Fly Girls' Guide to Aviation Careers

Anticipating Air Safety Needs with Rockets, Air Taxis and Drones: Nicki Harricharan

René Banglesdorf Episode 7

In this episode, René sits down with Nicki Harricharan, Operations Program Manager at CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation), whose career has spanned from the FAA control centers to leading global conversations about the future of air traffic management. Nicki shares her journey from growing up in Trinidad with a fascination for travel to navigating the complexities of international aviation and integrating new technologies like space launches and unpiloted vehicles.

Tune in as they discuss:

  • How Nicki rose from FAA air traffic controller to global aviation leader
  • What it takes to integrate rocket launches, air taxis, and drones into the airspace
  • Leadership skills that matter most: problem-solving, building trust, and listening
  • The challenge of balancing cultural differences and regional priorities in aviation
  • Why staying curious and embracing learning is key to success in any aviation role

Nicki brings a global lens to the future of air traffic management, from integrating rocket launches to shaping how drones and advanced air mobility enter shared airspace. Her perspective highlights both the technical puzzle and the human collaboration it takes to make aviation safer worldwide. 

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Save your free seat for the Virtual Aviation Career Fair, November 8, 2025. Go to https://weareflygirls.com/careers to register now! 

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Subscribe to the show so you don’t miss future stories from women shaping the skies. And if you enjoyed today’s episode, leave a review and share it with a friend. It’s one of the best ways to help us grow the Fly Girls’ Guide community!

https://weareflygirls.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareflygirls/
https://www.instagram.com/weareflygirls_
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https://www.youtube.com/@weareflygirls