Introduction

In this episode of Invest Like the Best, Patrick O'Shaughnessy interviews Mark Groden, founder and CEO of Skyryse. Skyryse is a company working to make general aviation as safe as commercial aviation through advanced automation and a universal flight control system. The conversation covers the current state of general aviation safety, the technological advances enabling Skyryse's approach, the potential economic and societal impacts of safer and more accessible flight, and Groden's mission-driven approach to building the company.

Topics Discussed

Mark Groden's Background and Motivation (3:32)

Groden traces his passion for aviation back to his childhood, when his grandfather sent him a 1957 Popular Mechanics article about flying saucers. This sparked a lifelong interest in flight and transportation. After pursuing aerospace engineering and AI, Groden founded Skyryse following his grandfather's death, motivated by the desire to make air travel more accessible and allow people to spend more time with loved ones.

Childhood fascination with transportation and flying vehicles
Air Force-funded research project at age 15 building a UAV
PhD in Bayesian networks, a field of deterministic AI
Grandfather's death as catalyst for founding Skyryse

General Aviation vs Commercial Aviation (7:14)

Groden explains the key differences between general aviation (GA) and commercial aviation, highlighting the massive safety gap between the two:

Commercial aviation (Part 25 air transportation) is extremely safe, the safest mode of transport per seat mile
General aviation includes all non-military, non-commercial aircraft like helicopters, small planes, etc.
GA safety statistics: ~400,000 aircraft worldwide, 300-400 US fatalities annually
Reasons for safety gap: Less automation, lower pilot requirements, more varied conditions

Technological Barriers and Advances (10:22)

Groden discusses why the safety advances in commercial aviation haven't translated to general aviation until now:

Size constraints: Commercial aircraft have room for large banks of computers, not feasible for small planes
Processing power: Moore's Law and other advances now allow miniaturization of needed systems
Software challenges: Writing an operating system to leverage automation in GA is complex

Fly-by-Wire Systems and Automation (13:28)

Groden explains fly-by-wire systems and how they enable advanced automation:

Fly-by-wire: Pilot inputs are mediated by computers before affecting control surfaces
Safety protections: Prevents dangerous maneuvers like stalling
GA limitations: Most GA aircraft still use direct mechanical controls

Helicopter Safety and Challenges (16:02)

The conversation turns to helicopter safety specifically:

Main causes of accidents: Loss of control in flight, engine failure
Difficulty of piloting: Helicopters require constant active stabilization by the pilot
Weather limitations: Current helicopters struggle in low visibility conditions

Skyryse's Approach and SkyOS (37:58)

Groden outlines Skyryse's technology and approach:

SkyOS: An operating system and expert decision AI for aircraft
Universal interface: Standardized controls across different aircraft types
Human-machine collaboration: Augmenting rather than replacing pilots
Ease of use: 15 minutes of training allows novices to control aircraft in simulation

The Future of Piloting (42:04)

Groden discusses how Skyryse's technology could change piloting:

Empowering pilots: Allowing them to fly in more conditions, increasing utilization
Expanding the pilot pool: Making it easier for more people to become pilots
Future vision: Teenagers getting both driver's and pilot's licenses

Economic and Business Aspects of Aviation (45:43)

The conversation turns to the business side of aviation:

OEM dynamics: Aircraft manufacturers rely heavily on aftermarket parts and service
Incentives for safety: OEMs benefit from increased flight hours and larger fleets
Market adoption: Safety-enhancing technologies tend to get rapid, widespread adoption

Barriers to Realizing the Vision (51:08)

Groden discusses potential obstacles to widespread adoption of Skyryse's technology:

Technology readiness: The core technology is now complete after years of development
Regulatory hurdles: Certifying new aviation technology is a complex process
Market adoption: Getting pilots and aircraft owners to embrace the new system

Mission-Driven Approach to Company Building (57:08)

Groden shares insights on his mission-driven approach to building Skyryse:

Clear mission: Bringing general aviation deaths to zero
Life optimization: Structuring his entire life around the mission
Balance: Learning to allow some outside experiences to aid creativity and insight
Personal growth: Constantly working to improve communication and leadership skills

The Kindest Thing (1:00:46)

In response to the closing question about the kindest thing anyone has done for him, Groden shares:

Early coaching: A speaking coach who worked with him for years essentially for free
Communication skills: Learning to articulate his passion and vision more effectively
Impact: This coaching has helped in all aspects of building the business

Conclusion

Mark Groden and Skyryse are working to dramatically improve the safety and accessibility of general aviation through advanced automation and a universal flight control system. By bringing commercial aviation-level safety to smaller aircraft, they aim to unlock new transportation possibilities and economic value. Groden's intense focus on the mission of reducing aviation deaths to zero demonstrates the power of a mission-driven approach to company building. If successful, Skyryse's technology could fundamentally change how we think about and utilize air travel, potentially realizing the long-held dream of personal flight for the masses.