Updates on the DCA midair collision, JetBlue software glitch, Air India B787 fuel control switch, injuries on United B777 flight, and Toronto CRJ-900 rollover. Also, the AA CEO’s message to employees, DOT mandate to purge DEI, Portland International Jetport passenger volume, Elliott Management and Southwest, and flight attendant carry-on bags. Plus, our first report from the Singapore Airshow. Guest Air Accident Updates We look at some air accident and incident updates in the press: NTSB Chair Slams FAA for Ignoring Repeated Warnings, Says Midair Collision Was Preventable In this C-Span video, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy slams the FAA, saying that it let its guard down and ignored repeated warnings that ultimately led to the deadly midair collision near Washington Reagan National Airport on January 29, 2025, that killed 67 people. “We should be angry, because for years no one listened. This was preventable. This was 100 percent preventable,” Homendy says. Passengers on JetBlue Plane That Plummeted When Flight Computer “Glitched Out” Sue Airbus for Negligence The JetBlue A320 experienced a sudden “uncommanded loss of altitude,” initially attributed to a software glitch that Airbus believed could result from intense solar radiation. This led to an emergency worldwide recall in November 2025, with an estimated 6,000 A320-series aircraft affected. Three passengers on that flight are now suing Airbus for allowing an “unreasonably dangerous” glitch in the system to go unchecked. Those passengers question the solar flare explanation and claim that JetBlue was aware of a recurring issue with the Elevator and Aileron Computer (ELAC) system. No defect found in switch of jet grounded by Air India – regulator Pilots on an Air India B787-8 noticed that during engine start, the fuel control switch did not “remain positively latched in the run position when light vertical pressure was applied”. This happened twice. The third time, the switch operated normally. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that when the switches were operated according to Boeing’s recommended procedure, they were found to be “satisfactory”, staying at run instead of moving to cut-off. The DGCA reported that, when incorrectly handled, the switch would “move easily from run to cut-off”. See also, Pilot alert prompts Air India checks on all Boeing 787 fuel control switchesby Rachel Chitra. Three United Airlines Flight Attendants Seriously Injured After Air Traffic Control Failed To Alert Pilots Of Turbulence The NTSB has released its final report on the February 10, 2024, incident where a United Airlines 777-200 experienced a sudden drop, seriously injuring three flight attendants and throwing several passengers and an unsecured baby into the ceiling. The NTSB concluded that a contributing factor was air traffic controllers’ failure to alert the pilots of turbulence in the area. TSB Canada Releases Update on 2025 Toronto CRJ-900 Crash Investigation Photo Credit: TSB Canada. The accident occurred at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport (CYYZ) on February 17, 2025, when the CRJ-900 regional jet attempted to land and struck the runway hard, causing the right wing and tail section to separate from the fuselage. The plane flipped upside down and slid to a stop. The wreckage was transported to a hangar while the right wing, landing gear, wing box structure, and related parts were taken to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) Engineering Laboratory in Ottawa for testing. The metallurgical analysis of the wing and landing-gear fractures is now being examined. Recordings from the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, quick access recorder (QAR), and the enhanced ground proximity warning system have been examined. Data from prior flights on the same aircraft were also compared to the accident flight for context. Evidence was collected from NAV CANADA’s Toronto surface movement guidance system and the airport’s closed-circuit television footage. A full meteorological review, including wind data and soundings, has also been finalized to understand weather conditions at the time. Simulator sessions have been run. The full preliminary report is available here. Aviation News Under Pressure American Airlines CEO Robert Isom Tells Staff That Everything Will Be Alright In New Video Message In a new video message to staffers, American Airlines chief executive Robert Isom says, “As we look forward to 2026, it’s with a lot of excitement and confidence. I know we’re going to do better financially and operationally. We have a plan to be solidly profitable this year, which will mean good things for our customers, our shareholders, and all of you.” Isom articulated strategies concerning the customer experience, hub facility investments, maximizing the power of the AA network and fleet, new routes, new frontline team members, new aircraft, AAdvantage program changes, and doing a better job selling the AA product. Trump’s U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Doubles Down on Purging DEI From Our Skies, Calls on Airlines to Affirm Pilot Hiring is Merit-Based The FAA is issuing a new mandatory “Operations Specification” (OpSpec) requiring all commercial airlines to commit to merit-based hiring for pilots formally. The mandate (New Mandatory OpSpec A134, Merit-Based Pilot Hiring, for Certificate Holders Conducting Operations Under 14 CFR Part 121 [PDF]) is effective February 13, 2026. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said, “When families board their aircraft, they should fly with confidence knowing the pilot behind the controls is the best of the best. The American people don’t care what their pilot looks like or their gender—they just care that they are most qualified man or woman for the job. Safety drives everything we do, and this commonsense measure will increase transparency between passengers and airlines.”  ALPA Statement on Pilot Training and Qualification Standards Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued a statement that included: “All ALPA pilots are trained and evaluated to the same uncompromising standard regardless of race, gender, or background. A pilot’s identity has no bearing on their ability to safely operate an aircraft. What matters is training, experience, and qualification — and on that front, there are no shortcuts and no compromises. “At ALPA, our work to advance aviation safety never stops, and as always, ALPA airline pilots remain ready to safely transport passengers and cargo to their destinations. Safety is, and always will be, our number one priority.” Portland International Jetport logs busiest year in its history The Portland International Jetport had a record year in 2025, with more than 2.59 million passengers traveling through the airport. The previous record was 2.44 million in 2024. The Jetport says it became the first airport in New England to surpass its pre-pandemic passenger levels in 2023. Southwest Airlines Turns a Corner as Activist Investor Elliott Walks Away Elliott Management, an activist investor, began to acquire shares of Southwest stock in mid-2024. It bought enough shares to gain board representation and dictate the Airline’s strategic and financial changes. As a result, we saw paid assigned seating, baggage fees, expiring travel credits, and adjustments to its Rapid Rewards program. Southwest also looked at asset sales and balance sheet strategies to fund share buybacks. But in late 2025, Elliott began reducing its stake, and by early February 2026, its ownership dropped to about 9 percent. Two Elliott representatives have resigned from the board at Southwest. Southwest Airlines Now Faces a Flight Attendant Backlash As Hand Luggage Woes Grow Southwest moved a dedicated overhead bin for crew members to the back of the plane, and flight attendants are not happy. Passengers sitting at the front of the plane who have paid more or have elite status find that bin space is an issue. Singapore Airshow 2026 Brian Coleman interviewed several people at the Singapore Airshow. In this episode, he talks with Dan McQuestin, the Bell Country Manager in Australia. Mentioned “How LiveATC Went Live” by Rob Mark in the February 2026 issue of AIN Online. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.

The founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation explains the need for on-condition maintenance for GA, the proper roles of aircraft owners and mechanics, his Inspection Authorization training course, and his new Aviation Masters podcast. In the news, American Airlines is under fire from pilots and flight attendants, AA’s financial performance, the departure of AOPA’s CEO, a United Airlines lawsuit, and the Inspector General audit of air traffic controller training. Also, an Airplane Geeks host announces his new aviation podcast. Guest Mike Busch is the founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation, which provides aircraft owners, operators, and maintenance professionals with expert guidance grounded in data-driven, reliability-centered maintenance principles. Through maintenance management, education, and advocacy, Savvy helps the General Aviation community improve safety, reliability, and cost control. Mike Busch, Savvy Aviation founder and CEO. Mike argues that general aviation aircraft are often over-maintained, wasting both owners’ time and money while straining already limited mechanic capacity. He believes the industry should shift its focus toward on-condition, or reliability-centered, maintenance. Mechanics, he says, need to be trained to think critically—not just follow the manufacturer’s book. By applying reliability-centered maintenance and working on-condition, our existing mechanics could be more efficient. Mike also outlines what a healthy, collaborative relationship between owners and mechanics should look like. SavvyAviation has introduced the free, FAA-accepted SavvyCertified training course designed for mechanics studying for Inspection Authorization renewal. Mike reports that many aircraft owners signed up for the course and find it valuable. He also has a new podcast called Aviation Masters. Mike is a well-known aviation writer, teacher, aviation type club tech rep, aircraft-owner advocate, and entrepreneur. He assists aircraft owners with their maintenance problems through his lectures, articles, and books. Mike is a National Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year and has previously appeared in Episode 446 (April 5, 2017) and in Episode 667 (August 25, 2021). Aviation News Allied Pilots Association Delivers Scathing Ultimatum to American Management In a letter to the American Airlines Group Board of Directors, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) Board of Directors says, “Our airline is on an underperforming path and has failed to define an identity or a strategy to correct course” and “…it is the result of persistent patterns of operational, cultural, and strategic shortcomings.” “For more than a year, APA has voiced concerns regarding management’s ability to turn the corner. Management has been given repeated opportunities to articulate a credible strategy and demonstrate measurable improvement. Those opportunities have passed without meaningful change. Despite repeated assurances, the operation continues to struggle under predictable stressors, exposing systemic weaknesses in preparation, execution, and decision making. These consequences are shouldered by our customers and employees every day. “ “These failures have negatively impacted the financial performance of our company and frustrated all stakeholders, to include shareholders, for far too long.” “American is no longer best in class financially, operationally, or in customer service. The pilots of American want our company to win and dominate the competition, not just survive and compete. Our careers are intrinsically tied to the fate and performance of this once-great airline.” The Allied Pilots Association (APA) is the collective bargaining agent for American Airlines (AA)  pilots. Founded in 1963 and representing more than 16,000 pilots, the APA says it is the world’s largest independent pilots’ union. “Shame On You”: American Airlines Flight Attendants Call for Shareholder Coup to Oust CEO Unlike the APA, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is calling for American Airlines’ chief executive, Robert Isom, to step down. In an internal memo addressed to Isom, APFA Chicago O’Hare base president Justin Patterson says, “I would like to say, sleeping on floors is NOT normal. Shame on you for trying to normalize this inhumane treatment. Doing the same thing on repeat and expecting different results [is] the definition of insanity.”  Patterson asks, “Do you intend on running this airline with piss poor planning and posting minuscule profits again in 2026?” And “This company failed more than just the Flight Attendants… they failed everyone who works here. American Airlines failed our shareholders. They were derelict in their duties to our shareholders.” APFA is the official crew union that represents more than 28,000 AA flight attendants. Passengers Left Stunned By Miniature Tray Tables on American Airlines New Long-Haul A321XLR American Airlines flight attendant Heather Poole has posted on X photos of the new Economy cabin tray tables. Table depth is half what you’d normally expect from a tray table. A standard laptop will overhang the smaller tables, and the standard AA long-haul meal tray will as well. The table does not fold out or extend. Pressure mounts on American Airlines CEO as carrier lags rivals In 2025, Delta Air Lines posted $5 billion in net income with a 7.9% profit margin. United Airlines posted $3.3 billion in net income with a 5.7% margin. American Airlines made $111 million last year with a 0.2% margin. AOPA’s Hiring a Crisis Communications Firm AOPA’s board has reportedly hired a crisis‑management firm on a $250,000 retainer to handle intense backlash over the abrupt departure of CEO Darren Pleasance on February 4, 2026. Off-Duty FAA Inspector Claims He Got Lifetime Ban from United After He Pointed Out Alleged Safety Concerns Paul Asmus said that after a May 2022 flight where he pointed out his safety concerns, United removed him from the flight and gave him a lifetime travel ban. Asmus is suing United for $12.75 million in damages. The civil suit claims loss of wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages. Asmus, an FAA Inspector but off-duty, claims that he noticed a “torn seat-back pocket at his assigned seat,” which “impaired the ability to secure and access the emergency briefing card” and a passenger standing in the aisle while the aircraft pushed back from the gate. Asmus believed that he had an obligation to report the violations he observed and took photographs for an FAA report. Audit Initiated of Air Traffic Controller Training at the FAA Academy The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General announced the initiation of an audit. The Memorandum, Audit Announcement | Air Traffic Controller Training at the FAA Academy [PDF] (Project ID 26A3002A000), dated February 5, 2025, states that: “…the Academy is facing considerable challenges with training, including a shortage of qualified instructors, training capacity limitations, an outdated curriculum, and high training failure rates. Given the importance of increasing the number of certified controllers to safely manage the NAS, we are initiating this audit. The audit objectives will be to assess (1) FAA’s efforts to address the Academy instructor shortages, training limitations, and trainee failure rates and (2) the Academy’s progress with updating the air traffic controller training program curriculum.” The OIG plans to begin the audit “in the coming weeks.” The Office of Inspector General (OIG) works within the Department of Transportation (DOT) to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of DOT programs and operations and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.  See the OIG Active Audits list. Mentioned Stories About Flying podcast from Rob Mark. Aviation is an industry brimming with adventure and discovery at every turn. Award‑winning aviation journalist and Airplane Geeks co‑host Rob Mark invites listeners to enjoy captivating stories from a lifetime of aviation. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience flying for airlines, corporate and charter operations, and teaching as a flight instructor, Rob also reflects on his early days as an FAA and U.S. Air Force tower and radar controller. Along the way, he’ll share remarkable stories from fellow aviators and respected podcasters who bring their own perspectives to the fascinating world of flight. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

FAA reorganization and shutdown prep, Airbus A220 stretch, certification as a trade tool, UPS MD‑11 retirement, 777X engine snag, fatal Challenger crash, iconic aircraft, new NASM galleries, aviation career issues, aviation-themed music, and a future DC‑3/CH‑47 fly‑in. Aviation News FAA Adds Departments, Shuffles Roles The new FAA reorganization differs from the previous structure mainly by centralizing safety oversight, creating new modernization and advanced technology offices, and consolidating internal support functions under new top-level offices. A new, agency‑wide Aviation Safety Management System (SMS) Organization implements a single safety system and risk-management strategy across all FAA lines of business, rather than having safety functions and metrics siloed in multiple offices as before. An Airspace Modernization Office is dedicated to rolling out the “brand‑new air traffic control system” and overseeing broader NAS modernization, which previously was handled within the Air Traffic Organization and other units rather than a single, focused office. An Office of Advanced Aviation Technologies integrates UAS, eVTOL, AAM, electric, and supersonic aircraft into the NAS. These functions were formerly spread among UAS integration, NextGen, and various certification/AVS branches. A new Administration and Finance Office consolidates the functions of finance, information technology, and human resources. Previously, they were distributed across multiple lines of business and staff offices. A Policy and Legal Office pulls together policy, legal, stakeholder engagement, financial assistance, and the agency’s rulemaking/regulatory office. Previously, rulemaking and policy lived mainly within Aviation Safety and other distinct policy offices. The Administration and Finance Office, Policy and Legal Office, Air Traffic Organization, and the new safety and modernization offices all report to the Administrator. Shutdown Plan for FAA Involves 10K Furloughs The FAA’s plan for the short-lived partial government shutdown was to furlough more than 10,000 FAA workers and withhold pay for 13,835 air traffic controllers. Exclusive: Airbus to kickstart pre-sales for a larger A220 jet, sources say Airbus is considering launching an A220 stretch – the A220-500 with around 180 seats. This is a “simple stretch,” meaning the same wings, the same engines, and a longer fuselage. The Airbus Board approval is required before the A220-500 can be formally launched. Trade War Skies: Understanding Trump’s 2026 Decertification Order on Canadian Aircraft In a January 30, 2026, social media post, President Donald Trump announced the “decertification” of all Canadian-manufactured aircraft if Gulfstream aircraft were not certified by Canada. The President alleged that Canada has “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly” refused to certify U.S.-made G500, G600, G700, and G800 jets. If Transport Canada did not act immediately, a 50% tariff would be implemented. Over 5,400 Canadian-built planes are registered in the U.S. This sent shockwaves, if not panic, throughout the industry. With time, clarification has come: The order would apply to new aircraft airworthiness certificates and wouldn’t ground the fleet. The IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) urged a separation of safety regulation and political grievances. “You can’t weaponize the certification process,” said union leaders, emphasizing that aviation safety should remain an independent pillar of global travel. Some feel Transport Canada is holding off on certifying the G700 and G800 mainly because they are not willing to mirror the FAA’s temporary fuel‑icing exemption. The Canadian regulator wants the full cold‑weather and icing compliance demonstrated first. UPS won’t resurrect MD-11 fleet after deadly crash, takes $137M charge UPS is retiring its fleet of 27 MD-11 aircraft and, in the process, writing off $137 million after-tax. The MD-11s will be replaced with twin-engine Boeing 767-300 cargo jets. In response to the grounding of the MD-11 fleet, UPS repositioned some aircraft from outside the US, expanded transportation by truck, and leased planes from partner airlines. During an earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said, “Over the next fifteen months, we expect to take delivery of 18 new Boeing 767 aircraft, with 15 expected to deliver this year. As new aircraft join our fleet, we will step down the leased aircraft and associated expenses. We believe these actions are consistent with building a more efficient global network positioned for growth, flexibility and profitability.” Boeing’s certification ‘hangover’ drags on with new 777X issue Also, Boeing has identified an engine durability issue with the General Electric GE9X engines that power the 777X, although CEO Kelly Ortberg says this will not impact the first 777X delivery in 2027. Also, Ortberg signalled to investors that the company plans to increase 737 MAX production this year to 47 from 42 planes per month. Boeing has been preparing a fourth MAX production line in Everett to produce 737 MAX 10s, although the aircraft has yet to receive certification. Boeing posted job openings for the line, and the tooling is complete. Tracing the hours after a fatal plane crash in Bangor The Bombardier Challenger 600‑series business jet crashed during takeoff from Bangor International Airport in a snowstorm, killing all six people on board and triggering a complex, weather‑hampered investigation. The business jet was operating a private flight from Bangor to Europe with two crew and four passengers from the Houston area. The plane had been deiced and was cleared for takeoff on runway 33 around 7:40–7:45 p.m., in heavy snow, with visibility down to about three‑quarters of a mile and several inches of snow on the ground. Within roughly a minute of takeoff clearance, controllers halted all traffic after the aircraft crashed on or near the runway, coming to rest inverted and on fire. Possible lines of inquiry include: Wing contamination and ice buildup are known risk factors that have contributed to past Challenger‑series accidents. Aircraft performance and whether the wing stalled on takeoff. Deicing procedures and timing relative to takeoff, including whether holdover times were exceeded. Crew qualifications, training, and recent duty history. Mechanical condition of the aircraft and any anomalies captured on the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, which have been sent to the NTSB in Washington. Mentioned National Air and Space Museum Announces Plans To Celebrate 50 Years The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum opened on July 1, 1976, as a gift to the nation for the U.S. bicentennial. Five new galleries will open to the public on the museum’s 50th anniversary, July 1, 2026, and in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary.  Galleries opening July 1, 2026: Flight and the Arts Center Jay I. Kislak World War II in the Air U.S. National Science Foundation Discovering Our Universe RTX Living in the Space Age Textron How Things Fly Galleries opening in the autum 2026: At Home in Space (Oct. 30) Modern Military Aviation (Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11) This completes the museum’s multi-year renovation. Soar Together Family Day at Innovations in Flight: World War II on the Homefront Check this site for information about the National Air & Space Museum’s annual Innovations in Flight event. The DC-3 Society is planning an inaugural DC-3 Society DC-3 Fly-In. Date and location TBD. See the January 2026 Newsletter. Video: 737 St. Erasmus’ Airshow, Full Music Album, by SPEED BRAKE ARMED https://youtu.be/lcY3uU8uG2E Video: 737 Airshow America, by SPEED BRAKE ARMED. https://youtu.be/-Sl5WvWRhWo Video: HARS CONNIE – The Years Fly Past – Wings Over Illawarra 2016 https://youtu.be/duSOTbanz-8?si=13bcDNa5Sfv9JgPq Music In a blast from the AGP past, Brother Love provides opening and closing music from the Album Of The Year CD. (On Facebook.) Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Pilot Nicki returns to describe her 1948 Globe Swift and explain her plans to make a mid-life career change and become a professional pilot. In the news, the FAA Administrator says what to expect from the “brand new air traffic control system,” a bill to address ADS-B “misuse,” navigating around the debris field after a rocket failure, accelerating the MV-75 Tiltrotor program, flying the Qatari 747 as Air Force One, reduced security restrictions at Heathrow, and a private jet crash in Maine. Guest Nicki Hovanec just reached her goal of 1500 flight hours and now plans to make a mid-life career change and become a professional pilot. She fell in love with aviation at an early age and attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for Aviation at Daytona Beach, Florida. But 911 impacted Nicki’s career trajectory and took her away from aviation. However, with encouragement from her spouse, she returned to aviation, obtained her pilot’s license, and will soon look to be hired by an airline. Nicki trained through independent flight schools and completed her solo in 2017, receiving her initial pilot’s certificate. She continued her training and completed additional certifications on various aircraft while progressing towards her goal of 1500+ flight hours. Nicki saved and borrowed funds to purchase a Cessna 152. Eventually selling that plane, she bought a 1948 Globe Swift tail-dragger, her current airplane. With 1,500 flight hours completed, Nicki now begins the job search for a professional pilot position, starting with the NGPA job fair. We’ll continue to follow her progress. A little history: In May 2017, Nicki sought our advice about starting flying lessons and making a career change to become a professional pilot. We encouraged her to keep us informed about her progress, and Nicki did so by sending us over a dozen recordings documenting her journey getting a pilot’s license. We were happy to include those in our podcast episodes. Nicki and her 1948 Globe Swift. See: A Short History of the Swift Wikipedia: Globe GC-1 Swift 2026 NGPA Industry Expo, presented by United Airlines, February 5-6, 2026. FAPA.aero (Future & Active Pilots Alliance) Aviation News FAA’s Bedford Provides Glimpse into U.S. ATC’s Future At the monthly Aero Club of Washington, D.C. luncheon, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford talked about the “brand new air traffic control system.” He described: “Greater precision about… flight trajectories… [while] navigating through the airspace.” Many fewer handoffs flying through the system. A cultural shift away from focusing on takeoff to when a pilot wants to land.  Changing the innovation cycle to be more like Apple or Tesla. AOPA urges members to contact their representatives in Congress AOPA issued a call to action asking its 300,000 members to contact their senators and representatives in Congress and urge them to cosponsor the Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act (PAPA). AOPA President Darren Pleasance said, “When the ADS-B mandate went into effect in 2020, the FAA said this important technology would only be used for safety and airspace efficiency. Instead, we’re now seeing it used in ways that discourage adoption…The misuse of ADS-B is a step backward for aviation safety and erodes trust in our aviation system.” If passed, PAPA would prohibit the use of ADS-B data to assist in the collection of fees from pilots or aircraft owners and clarify that ADS-B data may only be used for its intended purposes of air traffic safety and efficiency. PAPA was introduced in 2025 by Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.) as H.R.4146 and Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) as S.2175. “We’re Too Close to the Debris” On January 16, 2026, ATC instructed Caribbean flights to avoid the FAA’s debris zone after a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded. Dozens of planes made sharp turns to avoid the danger zone, which was closed for 86 minutes. ProPublica says this made “pilots and passengers unwitting participants in SpaceX’s test of the most powerful rocket ever built.” Army Punches Its MV-75 Tiltrotor Program Into Overdrive The Army wants to see the MV-25 testing this year and in service in 2027. Just twelve months ago, the Army targeted 2030. At the 2022 competition, service was expected in the mid-2030s. The MV-75 is the designation given to the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor. The design is based on the Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor and will replace many of the H-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The V-280 demonstrator has flown, but not the MV-75 configuration. Qatari 747 to fly as Trump’s Air Force One this summer In May 2025, the US government accepted the 747 jetliner donated by the Qatari government to serve as a new Air Force One. Modifications began in September. An Air Force spokesperson said in a statement that delivery of the aircraft is anticipated no later than summer 2026. Calling it a “VC-25 bridge aircraft,” the Trump administration intends this plane to serve as an interim Air Force One while waiting for the two 747s currently being modified by Boeing. The Air Force is expecting the first Boeing-modified 747 to be handed over in “mid-2028,” a delay of roughly four years. London’s Heathrow eases liquid and laptop rules after £1 billion security upgrade The airport completed a £1bn CT scanner upgrade across all four Heathrow terminals. This allows passengers to carry liquid containers up to two liters, and the removal of laptops from bags is no longer required. 7 dead, 1 seriously injured in plane crash at airport in Bangor, Maine, FAA says A Bombardier CL-600-2B16 Challenger 650 veered off the runway on takeoff and crashed at Bangor International Airport in Maine. There was snow at the time of the plane crash due to a large winter storm. See also: Private jet carrying 8 crashes at Maine airport, FAA says. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Brian Coleman.

The Americas Aviation Lead for PA Consulting discusses key priorities for the U.S. aviation industry, including investing in airport infrastructure and addressing the industry’s labor shortage. In the news, a bill to pay controllers during a shutdown, why ATC modernization has failed, the FAA’s unleaded avgas transition plan, similarities between the UPS crash and a previous problem with bearings, and the FAA’s decision to deregister hundreds of aircraft. Also, a new studio album from an airline pilot, visiting the USS Midway Museum in Southern California, and listener feedback on attractive airplanes. Guest Carlos Ozores is the Americas Aviation Lead for PA Consulting, a global firm that focuses on technology and innovation. Carlos addresses the key priorities for the U.S. aviation industry in 2026, including investing in airport infrastructure and addressing the industry labor shortage. He explains that U.S. airports have an estimated $170B capital requirement over the next five years to address airport infrastructure needs. Carlos tells us about the traditional sources to fund such projects, and what other sources could make up the shortfall. We look at public-private partnerships, the Passenger Facility Charge, and monetization of airport assets such as terminal concessions, car parking, and real estate development. Also, utilizing data collected about passengers and the importance of airport stakeholder engagement. Carlos tells us how the aging workforce is contributing to an industry labor shortage and leading to the loss of institutional knowledge. We talk about promoting the industry to the young generations, and issues such as pay, training, documented and repeatable work, quality of life, and labor relations. Before joining PA Consulting, Carlos served as Vice President and Managing Director, Head of Aviation, Americas, for ICF, a global solutions and technology provider. Before that, he spent time at American Airlines and Air France. He just returned from the American Association of Airport Executives Aviation Issues Conference in Hawaii, and we hear his observations from that event. PA aviation clients include SkyTeam and its member airlines on sustainability issues, Heathrow Airport on on-time performance and passenger experience projects, Etihad Airways on decision-support for engine fleet management, and DFW on airport operations. Other clients have included Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Aer Lingus, and multiple SkyTeam member airlines through SkyTeam’s sustainability program. See: Airport Improvement Program Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) program Airports Council International American Association of Airport Executives Jacobs to Acquire Remaining Stake in PA Consulting Aviation News Update: Air Traffic Controller Pay During Shutdowns Meets Resistance The House Transportation Committee advanced a bipartisan bill (H.R.6086 – Aviation Funding Solvency Act) which “provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if (1) an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins, or (2) a law making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect.”  The “bill provides appropriations from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The FAA may use the balance of the fund, minus $1 billion. If the FAA determines that the amounts from the fund are insufficient to continue all programs, projects, or activities, then the FAA must prioritize compensation payments for employees of the Air Traffic Organization (e.g., air traffic controllers).” However, Steve Womack (R-Ark.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee’s transportation panel, is critical of the legislation. The Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund exists to cover war‑risk insurance claims for airlines participating in government programs such as the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), when commercial insurance is unavailable or withdrawn. The balance was originally built up from premiums paid by airlines, but that premium program authority expired in 2014. Because the fund has been largely unused for claims, investment earnings have grown it to roughly more than 2.6 billion dollars, significantly above what has historically been needed for CRAF-related claims. The Abundance Problem: Why the FAA Has Spent 40 Years Modernizing Air Traffic Control—and Still Isn’t Done Vincent E. Bianco III, an FAA Veteran and Senior Aviation Safety Consultant, describes why presidential administrations and Congresses have failed to adequately fund the FAA and modernize the ATC system. He draws on a concept from the March 2025 book Abundance: What America Gets Wrong About Capitalism and What We Can Do to Fix It, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Those authors describe how an institution, like the FAA, can become paralyzed by process, where well-intentioned rules accumulate. Each rule is logical by itself, but taken together, they end up stifling progress. FAA Publishes Unleaded Avgas Transition Plan Daft Section 827 of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act directs the FAA to facilitate a safe, timely, and orderly transition to unleaded alternatives while maintaining operational efficiency. The FAA released a Draft Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline – For Public Comment (January 2026, Version 1.0, 77 pages), which phases out 100LL fuel by 2030 in the contiguous United States, and by 2032 in Alaska. The FAA is seeking feedback from aviation professionals, specifically aircraft owners, pilots, and aviation stakeholders. Boeing warned 15 years ago about a part problem at the center of UPS crash The Air Current reports that in an investigation update, the NTSB noted “that cracking discovered in a spherical bearing assembly from the accident aircraft ‘appears consistent’ with an issue identified by Boeing almost 15 years ago.” The bearing assembly is part of the pylon aft mount bulkhead. That mount, and the forward mount bulkhead and thrust link assembly, attach the engine pylon to the wing. “The NTSB’s preliminary report on the accident, released Nov. 20, revealed that on the left pylon aft mount bulkhead, the forward and aft lugs that house the spherical bearing assembly had fractured and separated. The spherical bearing’s outer race, which contains the ball bearing and allows it to move independently of the surrounding parts, had also fractured around its circumference.” The 2011 Boeing service letter informed operators of bearing race failures on three different airplanes. A visual inspection of the part was added to the regular 60-month maintenance cycle. Also, Boeing recommended (but did not require) installing a new part design. Boeing determined that failure of the bearing race would “not result in a safety of flight condition.” The NTSB is not saying this is the conclusive cause of the accident. Hundreds of Aircraft Deregistered in FAA Move Against Trust Company About 800 aircraft registered through U.K.-based Southern Aircraft Consultancy have been grounded after the FAA informed the company it did not meet U.S. citizenship requirements.  Those requirements allow a trustee firm to register aircraft in the US. Southern Aircraft Consultancy’s registration service allows non-American owners to maintain N-registrations on their planes. Southern Aircraft Consultancy says it intends to transfer its business to a U.S.-based company. See: Aircraft Trusts/Voting Trusts NBAA: FAA Aircraft Groundings Over Trustee Violations Show Need for Operator Diligence 737 Diversion Music artist, airline pilot, author, and piano technician Peter Buffington has released his second new studio album, 737 – Diversion by Speed Brake Armed. “Recorded between late-night flights, hotel rooms, and restless studio time, 737 – Diversion captures the raw energy of sleepless nights, long-haul journeys, and the electric haze of life lived at 37,000 feet experienced by pilots. The 15-track project blends classic pop, worldly electronic, country, classic rock, and piano solo with introspective lyricism that pushes aviation-themed music into new territory. The music is family-friendly, yet captures the intensity of airline flying.” 737 Diversion on Apple Music Mentioned California dreamin’! New nonstop service coming to Maine airport Photographs by Listener Steve: Pratt & Whitney 747SP test aircraft at EAA Airventure Oshkosh. A340 on takeoff. A340 in flight. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

The next phase of Boeing’s 737 Max 10 certification, Alaska Airlines’ purchase of Boeing jets, the effects of sanctions on airlines, the discontinuation of Avelo Airlines’ deportation flights, and the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines by Allegiant. Boeing 737 Max 10, courtesy Boeing. Aviation News Boeing advances 737 Max 10 into next phase of FAA flight testing Boeing’s 737 Max 10 has entered the second major phase of FAA flight testing, Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). An outstanding design change for the Max 7 and Max 10 engine anti‑ice system has led to certification delays. The core issue is an engine anti-ice design that can overheat and damage the composite engine inlet structure if left on for too long in non-icing conditions. Regulators consider this an unacceptable hazard. The problem affects all Max variants, but it is being treated as a hard certification gate for the Max 7 and 10. Alaska Airlines to buy more than 100 Boeing jets in carrier’s biggest order ever Alaska Airlines is ordering 105 more Boeing 737 Max 10 jets (53 new orders, and 52 exercised options) and exercising options for five 787-10 Dreamliners. This reserves production slots for future airline expansion. Alaska Airlines expects FAA certification of the Max 10 this year, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The new order includes options for 35 more 737 Max 10s. How sanctions turned Iran into a refuge for the world’s rarest passenger aircraft A sanctioned country like Iran can’t buy new aircraft, engines, or OEM spare parts and components. Keeping the fleet flying, or just keeping a fleet, becomes difficult. Reportedly, more than half of Iran’s estimated 330 commercial aircraft are grounded. The Iranian fleet is composed of old airframes and supported by scavenged aircraft, parts, engines, and avionics smuggled into the country. Avelo Airlines to end ICE deportation charters as it cuts commercial flights, jobs The airline says it will stop flying deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a letter to employees, CEO Andrew Levy said, “We moved a portion of our fleet into a government program which promised more financial stability but placed us in the center of a political controversy. The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs.” Avelo is returning six of its Boeing 737-700 airplanes (they have 8) to focus on the more efficient 737-800 airplanes (they have 14) and said it will close bases at North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Wilmington International Airport, though it will continue to serve those cities. Avelo closes three crew bases and removes six 737-700s following recapitalisation Avelo chief executive Andrew Levy told FlightGlobal in September that the airline plans to receive its first E195-E2 in early 2027 and for deliveries to continue into 2032. It considers the incoming E-Jets well-suited for smaller, niche markets that major US carriers avoid. Allegiant to buy rival budget airline Sun Country in $1.5 billion cash and stock deal Low-cost leisure airline Allegiant announced it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a deal that values the stock and cash transaction at approximately $1.5 billion, including $400 million of Sun Country’s net debt. The Allegiant brand would continue, with the two carriers operating separately until obtaining a single operating certificate. See: Sun Country + Allegiant Merger FAQs Mentioned The Aircraft Carrier Midway Is San Diego’s Biggest Tourist Attraction, According To Tripadvisor Aviation Masters podcast. Video version: George Braly on Lean-of-Peak, G100UL, Certification Battles, and Why Aviation Myths Die Hard https://youtu.be/0WWmSy4aNng?si=JwbjrL91fUeqD5DT Check out the LEO JetBike – a personal propeller-free eVTOL that anyone can fly LEO Flight The JetBike, courtesy LEO Flight. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

This episode: The first real-world activation of the Garmin Autoland system, the E‑7 Wedgetail networked airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform, the flu season impact on crews, an airline captain stands up for exhausted flight attendants, and airlines with the largest fleets. Additionally, airport modernization and the Dulles people movers, the infrastructure needed to support the growth of personal air vehicles, and containment systems for lithium battery thermal runaway. Aviation News Autoland Saves King Air, Everyone Safe, FAA, NTSB Launch Probes On December 20, 2025, a Super King Air (N479BR) operated by Buffalo River Aviation experienced an in-flight emergency after departing from Aspen, Colorado (KASE) on a FAR Part 91 reposition flight. No passengers were on board. Climbing through 23,000ft MSL, the aircraft experienced a rapid, uncommanded loss of pressurization. The aircraft was equipped with Garmin Aviation’s latest Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) and Autoland systems, automatically engaged when the cabin altitude exceeded the prescribed safe levels. The system selected a suitable airport per Garmin criteria (KBJC, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport), navigated to it, and landed safely. See: NTSB News Talk Episode 20: Garmin Autoland Emergency Landing: First King Air Save Buffalo River Aviation Statement Regarding Colorado Emergency Landing Image courtesy Garmin. Boeing’s $724 million radar plane lives on, despite Pentagon efforts to kill it The E‑7 Wedgetail program is designed to replace the legacy E‑3 Sentry/AWACS-type aircraft (Airborne Warning And Control System) with a modern, networked airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform. The E-7 is designed to provide long-range, 360° air and maritime surveillance using an electronically scanned array radar mounted on a Boeing 737 airframe. It’s intended to serve as an airborne battle management node, coordinating fighters, surface units, and ground-based air defenses. The Pentagon wants to cancel the purchase of two prototype E-7 Wedgetail jets, but Congress refuses to do so. In fact, Congress provided $847 million in additional funding for the two prototypes. Major Radio Failure Paralyzes Greek Airspace A major failure of aviation radio communications across Greece led to a temporary shutdown of Greek airspace, grounding or diverting flights nationwide for several hours and causing knock-on disruption across Europe. The collapse of radio frequencies in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR) forced authorities to halt departures and arrivals until communications were partially restored. Travelers stranded in Caribbean as US military operation sends airlines scrambling to add flights A US military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro led to a temporary FAA closure of Caribbean airspace, causing more than 425 flight cancellations and stranding thousands of travelers across islands including Puerto Rico, Anguilla, St. Maarten, and Aruba. Airlines are now restoring service and adding extra capacity, with most commercial restrictions lifted and operations gradually normalizing. Alaska Airlines Captain Sues Boeing Over 737Max Door Plug Incident Alaska Airlines captain Brandon Fisher has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Boeing and subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems, alleging they tried to make him a scapegoat for the January 5, 2024, mid‑air door plug blowout on Flight 1282. He claims Boeing falsely suggested the incident was due to maintenance or crew error, despite later NTSB findings that pointed to Boeing’s inadequate training, guidance, and oversight in its manufacturing processes. Fisher says he has suffered “profound physical and mental repercussions” since the blowout, describing ongoing deterioration linked to emotional injury. Alaska Airlines Hits New All Time Record of 540+ Flight Attendants Going Sick With Carrier Struggling to Operate Full Schedule Flight attendants and pilots are calling out sick in great numbers as the flu season takes hold. Alaska Airlines reports that 540 flight attendants are out. Meanwhile, Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit have activated contingency plans. In an internal memo, Spirit Airlines said, “Our reserve levels are virtually the same as they have been since 2023, but during this holiday, our sick calls have exceeded previous periods by nearly 250% on some days.” Weather delays and ATC shortages have compounded the problem. A memo reviewed by PYOK explained that nearly 20% of the airline’s flight attendants called out sick just before the New Year. My Crew Is Done: United Airlines Captain Refuses to Push Tired Flight Attendants And One Passenger Thanks Him For The Delay FAA regulations generally limit a flight attendant’s maximum scheduled duty day to 14 hours on domestic flights. With an augmented crew (adding additional flight attendants), duty can be scheduled beyond 14 hours but is capped at 20 hours. This PYOK article relates the observations of a passenger who saw a United Airlines Captain refuse the attempts of the ground crew to keep the timed-out flight attendants on the boarded plane while another cabin crew could be found. With the FAs exiting the plane, the passengers would have to deplane. Top 10 airlines with the biggest fleets in 2026 United Airlines has the largest fleet with 1,050 single-aisle and widebody aircraft. American Airlines follows with 1,023 aircraft, then Delta Airlines (989), Southwest Airlines (810), China Southern Airlines (708), China Eastern Airlines (679), Skywest Airlines (600), Air China (531), Turkish Airlines (399), and Ryanair (349). The data comes from Planespotters.net and individual airlines. It is current as of December 2025. Mentioned Micah was a guest on WBZ, AM Radio 1030 in Boston with Bradley Jay. He spent an hour talking about all sorts of different aviation and travel things: Ready for Take Off! Dulles Airport Modernization: Dulles mobile lounges could last another two decades, airport officials say 18 people sent to the hospital after mobile lounge crashes at Washington D.C.-area airport Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Launches New Initiative to Revitalize Dulles Airport into The International Gateway Our Nation’s Capital Deserves Plane Mate mobile lounge. Newer model. Jetson ONE Jetson ONE. Lithium-ion battery containment: Lithium Fire Guard Lithium Battery Air Safety Advisory Committee FAA testing videos: Competitor 1, Competitor 2, Competitor 3, Competitor 4, and PG100. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

An upcoming listener survey, the Engine Cowl aviation news, Christmas Trees and B-17’s, Spirit Airlines’ debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit agreement, Poor Little Lambs (The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story), and making the Airplane Geeks Podcast. Rytis Beresnevicius, the Engine Cowl Rytis Beresnevicius is an independent aviation journalist who started the Engine Cowl on September 1, 2025, to provide the latest news about the aviation industry through daily posts and newsletters. He previously worked at AeroTime and Simple Flying, and has also written for AirInsight and other publications. Rytis is based in Lithuania. Although not originally an AvGeek, Rytis developed a passion for the industry. He tries to go to the source of stories and does not simply rehash press releases or rely on the reporting of others. There is no AI at The Engine Cowl. Airplane Geeks Listener Survey As we prepare for a listener survey, we invite you to submit your questions for Airplane Geeks listeners. Christmas Trees & B-17’s Originally aired in 2022 and written for the Plane Talking UK podcast Christmas show, Micah tells the story of Si Spiegel, who was still alive at the time of the writing. He flew west on January 21, 2024, at the age of 99. From the New York Times: Si Spiegel, War Hero Who Modernized Christmas Trees, Dies at 99. Spirit Airlines’ debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit agreement Previously, we talked about Spirit Airlines and the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. Specifically, we mentioned the Spirit Airlines’ debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit agreement and wondered who was providing the additional funding to Spirit. Spirit Airlines entered into a Debtor In Possession Term Loan Credit and Note Purchase Agreement with Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, which acts as both administrative agent and collateral agent. The actual lenders are the various DIP creditors that become parties to the agreement, with Wilmington Savings Fund Society representing their interests. In Spirit’s restructuring, the DIP financing is being provided by existing bondholders and senior secured noteholders, who are referred to as the “DIP creditors” in the agreement. Those noteholders, acting through Wilmington Savings Fund Society as agent, supply the money that adds up to several hundred million dollars to fund operations during Chapter 11. In other words, no single bank is the economic lender; instead, the financing is syndicated across Spirit’s existing secured noteholders and bondholders, with  Wilmington only acting in an agency capacity. Form 10-K, Commission File No. 001-35186, Spirit Airlines, Inc. Debtor In Possession Term Loan Credit and Note Purchase Agreement. Poor Little Lambs, The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story Author Stephen “Chappie” Chapis spent nearly two decades researching, conducting interviews, and collecting rare materials to write Poor Little Lambs: The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story. This is a comprehensive account of the beloved 1970s television series Baa Baa Black Sheep. Brian and Micah spoke with Chappie about his book. See: POOR LITTLE LAMBS: The Definitive Baa Baa Black Sheep Book Lands on the 49th Anniversary of Flying Misfits. Making the Airplane Geeks Podcast If you’ve ever wondered how we make the Airplane Geeks podcast, listen to this “behind the curtain” description. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We look at the Air India Boeing 787 crash and the friction between investigators, Boom Supersonic’s plan for stationary power generation, Spirit Airlines’ new labor agreements, the canceled TSA labor contract, DHS purchase of Boeing 737s, ethics and the FAA Administrator, the V-22 Osprey accident rate, A-10 retirement postponement, return of PanAm, and fumes in the cabin. Aviation News Air India Boeing 787 Crash Probe Leads to Tussle Between Investigators India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and U.S. agencies, such as the NTSB and FAA, investigating the Air India crash have clashed over where and how to read out the flight recorders, access to evidence, and the overall pace and transparency of the investigation. U.S. officials reportedly feared a lack of openness, while Indian officials pushed back strongly against what they saw as outside interference and challenges to their competence. Boeing 787, courtesy Air India. Preliminary technical findings point toward the 787’s fuel control switches being moved from “RUN” to “CUTOFF,” starving both engines of fuel shortly after takeoff. Some U.S. sources suspect deliberate pilot action, while Indian authorities have downplayed pilot culpability in public. Source article in the Wall Street Journal: Officials Clash in Investigation of Deadly Air India Crash Air India Admits Compliance Culture Needs Overhaul After Flying Airbus Without Permit, Document Shows An Air India investigation found that one of its Airbus planes conducted eight commercial flights without an airworthiness permit.  “Systemic failures” were cited, and the airline admitted it needed to make compliance improvements. Boom Supersonic Secures Breakthrough AI Engine Deal Boom Supersonic is developing the Symphony propulsion system to power its Overture supersonic airliner. At the same time, AI data centers require enormous compute power, and they need energy to do that. Boom says that it will develop the land-based Superpower 42-megawatt natural gas turbine, based on the Symphony engine. If successful, the Superpower would generate a revenue stream and provide operating data. Crusoe Energy has 29 Superpower units on order, with delivery expected in 2027. Major aero‑derivative OEMs offering ground power generation​ include: General Electric, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, Rolls‑Royce, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries. AvWeek reports that Boom has closed a $300 million funding round, which the company says, together with the AI gas turbine deal, will be sufficient to complete development of the Symphony and initial Overture aircraft. Video: Introducing Superpower: The Supersonic Tech Powering AI Data Centers https://youtu.be/krweC0gvbhM?si=5F4EO-yBlbsjE196 JetBlue A320 narrowly avoids mid-air collision with USAF tanker over Caribbean On December 12, 2025, a JetBlue Airways A320-232 (Flight B61112) left Curaçao bound for JFK airport. Shortly after takeoff, the plane narrowly avoided a collision with a US Air Force refueling tanker. Spirit Airlines Reaches Another Milestone in its Restructuring as Pilots and Flight Attendants Ratify Agreements Spirit Airlines announced the ratification of labor agreements with pilots (represented by the Air Line Pilots Association) and flight attendants (represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA). The two agreements are subject to court approval. 82% of the pilots voted in favor of the contract, which allows temporary reductions in pay rates and retirement contributions effective January 1, 2026. Pay rates are restored through guaranteed increases on August 1, 2028, and January 1, 2029. Company-funded retirement contributions will be fully restored by July 1, 2029. See ALPA Press Release: Spirit Airlines Pilots Ratify Restructuring Agreement. US invalidates union contract covering 47,000 TSA officers, AFGE vows to challenge The American Federation of Government Employees represents airport screening officers and plans to file a lawsuit after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the collective bargaining agreement. DHS plans to implement a new labor framework on January 11, 2026, when the collection of union dues from TSA officers’ paychecks will cease. TSA said the new labor framework “will return the agency back into a security-focused framework that prioritizes workforce readiness, resource allocation and mission focus with an effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars.” US signs nearly $140m deal to purchase six Boeing 737s for use in deportations The Department of Homeland Security signed a contract with Arlington, Virginia-based Daedalus Aviation Corporation to purchase six Boeing 737 planes for deportation operations.  DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said: “This new initiative will save $279m in taxpayer dollars by allowing ICE to operate more effectively, including by using more efficient flight patterns.” Daedalus Aviation Corporation focuses on turnkey flight operations and specialized charter services for government and high‑stakes commercial clients. They emphasize contingency, evacuation, and other critical missions. Senator says FAA administrator failed to sell multimillion-dollar airline stake as promised Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) says FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford promised to sell his multimillion-dollar stake in Republic Airways under his ethics agreement, but he has failed to do so. Bedford agreed to sell all his shares within 90 days of his confirmation, but 150 days have now passed. In a letter to Bedford, Sen. Cantwell writes, “It appears you continue to retain significant equity in this conflicting asset months past the deadline set to fully divest from Republic, which constitutes a clear violation of your ethics agreement. This is unacceptable and demands a full accounting.” New V-22 Mishap Reviews Find Material Issues with Osprey, Poor Communication Between Services Two new reports point to faulty parts, poorly understood maintenance procedures, and a lack of communication across the services. The result was a lack of safety and reliability across the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. One report was from the Naval Air Systems Command, and the other was from the Government Accountability Office. Both had been in the works for two years. Twenty people were killed in V-22 Osprey accidents from 2022 to 2024. Congress Postpones A-10 Retirement The A-10 Thunderbolt II (the Warthog) close support aircraft has been on the verge of retirement for years. The National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA) directs the Air Force to keep at least 103 A-10 aircraft in its inventory until a phaseout in 2029. The NDAA limits retirement plans for other aircraft: KC-10 tankers, the F-15E Strike Eagle, and the E-3 Sentry surveillance plane. Delays in supplying replacements are cited as the reason. Pan Am plans future Airbus A320neo operations as part of Miami launch The “new Pan Am” is a startup effort to revive the Pan American World Airways brand as a U.S. Part 121 scheduled airline. Pan American Global Holdings acquired the rights to the Pan Am brand in 2023. Pan Am intends to deploy Airbus A320neo aircraft as part of its future operations in Miami. There are few details about the executive team, but Ed Wegel is described as a Pan Am co-founder. He is also the founder of AVi8 Air Capital, a niche aviation-focused investment and advisory firm with headquarters in the Miami, Florida area. The company is active in the relaunch of Pan Am, and this year (2025), they completed a comprehensive Pan Am business plan. Boeing Sued By Law Professor After Allegedly Inhaling Toxic Fumes On Cross-Country Flight A law professor who flew on a Boeing 737 aircraft operated by Delta Air Lines last year is suing Boeing, alleging that he suffered serious health issues after being exposed to toxic fumes in the cabin.  Mentioned The 10 Best Airports for AvGeeks: Rare Aircraft, Unique Routes, and Niche Airlines Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah, with Erin Applebaum.

Airbus A320 fuselage panel problems, Thunderbird F-16C crash, ATC prime integrator, hand flying, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Southwest Airlines meltdown fine, solar flares and A320 groundings, airline pay-for-delay compensation, and charging air travelers without REAL ID. Aviation News Airbus prepares A320 inspections as fuselage flaw hits deliveries Airbus engineers are inspecting 628 A320 family exterior fuselage panels for thickness defects. The skin panels have thickness deviations beyond Airbus’s design tolerances. The panels were manufactured by a Spanish supplier Sofitec Aero and do not represent a flight‑safety risk at this time. Panels on the upper forward fuselage are the main concern, with deviations having also been found in some rear‑fuselage sections. The affected panels are not serialized, so Airbus must inspect the entire batch of potentially impacted airframes rather than trace specific parts. A320 Family final assembly line in Toulouse. Courtesy Airbus. Sofitec Aero is an aerostructures company that designs, manufactures, and assembles metallic and composite aircraft structures for major OEMs, including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Bombardier, and several Tier‑1 suppliers such as Spirit AeroSystems and Stelia. It is a privately held firm, founded in 1999. Thunderbirds F-16C Fighting Falcon Crashes in California The 57th Wing Public Affairs Office issued a statement saying, “On December 3, 2025, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a Thunderbird pilot safely ejected from a F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft during a training mission over controlled airspace in California. The pilot is in stable condition and receiving follow-on care.” The F‑16C went down during a routine training mission in controlled airspace over the Mojave Desert. The crash site is located in a remote desert area near the town of Trona, approximately two miles south of Trona Airport and about 27 miles from Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Hydrazine: A Significant Hazard Each Time An F-16 Crashes (Or Fires Up The Emergency Power Unit) F‑16s use hydrazine in their emergency power units, so environmental and hazmat teams from Edwards Air Force Base were deployed to the site to evaluate and mitigate any hazardous materials concerns. The F-16’s Emergency Power Unit (EPU) is a backup power system that utilizes H-70 (approximately 70% hydrazine and 30% water) to drive a small turbine, supplying emergency hydraulic and electrical power in the event of main engine or generator failure.  Hydrazine is used because it is a monopropellant that can rapidly generate mechanical power without external oxygen, but it is also highly toxic, corrosive, and flammable, so its use is tightly controlled and largely limited to legacy or niche applications. US government selects contractor Peraton to lead air traffic control modernisation In Episode 865, we reported that two bids had been received to become the prime integrator for the FAA’s project to overhaul the air traffic control system, called the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS). They were Peraton and Parsons Corporation. Congress had approved $12.5 billion for the project, and the Agency has indicated that an additional $19 billion might be requested. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) selected Peraton as the prime integrator. The national security company is owned by Veritas Capital and headquartered in Reston, Virginia. Flight Global says Peraton is a “provider of technologies for large, complex organisations, offering services including cyber security, systems engineering and modernisation, cloud computing and data management.” According to Veritas, the company specializes in buying and growing companies that sell technology and services to U.S. government agencies in defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. Examples include acquisitions or control of federal IT and mission‑support businesses such as Northrop Grumman’s federal IT arm (combined into Peraton) and health IT and analytics providers serving Medicaid and Defense Health Agency programs. See also, What to know about the air traffic control overhaul and the company FAA hired to manage it. Union Urges ‘Back-to-Basics’ Approach to Pilot Skills Captain Wendy Morse is a Boeing 787 captain and serves as first vice president and national safety coordinator at the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA). In a recent interview at the Skift Aviation Forum in Fort Worth, she said the union is advocating for pilots to “go back to our roots” and maintain strong manual-flying proficiency throughout their careers. Morse said, “So the biggest thing is [getting] back to basics…We have to maintain a basic level of flying, a basic level of flying skills, and we have to continue to maintain those basics. This business about positive rate, gear up, [and] put on the autopilot is not a good idea. We have to keep flying the airplane so that we’re good at it.” Boeing closes Spirit AeroSystems purchase in major supply chain realignment Boeing has completed its takeover of Spirit AeroSystems. Under the $4.7 billion deal, Boeing re-acquires most of Spirit AeroSystems. Airbus picks up parts of Spirit in its supply chain. Operations in Subang, Malaysia, went to Composites Technology Research Malaysia, and the subsidiary Fiber Materials was sold earlier this year to Tex-Tech Industries. Portions of the Belfast, Northern Ireland, operations will continue as an independent subsidiary branded as Short Brothers. Trump administration lets Southwest Airlines off the hook with a multimillion dollar waiver for 2022 holiday travel meltdown In 2023, the Biden administration fined Southwest Airlines $140 million for the 2022 holiday travel meltdown. The US Department of Transportation has now waived the final $11 million installment of that fine. The DOT says Southwest has made worthwhile investments in its operations control center and “the Department is of the view that it is more beneficial for the flying public to give Southwest credit for significantly improving its on-time performance and completion factor.” The 10-day schedule meltdown resulted in 17,000 canceled flights, roughly half of Southwest’s holiday season flight schedule. Southwest paid out $600 million in refunds and reimbursements to passengers who were affected. Add in additional labor costs and lost revenue, and the airline reported a $914 million after-tax loss. Aviation News Follow-Up A320 Groundings – There Was No Solar Flare In Visual Approach, Airplane Geeks co-founder Courtney Miller argues that the data does not support the case that the October 30, 2025, uncommanded altitude decrease of a JetBlue A320 was caused by solar radiation. Looking at proton flux data, Courtney says, “We are talking about high-energy protons traveling from the sun to Earth, penetrating the Earth’s protective magnetic field, and also penetrating the aircraft’s hardware shielding to deliver what’s called a Single-Event Upset (SEU). Another term you may have heard for it is a “bit flip”. The proton flux usually arrives associated with a solar flare, but not always. NOAA tracks and reports these events. In the days leading up to the “intense solar radiation” that Airbus referenced as the potential issue in the JetBlue upset, there was no intense solar radiation. The Visual Approach Advisory brings novel, data-driven, and contrarian answers to aviation clients around the world. Our bespoke consulting team is built with a focus on deep industry expertise, contrarian thought leadership, trusted independence, and opinionated results. We compete with the largest consulting firms by focusing on quality results and contrarian ideas. Pay-On-Delay Would Send Airfares Soaring, Says Transport Minister The Australian Federal Transport Minister, Catherine King, told ABC Radio in Sydney that an EU-style “pay-on-delay” compensation scheme would drive up airfares in Australia. The federal government has proposed airline customer protections, and the Minister’s comments come after a consultation period ended. EU 261 requires that airlines pay passengers compensation for delays and cancellations within their control. King feels the Australian market is too small to sustain such a measure. “It is costly to administer compensation schemes. Those costs are generally passed on to passengers,” she said. Fliers without a compliant ID will have to pay TSA $45 next year The TSA says that starting in February 1, 2026, air travelers in the U.S. without a REAL ID will be charged a $45 fee. The initially planned $18 fee was raised after officials realized this identification program would cost more than anticipated. The fee applies to travelers 18 and older who are flying domestically without a REAL ID or other accepted form of ID. The non-refundable fee will be required to verify identity through the TSA Confirm.ID system. Confirm.ID replaces TSA’s older manual “forgot my ID” procedures. It’s a more automated, technology‑assisted process that uses a traveler’s biographic and possibly biometric information to verify identity and screen against watchlists. Confirm.ID is meant as a last‑resort option for people who arrive at the checkpoint without a compliant ID, not as a routine substitute for REAL ID or a passport. The fee can be paid online before arriving at the airport. Travelers can also pay online at the airport before entering the security line, but officials said the process may take up to 30 minutes. Mentioned From the FAA: PackSafe – Portable Electronic Devices Containing Batteries Lithium Batteries in Baggage Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We talk about Lithium-ion batteries on aircraft with the president and chief executive officer of UL Standards & Engagement. In the news this episode, we have some recent Lithium-ion battery issues on commercial flights, the A320-family corruption of flight data due to solar activity, and network-based location trackers for checked bags. Guest Jeff Marootian is the president and chief executive officer of UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE), a nonprofit safety advocacy organization. Jeff leads global efforts to advance safety and sustainability through standards development and advocacy. He is also a leading authority on rechargeable batteries and travel safety. ULSE has developed a new campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with rechargeable devices in aviation at A Simple Step for a Safer Flight. It provides good information for people planning to travel. Jeff explains that Lithium-ion battery incidents are rare, but their frequency is increasing in airports and in the air. ULSE advocates for keeping rechargeable devices within arm’s reach, and certainly not in checked baggage. We look at Lithium-ion thermal runaway, and Jeff tells us that it often results from batteries that are damaged, poorly constructed, or lack certification to a safety standard.  Other topics we cover include the use of containment devices on airplanes, the need for a consensus process to deal with devices that are smoking or on fire, and how a coalition of stakeholders is working to address these concerns. Jeff also tells us what to look for when making a decision to purchase a rechargeable device. For more, see: Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents in Aviation: 2024 Data Review. Previously, Jeff led the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, following roles as Senior Advisor to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and as a Special Assistant to the President in the Biden-Harris White House. Aviation News Eight People Rushed To Hospital After Smoking Battery Pack Fills Airplane Cabin With Toxic Fumes While passengers were boarding a Scandinavian airline SAS A320 at Norway’s Oslo Airport, smoke started pouring out of a portable battery pack in a passenger’s bag, filling the cabin with toxic smoke. The crew used a Halon fire extinguisher on the bag and removed it from the plane, then transferred it to the tarmac, where the airport fire brigade took over. The battery pack did relight before it was contained. Eight people were taken to the hospital with suspected toxic smoke inhalation, and all were discharged within 48 hours. United Flight Diverts to Dublin After Another Laptop Falls Into Business Class Seat A passenger’s laptop computer became trapped in the business class seat on United Airlines Flight UA925 flight from London to Washington. The plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Dublin. Solar flare vulnerability in A320 software forces emergency action by airlines In a recent press release, (Airbus update on A320 Family precautionary fleet action), Airbus said, “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” Airbus consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service that may be impacted. The “recent event” was the uncommanded drop in altitude by a JetBlue A320 on October 30, 2025 that resulted in injuries and an emergency landing. Airbus says that “The subsequent investigation [After the incident] identified a vulnerability with the ELAC B hardware fitted with software L104 in case of exposure to solar flares. This identified vulnerability could lead in the worst case scenario to an uncommanded elevator movement that may result in exceeding the aircraft structural capability.” Airlines are instructed, according to The Air Current, “to either roll back to an earlier version of the software or replace the affected elevator aileron computer (ELAC) hardware with one containing the older software version. The maintenance action is expected to take three hours, according to the Airbus advisory.” AirTag’s newest feature could work even better now for many travelers The Apple AirTag is useful for tracking the location of objects. There are other Bluetooth and network-based trackers available from Tile, Samsung, Chipolo, and other manufacturers. Air travelers use these trackers to locate their lost luggage. Last year, Apple introduced a “Share Item Location” feature. With the latest upgrade, you can share an AirTag’s location with select airlines, allowing them to locate your luggage quickly. The AirTag API enables the seamless flow of detailed location information directly into an airline’s backend. Apple and Delta have developed a tool that airlines can use.  Mentioned Airlines Hiring Anyone Who Looks Good In Crisp Uniform To Offset Pilot Shortage Boeing Tackles Quality With a “War on Defects” Mythbusters: The Truth About Amtrak’s Legal Right to Preference [PDF] Video: USS Forrestal Survivor/ Cliff Ashley https://youtu.be/n7uJyvvdiRk?si=n7r0_k5QEsVM74Di Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman. David Vanderhoof jumped in for a bit to say hello and give us an update on his kidney transplant.

The captain of an A380 that experienced an uncontained engine failure, paying air traffic controllers during a shutdown, a $10,000 bonus for those who worked, NTSB preliminary report on UPS Flight 2976, a request for information on a new ATC system, dressing better when flying commercially, and going through airport security without a Real ID. Guest Richard De Crespigny was the captain of Qantas Flight QF32 on November 4, 2010, when one of the plane’s Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines experienced an uncontained engine failure. The A380 had just taken off from Singapore. Richard and his crew managed to get everyone home safely, and the story has since become a bit of a legend in Australian flying circles. Richard is a former RAAF pilot, has written books, given keynotes around the world, and now hosts his own podcast on resilience and leadership called FLY! Richard explains that the uncontained engine failure on Qantas Flight QF32 involved the Number 2 engine. This resulted in extensive damage to the aircraft and many system failures. Five pilots were in the cockpit, and they formed a “hive mind,” making hundreds of decisions to stabilize the aircraft, which took two hours. A hundred checklists were actioned in the air, and more when the A380 was back on the ground. The incident was so complex that it has been characterized as “Apollo 13 with passengers.” We learn what was said in the cockpit during the first 30 seconds, and how the cabin crew performed because the flight deck could not communicate with them. In his mind, Richard set up to perform an “Armstrong Spiral” in case all four engines went out when landing the plane. On approach, speed and stall warnings were sounding constantly because the systems could not handle all the damage. Richard explains why he decided not to immediately evacuate the passengers due to the dangers outside. This uncontained engine failure crippled the A380, yet the crew was able to manage the situation and there were no injuries. Richard speaks frequently of “resilience” and how that characteristic worked to their advantage.  QF32 uncontained engine failure. From the FAA Airbus A380-842 report, crediting the ATSB accident report. Since the incident, Richard has published several books: QF32 tells the story of what happened. It was published before the investigators made all the facts public, so Richard had to hold back. However, a new edition will fill in the missing pieces. The newer book Fly! tells the how and the why. Check out: The FLY! Podcast with Richard De Crespigny, available on Apple / Spotify / Omny, or wherever you listen to podcasts.  The QF32 book and the FLY! book. Reach Richard at richardd@aeronaut.biz. Aviation News US airline group urges Congress to pay controllers during future shutdowns Trade group Airlines for America (A4A) wants to see air traffic controllers get paid during future government shutdowns. Chris Sununu, A4A President and CEO, said, “This shutdown has demonstrated the serious safety, human and economic consequences of subjecting the aviation sector to this kind of stress and chaos. It must never happen again.” Air Traffic Controllers Say $10,000 Shutdown Bonuses Are Tearing the Workforce Apart – And Jeopardize Safety The Administration wants to give air traffic controllers and TSA screeners $10,000 if they had perfect attendance during the shutdown. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said this would apply to 776 employees. Some controllers are expressing their displeasure with this move. UPS Flight 2976 Crash During Takeoff The NTSB has issued a Preliminary Report [PDF] on the UPS Flight 2967 MD-11F accident November 4, 2025. The airplane, N259UP, was destroyed after it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 17R at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), Louisville, Kentucky. The 3 crewmembers aboard the airplane and 11 people on the ground were fatally injured. There were 23 others on the ground who were injured. Still images from an airport surveillance video show the left engine and left pylon separation from the left wing. The left pylon aft mount’s forward and aft lugs were both found fractured. The fractured and separated upper portions of the forward and aft lugs were found adjacent to runway 17R. The left wing clevis, aft mount spherical bearing, and aft mount attachment hardware were found with a portion of the left wing at the accident site. The spherical bearing outer race had fractured circumferentially. FAA Issues Request for Information on New ATC System The FAA aims to replace the current En Route Automation Modernization system (ERAM) and the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) with a single, unified system, known as the Common Automation Platform (CAP). The Agency’s Request For Information [PDF] asks the public to answer a series of questions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Urges Passengers To Dress Better — But That Won’t Fix Today’s Inflight Behavior Problems DOT Secretary Sean Duffy tweeted that “Manners don’t stop at the gate. Be courteous to your fellow passengers. Say please and thank you to your flight crews. Dress with respect. Lend a hand to those who could use it. It’s time to bring back civility and respect when we travel.” See also: Sean Duffy Wants You To Get Dressed Up When You Fly: “It’s Time to Bring Back Civility And Respect When We Travel” No Real ID or passport? The TSA may charge you $18 to go through security May 7, 2025, was the date that Real ID was enforced at TSA checkpoints. Travelers must produce a Real ID-compliant driver’s license, a passport, a Global Entry card, or other approved document. The TSA is now proposing that travelers without one of those approved documents can still pass through airport security checkpoints. However, they can expect to pay an $18 fee for additional screening. The TSA has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register: TSA Modernized Alternative Identity Verification User Fee. The fee grants access to secure airport areas for up to 10 days and covers multiple flights. Payment of the fee does not guarantee entry; travelers must successfully authenticate their identity each time, and they may still face additional screening or delays.​ The collected fee is intended to offset government costs for new biometric verification kiosks, customer service improvements, and system updates.​ Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The final assembly rollout of the first Airbus A350F freighter, the ICAO-mandated emissions standards that take effect in 2027, flight delay compensation, a streaming data black box, IAE signals future GTF engine, and FAA flight restrictions end. Additionally, updates on Boeing’s criminal and civil cases, the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier, and listener mail. Aviation News First A350F airframe rolled out from final assembly line The Airbus A350F freighter was launched in 2021 and originally scheduled to enter service in 2025, but Spirit AeroSystems’ inability to deliver enough central fuselage sections prevented that. Spirit AeroSystems has experienced quality control and production output issues, compounded by financial challenges and a pending business restructuring involving both Airbus and Boeing.​ These issues affected both the freighter and passenger A350 production rates. The A350F is designed to meet the ICAO-mandated emissions standards taking effect in 2027. The standards also work in coordination with ICAO’s CORSIA scheme, requiring carbon offsetting for most international flights from 2027–2035, with mandatory participation for most states.​ A350F rendering, courtesy Airbus. Trump Admin Blocks Plan to Force Airlines to Pay Customers for Delays Flight cancellations by US airlines result in refunds for passengers, but flight delays are not compensated. The Biden-era proposal would have required airlines to pay cash compensation to passengers when carriers are responsible for major flight delays. The FAA said the proposal would create “unnecessary regulatory burdens” and impose significant costs on airlines. The DOT said it preferred to “allow airlines to compete on the services and compensation they provide.” Black Box in the Sky Captures Data on the Fly Honeywell Aerospace is developing a system it calls “Black Box in the Sky” (BBITS). It replaces hardware-based recorders with streamed flight data in near real-time. BBITS streams data via a cloud-based portal, simplifying flight data collection, and is consistent with the ICAO Timely Recovery of Flight Data (TRFD) mandate.  The ICAO Timely Recovery of Flight Data (TRFD) technical standard, part of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS), requires that aircraft use technologies that ensure flight data is quickly and reliably accessible for investigators after an incident, without needing to physically recover the flight data recorder (FDR), particularly in cases such as accidents over water. TRFD applies to large commercial aircraft with type certification applications submitted after January 1, 2021. See: Honeywell to Connect ‘Black Boxes’ for Aviation Safety. IAE partners reaffirm GTF engine push for next-generation single-aisle jets International Aero Engines (IAE) is a joint venture formed in 1983 to develop the new V2500 engine for the 150-seat single-aisle aircraft market. The initial consortium was Pratt & Whitney (30%), Rolls-Royce (30%), Japanese Aero Engine Corporation (JAEC) (23%), MTU Aero Engines (11%), and Fiat (6%). Fiat later withdrew, and its share was taken over by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. Then Pratt bought out RR in 2012, making PW the majority shareholder. The V2500 powers the Airbus A320 family and the McDonnell Douglas MD-90. More than 7,800 engines have been sold. In a statement, (IAE international engine partnership marks key milestones and charts future propulsion path), the consortium said, “Together, the companies will evolve the required technologies for the development of the most advanced and efficient GTF engine technology for the next generation of commercial aircraft.” Aerotime comments that “IAE is signaling that an evolutionary path may offer lower risk than more disruptive architectures, such as open-rotor systems or hydrogen-powered solutions.” Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney, said, “As founding partners on some of the most critical engine technology and support in aerospace today, we remain fully committed to these engine programs and working together on the development of future commercial aircraft applications, particularly the next generation single aisle aircraft. As we work to chart IAE’s future propulsion path, our performance on today’s GTF program will remain our highest priority as we continue to focus on delivering to our customer commitments.” Trump administration ends flight cuts at busy airports The FAA’s flight cuts at 40 major airports ended, and the DOT emergency directive was cancelled. DOT pointed to a decline in air traffic controller-related staffing triggers. Controllers received 70 percent of the pay they were owed during the shutdown. FAA said staffing levels have continued to snap back into place since the end of the government shutdown. The current data aligns with staffing conditions before the shutdown.” Boeing Update Erin Applebaum, attorney at aviation accident law firm Kriendler & Kriendler, describes the latest developments in the Boeing criminal and civil lawsuits. First civil trial of 737 Max in Ethiopia begins as Boeing settles three more lawsuit Boeing has accepted liability for the crash, and the jury’s task in this civil case was limited to setting damages for burial costs, lost income, and emotional suffering for the family of one victim. Boeing’s liability had already been established and is the same for all victims. On the other hand, damages are assessed on a per-victim basis, taking into account the unique circumstances of each individual. Boeing settles with families of three 737 Max crash victims Boeing won’t face criminal charge over 737 Max crashes that killed hundreds of people A federal judge in Texas granted the government’s request to dismiss, and Boeing will not face a criminal conspiracy charge. Erin describes how the judge did not think dismissal was warranted, but his hands were tied as he would have had to find that the government was acting in bad faith. The families have filed an appeal under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. The USS Forrestal Micah tells a story about a chance encounter and the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. It’s called A Forrest Fire at Sea – The USS Forrestal. Mentioned Video: MAINE | An Aviation Short Film https://youtu.be/H-JRkvfYBXY Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Erin Applebaum.

The impact of the Federal government shutdown on commercial flights and private jets, the MD-11 fleet-wide grounding after the UPS crash, Bombardier Global 8000 cabin pressure, the FAA’s desire for flight schools to conduct their own pilot testing, United flight attendant priorities, the oldest airports in the world, and a new center wing box for Fat Albert. Aviation News BWI-Marshall on FAA’s list of airports for reduced flights amid federal government shutdown The FAA is requiring airlines to reduce flights by 10% at 40 high-volume airports. Thousands of flights have been cancelled or delayed as the flight reductions cascade through the network. FAA grounds private jets at 12 major US airports as government shutdown chaos worsens The FAA shut down private jet and business aviation operations at 12 airports:  Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) Denver International Airport (DEN) General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told CNN that flights were being limited to “reduce the pressure on controllers.” See Private Jets Grounded at a Dozen Airports Nationwide. The NBAA’s CEO Ed Bolen said that the restrictions were “disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day.” Trump threatens air traffic controllers who fail to return to work as flight cancellations jump “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked.’” UPS, FedEx ground MD-11 fleets after deadly Louisville crash UPS flight 2976, an MD-11, crashed on November 4, 2025, shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The left-hand engine and its pylon detached from the airplane during takeoff, and the MD-11 crashed into a nearby neighborhood, resulting in at least 14 fatalities, including the three crew members onboard and numerous casualties on the ground. Following the crash, the FAA grounded all MD-11 and MD-11F aircraft. MD-11F operators UPS and FedEx also voluntarily grounded their MD-11 aircraft out of an abundance of caution, following Boeing’s recommendation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation. From Aviation News Talk: 403 UPS MD-11 Crash Analysis + Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro on How to Make Better Landings Bombardier Global 8000 Sets Cabin Altitude Record At Mach 0.95, Bombardier says the Global 8000 will be the fastest business jet in the world and have a cabin altitude of 2,691 feet while flying at 41,000 feet. Most commercial aircraft maintain cabin pressure at levels equivalent to 6,000–8,000 feet above sea level. Business jets generally operate at a pressure equivalent of between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. Global 8000, courtesy Bombardier. FAA To Encourage More Flight Schools To Conduct Testing Themselves A designated pilot examiner (DPE) shortage is resulting in a checkride backlog. Only 74 of 509 certificated flight schools have the authority to do their own testing for pilot certificates. In response, the FAA wants more schools to run the tests themselves. A reduction in flight school surveillance to assess whether a school can qualify to do its own testing makes a policy change easier. United Airlines Flight Attendants Reveal New List of Demands After Rejecting Contract Deal In July 2025, the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) recommended that United Airlines flight attendants accept the proposed contract; however, 71% of the voting membership rejected it. At the time, the union felt the proposed contract was the best that could be achieved. Since then, the union has worked to understand what contract areas were of most concern to the flight attendants. Eight focus areas were identified. The next bargaining session is scheduled to take place in early December. Oldest Airports in the World, No.6 Will Surprise You A surprising and historically informative list. Blue Angels’ “Fat Albert” to Undergo Center Wing Box Replacement in the UK “Fat Albert” is the KC-130J Super Hercules that supports the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. It’s off to Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge, UK, to have its center wing box replaced, extending its service life by 20 years. This particular plane is the former Royal Air Force Hercules C5 ZH885, which was refurbished and repainted by Marshall Aerospace, an authorized Lockheed Martin C-130J heavy maintenance center. See: US Navy bringing ‘Fat Albert’ back to Marshall Aerospace for a new centre wing box Mentioned Talking E2 with Embraer & Virgin Australia – Plane Crazy Down Under. Video: RED BULL FLUGTAG FLYOVER | FlySafair B737-800 🇿🇦 https://youtu.be/lwugk_-hvjs?si=iVw7MxOR4mC-_EaA Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, and Rob Mark.

The first flight of the Lockheed Martin X-59 supersonic Aircraft, Boom Supersonic, the end of SeatGuru, JetBlue emergency landing, new Navy jet trainer, and an Airbus A400M is delivered to Indonesia. Also, a talk with Cranky Flier and the certification of Chinese commercial jets. Aviation News NASA takes one step closer to launching quiet supersonic jets Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, in partnership with NASA, completed the first flight of the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft. The X-59 is designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom to a “gentle thump.”  Lockheed Martin X59 first flight. The X-59 took off from Skunk Works’ facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, before landing near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Lockheed Martin says “the X-59 performed exactly as planned.” Working with NASA, Skunk Works will continue to lead the aircraft’s initial flight test campaign to expand the X-59’s flight envelope over the coming months. Part of this test will include the X-59’s first supersonic flights and enable NASA to operate the X-59 to measure its sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing. Lockheed Martin press release: X-59 Soars: A New Era in Supersonic Flight Begins. Douglas X-3 Stiletto. Related: Boom Supersonic – Overture Airliner Program Outlook. The Overture remains targeted for a first flight in 2027, followed by a goal of certification by 2029. Boom is assembling and testing components for its in-house Symphony turbofan engine, with manufacturing and validation underway at its Colorado R&D facility. Full-scale engine tests are anticipated in 2026. At least 15 people sent to hospital after JetBlue flight drops altitude, forcing emergency landing in Florida, officials say In a statement, JetBlue said Flight 1230 from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, “experienced a drop in altitude.” The plane diverted to Tampa International Airport, and at least 15 people were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and discharged. The Airbus A320 dropped about 100 feet in about seven seconds. The FAA is investigating a “flight control issue.” End Of An Era: SeatGuru Officially Shuts Down, Redirects To TripAdvisor SeatGuru was launched in 2001 and was widely used by air travelers to examine airline seat maps of most aircraft types. TripAdvisor acquired SeatGuru in 2007, but by early 2020, updates to the seat maps ceased. Seatguru.com now displays the message “SeatGuru has closed down, please visit Tripadvisor to plan your next trip.” TripAdvisor doesn’t offer the service that SeatGuru once did. Alternatives include AeroLOPA, SeatMaps, Expert Flyer, and AwardFares. United Airlines CEO Aligns With Trump, Eyes JetBlue Merger? United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby appeared at the White House alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, voicing strong support for reopening the U.S. government without conditions. Kirby emphasized the strain on air traffic control and the airline industry amid the prolonged government shutdown. He called for a “clean continuing resolution.” Some observers speculate that Kirby has a strategy to integrate JetBlue’s operations in the Northeast with United’s existing Newark operations and a potential Boston expansion. T-45 to Depart the Pattern The T-45 Goshawk Navy jet trainer was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997. The Navy wants a replacement for the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. Vying for the contract are the SNC Freedom Trainer and the Beechcraft M-346N. The Navy expects to formally announce a request for proposals in December 2025 and award a contract in January 2027. Airbus delivers first A400M to Indonesia The Indonesian Air Force will operate the Airbus Defence and Space A400M heavy tactical airlift aircraft. The second A400M is expected to be delivered to Indonesia in 2026. Airbus will be providing the Indonesian Air Force with training and support services. Indonesia will study the potential integration of the newly developed A400M roll-on / roll-off modular firefighting kit on board both aircraft. The Airbus A400M is powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop engines, each rated at 11,000 horsepower. These are the most powerful turboprop engines in operational use in the Western world. On each wing, using a gearbox, one engine’s propeller rotates clockwise and the other counterclockwise to optimize lift and avoid premature stalling. Called “down between engines” (DBE), the propeller closer to the fuselage rotates so its blade tips move downward between the two engines on that wing, while the outboard engine’s propeller rotates in the opposite direction. Video: Airbus A400M Engine Start up at linz airport https://youtu.be/E7ZtXcTkEp0?si=a0cPn3roU10nZuPn Cranky Flier Brian Coleman ran into Brett Snyder at the 2025 APEX show. They discuss Cranky Dorkfest / SpotLAX, which is planned for the Weekend of September 18 – 20, 2026. The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) held two main conferences in 2025: APEX TECH in Los Angeles, CA, from May 20 to 21, and the APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach, CA, from September 9 to 11. APEX TECH focused on in-flight connectivity and data use cases, while the Global EXPO, co-located with FTE Global (Future Travel Experience) and IFSA (International Flight Services Association), showcased innovations in all aspects of the passenger journey. Plane Spotting Micah found this C-21 at the MacJets FBO. It’s the military version of the LearJet. Mentioned Trust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

Guest Brian Sumers tells us about The Airline Observer newsletter and The Airshow Podcast. Erin Applebaum updates us on the Boeing litigation and Delta Flight 4819 that rolled over on landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in February 2025. In the news, the LOT Polish Airlines’ fraud case against Boeing is set to go to a jury trial, the FAA approves a 737 MAX production increase, the IAM rejects Boeing’s Latest Offer, controller staffing shortages are impacting operations, and engine shortages are affecting airlines and the leasing market Guest Brian Sumers Brian Sumers produces The Airline Observer newsletter dedicated to news and analysis about the global airline business. He covers every facet of the industry except operations. The newsletter targets professionals working in the airline and travel industries, but others with an interest in the industry will also find it valuable. Brian can also be found on The Airshow Podcast with Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder. Brian explains the types of stories he enjoys reporting on, including the people behind the industry, who is up and who is down, loyalty programs, and revenue management. He’s been covering airlines for some 15 years and tells us about the lack of airline policy and procedures clarity, and who understands their competition and who doesn’t. We hear his thoughts about his recent interviews with Scott Kirby and Sir Tim Clark, some of the hot-button issues that airlines see ahead, and the future of LCCs in the U.S. Brian is a professional journalist with more than a decade of expertise covering airlines. He has written for Skift, Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveler, the Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Brian is often found in major media discussing airline news, with recent appearances in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Boston Globe, as well as on CNN, ABC News, and CBS News. He attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. Aviation News LOT Polish Airlines’ Fraud Case Against Boeing Set to Go to Jury Trial LOT Polish Airlines’ fraud and misrepresentation case against Boeing is proceeding to a jury trial scheduled for November 3, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. LOT alleges that Boeing rushed the 737 MAX to market, bypassed proper engineering protocols, withheld safety-critical details from regulators, and misled airline customers about the scope and safety of design changes from previous 737 models. The airline claims that these actions led to its belief that the 737 MAX was airworthy and economically advantageous. LOT claims at least $250 million in losses from the grounding, including lost revenue, storage costs, and expenses for replacing the unfit aircraft. After months of limits, FAA allows Boeing to increase MAX production The FAA has approved an increase in the production cap for Boeing’s 737 MAX jets, allowing for the manufacture of 42 aircraft per month. This follows a review of Boeing’s manufacturing processes and safety controls. The FAA will continue to supervise Boeing’s operations and monitor the manufacturer’s safety and quality culture. The rate increase helps Boeing’s financial situation by accelerating cash flow, improving debt serviceability, and restoring investor confidence. Workers reject Boeing’s latest offer after nearly three months on strike The roughly 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area rejected the company’s latest contract proposal. In a statement, Boeing said “We’re disappointed with the vote result” and “we are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan.” Boeing’s latest contract offer reduced the ratification bonus, added $3,000 in Boeing shares that vest over three years, and added a $1,000 retention bonus in four years. Wage growth for workers at the top of the pay scale increased in the fourth year of the contract. Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage Controller staffing shortages have halted some flights departing for LAX, and staffing-related delays have occurred at Chicago, Washington, and Newark, New Jersey. The temporary FAA ground stop was not expected to be the only time flights will be delayed and canceled as the air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown. How engine shortages sent almost-new Airbus jets to the scrapyard Due to a global shortage of commercial jet engines, especially Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine, aircraft are being grounded, and airline costs are increasing worldwide. The situation is so bad that some nearly new aircraft are being stripped for their engines and valuable components, because the engines themselves have greater market value than the entire aircraft. The shortage of commercial jet engines is a result of supply chain disruptions, powder metal contamination issues with Pratt & Whitney’s Geared TurboFan (GTF) engines, and overwhelmed repair facilities. Delta Connection Flight 4819 Kreindler & Kreindler LLP is representing 14 passengers from Delta Connection flight 4819 that crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport in February 2025 after a hard landing that caused the right landing gear to fail. This led to the plane’s right wing scraping the ground, breaking off, and the aircraft rolling over on the runway. Strong winds were present at the time, and the crash resulted in a fire from fuel leakage, but all passengers and crew survived. Erin Applebaum, a Partner at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, gives us an update. Erin is widely considered a foremost authority on litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty on commercial air travel. Mentioned The Engine Cowl was started on September 1, 2025, by Rytis Beresnevicius, a Lithuania-based independent aviation journalist who previously worked at AeroTime and Simple Flying. Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Airplane Geeks Episode 339, where Micah tells the story of “Lew’s Flight of Fancy.” The inaugural Affordable Flying Expo (AFE25) is set for November 6–8, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida, with exhibits, demo flights, forums, and seminars. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The AvBrief editor-in-chief describes how the new aviation news service relies on humans to research and write aviation news. Also, the impact of the federal government shutdown on air traffic controllers and how they may influence a resolution of the shutdown, modernization of the 109th Airlift Wing ski squadron, and an idea to allocate some Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidies to rural bus services. Guest Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVBrief, a new website and newsletter that offers aviation news written and researched by humans involved in aviation. Russ has been a pilot for 35 years and owns a 1946 Cessna 140. He has been an aviation journalist since 2003 and was editor-in-chief at AvWeb until July 31, 2025, when he and several others in senior positions were unexpectedly let go. Russ wasn’t done being an aviation journalist, and he, along with some fellow journalists, launched AvBrief on August 3, 2025. Russ strongly believes that AI-based journalism cannot effectively create good aviation news content. Rather, it must come from human journalists, and this is a hallmark of AvBrief. The free AvBrief newsletter is currently published three times a week, but Russ sees that growing to a daily email. You can sign up for that at AvBrief.com. In addition to the news stories on the website, you’ll also find The Smart Aviator with new products, flight reviews, and best practices for maintenance and airmanship. Russ hopes this will grow into its own online publication. Aviation News As more air traffic controllers miss work, Transportation secretary threatens to fire ‘problem children’ controllers The CNN article describes how the ongoing government shutdown is causing widespread staffing shortages among U.S. air traffic controllers, leading to significant delays and disruptions at major airports. At least 11 FAA locations are affected, including key hubs like Chicago O’Hare, Newark, Orlando, Denver, and regional facilities, where control towers are operating with fewer controllers, resulting in delays of up to 90 minutes. In Duffy Threatens Dismissal for Controllers Who Falsely Call in Sick, AvBrief reports that in an interview on Fox Business, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “If we have a continual small subset of controllers that don’t show up to work, and they’re the problem children … if we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go. I can’t have people not showing up for work.” TSA agents helped end a government shutdown before. Could they do it again? Staffing shortages among TSA agents and air traffic controllers are causing airport delays during the ongoing government shutdown. Could their actions exert pressure an to end the shutdown? The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is urging all controllers to keep coming to work, but recognizes that some may choose not to attend due to the financial strain.  Ultimately, only Congress can end a shutdown, but the impact of worker shortages—travel delays and safety concerns—has historically played a part in resolving previous government shutdowns. Vital Ski Squadron Modernization Getting Budget Attention Strategic concerns over increased military activity by China and Russia in the Arctic have prompted U.S. lawmakers and the Pentagon to accelerate modernization of the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing, which operates unique ski-equipped C-130s supporting polar operations. Recently, $29 million was reallocated to fast-track the development of a new ski-equipped C-130J model to replace the aging LC-130H “Ski Bird” fleet that has become increasingly unreliable and difficult to maintain due to its age—some aircraft are between 30 and 50 years old. As Congress weighs rural air subsidies … what about rural bus service? Essential Air Service (EAS) provides federal subsidies (about $550 million annually in the lower 48 and Hawaii) to ensure small, remote communities stay connected by air, enabling residents to reach family and medical services more easily. The article examines whether the current federal subsidies through the EAS program could be more effectively allocated to rural bus services. Mentioned Kenny Dichter Returns to Private Aviation with the Launch of REAL JET Between a Rock and a Hard Spot, commentary on Jetwhine.com. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

Two companies bid to become the Brand New Air Traffic Control System prime integrator, FAA issues carry-on SAFO, 737 MAX production limits eased, P&W and GE adaptive cycle engines, Sikorsky contract for CH-53K helicopters, and Sergei Sikorsky passes away at age 100. Aviation News Two bidders vie to be project manager of massive FAA US air traffic overhaul Two bids to become the prime integrator in the FAA’s project to overhaul the air traffic control system have been received. Congress has approved $12.5 billion for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS), and the Agency has indicated that an additional $19 billion might be requested. The bids come from two DC Beltway companies: Peraton is a national security company owned by Veritas Capital and headquartered in Reston, Virginia. See the press release: Peraton Offers the FAA a Brand New Approach for Its Revolutionary ATC Modernization Initiative. Parsons Corporation is a technology provider in national security and global infrastructure markets. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, Parsons confirmed it has bid with IBM. The FAA says it will make a selection by the end of October. FAA urges airlines to discourage passengers from taking bags during evacuations The FAA issued Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25003, PDF) titled “Addressing Risk Associated with Passenger Non-Compliance and Retention of Carry-On Baggage and Personal Items During Emergency Evacuations.” The SAFO “Serves to emphasize the operational and safety-critical importance of strict passenger compliance with crewmember instructions during emergency evacuations. Specifically, it addresses the adverse effects of passengers attempting to evacuate with carry-on items, which can significantly impede evacuation procedures and increase the potential for injury or fatality.” FAA Signals Easing of Oversight on Boeing Jets The FAA is expecting to restore Boeing’s ability to conduct safety sign-offs on new 737 MAX jets. Final airworthiness certificates will continue to be issued by the regulator The FAA is also considering increasing Boeing’s 737 MAX production cap from 38 to 42 planes per month. Engines for America’s F-47 Sixth Gen Combat Aircraft Coming Together Faster Than Expected The F-47 is being developed as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Family of Systems. It’s a stealthy air superiority aircraft that can directly engage adversaries on the ground and in the air. It will be able to fly itself as well as collaborate with and control wingman drones. The propulsion system being developed under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program is a concept that offers two modes of operation, which can be dynamically adjusted in flight: high thrust and high speed, and lower thrust with reduced fuel burn. Adaptive cycle engines can modulate the bypass ratio and fan pressure using a third air stream and advanced variable geometry components. Both Pratt & Whitney and General Electric are developing NGAP engines. Airbus, Air France reject blame over AF447 crash, 16 years on Air France 447 crashed in the Atlantic in 2009. In a 2023 trial, the judge found acts of negligence by Airbus and Air France, but determined that, under French criminal law, these acts were insufficient to establish a definitive link to the loss of the A330. Both Airbus and Air France were cleared of corporate manslaughter. In an appeals hearing, the two companies pleaded not guilty. Air France and Airbus chief executives recognized the suffering of the families, but denied any criminal responsibility for the crash. Appeal hearings are expected to run until late November 2025. Sikorsky to Build 99 CH-53K King Stallions for the U.S. Marine Corps Sikorsky announced the award of a $10.8 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over the next five years. The Marines plan to procure 200 CH-53K King Stallions in total. Sikorsky has delivered 20 helicopters so far, and an additional 63 aircraft are in various stages of production. Sergei Sikorsky, son of Sikorsky Aircraft founder, dies age 100 Sergei had a 41-year career at Sikorsky, starting at age 16. After retiring, he continued to represent the company and his family’s legacy as a goodwill ambassador at trade shows and other events. Sergei was a World War II veteran, serving in the helicopter development unit of the U.S. Coast Guard. Sergei I. Sikorsky obituary. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot and current leadership instructor describes flying the F-16, the F/A-18, the F-22, and the F-35. He provides lessons from instructing at Top Gun, and the important behaviours for leaders. In the news, Boeing is fined for safety violations, the St. Louis strike continues, the NTSB preliminary report describes the air turbulence incident, and the creation of an aerospace hub at a former Air Force Base. Guest Dave Berke is a retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot and current leadership instructor with Echelon Front. Dave is one of the rare few to have flown the F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. He also served as the Training Officer at TOPGUN, where he led the staff of instructors who trained the students in air combat tactics and leadership under pressure. He spent a year as a ground Forward Air Controller, calling in air strikes and supporting SEALs, Marines, and Soldiers in the Battle of Ramadi in 2006. Dave describes how a Marine pilot ended up flying the F-16 and F-22, and what it’s like to fly the F-35B with its STOVL capabilities. He compares different jet fighters he has flown and explains how they are different and how they are similar. We hear Dave’s thoughts on ground support aircraft and dedicated aircraft platforms in general. Dave tells us the combat environment is changing and how information and airframe flexibility are key now, as opposed to single-role platforms. Of course, we ask Dave if the Top Gun movies are accurate. His answer is both yes and no, but Top Gun: Maverick is very good from a flying standpoint. Dave tells us the jet fighter career path is more attainable than many people assume. Also, while flying ability is important, being a Top Gun Instructor hinges on being a good teacher. The Echelon Front leadership consultancy takes the lessons from combat and applies them to people’s personal and professional lives. In his new book, The Need to Lead: A TOPGUN Instructor’s Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge, Dave describes the 10 most important mindsets and behaviors for leaders that he learned from the cockpit. Order the book on Amazon, available October 21, 2025. Fighter pilot Dave “Chip” Berke. Aviation News FAA proposes to fine Boeing $3.1 million over widespread safety violations Between September 2023 and February 2024, the FAA found hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems. The FAA also identified interference with safety officials’ independence and proposed a $3.1 million fine, the maximum statutory civil penalty authority consistent with law. The findings include: presenting two unairworthy aircraft to the FAA for airworthiness certificates, failure to follow its quality system rules, and a Boeing employee pressuring another worker to sign off on a non-compliant 737 MAX. Boeing has 30 days to respond. Press release: FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing Boeing Defense, union reach tentative deal to end strike in St. Louis area On Wednesday, Boeing Defense and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers reached a tentative 5-year contract agreement that would end a five-week-long strike in the St. Louis area. Striking Boeing workers reject latest offer However, on Friday, 57% of the IAM members voted to reject the agreement that would have increased the average wage from $75,000 to $109,000. The contract term would have increased from four years to five and included a ratification bonus of $4,000. Boeing says, “…no further talks are scheduled. We will continue to execute our contingency plan, including hiring permanent replacement workers, as we maintain support for our customers.” See: Boeing’s Terms of the Strike Settlement Offer [PDF] NTSB describes the turbulence that threw passengers around the cabin on a Delta flight In July, a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence over Wyoming and diverted to Minneapolis. Twenty-four 24 people were evaluated by paramedics, and 18 were taken to hospitals. Two crew members sustained serious injuries. In a preliminary report, the NTSB said  The pilots had changed their flight path to avoid turbulence from storms, but the encounter caught them by surprise.  The seat belt sign was off. The turbulence lasted two and a half minutes. People on board experienced up to 1.75 upward Gs, followed by a half G down.  At one point, the plane’s wing dipped down as much as 40 degrees. AP reports, “The pilots likely believed they were in the clear after asking air traffic controllers to route them around the storms. But the NTSB charted the plane’s flight path over a radar report from the National Weather Service that showed the plane flew directly into a bright red section of the map showing the worst of the storm.” How a Global Aerospace Company Landed in Northern Maine Kansas City-based Aero Intelligence is a certified FAA/EASA 145 Repair Station that offers aircraft asset management, 24/7 AOG, disassembly, recycling, and records management services. Also, engineering support, recruitment services, Maintenance and Engineering Audits and Inspections, Aircraft Refurbishment & Interior Design, project management, and others. The Loring Development Authority wants to create an aerospace hub and bring new jobs to Aroostook County at the former Loring Air Force Base. Erin Applebaum  Erin Applebaum, our Legal Liaison, attended the Boeing/DOJ deferred prosecution hearing on the Government’s motion to dismiss the criminal charge against Boeing regarding the 737-Max and Ethiopian Flight 302. The DOJ asked the judge to dismiss the charge, accept a non-prosecution agreement with a fine, and allow Boeing to select its own compliance consultant. Erin explains that, in an unprecedented move, the DOJ has declared in writing that it will not prosecute Boeing, even if the judge does not dismiss the charge. Erin is a Partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP. She represents the interests of passengers severely injured or killed in general aviation and commercial airline accidents. Mentioned Video: Underwater Drone Footage Moosehead Lake, Sunken Plane Locating and Recovery Mission https://youtu.be/D1eLuzwxUGs?si=TyEGSWHCRV2gte4L Video: USAF F-22 Raptor Pedal Turn w/ flares https://youtu.be/OPCOjEFoHbI?si=Lxqk8TocY6QpDxhj 13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A former Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation explains how Washington works with respect to aviation policy and oversight. In the news, a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas, the DOT Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract, EMAS and runway overruns, carrier qualifications for new Navy fighter pilots, and the Boeing strike. Guest Alex Simpson is Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates, a bipartisan government relations firm, where he focuses on the transportation sector. Previously, Alex served as Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under Chair and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). In that role, he led oversight of the FAA, TSA, NTSB, and the aviation industry. He executed over 25 hearings, including multiple high-profile hearings with airline and manufacturing CEOs, union leaders, DOT Secretaries, and FAA Administrators. Alex maintains close ties with the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure committees. Alex explains the major Congressional members and committees that create aviation policy and provide industry oversight. That includes the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. In addition, non-government stakeholders that influence policy decisions include organizations such as Airlines For America (A4A), ALPA, NATCA, Boeing, and even crash victim families acting as advocacy groups. Alex discusses a variety of topics, including ATC infrastructure, likely prime integrator candidates, and elements of a possible TSA reauthorization bill, such as the use of facial recognition technology at TSA checkpoints. Also, Boeing and the deferred prosecution agreement, lifting the 737 MAX production cap, and the 1500-hour rule for commercial airline pilots. We touch on consumer protection and the Full Fare Rule aimed at preventing deceptive airfare advertisements. As a Committee staffer, Alex drafted and negotiated the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. He also worked closely on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included more than $25 billion for airport infrastructure upgrades.  Before his tenure in the Senate, Alex practiced law at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Zuckert, Scoutt, & Rasenberger (now KMA Zuckert), where he helped clients problem-solve aviation issues, including those related to the Essential Air Service Program, airport landing rights (slots), antitrust, air carrier economic authority and fitness, federal preemption, and airport grant assurances. Aviation News Swift 100 R Gets ASTM Spec ASTM International recently approved a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas. Swift is one of three unleaded fuel makers, and the first to get ASTM approval. Swift Fuels has devoted years of research working with the FAA, Lycoming, Continental Aerospace, Rotax, Textron Aviation, Piper, and others. The ASTM AvGas standards define the required chemical, physical, and performance characteristics for unleaded Avgas sold for aviation use. DOT Opens Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract The Department of Transportation issued an updated request for solutions to identify a Prime Integrator for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. (Solicitation Number BNATCSRFSFINAL.) Submissions to the Request for Solutions – Brand New Air Traffic Control System at Sam.gov must be submitted by September 21, 2025. Carrier Qualifications Axed From Graduation Requirements For New Navy Fighter Pilots U.S. Navy Tactical Air (Strike) aviators in training are no longer required to take off and land from aircraft carriers before earning their Naval Aviator wings. A Navy official said “Students in the strike pipeline, those training to fly F/A-18s, F-35s, and EA-18Gs, are no longer required to qualify by landing on a carrier prior to graduation.” Instead, Naval aviators from the Tactical Air pipeline will conduct their first carrier qualifications when they reach a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). The FRS units provide initial training on the specific type of tactical jet assigned to the pilot. EMAS Halts Two Overruns in 24 Hours Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS) are safety systems designed stop aircraft experiencing a runway overrun. The crushable material slows the aircraft more effectively than soft ground. The FAA says the EMAS can handle most overruns at speeds up to 70 knots. Recently, a Gulfstream G150 overran a wet 5,000-foot runway at Chicago Executive Airport. The plane was stopped short of a major roadway by EMAS. Only hours later, a Bombardier Challenger 300 overran the runway at Boca Raton Airport. The EMAS prevented the aircraft from leaving the airport property. Currently, Runway Safe is the sole manufacturer of EMAS products that meet the FAA standards of Advisory Circular 150-5220-22B, “Engineered Materials Arresting Systems for Aircraft Overruns.” Boeing hires replacement workers as defense unit strike enters second month About 3,200 defense workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 have been on strike since August 4. Boeing offered a 20% general wage increase and a $5,000 ratification bonus. The company says it will hire new workers to replace the striking employees. Amber Combs David’s fiancée joins us to explain his medical condition and the need for a kidney transplant. She’s created a special page on the National Kidney Registry website that tells David’s story and explains how you can help: https://nkr.org/XQZ327. Please help spread this message. Mentioned Special Exhibit: Over the Horizon at the American Helicopter Museum. U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps rotorcraft operations from 1931 to today. The Navy 250th Celebration B-52 Close Call at Minot, Midair in Colorado, and Jammed Flight Controls Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken? from Freakonomics Radio. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The 100-day MrBeast challenge to win a jet, a message from the Head of the Aviation Engineering Department at Tishk International University, Rob’s traditional Labor Day message, and Captain Dana returns to Maine. The MrBeast “100 Day Jet Challenge” The MrBeast “100 Day Jet Challenge” required a contestant, commercial pilot Armando Carrion, to live entirely inside a $2.5 million Dassault Aviation Hawker 2000 jet for 100 days. If Armando did that, he’d win the jet as a prize. If he stepped outside, he would lose everything. Obino and Dana. Armando was our guest in Episode 549. At that time, he had just retired as Special Ops top sergeant from a 21-year career in the U. S. Air Force. His service included aircrew on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and he specialized in flying light tactical fixed-wing, as well as special missions. Armando has been a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for 25 years and commanded two different squadrons. Since retiring, Armando has been flying commercial, charter, and privately. Brian and Micah speak with Armando and Obino. Video: Survive 100 Days Trapped In A Private Jet, Keep It https://youtu.be/pzBi1nwDn8U?si=Ds2KbiZc46DPWqPw MrBeast offers $2.5M private jet to pilot who survives 100 days inside without touching ground Aviation Engineering at Tishk International University Soorkeu A. Atrooshi, PhD, is the Head of the Aviation Engineering Department at Tishk International University in Iraq. He listens to Airplane Geeks and told us the podcast has provided a lot of information to fellow aviation knowledge seekers at the University. He submitted a brief message for this episode. Rob’s Labor Day Message Each year, Rob Mark sends a Labor Day message. Captain Dana Back in Maine In Episode 858, Captain Dana, an A320-family pilot, visited with Micah and talked about flying, his background, and how he traveled to Maine. Dana recently returned to Maine to visit with Micah but this time Brian was jealous that he couldn’t be there, so he sent Micah a series of questions for Dana to answer. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Micah, Brian Coleman, and Rob Mark.

We talk with a floatplane pilot who flies the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver commercially. In the news, we look at strategies for modernizing the air traffic control system, striking flight attendants and some who wish they could, and a wingsuit accident takes the life of an ICON Aircraft co-founder. Guest John Crawford flies the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver commercially on the Canadian West Coast. He began flying Beavers when he was the Chief Pilot and Operations Manager for a company specializing in floatplane training, where he overhauled the training program. In addition to his full-time flying job, John also has a coaching program that helps pilots get their first flying position without the unnecessary and expensive detour of instructing. He helps student pilots with resumes, job search beyond job ads, interview preparation, and more. John Crawford and the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver. John describes his path to becoming a floatplane pilot, learning to fly, and using taildragger and bush-flying experience. He notes the origin of the Beaver and the challenges of flying a floatplane compared to other aircraft, including obstructions in the water, winds, and docking. John’s coaching project started as a proof of concept but has grown to include Canadian, U.S., and international students. We look at his teaching methods, the pattern of floatplane student pilots who do well learning to fly, and how John shows people how to get work. John also provides a valuable perspective on flight instructing in general and how teaching is not for everyone. See John’s website, find him on YouTube, and on Instagram. Aviation News The ‘brand new’ ATC system might not be as new as you think The National Airspace System today is built on three main software platforms that help transmit flight plan data, collect aircraft position information, and display all of that on the screens of air traffic controllers: the Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System (STARS) used by approach and departure facilities, En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) used by enroute facilities, and the Advanced Technologies & Oceanic Procedures (ATOPs) used by oceanic facilities in California and New York. The FAA said that combining these three protocols into a single common automation platform would be more efficient. That proposal is a pillar of the administration’s ATC modernization plan, and it would cost an estimated $31.5 billion. Instead of replacing STARS, ERAM, and ATOPs, FAA chief Bryan Bedford said the agency is exploring a cheaper way to connect the systems that “will look and feel and act exactly the same” as a common platform without actually being one. “There’s technology that we can stick in between ERAM and STARS and ATOPs and the user, you know, a new interface. These interfaces actually exist today. We can take that data, we can re-present it across the users of the NAS.” US flight attendants are fed up like their Air Canada peers. Here’s why they are unlikely to strike Hourly wages for flight attendants can be very low relative to the cost of living. Some can’t afford housing in their home base location and must therefore commute from a lower-cost region. Discontent is amplified when FAs are not paid until the cabin door is open. Airline strikes are rare due to the Railway Labor Act of 1926, amended in 1936 to include airlines. For airline workers to strike, Federal mediators must declare an impasse. But even then, the president or Congress can intervene. Air Canada reaches deal with flight attendant union to end strike as operations will slowly restart Ten thousand Air Canada flight attendants went on strike, but that ended with a tentative deal that includes wage increases and pay for boarding passengers. ICON founder dies in wingsuit accident ICON Aircraft co-founder Kirk Hawkins died August 19, 2025, in a wingsuit accident in the Swiss Alps. Police report that Hawkins and three others jumped out of a helicopter before crashing to the ground. He is a former US Air Force F-16 pilot. Icon Aircraft was founded in 2006 and produced the ICON A5 amphibious light sport aircraft with folding wings, which entered production in 2016. Hawkins was forced out as CEO of ICON Aircraft in November 2018. See: What is a Wingsuit and how does it work? Mentioned International Seaplane Fly In – Greenville, Maine, Moosehead Lake, September 4 -7, 2025. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A guest panel discusses aircraft accidents, air turbulence injuries, airline and airframer culture, pilot training and experience, FAA shortfalls, and other topics that impact the flying public. In the news, the 90-second evacuation rule, the fatal Jeju Air crash at Muan Airport, and Zunum Air’s suit against Boeing for the misappropriation of trade secrets. Guests Chris Manno became an Air Force pilot after graduation from college and served seven years as a squadron pilot in the Pacific. He flew as a pilot with American Airlines for 35 years and was a captain for 29 of those years. Over his career, Chris logged over 25,000 hours of jet time. He’s a cartoonist and author of many books. Chris has just written a new book based on actual airline incidents titled Whiskey Air. It’s a fictionalized deep-dive into actual airline incidents. James Albright co-wrote Whiskey Air. He’s a fellow USAF pilot (they flew together in a squadron in PACAF) who went on to command a USAF squadron, then retired and spent another twenty years as a corporate pilot. He also writes safety analysis for AvWeek. Erin Applebaum is a Partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP. She represents the interests of passengers severely injured or killed in general aviation and commercial airline accidents. Erin is currently on the team representing numerous victims of the DCA midair collision. She’s also handling cases on behalf of several passengers from the February 2025 Delta Air Lines crash in Toronto. Erin is a foremost authority on litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty on commercial air travel. Erin’s other major cases at Kreindler include the Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 catastrophic engine failure and the Liberty Helicopters doors-off tour helicopter crash in the East River. For the past six years, Erin has played a key role in Kreindler’s fight against Boeing in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302/737 MAX litigation. She was appointed by the court as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 cases and was instrumental in the victims’ families’ effort to overturn the Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Boeing and the Department of Justice. Discussion In this episode’s roundtable, our guests bring their knowledge and experience to the discussion of important issues faced by the industry, including:  The 90-second evacuation rule. The liability of the airlines, airports, and the regulators. Boeing’s corporate culture, reputation, and the DOJ’s criminal case. Profit motives over safety. Decision making in the cockpit and being the captain that sometimes has to say, “no.” Lack of FAA oversight resources and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). Delegated oversight authority. Injuries sustained due to air turbulence. See: Whiskey Air on Amazon Chris Manno’s author page Code 7700 page by James Albright Rough Skies Ahead: Legal Options for Turbulence Injuries [PDF] by Erin Applebaum and Taylor Sandella. Aviation News Senator Pushes FAA to Examine Aircraft Evacuation Rules Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) sent a letter to the FAA asking the agency to compare its 90-second evacuation standard against recent incidents. The rule originated in the late 1960s and requires aircraft manufacturers to demonstrate during certification that all passengers and crew can evacuate the aircraft within 90 seconds, even with only half of the emergency exits available. Duckworth’s letter: “While FAA has yet to disclose how long any of the referenced passenger evacuations took, these incidents once again raise serious questions about FAA’s 90-second evacuation standard as well as FAA’s assumptions about how evacuations occur in real world conditions (such as the assumption every passenger will comply with instructions to deplane without carry-on bags).” Duckworth wants the FAA to describe how long they took, how many passengers exited with bags, and how many were children, seniors, or disabled. Decades of Blunders Put a Lethal Wall at the End of a South Korean Runway The Korean Maeil Business Newpaper reports that the New York Times “extensively secured and reviewed 26 years’ worth of Muan Airport-related data, including the initial design drawing of Muan Airport, and listened to opinions from experts and bereaved families.” This concerns the fatal Jeju Air crash last year at Muan Airport. The original Muan Airport design in 1999 stipulated that localizers should be easily broken in collisions to “minimize fatal damage to aircraft in the event of a collision,” the NYT said. However, this design was changed in 2003 and the support of the localizer was changed to hard concrete rather than brittle structures.  Boeing interfered with electric plane startup Zunum, appeals court finds Electric airplane startup Zunum Aero, founded in 2013 and backed by Boeing and JetBlue, went out of business in 2019 after running out of funding. Zunum then sued Boeing, alleging that Boeing used its position as an investor to steal Zunum’s trade secrets. Also, that Boeing sought to discourage other groups from investing, forcing the company to cease operations. A Seattle jury ruled against Boeing in 2024, but two months later, a federal judge reversed that decision. Now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision and reinstated the $72 million verdict against Boeing. The case was remanded back to the district court to finalize the verdict. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Foreign nations consider F-35 alternatives such as the Typhoon and FCAS, Denver Airport studies the use of a small modular reactor, Astronaut Jim Lovell passed, Senate bill blocks ATC privatization, NTSB hearings highlighted, and the Regional Airline Association calls for accredited flight training programs to be recognized as professional degrees. Aviation News Spain rules out F-35 order, prioritizes Eurofighter and FCAS The Spanish Ministry of Defense has decided to “prioritize investment in European industry” and will consider the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) over the Lockheed Martin F-35. The Spanish government wants to replace its aging fleet of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harrier II aircraft. Previously, the F-35 was considered a leading candidate. Talks with Lockheed Martin are now suspended. Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, courtesy F35.com. Other potential foreign F-35 customers, including Canada and Portugal, have signaled doubts about joining the American-led program amid geopolitical strain with the Trump administration. Swiss lawmakers are calling for the government to cancel a $9.1 billion order for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter. Denver to look at nuclear option for power at Denver International Airport The Denver airport (DIA) “issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the feasibility of building a small modular (nuclear) reactor (SMR) on the DEN campus. The study is part of DEN’s overall efforts to meet future clean energy demands.” A new Colorado law reclassifies nuclear energy as a clean energy resource. See the press release: DEN to Pursue More Alternative Energy Options for Future Needs and A nuclear reactor at the Denver airport? Here’s what you need to know. Professor Thomas Albrecht, director of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Center at the Colorado School of Mines, said, “The idea, with many of the small modular reactors, is you can drive them up on a semi. put them down on a concrete pad and plug them in, and they just go. The idea of many of these designs is you could keep adding them.” The study will cost up to $1.25 million and is expected to take between 6-12 months to complete, at which time DEN, along with its partners, will evaluate the findings and determine next steps. NASA Administrator Reflects on Passing of Astronaut Jim Lovell Astronaut James A. Lovell was a pioneering NASA astronaut best known as the commander of Apollo 13 and as one of the first humans to orbit the Moon, having flown a total of four space missions—Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13—more than any astronaut in NASA’s early years. Astronaut James A. Lovell, NASA. Gemini 7 (1965): Set an endurance record of nearly 14 days in orbit and accomplished the first rendezvous of two manned spacecraft, a vital maneuver for Moon missions. Gemini 12 (1966): Commanded the final Gemini mission, featured Buzz Aldrin as pilot, and executed complex extravehicular activities, closing the Gemini program successfully. Apollo 8 (1968): Served as Command Module Pilot for the first crewed mission to leave Earth’s orbit and enter lunar orbit, making him and his crewmates the first humans to orbit the Moon and see its far side. Apollo 13 (1970): Commanded the ill-fated lunar mission that suffered a catastrophic explosion en route, forcing a dramatic turnaround and Moon flyby. His leadership in crisis turned it into an inspirational story of survival; Lovell and his crew made it back safely, an event celebrated worldwide and dramatized in the 1995 film “Apollo 13”. See Former Astronaut James A. Lovell – NASA and EAA’s Jack Pelton on the Death of Astronaut Jim Lovell. Senate ATC modernization funding bill blocks privatization The Senate Appropriations Committee bill to fund the Department of Transportation, including the FAA, in 2026 seeks to block any attempts to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system. Senate bill S.2465, (the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026) would provide $13.8 billion to fund the FAA’s regular operations, and more than $10 billion for the FAA’s air traffic organization. However, the bill also states that none of the funds can be “used to plan, design, or implement the privatization or separation of the air traffic organization functions of the Federal Aviation Administration.” A committee report accompanying the bill states, “The Committee does not support any efforts to transfer the FAA’s air traffic functions to a not-for-profit, independent, private corporation. The Committee is aware that if the Nation’s air traffic control system had been privatized during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to other air navigation service providers in Canada and the European Union, the United States would have faced severe funding shortfalls. These shortfalls would have likely led to controller layoffs and greater risks to flight safety, and a slower recovery after the end of the pandemic, thus leading to more flight delays and price increases for consumers.” Highlights of the NTSB’s DCA Hearings More than 30 hours of testimony were created when the NTSB began its recent public investigation of the events surrounding the January midair collision near the approach end of Runway 33 at Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). NTSB News Talk has made learning the essential details easier by condensing all three days into three separate episodes, totaling just under five hours. Regional Airline Association Urges U.S. Department of Education to Recognize Accredited Flight Training Programs as Professional Degrees In remarks to a U.S. Department of Education Public Hearing, Faye Malarkey Black, President and CEO of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), highlights the pilot shortage and its impacts. The cost of training is a significant barrier to entry, as well as the inability to finance it. “Accredited, Part 141 flight training programs—often embedded within university programs—add around $90,000 in additional costs to a four-year degree. Students in these programs are limited to standard undergraduate federal loan caps. They cannot access the higher loan limits available to graduate professional students—even though pilot training meets every test of a professional degree. The RAA urges the Department to issue clear guidance recognizing accredited undergraduate Part 141 flight training programs as professional degree programs. This would unlock federal resources for students, advance aviation workforce growth, and support the economic health of smaller communities. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The Lockheed U-2 spy plane on its 70th anniversary, Boeing workers strike the St. Louis plant, the NTSB hearing on the DCA mid-air collision, and Injuries due to air turbulence. Also, Micah and Capt. Dana meet up and record the conversation, and news about this year’s Cranky Dorkfest. Aviation News U-2 Just Set New Records On The 70th Anniversary Of Its First Flight Lockheed proposed the U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane in 1953, it was approved in 1954, and its first test flight took place in 1955, seventy years ago. According to ATC radio traffic, the U-2 just set several records, including an “endurance record for category and class for aircraft.” During the Cold War era, the U-2 flew over the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, and Cuba. Gary Powers was shot down in a CIA U-2 by a surface-to-air missile over the Soviet Union in 1960. Major Rudolf Anderson Jr. was shot down in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis. U-2 Dragon Lady, courtesy Lockheed Martin. ‘Double Trouble’ Boeing F-47 NGAD Problems the Air Force Never Saw Coming The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) recommended that members accept Boeing’s four-year contract offer for the St. Louis plant. Instead, union membership voted to authorize a strike, potentially disrupting the production of Boeing aircraft. IAM District 837 Members in St. Louis Reject Latest Boeing Offer, Strike for Fair Contract Approximately 3,200 highly-skilled IAM Union members at Boeing facilities in St. Louis voted to reject a modified four-year labor agreement with Boeing. This vote follows members’ rejection of Boeing’s earlier proposal on Sunday, July 27. See also: Boeing Strike Begins Monday After Negotiations Fail and More than 3,000 Boeing defense workers go on strike after rejecting contract. FAA planning more helicopter route changes after fatal collision At a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)  investigative hearing, the FAA said additional changes will be made to a key helicopter route near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. This follows restrictions imposed in March and June. At the hearing, NTSB officials expressed concerns about the FAA failing to turn over documents in a timely manner, inaction by the agency after earlier reports of close calls, and a “disconnect” between controllers and FAA leaders. Turbulent SLC flight passengers likely entitled to up to $250k for damages, aviation attorney says “An aviation attorney says passengers on the Delta flight could be entitled to $250K in compensation.” The turbulence was encountered on a Delta Airbus A330-900 flying from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam. The plane diverted to Minneapolis, and 25 passengers and crew members were hospitalized. Dinner With Dana Captain Dana, an A320 family pilot, visited with Micah and talked about flying, his background, and how he traveled to Maine. Captain Dana and our Main(e) Man Micah. Mentioned NTSB News Talk – Reagan National Midair NTSB Hearing Day 1: Army Black Hawk & Regional Jet Crash Testimony Reagan National Midair NTSB Hearing Day 2: Army Black Hawk & CRJ-700 Testimony It is Time to RSVP for Cranky Dorkfest (Yes, You Need to RSVP This Year) Sustainable Skies World Summit 2026: Save the Date! – 17–18 March 2026, Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, UK. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

The MOSAIC final rule, an interview with the founder and CEO of Flying Eyes Optics, FAA guidance on certification of powered lift vehicles, new galleries opening at the National Air and Space Museum, a Delta pilot lands and gets immediately arrested, deer strikes in Alaska, and the NTSB investigation of a fatal flight in that state. Also, thoughts on recent moves to relocate the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum to Space Center Houston. Guest Dean Siracusa Dean Siracusa is the founder and CEO of Flying Eyes Optics. Dean, a pilot, started the company when he realized that existing sunglasses did not perform well with the increased clamping force of modern aviation headsets. Flying Eyes temples are made of a patented material that allows the temples to conform to your head instead of curving around your ears. They’re easy to put on and take off while wearing a headset or helmet. The flexibility of the temple material and shatterproof polycarbonate lenses makes these glasses hard to break. Hillel Glazer, our Aviation Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent, interviewed Dean at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025. Aviation News U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Improvements to Recreational Aviation Safety, Expansion of Light-Sport Sector The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) final rule was announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. The new rule makes changes to the Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category and Sport Pilot privileges by expanding an alternative to experimental amateur-built aircraft. MOSAIC: Removes the weight limit Encompasses aircraft with higher speeds, more seats, and retractable landing gear.  Allows for new types of propulsion and modern avionics. Allows aerial work with LSA, such as infrastructure and forest inspections, photography/filming, and agricultural surveillance. Allows pilots operating under Sport Pilot privileges to fly a broader range of aircraft. Reduces regulatory requirements by expanding the types of aircraft that qualify as LSA and the types of aircraft pilots can fly under Sport Pilot privileges. Changes for sport pilots and light-sport repairmen take effect 90 days after the final rule publishes. Changes for LSA certification take effect 365 days after the final rule publishes. Video: Secretary Sean P. Duffy Holds Press Conference for Important Announcement on General Aviation https://www.youtube.com/live/iRzzTspdjUM?si=gje-ftiRm94Y2eY4 EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2025 Facts and Figures Attendance for the week: approximately 704,000, the highest on record. More than 10,000 aircraft, 2,543 show planes, nearly 6,000 volunteers, and 962 commercial exhibitors. FAA Releases Powered-Lift Certification Guidance Originally, certification of the new advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft types, such as eVTOLs, had been worked under Part 23 regulations for light aircraft. In 2022, the FAA categorized them as powered-lift under FAR 21.17(b) regulations for special class aircraft. That category had no airworthiness standards and operating rules. The FAA has now released an advisory circular “streamlining the certification process for advanced air mobility aircraft by releasing guidance for how manufacturers can meet the agency’s aircraft design and performance safety standards. It establishes a consistent, performance-based framework for manufacturers to follow.  The FAA will carefully evaluate each proposed design to ensure it meets the agency’s rigorous standards.” The AC defines powered-lift as heavier-than-air aircraft that use “engine-driven lift devices” or engine thrust for vertical takeoff and landing and low-speed flight. For lift during horizontal flight, they use rigid airfoils such as wings. National Air and Space Museum Opens Five New Galleries July 28 [2025] The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum opened five new galleries, the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater and the museum’s redesigned entrance on Jefferson Drive along the National Mall Monday. The remaining galleries will open July 1, 2026, the 50th anniversary of the museum in Washington and in time for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., is located at Jefferson Drive between Fourth and Seventh streets S.W. and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required to visit. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is located in Chantilly, Virginia, near Washington Dulles International Airport and is open every day except Dec. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free, timed-entry passes are not required and parking is $15. Alaska Airlines plane hits multiple deer while landing in Kodiak, Alaska Alaska Airlines flight 231 flying from Anchorage hit several unfortunate deer while landing in Kodiak, Alaska. Damage was sustained to the 737’s landing gear. The FAA’s wildlife strike database shows more than 22,000 strikes reported in 2024. Too Much Moose Meat and Antlers Caused a Plane Crash in Alaska that Killed Congresswoman’s Husband, the NTSB Reports After a nearly two-yesr investigation, the NTSB released its report of a fatal 2023 Piper PA-18 crash carrying moose meat and antlers. The Piper was loaded with 520 pounds of cargo, 117 pounds overweight. The aircraft also had a set of antlers strapped to the wing without the required FAA approval. The NTSB stated that the cause of the crash was the excess weight and the “unapproved external load” of the antlers, which “degraded takeoff performance and flight characteristics” leading to a loss of control. ‘Stormed The Cockpit’: Homeland Security Arrests Delta Pilot Moments After Landing In San Francisco A passenger onboard reports that 10 law enforcement officers, including Homeland Security Investigations officers, “stormed to the front” of the aircraft as soon as the Boeing 757 arrived and “grabbed/arrested” one of the pilots. Mentioned Shuttle Discovery’s Texas transfer launches cost concerns Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Hillel Glazer.

We speak with a company that provides guest WiFi solutions and interactive maps, and an airport seeking to use the technology to enhance the customer experience. In the news, a study of drone risks to aircraft, evasive action to avoid a B-52, route changes at Avelo and Breeze, and the possibility of continued relaxation of TSA security checkpoint rules. Guests Purple Chief Revenue Officer Shawn Bossons. Shaun Bossons is the Chief Revenue Officer at Purple, a company that provides tools for businesses to turn their physical venues into intelligent spaces. Purple helps airports (and others) enhance visitor experiences, optimize staff efficiency, and drive additional revenue with indoor location services. MidAmerica/St. Louis Airport Director Darren James. Photo by Tim Vizer for MAA. Darren James is the Airport Director of the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV). MidAmerica is utilizing the airport WiFi offered by Purple to help engage its customers and bring value to the travel experience. Shawn and Darren talk about traveler engagement, what that means, and how it has changed over time in the context of the airport experience. They explain how airport WiFi can be used to provide targeted communication that helps the traveler navigate the airport safely and reduce anxiety. Because personal information is always an important topic in a system that collects data, we look at how it is protected in the context of airport WiFi. Consumers are generally willing to share information if they know it is secure and they receive some value in return. At the same time, collecting too much information adds friction, and with too much friction, customers will disconnect. Purple was founded because getting connected was sometimes difficult while traveling. MidAmerica is using Purple’s airport WiFi offering to engage travelers and improve their experience at the airport. Aviation News Embry-Riddle study warns of drone risks to aircraft The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University study was conducted for the FAA. Researchers looked at data from 6,037 documented flights with altitude information and found that at least 573 flew to an altitude of between 400 and 500 feet, while 781 flew to 500 feet or above. The ceiling established by the FAA for drone flights is 400 feet. The study utilized sensors placed across the country that collected data from Remote  Identification signals, which the FAA has required registered drones to transmit since 2023. Pilot Of Delta Air Flight Performs ‘Aggressive Maneuver’ To Avoid Mid-Air Collision With B-52 Bomber Delta Air Lines flight DL-3788, an Embraer 175 operated by SkyWest, was flying between Minneapolis and Minot International Airport in North Dakota. Minot is also a US Air Force base for B-52 bombers. During the approach to the airport, the pilot executed an “aggressive maneuver” to avoid a B-52 on a convergent path. Minot Airport has no radar. Air traffic control visually ensures there is sufficient separation between aircraft on approach to landing. Avelo to ground West Coast flights, says decision won’t affect Tweed or Bradley Avelo Airlines has announced that it is closing its West Coast flight network by the end of the year. That includes its base at Hollywood Burbank Airport and all destinations to and from California, Las Vegas, Oregon, Montana, and Washington state. Avelo started operations in 2021 at Burbank. Financial difficulties and insufficient profitability are cited as reasons for the shutdown. Breeze Airways Expands On West Coast As Avelo Retreats Avelo Airlines and Breeze Airways both operate point-to-point routes in underserved markets. Avelo flies used 737s with a basic product offering. Breeze flies new A220s with Wi-Fi and premium seating. As Avelo pulls out of the West Coast, Breeze plans to expand into markets that have been served by Avelo, including Arcata, California (ACV), Burbank, California (BUR), Eugene, Oregon (EUG), Pasco/Tri-Cities, Washington (PSC), and Remond, Oregon (RDM). New airport scanners are better at spotting liquid explosives, but many airports lack them After the easing of the requirement to remove shoes at TSA checkpoints, travelers hope to see similar action taken for liquids in carry-on bags. But more than a third of U.S. airports lack scanners that can detect liquid explosives. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “The liquids, I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement, is what size your liquids need to be. We have put in place in TSA a multilayered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still as safe.” Only 255 of the 432 airports across the United States have new CT scanners installed. Mentioned Support the Douglas DC-3’s Legacy: Join the 90th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

The Founder and President of the Affordable Skies Coalition gives travelers a voice in the future of air travel. In the news, the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash, DARPA ended the cargo seaplane program, the boom on a KC-46 Tanker broke off while refueling an F-22, and releases of toxic firefighting foam remain a problem. Guest Jennifer C. Rykaczewski Jennifer C. Rykaczewski is the Founder and President of the Affordable Skies Coalition, a nonprofit founded in December 2024 to give travelers a voice in the future of air travel. It’s an advocacy group dedicated to promoting policies that encourage competition, reduce costs, and protect the right to safe, affordable air travel. The Coalition is a growing community that shares insights, strategies, and resources to empower the traveler. Their work centers on ensuring air travel remains safe and affordable, while giving Americans, especially those often overlooked in policy and industry conversations, a chance to weigh in on the decisions shaping the future of flying.   Jennifer explains how the Affordable Skies Coalition is advocating on the Hill and getting agreement that there is a need for a consumer advocacy group. We look at legislation such as the Airport Gate Competition Act and the Fast Lane for Youths (FLY) Act. The Affordable Skies Coalition offers a free membership option that includes a newsletter featuring industry updates, air traveler information, and opportunities to participate in petitions, surveys, and focus groups. A paid premium membership option adds live webinars and exclusive data reports. Jennifer developed a passion for aviation after meeting her now-husband, who owned a Cessna 182. They flew across the country and all around the East Coast together.  He’s an A-10 pilot in the Air Force. Over time, aviation has become an integral part of Jennifer’s life. Aviation News Air India Crash Investigation focuses on movement of fuel engine control switches The Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau published their Preliminary Report, Accident involving Air India’s B787-8 aircraft bearing registration VT-ANB at Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 [PDF]. The aircraft achieved a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots, and immediately thereafter, both engine fuel cutoff switches transitioned from Run to Cutoff. In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he switched to cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. See: The Mystery Deepens Around Air India 171 Crash at Jetwhine. DARPA ends cargo seaplane program, eyes new uses for tech The Liberty Lifter was intended to be a long-range, low-cost, heavy cargo seaplane. The wing-in-ground-effect plane was planned with a capacity comparable to that of a C-17 Globemaster. It would have been capable of operating at mid-altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. Aurora Flight Sciences said, “Through the Liberty Lifter program, we were able to show the viability of the design and the feasibility of novel manufacturing techniques. Aurora is proud of the technical advancements we made through the preliminary design of Liberty Lifter, and we expect to apply these learnings to future programs.” DARPA awarded contracts in February 2023 to two contractors to develop their own plans.  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) partnered with Maritime Applied Physics Corporation to design a twin-hull, mid-wing aircraft powered by twelve turboshaft engines. Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences partnered with Leidos subsidiary Gibbs & Cox and with Oregon shipyard ReconCraft and designed a high-wing monohull with eight turbine engines. The Aurora Flight Sciences Liberty Lifter concept. Boom On KC-46 Tanker Just Broke Off During F-22 Refueling Mission The KC-46 was based at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. The F-22s were launched from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The tanker lost its boom off the coast of Virginia. In the audio via LiveATC.net, the crew of the KC-46 (callsign FELL 81) alerts the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility at Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES, callsign, Giant Killer) that the boom was lost. Video: ATC Audio: KC-46 FELL81 boom detached while on a F-22 refueling mission https://youtu.be/rC_xX9JwlSE?si=R-KvmCCqnaINZTwU American Airlines buys last of toxic firefighting foam at Brunswick airport After a fire suppression system accidentally discharged foam at the former Brunswick Naval Air Base, an area was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. American Airlines has agreed to purchase and remove the remaining AFFF concentrate from the former naval airbase – nearly 6,000 gallons – for $250,000. The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority will use the money to remove the residual concentrate from fire suppression systems. Spirit Airlines Grounds 5 Aircraft Amid Detroit Hangar Foam Incident A lightning strike during a severe storm is suspected to be the cause of the release of corrosive fire suppression foam inside a Spirit maintenance hangar at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) on July 4, 2025. The foam affected two aircraft inside the hangar and three more parked on the adjacent ramp area. The incident may have caused millions of dollars in potential damage. According to reports, even limited exposure to this type of foam can cost approximately $100,000 per aircraft to clean, with severe cases potentially reaching upwards of $10 million in damage. Mentioned Micah appeared on the WBZ Boston The World of Aviation radio program. Iconic Plane (P-2 Neptune) at Brunswick Landing (Former Brunswick Naval Air Station) Has Been Restored Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

A new Chinese ekranoplan is spotted, the Air India Flight AI171 black boxes, a Ryanair Boeing 737 evacuation, Essential Air Service subsidies, exploding soda cans on Southwest Airlines flights, and keeping your shoes on at the TSA checkpoint. Aviation News Full Photo of New Chinese Ekranoplan Breaks Cover A photograph published on Chinese social media shows a Chinese ekranoplan, a wing-in-ground-effect vehicle that resembles an airplane but typically flies over water, supported by the air between its wings and the surface. Previously In China Builds New Large Jet-Powered Ekranoplan, Naval News published a photograph showing a portion of a vehicle that appeared to be an ekranoplan. New we have a view of the entire airframe on the water. China’s new ekranoplan. (Image credit: Chinese social media, via X) Air India plane crash investigation: Lawyers oppose sending black box abroad The Khaleej Times reports that a group of Indian lawyers have notified the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Air India, and Boeing India, urging that the investigation remain entirely under Indian jurisdiction. They argue that sending the black boxes from Air India Flight AI171 to foreign entities could compromise the transparency and independence of the investigation. The black boxes were flown to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) lab in Delhi for analysis. Indian and NTSB experts were present. 18 Passengers Injured As False Fire Alarm Prompts Emergency Evacuation Of Ryanair Boeing 737 After a fire alarm activated on a Ryanair Boeing 737, a chaotic passenger evacuation ensued, resulting in 18 passengers being injured, including six who were taken to local hospitals. The evacuation took place on the tarmac at Palma Airport on the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Passengers evacuated the plane via emergency slides, as well as onto the wings. See also: Ryanair Boeing 737 Fire Triggers Wing Evacuation at Palma Airport, 18 Injured. President Trump wants to slash subsidies for small airports across rural America Congress created the Essential Air Service (or EAS) in 1978 as part of the Airline Deregulation Act. The EAS was designed to ensure that small and rural communities would continue to receive a minimum level of scheduled commercial air service after deregulation. Initially authorized for a ten-year term, it is now permanently authorized by Congress. About 180 airports benefit from EAS funding. See: Current List of Eligible EAS Communities (Excluding Alaska & Hawaii) [PDF]. Estimates of EAS spending vary between approximately $200 million and $394 million due to differences in how the program’s funding is categorized, the inclusion of both discretionary and mandatory appropriations, and variations in budget requests versus enacted appropriations. Southwest Airlines Explains What’s [sic] It’s Doing To Tackle The Curious Case Of The Exploding Soda Cans Previously, we talked about exploding soda cans on Southwest Airlines flights that mysteriously exploded and injured flight attendants. It was observed that Southwest didn’t chill its in-flight supplies, and the cans could sit for hours in the heat before being moved onto the plane. Since then, Southwest started using 60 refrigerated vehicles in Phoenix and Las Vegas, with the possible addition to the catering fleet in Dallas and Houston. Also, the crew has infrared guns to check soda can temperature. Numerous Outlets Are Citing TikTok for a TSA Rule Change on Shoes, but What Does TSA Say? Several media outlets report that as of July 7, 2025, the TSA has made a significant policy change and all travelers, regardless of PreCheck status, will now be allowed to keep their shoes on during security screening. As we recorded this episode, reports were inconsistent and the TSA had not published an official statement. See: You Can Finally Keep Your Shoes On—TSA’s 23-Year Airport Security Rule Ended Today. Mentioned The annual Spurwink Farm Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In is Sunday, July 13, 2025, between 8 am and noon in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The Aviation Podcaster Q&A and Meet & Greet will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025, at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Forum Stage 6, from 11:30 to 12:45. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Guest Scott Hamilton is fresh from the Paris Air Show, and we talk about next-generation aircraft and engines, industry sustainability, the supply chain, and Boeing’s path back. Also, an NTSB safety recommendation for the CFM Leap-1B engine, and the possibility of restarting production of the C-17. Guest Scott Hamilton Scott Hamilton is the Founder and Managing Director of Leeham Company and has spent more than four decades in the commercial aviation industry. Leeham News and Analysis has been a go-to source for spotting trends and providing verified, credible, relevant aviation news that’s impartial and unbiased. Leeham Consulting Services provides expertise in several areas, including aircraft economic analysis, lease and return condition analysis and negotiations, aircraft product and strategy analysis, fleet planning and contract negotiations, market demand analysis, and MRO strategy. In our conversation with Scott, we looked at some of the technologies that may appear in next-generation aircraft. That includes ducted and unducted engines, as well as developments with geared fans. In public, the OEMs tout their own technology choices, but in reality, they are quietly working on multiple options. We touch on Boeing’s ability to make the financial investment required to proceed with a single-aisle replacement, and on the company’s path to recovery. Scott provides some observations on this year’s Paris Air Show, including the low-key participation by Boeing. Scott offers his thoughts on electric aircraft, alternative fuels, and the airline industry goal for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Scott’s book, Air Wars: The Global Combat Between Airbus and Boeing, was published in 2021. This coming September, a sequel titled The Rise and Fall of Boeing and the Way Back will be published and available on Amazon. Follow Leham News and Analysis on X, Bluesky, and Facebook. Aviation News Boeing Calls For Next-Gen Engine Info For Future Single Aisle Boeing issued a request for information (RFI) to engine manufacturers for advanced ducted propulsion systems in the 30,000-lb-thrust class. That thrust class is suitable for powering a future single-aisle replacement for the 737. Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney are likely to respond to the RFI with geared, ducted turbofans, which they are proposing to Airbus for its next-generation single aisle (NGSA). CFMI will likely respond with a ducted engine based on technology from its Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine (RISE) unducted open fan program. Engine makers tout “Plan A” but have “Plan B” backups in R&D Each engine OEM has a vision for future engines (open fan, ducted fan, geared fan), but is each company also developing an alternative at the same time? PW’s sister company, Pratt & Whitney Canada, has publicly disclosed its development of an Open Fan engine for a new 70-100-seat aircraft designed by the start-up company MAEVE Aerospace. See: Maeve Redesigns Its Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft MAEVE Aerospace concept. NTSB issues rare safety bulletin about potential issues with Boeing 737 Max engines Two bird strike incidents in 2023 with CFMI LEAP-1B engines caused smoke to enter the ventilation system. The NTSB has issued an urgent safety bulletin, asking operators to inform flight crews of the potential hazard and calling for modifications to engine software. The NTSB notes that Boeing has revised flight manuals. GE Aerospace says it had already made changes. See: NTSB Recommends Modifications to LEAP-1B Engines The NTSB found that the engine load reduction device, or LRD, a safety feature designed to reduce the severity of vibrations transmitted from a damaged engine to the airframe, can result in damage to the engine oil system. Such a condition can allow smoke from hot oil to enter the ventilation system and ultimately the cockpit or passenger cabin. Boeing in Talks to Restart C-17 Production Production of the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III ceased a decade ago. There is no immediate successor to the C-17, but there is demand for the capability that the airplane can provide. Boeing says it’s negotiating with at least one potential customer. Mentioned Jim Schilling, Co-Host/Producer of the Flying Midwest Podcast, has organized an Aviation Podcaster Q and A forum at Oshkosh. Saturday,  July 26th, 2025 11:30-12:45, Forum Stage 6. PANAM is back sort of ‘Tracing the transatlantic’ charter trip honors the avgeek legacy of Pan Am Portland International Jetport card mailed to area residents: Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The Air India B787 fatal crash and the ram air turbine, how your personal travel data is sold, next generation commercial aircraft engines, personal electric flying machines that are becoming dangerously affordable, and GippsAero is coming back to Australia to build the GA8 airvan. Aviation News Indian authorities begin investigating Air India crash in which 1 passenger survived India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the fatal crash of an Air India B787. Of the 242 passengers and crew aboard, one passenger survived. Numerous theories are being speculated in the press, including loss of power by both engines, failure to set the flaps properly for takeoff, and erroneously retracting the flaps instead of the landing gear. Some say the Ram Air Turbine appears to be deployed in one video. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) extends from the fuselage or the wing to generate power in an emergency. Twin blades [corrected] spin a shaft connected to either an electrical generator or a hydraulic pump that drives a generator. The B787, A320, and A380 Ram Air Turbines are produced by Collins Aerospace. The company manufactures hydraulic, electric, and hybrid RATs that generate both electric and hydraulic power. Safran also produces Ram Air Turbines. Ram Air Turbine. Image courtesy Collins Aerospace. US Navy Vought RF-8G Crusader on display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM) Udvar-Hazy Center, Chantilly, Virginia. Airlines Secretly Sold One Billion Passenger Records—Now The Government Can Track Where You Travel The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) is a major provider of settlement services for the airline industry. Clients include airlines, travel agencies, and corporate travel departments. ARC is owned by the airlines and sells passenger names, full domestic flight itineraries, and payment details (e.g., credit card used) through its “Travel Intelligence Program” (TIP). Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is reportedly purchasing this data. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is critical of this practice and wants airlines to explain why they allow ARC to resell this information. CBP claims they adhere to strong privacy policies, and only use the data for open investigations. Open Fan Would Be Suboptimal On Narrowbody, RTX Chief Scientist Says The next generation of single-aisle aircraft will need to offer at least a 20% fuel burn improvement. Some of that will likely come from the airframe, and most will come from the power plants. The next generation of turbofans under development includes the CFM International open-fan RISE demonstrator and geared turbofans from Pratt & Whitney. Thermal efficiency vs. propulsive efficiency: Thermal efficiency measures how effectively an engine converts fuel energy into mechanical work. Propulsive efficiency measures how efficiently the engine converts mechanical energy into useful thrust. Both are dimensionless ratios, typically expressed as a percentage (%). The overall efficiency of the engine is the propulsive efficiency multiplied by the thermal efficiency. Mentioned American Helicopter Museum UAV News Talk Freakonomics Airplane Food Spurwink Farm Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In Personal electric flying machines are becoming dangerously affordable Aerolite EV-103  Video: Aerolite EV-103 Electric powered aircraft – First Owner Review at Oshkosh 2021 https://youtu.be/DIaD71KOAdU?si=FTHeEU87xsSjcbto SP140 electric paramotor  GippsAero promises Gippsland jobs with new GA8 airvan launch Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We speak with the Chief Pilot for a large European carrier about taking delivery of his airline’s first A321XLR, and with a fractional ownership pilot about changing from the Phenom to the Challenger Global 300. In the news, we look at lifting the supersonic flight ban, revamping the Army flight school, denying an unleaded avgas motion, reforming flight delay compensation, and considering the Fire Boss air tractor for fighting wildfires Guests Captain Al Evan is the Chief Pilot for a large European low-cost carrier. He was the Airbus and Pratt & Whitney liaison for the delivery of his airline’s first P&W-powered A321XLR.  Captain Al and Micah Stephen Ivey is a pilot for a large fractional ownership company. He recently changed from the Phenom to the Challenger Global 300. Stephen Ivey Aviation News U.S. Lifts 50-Year Ban on Supersonic Overland Flights Supersonic flight by civilian aircraft over the U.S. was originally banned in 1973 due to concerns about sonic boom noise pollution and potential damage on the ground. However, on June 6, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the FAA to repeal the ban and replace it with an interim noise-based certification standard.  The Order instructs the FAA Administrator to establish a standard for supersonic aircraft noise certification that considers community acceptability, economic reasonableness, and technological feasibility. Army revamps flight school after deadly crashes The U.S. Army is overhauling pilot training to focus on fundamental skills. The change in 2013 from TH-67 training aircraft to the LUH-72A Lakota helicopters contributed to the need for training adjustments. The Army determined that the quick advancement of inexperienced crews was leading to unsafe situations. The Army is considering outsourcing pilot training to a contractor-owned-and-operated schoolhouse. Judge Denies G100UL Motion A California judge ruled that GAMI’s G100UL is not “commercially available” and therefore cannot be mandated for sale in California to replace leaded aviation fuel. This comes after a motion by the Center for Environmental Health to enforce a 2014 consent agreement that says FBOs and distributors must sell a lower lead alternative that is “commercially available.” The judge ruled that the fuel must first be universally available to all piston-powered aircraft. There must be a “general consensus” from the industry and potential customers that the fuel is safe and appropriate for their use. Europe Flight Delay Compensation Reform Coming, And It’s Bad News The European Union’s flight delay compensation policy EC261 (sometimes called EU261), has been unchanged since 2014. Some EU transport ministers have been discussing reforms where passengers would have to experience longer delays before being eligible for compensation.  Currently, compensation ranges from €250 to €600: €250 compensation if you’re delayed by at least two hours for flights under 1,500km (930 miles). €400 compensation if you’re delayed by at least three hours for flights of 1,500-3,500km (930-2,200 miles). €600 compensation if you’re delayed by at least four hours for flights over 3,500km (2,200 miles). A new proposal would: Provide €300 compensation if you’re delayed at least four hours for flights under 3,500 km. Provide €500 compensation if you’re delayed at least six hours for flights over 3,500 km. See DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard. What is a Fire Boss? The agriculture aircraft that doubles as a water bomber Dave Frisch, the president of Portage Aircraft Specialties Ltd., sells Air Tractors designed for agricultural spraying. He says that if you add specially designed floats, these aircraft become a type of water bomber known as the Fire Boss. Being a small aircraft, the Fire Boss can scoop water out of smaller bodies of water and get into tighter spaces. Video: Calls to use Fire Boss to battle wildfires https://youtu.be/eirEDz6QO2I?si=_DhJ09EeGbJnb1GM Mentioned Spike Aerospace Innovations in Flight Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The International Rocket Engineering Competition, a tentative contract for the United Airlines flight attendants, the proposed NASA funding cut, planes that nearly collide at LAX, and a bill to prohibit chemtrails. Also, the Spurwink Farm fly-in, the Angelo State University aviation bachelor program, an aviation mechanic website, and launching satellites from F-4 Phantoms. International Rocket Engineering Competition Guests Steve Taylor, President of the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA), Brahm Soltes, the ESRA volunteer who coordinates with the FAA, and Logan Herrera, the ESRA Media Director. ESRA is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 to foster and promote engineering knowledge and experience in rocketry. The organization’s primary focus is to provide opportunities for academic groups to compete in aerospace challenges. ESRA hosts the annual International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), the largest university rocket competition in the world. Around 150 teams compete in high-altitude categories with either custom-designed or off-the-shelf propulsion using solid, liquid, or hybrid motors. The scoring system considers engineering report quality and flight performance. Categories are 10,000 ft, 30,000 ft, and 45,000 ft altitude targets. This year’s IREC competition is June 9-14, 2025, at Spaceport Midland, Texas, and the event will be live-streamed. Video: Get Ready for Madness in Midland Texas https://youtu.be/DpheAYmdufI?si=OSNWnVbD8HNLrlK5 FAA Part 101 governs amateur rockets, and the process for obtaining an FAA waiver starts with identifying the launch area and completing Form FAA 7711-2 – Certificate of Waiver or Authorization Application. ESRA worked with the FAA Regional Service Center and the Office of Commercial Space Transportation to determine and minimize the impact on the airspace. Affected Air Route Traffic Control Centers were identified and the waiver obtained by ESRA authorizes an airspace cylinder to 100,000 feet. The multidisciplinary teams competing in IREC get hands-on experience and learn by doing. The Tripoli Rocket Association provides the training and certification required to launch rockets in this power class and mentors the teams. Rocket motor provider Aerotech provides on-site support, although some teams make their own propulsion system. Experimental Sounding Rocket Association YouTube Channel NASAspaceflight.com Kennedy Space Center upcoming events Aviation News Inside United’s ‘Game-Changing’ Flight Attendant Deal: Raises, Retro Pay, and Hotel Upgrades United Airlines and the flight attendants’ union have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. The deal, which requires membership approval, includes wage increases, retroactive pay in the form of a “retro bonus,” boarding pay, no new scheduling system, layover improvements, and preserved healthcare benefits. The membership votes July 7-29, 2025. Trump’s 2026 budget would slash NASA funding by 24% and its workforce by nearly one-third NASA budget funding would be cut from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion for fiscal year 2026, which starts Oct. 1, 2025. NASA science funding would be cut by 47% next year, to $3.9 billion, affecting 41 science projects. United plane makes wrong turn, nearly colliding with other flight mid-air: FAA Two planes departing from San Francisco International Airport’s parallel runways came within 1,950 feet of lateral separation, and 275 feet of vertical separation. The FAA is investigating. Louisiana lawmakers push ‘chemtrail’ ban legislation through the House Louisiana Bill SB46 provides that, “No person shall intentionally inject, release, apply, or disperse, by any means, a chemical, chemical compound, substance, or apparatus into the atmosphere within the borders of this state for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight.” Exclusions exist for fire suppression and agricultural or forestry applications under 1,000 feet. Observation of this activity would be reportable, but there is no penalty for violation. Mentioned The Rotary Wing Show Podcast, Max Trescott’s latest addition to his new aviation podcast network. Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, has launched a Commercial Aviation Undergraduate Degree – a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation. Degree tracks include Flight Operations – Fixed Wing, Flight Operations – Helicopter, Aviation Administration, and Air Traffic Operations. Part 141 Flight School Skyline Aviation partners with the University. Aviation Mechanic School lists schools in a number of states along with location, tuition, length of the program, features, and websites. There is also a Things to Consider When Choosing a School page. Cold War-era fighter jets F-4 Phantoms could launch satellites for US firm Video: Air Traffic Control: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) https://youtu.be/YeABJbvcJ_k?si=5Mq8Tc08g-MqkBaE Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

Southwest Airlines files to fly to all Open Skies countries, the TSA explains last year’s New Jersey drone scare, a Lufthansa A321 flew for 10 minutes without a pilot at the controls, sleep and fatigue in military aviation, a new direction for the Boeing criminal charge, and lithium-ion fires onboard airplanes. Also, a resurrected aviation podcast and a brand new one. Aviation News Southwest Airlines seeks permission to expand international network Southwest Airlines filed a request with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to fly international routes to all countries with Open Skies agreements. That would include European countries, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. The airline has not confirmed specific new routes yet. International air travel is governed by bilateral and multilateral agreements between countries, and so airlines need economic authority from the DOT. These Open Skies treaties set the terms for airlines to operate between nations, including route rights, frequency, and capacity. See: U.S. Air Carriers and International Economic Authority from the DOT. Economic Authority is authorized by the Office of the Secretary of Transportation in the form of a certificate for interstate or foreign passenger and/or cargo authority. Newly Released Documents Show What the Feds Knew About the New Jersey Drone Scare In December 2024, the President said the “drone” sightings were “nothing nefarious.” Congress received a classified briefing indicating no threat to the public, but the FAA imposed flight restrictions. At the time, TSA presented an internal slideshow (“official use only”) showing four incidents as normal air traffic. That slideshow is now publicly available. Lufthansa Jet Flew 10 Minutes With No Pilot at Controls After Cockpit Emergency Spanish investigators say the Captain on Lufthansa flight LH1140, an A321, took a toilet break, and then the First Officer in the cockpit suffered a “sudden and severe” incapacitation. The Captain had difficulty getting through the security door and the plane flew for 10 minutes without anyone at the controls. Report to Congress on Sleep and Fatigue in Military Aviation The report titled Management of Sleep and Fatigue in Military Aviation [PDF] was published by the Congressional Research Service on May 13, 2025, and examines the effects of sleep deprivation and its impact on operational readiness and aviation safety. The report highlights that military aviators face significant psychological and physiological demands, which can lead to sleep deprivation and fatigue. These conditions are exacerbated by factors such as unpredictable schedules, long-duty days, challenging flight conditions, and disruptions to circadian rhythms due to crossing multiple time zones. Research has shown that sleep deprivation negatively affects cognitive, physical, and emotional functioning, increasing the risk of accidents in training and combat environments. To mitigate these risks, the Department of Defense employs both non-pharmacological and pharmacological strategies. Non-pharmacological measures include administrative policies that limit duty hours, regulate flight schedules, and educate aviators on the importance of sleep. Pharmacological measures, such as FDA-approved medications, are used selectively when behavioral strategies are insufficient. The report also discusses congressional considerations regarding fatigue management policies and their effectiveness in ensuring aviator safety and mission success. US proposes dropping Boeing criminal charge In an online meeting, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials told families of the 737 Max crash victims that the Government may allow Boeing to sign a non-prosecution agreement to settle the case. This would avoid the criminal fraud trial scheduled to begin on June 23, 2025. An earlier settlement agreement was rejected by a judge. A DOJ official said after the meeting that a decision has not yet been made to go to trial or proceed with a nonprosecution agreement. Also that Boeing and DOJ have not yet negotiated the final details of any nonprosecution agreement. However, past guest Erin Applebaum represents 34 families of those killed in the Ethiopian crash and said, “While DOJ claims no final decision has been made, their scripted presentation made it clear that the outcome has already been decided.” She added, “Boeing has never stood trial for the 346 lives lost due to its admitted crimes. Now, DOJ is prepared to let the company walk away, again, with no more than a financial penalty.” Lithium-ion batteries are causing a dramatic rise in fires on airplanes The FAA Lithium Battery Incidents page provides a wealth of information on this topic. Between March 3, 2006, and April 9, 2025, there were 462 passenger aircraft lithium battery incidents and 129 cargo aircraft incidents. 240 categorized battery pack/battery 131 involving vape devices 90 cellular phone 78 other electronic devices 75 laptops 3 medical devices. Credit: Department of Transportation. David Wroth, Senior Director of Technology and Systems for UL Standards & Engagement, says fires typically involve batteries that are damaged or abused, and sometimes substandard or counterfeit batteries. The TSA requires that power banks, cell phone charging cases, and spare laptop batteries must be placed in carry-on baggage only. Mentioned Aviation Maintenance Technician Day The UAV Digest podcast is returning, hosted by David Vanderhoof and Max Trescott. The show will be renamed UAV News Talk. Also, a new podcast called NTSB New Talk has started publishing. Follow both in your favorite podcast app. Australia’s Largest Import of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Lands in Sydney Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof.

Aviation maintenance training with the Chennault Aviation Maintenance Academy Director of Education, and with the Director of Maintenance for Chennault Aviation Services. In the news, more Newark Airport air traffic control problems, a large IAG order for Boeing and Airbus jets, calls to abolish airport screening, and Qatar’s B747-8 gift. Guests Michael Riccardelli, Director of Education, Chennault Aviation Maintenance Academy (CAMA), and  Joshua Borel, Director of Maintenance, Chennault Aviation Services. CAMA offers hands-on aviation maintenance training that combines technical excellence with real-world experience and is rooted in the legacy of General Claire Lee Chennault and the Flying Tigers. The Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) program is designed both for people starting a career, and for those looking to take a new direction. It provides the skills, knowledge, and certifications for success in aviation maintenance. Mike and Josh tell us about the non-profit Aerospace Maintenance Council and the Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition, which recognizes and celebrates the aviation maintenance technician. The competition is held annually in conjunction with Aviation Week Network’s MRO Americas and, for the first time in 2025, in conjunction with Vertical Aviation International’s VERTICON. Chennault Aviation was a sponsor of both events. CAMA offers three programs: the traditional 18-month classroom program, self-paced A&P online training, and Choose Aerospace, which is offered through the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) for juniors and seniors in high schools. Joshua Borel, Michael Riccardelli, and Casey Salzar. Mike and Josh explain the worldwide shortage of aviation maintenance technicians and how they are taking action to help get younger people interested in aviation. They also describe the synergy provided when one location encompasses maintenance training, flight training, and an operating airport. Michael Riccardelli was a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter technician in the Marine Corps and received his A&P in 1991. He assisted NASA in the Columbia recovery operations and maintained helicopters in the oil and gas industry, as well as EMS helicopters for Air Evac Lifeteam. Mike started aviation maintenance instructing in 2011. He coached student aviation maintenance skills teams for 12 years, with multiple wins in various competitions, including the Aerospace Maintenance Competition. He fielded the first all-female student aviation maintenance skills team, which took first place. Joshua Borel flew model airplanes from the age of 8. He joined the Air Force in 2011 as a C-5 Galaxy ISO (heavy inspection) Crew Chief, winning two Knuckle Buster awards. In 2016, Josh enrolled in the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, winning 1st in the 2017 PAMA Olympics, 2nd in the 2017 AMC School Category, and 1st in the 2018 AMC School Category. He graduated in February 2018 with A&P as class Valedictorian. Joshua joined Chennault Aviation while it was just a Part 61 flight school. He received his PPL in 2021 and became Director of Maintenance in 2022. He helped grow the company into not only a flight school, but a Part 135 Charter, a Part 147 A&P School, and a public airport. Aviation News Newark Liberty Airport suffers third system outage in less than 2 weeks, impacting hundreds of flights Another week of delays and cancellations caused by a system outage. This time, a 45-minute ground stop was reportedly the result of a momentary failure of a backup system. Controller staffing remains a problem, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the number of flights will be cut. IAG orders 71 long-haul jets split between Airbus and Boeing IAG announced orders for 33 aircraft from Airbus and 38 from Boeing: Thirty-two 787-10 aircraft for British Airways, twenty-one A330-900neo aircraft, six Airbus A350-900s, six A350-1000s, and six 777-9s. See: Rolls-Royce Gets Exemption From Tariffs Boom CEO Wants Airport Screening Abolished U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently posted on X: “Tell me how we can Make Traveling with Family Great Again! There’s no better place to start a family than the USA so I want to make it easier for you to travel with your kids. Here’s your chance to tell me, your Transportation Secretary, what I can do to make travel easier for your family. Send me your best ideas!” That tweet received over 13,000 responses, most wanted to see TSA screening dropped, claiming other technologies could replace the unnecessary and invasive procedure. Trump administration poised to accept ‘palace in the sky’ as a gift for Trump from Qatar: Sources According to sources familiar with the proposal, the royal family of Qatar is offering to gift a luxury Boeing 747-8 as a new Air Force One. The plane would be available for use by President Donald Trump and then be transferred to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. See: Turning Qatar’s Gifted 747 Into Air Force One Will Be Anything But Free Mentioned Secretary Duffy’s ATC Modernization Plan has a Couple of Problems from Jetwhine. Innovations in Flight 2025 at the Smithsonian’s National & Space Museum June 14, 2025, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The Vulcanair V1 training aircraft will be built in a new US manufacturing facility and offered as an affordable option for flight schools. In the news, air traffic control problems at Newark and government actions, the impacts of tariffs on commercial aviation, a call for in-cockpit video recorders, the timely availability of weather forecasts for aviation, Real ID goes live, and wildlife at airports. The V1 trainer, courtesy Vulcanair. Guest Stephen Pope is the Director of Communications for Vulcanair Aircraft North America. Vulcanair is establishing a manufacturing facility in the US and plans to make the Vulcanair V1 trainer aircraft affordable for flight schools.  Steve describes the history of the company and how it optimized the V1 model piston airplane for the US flight training market. The V1 is similar to the Cessna 172, but costs less and is easier to maintain. To address the problem of very old training aircraft at flight schools that are expensive to replace, Vulcanair has formed a leasing company that will offer the V1 to schools for $79 per hour. Vulcanair plans to cover the cost of engine and propeller overhauls. Vulcanair is building a factory in Elizabethtown, North Carolina, with a planned opening date of September 2025. It is sized to produce up to 100 aircraft per year, and the workforce will come from area military veterans. The facility will serve as the main parts hub in the US. After the opening, Vulcanair will build five aircraft for production certification, which they hope to receive in 1Q2026. Vulcanair Aircraft was established in 1996 with private capital to become a General Aviation manufacturer worldwide. Between 1996 and 1998, Vulcanair purchased all the assets, type designs, trademarks, and rights of Partenavia and the SF600 Series Program, including type certificates, tooling, and rights from Siai Marchetti. Vulcanair Aircraft introduced modern tools, a modern organization, and a world-class engineering team to enable aircraft design upgrades and improvements. Vulcanair Aircraft North America is the corporate identity for Ameravia Inc., which was founded in 2015 to serve as the U.S. distributor for Vulcanair aircraft. The company has expanded its operations by offering the P68 line of twin piston- and turbine-engine aircraft, and the V1 single-engine training aircraft. Before joining Vulcanair Aircraft North America, Steve was an Aircraft Sales Counselor with LifeStyle Aviation and a sales and marketing executive with Spectro | Jet-Care. He was Editor in Chief at Flying Magazine, as well as Editor at Business Jet Traveler. Aviation News House Panel Approves $12.5 Billion Boost in ATC Funding The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee added $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization and controller funding. At the same time, the Committee dropped grants for sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, and other low-emission technology projects. A provision that would have prohibited the use of funds to privatize or sell portions of the ATC system was voted down.  See: House Panel To Consider $15B ATC Boost, SAF Grant Cuts and The FAA wants to hire more air traffic controllers, but that won’t happen overnight. United removes 35 round-trip flights per day from Newark Airport schedule as travel woes continue Some air traffic controllers walked off the job after systems went down. Runway construction and a lack of controllers contributed to the flight cancellations. United CEO Scott Kirby said, “This isn’t just about schedules or pay. It’s about a system on the brink of collapse.” See: Chaos grips Newark Airport as controllers walk out, exposing FAA crisis Major airlines deliver dire warning to Trump administration as grim new twist emerges in tariff drama Air France and Lufthansa reported that transatlantic bookings from Europe to the US are down in the first quarter of the year. The Financial Times reported that the total number of foreign visitors to the US fell 12 percent in March. In a recent earnings call, Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith told investors ‘We know there are a lot of customers that are holding back in buying tickets for a little more clarity on… the border, and things like that.” See: Canada’s vengeful boycott of major US industry spirals with $4billion and 28K jobs at risk Statistics Canada figures show the number of Canadians making trips to the US by car dropped 32 percent in March compared to a year ago. Air travel was down 13.5 percent in March. AINsight: It’s Time To Put Video Recorders in Cockpits Editor-in-Chief Matt Thurber writes that “the mental burden is getting worse” with the frequency of fatal aircraft accidents. He says, “The burden isn’t that accidents happen; we’ve all come to accept that. It’s that so many of these recent accidents are an utter mystery, and not even the nattering nabobs on social media have any—even outlandish—clues about what might have happened.” Lack of data hampers the NTSB in its investigations. Mandatory cockpit audio and video recorders could change that. US weather forecasting is more crippled than previously known as hurricane season nears Some current and former National Weather Service meteorologists have told CNN that they are concerned that forecasts and warnings will not be issued on time. They give as reasons layoffs, early retirements, and preexisting vacancies. Of the 122 National Weather Service forecast offices, 30 lack a meteorologist-in-charge. Some offices have reduced or eliminated daily weather balloon launches, with more likely to do the same. NWS Doppler radar and automated surface weather observation stations repair technicians have more than 90 vacancies. Secretary Bellows and legislature urge feds to slow down Real ID May 7, 2025, is the current date for the implementation of Real ID. The Real ID Act was passed by Congress in 2005 and was designed to enhance the security of identification documents, such as driver’s licenses and ID cards. The Act prevents federal agencies from accepting non-compliant IDs for certain official purposes. States are responsible for implementing Real ID, most notably with driver’s licenses. The Department of Homeland Security says the main goals of Real ID include: Increasing security with stricter verification processes for obtaining identification. Preventing fraud and identity theft by standardizing ID requirements across states. Regulating access to federal facilities, nuclear power plants, and domestic flights. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and the legislature’s transportation committee are proposing this phased-in approach and say people traveling without a Real ID should receive a warning. The Maine Secretary of State worries “that May 7 will come as a shock” and advocates for a phased approach with warnings initially given. Meet the man who protects snowy owls that migrate to Boston’s Logan Airport Snowy owls fly from the Arctic and spend the winter at Boston’s Logan Airport. The airport contains 1,800 acres of short-mowed grass, similar to the Arctic tundra. There, the owls find plenty of ducks and rodents to eat. It’s an ideal location for them, not so much for the airport. The FAA mandated that airports create a bird patrol and keep birds away from the airport. Initially, this was accomplished by shooting the birds. In 1981, Norman Smith had a better idea: relocating the owls. So far, he’s moved over 900 snowy owls and relocated them away from the airport. See: Snowy Owls and Their Admirers Causing Problems at Portland Jetport Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

A report from the Seattle Aerospace Bash, Boeing’s strategic divestments, Avelo Airlines’ controversial charter flights, Electra’s innovative aircraft technology, Lockheed Martin’s future fighter jet developments, and Boeing’s reacquisition of Spirit AeroSystems. Seattle Aerospace Bash The Seattle Aerospace Bash (Formerly BBQ) was held April 5th, 2025, at the Museum of Flight View Room, in Seattle, Washington. Aerospace enthusiasts and geeks gathered to celebrate the year ahead in aviation and space. In addition to food, activities included an aerospace swap meet, a sticker/freebie table, Isaac Alexander’s aerospace trivia contest, and an aerospace raffle with various prizes. Isaac Alexander and participants at the Seattle Aerospace Bash. Brian Coleman spoke with organizer Isaac Alexander about the Seattle Aerospace Bash. Isaac is known as Jet City Star on many social media platforms, and he’s the Chief Content Officer at the Hype Aerospace Insights service. Brian also had a conversation with Brian Wiklem about aerospace memorabilia and the aviation documentaries he produces as a hobby. Find avgeektv on YouTube and at avgeektv.com. Freebies at the Seattle Aerospace Bash. Aviation News Boeing to Sell Portions of Digital Aviation Solutions to Thoma Bravo for $10.55 Billion Boeing has entered into a definitive agreement with software investment firm Thoma Bravo to sell portions of its Digital Aviation Solutions business. The all-cash transaction is valued at $10.55 billion. Thoma Bravo would acquire the assets of Jeppesen, ForeFlight, AerData, and OzRunways. Jeppesen provides flight planning tools, and navigation charts. It was acquired by Boeing in 2000. ForeFlight offers an electronic flight bag and was acquired in 2019. AerData specializes in lease management, engine fleet planning, and records management. It was acquired 2014. OzRunways produces an electronic flight bag and maps for drone operators in Australia. That company was acquired 2024. Boeing will retain Digital Aviation Solutions’ fleet maintenance, diagnostics, and repair service elements. That organization currently employs approximately 3,900 people worldwide. Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025. Thoma Bravo has over US$179 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2024. North Bay activists call for boycott of Avelo Airlines as it plans for ICE deportation flights Avelo Airlines previously announced it would operate deportation charter flights for the Department of Homeland Security. This sparked protests against the airline at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in California, at Daytona Beach International Airport in Florida, and near Wilmington Airport in Delaware. Avelo Airlines generates profit by leveraging its ultra-low-cost carrier model. Key strategies include low operating costs, ancillary revenue, efficient fleet utilization, use of secondary airports, and lean staffing. Avelo’s Cost per Available Seat Mile (CASM), excluding fuel, is only 6.6 cents. CASM = Total Operating Costs / Available Seat Miles (ASM)  ASM is the number of available seats times the distance flown.  Typical CASM for different airline business models: 6-8 cents for ULCC 8-10 cents for LCC 13-17 cents for legacy carriers Electra raises $115m for ultra-short take-off and landing aircraft Electra.aero is developing the eight-engine hybrid-electric EL9 Ultra Short, a 9-passenger, high-wing aircraft. The company claims a 150-foot ground roll, 75 dBA at 300 feet, and 40% lower fuel burn. The target market is regional aircraft. The Ultra Short technology demonstrator is undergoing flight testing. The first eSTOL flight was May 16, 2024. Video: Electra First eSTOL Flight May 2024 https://youtu.be/esTykmreHuQ?si=1dRhyc5CSsWihtL2 John Langford is the founder and CEO of Electra.aero. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and the immediate past President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He founded Aurora Flight Sciences in 1989, Athena Technologies in 1998, and Electra.aero in 2020. 6th-Generation F-47 Fighter Has A Message For Lockheed’s ‘Super’ F-35 After losing the F-47 NGAD contract to Boeing, Lockheed Martin has returned by promoting a Super F-35. Lockheed Martin Chairman, President, and CEO Jim Taiclet says the company plans to incorporate technologies from Lockheed’s NGAD bid to create an upgraded F-35. Taiclet calls it a “fifth-generation-plus” fighter. The claim is that this F-35 variant could provide almost 80% of sixth-gen capabilities, but cost about half the projected F-47 cost. Airbus to acquire Spirit AeroSystems industrial facilities Spirit AeroSystems was originally spun off from Boeing in 2005, but Boeing is now re-acquiring the company. That deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. Boeing has reached a definitive agreement with Airbus SE to divest some Airbus-related assets, including: Kinston, North Carolina (A350 fuselage sections) St. Nazaire, France (A350 fuselage sections) Casablanca, Morocco (A321 and A220 components) Wichita, Kansas (A220 pylon production) Belfast, Northern Ireland: (Production of A220 wings and the A220 mid-fuselage) Prestwick, Scotland: (A320 and A350 wing component production) Airbus will receive US$439 million in compensation from Spirit AeroSystems to ensure Airbus takes ownership of Spirit’s facilities and operations tied to Airbus programs. The closing of the transaction is planned in the third quarter of 2025. The Airbus asset divestiture and the Boeing merger are subject to regulatory approvals.  Also, Airbus has an agreement with Spirit AeroSystems to provide Spirit AeroSystems with US$200 million in non-interest-bearing lines of credit to support Airbus programs. Finlets A Closer Look at Finlets – Aircraft ‘Fins’ for Sustainable Aviation Finlets are patented by Vortex Control Technologies (VCT). The company focuses on aerodynamically controlling vortices emanating from the aft fuselage of aircraft. Why No Winglet On Horizontal Stabilizer? Why don’t horizontal stabilizers have winglets? Finlets on a C-17. Photo courtesy Vortex Control Technologies. Mentioned Mayor Left Speechless After Theft of Amelia Earhart Statue in Harbour Grace Boeing begins flying back planes refused by Chinese airlines Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

We speak with a KC-135 pilot and licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic who runs a business specializing in aircraft maintenance, avionics upgrades, and aircraft management. In the news, budget cuts at NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Office, a ruling in the so-called “toxic uniform” lawsuit against American Airlines, wildlife hazards, the Swiss Global 7500 aircraft, ATC retirement age, and Air Force restrictions on pregnant pilots. A KC-135R Stratotanker taxis down the flight line in an alert response during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise (NORE) at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee, April 6, 2025.(U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Jesse Hanson) Guest James Spearman is an aviation entrepreneur who owns James Spearman Aircraft LLC, an FAA Part 145 Repair Station specializing in aircraft maintenance, avionics upgrades, and aircraft management. He is also an active KC-135 Stratotanker pilot with the Tennessee Air National Guard who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in December 2024. James holds a CFI, A&P with Inspection Authorization (IA), and Seaplane ratings (ASES, AMEL, ASEL). He has over 1,000 flight hours in a range of aircraft, from the KC-135 Stratotanker to a Cessna 140, and holds type ratings in the Boeing 707, Boeing 720, Beechjet 400, and Mitsubishi MU-300. James graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Maintenance Management. In our conversation, James describes flying the KC-135 Stratotanker in a night-time combat mission and experiencing a loss of electrical power. He and his crew managed to compensate and return safely to base.  We also look at how he started his aircraft maintenance business, the type of work performed, and his commitment to a high-level white-glove service. James’ aircraft maintenance company works primarily on Cirrus airplanes, and he is also a Diamond Aircraft authorized service center, an Epic service center, and a Garmin avionics dealer. Seaplane discovery rides and ICON A5 training are offered through Iconic Air & Sea Adventures. James also produces the The James Spearman Show podcast. Eleven Airmen from the 134th Air Refueling Wing receive the Distinguished Flying Cross on December 7, 2024 at a ceremony on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Knoxville, Tennessee. The ceremony highlighted the critical role played by the recipients during a coordinated defense effort in response to one of the largest missile and drone attacks in history, when Iran launched a massive assault on Israel involving over 300 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Airman Ben Cash) Aviation News Stand Up for NOAA Research – The Time to Act is Now A Statement from the American Meteorological Society, in partnership with the National Weather Association, says “The administration’s 2026 budget passback plan, currently under consideration, eliminates NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Office and its 10 research laboratories and 16 affiliated Cooperative Institutes, and moves the few remaining research efforts to different NOAA departments. If enacted, the passback would close all of NOAA’s weather, climate, and ocean Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes.” The organizations are asking concerned citizens to reach out elected representatives and share concerns. Find Your Representative Find Your Senator Judge Throws Out ‘Toxic Uniform’ Lawsuit Against American Airlines After Nearly Eight Years Of Litigation The class action lawsuit, first filed in 2017, alleged that uniforms given by American Airlines to pilots, flight attendants, and other employees caused rashes, hives, breathing difficulties, and headaches. After nearly eight years, the federal judge threw out the lawsuit against American Airlines and former uniform manufacturer Twin Hill in a summary judgment, saying there was insufficient evidence proving that the uniforms caused the symptoms. Rabbit sucked into United Airlines’ plane engine causes ‘giant fireball,’ forces flight to make emergency landing On takeoff from Denver International Airport to Edmonton, Canada, United Flight 2325 experienced a rabbit strike on the #2 engine. A loud bang was followed by “significant vibration.” The FAA reported that in 2024, there were more than 20,000 aircraft wildlife strikes. Most were birds, four were rabbits.See Wildlife Hazard Mitigation from the FAA to report a strike and download data from the FAA Wildlife Strike Database. Rob and the Easter Bunny. (Rob is on the left.) If the brand new $117 million private jet being too big to fit in their hangar was not embarrassing enough for Swiss officials, in less than two months of taking delivery, the jet broke down in Turkey, forcing the Swiss foreign minister to abandon it and fly in a smaller jet The Swiss Air Force acquired a new Bombardier Global 7500 for the diplomatic fleet. Too large for its hangars in Bern, the jet is hangared 40 kilometers away at Payerne Air Base. The main capital runway is too short for it to take off fully fueled. The jet experienced a power loss in one of the two GE Passport engines during takeoff. Transportation Secretary Questions ATC Retirement Age U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is concerned about ATC staffing shortages and the weak pipeline of controllers. Duffy said “We have too many controllers that retire after 25 years of service. And so we have to look and go, is this a national security issue? Is this a safety issue? And should these air traffic controllers be retiring after 25 years of service?” Federal law mandates that controllers retire by age 56. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) argues that raising the retirement age doesn’t address the root problem. The union advocates for increased recruitment, enhanced training programs, and stronger retention efforts. Air Force brings back restrictions on pregnant pilots The Air Force is reversing a policy that allowed pregnant pilots to fly under certain conditions, citing insufficient data on the effects of g-force and miscarriage risks. Critics argue that outdated studies and lack of health data have led to restrictive rules, forcing women to choose between flying and family. Mentioned Video: NZ7001 delivery flight talk Brad Scott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD7V4Sg5BV0 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Airline retailing with ATPCO CEO Alex Zoghlin, IATA’s New Distribution Capability, Offers & Orders, and the Elevate industry conference. In the news, AI transformation of the airline industry, cyber criminals stealing United FA login credentials, shark skin riblets on Delta 767s, first flight of a prototype hydrogen-powered helicopter, China’s tailless 6th generation fighter jet, and a fatal helicopter crash in the Hudson River. Guest Alex Zoghlin is the CEO of ATPCO, a neutral industry partner that provides airline management tools, pricing data, and solutions that support airline retailing. Owned by the airlines, ATPCO blends data and systems with technology to create value for hundreds of commercial airlines around the world. The company turned 60 this year. IATA describes Airline retailing as a customer-centric approach in the airline industry that focuses on enhancing the shopping experience across various channels. It is enabled by the New Distribution Capability (NDC), which allows airlines to offer more personalized services and products directly to consumers. This modern retailing model emphasizes frictionless, intuitive, and personalized shopping experiences for travelers. The transition to this model provides airlines with opportunities to innovate their distribution strategies and create additional value. Alex explains how ATPCO provides value to airlines. We talk about continuous pricing and dynamically generated fares as well as some of the factors airlines use in their pricing strategies. He describes how airlines can have fixed price points for different offerings, then turn specific offerings on or off depending on the circumstances. We look at curated ticket pricing that can create the specific travel experience the customer wants – extra baggage, type of seat, lounge access, etc. With this capability, airlines could potentially compete for the flyer’s travel business. ATPCO’s Elevate 2025 airline industry conference was held April 7-10, 2025, in Chicago. Alex says the conference theme this year was data and AI: How airlines can use the wealth of available data and some AI tools to make win-win offerings for both the airlines and the consumers. In our conversation with Alex, we consider several other airline industry topics such as the 2050 industry carbon reduction goals and the current tariff situation in the United States. Alex is a long-time airline/travel industry veteran. He co-founded Orbitz, sold a distribution startup to Travelport, and worked as a VP at Hyatt for 6 years. Alex has several aviation-related pursuits: He’s a pilot and a flight simmer, he has a Part 107 drone license, and he participates in launching large amateur rockets, specifically the LDRS (Large, Dangerous Rocket Ships), an annual gathering of rocket enthusiasts organized by the Tripoli Rocketry Association. Aviation News How AI is Transforming the Airline Industry The Promise of Travel in the age of AI, a 32-page Skift & McKinsey report (2023), claims that AI could generate an estimated US$45bn in potential value for the airline industry globally through operational efficiencies, revenue optimization, and customer service improvements.  AI is already impacting the airlines through organizational changes, predictive maintenance from aircraft health monitoring, AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots, personalized in-flight entertainment options, and voice-cloning technology to provide a multilingual IFE system. In the future, look for flight path optimization for increased fuel efficiency, refined dynamic pricing models, and even autonomous aircraft. Cyber Criminals Are Going After The Paychecks Of United Airlines Flight Attendants Using Fake Websites That Look Legit Criminals are using website spoofing to steal the login credentials of United FAs. In addition to paychecks, Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are at risk. Airline passengers who quickly search for an airline’s phone number can also become victims of scams. Delta Air Lines Innovates Fuel Efficiency with Shark Skin Riblets on 767s In partnership with Australian company MicroTau, Delta is testing “shark skin” riblets that reduce drag on the Boeing 767. The claim is up to a 4% improvement in fuel efficiency. The skin is applied to the fuselage, wing, and tails. MicroTau’s Riblet Package was also tested on Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 technology demonstrator. The engineering behind the first hydrogen-powered helicopter flight A Robinson R44 that has been modified as a hydrogen-powered helicopter prototype achieved a successful first flight. Robinson and Unither Bioélectronique (through the United Therapeutics subsidiary) are collaborating on the project that incorporates two low-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, a lithium-ion booster battery pack, and a MagniX electric motor. The cylindrical hydrogen fuel tank is mounted under the tail boom and the cooling system utilizes two nacelles on either side of the helicopter. See: What are proton exchange membrane fuel cells and how do they work? Courtesy Biolin Scientific. New video of China’s tailless, triple-engine fighter jet has military aviation community buzzing New video of the J-36 flying over a highway have appeared on Chinese social media sites. The highway is located near the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group runway where the jet is believed to have been made. See: New Video Of China’s J-36 Next Generation Stealth Fighter Emerges and 6-second video of the J-36 on X. Fewer than 1 in 3 airlines have advanced offer and order strategies IATA explains in Distribution with Offers & Orders (New Distribution Capability – NDC) that NDC is a data exchange format based on Offer and Order management processes for airlines. This allows airlines to create and distribute relevant offers to the customer, regardless of the distribution channel. ​​​​NDC (New Distribution Capability) was launched by IATA and is a travel industry-supported program. It’s open to any third party, intermediary, IT provider or non-IATA member, to implement and use. See:  On-demand Webinar – The Future of Airline Retailing: Building a Customer-First Model with Offers & Orders The Future of Airline Retailing: Building a Customer-First Model with Offers & Orders IATA: Get Started with Airline Retailing [PDF] Helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed The chartered helicopter was flying a couple and their three children on a sightseeing tour. Video shows the Bell 206 falling into the river without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. See: Deadly Hudson River helicopter crash renews calls to restrict non-emergency flights. Local New York City elected officials are calling for a ban on non-emergency helicopter traffic over the City. Mayor Eric Adams countered that there is no need for an outright ban. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

Challenges faced by charter operators in deportation flights, the NTSB’s new online accident reporting portal, rising military aviation accident rates, the uncertain future of Air Wisconsin, and the merger of regional carriers Republic and Mesa. Also, findings from the NTSB regarding Boeing evacuation slides, the impact of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) on businesses, innovations in helicopter technology, and the legacy of women in aviation, particularly the WASPs during World War II. Aviation News Inside ICE Air: Flight Attendants on Deportation Planes Say Disaster Is “Only a Matter of Time” Miami-based Global Crossing Airlines (operating as GlobalX) is a Part 121 operator and the primary contractor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deportation flights. (Known as “ICE Air”). Seven current and former GlobalX flight attendants spoke with ProPublica and expressed concerns about the safety of the deportation flights. Courtesy GlobalX. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Statistics In fiscal year 2024, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) reported conducting over 1,000 charter deportation flights. Avelo ripped for plan to fly ICE deportation charters as Tong suggests pulling state support: ‘Deeply disappointing’ Avelo Airlines plans to begin flying deportation flights for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security out of Arizona. Connecticut local and state officials are expressing displeasure with the airline. The mayor of New Haven suggested that the state consider pulling its “support” for Avelo. NTSB introduces new online portal for accident reports The new online Form 612​0.1 supplements the paper version. The overall process for reporting an accident remains the same: Step 1: Preserve the scene. ​​Step 2: Provide an Initial Report to the NTSB 24-hour Response Operations Center (ROC). Step 3: NTSB determines if they will investigate the accident. Step 4: Com​plete 612​0.1 form after the NTSB Investigator contacts you. See: Report an Aircraft Accident to the NTSB You can complete the form by either ​downloading the PDF version or using the interactive digital form, which you can access through a unique link that the investigator will email to you. ​If you witnessed an aircraft accident and would like to provide the NTSB with a statement of your observations, prepare a statement and email it to ​wit​​​ness@ntsb.gov. U.S. Military Records Highest Aviation Accidents In A Decade; What Is The Major Cause Of Rising Incidents? The EurAsian Times says, “FY2024 was one of the worst aviation safety years for the US Army in a decade.” They cite statistics from the Aviation Division of the Directorate of Analysis and Prevention at the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center showing a “steady decline in mishap rates per 100,000 hours beginning in 2006.” FY2022 saw a record low of 0.50 Class A mishaps per 100,000 hours, but that rate doubled in 2023 and the FY2024 Class A mishap rate (1.90) was almost four times greater than FY2022. Air Wisconsin Halts Scheduled Flights, Future Uncertain American Airlines’ 5-year contract with Air Wisconsin for regional capacity has ended. The April 3, 2025 breakup was announced last January, when Air Wisconsin President and CEO Robert Binns noted that the airline is making a “strategic shift” to focus on government-subsidized Essential Air Service flying and charter operations. To date, the airline has been unsuccessful in winning any EAS contracts. Republic Airways and Mesa Air Group to Combine, Creating America’s Regional Airline of Choice Republic Airways Holdings Inc. and Mesa Air Group, Inc. announced that they have a definitive agreement to merge in an all-stock transaction. If the merger succeeds, the combined company would be renamed Republic Airways Holdings Inc. Bryan Bedford, Republic’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said “We’re thrilled to combine the Republic and Mesa teams to create one of the world’s leading Embraer Jet operators. Republic and Mesa share a common mission to connect communities across America, and we believe that we can better achieve that mission together. With this combination, we are establishing a single, well-capitalized, public company that will benefit from the deep expertise of Republic and Mesa associates, creating value for all stakeholders well into the future.” See: Republic Acquiring Mesa, Forming Bigger Regional Airline NTSB Finds Issues with Boeing Evacuation Slides The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently made seven critical safety recommendations relating to evacuation slides — three to Boeing and four to the FAA. The safety recommendations address the failure of an evacuation slide to deploy normally during an emergency evacuation. NTSB identified the issue during an investigation of an emergency landing involving FedEx flight 1376, a Boeing 757-236, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. See: Address Noncompliant Evacuation Slide Components on Boeing Airplanes [PDF] On October 4, 2023, the flight crew of FedEx flight 1376, a Boeing 757-236, received an engine indication and crew alerting system message indicating a failure of the left hydraulic system shortly after takeoff from Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport-Lovell Field (CHA), Chattanooga, Tennessee. The flight crew turned the airplane back to CHA but could not lower the landing gear. The crew declared an emergency and performed a gear-up landing. The flight crew could not open the left (L1) door, and the slide did not deploy. An attempt was made to open the right (R1) door, but it lodged on the slide pack. With force, the door was opened, the slide deployed, and the crew exited the airplane. Preliminary findings from the NTSB indicate different reasons for the difficulty in opening the L1 and R1 doors to deploy the evacuation slides.  The R1 bannis latch (which releases the slide pack when an armed door is opened) did not conform to the then-current configuration of the release cable assembly.  After the CHA accident, FedEx inspected the L1 and R1 doors on the 97 other airplanes in its Boeing 757 fleet and found no other instances of a misrouted deployment strap. However, the inspection found 46 doors (about 24%) that were not compliant with other ADs  The NTSB’s review of the Boeing 757 and FedEx aircraft maintenance manuals found that they contain inconsistent depictions of the bannis latch configuration as required by ADs. Lawmakers Push For Airport TFR Relief New Jersey and Florida lawmakers say their airports suffered harm from the Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) that occur when President Trump visits. They want compensation and sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA  Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau asking for that from existing congressional funds. According to the Patch, Congress has allocated $3.5 million annually to compensate businesses that are regularly impacted by TFRs, but funding applications cannot proceed until the FAA opens a Notice of Funding Opportunity. See: Kean Advocates For Airports Impacted By Trump’s Visits To Bedminster Mentioned David Vanderhoof’s History Minute on Instagram from the American Helicopter Museum is about the Navy and Marine Corps celebrating their 250th Anniversary in 2025. Max Trescott’s We Fly: Skyryse One article in Flying magazine about the Skyryse One helicopter—a single control stick, IFR-certified version of the Robinson R66. Rob Mark’s Jetwhine post, ”When the WASPs Took Over Avenger Field” by Pam LeBlanc. Video: Chinook CH-47 Helicopter Ground Resonance Test and Self Destructs with Rear Tandem Rotor Breaking https://youtu.be/oUuCfWxdz9o?si=En47Pqlvsp1nhhAX 00:00 Introduction to Aviation News and Updates02:27 NTSB's New Online Accident Reporting Portal09:17 Deportation Flights and Charter Operators' Challenges16:40 Rising Military Aviation Accident Rates26:52 Air Wisconsin's Uncertain Future32:47 Merger of Regional Carriers Republic and Mesa35:43 NTSB Findings on Boeing Evacuation Slides46:11 Navigating Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)49:40 Congressional Support for TFR-Affected Businesses50:51 Innovations in Helicopter Technology56:41 The Future of Helicopter Operations01:01:43 Women in Aviation: The WASP Legacy01:11:14 Closing Thoughts Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

The founder and managing director of 123Carbon explains carbon insetting, SAF certificates, and SAF registries. In the news, we look at the Safer Skies Act of 2025, KC-135 Stratotanker service life, Airbus future single-aisle technologies and design, and injuries after a mid-air TCAS alarm sounds. Also, the first COMAC 909 delivery outside China, ATC privatization around the world, security theater, and introducing women to aviation. Guest Jeroen van Heiningen is the founder and managing director of 123Carbon. The company works with fuel suppliers and carriers to issue transparent and externally verified environmental attribute certificates, including SAF certificates, used by airlines and cargo operators to reduce their transport-related Scope 3 emissions. Jeroen discusses the sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) market, focusing on carbon insetting, the role of SAF registries, and the importance of transparency and standardization in the industry. He explains how carbon insetting differs from carbon offsetting, emphasizing the need for companies to invest in their value chain de-carbonization. The discussion also covers the digital certificate process, the collaboration between 123Carbon and IATA, and future trends in the SAF market. 123Carbon’s registry is integrated with other IT systems and allows an airline to upload documents and manage its inventory of digital certificates online. It’s a multi-modal agnostic platform that can be branded. With the use of sustainable bio-fuel growing in the land and sea modes of transportation, the accounting needs to be integrated with air. 123Carbon recently introduced Carboninsets.com, a free service for forwarders and cargo owners that connects them with issuers on the registry. Jeroen set-up and led Accenture’s Sustainability Services Benelux and wrote the CDP NL 50 report in 2010. He has 15 years of experience with multi-modal carbon insetting programs, covering both Air (KLM corporate biofuels Program) and Marine (the GoodShipping Program). He holds a master’s in business administration from Tilburg University. Takeaways: Carbon insetting is a more effective long-term approach than offsetting. Companies are increasingly linked to net-zero targets managed by SBTi. (Science Based Targets initiative) Standardization in the SAF market is crucial for transparency. Digital certificates are essential for tracking SAF transactions. Collaboration between registries helps prevent double counting of SAF. The SAF market is evolving with a focus on multimodal transportation. Demand and supply must be connected to stabilize SAF prices. New services like CarbonInsets.com facilitate connections between issuers and buyers. The aviation industry is leading in SAF adoption compared to other transport modes. Future initiatives will focus on integrating various transportation modalities. Resources: ICAO Global Framework for SAF: Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)  IATA SAF Handbook [PDF] Developing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). IATA estimates that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) could contribute around 65% of the reduction in emissions needed by aviation to reach net zero CO2 emissions by 2050. IATA and 123Carbon to Collaborate on Interoperability for SAF Registries. A strategic collaboration to develop interoperability between their respective SAF focusing on three key elements: A unique identifier and alignment of the relevant data points to exchange between registries. A process for the exchange of information to avoid any potential double issuance. A dispute resolution process.  IATA SAF Registry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that it will establish the SAF Registry to accelerate the uptake of SAF by authoritatively accounting and reporting emissions reductions from SAF. SAFc Registry. Sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc) can help drive demand for sustainable aviation if users understand how it works, what it represents, and are confident of its long-term credibility. Aviation News Allied Pilots Association Urges Passage of the Safer Skies Act of 2025 The Allied Pilots Association (APA), representing 16,000 American Airlines pilots, supports the bipartisan Safer Skies Act of 2025. The Act is “aimed at closing critical security loopholes in airport security,” according to U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy (NY-23), who introduced the legislation. Langworthy says, “The Safer Skies Act will close a loophole that has allowed certain operators, like ticketed charter flights, to bypass the rigorous screening requirements that ensure the safety of all passengers. It is vital for protecting our skies and the lives of passengers and crew alike.” “Specifically, the Safer Skies Act would require the TSA to update its security screening requirements for Part 135 [charter flights, air taxi services, and medical evacuation flights] and Part 380 [public charter flights] operators that offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, and operate passenger seat configurations of more than nine seats.” It would “ensure that these operators are held to the same security standards as any other scheduled commercial airline.” This legislation has also received support from the Airline Pilots Association, Intl., National Air Carrier Association, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Association of Flight Attendants, Air Line Pilots Association, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, Transport Workers Union, and the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots. KC-135 Stratotanker Could Fly Past 100 Years in Service The U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command has suggested their KC-135 Stratotanker fleet may serve beyond the 2050 stated retirement date with a life extension and upgrade program. About 376 KC-135s are still in service. All KC-135’s were converted from the original TF33 engine to CFM56 engines. The Next Generation Air Refueling System (NGAS) is considering the possibility of a stealthy tanker design. Airbus touts open-fan engines and folding wing designs for next narrowbody jet During the 2025 Airbus Summit, the airframer hinted at what a new narrowbody delivered in the second half of the 2030s might look like. Artistic renderings show a conventional tube-and-wing design with open-fan engines under the low wings. Airbus is targeting a 20-30% increase in fuel efficiency compared with the A320neo-family aircraft. Airbus also mentioned long wingspan folding wings and biomimicry. Airbus image. Press release: Airbus advances key technologies for next-generation single-aisle aircraft Mid-Air Collision Alarm Leaves Passengers With Broken Back And Ankle As Pilots Of United Airlines Flight To San Francisco Suddenly Pitched Up The NTSB published its final report of a September 19, 2024, incident where the pilots of a United Airlines B757 flight had to take evasive action to avoid hitting an aircraft. As a result of the maneuver, two passengers sustained injuries. The Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), also known as the Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS), sounded on United Flight 2428 due to an aircraft passing 1,500 feet below them. The FO disengaged the autopilot and pitched the plane upward. Mentioned Aviation News Talk: 377 Why Good Pilots Crash with Dr. Tony Kern + GA News Only Human with Dr. Tony Kern podcast Lao Airlines Takes Delivery of Its First COMAC C909 CTBTO Hydroacoustic Monitoring Diving deep: CTBTO data helps discover new pygmy blue whale population Aviation needs more women, now Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

Political campaign charter aircraft, tariffs and the aerospace industry, Boeings NGAD fighter contract, the adaptive cycle engines to power it, corrosion issues on A220 jetliners, the shutdown of Heathrow, and the resilience of airports to power outages. Guest Jonathan Tasler is Vice President at Advanced Aviation Team. He manages charter aircraft for political campaigns and high-net-worth VIPs. We learn what is involved in transporting presidential and other political candidates, and Jonathan tells us some interesting stories. Jonathan describes how he ensures that a political campaign charter is flown safely to the intended destination on time. We learn that the charter requirements can change as a campaign progresses and presumptive candidates emerge. For example, larger dedicated planes with special campaign livery can become necessary. Jonathan explains how critical it is that candidates do not miss major events. Sometimes he even arranges backup planes and standby crews. We also discover why some charter airlines don’t want to be involved in political campaigns and others are happy to be part of a campaign. Jonathan also tells us about campaign security and how the Secret Service may participate in some flights. Jonathan is a veteran of political campaign charters. He grew up in the industry as his father coordinated all the charters for the Bush/Quayle campaign. Over the years, Jonathan has worked with both Republicans and Democrats, including George W. Bush, John Kerry, Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and many others. He coordinated aircraft charters for a major party candidate in every US Presidential Campaign cycle since the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2000. Find Advanced Aviation Team at their website, on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Some political campaign charter incidents: John Edwards’ Campaign Plane Makes Emergency Landing – John Edwards’ Boeing 727-200 had to make an emergency landing after a press member’s battery exploded in the overhead bins. Ann Romney’s Plane Makes Emergency Landing – Ann Romney had electrical fire and smoke in the cabin of Challenger 600 and made an emergency landing in DEN. John Kerry’s Boeing 757-200 developed a crack in the windshield in flight. This subsequently developed into a complete spiderweb. Obama plane incident could have been disaster – Barack Obama onboard Midwest Airlines MD81 had control surface issues after an inflatable slide opened in flight. ‘Several failures’ led to 2016 plane crash with Vice President Mike Pence, investigation says – Mike Pence’s Eastern Airlines B737 overran the runway at LGA. (Not an Advanced Aviation Team contract.) Aviation News Trump’s Tariffs Could Deal a Blow to Boeing and the Aerospace Industry The aerospace industry is concerned that tariffs on aluminum and steel will raise manufacturing costs. There is particular concern about tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products since the North American aerospace supply chain is highly integrated. At a recent investor conference, Boeing’s chief financial officer said the direct effects of the tariffs on Boeing would be limited, however, they could impact companies further down the aerospace supply chain. Those suppliers have struggled with material and labor shortages. Kevin Michaels, a past guest and a managing director of the AeroDynamic Advisory consulting firm, said the tariffs could raise costs for the aerospace industry by about $5 billion annually. Boeing wins Air Force contract for NGAD next-gen fighter, dubbed F-47 The U.S. Air Force has awarded the contract to develop the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter. Lockheed Martin competed with Boeing for the F-47 sixth-generation fighter, while Northrop Grumman dropped out of the competition in 2023. The Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract is thought to be worth about $20 billion. Video: Deep Intel on the F-47 Sixth Generation Strike/Fighter https://youtu.be/9e_EXmVUJCM?si=Z8ixwcSjTdd0_tSq Related: Boeing Wins F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance Fighter Contract NGAD engines pass key design reviews, prototype work underway Air Force Propulsion Czar: NGAD Engines Will Have Different Size, Similar Tech to AETP Airbus Investigating Corrosion Issues on Some of its A220 Passenger Jets Corrosion was found on some passenger seat fittings and wing components, including the wing-to-body fairing. A220 operator Delta Air Lines told CBS News that some passenger seat fittings will require additional inspection and lubrication. Delta says the airline “has a sophisticated aircraft maintenance apparatus that is always-on and has many layers to ensure that every aircraft in our fleet is safe to fly by meeting or exceeding standards governed by our regulators.  There is broad consensus by our technical experts that these issues aren’t surprising especially for a new, clean-sheet aircraft and pose no major concerns.” Related: A Look into airBaltic’s MRO at Riga Airport Shutdown of Britain’s Busiest Airport Causes Worldwide Travel Disruption A fire at an electrical substation three miles away shut down the airport. Thousands of flights were flights grounded, diverted to other airports, or turned back. Authorities have said there was no indication of foul play. A counterintelligence unit initially conducted the investigation, but it has shifted to the London Fire Brigade. According to the Brigade, the fire was fueled by 25,000 liters of cooling oil. Heathrow boss ‘proud’ of response to power outage chaos Heathrow Airport’s chief executive told BBC that Heathrow does have backup power stations, they are “not designed to power the entire airport.” NBC News reported that British tabloids suggest Russia may be involved, but there is no official evidence. Airport Infrastructure: Selected Airports’ Efforts to Enhance Electrical Resilience The GAO’s Aug 29, 2023 report states: “Twenty-four of the 30 commercial service airports that responded to GAO’s survey and interviews reported experiencing a total of 321 electrical power outages—i.e., an unplanned loss of power lasting 5 minutes or longer—from 2015 through 2022. Eleven of these airports reported having six or more outages over this 8-year period. Airports reported that these outages affected a range of airport operations and equipment. Not all responding airports were able to provide detailed information about their outages, and some provided estimates about affected activities.” “Selected airports reported taking several actions to improve the electrical power resilience of their airports, including (1) conducting electrical infrastructure assessments, (2) undertaking projects to improve electrical infrastructure, and (3) installing equipment to generate additional backup power. For example, 40 of the 41 airports GAO interviewed reported planning or completing an infrastructure project to increase electrical power resilience. Of these, four airports reported installing microgrids. Such microgrid systems are capable of independently generating, distributing, and storing power.” The FAA is administering new and expanded grant programs and issuing guidance to support airports’ electrical resilience efforts. For example: Airport Improvement Program funding eligibility was expanded to include the Energy Supply, Redundancy, and Microgrids Program projects, which may include certain electrical power resilience projects. The new Airport Terminal Program provides funding for airport terminal development projects, including those that may strengthen resilience. FAA issued program guidance and conducted airport outreach to help increase airports’ awareness of available federal funding for resilience projects. Commercial pilot fined after RAF intercepted flight A pilot on a SAS Connect flight from Oslo to Manchester has been fined after failing to maintain continuous radio communication with NATS. A security incident was declared and two RAF Typhoons intercepted the aircraft. 14 Hour United Airlines Flight to Shanghai Ends Up Diverting After Pilot Realizes He’s Left His Passport At Home A United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai had to divert to San Francisco after one of the pilots realized he had left his passport at home. Once on the ground, it became clear that the crew wouldn’t have enough hours to legally work for such a long flight, so the passengers had to be deplaned while United went on the hunt for an entirely new crew of pilots and flight attendants. With the delay, the crew wouldn’t have enough hours left so the passengers deplaned while United looked for a fresh crew. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and Rob Mark.

We look at Spirit Airlines exiting bankruptcy, fundamental changes at Southwest Airlines, the non-functional CVR in the Philadelphia Learjet crash, helicopter route restrictions around DCA, a bill permitting property owners to shoot down drones, the JetZero blended wing body (BWB), Sikorsky’s “blown wing” VTOL, and countries looking beyond the F-35 for 5th-generation fighters. Aviation News Spirit Airlines exits bankruptcy 4 months after filing for Chapter 11 protection Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024. The airline continued operations through the proceedings. Spirit has reorganized its corporate structure, converted $795 million of debt into equity, and received $350 million in new equity from existing investors. Spirit changed its fare product structure with several tiers of premium seating. Southwest Airlines Threw Away Its Biggest Selling Point—And That’s Exactly Why It Had To Start Charging For Bags Gary Leff writes, “Southwest is going to charge for checked bags, start expiring flight credits, and introduce no seat assignment basic economy.” Gary says this will end Southwest’s product differentiation. Also that people are going to be bringing on a lot more carry-on bags, slowing down boarding. More carry-on bags means full overhead bins and customers having to gate-check bags. NTSB – Black Box from Plane in Deadly Philly Crash Never Recorded Audio On January 31, 2025, at 1807 eastern standard time, a Learjet 55 airplane, Mexican registration XA-UCI (call sign MTS056) was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two pilots, two medical crewmembers, and two passengers were fatally injured. One person on the ground was fatally injured, 4 people were seriously injured, and 20 people incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 129 air ambulance flight. The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). The CVR was recovered from the initial impact crater under 8 ft of soil and debris and was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for processing and readout. The recorder displayed significant impact-related damage as well as liquid ingress. After extensive repair and cleaning, the 30-minute-long tape-based recording medium was auditioned to determine its contents. The CVR did not record the accident flight and during the audition it was determined that the CVR had likely not been recording audio for several years. NTSB: Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report, Learjet 55, Philadelphia, PA Helicopter Route Permanently Closed After Deadly Black Hawk Collision with Plane After the NTSB highlighted the number of close calls in the DCA area, the FAA has permanently restricted helicopter flights. Excluded from the helicopter restriction are presidential flights, law enforcement flights, and lifesaving missions. The FAA is looking at other airports where different aircraft types share the same air space, including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. NTSB urges ban on some helicopter flights at Washington airport where 67 people died in midair crash The NTSB recommended a ban on some helicopter flights in the DCA area. Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said in just over three years, there were 85 close calls when a few feet (meters) in the wrong direction could have resulted in the same kind of accident. Tennessee congressman proposes allowing property owners to shotgun low-flying drones Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett has sponsored HR1907, the Defense Against Drones Act [PDF] that would allow a property owner to use a shotgun to shoot down drones flying 200 feet or lower over their property. The bill also requires the property owner to report the aircraft and its registration number to the FAA within 60 days of the drone shooting. Related: S.F. police shoot man who purportedly shot at SFPD drone, officers Allegedly, a man fired a gun at a San Francisco police drone, then, when officers approached him, he fired at them. The police returned fire and the man was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. Texas Bill Would Allow Property Owners to Shoot Down Trespassing Drones Note: The US law that prohibits shooting aircraft is 18 U.S. Code § 32. This law makes it a felony to willfully damage, destroy, or disable any aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce. Violations can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment for up to 20 years. And:  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines drones, or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as aircraft under 14 CFR Part 107. This regulation, also known as the Small UAS Rule, outlines the requirements for the operation of drones weighing less than 55 pounds. JetZero picks Pratt & Whitney for propulsion The JetZero start-up is developing a blended wing body (BWB) demonstrator aircraft. The company has selected Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace to supply the engine, auxiliary power unit, and nacelle. JetZero has been flight-testing the Pathfinder 1:8 scale model with the US Air Force. They plan to fly the full-scale demonstrator in 2027. EIS for the Z4 commercial passenger and a military transport BWB aircraft is targeted for 2030. See: JetZero teams with Delta to take the first blended-wing body commercial jetliner closer to reality Sikorsky unveils ‘rotor blown wing’ UAS Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company since 2015, is developing a “rotor blown wing” uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The flying wing VTOL sits tail-down, lifts vertically, and transitions to horizontal flight. Sikorsky says the design “can fly faster and farther than traditional helicopters.”  “Rotor blown wing” is a term coined by Sikorsky to describe a UAS that combines the flight characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes. Rotors generate lift and propulsion with constant airflow from the proprotor across the wing. Press release: Sikorsky Looks to Future Family of VTOL Systems Video: Sikorsky Successfully Flies Rotor Blown Wing UAS in Helicopter and Airplane Modes https://youtu.be/cDnN1BcUDBU?si=dAZG5T0Qa-UJJbGo Portugal Drops Plans for F-35 Citing U.S. Political Uncertainty European nations are viewing their defense procurement strategies in light of recent remarks about NATO by President Trump, as well as some actions by the administration. Trump has questioned NATO member contributions, suggested that U.S. might renege on its defense commitments, and halted deliveries of weapons and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. These things have, as Cenciotti puts it, “raised alarms across Europe.” Canada Reconsidering $13.2 Billion F-35 Purchase Amid Growing Tensions With The U.S. One day after Portugal rejected the idea of an F-35 buy, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said “Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers.” See: Canada Reconsidering F-35 Purchase a Tensions with Washington. Mentioned 100 Best Aviation Podcasts Massey Air Museum Good Day Uncut: American Helicopter Museum Pulitzer winner Gates retiring from Seattle Times Video: UPDATE on Boom’s historic supersonic flight w/ Blake Scholl | Bring It Home https://youtu.be/LRWUdlxKtg4 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof.

The aerospace supply chain with the co-founder and CEO of a manufacturing startup, the Airbus A350 production outlook, GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop certification, a Senate bill to boost the ATC workforce, a call for retired controllers to return to the job, and KC-46 tanker cracks. Guest Vishal R. Sanghavi has been a leader in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry for nearly two decades. He co-founded Jeh Aerospace in 2022 with his long-time colleague Venkatesh Mudragalla. This US-based company manufactures aerospace and defense components. Vishal describes the reasons for the current aerospace supply chain problems and the demand/supply gap. He notes structural issues such as the difficulty obtaining and retaining workers, inflation, and lack of supply chain transparency. Easing these problems can partly be addressed by viewing supply relationships strategically rather than transactionally. Vishal tells us why OEMs don’t vertically integrate more than they do, and how quality is assured throughout the supply chain. Vishal is on a mission to build Jeh Aerospace into a technology-driven manufacturing company that will deliver quality parts 10x faster, better, and cheaper. Jeh looks to transform the field with talent and technology creating a digitally native organization that provides data for advanced analytics. Vishal explains factors that influence geographic locations for manufacturing facilities, such as access to talent, cost efficiencies, where the large markets are. Vishal’s entrepreneurial journey began at the Indian business conglomerate Tata Group, where he built and led large multimillion-dollar businesses and became one of the youngest Chief Experience Officers for the group. He spearheaded numerous aerospace businesses during his tenure, including the Tata Boeing Joint Venture (JV), Tata Sikorsky JV, and Tata Lockheed JV, which manufactures large and complex aerospace systems. Before that, Vishal honed his skills at TCS, where he consulted Fortune 100 companies on business processes and technology.  Vishal is an electronics and telecommunication engineer educated at RAIT, Mumbai University, and is currently pursuing the Smart Manufacturing Program at MIT. Vishal was selected for the TAS program, Tata Group’s premium leadership cadre, and nominated by Boeing for its Organizational Leadership Program at the Boeing Leadership Center (BLC) in St. Louis. He is a certified Gold Assessor of the Tata Business Excellence Model, based on the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. Aviation News Supply Chain Challenges Limit A350 Production to Six Aircraft Per Month, A350F Deliveries Delayed to 2027 Airbus had originally intended to produce about nine A350s per month in 2025. Now it looks like six per month is the most that can be expected. Also, the A350F launch is pushed out to 2027. Supply chain disruptions, including those from component supplier Spirit Aerosystems, are cited as the problem. Airbus reports that the A350 family has 1,363 firm orders from 60 customers, with 644 aircraft delivered as of January 2025. Firm orders for the A350F stood at 63. GE Aerospace Catalyst Turboprop Engine Gains FAA Certification The new GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop engine was announced in 2015 and is planned to power the Beechcraft Denali. The Catalyst Data Sheet [PDF] says the engine family is aimed at the 1200-1400 SHP range; includes integrated digital engine and propeller control; and automatically optimizes fuel flow, prop pitch and speed, bleed valves, and variable stators. As much as 18 percent lower fuel burn and 10 percent higher cruise power compared to competitors in the same size class is claimed. 60-second promotional video: The Catalyst engine for Beechcraft Denali https://youtu.be/1NUVXdeihCE?si=YaAXIIUIFAZUbH86 Transportation Secretary supercharges hiring, Senate bill to bolster workforce Senators proposed the The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 [PDF] with provisions that include: FAA Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative Program Improvements FAA Facility Training Equipment Improvements Air Traffic Controller Qualification & Retention Enhancements Air Traffic Controller Mental Health Improvements A report on the Airport Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar Program (ANSR) Elon Musk urges retired air traffic controllers to come back Musk said on X, “There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.” Previous FAA workforce cuts did not include air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he planned to offer controllers an option to work past the mandatory retirement age of 56. President Trump has made statements saying he favors a new computerized ATC system, rather than improving the current system. MH370: Search resumes to find missing plane 11 years on and MH370 Search Resumes After a Decade of Silence MH370 disappeared March 8, 2014. Now, the Malaysian government has approved a resumption of the search by maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity under a “no find, no fee” arrangement. Using the Armanda 7806 surface vessel and autonomous underwater vehicles, about 15,000 square kilometers will be searched off the coast of Perth in Western Australia. Cracks In KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries Boeing discovered cracks on two of four recently delivered planes. The Air Force stated that Boeing “is taking measures to temporarily halt deliveries until we fully understand the root cause and implement an effective corrective action plan.” Also, “The cracks were not found on any flight surfaces or hinges, but rather on the primary or secondary structures.” Mentioned Does Airline Safety Correlate with a Diverse Pilot Population? Goodbye Skype, hello Teams: How Microsoft is making the switch easy. The old, Airplane Geeks Skype-based recording studio, circa 2009: Podcasting in the days of Skype and low-bandwidth internet. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and Rob Mark.

Southwest Airlines and the pressure from Elliott Investment Management, the Asiana Airbus A350 that triggered a Low Altitude Alert at SFO, the Turkish KAAN fighter jet export opportunities, and the possibility that India may become an F-35 customer. Also, boomless cruise, the Philadelphia Learjet crash, and aircraft mechanic classifications. Aviation News Image courtesy Southwest Airlines Southwest caves further to Elliott as chief transformation officer steps down Southwest Airlines has amended its agreement with Elliott Investment Management that allows Elliott to increase their ownership of the airline to 19.9%. Previously the cap was 14.9%. Elliott wants to make strategic and operational changes, as well as changes at the airline’s executive level and board of directors. Chief financial officer Tammy Romo is retiring April 1, 2025 and Southwest named former Breeze Airways president Tom Doxey as Romo’s replacement. Southwest announced that chief transformation officer Ryan Green would be leaving the company. Other executive positions are said to be at risk. 2 Southwest Airlines Board Members Stepping Down Due To Elliott Investment Management The airline is shrinking its board from 15 members to 13 as part of an agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Two more Southwest board members will step down in April. Southwest Airlines Announces Reduction in Corporate Overhead Workforce Recently, Southwest announced a 15% layoff (1,750 positions), the company’s first-ever layoff, “focused almost entirely on corporate overhead and leadership positions.” Southwest said the move is expected to save the company $300 million annually. Asiana Airbus A350 Triggers Low Altitude Alert at San Francisco Airport After Dropping to 275 Feet With 3 Miles Still To Go The alert was triggered in the control tower after the Asiana plane dropped as low as 275 feet while flying at 174 knots. The pilots were notified and then performed a go-around. UAE Plans to Develop New Fighter Jet Based on Turkey’s KAAN The Turkish Aerospace Industries KAAN fighter is being developed with sub-contractor BAE Systems. The stealthy, twin-engine jet is planned to replace the Turkish F-16s and be exported to others. UAE has expressed interest and Saudi Arabia has a deal for 100 fighters. Video: KAAN İLK UÇUŞUNU GERÇEKLEŞTİRDİ [KAAN trailer] https://youtu.be/ZhgCXY1E5vs?si=UV-SzFyKCLD_LMCz India Could Be America’s Next F-35 Customer President Donald Trump offered to sell Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russia has offered to build the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter in India with locally sourced components. The Russians have only produced a small number of the aircraft and have not yet demonstrated the ability to fully support them. Over 1,000 F-35s have been produced and sales have been made to 20 different countries. Mentioned Video: The Incredible Sounds of the Falcon Heavy Launch (BINAURAL AUDIO IMMERSION) – Smarter Every Day 189. (Binaural recording. Must use good quality over-the-ear headphones for proper effect.) https://youtu.be/ImoQqNyRL8Y?si=7UnvVuWvJguGiv1f Sonic Boom: Six Decades of Research – NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) recommended by listener Andy. Aircraft maintenance licence (Part-66) in Finland. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof.

We discuss recent aviation accidents, explore potential litigation, and consider changes to the U.S. Air Traffic Control system. Guest Erin Applebaum returns as our guest for this episode. Erin is a Partner in the aviation practice of Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, a New York law firm. She specializes in litigation for passengers who were injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters. Erin previously joined us in Episode 831 Advocating for 737 MAX Crash Victims and Episode 777 Aviation Accident Litigation. We discuss the Delta Air Lines CRJ-900 regional jet crash at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. Because this occurred the same day the episode was recorded, few verified facts were available. Erin also helps us consider the Washington National midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter. We look at the U.S. air traffic control system, including staffing needs, outdated systems, and alternatives such as privatization such as that used by other countries. Along the way, Erin explains litigation under the Montreal Convention and how aviation attorneys obtain clients. We look at the quality of communications between controllers and pilots, the types of altimeter types and implications for safety, traffic screens, the current status of the B737 MAX litigation, and the Federal Tort Claims Act. We also have thoughts on how to respond when people outside the industry ask, “Is it safe to fly?” Erin has devoted her career to advocating for justice and fighting for the advancement of aviation safety. She serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX litigation. Erin is part of the legal team representing the 737 MAX crash victims in the federal criminal case against Boeing. Aviation News We used the following sources for our conversation. Note that some are behind a paywall and others require free registration. Black Hawk crew might not have heard crucial tower instruction, NTSB says Pilots got 100 collision warning at DCA From 1920s Thinking to Digital Autonomy: After 100 Years, It’s Time To Rethink How Air Traffic Control Works US senators call for increased funding, staffing for air traffic control How Elon Musk Will Bring ATC Under Control, By Robert Poole, Reason Foundation. Victims’ Families of Boeing Crash Ask New US Attorney General for Meeting on Criminal Plea Agreement Elon Musk Vows To Cut FAA’s “Senseless” Supersonic Boom Noise Regulation Mentioned Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.

UAP safety risks with Todd Curtis, a troubling wave of US Army aviation accidents, the impact of aviation accidents on public perception of safety, the Flexjet order for Embraer jets, and Boeing’s worries about the future of the Space Launch System. Guest Todd Curtis Todd Curtis is a risk consultant who systematically uses data to understand and reduce aviation incidents. He is also a co-host of the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, which evaluates accidents, incidents, and risks from all areas of aviation. Todd explains that UAP safety risks are not separate and distinct from other safety issues, and lessons learned from UAP encounters may carry over to one or more other aviation risks. The recent interview with the Flight Safety Detectives about the UAP’s close encounter with a sailplane (Hair-Raising UAP Encounter Shared by Pilot – Episode 252) illustrates a key crossover between UAP and other aviation risks. Todd argues that the key challenge is to develop a fundamental understanding of UAP and a set of shared goals and definitions that will serve to support processes that will identify, reduce, or eliminate UAP-related aviation risks. Todd has spent most of his aviation career focusing on aviation safety. After earning electrical engineering degrees at Princeton University and the University of Texas, he served as a flight test engineer in the U.S. Air Force. After earning master’s degrees from MIT, one in policy and another in management, he was a safety engineer at Boeing, where he supported accident investigations and conducted safety analyses during the development of the 777. His 2000 book, “Understanding Aviation Safety Data,” described his approach to analyzing aviation risk and evaluating accident and incident trends. See: AIAA UAP Integration and Outreach Committee 767 Encounters UAP – Episode 256 Flight Safety Detectives on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.   Aviation News For The Army, the D.C. Crash Is the Latest In A Wave Of Troubling Accidents [Paywall] The Army had 15 Class A flight accidents in fiscal 2024 that claimed 11 lives. In 2023 there were 9 Class A flight accidents that killed 14. Army crash investigators say 82% of the accidents over the past five years were primarily caused by human error. The Army has acknowledged that inexperienced aircrews are a problem. Recent aviation disasters cause fears about the safety of flying Public concern about air safety is growing with news of the fatal crashes in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Alaska, as well as other incidents such as the wing of a Japan Airlines 787 striking the tail of a stationary Delta Airlines 737, and a United A319 with an engine fire during takeoff. Experts point out the overall safety of the system, but is it enough to influence perception? Flexjet signs $7bn order for 182 aircraft with Embraer Global fractional ownership provider Flexjet announced the order for 182 Praetor 600, Praetor 500, and Phenom 300E models to be delivered over the next five years. The deal includes 30 options and an enhanced services and support agreement.  Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts Boeing’s vice president and program manager for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket announced to employees at an all-hands meeting that Boeing’s contracts for the rocket could end in March. Boeing was planning for layoffs of about 400 in case the cost-plus contracts were not renewed. Boeing is the primary contractor for the Space Launch System rocket. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (or WARN) Act requires US employers with 100 or more full-time employees to provide a 60-day notice in advance of mass layoffs or plant closings. Memorable Flybys Listener Tom describes a low-level flyover by a pair of F-84 jets. Mentioned Asking Why After an Accident? Consider the Source Boom or No Boom could determine overland operations Boomless Cruise: How Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 breaks the sound barrier quietly Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.

A look at aviation ground operations technology, recent fatal aviation accidents, fire aboard an A321, the successful XB-1 supersonic flight, the sentencing of a drone operator, and the threatened readiness of the US Air Force. Guest Loren Mathis is the Chief Strategy Officer of INFORM GmbH’s Aviation division. INFORM is a worldwide aviation ground operations resource management technology provider that leverages AI and advanced optimization to increase efficiency and improve operations. Loren describes three general use case categories for AI in aviation: creating value from very large amounts of data, digital decision support, and proactive rather than reactive action. We look at real-world examples of aviation applications, including predictive maintenance, service recovery after disruptions, and management of airport gates, baggage belts, and check-in counters. Also, ground equipment and staff planning, scheduling, allocation, and analysis. Loren is a thought leader and passionate advocate for ground operations. During his 15 years in aviation, Loren has led workforce planning teams responsible for budgeting over $2 billion of annual headcount expenses and $1 billion of GSE-related expenses. He most recently helped define airport operations technology strategy for one of the world’s largest airlines. For over 50 years, INFORM has been engaging in the art of solving complex business problems with mathematical models. The company is committed to ethically responsible AI and sustainable business practices. Aviation News AA Regional Jet Collides with Army Blackhawk Helicopter Helicopter routes in the Washington DC area. Courtesy SkyVector. Video: DC Mid Air Update 2/3/25 https://youtu.be/n9mAUks0krI?si=f37mdgvVKmpaDT2z NTSB forces reporters to get plane crash updates on X ‘Open the Door, Open the Door!’: How Dozens Fled an Inferno on a Plane Air Busan Flight ABL391 was waiting to take off from Busan Airport (PUS) in South Korea, bound for Hong Kong. Passengers spotted flames in a rear overhead bin of the A321. The captain declared an emergency evacuation and shut off hydraulic and fuel systems. Flight attendants and passengers opened exit doors, but there was no evacuation announcement. Video: XB-1 First Supersonic Flight https://www.youtube.com/live/-qisIViAHwI?si=3qg_QuNVRWv-W5E2 Ex Skydance Exec Was Piloting Drone During Palasides Fire The man who crashed his DJI Mini3 Pro drone into the wing of a CL-415 Super Scooper waterbomber (reportedly costing $65,169 to repair) has been identified. The man pleaded guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft (a misdemeanor) and agreed to 150 hrs of community service for wildfire relief and paying restitution. The charge carried a possible sentence of up to one year in federal prison. Fighter Pilot Shortage Threatening Readiness The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies says the shortage of Air Force fighter pilots, declining pilot experience, and a shortage of airplanes threaten combat readiness. “The Air Force’s pilot corps is now too small and poorly structured to sustain a healthy combat force that can prevail in a peer conflict and meet the nation’s other national security requirements.” Listen to Episode 218 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Air Force Readiness Crisis: Time for a Reset. Mentioned FlySafair Statement on Flight FA711 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Boom Supersonic’s first supersonic flight with the XB-1, the Jeju Air crash in Korea, final NTSB report on United Airlines hard landing, and a hydrogen-steam hybrid cycle engine for single aisle aircraft. Also, small DJI drones, the upcoming FlightSimExpo, personal flying devices, SAF for supersonic aircraft, a mid-air collision final report, and a waterbomber damaged by a drone. Aviation News Boom Supersonic XB-1 first supersonic test flight The first supersonic flight of the XB-1 demonstrator occurred January 28, 2025. The Boom XB-1 is the first independently developed supersonic jet, and the first civil supersonic jet built in America. The XB-1 first flew in March of 2024 and has been through a rigorous program of 11 test flights at steadily increasing speeds. Video: XB-1 First Supersonic Flight https://www.youtube.com/live/-qisIViAHwI?si=MZlE45Otsf0X81Z4 The Starlink Connection: XB-1 Flight Tests Harness Satellite Internet Streaming The XB-1 team used a Starlink Mini to live stream XB-1 flight tests from the Northrop T-38 chase plane. Boom worked with SpaceX to pair the Mini with an aviation data plan. The Mini fits into the T-38’s rear cockpit, allows for an occupant of that seat, and does not impede the safe operation of the aircraft or the ejection seat. Korean Airport Exec Dead Of Suicide After Jeju Air Crash The executive was president of the Korea Airports Corporation from 2018 to 2022 and in charge of the 2020 renovation of Muan International Airport in South Korea. He was found dead at his home of an apparent suicide. Last December, a Jeju Air Boeing 737 ran off the runway and into a concrete support surrounding the localizer antenna, killing 179 of the 181 on board. South Korea has mandated the removal of concrete barriers at seven airports.  NTSB Faults United Airlines Pilot For Hard Boeing 767-300ER Landing That Cracked Fuselage United Airlines flight 702, a Boeing 767-300ER (registered N641UA) flying from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Texas, experienced a hard landing. The First Officer had control of the plane as the mains touched down but the nosewheel hit hard and bounced a total of three times. The fuselage skin was buckled and fractured, and the underlying stringers and frames were damaged. The aircraft was repaired and eventually returned to operational service. In its report [PDF], the NTSB found that the FO made nose-down inputs, contributing to the nosewheel abnormally impacting the runway, and were contrary to United Airlines’ procedures and training. In addition, the NTSB believes that deployment of the speed brakes and thrust reversers while the nosewheel was still in the air likely contributed to the second runway contact of the nosewheel and the subsequent damage to the airplane. Simple Flying Video: NTSB: United Airlines Pilot At Fault For Boeing 767 Hard Landing That Cracked Fuselage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3_m7hBmrk Pratt & Whitney Unveils Details Of Hydrogen-Steam Hybrid Engine Cycle Pratt & Whitney has unveiled details of their Hydrogen Steam Injected Intercooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) concept. Although much more work remains to be done, the concept could lead to commercial geared turbofans with zero carbon emissions and vastly reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx). Image courtesy of Pratt & Whitney Neil Terwilliger, technical fellow for advanced concepts at Pratt, said “HySIITE is about us imagining if there were going to be hydrogen and that it was a viable decarbonization pathway, what kind of engine would take the best advantage of it? Should it look like engines do today, or should we do something different?” The steam injection increases mass flow, improves efficiency, and—Pratt says—dramatically lowers NOx emissions. Pratt & Whitney Hydrogen Steam and Inter-Cooled Turbine Engine (HySITE) HySIITE was studied under a two-year $3.8 million U.S. Energy Department Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) project that concluded in December 2024. HySIITE innovation could disrupt the aviation industry and represents an opportunity to preserve U.S. primacy in commercial aviation with novel fuels. The HySIITE concept aims to eliminate carbon emissions associated with aviation, make flying more efficient and significantly reduce NOx inflight emissions for commercial single-aisle aircraft. HySIITE could save the U.S. single aisle fleet an estimated $90B annually relative to SAF. Cat mistakenly left on plane, makes three trips between New Zealand and Australia in 24 hours A Maine Coon cat named Mittens traveled freight on Air New Zealand as her family flew from Christchurch, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia. After arriving and waiting three hours, Mittens didn’t show up. That was because Mittens was still in the cargo hold, on the way back to New Zealand, a 7.5-hour flight. Back in New Zealand, the pet moving company met Mittens and made sure she was on a flight to Melbourne where she was reunited with her family. This World War II-Era Airport in Central California Needs a New Owner Eckert Field Airport (1Q1) in Strathmore, California is for sale. The airport was first used by the U.S. Army Air Force for training during World War II. Mentioned FlightSimExpo 2025 takes place June 27-29 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. Apply for FlightSimExpo’s Weekend Community Seminars. 30 Coolest Machines That Makes you Fly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7V76B1RTY0 Pilot’s errors, other issues cited as probable causes in fatal NLV midair plane crash Little Drone, Big Damage Alberta Wildland Firefighters posted images of the damage on their facebook page. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The SpaceX Starship explosion causes airline flight diversions, DJI changes its geofencing feature for drone flights, synthetic aviation fuel eyed for military aircraft, Boeing resumes 777X certification flight tests. Aviation News SpaceX Starship Explosion Causes Flight Diversions The January 16 launch of the SpaceX Starship was successful, and the launch tower caught the returning booster with its “chopsticks,” but the spacecraft was lost about 8 minutes into the flight. According to data from FlightRadar24, multiple aircraft, including those flying routes for American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, were placed in holding patterns or landed prior to reaching their final destination. SpaceX Starship booster returning to the launch pad. (Screen grab courtesy SpaceX.) The impact of space launches on airline operations and the FAA notification process: FAA: Airspace Integration FAA Safely Keeps More Airspace Open During Most Florida Space Launches Impacts of Space Launch Operations on Florida East Coast Airspace Users Impact of Commercial Space Launch Activities on Aviation [PDF] Video: Safe Integration of Space Launches https://youtu.be/bTfEykjnbek?si=RiIaUCqefR6SwCbi DJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires, and the White House and DJI Updates GEO System in U.S. Consumer & Enterprise Drones DJI drone control software includes a geofencing feature called Geospatial Environment Online (GEO). It’s designed to preventing drones from flying in restricted or sensitive areas. DJI’s geofencing will now use FAA data instead of DJI datasets. What was previously defined as a Restricted Zone (also known as No-Fly Zone) will be called Enhanced Warning Zones with a warning that the operator can dismiss. DJI says “this shift puts more responsibility on drone operators to comply with airspace regulations and avoid restricted areas.” The company also notes that Remote ID solutions make detection and enforcement “much easier.” Lockheed Martin Approves Use of Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels for F-35 Fleet See: Sustainable aviation fuel approved for Boeing-built military aircraft The Air Force partners with Twelve, proves it’s possible to make jet fuel out of thin air Twelve Announces $645 Million in Funding Led by TPG to Transform CO2 into Jet Fuel and Electrochemicals at Scale Twelve to produce 50,000 gallons of SAF annually at pilot plant, CEO says From Twelve: “E-Jet® SAF jet fuel made from air with up to 90% lower emissions than conventional fuel. It’s a Power-to-Liquid e-fuel made from CO2, water, and renewable energy.” $645M in funding was announced in September 2024 to support the development of future AirPlants, which will supply Twelve’s E-Jet fuel to customers like Alaska Airlines and International Aviation Group (IAG). Boeing Set To Resume 777X Certification Flight Tests During flight testing, technicians discovered cracks and failures in the engine thrust links of the 777X test aircraft. This issue was first detected in mid-August 2024 on the aircraft registered as N779XY, after a five-hour test flight in Hawaii. The problem led to the grounding of the entire 777X test fleet, halting the certification campaign. The thrust link is a critical component that connects the engine to the aircraft’s wing, and its failure posed a significant safety risk. Boeing engineers replaced the faulty thrust links and conducted thorough inspections of the other test aircraft. The issue was resolved, and certification flights resumed in January 2025. Mentioned On Jetwhine: Flying Aero: One Passenger’s Experience Video: CES 2025 Keynote with CEO of Delta, Ed Bastian https://youtu.be/CV8V6oqP4pw?si=wCmRL4RucL8eqD2D Remos Crop Duster’s Wings Collapse During Flight Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor and FliteDeck Pro From the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, Video: Hair-Raising UAP Encounter Shared by Pilot – Episode 252 https://youtu.be/nM0Q-hR6vGY?si=-aYTDIb2f4rK78Oq Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

We speak with a Partner at an aviation practice who advocates for 737 MAX crash victims. In the news, we look at the Azerbaijan and Jeju crashes, Boeing’s safety and quality-control plan update, Delta’s plan for an AI-rich future, and V-22 Osprey catastrophic failure risks. Also, favorite flybys from listeners. Guest Erin Applebaum is a partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, specializing in high-stakes litigation for passengers injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters.  Erin has devoted her career to advocating for justice and fighting for the advancement of aviation safety. She serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX litigation. Erin is part of the legal team representing the 737 MAX crash victims in the federal criminal case against Boeing. Erin updates us on the status of the 737 MAX crash civil litigation. The criminal case is ongoing but likely nearing an end. Boeing was found in violation of the deferred prosecution agreement but the judge rejected the negotiated plea deal. The families of the victims are unhappy because the criminal case focuses on the single charge of defrauding the FAA, and not on those who lost their lives. Erin maintains a robust practice of litigating tort claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the global treaty governing international commercial flights. She teaches a popular aviation CLE course for other attorneys on how to litigate personal injury claims for international airline passengers. Erin has published a comprehensive update on the law governing international aviation claims in the highly respected legal journal of McGill University, “Annals of Air and Space Law.”  Erin serves as Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Aeronautics Committee, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Aviation and Space Law Committee, and is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the International Aviation Women’s Association. Aviation News Russian Air Defence System Caused Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines ERJ-190 flying from Baku Azerbaijan to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya crashed in Aktau Kazakhstan leaving 38 people dead. The plane diverted from Grozny due to dense fog and ultimately made an emergency landing an hour later in Grozny. On final approach, the Embraer lost altitude and impacted the ground off the runway. Twenty-nine people, including the cabin crew, survived. Thirty-eight, including the flight crew, did not IATA Statement on Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 says, in part: “Civil aircraft must never be the intended or accidental target of military operations. The strong potential that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 could have been the victim of military operations, as indicated by several governments including Russia and Azerbaijan, places the highest priority on conducting a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation. The world eagerly awaits the required publication of the interim report within 30 days, in line with international obligations agreed in the Chicago Convention. And should the conclusion be that this tragedy was the responsibility of combatants, the perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice.” See also: Accident: Azerbaijan E190 near Aktau on Dec 25th 2024, lost height and impacted ground after being shot at EU issues new alert for planes flying in Russian airspace Boeing Shares Details of Safety Plan One Year After Door Plug Incident Boeing provided an update of its plan to address systemic safety and quality-control issues, which included: Reducing 737 fuselage assembly defects at Spirit AeroSystems through increased inspection and a customer quality approval process;  Addressing more than 70% of the action items from employee feedback Managing traveled work at final assembly with “move ready” criteria Adding hundreds of hours to employee quality and safety training programs Performing random quality audits of documented removals Mapping thousands of governance documents and work instructions for revision. Strengthening the Speak Up program to ensure whistleblower confidentiality and keep employees informed about the status and resolution of their reports. US FAA will maintain enhanced oversight of Boeing after door panel incident In One Year after Boeing Door Plug Incident, FAA Administrator Whitaker says “We have conducted an unprecedented number of unannounced audits; and we conduct monthly status reviews with Boeing executives to monitor progress. Our enhanced oversight is here to stay,”  Delta hypes GenAI, new content partners in 2025 CES keynote By Seth Miller (@wandrme.paxex.aero on Bluesky.) Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian described the airline’s future in his keynote presentation at CES in Las Vegas: A system powered by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) will predict where it can help travelers and provide assistance. Bastian described it as “A thread across your experience, a GenAI-powered assistant that anticipates your needs and provides recommendations.” Delta also announced some major IFE content partnerships, including: YouTube will provide “highly curated” ad-free content on personal devices and seatbacks that will include music, podcasts, and regular videos. Retired quarterback Tom Brady will host a video series called “Well Traveled.”  DraftKings will provide “gaming” offerings on the in-seat IFE. Video: CES 2025 Keynote with CEO of Delta, Ed Bastian https://youtu.be/CV8V6oqP4pw?si=wCmRL4RucL8eqD2D V-22 Ospreys will face ‘serious’ risks from flawed gears for the foreseeable future A Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) system safety risk assessment found that the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey fleet will continue to face a “serious” risk of catastrophic failure. This is despite actions to mitigate the failure of transmission gears due to an impurity in the X-53 steel used to make the gears, creating a weak point. The inclusions were estimated to result in a catastrophic failure frequency of seven per million flight hours. Serious risk is considered to be one failure per million flight hours. True V-22 geeks will enjoy the technical details in the United States Air Force, Aircraft Investigation Board Report, CV-22B, T/N 10-0054. Crash: Jeju B738 at Muan on Dec 29th 2024, gear up landing and overrun The Jeju Boeing 737-800 was performing a flight from Bangkok to Muan in South Korea. The plane attempted to land with all gear up, slid down the runway, and impacted a concrete embankment about 300 meters (1000 feet) past the runway. The 737 burst into a fireball. Of the 175 passengers and six crew, two people were rescued alive, both cabin crew. The investigation is considering the possibilities of bird strikes and landing gear problems. Black boxes’ from crashed South Korean plane stopped recording about four minutes before disaster, officials say Video: Jeju Air back boxes stopped recording before flight crash https://youtu.be/ZqPavpjJhV0?si=D_DjvJyA-md6OTPR Mentioned Mark Your Calendars: Cranky Dorkfest 2025 is September 13 In-N-Out at LAX Meet the Quokka The story behind the experimental collar worn by Luke Kuechly From Brian’s most interesting flybys: Video: Toyota Tundra Commercial Super Bowl XLVII 2013 HD Video: Toyota Presents: The Tundra Endeavour – The Mission Video: Toyota Tundra tows space shuttle Endeavour Video: Toyota Tundra Heaviest Towing of Space Shuttle Endeavour Air Traffic Controller Accidentally Sends Plane Close to Mountains: FAA Video: TIME TO BUZZ THE TOWER – Edwards AFB Tower Flyby at USAF Test Pilot School Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

A flight review of the luxury airline Aero, and a product review of the Bose A30 Aviation Headset. Aero Brian Coleman took a media flight on the luxury airline Aero from Van Nuys, California, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Brian discussed the airline with Liz Mazzei, Aero’s Head of Marketing, and Mikael Pelet, Aero’s COO. He then shared his experiences with our Main(e) Man Micah. Aero Embraer Legacy 600 Aero is a luxury airline based at Van Nuys airport in Southern California. The airline operates a fleet of 16-seat Embraer ERJ135 jets and Legacy 600 jets that accommodate 10 passengers. The company offers a seamless booking process and a concierge service. Cabins are spacious and comfortable with gourmet food and drink offerings. Aero provides an alternative for discerning travelers looking for a premium flying experience. Service started in 2021 with flights from Van Nuys, CA to select destinations, including Aspen, Sun Valley, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, and Cabo San Lucas. Bose A30 Aviation Headset At EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2024, Bose Corporation provided an A30 Aviation Headset to Hillel Glazer, our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent. Hillel is a pilot who owns and uses an A20 headset, so he was eager to try the new model as he flew home from Oshkosh. The Bose A30 is a high-performance, comfortable around-ear aviation headset for pilots. It combines comfort, audio clarity, and active noise cancellation. In his report, Hillel describes the headset and its new features. He comments on the lighter clamping force, the easy mic side change, and the now-standard Bluetooth. Hillel has many positive things to say about the A30, and he also offers a few opportunities for improvement. The Bose A30 kit. Bose A30 battery compartment and switches. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Brian Coleman, and Hillel Glazer.

A longtime educator discusses getting an aviation education. In the news, companies partner to address corporate aviation safety and security, an A321 engine shutdown after a birdstrike, a proposal to remove ATC from the FAA, and when pigs fly. Also, notable flybys, AI flight controls, taking care of business on long flights, and an aircraft incident investigation on another planet. Guest Dr. Stanley Harriman is the Department Head of Aviation Science at Orange Coast College (OCC) in Costa Mesa, California. OCC focuses on getting students certificates that allow them to move into the workforce. The College partners with flight schools for those who want to become pilots and with Southern Illinois University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management. In our conversation with Stanley, we looked at aviation education, what students should look for in a school, and a tip for getting into the industry. Degrees and Certificates offered by OCC: Aircraft Dispatcher, Certificate of Achievement Airline Transport Pilot, Certificate of Specialization Aviation Science, Associate in Science Degree Aviation Science, Certificate of Achievement Commercial Pilot, Certificate of Specialization Flight Operations, Certificate of Achievement Instrument Pilot, Certificate of Specialization Private Pilot, Certificate of Specialization Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Certificate of Achievement Stanley earned a Master’s in Aviation Safety and a Doctorate in Aviation Education from Purdue University. During his time at Purdue, his research focused on cognitive learning styles, scenario-based training, and aviation human factors.  Following his graduate studies at Purdue, Stanley joined the Aviation Department at Lewis University near Chicago, Illinois. He continued his aviation safety research by investigating nano-particle coatings and their application on aircraft windshields to minimize environmental effects on pilots. He also led a team to design infrared warning systems to prevent airport runway incursions.  Along with his research, Stanley’s teaching experience involved many facets of aviation. He taught courses in the Professional Pilot program, Aviation Maintenance program, and the Master’s program as the Director of Graduate Research.  Stanley sits on national aviation committees providing aviation curriculum ideas and reform, aviation scholarships, and aviation safety research. He has been a safety research consultant and has traveled the country implementing these organizational and cultural changes within various aviation institutions, airlines, and maintenance facilities.  Aviation News Aviation Safety Solutions and Corporate Aviation Security International Join Forces to Fill Needed Gap in Aviation Safety and Security Aviation Safety Solutions is a Safety Management Systems (SMS) consultant, and Corporate Aviation Security International (CASI) provides specialized security services for business aviation. The two companies have created a strategic partnership to address security shortfalls in the corporate aviation industry by integrating advanced safety and security services. Bird strike disables a jetliner engine and forces an emergency landing at JFK airport American Airlines flight AA-1722 departing from New York La Guardia to Charlotte, NC, an Airbus A321-200 (N133AN), experienced a bird strike that disabled one of the engines. The Aviation Herald reports the plane “was in the initial climb out of La Guardia’s runway 31 when the right-hand engine (V2533) ingested a bird and suffered stalls. The crew stopped the climb at 5000 feet, shut the engine down, and diverted to New York JFK Airport for a safe landing on runway 31L about 20 minutes after departure.” See Wildlife Strikes to Civil Aircraft in the United States 1990 – 2023 from DOT/FAA and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services. The report presents an analysis of data from the National Wildlife Strike Database. Also The FAA National Wildlife Strike Database: A Research Tool to Improve Aviation Safety. Proposal to strip ATC from FAA reappears ahead of second Trump term Air Traffic Control is under the FAA Air Traffic Organization. Previous efforts have sought to move ATC from under the FAA, but they didn’t progress. The notion returned at a Senate aviation panel hearing. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner Flying to Mexico City Was Forced to Divert to Bermuda Because 100 Live Pigs in the Cargo Hold Made Such a Stench The pilots of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL685 flying from Amsterdam to Mexico City contacted ATC and requested an unscheduled stop in Bermuda. The Captain reported that  there was “a lot of obnoxious cargo coming from pigs probably, which may have something to do with the oxygen environment in the cockpit, so that’s why I’m diverting.” Upon landing in Bermuda, the pigs disembarked and were taken to a “secure location” under the care of a veterinarian. Memorable Flybys From @Skippyscage.bsky.social: Video: Gulfstream IIB N779LC HALO4 final flight https://youtu.be/5fiSaDKEjb0?si=nhk8o6z1elMJX20H @kenmist.bsky.social‬ Canadian Snowbirds. “Earlier this year at OSH. Made my old Canadian heart swell with pride.” @brentmo.bsky.social‬ – Terrafugia Transition roadable aircraft. @dmvanderhoof.bsky.social The Space Shuttle Discovery on the way to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum (NASM) in Chantilly, Virginia. Mentioned Discount coupon for The Air Current. $15 for a three-month subscription. Use coupon code AGPOD. Offer good through December 31, 2024. Note: This offer is not sponsored. NASA Performs First Aircraft Accident Investigation on Another World Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The U.S. Senate hearing on airline fees, a Boeing employee surveillance program, the judge rejects the 737 MAX plea deal, Airbus floats a cockpit idea for Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), and a study will look at how high-G flying might affect Naval fighter pilots. Also, ticket sales for EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2024 and FlightSimExpo, Brian’s 2024 travels, fly-by-wire airplanes and smuggling Cessnas into Russia. Airline executives testify at a Senate Subcommittee. (Screen capture courtesy PBS NewsHour.) Aviation News US senators grill airline officials about fees for seats and checked bags The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing on December 4, 2024 about airline fees charged for baggage, seat selection, and other services. Executives representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and Spirit Airlines testified. Testimony included: Airline fees – Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Blumenthal consistently referred to these as “junk fees.” In opening remarks, airlines characterized fees as allowing the consumer to create and pay for the experience they want – unbundling. “Bag bounty” programs – Sen. Hawley was quite antagonistic. Frontier removed their program September 30 that paid gate attendants for checking carry-on bags. Pricing – The Senators wanted to know why personal information is collected before the ticket price is given and the use of dynamic pricing based on the personal data. They also (unsuccessfully) probed the airline executives for the cost of the services covered by fees, assuming that price is related to cost. Family seating – Sen Hassan and others argued for fee-free family seating and sometimes confused a fee and the ability to accommodate.  See the DOT Airline Family Seating Dashboard. DOT Airline Family Seating Dashboard Loyalty programs – Sen Marshall characterized credit card programs as being about “voodoo miles” and the revenue to the airlines as a “kickback.” Competition – Spirit Airlines Matthew Kline was very critical of legacy airlines saying Spirit is at a competitive disadvantage over slots. Also that the majors paid pilots to retire during Covid, then poached Spirit pilots when demand returned. Overall, there was bipartisan demand that the airlines change junk fee practices, and two people should not be charged different prices for the same service on the same flight. It was evident that AI was on the minds of all, with airlines starting to think about applications and Senators afraid of what the technology could do. Speaking for their respective airlines were  Steve Johnson, vice chair and chief strategy officer, American Airlines;  Peter Carter, chief external affairs officer, Delta Air Lines;  Andrew Nocella, EVP and chief commercial officer, United Airlines;  Robert Schroeter, SVP, chief commercial officer, Frontier Airlines;  and Matthew Klein, EVP and chief commercial officer, Spirit Airlines See also Airline executives blasted at Senate hearing over carrier fees Video: Airline executives testify on junk fees before Senate committee https://www.youtube.com/live/jYNbu7E8gj8?si=VygQRsTGV7J-BvLD Boeing cancels its workplace surveillance program, will remove sensors Boeing had started to install sensors “in ceiling tiles above workstations, conference rooms, and common areas.” The sensors included motion detectors, cameras, and light, heat, and noise detectors. Boeing the data on building use for “managing energy and space usage.” According to Boeing, the cameras could take only blurry photos and AI would analyze the occupancy of the space. Only aggregated data would be presented to management. After details of the program appeared in the Seattle Times, Boeing employees reacted as expected. Within a day, a Boeing email stated the program “has been canceled, and we are removing the sensors that have been installed.” See Surveilling Employees Erodes Trust — and Puts Managers in a Bind Judge tosses Boeing plea deal opposed by families of MAX crash victims The U.S. Department of Justice brokered a plea agreement with Boeing over the fatal 737 MAX crashes under which Boeing would plead guilty to deceiving the FAA. However, a U.S. district judge has rejected the deal saying the agreement was “not in the public interest.” The judge questioned the selection of the independent monitor by the Justice Department and not the court. In his opinion, the judge wrote “It is fair to say the government’s attempt to ensure compliance has failed. At this point, the public interest requires the court to step in. Marginalizing the court in the selection and monitoring of the independent monitor as the plea agreement does undermines public confidence in Boeing’s probation.” Boeing and the DOJ now have 30 days to update the court on how they plan to proceed in the case. See: US judge rejects Boeing plea deal in fatal 737 MAX crashes FAA administrator says Boeing still not producing MAX planes after strike Air Force awards Boeing $2.4 billion contract for KC-46 tankers Airbus Wants a Radio Equipped Toilet in the Cockpit The European Air Safety Agency (EASA) is evaluating how to safely implement Extended Minimum Crew Operations (or eMCO) with the regulatory processes expected to begin in 2025 and implementation by 2027. Under eMCO, Airbus is exploring ideas to reduce the number of pilots on ultra-long-haul flights, which might be three or four. Currently, two pilots remain on the flight deck at any one time while others can sleep in the crew rest compartment. With eMCO, only one pilot would be in the cockpit and the other would be sleeping. Pilot unions are not enthusiastic. See eMCO-SiPO – Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations – Safety Risk Assessment Framework The Extended Minimum Crew Operations – Single Pilot Operations (eMCO-SiPO) project is funded under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2021-2022. The project focuses on two concepts of operations: Extended Minimum-Crew Operations (eMCOs) where single-pilot operations are allowed during the cruise phase of the flight, with a level of safety equivalent to today’s two-pilot operations. Offering at least an equivalent overall level of safety through compensation means (e.g. ground assistance, advanced cockpit design with workload alleviation means etc.) eMCO is, in particular, relevant to large aeroplanes operated in CAT [commercial air transport] operations, for which no fewer than two flight crew members are currently required as per the Air Operations Regulation.  Single-Pilot Operations (SiPOs), where, at a later stage, end-to-end single-pilot operations might be allowed, offering at least a level of safety equivalent to today’s two-pilot operations provided that compensation means are in place (e.g. ground assistance, advanced cockpit design with workload alleviation means, capability to cope with pilot incapacitation etc.).  Top-Gun Navy Pilots Fly at the Extremes. Their Brains May Suffer “Odin’s Eye” is a confidential Navy project looking at the possibility of warfighter brain injury. It was originally created to look for brain injuries in Navy SEALs, but is now expanded to include TOPGUN aviators who take frequent high-G flying flights in the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The project will look at about 1,500 data points on brain function for the TOPGUN pilots to understand the cumulative effect and identify any injured pilots. Brian Coleman’s 2024 Passport Brian recorded a year-end summary of his 2024 travels. [4:14] Mentioned Discount coupon for The Air Current. $15 for a three-month subscription. Use coupon code AGPOD. Offer good through December 31, 2024. Note: This offer is not sponsored. Flighty flight tracking app.  Avelo Starts Service to Portland, Maine Registration for FlightSimExpo 2025 opens on December 14, 2024.  The 2025 Expo is June 27-29, 2024 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence RI. FlightSimExpo welcomes devs to register to sponsor, exhibit, and speak. Details at flightsimexpo.com/partner. Attendees can book discounted hotel rooms and airfare deals now. Details at flightsimexpo.com/travel. Tickets are now on sale for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, July 21-27. Attempt to Smuggle Cessnas From U.S. Into Russia Ends in Arrest DOJ press release: Russian National Arrested for Attempting to Illegally Export Aircraft to Russia by Transshipping Through Armenia GSA Auctions Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

An AI governance framework for aerospace and defense, airlines pad flight times and improve on-time performance, record numbers of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, stowaways on airline flights, and executive-level cost-cutting at Boeing. Guest Tim White is the Vice President of Engineering and Technology at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he advocates for the technical workforce to policymakers. In this role, he leads AIA staff and members in identifying, developing, and executing consensus programs and activities aimed at enhancing cost savings, performance, and efficiency within the aerospace and defense industry. AIA Unveils AI Flight Plan Documenting Best Practices for AI Governance in Aerospace The AIA released the AI Flight Plan, Best Practices for AI Governance in Aerospace, a first-of-its-kind document outlining comprehensive best practices for the governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use for aerospace and defense. The framework outlines the elements of an AI governance program that targets three primary usages of AI in aerospace: Business operations enhancement Generative systems design and development Integration into customer-delivered products, software, and services. Tim has over 20 years of experience in operational and consulting roles within the aerospace and defense industry, having worked for companies such as Raytheon, Honeywell, and Bechtel. Throughout his career, he has contributed to commercial and defense products and held leadership positions in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and Quality. Most recently, he has collaborated with advanced technology companies like Interos and Mosaic Data Sciences, focusing on delivering cutting-edge solutions in artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, and digital transformation. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, an MBA from Brigham Young University, and a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University. He is also certified in Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, and Change Leadership. Related articles: UK CAA announces new AI strategy for aviation sector IAG: How AI is Impacting the Aviation Industry GE Aerospace Develops AI Maintenance Records Tool Aviation News Airlines Are Padding Flight Times. It’s Not Your Imagination According to a NYT Upshot analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics data, airlines strategically add extra time to their flight schedules, effectively “padding” their flight durations. This leads to a higher percentage of flights arriving on time or early even if the actual flight time hasn’t significantly changed. This improves airline on-time performance metrics. Jammed Thanksgiving Flights Push U.S. Air Travel to Record The Transportation Security Administration said it screened about 3.09 million people on Sunday, the peak of the busy Thanksgiving travel period. The previous record set in July was 3.01 million travelers. The TSA reports that their 10 busiest days were recorded in 2024. Stowaway caught after getting aboard Delta flight from New York City to Paris The woman, a U.S. resident, boarded a Delta flight from JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and was discovered midair. She had been hiding out in the lavs and the flight attendants noticed the strange behavior. The TSA said the woman passed through a body scanner at JFK, evaded the document and ID check portion, had her bags scanned, proceeded to the gate, and snuck onto the flight. The Delta Paris Stowaway Incident Keeps Getting Stranger – The stowaway was a 57-year-old woman living in the Philadelphia area. She’s a Russian national who holds a US Green Card. She requested asylum in Paris, which was rejected. The woman was placed on a return flight but pulled off after a disruptive outburst. Is Delta the Official Airline of Stowaways? – This was not the only stowaway incident involving Delta Air Lines. Flight Attendants On Delta Air Stowaway Flight Were Meant to Check the Toilets For Hitchhikers Before Plane Pushed Back From the Gate – Flight attendants “were meant to have checked the toilets for hitchhikers before the aircraft pushed back from the gate” and “Most commercial airlines have specific procedures in place designed to prevent precisely this kind of scenario whereby a ticketless passenger hides in an onboard lavatory before departure.” Boeing’s new CEO Ortberg clips corporate jet trips in show of restraint The 19 members of Boeing’s executive council have access to five Bombardier Challenger 650 business jets and two Boeing 737’s. To cut costs, CEO Kelly Ortberg grounded some of the corporate fleet and asked executives to fly economy on scheduled airline flights. For security reasons, Boeing’s CEO is required to avoid commercial flights, even for personal trips. But Ortberg is relocating to Seattle. In other cost-cutting moves, Boeing is eliminating 17,000 jobs that include management and making a list of non-core businesses to potentially sell or close. The company canceled the lavash rooftop party at the Singapore Grand Prix, pulled sponsorship of the Washington International Horse Show, sat out a commercial and defense air show in China, and did not attend the annual meeting of Asian airlines. Mentioned Discount coupon for The Air Current – $15 for three months. Use coupon code AGPOD for a quarterly subscription. The Coupon is good through December 31, 2024. Note: This is not a sponsored offer. Hurricane Helene Recap from the Jungle Aviation And Relay Service. AOPA et al. Update Complaint Protesting California 100LL Ban Listener Adam on TikTok and YouTube. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

We talk to a youngster who sells the Polish Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft. In the news, the Spirit Airlines CEO gets a retention bonus, an FAA review board will look at smoke in the cockpit after bird strikes, JetBlue plans to reduce the number of pilots, and a United Airlines captain delights passengers with pizza. In listener mail, we look at jet emissions and what the industry is doing. Guest Ethan Lin is a 13-year-old who sells the Polish Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft. His family purchased an Ekolot Topaz (N717KM) S-LSA in December 2022 after his father decided to switch careers and become an Air Transport Pilot. Ethan and his father started flying the Ekolot together, and because Ethan loved the plane so much, he contacted the distributor in December 2023 and asked about becoming a dealer. He’s been selling Ekolots ever since. Because he is only 13 years old, his father has a role in the dealership, but Ethan handles customer service, selling the airplane, and coordinating meeting times. His father does the test flights with people who are interested in buying Ekolots, and he handles the financial side, including filing taxes. Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft We discuss the difference between LSAs and S-LSAs and the proposed Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule, which would redefine the light sport aircraft category. Ethan explains why his family bought the plane and what he likes about it. He markets the plane with the Ekolot Texas Instagram. Also, Ethan and his father attend aviation events, such as Airplanes and Coffee, a monthly fly-in in the Dallas, Texas area at Addison Airport (KADS). Ethan tells us how he learned the Ekolot’s specs, and about his plans to fly for an airline and sell planes “on the side.” He also offers his advice to other youngsters who have a passion. Video: Ekolot Topaz Walkaround https://youtu.be/ryNPVaMcBuY?si=VVIGcAXhFC63wreQ Aviation News Spirit Airlines CEO Gets $3.8 Million Bonus 1 Week Before Company Files Bankruptcy An SEC filing says Spirit Airlines, Inc. paid CEO Ted Christie a $3.8 million retention bonus the week before the airline filed for bankruptcy. The bonus is effective if Christie stays with Spirit for another year. Under the restructuring plan, Spirit bondholders would take a $350 million ownership position, erase $795 million of debt, and provide $300 million of debt-in-possession financing. The New York Stock Exchange delisted Spirit stock which now trades in the over-the-counter marketplace.  FAA plans to review 737 MAX engine issue after bird strike incidents Two bird strike events in 2023 with Southwest Airlines aircraft (one in March and one in December) have caused the FAA to assemble a review board that will evaluate the safety of the CFM LEAP-1B engines. After the bird strikes, smoke entered the cockpit although the pilots landed the planes safely. The review board will assess safety data and suggest fixes for manufacturers or airlines. These might lead to mandates. A Seattle Times article suggests that any mandated modifications could delay further the certification of the MAX 7 and MAX 10 models. JetBlue Looks to Trim Pilot Workforce Captain downgrades and base displacements are coming to JetBlue late next year. The airline says it will cut 343 captain positions out of the airline’s roughly 4,500 pilots. JetBlue lost $60 million in the third quarter and plans to ground more Airbus A220 and A321neo aircraft in 2024 as a result of ongoing Pratt & Whitney engine troubles. The airline is talking with the Air Line Pilots Association to offer early retirements. United Pilot Orders 30 Pizzas to Feed Passengers After Emergency Landing for Medical Care Pilot Scott Wardle was flying a United Airlines plane to Phoenix via Houston, but partway into the flight, a patient fell unconscious. By coincidence, three medical professionals were on board but Wardle felt it best to make an emergency landing at Albuquerque at 11 p.m. With that, the cabin crew had maxed out their hours and all were going to have to wait for a new crew of flight attendants. So “Pizza Pilot” Scott Wardle says he “had to do something to show we care” and oversaw the order and distribution of 30 pizzas to the 155 passengers. Video: 7’s Hero: United Airlines pilot from Boise goes viral for buying pizza for 155 passengers https://youtu.be/tNuXVBV_cRs?si=fLlMqCvKFcjPv1bW Mentioned GE Aerospace: Experienced Engineers Hydrogen Selected Countries Boeing plant Wasserstoff-Superjet mit drei Rümpfen (Tri-body airplane) Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

A contrails study by GE Aviation and NASA, an F-15E Strike Eagle downs drones, Iberia’s new A321XLR in service, the Phillippine Mars moves to its final destination, an airliner and a UAP come close together, Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, and the environmental impact of private jets. Also, AvGeeks flock to Bluesky, a STEM author at the NASM, and F-35B trials on a Japanese flattop. The contrails of an Airbus A340 jet, over London, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in March 2007. Aviation News GE and NASA to accelerate understanding of contrails The “Contrail Optical Depth Experiment” (CODEX) is a research project conducted through a NASA and GE Aerospace partnership to study the formation and behavior of contrails. Contrails are clouds of ice particles that airplanes can create when they fly through cold and humid air. Persistent contrails are thought to contribute to climate warming. The primary goal of CODEX is to accurately measure the optical depth of contrails, which indicates how much light is blocked by the contrail. In the project, a GE Boeing 747-400 creates the contrails and NASA’s G-III research aircraft (a modified Gulfstream III business jet) follows and scans the 747’s wake with Advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to analyze the contrails produced by different engine configurations. This will hopefully lead to the development of engine technologies that reduce contrail formation. NASA Gulfstream G-III NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, operates the Gulfstream G-III aircraft, NASA tail number 804, as an aerodynamics research test bed. Work with the aircraft is funded through NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) as part of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project under the agency’s Integrated Systems Research Program. GE 747-400 Flying Test Bed Since 2010, this former Japan Airlines plane has been used by GE to test new jet engines, such as the GE90, GEnx, LEAP, and the GE9X. The plane is based at Flight Test Operations (FTO) in Victorville. F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage An F-15E Strike Eagle shot down so many Iranian drones aimed at Israel that they ran out of air-to-air missiles. The crew was ordered to continue and use any weapon available, which left the Strike Eagle’s 20mm Gatling Gun, capable of firing around 6,000 rounds per minute. Operating this gun is said to be risky with small, low, slow-moving targets. In this instance, the F-15 did not stop the drone. Feel Sorry For the Flight Attendants: Iberia’s New A321XLR Long-Haul Jet Features Tiny Galleys That Even Contortionists Would Struggle to Work in Iberia is the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) single-aisle jet. The airline is flying the plane on a Madrid and Boston route. According to Saffran, the Airbus SpaceFlex V2 galley and lavatory allows for 6 more seats in the A321. The Airbus Space-Flex galley and lavatory concept. Airbus says the A321XLR features a 4,700 nm range, 180-220 seats, and 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft. The plane was launched in 2019 at the Paris Air Show. Compared to other A320 family aircraft, the A321XLR carries more fuel, has strengthened landing gear, and includes a revised wing trailing-edge flap for takeoff performance. Airbus offers two engine options: the CFM LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G. The first A321XLR was delivered to Iberia on 30 October 2024 and conducted its first revenue flight on 6 November 2024. The first long-haul flight with passengers was on 14 November 2024, from Madrid to Boston. Martin Mars To Visit San Francisco, San Diego On Final Flight The Philippine Mars is destined for the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. In preparation, the plane is undergoing taxi tests in Port Alberni, British Columbia. It will be flown to a lake near Phoenix and partially dismantled so it can be trucked to the Pima Museum. Hawaii Mars was flown to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria, B.C., last August. (Covered in Airplane Geeks #813.) The 16-foot props were removed from Hawaii Mars and installed on Philippine Mars for its flight. Video: Final preps underway for Philippine Mars’ final flight https://youtu.be/hqAZWnMsOvo?si=jLFEJRKfLaf2H5AG US Airlines Plane Narrowly Avoids Collision with UFO Near New York, Prompting Increased Scrutiny of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and Aviation Safety Concerns The U.S. government released information on 757 reported Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) cases between May 2023 and June 2024. One case involved a near miss between a commercial airline flight and a “cylindrical object” over the Atlantic Ocean. This occurred just off the coast of New York and was classed as a “possible flight safety issue.” The airline and time of the encounter have not been made public. UAP sightings are investigated by the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Of the 757 UAP reports worldwide that AARO analyzed nearly 300 were resolved. This often related to balloons, birds, drones, and even satellites. Other sightings remain unexplained. Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy; Lost $2.2 Billion in 5 Years Spirit Airlines, Inc. announced that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement supported by a supermajority of Spirit’s loyalty and convertible bondholders on the terms of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring. Spirit expects the restructuring to reduce the company’s debt and provide increased financial flexibility. Spirit says it will continue operating normally throughout the Chapter 11 process. Customers can continue to book and fly without interruption and can use all tickets, credits, and loyalty points as normal. According to the Airline, employee wages and benefits will not be impacted. Vendors, aircraft lessors, and holders of secured aircraft indebtedness will continue to be paid. Spirit Airlines Press release: Spirit Airlines Announces Comprehensive Agreement to Deleverage Balance Sheet and Position the Company for Long-Term Success as a Leading Low-Fare Carrier NBAA Fact Checks Misleading Report on Business Aviation Sustainability On November 7, 2024, the journal Communications Earth & Environment published a study titled Private aviation is making a growing contribution to climate change. The abstract says, in part: “Commercial aviation’s contribution to climate change is growing, but the global role of private aviation is not well quantified. Here we calculate the sector’s CO2 emissions, using flight tracker data from the ADS-B Exchange platform for the period 2019 to 2023. Flight times for 25,993 private aircraft and 18,655,789 individual flights in 2019-2023 are linked to 72 aircraft models and their average fuel consumption. We find that private aviation contributed at least 15.6 Mt CO2 in direct emissions in 2023, or about 3.6 t CO2 per flight… Emissions increased by 46% between 2019-2023, with industry expectations of continued strong growth. Regulation is needed to address the sector’s growing climate impact.” The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has challenged the report for “selectively using data, making statements based on faulty analysis and ignoring facts to produce a one-sided set of conclusions about sustainability and business aviation – an industry that is on pace to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.” The Need for Presque Isle’s New Airport Terminal The terminal project is for an airport with only one flight per day, which is Essential Air Service (EAS) only. Mentioned Understanding Takeoff Calculations on Jetwhine.com. Ladybug Launch. Author Melissa Trempe will be at the National Air & Space Museum,  Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA noon to 2:00 on Nov 29, 2024. Ladybug Launch is inspired by the true story of young girls who devised an experiment that NASA took to the Space Station. The book is a great STEM story for youngsters, girls especially, but boys as well. The book is available for sale in the museum shop.  Modified Japanese carrier completes F-35B trials off Southern California Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

A Robinson hydrogen helicopter, Boeing machinists’ new contract, furloughed Boeing staff and impending layoffs, Jeppesen possibly for sale, incendiary devices at DHL, Boom Supersonic XB-1 test flight, shots fired at Spirit, and air tanker minimum drop height. Aviation News Unither Bioelectronics Signs Agreement with Robinson Helicopter Company Unither Bioelectronics Inc. (UB) and Robinson Helicopter Company have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement to accelerate UB’s development and certification of hydrogen-powered helicopters based on Robinson R44 and R66 models. UB is a subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation and CEO Martine Rothblatt said “…we look forward to using protons from green hydrogen to drive the membrane-based fuel cell powerplants in our Robinson R66 organ delivery electric helicopters.” Robinson R66 (Courtesy Robinson Helicopter Company) United Therapeutics adds hydrogen to its electric helicopter plans United Therapeutics is a biotechnology company that says it has been working on a hydrogen-powered R44 prototype for about a year and a half, and its first hover is “hopefully imminent.” In 2016, United Therapeutics began developing a battery-electric-powered Robinson R44 through a partnership with Tier 1 Engineering. A Guinness World Record was set in 2018 for the farthest distance traveled by an electric helicopter—30 nautical miles. UT also has partnerships with eVTOL developers EHang and Beta Technologies. Boeing strike ends as workers accept new contract The Machinists Union members accepted the contract with Boeing. Workers will get pay rises over four years. The union had demanded a 40% wage increase and restoration of a defined-benefit pension. The 38% wage increase plus a $12,000 bonus amounted to a 40% increase. The new contract does not restore the pension but promises that the next Boeing airplane will be built in the Seattle area. According to some analysts, the strike cost Boeing around $100 million a day in lost revenue. Boeing to repay furloughed staff, proceed with job cuts During the strike, Boeing furloughed some salaried employees, but CEO Kelly Ortberg said they would be repaid for lost wages. At the same time, Ortberg said a 10% cutback of the global workforce would proceed. A Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) spokesperson said it was informed that 60-day notices of job losses would be issued to its members on Nov. 15, 2024. SPEEA has reached a tentative agreement with Spirit AeroSystems on a new four-year contract that offers at least a 19% pay increase over four years. It includes provisions for greater increases if needed to keep up with labor market conditions, and a guaranteed minimum 5% bonus in the spring of 2025. Report Says Boeing Eyeing Sale Of Jeppesen As Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg looks to sell off non-core assets, Bloomberg quotes unnamed sources as saying Jeppesen is a candidate. Jeppesen is the world’s largest provider of aviation charts and air navigation materials. Boeing may be looking to get $6 billion for the company. Boeing paid bought Jeppesen in 2000 for $1.5 billion. Boeing also owns ForeFlight but the Bloomberg report does not mention that company, Russia Suspected of Plotting to Send Incendiary Devices on U.S. Bound Planes Electric massagers that held a magnesium-based flammable substance were shipped via DHL from Lithuania and ignited at DHL logistics hubs in Germany and England. Security officials say this was part of a covert Russian operation seeking to start fires on aircraft flying to the U.S. and Canada. Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 jet sets new speed record during 7th test flight Boom Supersonic plans ten subsonic test flights of their XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft before supersonic speed testing begins. Boom has now completed the seventh of those ten subsonic test flights reaching an altitude of 23,015 feet (7,015 meters) and a new top speed of 629 mph (1,012 kph), or Mach 0.82. Boom Supersonic officials said the flight “focused on flutter envelope expansion and cockpit pressure testing in order to ensure safe performance and handling qualities as XB-1 approaches supersonic speeds and higher altitudes.” Video: Boom Supersonic XB-1 Hits New Speed Record in Latest Test Flight https://youtu.be/DEqMwHfHUwQ?si=9bsVo_HBSkNO64dG Flight Attendant Injured After Spirit Airlines Flight Hit By Gunfire as it Tries to Land in Haiti Spirit Airlines flight NK-951, an Airbus A320, departed Fort Lauderdale on November 11 for a two-hour flight to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. However, on final approach to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, it came under gunfire, injuring a flight attendant. Airlines were forced to divert and cancel flights to Port-au-Prince. The Spirit flight diverted to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. Spirit has suspended all flights to Port-au-Prince as it evaluates the situation. American Airlines and JetBlue suspended flights to Haiti. Mentioned Air safety watchdog releases final report into WA water bomber crash Safe Drop Height for Fixed-Wing Airtankers Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

We visit the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum in Maine and speak with the Vice President and Operations Manager, and the Executive Director. In the news, more furloughs and cost-cutting measures at Spirit Airlines, the FAA’s final rule is out on powered-lift vehicles such as eVTOLS, a fuel top-off assumption leads to the loss of a Beechcraft B-60, the “doomsday plane” gets an official designation, and Boeing machinists vote again on a contract proposal. Guests At the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum we spoke with Vice President and Operations Manager Jeff Smat and Executive Director John B. Briley. The Museum was founded in 2009 as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation with a mission to preserve the rich heritage of NAS Brunswick (NASB) by honoring the tens of thousands of men and women who served here, educate the public about the history of maritime patrol aviation and NASB, and maintain a memorial for those NASB-based airmen who gave their lives in service to their country. The museum is located at 179 Fitch Avenue, Brunswick, ME 04011. Currently, the Museum and Memorial Gardens are open Wednesdays (10:00 am-4:00 pm) and Sundays (12:00 pm-4:00 pm). For more on SERE, see Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. Jeff Smat on the flight simulator. Aviation News Spirit to Furlough More Than 300 Pilots as Losses Mount Spirit Airlines is experiencing financial difficulty and a second-quarter net loss of $158 million. More red ink is expected for the third quarter. Last month the airline furloughed 186 pilots and plans to do the same for 330 more pilots effective January 31, 2025. (Spirit has 3,500 pilots.) About 120 captains are to be downgraded. Spirit says it will sell 23 of its Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft next year. That’s a fleet reduction of about 11 percent. Energy Reserves and Pilot Training For eVTOLs Addressed in FAA’s SFAR Rules The FAA issued its final rule for powered-lift vehicles, such as eVTOLS. The Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes – Final Rule adopts permanent amendments and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for ten years to facilitate the certification of powered-lift pilots, clarify operating rules applicable to operations involving a powered-lift, and finalize other amendments which are necessary to integrate powered-lift into the National Airspace System (NAS). The Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes NPRM was issued in June 2023. Standing order to top off fuel tanks backfires on pilot In November 2022, the pilot of a Beechcraft B-60 (N51AL) assumed the FBO topped off the fuel tanks, per his standing fueling order, before hangaring the aircraft. But fuel was not added this time and the pilot landed in a cemetery when both fuel-starved Lycoming engines quit. The pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries. See Project Summary: Aviation Investigation – 3 Docket Items – ERA23LA050 from the NTSB. SNC Receives Second Boeing 747-8 for SAOC Conversion as Aircraft Gets E-4C Designation Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) now has the second of five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air for conversion to “Doomsday aircraft,” which become airborne command centers during national emergencies. These provide critical command, control, and communication (C3) for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairs of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The E-4C will replace the current fleet of E-4B Nightwatch B747-200 aircraft. The contract notice says the award was for $13 Billion. SOC recently cut the ribbon for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) at its Aviation Innovation and Technology Center (AITC) in Dayton, Ohio. This 100,000 sq. ft. hangar is located near Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Boeing Machinists head to the polls in decisive vote that could end strike As we record this episode, members of the Boeing Machinists Union are voting to accept or reject the contract offer that includes a 38% general pay hike over four years. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.

We hear from participants at this year’s Cranky Dorkfest, the U.S. Marine Corps flew the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone with four F-35B fighters, American Airlines flew a B787 from Dallas to Brisbane in a 15 hour and 44-minute flight, a pair of corporate flight attendants are suing their employer, airlines are reacting to flight restrictions over Russia, and the Portland Jetport is replacing the firefighting foam with something more environmentally friendly. Also, a self-propelling ionic thrust wing, an exploding satellite, and thoughts on DB Cooper from an expert parachutist. Cranky Dorkfest 2024 Brian Coleman recorded interviews at Cranky Dorkfest on September 14, 2024: Melissa – Why she keeps coming back. Her husband is former military mechanic. Benny – A first-timer with a unique Boeing airplane-related telephone number. Jvan – He took home last year’s brick mosaic. This is his 3rd year participating. Matt Sauchelli – He’s shooting with a Nikon mirrorless camera and a long lens. Ben Grenuchi and Heather – From NYCAviation. Ian Petchenik – Director of Communications at Flightradar24 the live, global flight tracking service. Also, the co-host of AvTalk podcast. Brett (Cranky) Snyder. The man behind it all. For Those Who Didn’t Attend, Here’s What You Missed at Cranky Dorkfest This Weekend Aviation News Marines score aviation firsts with F-35 squadron, drone test and more A Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie drone completed a test flight last week at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Col. Derek Brannon, branch head for the Cunningham Group, deputy commandant for aviation said “The flight focused on the use of tactical data links to enable digital communication between the XQ-58A and an airborne four-ship of F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 214 and other joint aircraft.” XQ-58A Valkyrie, courtesy AFRL. The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a low-cost, high-performance, reusable unmanned air vehicle developed through an Air Force Research Laboratory partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. This vehicle is an example of an “attritable” aircraft designed to be used for several missions, but built at a cost that permits it to be a combat loss. American Airlines’ longest flight set to be one of the most tracked in the world The American Airlines inaugural flight from Dallas to Brisbane in Australia was heavily followed on Flightradar24. Director of Communications Ian Petchenik said people worldwide “are especially keen to watch the livestream of the landing.” The Boeing 787-9 (N825AA), flight AA7, made the trip in 15 hours and 44 minutes covering a great circle distance of 13,363 KM. See Flight history for American Airlines flight AA7. Overworked Private Flight Attendants For Co-Founder of The Home Depot Claim ‘Inept’ Colleagues Kept Their Jobs Because They Were in ‘Romantic Relationship’ With Boss Two private flight attendants filed a lawsuit claiming they were overworked while working for the co-founder of The Home Depot, while “inept” co-workers had romantic relationships with their bosses. The two FAs, who quit their jobs, said they sometimes worked 26 days per month and around 90 hours per week. Why It’s Harder Getting to China As a result of the war in Ukraine, non-Chinese airlines are no longer entering Russian airspace, so some are discontinuing service to China, or reducing frequency. Demand for flights to China is down, and the cost of avoiding Russian airspace in time and fuel is significant. Virgin Atlantic is dropping its flight connecting Shanghai to London, LOT Polish Airlines is suspending its Warsaw-to-Beijing flights, and SAS plans to stop direct flights between Copenhagen and Shanghai. Chinese airlines are adding capacity. PFAS-free firefighting foam coming to jetport The Portland (Maine) Fire Department plans to replace the AFFF firefighting foam used at the Portland International Jetport with PFAS-free foam. The Deputy Chief said of the new foam, “Nobody’s really had a chance to real-world use it. I think until it’s been out for a year or two, it’s going to be hard to determine if it’s going to be as good as AFFF was. Testing shows it does a lot of things just as good as AFFF does, but we’ll see.” Mentioned Designing a self propelling ionic thrust wing MIT engineers fly first-ever plane with no moving parts Boeing-made satellite explodes in space after experiencing an “anomaly” Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

Airline sustainability with the founder and CEO of the SimpliFlying aviation marketing, branding, and communications consultancy firm. Also, actions by Boeing, the outcome of the American Airlines vs. Skiplagged.com suit, US airlines performing poorly in a global ranking, United Airlines and passenger accessibility, and the U.S. Army looks for a new heavy-lift helicopter. Guest Shashank Nigam is the founder and CEO of SimpliFlying, one of the world’s largest aviation marketing, branding, and communications consultancy firms. Shashank’s new area of interest is airline sustainability. Shashank explains that airline brand experience and engagement are longer than other products and services, especially with long-haul flights. The branding fundamentals remain the same, but how airlines build trust has changed. In 2008 it was airline presence on Twitter and Facebook. During the pandemic, it was health and safety. Now, airline sustainability has grown in importance. The Sustainability in the Air podcast explores what airline, airport, and technology firm CEO innovators are doing. Shashank gives an example of how creative financing is needed for airline sustainability. We also consider what Boeing must do to restore trust and hear about the very interesting company culture at SimpliFlying. SimpliFlying was founded in 2008 and has worked with over 100 aviation clients in airline branding, customer experience, digital marketing, crisis communications, and sustainability initiatives. SimpliFlying’s analysis and insights have been featured in leading international media outlets such as BBC, CNN, CNBC, Reuters, Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. Shashank is the author of Soar: How the Best Airline Brands Delight Customers and Inspire Employees and Sustainability in the Air: Innovators Transforming Aviation for a Greener Future. Look for him on LinkedIn and join over 4,000 Sustainability in the Air subscribers which separates the signal from the noise in sustainable travel. Aviation News United teams with United Spinal to strengthen accessibility Under a new agreement, the United Spinal Association will help advise and support United Airlines to improve the travel experience for customers with disabilities. The United Spinal Association represents 5.5 million American wheelchair users.  United Spinal Association CEO Vincenzo Piscopo said “This partnership demonstrates that accessible travel is a reality, and every step forward brings us closer to a more inclusive travel experience for the disability community. I hope to see continued improvements not only from United Airlines but also throughout the entire travel industry.” The Runway Girl Network reports that the FAA “is working to define the criteria necessary to allow someone to remain in their personal wheelchair during flight using a tie-down similar to what’s used in the automotive industry, and as the US Department of Transportation prepares to initiate rulemaking in that regard.” Boeing’s CEO Is Shrinking the Jet Maker to Stop Its Crisis From Spiraling With all its troubles and difficult financial position, some Industry insiders and analysts are thinking about a possible Boeing breakup or even bankruptcy. In a note to employees, new CEO Kelly Ortberg said Boeing has spread itself too thin: “We need to be clear-eyed about the work we face. We also need to focus our resources on performing and innovating in the areas that are core to who we are.” Boeing is exploring asset sales and pruning non-core or underperforming units. Boeing machinists to vote on new proposal with 35% raises that could end strike The new proposal includes 35% in wage increases over four years, a $7,000 signing bonus, increased 401(k) contributions, and guaranteed minimum annual bonus payouts. The ratification vote is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024. Why US airlines are loathed around the world – as they take up bottom spots in global ranking Daily Telegraph researchers examined 90 major airlines and assessed a number of factors, including in-flight experience, luggage policies, reliability, and connectivity. No U.S. airlines made it into the top 20. Alaska was ranked at 23 and Delta at 24. Frontier, Allegiant and Spirit were in the bottom four. American Airlines Wins $9.4 Million Verdict In Skiplagged Case After a 5-day trial, a federal jury determined that the Skiplagged.com website infringed on the airline’s copyright, but did not violate American’s trademark protections. Skiplagged is a resource where consumers can “find flights the airlines don’t want you to see” and exposes “loopholes in airfare pricing to save you money.” American claimed that Skipplagged was not an authorized agent and the website fooled consumers when it used American’s logo. The jurors dismissed that claim. Nevertheless, Skipplagged was ordered to pay American $4.7 million in disgorgement from its revenues, and another $4.7 million for copyright infringement. The skiplagging hack is also called “hidden city” ticketing. For more legal analysis, see: COPYRIGHT—N.D. Tex.: American Airlines’ contract claims against Skiplagged suffer hard landing, copyright claims arrive on time, (Aug 1, 2024) Army Confirms It’s Exploring Requirements For A New Heavy-Lift Helicopter To Replace Chinook Under its Future Vertical Lift program, the U.S. Army plans to replace the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift tandem rotor helicopter with a new-generation aircraft. The Chinook is used by the U.S. Army and 20 international operators. Mentioned Twelve, The Carbon Transformation Company™. Infinium, ultra-low carbon electrofuels. Becoming an Air Traffic Controller Rob on Fox News Don Mueang International Airport and Qantas Flight 1. I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue Flight makes emergency landing after passenger found a live mouse in meal Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

An aviator’s journey from a former commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner, and author. In the news, the SpaceX Starship first-stage booster returns to the launch pad, the NTSB reports on two B737s that were cleared for the same runway at the same time and the incident where an A350 clipped the tail of a CRJ-900. Also, navigating airline dress codes, an airport executive director resigns, and an air museum plans to expand. Guest Lola Reid Allin is the author of Highway to the Sky: An Aviator’s Journey. She’s a former commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner, and SCUBA divemaster. Lola’s work has appeared in national newspapers and publications, and in juried national and international shows. Her professional aviation affiliations include Women in Aviation International, The 99s: International Organization of Women Pilots, and the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. In her book, and with us, Lola shares personal aspects of her flying experiences and aviation career. She describes things she has learned from her student pilots, her relationships with others, the Cessna 150 she owned, and some particularly interesting flights she has piloted. Lola’s story is about how learning to fly gave her wisdom and taught her to live her life. She had to defy the societal norms of the era, such as the notion that “women belong in the kitchen and the bedroom” and “they shouldn’t take jobs from men who need to support their families.” An adventurer who lived with the Maya in Mexico and Belize for three years, Lola has explored more than sixty-five countries in depth. When she isn’t backpacking Baffin Island, trekking the Andes or the Himalayas, forging deep into the Guatemalan jungle, summiting Kilimanjaro, or guiding a dogsled team in the Yukon, she lives with her husband of twenty-six years in a small community east of Toronto, Canada. She is a professional speaker and co-lead of the First Canadian 99s Education & Outreach Committee and for the Northern Lights Aero Foundation. Find Lola on her website, X, and Facebook. Aviation News Two planes cleared to use same runway in Nashville near-collision, NTSB says In September, Alaska Airlines Flight 369, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, was cleared for takeoff at Nashville International Airport. At the same time, Southwest Airlines Flight 2029 was cleared to cross the same runway. The Alaska Jet aborted the takeoff, which blew out the plane’s tires.  The NTSB said one ground controller cleared the Southwest jet, just 23 seconds before another controller cleared the Alaska plane. Pilot of larger plane was looking away from smaller plane in Atlanta airport mishap, report says A Bombardier CRJ-900 operated by Endeavor Air, a Delta regional subsidiary, was waiting on a taxiway. A taxiing Delta Air Lines Airbus 350 clipped the tail of the CRJ with it’s wingtip, knocking the tail off the smaller plane. The NTSB preliminary report finds the CRJ stopped 56 feet (17 meters) short of the hold line painted on the taxiway. As the A350’s right wing extends 106 feet (32.3 meters) from the center of the jet to tip, that 56-foot distance may have been the margin between a hit and a miss. Do Airlines Really Have Dress Codes? What to Know Every airline has a contract of carriage and these typically include a cause addressing attire. These leave a lot of discretion to the airline staff and each airline is different: Southwest Airlines: Wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene, or patently offensive. American Airlines: Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed. Delta Air Lines: When the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers. United Airlines: Passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive. Spirit Airlines: Barefoot or inadequately clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive in nature. JetBlue: Clothing is that is lewd, obscene, or patently offensive. Alaska Airlines: Passengers who are barefoot or whose conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers. Hawaiian Airlines: Specific requirements, and clothing must not be lewd, obscene, or patently offensive to others. Two women kicked off Spirit Airlines flight for wearing crop tops Two friends boarded the plane wearing sweaters over crop tops. As the air conditioning wasn’t working, they took off their sweaters. A flight attendant asked them to cover up but they asked to see the dress code. Another sympathetic woman removed her sweater and said “So if they’re kicking you off the flight, then they’re also going to have to kick me and my toddler off of the flight.” All three were removed. Brunswick lawmakers say resignation of airport leader ‘not a time to celebrate’ Updating the story about the firefighting foam accident at Brunswick Executive Airport, the board of trustees for the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority announced that its Executive Director has resigned. New England Air Museum Announces $25M Expansion The New England Air Museum (NEAM) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the largest aviation and aerospace museum in New England. The Museum is planning to build a new multipurpose hangar, increase enrollment in its educational programs, and partner with local companies and educational organizations. NEAM is awaiting $15 million in state funding for the new hangar and $10 for new digital classrooms and other educational initiatives. Construction of the new hangar should break ground in 2025 and open in 2026. Mentioned Be ATC – FAA Hiring Air Traffic Controllers. The Fall 2024 application window is now open and will close on November 4, 2024. Flying Magazine, Max Trescott Archives. FAA WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program. Points Path browser extension. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

We talk with the Long Beach Airport Public Affairs Officer. In the news, watching racy movies on the inflight entertainment system, a fatal crash at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York, the competition for the main operating base for a fleet of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers, and the AeroSHARK film that reduces fuel burn. Guest Kate Kuykendall has been the Public Affairs Officer at the Long Beach Airport (LGB) for over five years. She previously worked for the National Park Service and the Peace Corps. Our Main(e) Man Micah and Brian Coleman recorded a conversation with Kate covering various topics, including the airport’s history, noise complaints, the new plane spotting area on private leasehold, and Corporate tenants at the airport, such as JetZero. Also, community outreach programs and tours, sustainability, and leaded aviation fuel for piston-powered aircraft. The airport’s annual Festival of Flight is scheduled for Oct 19, 2024. Aviation News Passengers on Qantas flight to Tokyo endure ‘super uncomfortable’ experience as racy movie is played on every single screen The IFE system was broken and the crew had to make a movie selection that would be seen on every screen. They chose Daddio from 2023 starring Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn. One passenger said, “Qantas played an inappropriate movie to the whole plane, there was no way to turn it off.” Another said, “It featured graphic nudity and a lot of sexting – the kind where you could literally read the texts on screen without needing headphones.” Experienced Aviator and Master Plane Craftsman Dies in Crash During Saturday Aerodrome Airshow Brian Coughlin, 60, died in a crash during an Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome show. He was flying a replica of a World War I Fokker D-VIII that he had helped to rebuild. A preliminary look at the accident indicated an engine fire during the airshow. Coughlin was a volunteer, an experienced pilot, and a mechanic craftsman who rebuilt World War I aircraft as a hobby. Bangor Air Guard Base Competing for New Refueling Tankers A competition is underway for the main operating base for a $1.3 billion fleet of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers. The Bangor Air National Guard Base is one of the seven remaining finalists. The KC-46A tankers would replace the Boeing KC-135 Stratotankers operated by the Maine Air National Guard’s 101st Air Refueling Wing, also known as the MAINEiacs. DAF announces seven candidate locations for KC-46A Pegasus MOB 7 The Department of the Air Force has selected seven bases as candidate locations to host the KC-46A Pegasus Main Operating Base 7. The candidate locations are: Bangor Air National Guard Base, Maine Forbes Field Air National Guard Base (Topeka), Kan. Key Field Air National Guard Base (Meridian), Miss. McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (Knoxville), Tenn. Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base (Birmingham), Ala. Lufthansa Technik Upgrades LATAM’s Boeing 777 Aircraft With Fuel-Saving AeroSHARK Film LATAM Airlines Group S.A. will become Lufthansa Technik AG’s first external customer in the Americas to equip its Boeing 777s with AeroSHARK film. Lufthansa Technik calls AeroSHARK “a durable bionic film that successfully mimics the skin of sharks and optimizes the airflow, thus enabling significant fuel savings.” The film was developed in conjunction with BASF.  Lufthansa Cargo, SWISS, All Nippon Airways, and EVA Air have already adopted AeroSHARK, with promising results. Mentioned Northrop X-21 Operation Airdrop: Hurricane Helene Volunteer pilots are flying supplies to trapped Hurricane Helene victims Martin J. McNally – Part 1 Airways, Nov/Dec 2021, “Terror in the Air,” Clipper 93, September 6, 1970 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The mystery of D.B. Cooper with the host of The Cooper Vortex podcast. In the news, automatic takeoffs from Embraer, Southwest’s business improvement plan and the reaction by the activist Elliott hedge fund, the airship crash in Brazil, the Rolls-Royce electric propulsion unit, and the bad air travel decisions allegedly made by the Mayor of New York City. We also hear from Hillel and a listener about the Boeing Starliner, and from several listeners about executive jets. D.B. Cooper artist sketch. Guest Darren Schaefer is the host of the The Cooper Vortex podcast. Darren grew up in Woodland, Washington next to where D.B. Cooper is believed to have landed, and had been passionate about the mystery for a decade. In the podcast he started years ago, Darren interviews experts who have something to contribute to the conversation about the mystery, such as authors, pilots, aircrew, paratroopers, and skydivers. D.B. Cooper hijacked Orient Airlines Flight 305, a B727, on November 24, 1971. Cooper said he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 in ransom. Upon landing in Seattle, Cooper requested parachutes, released the passengers, and told the crew to refuel the aircraft and fly to Mexico City after refueling in Reno, Nevada. During that flight, Cooper opened the airplane’s aft door and parachuted into the night over Washington state. He was never seen again. This remains America’s only unsolved skyjacking. Darren helps us understand why the public remains intrigued with D.B. Cooper after decades have passed, how “Dan Cooper” became “D.B. Cooper,” and how that helped the FBI weed out those who claimed to be Cooper. Darren tells us about Cooper copycats, available physical evidence, and changes to commercial aviation made to reduce airliner hijacking. That includes the “Cooper vane” which locks the B727 aft stairs. (Darren wants one so contact him if you know a source.) He also describes how the three segments of the DB Cooper community (aviation people, skydivers, and true crime fans) view the mystery. We note D.B. Cooper’s thoughtfulness toward the passengers and crew, and his apparent technical knowledge suggesting an aerospace background. Darren will be the master of ceremonies at CooperCon 2024 the annual DB Cooper Convention being held at the Seattle Museum of Flight November 15-17, 2024. Books of interest: The Skies Belong to Us, Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking by Brendan I. Koerner. Skyjack: The Hunt for D. B. Cooper, by Geoffrey Gray. See FBI Records: The Vault, D. B. Cooper and Key piece of evidence in D.B. Cooper investigation to be displayed at Tacoma museum. Aviation News Automatic takeoffs are coming for passenger jets and they’re going to redraw the map of the sky Along with other improvements announced at Farnborough, Embraer is introducing the “E2 Enhanced Take Off System,” an automated takeoff system designed for the company’s E2 jets. Embraer says “This automatic take off system produces a more precise and efficient rotation moment and flight trajectory, reducing the required field length and pilot workload; meaning more payload and more range from challenging airports. This gives the E2 best in class performance from airports like London City, Florence, and Santos Dumont. Adding 350NM in range from LCY for example.” Embraer has started flight testing and aims for approval by aviation authorities in 2025. Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs According to a company memo seen by CNBC, for the April 2025 bid, Southwest is planning to reduce service in Atlanta and cut as many as 140 pilot and 200 flight attendant jobs. Southwest will reduce Atlanta gates to 11 from the current 18. Activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management continues to call for Southwest CEO Bob Jordan to resign. The CEO of Southwest Airlines called an activist investor’s criticisms ‘inane’ Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said it is inane that Elliott (which holds an 11% stake in Southwest) would call the airline’s plan to improve its business “rushed and haphazard.” At an investor day presentation, Elliott said “I hope you can tell that the plan that we presented today was intentful, the plan was detailed, the plan was well constructed.” Airship crashes into residential building in Brazil On September 26, 2024, an airship hired by a football club deflated while flying over a Sao Paulo suburb. The Brazilian-made ADB 3-3 airship is produced by Airship do Brasil (ADB). It measures 49 meters long and 17 meters tall and is capable of speeds up to 85 km/h (53 mph). It can carry five passengers and two crew. Video: Blimp Crash Shocks Brazil: Airship Plummets into Homes, One Injured! https://youtu.be/Hmylf4ALTxM?si=ZnZfBgDjbkVFdg0F Rolls-Royce Shuts Down Electrical Propulsion Business In November 2023, Rolls-Royce announced a restructuring plan that included selling off non-core assets and refocusing on its turbofan business. One victim of the plan was Rolls-Royce Electrical. In December, Rolls admitted they had a potential buyer, and now the company says they have “now moved that process to the next step,” with no additional details. New York City Mayor Faces Wrath—of Frequent Fliers Subtitle: “Airline points enthusiasts sift through indictment, say Eric Adams made litany of rookie travel mistakes; ‘It’s mind-blowing.’” Jason Rabinowitz commented, “If you’re going to get indicted in large part because you were taking illicit upgrades to business class, at least do it with an airline that has a better product.” Boeing Starliner Listeners and the hosts comment on the Boeing Starliner. Hillel Glazer provides an opinion piece about NASA’s role in Starliner failures. Star-Crossed Starliner Flight Test Comes To A Close Chatter: The Inside Story of the Challenger Disaster with Adam Higginbotham. Houston We Have a Podcast, Episode 355, Call Sign: White Flight. Mentioned Wilson, T. A. (1921-1999) the CEO of Boeing from 1969-1986. Hosts this Episode Our Main(e) Man Micah and Max Flight. Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

A former Naval Aviator tells us about his life after Naval aviation, the content he’s produced, and the pivot he’s making. In the news, the optics of flying in a corporate aircraft, the Boeing Starliner is back to earth with a few problems, a new Navy policy for aviator sea tours, and noise complaints at Australian airports. Guest Rob Roy is a former Naval Aviator who produces a YouTube channel with over 100k subscribers. He’s also the founder of the weekly Flybuyer newsletter with curated aviation news that focuses on general and business aviation. It targets people who fly airplanes, potential owners, and enthusiasts. Rob’s YouTube channel currently includes videos of carrier landings and catapult launches made during his 2015-2016 deployment. We hear about some of Rob’s Naval aviation experiences flying the C-2 Greyhound cargo plane and training for carrier landings. Not this Rob Roy… The big news is the pivot Rob has taken with his life after naval aviation. He’s shifting his focus to making airplane walk-around videos full-time that will appear on his YouTube channel. Rob intends to create a large body of review videos for people who want to buy airplanes. If you’d like to have your airplane filmed by Rob, he’s created an Airplane Filming Form form where you can express your interest. And be sure to sign up for the Flybuyer newsletter and visit Rob’s YouTube channel. Here’s the video Rob mentioned when talking about the arresting cable that snapped during an E-2C Hawkeye’s landing in March 2016 aboard the USS Eisenhower: Video: Cable snaps on USS Eisenhower during landing https://youtu.be/r-EHwYOfY94?si=zO93Cjtq13exFr2X Aviation News Managing the Optics of Flying in a Corporate Aircraft Corporate executives, athletes, pop stars, and celebrities often travel by corporate or private aircraft. This sometimes brings them public scrutiny due to the perceived environmental impact of their wealth or fame. The optics can generate unwanted attention. This article looks at why private/corporate might be used, the financial case, and using executive time productively. A study says executives are productive for about 80 percent of travel time while using business aviation and 30 percent while flying commercial. It’s a good thing NASA sent the Boeing Starliner back to Earth empty because it had even more problems The Boeing Starliner experienced problems on its crewed flight to the Space Station and returned to Earth without the astronauts. The capsule did stick the landing, but other problems surfaced. An additional thruster failed (5 of 28 had failed when Starliner docked) and the Starliner guidance system temporarily blacked out. The thruster failures were attributed to Teflon seals swelling under heat and blocking propellant flow. The helium leaks compounded the situation. A software glitch caused the temporary blackout of the Starliner guidance system during reentry. Boeing’s space and defense chief exits in new CEO’s first executive move New CEO Kelly Ortberg has removed Boeing’s head of its space and defense unit, effective immediately. Steve Parker, the unit’s chief operating officer, will assume the position until a replacement is named. Starliner has cost Boeing $1.6 billion in overruns since 2016, according to a Reuters analysis of securities filings. Navy will force aviators to remain in service to complete sea tours The US Navy wants to increase aviation community retention and will require naval aviators to serve a pair of two-year sea tours. The new policy applies to officers serving on their first shore tour with a projected rotation date of October 2025 and beyond. It is reported that about 25% of unrestricted line aviators want to leave the Navy after their minimum service requirement. Some even request to leave the Navy when their second two-year sea tour is underway. A Naval Air Forces spokesperson says the new policy will extend most officer’s service by less than a year. Nearly half of all aircraft noise complaints in Australia last year were filed by a single person, who complained 20,716 times Of the 51,589 noise complaints made in 2023, one Perth resident made 20,716 of them. The next most prolific complainer made 4,071 complaints near Brisbane. Research about one specific airport in the US, Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, found that loud noise from aircraft also has financial implications on residents, owing to lost productivity and the need for medical treatment. The study estimated that the combined medical cost burden for those living near the airport would be $800 million over 30 years. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

Aerospace workforce development with the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance. In the news, the Machinist Union votes to strike Boeing, the TSA looks to Real ID enforcement, United Airlines makes a deal with SpaceX for inflight WiFi from Starlink, and more aviation firefighting foam news. Also, interviews from the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast with the Southport Flying Club and Airport president, an Air Commodore with the RAAF, and a decorated Australian war hero. Washington state delegation at the Farnborough Air Show Guest Nikki Malcom is the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), a non-profit trade association that promotes the growth and global competitiveness of the Pacific Northwest. Nikki has spent many years in various roles dedicated to the aerospace industry and is obsessed with all things aviation and aerospace, including manufacturing. Nikki was previously our guest in Episode 741. We get an update on the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Cluster, the grant-funded initiative with the mission to make the Pacific Northwest a magnet for aerospace manufacturing. Nikki explains the focus on workforce development [PDF], specifically aerospace career awareness, and all the many different roles in the supply chain. Nikki tells us that the Aerospace From the Ground Up podcast will be launching on the Aerospace is for Everyone YouTube channel. It will mainly target the 18-25 age group, but not exclusively. We can expect to see interviews with and about the people in the industry. The PNAA is working to get more people into the pipeline. That includes launching a mentorship program and developing an online community. PNAA provides business development by representing aerospace interests at Farnborough and other trade shows. Nikki also describes events organized by the Association, including the  PNAA Advance 2025 conference to be held February 3-5, 2025. We also hear about the Aerospace Futures Alliance which advocates for Washington state’s aerospace industry. Aviation News Boeing Machinists reject contract as 96% vote to strike The International Association of Machinists membership voted to go on strike at Boeing, despite the union leadership recommending they accept the negotiated contract. 94.6% of the members voted to reject the contract and 96% voted to strike. The proposed contract offered a 25% wage increase over four years but also dropped the annual bonus, which some estimated to be about 4% each year. The union wanted 40% over 3 years. Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Stephanie Pope told employees in a message that “we did not hold back with an eye on a second vote.” IAM Union Sends Message to IAM District 751 and W24 Members: Our Solidarity Will Win This Fight Boeing strike will be felt throughout the aviation industry Kansas aviation industry could be affected by machinists strike TSA announces proposed rule to provide necessary flexibility as federal agencies prepare to enforce REAL ID requirements beginning May 7, 2025 President George W. Bush signed the REAL ID Act [PDF] into law in 2005. It requires that an identity document, like a driver’s license, show that the holder has had their identity verified. Real IDs would be necessary for accessing federal facilities and nuclear power plants, and boarding commercial flights in the United States. The TSA now wants to implement the program by May 7, 2025 and a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has been published that would provide federal agencies with the necessary flexibility to begin enforcement of the REAL ID regulations on the May 7, 2025 deadline in a manner that takes into account security, operational risk, and public impact. The comment period ends October 15, 2024. See also: The TSA Now Wants a Phased Rollout of the Real ID Next Year — Here’s Why.  For more information on REAL ID, visit TSA.gov/real-id. A map there lets you click through to see how to comply with REAL ID for each US state and territory. United Airlines bumps GEO operators off fleet for Starlink Wi-Fi United Airlines currently provides inflight WiFi through several geostationary satellite operators. Now the airline has made a deal with SpaceX to utilize the Starlink low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. United says the inflight WiFi will be free and the service will be the same as you’d expect on the ground with live streaming, gaming, and connecting multiple devices simultaneously. Following testing in early 2025, United expects to equip more than 1,000 planes in its international fleet with Starlink connectivity over several years. United press release: The Inflight Wi-Fi Revolution Now Arriving: United Signs Starlink Deal to Provide Industry-Leading Connectivity in the Sky – For Free  Starlink has Wi-Fi agreements with smaller airlines and regional jet service providers including Hawaiian Airlines, airBaltic, Qatar Airways, Zipair, JSX, Flexjet, and Aero. Inspectors warned of ‘tremendous’ potential for accidental foam discharge at Brunswick airport Fourteen months before accidentally discharging 51,000 gallons of firefighting foam, an inspection of the system found it deficient with a high probability of failure. Yet the issues were not corrected. Pacific Airshow Gold Coast Interviews with: Craig Hobart, the president of the Southport Flying Club and Airport.  This is one of the 4 airfields used by the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast. It’s also a private flying club. Mika Gray, an Air Commodore with the RAAF.  We hear why the RAAF supports the airshow. Garry Cooper, an Australian who was awarded the US Air Force Cross during his combat tour in Vietnam. He is the only non-American ever awarded the cross twice. He was also awarded the RAAF Distinguished Flying Cross, among many others. See also: Interview with Gary Cooper. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

We talk with travel expert Gary Leff from View from the Wing.com. In the news, the DOT probe of airline frequent flyer programs, U.S. airlines reduced hiring, automated landing fee collection, more on PFAS in aircraft firefighting foam, and FAA action to ease network flight delays. Also, interviews from the Pacific Airshow. Guest Travel expert and blogger Gary Leff was named one of the world’s top travel specialists by Conde Nast. He often appears in the media on television, radio, and in print. He’s been a keynote speaker at many conferences and both a moderator and panelist at Flightglobal industry conferences, in addition to CardCon and Fincon. His credit card advice has been featured in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Gary blogs at View From the Wing.com and is co-founder of InsideFlyer.com. We talked with Gary about the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inquiry into airline rewards programs, including their authority to do so and the likely time before DOT action takes place. Gary comments on the devaluation of miles and gives us his thoughts on airline staffing levels. We consider issues surrounding carry-on baggage and overhead bin space and the topic of code sharing. Visit View From the Wing.com for the writings of a true travel expert. Aviation News Breaking: New Government Investigation Demands Airlines Expose Frequent Flyer Devaluations The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched an inquiry into airline rewards programs to protect customers from potential unfair, deceptive, or anticompetitive practices. DOT sent letters to American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines ordering them to provide records and submit reports with detailed information about their rewards programs, practices, and policies. The probe is focused on the ways consumers participating in airline rewards programs are impacted by the devaluation of earned rewards, hidden or dynamic pricing, extra fees, and reduced competition and choice. See: US probes top airlines’ frequent flyer programs for unfair practices and USDOT Seeks to Protect Consumers’ Airline Rewards in Probe of Four Largest U.S. Airlines’ Rewards Practices U.S. airlines cool hiring after adding 194,000 employees in post-Covid spree During the pandemic, airline employment decreased significantly as customer demand dropped. With the travel recovery, US passenger airlines added almost 194,000 jobs as they tried to catch up. Now hiring is cooling off: demand is moderating, fares are down which puts pressure on profits, labor costs are up with the new contracts, aircraft deliveries are running late, and engine availability is not where it needs to be AOPA Objects to Possible Florida Airport Landing Fees The state of Florida contracted with Virtower to collect aircraft movement data using ADS-B. Virtower partner Vector Airport Systems can use the Virtower data with its PlanePass system to provide automated invoicing. Vector proposes to collect a fee of $3 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight. AOPA says ADS-B was never intended to be used as a tool to collect landing fees. They question the need to collect fees at the public-use airports that already receive federal funds. Virtower “monitors key airport operational parameters including takeoffs, landings, touch and go’s, pavement utilization, and based aircraft operations. While providing a quick and easy noise complaint investigations tool for all customers.” Brunswick passes unprecedented PFAS resolution calling for action after spill In Episode 812, we talked about aviation firefighting foam, specifically Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) that contains dangerous PFAS (“forever chemicals”). There are efforts to transition to fluorine-free foam (F3) for aircraft firefighting. The Brunswick Town Council passed a resolution calling for a statewide inventory of AFFF that was spilled on Aug. 19, 2024. The non-binding resolution calls for the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to take action. To Ease Newark Flight Delays, the FAA Turned to Philly. Here’s Why. The FAA moved oversight of Newark Liberty International Airport air traffic to the facility at Philadelphia International Airport. This required the relocation of 24 controllers from Long Island.  The air traffic controllers union says the move was rushed and operational problems have occurred. According to an FAA estimate, as much as 75% of the nation’s overall air traffic delays originate in the New York City area. See: FAA Knew of Potential of Radar Issues Before LaborDay Newark Failures. Pacific Airshow Gold Coast At the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, Brian Coleman interviewed Kevin Elliott, the President and  founder of Pacific Airshow. The two discussed the differences between the shows in Huntington Beach, CA and the Gold Coast. They also talk about the impact of the oil spill that caused the airshow closure in Huntington Beach. Brian also interviewed Tom Tait, the Mayor of Gold Coast, Australia. They discuss the economic impact of the airshow. Mentioned Confessions of a New Corporate Pilot Listener Patrick Wiggins recently flew his 300th participant in the Women of Aviation Worldwide free flight program. Patrick flies out of Tooele Valley Airport, Utah. Cora (on the right) with her friend who participated last year. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

We speak with the Porto Aviation Group CEO who flew to Oshkosh from Italy, the ForeFlight Head of International Growth, the CEO and Founder of Airhart Aeronautics, airline Captain Dana, an Historical Restoration Consultant about the historic terminal building at the Long Beach Airport, and flight team interns from the California Science Center program. Porto Aviation Group Innovation and entrepreneurship correspondent Hillel Glazer met Porto Aviation Group CEO Alberto Porto at Oshkosh. He flew there from Italy in a Rotax-powered Risen airplane making just two stops. Alberto Porto and the Risen at EAA Airventure Oshkosh. Capt. Dana From Episode 80 of the Journey is the Reward podcast, Brian Coleman and Micah speak with Capt. Dana from Acme Airlines, a major U.S. carrier. Their conversation provides insight into the life of an airline pilot. ForeFlight Again at EAA Airventure Oshkosh, Hillel interviews Josh Tahmasebi, Head of International Growth at ForeFlight, a provider of flight planning software. He describes ForeFlight and its newest features and innovations. Airhart Aeronautics Hillel talks with Nikita Ermoshkin, the CEO and Founder of Airhart Aeronautics. The company seeks to build intuitive-to-fly GA airplanes that are fully fly-by-wire and more accessible. Airhart is working with Sling Aircraft to develop a safe personal aircraft that is easier to fly than others on the market. Airhart Sling Long Beach Airport (LGB) historic terminal building John Thomas, Historical Restoration Consultant, led the restoration team for the 1941 historic terminal building at Long Beach Airport. (The oldest municipal airport in the state of California.) See: Long Beach Airport’s Historic Terminal Reopens Following Major Renovation, Restoration Effort. The historic terminal building at Long Beach Airport. California Science Center Interns Brian Coleman and Micah speak with seven flight team interns from the California Science Center. The students describe why they signed up for the six-week program and what they learned from the experience. These are great examples of the amazing results that can be achieved when students are exposed to aviation. Flight Team Interns. Courtesy California Science Center. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, with contributions from Hillel Glazer, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A Martin Mars water bomber has a new home, the proprotor gearbox failure that caused the Air Force’s fatal Osprey crash, the FAAs new endorsement requirement for flight instructor candidates, and a refueling incident that damaged a KC-46 and an F-15E. Also, an Australia Desk report where Brian Coleman joined Steve and Grant in Australia, and Micah called in. Aviation News The Hawaii Mars Water Bomber Finally Arrives At Its Forever Home, The British Columbia Aviation Museum The Martin Hawaii Mars water bomber is now at its new British Columbia Aviation Museum home.  Public access is anticipated to start on September 28. Seven of the four-engine Martin JMR Mars were built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Four were converted to civilian water bombers for aerial firefighting by Forest Industries Flying Tankers in BC. The Marianas Mars crashed in 1961 during firefighting operations with all four crew members perishing. In 1962, the Caroline Mars was damaged beyond repair by a typhoon. The Hawaii Mars was operated until 2016 and is now at the BC Aviation Museum. The Philippine Mars is planned to go to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona later this year. Video: FINAL FLIGHT! Martin Mars Low Pass and Landing in Patricia Bay https://youtu.be/Ol07yTMlM_c?si=-MDqJvr9FBeiMJx1 Flawed Metal & Failed Communication: Breaking Down the Air Force’s Fatal Osprey Crash The Air Current reports that a persistent manufacturing problem is the cause behind ten previously unreported V-22 Osprey component failures, in addition to the fatal 2023 crash off the coast of Japan. Furthermore, the problem was well-known to Bell Boeing and the V-22 Joint Program Office (JPO), but pilots were not informed. The crash was caused by the failure of the left-side proprotor gearbox and the pilot’s decision to keep flying. The gearbox failure was most likely caused by cracking in a high-speed pinion gear and its bearing cage. Inclusions in the steel alloy may be the problem. AFSOC CV-22B Accident Investigation Board Report [PDF] FAA Rolls Out New Endorsement Requirement for Flight Instructor Candidates Starting September 1, the FAA requires flight instructor candidates to have a CFI endorsement before taking the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) exam. Many other pilot certificates require the applicant to have a “written statement or logbook endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor certifying that the applicant completed an applicable ground training or home study course and is prepared for the knowledge test, or a certificate of graduation issued by a part 141 school.” See the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) exam sample questions. The FAA uses PSI Services LLC to provide the written exams. Audio Reveals Details Of KC-46 And F-15E Refueling Incident That Broke Off The Tanker’s Boom Last week, a refueling operation supported a temporary flight restriction related to a presidential visit. During the refueling, the U.S. Air Force KC-46A Pegasus tanker and an F-15E Strike Eagle experienced some issues with the hydraulic system, damaging both planes and forcing them to make emergency landings. Air Traffic Control transmissions indicate that the KC-46 lost its boom. Australia News Desk The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast was held over the beautiful beaches of Surfers Paradise, Queensland from August 16-18, 2024 and Steve, Grant, AND Brian Coleman were there to capture all the action. It was the second year of the event, and crowds were noticeably larger than in 2023, with an enhanced and fully loaded flying program comprising local aerobatic performers, military contingents from Australia, the USA and UK, emergency services displays, and much more. With Micah also on the line, we quiz Brian on his experience travelling to Australia, flying domestic sectors here with Virgin Australia, and the reaction of local flight crews to his custom-made gifts, presented as he boarded each flight. RAAF 1SQN F-18F Super Hornet displaying at the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast (credit – G.E.G Aviation Photography) Brian Coleman interviewing members of the Freedom Formation at Southport Flying Club, Queensland, Australia (Steve Visscher) First Flight Micah tells us the story of his first flight, 55 years ago. Mentioned The Air Show Podcast, hosted by Jon Ostrower, Brian Sumers, and Brett Snyder. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

The FAA roadmap for Artificial Intelligence in aviation, clean aviation fuel setbacks, aviation fire-fighting foam, blended wing body aircraft, and the new Sikorsky VH-92A Marine One helicopter. Also, a first-timer’s experience at EAA Airventure Oshkosh. Aviation News FAA lays out ‘roadmap’ for AI safety in aircraft In Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Safety Assurance [PDF], the FAA says Artificial Intelligence (AI) must demonstrate its safety before it can be utilized in aviation. This is a challenge because AI systems achieve performance and capability by learning rather than design with the absence of engineering principles that guide the traditional engineering design process. The document’s primary purpose is to provide a path that ensures the safety of Artificial Intelligence in aircraft and related systems for inflight operations. The roadmap also recognizes significant opportunities to use AI for safety. A set of principles are identified as well as the next steps in five areas to enable safety enhancements and the safe use of AI. Clean Fuel Startups Were Supposed to Be the Next Big Thing. Now They Are Collapsing. The article describes headwinds that impede progress toward the broader use of clean aviation fuel. United Airlines plans to use jet fuel made from trash United Airlines partnered with about 30 other global firms to form an “Eco-Skies Alliance” to finance the use of SAF made from trash. The airline’s initiative appears to have shut down. Leading hydrogen aircraft startup is suddenly grounded Startup Universal Hydrogen raised $100 million with backing from GE Aviation, American Airlines, and the venture capital arms of Airbus, JetBlue, and Toyota. Shareholders were recently informed that the company was shutting down. Universal Hydrogen could not raise additional financing from either new or existing investors. Oil majors back out of biofuel in Europe BP scaled back expansion plans for sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel in Europe. Chevron is furloughing workers at its Oeding, Germany biodiesel plant. Shell halted construction of a biofuel plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Air New Zealand becomes first major airline to scrap its 2030 climate goal The airline cited delivery delays of new fuel-efficient aircraft and the price of alternative jet fuels. The 2030 target had been to reduce carbon intensity by 28.9%, compared with 2019 levels. The airline is working on a new near-term target. Nearly 400 gallons of high-expansion foam fills Coast Guard hangar in Mobile Due to a fault in the fire alarm system at the United States Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, almost 400 gallons of high-expansion foam filled the hangar. Three HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplanes and four MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters were in the hangar. These aircraft are being cleaned and inspected to assess damage. WKRG Video: Nearly 400 gallons of high-expansion foam fills Coast Guard hangar in Mobile https://youtu.be/7s4SRMLF6OU?si=1mZuMIHycZ3tAnt2 Because the widely-used Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) contains dangerous PFAS (referred to as “forever chemicals”), the FAA and the Department of Defense (DoD) have engaged in a significant research project to test fluorine-free foam (F3). Fluorine-Free Foam (F3) Transition for Aircraft Firefighting In December 2022, Congress directed the FAA to prepare a transition plan to ensure an orderly move to MILSPEC F3 for aircraft firefighting. See: FAA Aircraft FireFighting Foam Transition Plan. In January 2023, DoD published an F3 military specification (MILSPEC), and foam manufacturers can now submit MILSPEC F3 agents for qualification by DoD. Once DoD certifies that a foam meets the new specification, it will be added to the Qualified Product List. FAA considers foams on the Qualified Product List as acceptable to use to satisfy the regulatory requirements of Part 139. Video: Fluorine Free Foam (F3) Transition Awareness Webinar [1 hour 30 min] https://youtu.be/m7KaS6rQ6l0?si=GmavbpLtEkzvCyyr Alaska Airlines backs JetZero, takes options for future BWB aircraft JetZero is working with the US Air Force, NASA, and the FAA to develop an ultra-efficient Blended Wing Body jet for entry into service by 2030. Alaska Airlines’ venture capital arm, Alaska Star Ventures, invested in JetZero under a Series A funding round last year. Alaska has taken options for future aircraft orders. Financial terms were not disclosed. Biden takes inaugural flight in long-delayed new ‘Marine One’ helicopter President Joe Biden took his first flight aboard the Sikorsky VH-92A helicopter serving as Marine One. The was the maiden presidential voyage for the years-delayed helicopter. Guest Mali experienced her first EAA Airventure Oshkosh this year. She’s not an aviation enthusiast herself, but her father and brother are. Mali wanted to attend Osh so she could understand their passion for aviation. She tells us what she learned. Mali and her father flew to Oshkosh in her father’s Cherokee. They stopped along the way at the National Museum of the United States Air Force for a “crash course” in aviation. Then at Airventure, Mali immersed herself in all that the event had to offer, including camping with the plane. It’s a fascinating look at this great event through the eyes of a perhaps atypical attendee. Mentioned Dirt track hall of fame driver Scott Bloomquist believed dead in plane crash and Racing Driver Scott Bloomquist Dies In Cub Crash Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Hillel Glazer.

We speak with the Founder and CEO of Wright Electric, an aviation company with a goal to make all regional single-aisle flights zero-emissions. In the news, Boeing testified before the NTSB about the 737 door plug incident, American Airlines new standby rules are criticized, Space-X may bring the Boeing Starliner astronauts back from the International Space Station, and the impact on Delta Air Lines after the Microsoft/CrowdStrike global IT outage. We also have an Australia News Desk report. Guest Jeff Engler is the Founder and CEO of Wright Electric. The company develops ultra-lightweight electric motors, generators, and batteries for aerospace and defense. Wright is leveraging the company’s megawatt-class propulsion system to transform a 100-passenger BAe 146 into an all-electric, zero-emissions aircraft. Wright and Columbia University are developing batteries that are up to four times lighter than lithium-ion. Jeff explains how the company all started with a newsletter and came to focus on flights with more than 100 passengers and shorter than 800 miles. He describes what distinguishes aircraft propulsion electric motors from other electric motors, and how the transportation market segments into different technologies for different applications. We consider the important issue of battery energy density and why Wright has decided to develop their lightweight batteries. Also, we discuss programs the company is involved in, the C-130/LM-100J and BAe 146 aircraft that support the technology development, and Wright’s commercial, government, and academic partners. Jeff describes Wright’s timeline targets for retrofitted and clean-sheet electric aircraft. Jeff started the company when he learned flying tripled his carbon footprint. He incubated Wright through a Harvard University fellowship and led Wright through the selective Y Combinator accelerator program. He previously co-founded Podimetrics, a medical device company that has raised $70M+ in venture funding. Jeff has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia and Harvard. See: Wright Steps Up Ground Testing for 2.5MW Electric Motor Wright Electric assembling 2.5MW WM2500 electric propulsion unit Wright Electric & Columbia University Receive U.S. Department of Energy Award for Ultra-Lightweight Battery Development U.S. Air Force Backs Wright’s Work On Rechargeable Thermal Batteries Surprise test flight heralds ultra-long-range electric aircraft by 2028 Samsung’s EV battery breakthrough: 600-mile charge in 9 mins, 20 year lifespan Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA) – The Alliance is a voluntary initiative of private and public partners who share the objective of preparing the entry into commercial service of hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft. Other articles supporting our conversation: DOD Report: Consolidation of Defense Industrial Base Poses Risks to National Security [PDF] Reducing the Cost of Space Travel with Reusable Launch Vehicles – NSTXL. Aviation News NTSB chair: Boeing reassigning workers to Everett was retaliation NTSB chief rips Boeing over lack of 737 Max answers The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held an investigative hearing open to the public in the NTSB Boardroom on August 6-7, 2024. During the hearing, the NTSB gathered sworn testimonies about the Jan.​ 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug incident. This was a fact-finding step in the safety investigation and the testimonies became part of the public record. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy asked Boeing Director of Quality Hector Silva if he was “100 percent sure a defect will not occur tomorrow” and whether he was “100 percent sure there will never be an unauthorized removal” of a door plug. He replied, “No.” Boeing factory workers told the hearing they felt pressured to work fast and complete jobs for which they did not feel qualified. Videos of the hearing are publicly available. Note: Each video is over 8 hours long. NTSB Investigative Hearing – Alaska Airlines flight 1282 (Day 1) NTSB Investigative Hearing – Alaska Airlines flight 1282 (Day 2) Cost-Cutting Chaos: New American Airlines Standby Rules and IT Glitches Leave Loyal Flyers Stranded Gary Leff writes that “American Airlines standby is a mess, and it encapsulates much of what is wrong with the carrier. They don’t have their customer in mind when making and changing policies. Instead, the focus is on reducing costs, and getting customers to change their behavior.” Standby isn’t allowed if you have checked bags, unless you’re an AAdvantage elite. Once you check a bag, you can no longer add yourself to standby using American’s mobile tools. But Gold and Platinum elite members aren’t allowed to add themselves any other way. Also, passengers cannot get help from an agent to get on a different flight, and passengers still have to follow their original routing. Dragon Rescue For Starliner Crew Looking More Likely Test pilots Sunni Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the International Space Station in the Boeing Starliner crew capsule on an eight-day mission. It docked with the Space Station on June 6, 2024. However, thruster and helium leak issues have plagued the capsule, preventing their return to earth. Boeing and NASA have conducted many space and ground tests of the propulsion system, but root cause of the problems is still not understood. According to its most recently published Mission Update on August 2, 2024 Boeing’s confidence remains high in Starliner’s return with crew: “The testing has confirmed 27 of 28 RCS thrusters are healthy and back to full operational capability. Starliner’s propulsion system also maintains redundancy and the helium levels remain stable. The data also supports root cause assessments for the helium and thruster issues and flight rationale for Starliner and its crew’s return to Earth.” Yet on August 7, 2024, NASA held a teleconference to discuss the options for getting the two astronauts home. The safety of the Starliner is still being discussed. An alternative for bringing them home is to use an upcoming SpaceX Crew 9 mission delayed and launched with two empty seats. The Starliner crew would return in February 2025 and the Starliner would return to Earth autonomously. NASA likely to significantly delay the launch of Crew 9 due to Starliner issues Sources tell Ars Technica that “Officials are contemplating moving the Crew-9 mission from its current date of August 18 to September 24, a significant slip.” Such a delay would give NASA more time to determine the safety of the Starliner, and time for Boeing to implement a software update that could take up to four weeks. NASA safety discussions center around “the performance of the small reaction control system thrusters in proximity to the space station. If the right combination of them fail before Starliner has moved sufficiently far from the station, Starliner could become uncontrollable and collide with the space station. The thrusters are also needed later in the flight back to Earth to set up the critical de-orbit burn and entry in Earth’s atmosphere.” Microsoft says Delta ignored Satya Nadella’s offer of CrowdStrike help Last month a significant global outage of some Windows systems followed a flawed CrowdSource software update. Microsoft estimated 8.5 million Windows devices were disabled. Airlines, and many others, were unable to operate some of their systems. Delta Air Lines took longer to get back online than other airlines and says it was forced to cancel around 7,000 flights over 5 days. Delta has criticized Microsoft and CrowdSource and wants compensation for the $500 million it claims was lost. Microsoft said that Delta was operating with an outdated IT infrastructure, and refused help from the Microsoft CEO. Delta is being investigated by the US Department of Transportation and a lawsuit has been filed against Delta on behalf of passengers whose flights were canceled. CrowdStrike has since been sued by its shareholders. Australia News Desk In our last report, we spoke of the difficulties new entrants to the Australian airline market face, and how it almost always ends in tears.  With startup LCC Bonza Air exiting the scene earlier this year, we were full of praise for Regional Express (Rex), who seemed at least on the surface of things to really be kicking some goals. So imagine our surprise when it was announced on July 30th that Rex had been placed into voluntary administration;  its 737 fleet grounded and their associated flights canceled.  It was news that blindsides many in the industry and media alike and appears to have come in the wake of a board-level stoush that’s left the carrier starved of funding.   News out today suggests Rex’s deficit may be as high at $A500million.   Affected passengers (including Steve and his wife) were re-booked on Virgin Australia flights – a process which has so far been flawless, with VA taking leases on three of Rex’s 10 737-800’s (jets which ironically had come from VA in the first place) to bolster capacity. Rex’s regional SAAB 340 services remain operational at present, as administrators Ernst & Young seek to find a buyer for the airline. In defence news, the USAF have parked a handful of F-22’s at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, allowing joint training exercises with local F-35A’s from 3SQN & 77SQN.  Two of these Hickam-based Raptors will be making their way north to Queensland for the upcoming Pacific Airshow Gold Coast.  Raptors are not often seen in this part of the world, so it’ll be a treat to see them perform at the event. And speaking of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, Steve and Grant will be there for all the action, along with the Airplane Geeks’ very own Brian Coleman.  Be sure to let us know if you’ll be there too! August 16-18, 2024. Image credit: G.E.G Aviation Photography (by permission) Mentioned Making an ATR-72 Spin Flighty Australiadesk.net Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Digital twins captured by aircraft, the new Boeing CEO is named, the airline fee disclosure rule hits a roadblock, the NGAD fighter is paused, the FAA approves BVLOS flights, Wheels Up continues to lose money, and the cause of the fatal CV-22 Osprey accident. Guest Ron Chapple is the VP of Global Strategic Solutions Digital Twins at NV5 Geospatial. He leads a team that works with clients worldwide to acquire, process, and analyze high-resolution lidar and imaging data to create digital twins for various industries and applications. The team uses leading-edge technologies and sensors to capture and visualize data. The digital twins created by NV5 are virtual representations of physical objects, processes, or systems that can be used for real-time monitoring, analysis, and simulation. Digital twins can have applications for many industries, including aviation, energy, education, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and transportation. Organizations can also use them for training and emergency planning and response. Ron describes how geospatially correct digital twins are created using LiDAR, optical, and other sensors, typically with helicopters or drones, and sometimes with fixed-wing aircraft. We learn how multiple sensor data is combined for the digital twins and the requirement for precise piloting. Ron also illustrates aviation applications for digital twins by explaining some of the airport projects undertaken by NV5. These applications include obstruction analysis, real-time monitoring of ground traffic, and operations simulation. Ron has more than 10 years of experience in lidar and imaging. He founded GEO1, a company that specialized in electric utility, oil and gas, archaeology, and coastal and highway corridor acquisition projects. GEO1 was acquired by NV5 Geospatial in June 2022 and has expanded in scope to include virtual reality, virtual production, and digital twin creation. Ron got his start in aerial cinematography. He worked with USA Today and National Geographic on projects that won a Pulitzer Prize and several EMMY awards and traveled to remote and challenging locations, such as Patagonia, the Arctic Circle, Mt. Everest, Colombia, and Hawaii, to collect and document data that can help preserve and protect natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about digital twins, see Your Guide to Geospatial Digital Twins to request a free ebook. Aviation News Boeing Board Names Kelly Ortberg President and CEO The Boeing board of directors selected Robert K. “Kelly” Ortberg as the company’s next president and CEO, succeeding Dave Calhoun, effective August 8, 2024. Ortberg began his career as an engineer at Texas Instruments, then joined Rockwell Collins as a program manager, eventually becoming its president and CEO. He steered the company’s integration with United Technologies which then became RTX after merging with Raytheon. Ortberg served on the RTX Board of Directors and is the former Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors. U.S. appeals court blocks airline fee disclosure rule The U.S. Transportation Department’s new rule requiring airlines and ticket agents to disclose service fees along with airfare has been temporarily blocked by a U.S. appeals court. The industry asked the court for a temporary block and the three-judge panel said the rule “likely exceeds DOT’s authority and will irreparably harm airlines.” The suit was brought by United, American, Delta, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, Airlines for America, and the International Air Transport Association. See also A4A, U.S. Airlines Sue DOT Over Fee Disclosure Rule. Air Force ‘taking a pause’ on NGAD next-gen fighter The US Air Force pauses the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) stealth fighter program while taking a “hard look” at the jet’s design. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are believed to be the primes competing for the NGAD contract. At the same time, GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are competing to develop prototypes for the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program. FAA Makes Drone History in Dallas Area Generally, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone flights are not allowed. However, with advances in Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology, the FAA has authorized Zipline International and Wing Aviation to fly commercial drones without visual observers in the Dallas-area airspace. Delta Air Lines Must Fix Its Unprofitable Wheels Up Investment – Soon Wheels Up offers members a global network of private aircraft that can be booked via a website or an app. Wheels Up was founded in 2013. Delta Air Lines took a 95% share in August 2023. The company continues to lose money. CV-22 Osprey Crash In Japan Was Caused By Gearbox Failure The Air Force Special Operations Command released its findings into the fatal crash of a CV-22 off the Japanese coast last year, where eight crew perished. The cause of the crash was determined by the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) to be a catastrophic failure of the left-hand Proprotor Gearbox. The crew diverted to an airport about 60 miles away, but on final approach at 800 feet AGL, the aircraft rolled twice and impacted the water. The AIB found the decisions made by the pilot were a significant contributing factor as they were causal, prolonged the mishap sequence, and did not consider an earlier landing at a different divert location. Mentioned Remembering Gordon Baxter: A Mentor and One of Flying Magazine’s Best Stay Safe While Building Flight Time With Max Trescott, Aviation Careers Podcast Students explore careers in aviation thanks to new program at Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus Cleveland Soaring Society David’s Lego Concorde, and friend. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

From EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024, the GoAERO competition for emergency response aircraft, Bose headset technology, the Honeywell Anthem™ Integrated Flight Deck, and the Pivotal Helix eVTOL. In the news, Southwest Airlines changes its boarding process, will begin redeye flights, names a transformation executive, and comes under increased FAA scrutiny. Also, the FAA and NATCA come together on changes to address controller fatigue. Guest EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 Our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent Hillel Glazer attended EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 and captured many interviews. We hear four of them in this episode: GoAERO Prize CEO Gwen Lighter GoAERO is looking for teams to design and build the world’s first-ever autonomy-enabled Emergency Response Flyer. The vision is a world where every first responder has life-saving aerial capability enabled by compact size and autonomous operations. With support from Boeing, NASA, Honeywell, RTX, and many others, teams will work will make emergency response aircraft accessible to all. Over $2 Million in prizes will be awarded. Video: Ready. Set. GoAERO. https://youtu.be/WwPBletov_s?si=Id26BnAg4fhouRXt Bose Product Manager Jason Brisbois Jason and Hillel talk about Bose aviation headsets and the noise-canceling technology they utilize. Honeywell Project Pilot Ed Manning The Honeywell Anthem™ Integrated Flight Deck is installed in a Pilatus PC-12 test aircraft which recently completed its first flight. This milestone demonstrated the system’s safety and maturity and is a step forward on the certification path.  Pivotal Director of Product Marketing Greg Kerr The Helix eVTOL is Pivotal’s first aircraft to be produced at scale. The single-seat tilt aircraft employs fixed rotors and tandem wings. It is classified as a Part 103 Ultralight. The carbon fiber composite Helix weighs 254 lbs empty. Pivotal Helix at AirVenture Video: Pivotal | The World is Yours to Explore Aviation News Southwest Airlines Launches Enhancements to Transform Customer Experience And Improve Financial Performance Southwest Airlines will assign seats, offer premium seating options on all flights, and add 24-hour operation capabilities to introduce redeye flights. Southwest Officer Ryan was named Green to lead new efforts as Executive Vice President Commercial Transformation. The airline says that 80% of Southwest customers and 86% of potential customers prefer an assigned seat. Southwest expects roughly one-third of seats across the fleet to offer extended legroom. See also: The end of an era: Why I’m sad about Southwest Airlines saying farewell to open seating by Benét J. Wilson. Oversight may have led to Southwest Airlines flight using closed runway at Portland Jetport The NTSB preliminary report says that the flight crew of a Southwest Airlines plane that took off from a temporarily closed runway at the Portland Jetport did not realize the runway was closed on that day. FAA Investigation Continues Into Southwest Low Altitude Alert At TPA Southwest Airlines flight WN-425 descended to within 150 feet AGL about 4 miles from the end of the runway at Tampa International Airport. The aircraft should have been at 1,600 feet. The tower controller called a low altitude alert and the crew answered they were performing a go-around. The plane landed at Fort Lauderdale International Airport about 40 minutes later and then returned to Tampa International. Southwest under FAA audit after series of safety incidents The airline said “We recently formed a dedicated team of subject-matter experts and leaders from Southwest, our union partners, and the FAA to bolster our existing Safety Management System. This group is tasked with performing an in-depth, data-driven analysis to identify any opportunities for improvement.”  FAA, Controllers Reach Agreement on Fatigue Mitigation FAA and NATCA Reach Agreement to Address Controller Fatigue by Providing More Rest Between Shifts The FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) agreed that air traffic controllers will get at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before and after a midnight shift. These changes are meant to address controller fatigue. Also, the number of consecutive overtime assignments will be limited, and the agreement includes education on how to make recuperative breaks more effective. The FAA and NATCA will consult with experts and create a collaborative workgroup to expand the Fatigue Risk Management System and Fatigue Safety Steering Committee. Mentioned Author Jamie Dodson.  Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

Boeing’s commercial market outlook, the AirVenture and Farnborough air shows, Airbus’ A321XLR certification, funding for FAA infrastructure, Embraer’s Eve flying taxi prototype, JetBlue’s unpaid leave offer to flight attendants, and first officers decline to upgrade to captain. Aviation News Boeing Forecasts Demand for Nearly 44,000 New Airplanes Through 2043 as Air Travel Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels Boeing released its Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) for 2024-2043, including an interactive dashboard. CMO forecast highlights through 2043: The global commercial fleet is projected to grow 3.2% annually. The air cargo fleet will increase by two-thirds by 2043, to support 4.1% annual air cargo traffic growth. The number of global routes served by commercial airlines has returned to 2019 levels, even though nearly 20% of them are new, illustrating the adaptability of aviation in a dynamic market. Single-aisle airplanes will make up 71% of the 2043 fleet. The global widebody fleet will more than double, with twin-aisles comprising 44% of the Middle East fleet. It’s Opening Week for Two of the World’s Largest Airshows EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is July 22 – July 28, 2024. EAA has about 300,000 members worldwide. AirVenture sees more than 500,000 attendees over the week-long event they call The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration®. The Farnborough International Airshow is held every two years, alternating with the Paris Air Show. This year Farnborough is July 22 – July 26, 2024, and targets the global aerospace industry. See Farnborough Air Show 2024 – Preview from the Royal Aeronautical Society. Airbus A321XLR Receives EASA Type Certification The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued Type Certification for the Airbus A321XLR powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. Airbus has a backlog of over 500 single-aisle A321XLR orders. Iberia is the launch customer and EIS is expected in November 2024. Airbus also has orders from Qantas, Icelandair, and IAG Group. Certification for the Pratt & Whitney GTF variant is to come next. Groups Push Lawmakers To Up FAA’s ATC Equipment Budget Twenty-six industry associations sent a letter to the Appropriations Committees, the Senate Commerce Committee, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee asking for more ATC modernization funding. The associations represent business and general aviation, airlines, air traffic controllers and specialists, pilots and flight attendants, and manufacturers. The groups note an uncommitted balance in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF) that could be used for the FAA’s Facilities and Equipment (F&E) account. “We… believe more must be done to not only maintain and sustain the ATC system but also to modernize it.” The Airport and Airway Trust Fund (AATF), also known as the Aviation Trust Fund, was established in 1970 to help finance the FAA’s investments in the airport and airway system, independent of the General Fund. Embraer’s Eve rolls out flying taxi prototype, cash needs covered until 2027 Embraer subsidiary Eve Air Mobility revealed their full-scale eVTOL prototype. The fixed-wing aircraft uses eight propellers for vertical flight and an electric pusher motor. The first prototype does not have a cabin or pilot. The final aircraft will seat four passengers and a pilot. Eve was founded in 2020 and plans to obtain certification and enter service in 2026. Five conforming prototypes are planned for 2025. The company says they have letters of intent for 2,900 eVTOLs that seat four passengers and a pilot. Investors include United Airlines, BAE Systems, Thales, and Rolls-Royce. Eve eVTOL protype. JetBlue to Offer Six Months of Unpaid Leave to Flight Attendants, Trim Number of Crew Members On Transatlantic Flights A Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) memo says JetBlue is taking steps to reduce costs. Flight attendants should expect “significantly reduced” flying schedules during the October to March winter season and more time sitting on reserve, although they can take unpaid leave of absence. The memo also says that JetBlue plans to reduce the number of flight attendants working on transatlantic flights from the current five to just four for “the foreseeable future”. JetBlue plans to disable the privacy doors in its Mint Business Class on some planes and thus reduce the number of flight attendants required on these planes. Pilots are ditching top captain jobs in favor of $200,000 second-in-command gigs with better work-life balance, JetBlue founder says JetBlue founder and founder-CEO of Breeze Airways David Neeleman says there are many pilots, but they don’t all want the workload and stress of a captain. Neeleman said, “First officer pay has gone up so much that a lot of these people don’t want to upgrade to captain because it affects their quality of life.” American’s pilots union said that in 2023, 7,000 pilots declined promotions to captain. Mentioned Hype.aero , via Wikimedia Commons" class="wp-image-10392" style="width:400px" srcset="http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Eurasia_orthographic_projection_500.jpg 500w, http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Eurasia_orthographic_projection_500-298x300.jpg 298w, http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Eurasia_orthographic_projection_500-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Eurasia Pacific Airshow Gold Coast Skyryse Revolutionizes Helicopter Controls with Single Stick in Robinson R66 + GA News Video: Strong winds shift plane at DFW Airport https://youtu.be/dEIITXINAAE?si=TNPUaveqL5Z_Vrp7 737-800 rudder mechanism. Video: Liquid Nitrogen Experiments: The Film Canister https://youtu.be/1DxLwZhTj0A?si=178czDrsPFwPw2FA Wheel Bearings podcast by Sam Abuelsamid. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof.

The Joby hydrogen-electric eVTOL 523-mile flight, severe weather and the Southwest Dutch Roll, the danger of getting too close to an operating jet engine, excessive heat impacts on aviation, exploding soda cans that injure flight attendants, and turbulence and hot tea water burns. Aviation News Joby Aviation completes a 523-mile flight in an eVTOL powered by hydrogen-electric tech Joby Aviation, Inc. announced it has successfully flown a liquid hydrogen-electric eVTOL  demonstrator 523 miles over California. The aircraft was based on a Joby pre-production prototype battery-electric aircraft fitted with a liquid hydrogen fuel tank and fuel cell system. Joby Aviation photo. The liquid hydrogen fuel tank was designed and built by Joby. It stores up to 40 kilograms of liquid hydrogen which feeds the fuel cell system that produces electricity, water, and heat. The electricity powers six electric motors on the Joby aircraft. Batteries provide additional power primarily during take-off and landing. Joby plans to start commercial operations as soon as 2025 with its battery-electric air taxi. Press release: Joby demonstrates potential for emissions-free regional journeys with landmark 523-mile hydrogen-electric flight Video: The Complete Flight Profile of Joby’s eVTOL Aircraft https://youtu.be/cuJEf4v05Z0?si=5Lx3NWssz2LzpZ6I Airbus to freeze hiring as it battles cut-price Chinese rival In the face of competition from COMAC and a stronger Boeing, Airbus wants to cut costs. The company has a 6-year backlog of A320 family aircraft and is struggling to get production to the rate they desire. Aircraft owners who need narrowbody aircraft sooner are likely to look at Boeing and COMAC. So Airbus is seeking to focus its activity on an “improvement program,” although it may be years before the C919 is certified by Western regulators. For years, COMAC, the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, has worked to establish a viable Chinese commercial airframer. They started with the ARJ21 regional jet and then proceeded to develop the C919 narrowbody in the B737/A320 class. Lately, they’ve been working on a C929 widebody jetliner. A Southwest jet that did a ‘Dutch roll’ was parked outside during a severe storm Investigators looking at the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max that experienced a Dutch roll say the plane had been parked outside during thunderstorms with wind gusts of up to 84 mph. After some routine maintenance, the pilots experienced “odd movements of the rudder pedals.” The NTSB hasn’t determined when the observed tail damage occurred. The speculation is that the tail damage occurred during the storm when the rudder slammed back and forth in the wind. Safety consultant John Cox, a former airline pilot, said “I do not see this as a Max issue. I do not see this right now as a 737 issue. I see this as a one-off.” Airport Ground Worker Killed After Getting Sucked Into Engine of Boeing 737 When They Stepped Into the ‘Danger Zone’ The accident happened in Iran during routine maintenance when the engines were powered for a test run. The worker was trying to retrieve a tool left near the engine. As extreme heat bakes the West, emergency helicopters struggle to fly Medical helicopter flights have been canceled in some areas due to high temperatures. Air temperature and tarmac temperature can be factors. Also, a confined area can require more engine power to land, which is affected by high temperatures. Amid Oppressive Heat, Broiling Airplane Cabins Add to Travelers’ Woes Unusually hot weather is causing cabin air conditioning systems to struggle to keep up. The Department of Transportation is studying whether to set minimum standards for cabin temperatures. Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Are Being Injured By ‘Exploding’ Coca-Cola Cans as Summer Heats Soar The Southwest Airlines drink restocking process is different than the one used by other airlines. Most airlines use chilled drinks carts that deliver the cans cool. But Southwest delivers the cans directly, which might be causing the problem. Southwest is investigating. Passenger sues JetBlue for $1.5M claiming hot water scalded her, left ‘disfiguring burns’ The passenger was flying JetBlue flight 2237 from Orlando to Hartford, Connecticut. During the beverage service, some turbulence occurred and hot tea water spilled on the woman. She is suing JetBlue over alleged “disfiguring burns” and claiming JetBlue was “careless” and did not provide her with “reasonably safe traveling conditions.” The complaint alleges second and third-degree burns to the chest, legs, right arm, and backside. Al Caruso Celebration of Life Micah speaks with Eric Cianchette and John Miller remembering Al Caruso. Mentioned UMA’s Aviation Maintenance Technician Workforce Development Program Takes Off Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

A look at the fly-in at the Spurwink Farm grass field. In the news, the EASA AD for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, Boeing and DOG agree to a plea deal, 737 oxygen generators, United travel delay messages, 107-II/CH-46 helicopter upgrade, and air travel complaints. Spurwink Farm Fly-In Our Main(e) Man Micah attended the 2024 Spurwink Farm fly-in and interviewed attendees and others. Gyrocopter landing V-tail Bonanza landing. Micah and the air bosses. Aviation News EASA Issues Airworthiness Directive Over Boeing 787 Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Engine Parts EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has issued an updated airworthiness directive (2019-0286R1) for Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The AD pertains to Low Pressure Compressor front cases installed on Boeing 787 airplanes: Engineering analysis has identified that 38 LPC front cases have non-optimal material properties. This could inhibit the intended function of the LPC front case to contain certain engine failures. This condition, if not corrected, could, in case of fan blade failure, lead to high energy debris release, possibly resulting in damage to, and reduced control of, the aeroplane. The corrective action is to remove and replace the fan case for certain serial numbers. However, RR updated the population of affected parts to allow some to remain in service with inspections of LPC front case thickness at 16 locations. Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud charge The US Department of Justice and Boeing agreed to the previously reported plea deal. Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay a criminal fine of $243.6m. The judge has to accept the deal. DOJ pointed out that the deal does not grant immunity to individuals. FAA orders inspection of 2,600 Boeing 737s over oxygen mask issue The passenger service unit oxygen generators can shift out of position due to a problem with a retention strap. The strap adhesive has been found to allow the generators to move. Your Flight Is Delayed. Would More Details Make You Feel Better? United Airlines is sharing a lot of flight delay and cancellation information via mobile alerts, texts, and emails. Columbia and Piasecki Partner on Upgrade for 107-II and CH-46E Helicopters Columbia Helicopters and Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) are collaborating on a program to upgrade the Model 107-II tandem rotor helicopter to create a CH-46 107-III variant. Columbia holds the 107-II type certificate and intends to implement a phased series of STCs (supplemental type certificates) to upgrade the engines, introduce modern avionics, and make other improvements. Air travel is getting worse. That’s what passengers are telling the US government The DOT received so many complaints in 2023 that it took them until July to compile the numbers. Last year, the DOT received almost 97,000, just about a 13% increase over 2022. About 1.2% of flights were canceled in 2023, compared to 2.3% in 2022.So far this year, cancellations are around 1.3% In 2023, delays were about 21% of all flights, the same as this year. The DOT partly attributed the increase in complaints to greater consumer awareness of how to file a complaint.  Air Travel Service Complaint or Comment Form (Not Related to Airline Safety or Security Issues) How flying got so bad (or did it?) In this Planet Money Podcast episode, NPR traces air travel’s evolution over the past century to discover if flying today is worse or better. Mentioned Land use around airports: Utah Code Land Use Regulations Part 5 – Utah State Legislature [PDF] 12 New Laws that Utah MUNICIPALITIES Need to Know About. Airports & Land Use – An Introduction for Local Leaders [PDF] Tips for small towns airports and land use decisions Aviation News Talk The Journey is the Reward Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Trescott.

The director of the Portland International Jetport explains airport surface detection and runway incursions, airport use restrictions, construction at the airport, the impacts of a power outage, and many other issues faced by airports. In the news, the NTSB reacts to a violation of its investigative regulations, Boeing plans to purchase Spirit Aerosystems, a resolution to the violation of the deferred prosecution agreement, the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), a home damaged by space junk, and a pilot caught working for two airlines at the same time. Guest Paul H. Bradbury is the director of the Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Portland, Maine. Since there have been many recent airport-related news stories, we asked Paul to join us and provide his insight. One timely topic is runway incursions and surface surveillance systems. The Jetport currently employs an Autonomous Runway Incursion Warning System (ARIWS) but we also look at the  FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative and the new uAvionics deployments. We also discuss airport use restrictions, the different Part 135 and Part 121 requirements, and the financial, security, and safety impacts of service vs. on-demand operations. Other topics include airport expansions, construction, and renovation while maintaining operations in the face of runway closures and back-taxiing on a runway. Also, residential development near the airport and land use issues such as improper zoning. Paul explains the impact of a power outage and the Jetport’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) backup project. We even talk about solar panel glare that impacts pilots, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) requirements, and whether there should be a Gate 13. (See Airports having or skipping gate 13, based on airport size [OC]). Aviation News uAvionix enables ground surveillance for runway safety The uAvionix FlightLine system provides ADS-B surveillance and surface situational awareness for Air Traffic Control towers at U.S. Airports. The system is qualified through the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) program, a component of the FAA Surface Safety Portfolio. FlightLine is designed for facilities without existing surface surveillance systems. According to uAvionix, the FAA has identified over 230 airports that are potential candidates for an SAI solution. The first FlightLine deployments by uAvionix are for Indianapolis International Airport (KIND) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) towers. The systems were to be fully operational by June 30, 2024. Aircraft positions on the surface and in airport arrival and departure corridors are displayed on a surface map of the airport. ADS-B is the primary source of aircraft position. The Surface Awareness Initiative includes Approach Runway Verification and the Runway Incursion Device. Boeing Sanctioned for Sharing Non-Public Investigative Information With Media on 737 Max 9 Door Plug Investigation ​​​Boeing “blatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations” and the NTSB announced a series of restrictions and sanctions on the company. Boeing provided non-public investigative information to the media and speculated about possible causes of the Jan. 5, 2024 door-plug blowout. NTSB said Boeing will “no longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident.” Also, the NTSB will subpoena the company to appear at an investigative hearing into the case scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. “Unlike the other parties in the hearing, Boeing will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants.” See also: NTSB rebukes Boeing after top exec discloses detail on Alaska Airlines blowout NTSB sends letter to David Calhoun, President and CEO of the Boeing Company [PDF] Boeing to buy supplier Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7bn deal Boeing plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock transaction. Spirit, the manufacturer of the door plug, was spun off from Boeing in 2005. About 70% of all Spirit orders are for Boeing while Airbus accounts for roughly 25%. Spirit’s Northern Ireland operations that make wings and fuselage for the A220 will go to Airbus. Boeing will pay Airbus $559 million to take over four plants. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals. Boeing will get a ‘sweetheart’ plea deal, says lawyer representing 737 Max crash victims Lawyers representing the families of victims of the 737 Max crashes say that the US Justice Department is making a deal with Boeing concerning the deferred prosecution agreement. Reportedly, Boeing will plead guilty to criminal charges, pay a fine, agree to a corporate monitor, and be on probation for three years. The families would rather see a trial. They characterize this as a “sweetheart deal.” A Florida family is suing NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through their home After the space junk punched a hole in their roof, the family is seeking compensation for non-insured property damage, emotional and mental anguish, and other damages. Pilots must report incidents where objects fall from aircraft within 24 hours. The FAA tracks such incidents to ensure safety. Falling objects (including those from the sky) are typically covered under standard homeowners’ insurance policies for property damage. Pilot Caught Secretly Working For Two Airlines One Mile at a Time wonders how she managed schedules at two airlines without running into conflicts. Also, how long did she think this was going to last? Was she planning to pick one airline? KM Malta pilot caught flying for another airline in breach of safety rules The Shift reports that a first officer with KM Malta Airlines was found to be traveling to London during her rest period and working for Virgin Atlantic. Virgin fired the woman immediately when they discovered what she was doing, a violation of international safety rules and the employment contract. Reportedly, KM Malta Airlines initially suspended her but then reinstated the pilot. See also, Virgin Atlantic is hit by frightening safety scare after pilot’s disturbing secret was exposed and Pilot Caught Secretly Working For Two Airlines. Mentioned The Air Show Podcast Flight Planning Demands a Dose of Common Sense Airbus releases its first original free-to-view docuseries, A330neo evolution The series is titled “A330neo: The Heir Apparent.” It’s an Airbus Original documentary series that explores the A330neo. Find episodes on the Airbus YouTube channel. Video: A330neo: The Heir Apparent – An Airbus Original series (Trailer) https://youtu.be/4rKo4weU9s8?si=AlsRDuQluecyiOW6 Dassault Falcon 7X An FO, Micah, and Captain Dana Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Boeing CEO testifies before Congress and prosecutors ask for criminal charges, investigators look into a low-altitude Southwest flight and an activist investor wants Southwest CEO out, NTSB released a close-call preliminary report, and Cirrus won’t approve a certain 100LL fuel. Also, an Australia Desk report, the E-3 AWACS jet, and a Triphibian. Aviation News Boeing CEO grilled at Senate hearing: ‘The problem’s with you’ Boeing CEO David Calhoun testified at a two-hour Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing. Calhoun admitted that whistleblowers were retaliated against. Subcommittee chair Sen. Richard Blumenthal stated “After whistleblower John Barnett raised his concerns about missing parts, he reported that his supervisor called him 19 times in one day and 21 times another day. And when Barnett asked his supervisor about those calls, he was told, ‘I’m going to push you until you break.’” Blumenthal said that in his opinion, the Department of Justice should criminally prosecute Boeing for violating its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. The DOJ has until July 7, 2024, to decide how it will act. Video: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun testifies before Senate committee on safety issues — 6/18/2024 https://www.youtube.com/live/2LNgce5vLLk?si=baqPzBhFJf8kOZCt Victims’ Attorney Asks DOJ To Fine Boeing; Prosecute Executives In his 32-page letter to the DOJ, Professor Paul Cassell of the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City asks for $24 billion in fines, that part of the $24 billion fine should be used for “corporate compliance and new safety measures,” that a corporate monitor is appointed to review the safety measures and “to direct improvement as appropriate.” Also that the DOJ prosecutes former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and other “responsible corporate executives.” Exclusive: US prosecutors recommend Justice Dept. criminally charge Boeing U.S. prosecutors asked Justice Department officials to bring criminal charges against Boeing for violation of the deferred prosecution agreement. Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines low flight over Oklahoma City suburbs A Southwest Airlines plane triggered an automated low-altitude alert nine miles out from the Oklahoma City airport. Flightradar24 shows the plane descending to about 525 feet AGL over Oklahoma City suburbs. Air traffic control asked, “Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You doing OK?” The pilot responded, “Yeah, we’re going around.” The air traffic controller responded telling the pilot to maintain 3000 feet. Federal officials are investigating. Southwest’s Diehard Fans Don’t Want Airline to Change Activist hedge fund company Elliott Investment Management has taken a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and wants to oust the airline’s CEO Robert Jordan. Elliott says Jordan “has delivered unacceptable financial and operational performance quarter after quarter and Jordan and former CEO Gary Kelly (currently the executive chairman) “are not up to the task of modernizing Southwest.” Elliott wants to replace Jordan and Kelly with outsiders and make “significant” changes to the board of directors with others who bring airline experience. NTSB Releases Preliminary Reports On Two Airline Close Calls In April 2024, a Swiss Air A330 aborted its takeoff from Runway 4L at JFK after they saw taxiing traffic on the runway. One controller cleared the Swiss flight for takeoff, and a ground controller cleared four other airplanes to cross the same runway. In February 2023, TCAS (traffic/collision alert system) issued “resolution advisories” over an inbound Mesa Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 and a SkyWest Embraer EMB-170 at  Hollywood-Burbank Airport. The two aircraft came within 1,700 feet of each other. Cirrus: G100UL Use May Void Warranties GAMI Responds To Cirrus G100UL Service Advisory General Aviation Modifications Inc. has invested in developing an unleaded, high-octane fuel that could replace leaded avgas in piston airplanes. Cirrus has tested G100UL fuel in SR20, SR22, and SR22T aircraft, but the result is mixed. Cirrus says “While some aspects of the initial Cirrus testing of the GAMI G100UL fuel are encouraging, other areas, including materials compatibility, remain inconclusive. At this time, Cirrus does not approve the use of GAMI G100UL fuel in Cirrus SR Series airplanes.” See Transition to Unleaded Fuel and Use of Non-Cirrus Approved Fuel in SR Series Aircraft [PDF]. Australia Desk Grant and Steve return for an Australia Desk report, the first for 2024, and much has happened in the first half of the year on the Australian aviation scene. Sadly, in a case of “we told you so”, new LCC entrant Bonza Air has ceased operations after 15 months, entering into voluntary administration on April 30th.  Despite numerous reports of a buyer being found for the group, lessors had repossessed the company’s 737 MAX8 aircraft, the last of which departed Australia on June 5th. Bonza joins a long list of failed operators who’ve tried to enter the local airline market, only to find that hype, spin, and fancy PR only go so far before the financial realities of operating in an ultra-competitive aviation environment begin to take their toll.  Previous entrants include Compass, Air Australia, JetGo, Impulse (which morphed eventually into Jetstar), OzJet, and most notably (but for perhaps a wider range of issues) Ansett. But fear not!  As cringe-worthy as the infantile branding of Bonza was, Grant shakes Steve to his boots with news of a possible new contender under the name Koala Airlines.  Oh, dear…. Bonza owes money to almost 60,000 customers, hundreds of staff, and 120 suppliers, court hears Koala Airlines In defence news, the RAAF has taken delivery of its first MQ-4C Triton aircraft; the first of four on order which will be based in northern Australia at RAAF Base Tindal, and operated remotely from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia by 9 Squadron. 9SQN had been stood down since 1989, following the transfer of Australia’s Blackhawk fleet to the Army, and has now been reactivated in this new RPAS role.  The squadron enjoys a rich history however, dating back to its inception in 1939. First Australian Triton lands at Tindal No. 9 Squadron RAAF Plane Crazy Down Under Mentioned Familyfest Boeing/Leonardo MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter Boeing/Leonardo MH-139A Grey Wolf MVP Aero Model 3 Amphibious Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) –  A prototype “triphibian” light-sport aircraft. MVP Aero 3 triphibian. New York Air National Guard, 109th Airlift Wing, LC-130. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

Innovations in Flight at the National Air & Space Museum, FAA preparing to address the public charter loophole, titanium components manufactured with improper paperwork, Southwest 737 MAX experienced a “Dutch Roll,” Lockheed Martin team receives Collier Trophy, and business jet found after 53 years. Innovations in Flight The annual Innovations in Flight was held June 15, 2024, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, adjacent to Dulles International Airport. The outdoor fly-in features over 50 unique aircraft, flown in for one day only. Visitors explored the engineering and design innovations that have taken place during the last century of flight and talk with the pilots of vintage and modern aircraft on display. Again this year, Hillel Glazer flew his 1972 Piper Cherokee 180 to Innovations in Flight. He describes how aircraft are selected to participate, the process of arriving and departing from Dulles Airport, and the taxiway through the woods that connects the two facilities. Perhaps most notably, Hillel recorded conversations with some younger visitors, ages 7 to 13. In this episode, you can hear Johnny (Age 7), Alexandra (Age 8), Phoebe (Age 12), Luka (Age 12), and Jackson (Age 9). Jackson even has his own YouTube channel: Flight Pattern Talk with Jax. LIstener JD Gold (left) 777 Pilot for FedEx with Hillel (right). Reflections on the museum’s architectural feature above the side door. Waiting in the conga line to depart behind the NOAA “P-3” Aviation News FAA Cracks Down On “Public Charter” Loophole, Bad News For JSX The so-called “public charter loophole” allows charter companies to operate from private terminals without some of the requirements that larger carriers are subject to, such as TSA screening and pilots with more than 1,500 flight hours. The FAA says they are now going to address this situation by issuing an NPRM that would amend the definitions of “scheduled,” “on demand,” and “supplemental” operations. Titanium in Boeing, Airbus jets lacks proper documentation, companies say Spirit AeroSystems used titanium that had counterfeit documentation and which found its way into both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. U.S. and European safety regulators are investigating, while the companies involved say the titanium is not a safety issue, only the documentation is deficient. US NTSB investigating ‘Dutch roll’ by Southwest Boeing 737 MAX The Dutch roll occurred at 34,000 feet on a flight from Phoenix, Arizona to Oakland, California. The lateral asymmetric movements of the roll were named after a Dutch ice skating technique. Pilots regained control of the plane which proceeded without additional incident, however, Southwest found damage to structural components and the NTSB and FAA are investigating. See: Yaw Dampers and video: What is a Dutch Roll? https://youtu.be/9Gt-IcCBiQ4?si=KgbVtTW57zTTswBc The National Aeronautic Association Recognizes Lockheed Martin with Prestigious Collier Trophy The 2023 Robert J. Collier Trophy was awarded by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to Lockheed Martin for the team’s work on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return mission which collected an asteroid sample in 2020 and returned it to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023. The OSIRIS-Rex team includes Lockheed Martin, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center, the University of Arizona, and KinetX, among many others. A jet disappeared in Vermont over 53 years ago. Experts believe they’ve found it in Lake Champlain Air controllers lost contact with the Aero Commander Jet Commander 1121A ( N400CP) shortly after takeoff in 1971 over Lake Champlain in Vermont. It was only found after an underwater searcher located it recently at a depth of 200 feet. The NTSB will verify that this is the plane from 1971. Small plane crash-lands in Androscoggin River in Topsham The 1947 fixed-wing single-engine Aeronca 7AC Champion is fully submerged, after experiencing mechanical problems. Mentioned Mobile Helicopter Exhibit “Stubby,” the helicopter exhibit. MAC Air Group founder Al Caruso flies west at the age of 74 Video: FIGHTER JET DELAY? – F-35’s buzz over Phillies vs. Orioles game in Baltimore causing a short delay https://youtu.be/9FpwEVVfijs?si=kCzCm4c5LWvp5Rto Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Hillel Glazer.

We take a look at the Boeing Safety and Quality Plan, the NTSB recommendations after the Southwest/FedEx near miss, the suspension of some ATC staff in India, Essential Air Service contracts, BARK Air’s lawsuit over airport-use restrictions, the sale of a B-17, and the NTSB inspection of the USAirways flight 1549 engines. Aviation News Boeing Safety & Quality Plan Boeing had 90 days to deliver a comprehensive plan to the FAA to improve the company’s safety management and quality assurance, including in the supply chain. We look at The Boeing Product Safety and Quality Plan Executive Summary [PDF, 11 pages.] The Plan includes the containment and mitigation actions Boeing took immediately after the accident. It also introduces Boeing’s new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of production system health and associated control limits for each KPI. Boeing intends that these metrics will provide “a continuous assessment of factory health and provide early warning of emerging quality and safety risks. They also will facilitate tracking of Boeing’s improvement under the Product Safety and Quality Plan and guide decisions about system readiness for rate increases.” Boeing’s Immediate Containment and Mitigation Improvements directed at the Boeing production system: Admiral Kirkland Donald Revised the build plans, training, maintenance planning, aircraft manual documentation, removal requirements and inspection criteria for the Mid-Exit Door (MED) plug; Instituted additional controls to prevent defects in the MED plug and similar structures and assemblies; Added conformance inspections to nine critical build points; Processed fleet and production inspection findings through Boeing’s SMS and Quality Management System (QMS); Published alerts on removals and rework, signed by all factory employees; Hosted representatives from 737 airline customers to review Boeing’s production and quality procedures, and to provide feedback; Appointed a recognized safety and quality leader, Admiral Kirkland Donald, to independently assess Boeing’s production system; and Implemented a revised management and salaried compensation model focused on quality and safety, with aligned key performance indicators across all programs. Improvements directed at the Boeing supply chain: Instituted additional controls at Spirit to prevent defects in the MED plug and similar structures and assemblies; Added new inspections at Spirit, as well as pre-shipment approval requirements on fuselages prior to shipment to Boeing; Added competency assessments for all supplier mechanics doing structural work at Boeing sites; and Issued supplier bulletins to strengthen focus on conformance and reduce the risks of defects being shipped. Key Performance Indicators A significant component of the Product Safety and Quality Plan is the identification of six critical, safety-focused production health KPIs: Employee Proficiency (measures share of employees currently staffed to commercial programs who are proficient); Notice of Escape (NoE) Rework Hours (measures rework due to Fabrication and supplier-provided escapes to Final Assembly); Supplier Shortages (measures Fabrication and supplier shortages/day); Rework Hours per airplane (measures total rework hours per airplane in Final Assembly); Travelers at Factory Rollout (measures jobs traveling from Final Assembly); and Ticketing Performance (measures average escapes per ticketed airplane). Each KPI also has associated control limits and defined criteria that will trigger corrective action and SMS risk monitoring. Product Safety and Quality Plan Attention Areas Safety Management System three main initiatives:  Streamlining employee reporting channels; [Submissions are up 500%] Addressing traveled work risk; [implemented a “move ready” process—737 airplanes may not move to the next factory position until identified build milestones are completed, unless a Safety Risk Assessment (SRA) is conducted and a mitigation plan is in place.] Deepening the integration of Boeing’s SMS with the QMS. Simplification of Processes and Procedures [To help employees better understand their obligations, execute work instructions, and deploy solutions to overcome roadblocks.] Supply Chain Defect Reduction Strengthening data and analytics capabilities to provide proactive notification of supplier issues, including the creation of an advanced analysis tool; Standardizing supplier oversight actions to prioritize safety and quality, including through the implementation of a common supplier engagement model;  Simplifying and improving supplier quality processes; Driving industry change and dialogue about quality and safety issues. Training Planned enhancements in late 2024,  New manufacturing and quality employees will receive up to two more weeks of foundational training, followed by enhanced structured on-the-job training (SOJT) Production System Compliance Foreign Object Debris (FOD) control;  Tool control;  Parts and materials control;  Employees’ adherence to work instructions.  Engagement and Communications Holding full-day quality stand downs and Safety and Quality events across the Company; Creating and supporting Employee Involvement Teams (“EITs”) to conduct weekly problem-solving sessions and review employee ideas for improving the production system;  Establishing a leadership program for manufacturing, quality, and fulfillment managers; Improving the Company’s messaging about safety, quality, and compliance. Installation Plan Improvements [work plans] Special Audit Items For Boeing quality escapes;  Boeing liaison engineering and Material Review Board (MRB) issues;  and Boeing’s approach to Spirit-related findings Expert Review Panel Recommendations Boeing agrees with the findings and recommendations of the Expert Review Panel. NTSB Proposes More Training, Tech After Southwest and FedEx Jets Near-Miss in Texas In February 2023, Southwest Airlines and FedEx jets came close to colliding in Austin, Texas. After seeing the Southwest Boeing 737-700 plane at the last second, the FedEx pilots flew their Boeing 767-300 over the Southwest jet to avoid a collision. The two planes were only about 150 to 170 feet apart. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the near miss was a bad assumption by the air traffic controller that the departing Southwest plane would be clear before the FedEx plane landed on the same runway.  The Board also identified two contributing factors: Southwest crew members failed “to account for the traffic on short final approach and to notify the controller” that they would need additional time for takeoff.  The FAA did not require surface detection equipment at the Austin airport. India’s Aviation Regulator Suspends Mumbai ATC Staff Involved In IndiGo & Air India Airbus A320neo Close Call The IndiGo A320neo was on approach to Runway 27 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai, India. The plane touched down seconds after an Air India A320neo had departed the same runway. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating and has “derostered” the ATC staff working at the time of the incident. Video: Indigo a320 Landing and Air India a320 Takeoff at The Same time at Mumbai Airport https://youtube.com/shorts/defPAz758IA?si=2wjVmb8y5m5ertDs JetBlue Awarded First-Ever Essential Air Service Contract JetBlue will serve Presque Isle under a two-year contract.  Essential Air Service The Essential Air Service (EAS) program was implemented to guarantee that small communities served by certified air carriers before airline deregulation maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service. This is generally accomplished by subsidizing two round trips a day with 30- to 50-seat aircraft, or additional frequencies with aircraft with 9-seat[s] or fewer, usually to a large- or medium-hub airport.  The Department currently subsidizes commuter and certificated air carriers to serve approximately 60 communities in Alaska and 115 communities in the lower 48 contiguous states that otherwise would not receive any scheduled air service. 2024-6-3 Order Selecting Air Carrier Posted by the Department of Transportation on Jun 4, 2024: “By this Order, the U.S. Department of Transportation (the Department) selects JetBlue Airways Corporation (JetBlue) to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) at Presque Isle, Maine (Presque Isle), for the two-year term from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026. JetBlue will provide Presque Isle with seven (7) nonstop round trips per week from Presque Isle International Airport (PQI) to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) using 100-passenger Embraer E190 (E190) aircraft for the first year and 140-passenger Airbus A220-300 aircraft for the second year. JetBlue will be compensated at the annual subsidy rates outlined below.” BARK Air for dogs sued days after first flight Westchester County sued BARK Air alleging violations of the county’s airport-use restrictions.  Those restrictions include a prohibition on the operation of commercial and chartered aircraft with more than nine seats from using the private jet terminal. BARK Air’s Gulfstream Aerospace GV jet has 14 seats. In a filing to the FAA, Westchester County said that the public charters “closely resemble” services offered by large, commercial airlines. Michigan Flight Museum (former Yankee Air Museum) Sells Centerpiece B-17 ‘Yankee Lady’ The Boeing B-17G has been sold to an undisclosed buyer for an undisclosed price. For some 40 years, the museum generated revenue with rides on the B-17. The money from the sale will be invested to support the museum. Mentioned NTSB Docket No. SA-532 Exhibit No. 8-A William (Bill) Anders, Apollo 8 astronaut, Killed in San Juan Islands Plane Crash Apollo 8: Earthrise Taken aboard Apollo 8 by Bill Anders. Image Credit: NASA. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Interviews and a tour of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. In the news, Boeing delivers its quality improvement plan to the FAA, and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby calls for more competition in the airline industry. Sullenberger Aviation Museum The museum at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina has been reimagined with new interactive experiences for visitors. The centerpiece is the “Miracle on the Hudson” exhibition featuring the jet that landed safely in New York’s Hudson River in 2009 – US Airways Flight 1549. The Sullenberger Aviation Museum (an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution) tells stories of innovation, hope, and heroism throughout the history of aviation, It seeks to inspire visitors of all ages to pursue their dreams and goals. Sully Sullenberger next to Flight 1549 We spoke with: Katie Swaringen, Vice President of Collections, took us on a walking tour of the museum and explained some of the interactive experiences. Stephen Saucier, President and CEO of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, describes the museum’s vision, the master planning process, and experience design with Freeman Ryan Design. The result meets the needs of the community (STEM education, access to careers, workforce development), the many sponsors and contributors. Todd Giles, the CTO at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, describes the company’s motivations for sponsoring the museum and the Maker Space. We talk about the Honeywell APU in Flight 1549 and touch on the SmartRunway and SmartLanding traffic awareness offerings to come, as well as new bizjet and eVTOL cockpits. Inspire, educate, and elevate: The Miracle on the Hudson – The Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes flight in Charlotte Video: The Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes flight in Charlotte https://youtu.be/FTPUgdipMi0?si=pXCW5NPmKpPlN-Ju Aviation News Boeing Gives F.A.A. Plan to Address Systemic Quality-Control Issues In response to an FAA order, Boeing delivered a “comprehensive action plan” to address the airframer’s systemic issues. Boeing did not set a timeline to make changes. Boeing developed six metrics for tracking the plan’s progress. Video: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker holds a briefing to discuss Boeing’s safety issues — 5/30/2024 https://www.youtube.com/live/_DmZrP50paI?si=br5w-tIMGzeOo3iv Scott Kirby Says It’s Time to End the Big Jet Airline Duopoly United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says it’s time for more competition. From The Air Current. Mentioned Whirlwind – Wikipedia Bristol Helicopters – Wikipedia Iran President’s Crash Highlights Struggle to Upgrade an Aging Fleet – WSJ paywall Japan Air Lines Flight 123 – Wikipedia Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Airplane tail strike, miracle flights, 737 MAX Deferred Prosecution Agreement, the FAA Reauthorization Act, airport name changes, and fatal helicopter crash in Iran. Also, a report on the Valdez Fly-In and Airshow, and a scenic flight around Denali Mountain. Aviation News NTSB Releases Final Report Of United Airlines Boeing 737 Tail Strike In Houston The NTSB report of the January 2024 tail strike says the 737-900ER touched down three times while landing. The aircraft’s aft fuselage “impacted the runway as a result of a delayed flare and subsequent nose-high pitch inputs.” The initial touchdown force was 1.87G and the second touchdown was 2.87G. An article in SKYbrary states that “various studies by several of the major aircraft manufacturers have arrived at similar conclusions regarding the primary cause of tail strike. The most significant common factor is the amount of flight crew experience with the specific model of aircraft being flown.” Studies identified eight specific Causal Factors that greatly increase the risk of a tail strike: During take-off: Improperly Set Elevator Trim or Mis-Trimmed Stabiliser  Rotation at Incorrect Speed Excessive Rotation Rate Improper Use of the Flight Director During landing: Unstabilized Approach Excessive Hold-Off in the Flare  Crosswinds Over-Rotation During Go-Around Over 65% of tail strikes occur during landings, while only 25% happen during takeoffs. With One Simple Change, Southwest Airlines Will Deal Blow To Wheelchair Scammers, Unruly Passengers And Seat Savers Southwest Airlines is considering implementing assigned seating, eliminating the need for passengers to board early to get a good seat. The change would address “the phenomenon of passengers faking disabilities to board early, end the practice of seat saving, and make it easier to identify unruly passengers on board.” Currently, Southwest is the only airline that doesn’t have passenger names and seat assignments on the flight’s manifest. DOJ Takes Key Step to Hold Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX8 Crash Deaths The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has determined that Boeing breached the January 2021 Deferred Prosecution Agreement. The Clifford law firm (which represents families of the Boeing 787 MAX8 crash victims) says that Boeing could now face a criminal trial, although more action is needed from the DOJ. Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act Signed Into Law Senate passes sweeping FAA bill focused on safety and consumer protections Unions Notch Congress Win to Keep Pilots’ Retirement Age at 65 H.R.3935 – Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act American Airlines Bus Service Connecting Wilmington Delaware Airport (ILG) to PHL to Start This Fall The Delaware River & Bay Authority announced that American Airlines and its partner Landline Co. plan to launch a bus service between Wilmington Airport (ILG) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Passengers flying out of Philly can park, check bags, and pass through security at the Wilmington Airport. Chicago-Bound United Airlines Boeing 767 Diverts to Ireland After Passenger Gets Laptop Wedged Stuck in Business Class Seat United Airlines flight 12 from Zurich to Chicago O’Hare was forced to make an emergency diversion to Shannon, Ireland after a passenger got their laptop stuck in a Business Class seat aboard the Boeing 767-300. Two More Airports Are Fighting Over Using a City Name, This Time in Canada Where a Lawsuit Is Already Underway Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is suing Saint-Hubert Airport after the smaller airport decided to rebrand itself as Montreal Metropolitan Airport. Valdez Fly-In and Airshow Listener Brian and Cora attended the 2024 Valdez Fly-In and Airshow in Alaska and provided a trip report. The couple also took a scenic flight around Denali Mountain and the report highlights the unique experiences and stunning views. The Valdez Fly-In and Airshow is an annual aviation event held at Valdez Pioneer Field Airport in Valdez, Alaska. Established in 2003, the Valdez Fly-In features world-class competitions, aerobatic displays, and a variety of activities for aviation enthusiasts and families alike. Brian and Cora on the glacier. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Korean Air 747s will become the new doomsday planes, the new ATC rest rules have been delayed by the FAA, Breeze flight attendants voted to join the union, a United jumpseat pilot has upset some Southwest pilots, the GA flyover in DC was a success, Boeing employees were found to have falsified 787 Dreamliner inspection records, Airbus hasn’t leveraged an advantage in light of Boeing’s woes, and airlines sue the DOT over a new rule requiring the disclosure of fees. Aviation News Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes Korean Air has confirmed the sale of five of its 747-8s to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which is building the new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft, also referred to as “doomsday planes.” The USAF states:  The E-4B “Nightwatch” serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control, and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities. SNC acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The current E-4B aircraft are based on the 747-200. SNC specializes in aircraft modification and integration as well as space technologies. FAA Delaying the Start of ATC Rest Rules The new FAA ATC rest requirements require controllers to have at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. The rule was to have taken effect by mid-July. However, the FAA has delayed those requirements while it talks to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union. FAA Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Timothy Arel hopes to reach a joint rest period agreement for the 2025 schedule “or sooner where feasible.” Flight attendants at this Utah airline just voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to unionize More than 76% of the roughly 600 Breeze Airways flight attendants voted to join the Association of Flight Attendants. AFA international president Sara Nelson said “We are inspired by their solidarity and thrilled to welcome them to our AFA family. Our labor movement is growing. Everywhere.” See: Breeze Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly to Join the Flight Attendant Union. “Breeze Flight Attendants organized for a union and a contract due to ongoing issues with constantly-changing work rules, substandard pay for time on the job, inadequate hotel accommodations, insufficient work hours, and inconsistent and disrespectful treatment from management.” American Airlines is Issuing ‘Poverty Verification Letters’ For New-Hire Flight Attendants Because Their Wages Are So Low Nearly One in Ten Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Have Experienced Homelessness in the Past Year and Over a Third Have Been Forced to Use a Food Bank Poverty verification letters are being sent to some new-hire flight attendants based in expensive areas. Airline Feud Escalates: United Pilots Barred From Southwest Airlines Jump Seats After Controversial Incident This stems from an incident where a “relatively new” United pilot reported some “inadequacies” to the FAA after jumpseating on a Southwest flight. AOPA’s General Aviation Flyover in DC Video: LIVE DC Flyover – AOPA’s National Celebration of General Aviation https://www.youtube.com/live/vpSaYYcljIk?si=7eb13EFMVeUZUx4o FAA is investigating Boeing for apparent missed inspections on 787 Dreamliner Boeing voluntarily disclosed to the FAA that some B787 Dreamliner inspections may not have been performed, but were signed off as completed. The inspections are intended to verify adequate bonding and grounding at the wing-fuselage joint. In a statement to NPR, the FAA said it’s also investigating “whether Boeing completed the inspections and whether company employees may have falsified aircraft records.” The agency also said Boeing is re-inspecting “all 787 airplanes still within the production system and must also create a plan to address the in-service fleet.” Boeing told NPR it “promptly notified the FAA and this is not an immediate safety of flight issue”. Commercial jet maker Airbus is staying humble even as Boeing flounders. There’s a reason for that Airbus has over 8,600 orders in backlog and can’t build planes fast enough. There is not much ability of Airbus to take orders from Boeing. (Boeing’s commercial backlog is more than 5,660 planes.) Major airlines sue Biden administration over fee disclosure rule The airlines don’t like the new DOT rule requiring upfront disclosure of airline fees. Filing a lawsuit against the DOT are Airlines for America, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. A4A said the new rules would confuse consumers and that its “attempt to regulate private business operations in a thriving marketplace is beyond its authority.” Mentioned Leo J. Kohn Digitization Project and Fundraising – Press Release [PDF]. The digitization and preservation project page where donations are accepted is https://www.wahf.org/kohn/. Leo J. Kohn Photography Collection, #957 – Boeing YB-29J, “Pacsuan Dreamboat”, 44-84061. New York, NY. Photo by Larkins. Exciting #SpotLAX24 Updates SpotLAX is a must-attend event! Got $200K & Want To Fly Electric? This Ultralight eVTOL Ships In July & Doesn’t Require A Pilot License Pivotal Helix eVTOL Pivotal Helix eVTOL Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Satellite communications for aviation with the Executive Director of Aviation at Iridium Communications Inc. In the news, we’ve lost an aviation icon, a DOT Office of Inspector General report looks NextGen, an unruly passenger pays the price, a second Boeing whistleblower dies, the declining value of frequent flyer programs, and squawking the 7700 emergency distress code. Guest John Peterson is the Executive Director of Aviation at Iridium Communications Inc., a satellite communications company offering global voice and data coverage. John helps deliver Iridium’s safety, voice, and data solutions to pilots and operators. John is an aviation enthusiast and private pilot who has worked in the industry for 30 years in different roles, including engineering, product management, and leadership roles at Boeing, Collins, Gogo, and Honeywell. Iridium provides an L-band service with signals that pass through weather effectively. The Ku-band and Ka-band frequencies used by others have higher data rates but are more susceptible to degradation caused by weather. Because of the L-band reliability, those frequencies are permitted for safety applications. John explains that the infrastructure for ground-based communication is robust in the U.S., but not so over the ocean. Thus, satellite communications are necessary for flights over areas without ground stations. We learn that the Iridium “legacy” satellites have a data rate of 2.4 kbps while the new Iridium Certus® satellites offer a faster 700 kbps. John explains the orbital planes of the Iridium Low Earth Orbit satellites and how data gets to ground stations via cross-links between satellites. John tells us about GA applications for satellite communications and the value-added resellers. We also explore critical infrastructure support, narrow-band IoT (direct-to-device) technologies,  and how low-cost hand-held transponders could bring significant value to aviation. Aviation News Dick Rutan, co-pilot of historic round-the-world flight, dies aged 85 Dick Rutan was a USAF pilot, a Vietnam War veteran who flew 325 missions, and a test pilot. He flew the first unrefueled non-stop flight around the world with Jeana Yeager in the Rutan Voyager, designed by his brother Burt. Dick Rutan and Mike Melvill flew two Rutan Long-EZ kit aircraft around the world as the Spirit of EAA Friendship World Tour. Dick set the point-to-point distance record in a ground-launched, rocket-powered aircraft. He died from complications of Long COVID in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on May 3, 2024. He was 85. DOT Inspector General Report Faults FAA NextGen Progress The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen), is a large-scale FAA initiative to modernize the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). According to the FAA, “NextGen… has modernized air traffic infrastructure in communications, navigation, surveillance, automation, and information management with the aim of increasing the safety, efficiency, capacity, predictability, flexibility, and resiliency of American aviation. NextGen’s scope includes airport infrastructure improvements, new air traffic technologies and procedures, and safety and security enhancements.” The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) report says the NextGen air traffic management technology is not living up to FAA promises. See: FAA’s Report on Air Traffic Modernization Presents an Incomplete and Out-of-Date Assessment of NextGen [PDF] from the OIG. A United Airlines passenger got “belligerent” with flight attendants. Here’s what that will cost him. A passenger from Chelmsford, England on a flight from London to Newark, New Jersey had a loud argument with his girlfriend. Then he started yelling at a flight attendant. Court documents indicate that he was verbally and physically aggressive. The TSA said, “When flight attendants asked [the man] to be quiet and attempted to calm him, he became belligerent, threatening, and intimidating towards them. He also said that he would “mess up the plane.” The man was restrained and the plane diverted to Bangor, Maine. On March 22, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of interfering with a flight crew and was sentenced to time already served and ordered to pay United Airlines $20,638. Was Foul Play Involved in the Boeing Whistleblowers’ Deaths? People Are Definitely Worried About It. A second Boeing whistleblower has died, in this case, the man was 45 and passed after becoming suddenly ill. Two months ago, another whistleblower was found dead in his truck from a gunshot wound. The bad news about your airline points It’s harder to gain status on Delta, Alaska has increased points needed for some destinations, American limited what tickets earn points (based on where you bought the tickets), some airlines stopped posting redemption charts so you don’t know what your points are worth, airlines sometimes charge more for “mileage multipliers” than what the points are worth, and some airlines charge a fee to transfer points. Mystery of Why Multiple Flights Over Belgium Suddenly Started Transmitting Emergency Distress Call in Quick Succession Has Been Solved  At least four aircraft flying over Belgium squawked the 7700 emergency distress code at about the same time. Observers were curious about why, but the controller asked them to squawk 7700 when rerouting them through airspace where the military was conducting training. Mentioned Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and David Vanderhoof.

We look at pilot training with guest Jason Miller from The Finer Points. In the news, more pilot downsizing, new DOT rules for canceled and significantly delayed flights, the FAA reauthorization bill, a general aviation flyover of the nation’s capital, and airport vs. tornado. Guest Jason Miller is a CFII with over 20 years of aviation experience who has given nearly 10,000 hours of instruction. He is a member of the FAA Safety Team, an instructor for AOPA’s Air Safety Institute, and the FAA named him the Western Pacific CFI of the Year for 2009 and 2016. To help pilots improve their flying, Jason created The Finer Points aviation podcast in 2005. His pilot training resources have grown to include a YouTube channel, a CFI Club, a ground school app, and the Airplane Camp experience. Jason has long believed in raising the bar on pilot training. The concept behind The Finer Points is packaging training excellence and developing the tools and products for pilots that fill the gaps in pilot training. The CFI Club was created as a place where instructors can interact and continuously improve their skills. The 3-day Airplane Camp events are held for pilots several times a year and include lectures, food, and survival skills. Jason’s Ground School flight training app for private and instrument ratings is a complete flight training system built from experience. Aviation News Southwest to Trim Workforce by 2,000, Offer Voluntary Time Off Programs as Boeing Delivery Delays Hit Finances Following a 1st quarter 2024 net loss of $231, Southwest Airlines is undertaking several cost-cutting measures.  By year-end 2024, the airline plans to have 2,000 fewer employees. Southwest will slow hiring and offer voluntary time off programs. Also, Southwest is leaving four “underperforming markets:” Bellingham International Airport, Cozumel International Airport, Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Syracuse Hancock International Airport. The airline originally planned to take delivery of 85 737MAX jets in 2024, but was revised downward to 46 airplanes, and again to 20 aircraft. Cargo airline Amerijet warns of pilot furloughs amid downsizing Since losing contracts with the U.S. Postal Service and others, Amerijet International plans to furlough some of its 272 pilots soon. How many pilots are furloughed depends on how many pilots accept the company’s offer of fewer working hours. In 2023 the pilot union negotiated a minimum of 74 paid hours, regardless of the number of hours flown. Biden-Harris Administration Announces Final Rule Requiring Automatic Refunds of Airline Tickets and Ancillary Service Fees The Department of Transportation announced its final rule for airlines. Airlines must give passengers full cash refunds for canceled and significantly delayed flights if the passenger doesn’t accept alternative transportation or travel credits. Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight. Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service. The final rule improves the passenger experience by requiring refunds to be: Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds without passengers having to explicitly request them or jump through hoops.  Prompt: Airlines and ticket agents must issue refunds within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. Cash or original form of payment: Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase, such as credit card or airline miles. Airlines may not substitute vouchers, travel credits, or other forms of compensation unless the passenger affirmatively chooses to accept alternative compensation.   Full amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price, minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. The refunds must include all government-imposed taxes and fees and airline-imposed fees, regardless of whether the taxes or fees are refundable to airlines. Here’s what flyers should know about the bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill Draft legislation from House and Senate committees: Would codify into law the Department of Transportation rules on refunds when an airline cancels or significantly delays flights. Travel credits issued by airlines in place of refunds would be valid for at least five years. Commercial aircraft cockpit voice recorders would record for 25 hours. The FAA would be required to hire more air traffic controllers. Additional runway technology requirements. Expanded legal protections for ground-based employees. General Aviation Flyover Of D.C. Set For May 11 On May 11, 2024, about 60 GA aircraft will fly over Washington, D.C.  The General Aviation DC Flyover commemorates the first proclamation of National Aviation Day in 1939 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the creation of AOPA 85 years ago. The aircraft will follow the Potomac River to downtown Washington, fly over the National Mall, and head down Independence Ave. The flight will be visible from the mall area and live-streamed on AOPA’s YouTube channel. Commentary by AOPA Live anchor Tom Haines and aviation journalist Miles O’Brien starts at 11:45 EDT. See: Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Special Flight Rules Area; Technical Amendment Prohibited Area 56 (P-56) surrounds the White House, the National Mall, and the vice president’s residence in Washington, D.C. The only aircraft allowed to fly in that area are specially authorized flights that are in direct support of the U.S. Secret Service, the Office of the President, or one of several government agencies with missions that require air support within P-56. These prohibited areas have been in effect for about 50 years. Nebraska Airport Raked by Tornado The Eppley Airfield general aviation area was severely damaged by an EF3 tornado, which produces winds of 135 to 165 mph. Four hangars containing about 32 aircraft were destroyed. Mentioned Life is just a Breeze at PWM Apple Vision Pro on the subway Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

To combat controller fatigue the FAA issued new rules for rest periods, another airport runway incursion, American Airlines pilots say the number of safety issues is increasing, Boom Supersonic received a Special Flight Authorization from the FAA to exceed Mach 1 for their XB-1 demonstrator, the Feds are using state resources to help enforce airline consumer laws, evidence shows someone other than a pilot at the controls of a charter flight operated by United, and a California bill would ban the CLEAR system at airports in the state. Aviation News New FAA rest rules to address ‘fatigue’ issues with air traffic controllers Near-miss incidents continue to occur at the nation’s airports. After he toured air traffic control facilities, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said he “heard concerns about schedules that do not always allow controllers to get enough rest.” From Statement from FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker: Michael Whitaker, courtesy FAA “In December 2023, we commissioned an independent panel of scientific fatigue experts to assess the risks introduced by controller fatigue in our system and to give us a roadmap to mitigate the risks. The panel’s report [PDF] brought into focus key reforms which we’re implementing immediately to ensure air traffic controllers are getting sufficient rest, while we also work to implement some longer term, systemic changes. As an initial step, I will require 10 hours off between shifts, and 12 hours off before a midnight shift, effective in 90 days, consistent with the expert panel’s recommendations. I am also directing the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service to ensure the agency has a robust methodology to ensure compliance with this direction.” The panel: Mark Rosekind, a safety and sleep/fatigue professional and former National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) member. Charles Czeisler, chief and senior physician, Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders, Departments of Medicine and Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital Dr. Erin Flynn-Evans, head of the NASA Ames Research Center Fatigue Countermeasures Laboratory. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has expressed concern that they were not consulted about the new controller fatigue rules, and those rules may not produce the intended result given the current controller shortage. See NATCA calls on FAA to collaborate on air traffic controller fatigue. Southwest B38M at Washington on Apr 18th 2024, runway incursion forces rejected takeoff A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-8 MAX performing a flight from Washington National, DC to Orlando, FL (USA), was taxiing for departure from runway 01 and taxied past the hold short line of runway 04. Meanwhile, a Jetblue Embraer ERJ-190 performing a flight from Washington National to Boston was cleared for takeoff from runway 04 and was accelerating. Ground Control shouted that the Southwest plane should stop immediately and the crew stopped the aircraft about 40 meters/130 feet past the hold short line and about 30 meters/100 feet short of the runway edge line. The Jetblue crew aborted their takeoff at low speed and stopped about 240 meters/790 feet down the runway. Graphics: AVH/Google Earth American Airlines Pilots Claim There Has Been a “Significant Spike” in Safety Issues at the Carrier In a leaked memo noting “problematic trends,” the Allied Pilots Association (APA) representing pilots at American Airlines asks members to take their time when conducting pre-departure checks. The union cites tools being left out, an increased number of aircraft collisions during towing, incorrect paperwork documenting aircraft damage, and hazards left by inexperienced ground staff on taxiways and around stands. XB-1 to Mach 1 The FAA issued a Special Flight Authorization (SFA) to Exceed Mach 1 for Boom’s XB-1 demonstrator. Supersonic operations will occur in the Black Mountain Supersonic Corridor and some of the High Altitude Supersonic Corridor. This R-2515 airspace has been used extensively for research and military supersonic aeronautical operations. Edwards AFB R-2515 Restricted Airspace: R-2515 Users Handbook [PDF] The SFA extends to chase plane aircraft. A total of 10-20 flights are planned at the Mojave Air & Space Port (R-2508 Complex) before reaching supersonic speeds. Biden Recruits 15 States to Help Enforce Airline Consumers Laws Enforcement of consumer-protection laws covering airline travelers is the federal government’s purview. The U.S. Department of Transportation has signed memorandums of understanding with the attorneys general of 12 states and 3 others allowing them to investigate airline service complaints. If the states believe an airline violated the law or is refusing to cooperate with investigators, the states could refer cases to the DOT for enforcement. The DOT will allow those states to access its consumer-complaint system and train state employees about applicable laws. Participating are Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin, as well as the District of Columbia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. FAA, United Investigate Cockpit Visitor During Baseball Team’s Flight On a Colorado Rockies charter flight operated by United Airlines, a man is seen in a video sitting in the captain’s chair during the flight. The FAA and United Airlines are investigating the incident. The video was posted to social media and YouTube, but subsequently removed. The man is seen at the controls of the Boeing 757. California Moves To Ban CLEAR From Airports: No One Should Go Through Security Faster Some California lawmakers think the CLEAR document verification system is anti-egalitarian. They are seeking to ban the service from airports in that state. The CLEAR service uses biometrics to identify passengers and allows them to go to the front of security queues. PreCheck and Global Entry would not be affected by the proposed law. Mentioned Ladybug Launch: Inspired by a true story of chinitas in space by Melissa Trempe. The children’s book is based on the true story of Chilean high school girls who convinced NASA to send ladybugs to space. Find it on Amazon, at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, and in bookstores. Boeing and the Dark Age of American Manufacturing AI on the Ascent: Empowering the Aviation Maintenance Technician – Aviation Week Webinar, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 11:00 am ET / 8:00 am PT. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Marisa Garcia offers airline industry insights. In the news, orders from Korean Air and Japan Air Lines, the Frontier financial incentive to retain new pilots, lower reward values for frequent flyer programs, landing a plane on the road, changing the name of an airport, and jet service for your dog. Guest Marisa Garcia is the founder, editor, and writer at FCMedia | FlightChic. She’s a freelance writer and senior contributor with Forbes. FlightChic provides airline industry insights, analysis, and reviews, strongly focusing on the passenger experience. Marisa covers aircraft interiors, technical advancements, aviation safety and regulations, airline branding, and marketing strategies. Frequent flyers and aviation enthusiasts will find that Marisa’s writing provides valuable insights and perspectives on the evolving aviation landscape. Marisa joins the conversation as we discuss recent JAL and Korean widebody orders. She offers her perspectives on the premium economy “sweet spot” for airlines and how onboard comfort has improved. Other topics include cabin crew training (especially safety training), the eroding value of airline frequent flyer programs, the criticality of aircraft interiors to safety, and how she became a “safety geek.” Marisa just published Why A B797 Revival Should Be Boeing’s New $50 Billion Plane in Forbes and has a lot to say about a Boeing “middle of the market” aircraft. Marisa has worked directly designing and manufacturing aircraft interiors and safety equipment for many of the world’s leading airlines. She now applies that hands-on experience to reporting on product innovations, certification requirements, and new programs. The editorial aim of FlightChic is to highlight trends and make the industry easier to understand, both for professionals and everyday travelers. See some recent articles by Marisa: Boeing Crisis Could Slow Airline Growth For Years Boeing Falls Far Behind Airbus On Deliveries Amidst 737 MAX Crisis Aviation News Korean Air Favors Airbus With Order For 33 New A350s Korean Air announced an order for 33 A350 family aircraft: 27 A350-1000s and six A350-900s. The deal is valued at USD 13.7 billion. The A350-1000 can accommodate 350 to 410 passengers in a standard three-class configuration. The A350-900 variant is about 7 meters shorter than the A350-1000 and typically seats 300-350 passengers in a three-class layout. Japan Airlines Will Introduce 42 New Planes from Airbus and Boeing. Accelerating International Network Growth With Advanced Fuel-Efficient Aircraft JAL is acquiring 21 Airbus A350-900s, 11 A321neos, and 10 Boeing 787-9 planes. The A350s will be added to its international routes, augmenting its current A350 domestic operations. In January 2024, Japan Airlines debuted new cabins on their A350-1000 fleet of aircraft with enclosed suites. Frontier Airlines Will Make New Hire Pilots Pay Nearly $60,000 If They Leave the Airline Within Two Years As of May 1, 2024, the new Frontier Training Cost Repayment Agreement is designed to help the airline recoup the training cost for new pilots. Pilots who leave within two years will pay a prorated portion of the currently estimated $59,190 training cost. Also, Frontier Airlines recently started a new out-and-back model business model where airplanes (and crew) return to their home base each night. Flight attendants don’t like the out-and-back model saying they earn less and spend more on hotel accommodation and commuting costs. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) says that most of Frontier’s crew members don’t live close to their home base, and many commute more than 90 miles. The union wants Frontier to enter into contract negotiations over the issue. Frequent Flyer Programs Deliver Lower Reward Value in the Era of Basic Economy Fares and Co-Branded Cards – Press Release The IdeaWorksCompany Reward Seat Availability Survey answers the question, “How costly is points redemption for the most popular basic reward type offered by top US airlines?” The survey reviewed flight award programs from Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United. These programs were found to have declining value to flyers. Plane lands near Poland Springs building after running low on gas A Cessna running low on fuel made an emergency landing on a road in an industrial area. Oakland officials vote to include ‘San Francisco’ in airport’s name The Board of Commissioners for the Port of Oakland voted to change the name of Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport. Oakland airport officials say travelers sometimes fly into San Francisco’s airport when their destination is closer to the Oakland airport. San Francisco has claimed a trademark violation and has threatened a lawsuit. The world’s first doggy jet service will cost you $6K for a one-way ticket BARK Air offers a “white paw” experience. The check-in process involves no crates or TSA checkpoints. Calming aids are provided in the cabin along with leashes, poop bags and a beverage. The first BARK Air flights take off on May 23, 2024. Mentioned LeVeL33 – Meetup April 19 or 20, 2024. NASA Retires DC-8 Flying Lab Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The SouthWings volunteer pilot organization uses aircraft for environmental monitoring and survey flights. In the news, the best-selling piston aircraft in 2023, student pilot statistics, around the world in a LearJet, an additional Las Vegas airport, skipping security at airports, failure to disclose flight deck features, and a Spirit Airlines order deferral. Guests SouthWings is a volunteer pilot organization that flies conservation groups, community groups, the media, and decision-makers on environmental monitoring and survey flights, as well as flights of persuasion, and media flights. Volunteer pilots donate their aircraft, time, and money to fulfill the 130-150 flight requests received annually. The aerial perspective and photographs that these groups and individuals capture help to tell the story to those on the ground.  SouthWings is a member of the Air Care Alliance, a nonprofit public service organization representing a nationwide network of volunteer pilot groups that are putting charitable aviation to use to meet all sorts of needs throughout this country.  Chelsea Easter is SouthWings’ Director of Operations and Volunteer Pilot Engagement. A 2012 graduate of Auburn University, Chelsea began working in the fields of mental health and education, and then took a look into the nonprofit world and was introduced to SouthWings where, for the past four years now, she has been recruiting, onboarding, and working closely with their volunteer pilots. Landon Thorne is a SouthWings volunteer pilot who also serves on SouthWings’ board. Landon has been flying since his teens. He has a long career in private equity and venture capital investing, and he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, retiring in 2002 with the rank of Colonel. During his military career and many active duty deployments, he served in Vietnam, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In Vietnam, he flew 163 missions as a back-seater in the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog and vowed that he would eventually own one of those wonderful airplanes. Today he flies N68VN, his fully restored Bird Dog painted in the colors of Marine Observation Squadron 6. Video: SouthWings Overview https://youtu.be/I_3u5LAaKMI?si=n74JWIZDbpy0GN_m SouthWings 2023 Program Report Landon Thorne’s Cessna O-1 Bird Dog Aviation News 10 best-selling piston airplanes in 2023 In 2023, piston airplane shipments increased 11.8% to 1,682 worldwide. Cirrus figures prominently in the top ten. See the 2023 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment Report [PDF] from the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. More pilots in 2023 The FAA U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics shows that 69,503 student pilot certificates were issued in 2023, a 24% increase over 2022. The U.S. Civil Airmen Statistics is an annual study published for the benefit of the FAA, other government agencies, and industry. It contains detailed airmen statistics not published in other FAA reports. Statistics about airmen, both pilot and nonpilot, are obtained from the official airmen certification records maintained by the FAA. An active airman is defined as one who holds both an airmen certificate and a valid medical certificate. Active Civil Airmen Statistics are currently available in spreadsheet form for 2018 to 2023. Learjet 36A Crew Departs Wichita For Record Round-The-World Flight Four pilots and one observer departed on April 3, 2024, for a 60-hour, 11-stop, record-setting flight around the world. The “Century Mission” commemorates the first around-the-world flight 100 years ago. The flight is a fundraiser for the restoration of an historic 1964 Lear Jet Model 23, Serial 23-003 owned by the Classic Lear Jet Foundation. That was the first Lear Jet delivered to a customer. Plans for new Las Vegas airport no longer up in the air In the 1990s, a second airport serving Las Vegas, Nevada was considered. Sixteen candidate sites were considered. Now the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport project is finally moving ahead into the environmental phase. The Clark County Department of Aviation (CCDOA) plans to go before the Clark County Commission to award bids for project contracts. Project completion is planned for 2037. Hundreds of people bypassed parts of airport security in last year The Transportation Security Administration says that since March 2023, there have been at least 300 instances of people bypassing parts of airport security. The TSA says these aren’t full security breaches – passengers who bypassed some checks went through others or were stopped. Since March 2023, 200 people bypassed “exit lanes” often marked with “no reentry” signs, and 80 people evaded the travel document checker. Duckworth wants FAA to review Boeing’s failure to disclose flight deck features Senator Tammy Duckworth feels there is a pattern of Boeing not disclosing 737 Max flight deck features to pilots. A recent example is the design of the cockpit door which opens automatically during rapid depressurization. Duckworth wrote in a letter to the FAA “Boeing’s failure to disclose this feature is chilling given its history of concealing 737 MAX information from pilots.” Spirit Airlines to defer Airbus deliveries, furlough 260 pilots to save cash To conserve cash, Spirit Airlines plans to furlough about 260 pilots starting September 1, 2024. Additionally, Airbus has agreed to delay aircraft deliveries scheduled from the second quarter of 2025 through 2026 to 2030-2031. Spirit says the aircraft pushout has a positive $340 million liquidity impact over the next two years. Deliveries scheduled for 2027-2029 are unchanged. Flight Team Internship This California Science Center project exposes disadvantaged students to the many possible careers in aviation. The project needs support from aviation companies. Mentioned Mach Speed: From Mach 1 To Mach 3 Speed and Beyond Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

Stratolaunch’s Talon A2 hypersonic vehicle, China’s C929 widebody passenger jet, Air Force One pilfering, Gulfstream G700 certification, Spirit Airlines’ credit boost, pilot disclosure of therapy sessions, United Airlines excess pilot capacity, and Frontier Airlines’ April Fool’s Day prank. Aviation News Stratolaunch Unveils Talon-A 2, Its Fully Recoverable And Reusable Hypersonic Vehicle Talon-A hypersonic demonstrator, courtesy Stratolaunch. Stratolaunch was formed in 2011 by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan to create an air-launched space transportation system. Scaled Composites built the Stratolaunch six-engine twin-fuselage carrier aircraft (“Roc”). A payload launch vehicle carried under the plane was to be released at high altitude and then flown into space. Paul Allen passed away in 2018 and the company was acquired in 2019 by Cerberus Capital Management. Stratolaunch is working to advance hypersonic technology with the Talon-A, “an autonomous, reusable testbed.” The TA-1 flew on March 9, 2024, after it was released from the Stratolaunch, not quite reaching hypersonic speed. Now Stratolaunch has shown photos of the TA-2, designed to land at Vandenberg Space Force Base and be reused. “Roc,” courtesy Stratolaunch China’s home-grown C929 widebody passenger jet enters ‘crucial’ development stage amid Beijing’s aviation push China’s commercial passenger aircraft strategy follows a path from the ARJ21 regional jet, to the C919 narrowbody, to the C929 widebody. The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) marketing director said of the C929 that it’s in “a crucial stage in the development process” and that “the overall technical scheme of the aircraft has been determined.” Originally, COMAC was partnered with the Russian United Aircraft Corporation to build what was called the CR929. But Russia seems to have dropped out of the program. The real D.C. crime wave The press corps flying on Air Force One is leaving with more than they came with. Anything with the Air Force One insignia on it is being carried out. The plane can accommodate up to 76 passengers along with a crew of 26. Gulfstream G700 Earns FAA Certification The G700 is the largest business jet Gulfstream has made, and the fastest one it has ever certified. Compared to the G650, the G700 is 10 feet (3.0 m) longer with a top speed increased to Mach 0.935. It’s powered by improved Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines. Aerotime reports that Gulfstream expects to deliver some 50 G700s and a total of 160 jets across all types in 2024. Spirit Airlines gets credit from International Aero Engines that will boost liquidity between $150 million and $200 million Unscheduled engine removals and inspections for certain Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines are required in light of the contaminated powder metal problem. With its A320neo aircraft, Spirit Airlines is the largest operator of that engine in the U.S. Taking aircraft out of service has a financial impact. A deal has been struck where Spirit will get compensation via a monthly credit through the end of 2024. The airline says this will boost liquidity by between $150 million and $200 million. Panel says FAA should end mandate pilots disclose talk therapy sessions The FAA appointed an expert panel of aviation associations, pilot and air traffic controller organizations, academia, and medical professionals. They recommended that the FAA discontinue the requirement for airline pilots and air traffic controllers to disclose talk therapy sessions, saying “The FAA should develop a non-punitive pathway for reporting previously undisclosed mental health conditions, treatments, or medications.” The FAA is reviewing the recommendations. United Airlines is asking pilots to take time off in May because of a shortage of new Boeing planes United Airlines is experiencing new plane delivery delays and is asking pilots to volunteer to take time off in May. Fewer deliveries mean fewer flight hours which leads to overstaffing. In a note to pilots, United said it expects to make similar requests during the summer and possibly into the autumn. The Air Line Pilots Association said United is offering short-term leaves and unpaid time off, but they are not mandatory. Frontier Airlines to Add Wide-Body Aircraft to its Fleet Starting in June; Route from New York-JFK to Bora Bora Will Kick Off the Ultra-Low Cost Carrier’s New Long-Haul Service Offering The airline will add the aircraft to its fleet beginning in June 2024. The new planes will feature lie-flat seating, a chef-curated inflight menu, and free Wi-Fi for all passengers. Two weekly flights will depart from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) to Mote Mute Airport in Bora Bora, French Polynesia (BOB) beginning June 1, 2024. On April 1, Frontier offered a one-day-only fare sale with flights to Bora Bora for $1. Wait, what?? OK… “April Fool’s! We aren’t really going to add wide-body aircraft to our fleet, or lie-flat seating, or a chef-curated menu, or free Wi-Fi, or fly to Bora Bora. However, we are offering a one-day-only fare sale featuring flights for as low as $38, inclusive of taxes, fees and charges, on all international destinations Frontier serves, to places like Cancun, Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Los Cabos, Puerta Vallarta, St. Maarten, St. Croix, and more!” Video: Frontier Airlines Auditions: Part 1 https://youtu.be/4Mr3iqBgcG4?si=ZPYu01gJw6e8BQ2D Mentioned See Where Top Aviation Universities Rank – Flying Magazine August 2022 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The milestone reached by Boom Supersonic with their XB-1 demonstrator and the recent leadership changes at Boeing, including the resignation of CEO Dave Calhoun. Also, the FBI contacted the passengers of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, quality issues with Boeing MAX jets, FAA oversight of United Airlines, engine issues with Pratt & Whitney, and the farewell tour of the A-10 demonstration team. Aviation News Boom Announces Successful Flight of XB-1 Demonstrator Aircraft The XB-1 supersonic jet demonstrator flew from the Mojave Air and Space Port. Boom Supersonic calls it the world’s first independently developed supersonic jet. The XB-1 incorporates carbon fiber composites, advanced avionics, digitally-optimized aerodynamics, and an advanced supersonic propulsion system. Boom said the “XB-1 met all of its test objectives, including safely and successfully achieving an altitude of 7,120 feet and speeds up to 238 knots (273 mph). While XB-1 was in the air, the team performed an initial assessment of the aircraft’s handling qualities, including airspeed checks with the T-38 chase aircraft, and assessing the aircraft’s stability in the landing attitude (at a high angle of attack).” Boom’s supersonic airliner Overture “…will carry 64-80 passengers at Mach 1.7, about twice the speed of today’s subsonic airliners. Overture is designed to run on up to 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).” Video: Full Video: XB-1 Takes Flight https://youtu.be/2aT4okUYPoI?si=2aGGuyeSkZo3wmtS Boeing C.E.O. to Step Down in Major Reshuffle at Embattled Plane Maker Boeing announced leadership changes: CEO Dave Calhoun leaves at the end of 2024 Stan Deal, the head of Boeing commercial planes left immediately Stephanie Pope, Boeing’s COO, replaces Stan Deal. Board Chairman Larry Kellner will not stand for re-election. Steve Mollenkopf was elected by the board to be the new chairman. He’s an electrical engineer by training and the former chief executive of Qualcomm. The Board will choose the next Boeing chief executive. Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 passengers receive FBI letter identifying them as the victims of a possible crime Attorney Mark Lindquist represents passengers who were on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 when the door plug blew out. He shared a letter from the FBI’s Seattle division under the Justice Department that he says was received by the passengers he represents. The letter says “I’m contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime.” Boeing Charged with 737 Max Fraud Conspiracy and Agrees to Pay over $2.5 Billion The DOJ press release from 2021 describes the conditions of the Boeing deferred prosecution agreement. In part: “The Boeing Company (Boeing) has entered into an agreement with the Department of Justice to resolve a criminal charge related to a conspiracy to defraud the Federal Aviation Administration’s Aircraft Evaluation Group (FAA AEG) in connection with the FAA AEG’s evaluation of Boeing’s 737 MAX airplane.” “The tragic crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 exposed fraudulent and deceptive conduct by employees of one of the world’s leading commercial airplane manufacturers…” “Boeing’s employees chose the path of profit over candor by concealing material information from the FAA concerning the operation of its 737 Max airplane and engaging in an effort to cover up their deception. This resolution holds Boeing accountable for its employees’ criminal misconduct, addresses the financial impact to Boeing’s airline customers, and hopefully provides some measure of compensation to the crash-victims’ families and beneficiaries.” FAA wants inspections of Boeing Max planes for wiring flaws that could lead to ‘loss of control’ A recent FAA proposed airworthiness directive would require the inspection of about 207 737 Max airplane wings for wiring damage within three years. The Agency says an “unsafe condition” could result in a “loss of control” of certain Boeing 737 Max jets due to the “nonconforming” installation of spoiler control wires. FAA to increase oversight of United Airlines after recent issues Oversight of United Airlines by the FAA is increasing after recent incidents. The airlines vice president of corporate safety, Sasha Johnson said in a memo to employees that the “number of safety-related events in recent weeks have rightfully caused us to pause and evaluate whether there is anything we can and should do differently.” The FAA will review some work processes, manuals, and facilities. Johnson said, “We welcome their engagement and are very open to hear from them about what they find and their perspective on things we may need to change to make us even safer.” United Airlines Faces Closer F.A.A. Scrutiny After Safety Incidents FAA to United: no new planes routes, or pilots FAA responds to PW1100G ‘misaligned’ vane issue that caused a 2022 failure A “blisk.” Image by Olivier Cleynen. In 2022, the low-pressure compressor first-stage integrally bladed rotor (or “blisk”) in an Airbus A320neo engine failed, resulting in an engine shutdown. In a proposed rule, the FAA wants to require that airlines replace the rotor. Pratt & Whitney says “The [proposal] relates to a known issue that affected a limited number of engines and is unrelated to powder metal. The improved hardware has been deploying to the fleet over the past two years through previously released service bulletins.” According to the FAA, a “misaligned” inlet guide vane ahead of the low-pressure compressor resulted in “aerodynamic excitement,” which caused the rotor to fail. Improvements made by Pratt & Whitney include redesigns of the arm assembly and the first-stage integrally bladed rotor. Why You’ve Never Been in a Plane Crash Subtitle: The United States leads the world in airline safety. That’s because of the way we assign blame when accidents do happen. Understanding the Boeing Mess Mentioned A-10 Demo Team Announces Its Final Year As The Warthog’s End Draws Near A-10 Demo Team Great Electric Airplane Race Preview The Air Show podcast. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We learn about the U.S. Space Force with this week’s guest. In the news, aviation groups are unhappy with new tax proposals, a probable cause for the LATAM B787 sudden dive, results from the recent FAA production audit at Boeing, the NTSB plans a hearing on the 737-9 MAX door plug blowout, and JetBlue is getting an unfavorable response after a couple didn’t get what they paid for. Guest Colonel Erin Dick currently serves in both civilian and military roles. On the civilian side, she is the Director of Public Affairs for the RAND Corporation. This non-profit, non-partisan research organization helps improve public policy through research and analysis. Her military position is IMA to the Director of Public Affairs, U.S. Forces Japan. Erin’s previous military assignments were with the Space Training and Readiness Command (Space Force) and the US Space Command (Joint Combatant Command). She is a communications and public affairs executive with over 26 years of experience including leadership positions with multiple Fortune 100 aerospace/defense and engineering/architecture firms. While Erin is not currently in the U.S. Space Force and did not speak to us as a representative of the Space Force, she provides valuable insights that help us understand the organization, its mission, people, and training. Erin explains that space has become a contested domain and the Space Force was created to address the resulting challenges. The Space Force was formed by pulling resources from all the services and only includes three career fields: satellite operations, cyber, and space intel. Erin helps us understand the challenges of public perception faced by the service and provides her insights on the future of the Space Force and the importance of partnerships with industry and academia. On a personal level, Erin shares her background in aviation, including her experience as a private pilot. She tells of joining the CV-22 squadron and reflects on her involvement in crisis communication following the recent tragic CV-22 crash. A Colonel in the US Air Force Reserve, Erin has served for 26 years. As an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) in the Air Force, Erin has some unique responsibilities being directly assigned to an active duty unit and stepping in when needed. She has an MA in Strategic Public Relations from George Washington University and a BA in English from Texas A&M University. New Commands, Ranks, and More: Big Changes for Air Force & Space Force Growing the Space Force: Is Outsourcing Operations the Answer? Space Force reveals official song: ‘Semper Supra’ Video: The Official United States Space Force Song (Lyric Video) Aviation News Aviation-Labor Coalition Warns of Harm from Tax Proposals Targeting Business Aviation President Biden recently unveiled the Administration’s FY25 budget plan. It includes increasing the business aviation fuel tax five times and reducing the depreciation schedule to seven years from five for purchased business aircraft. The aviation and labor alphabet groups expressed their displeasure by sending a letter [PDF] to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the House Committee on Ways and Means. The letter was signed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI). Boeing Tells Airlines to Check 787 Cockpit Seats After Mishap on Latam Flight The “technical event” on the LATAM flight that recently experienced a severe dive, injuring many passengers, may have been identified. It appears that a flight attendant serving a meal to the cockpit crew might have inadvertently bumped the switch that adjusts the pilot’s seat. The pilot then pitched forward into the controls. In a memo to 787 operators, Boeing recommends inspecting cockpit seats for loose switch covers and instructs operators how to turn off power to the pilot seat motor if needed. Boeing says this is a known issue and issued a service bulletin in 2017.  FAA audit of Boeing’s 737 Max production reportedly found ‘dozens of issues’ The New York Times reports that in a recent FAA 6-week production audit at Boeing, the airframer passed 56 tests and failed 33 tests. The NYT based its reporting after reviewing an internal FAA slide presentation. Many of the failed tests centered around a failure to follow “approved manufacturing processes” and a failure to keep proper quality control documentation. The FAA also performed a product audit at SpiritAerosystems which resulted in six passes and seven fails. NTSB to hear sworn testimonies at public hearing into 737-9 door plug blowout On August 6 and 7, 2024 the NTSB plans to hold an investigative hearing into the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 door plug blowout on January 5, 2024. Sworn testimonies from witnesses help the NTSB determine the facts, circumstances, and probable cause of the incident. The hearing will be open to the public and will be live-streamed. Only NTSB board members, investigators, scheduled witnesses, and parties to the hearing will be allowed to participate. See: NTSB press release: NTSB Schedules Investigative Hearing on Boeing 737-9 MAX Door Plug Blowout. NTSB accident investigation webpage: In-flight structural failure, Alaska Airlines flight 1282 Alaska Airlines Flight Was Scheduled for Safety Check on Day Panel Blew Off Alaska Airlines “engineers and technicians” had concerns and the aircraft was due to go out of service that evening. The NYT implies that the airline should have immediately taken the plane out of passenger service. They report that “Alaska Airlines says the plane did not meet its standards for immediately taking it out of service.” JetBlue is slammed for charging elderly couple $5,200 for lie-flat seats that wouldn’t recline during seven-hour flight – then offering them just $400 travel credit even though neither wants to set foot on airline again Traveling from Boston to California and wanting to travel in comfort, the 83-year-old couple purchased JetBlue’s “Mint Class” seats. Available on all transatlantic and select coast-to-coast flights, the service offers: “All suites. All aisle access. All the better to deliver our personalized, award-winning service. Featuring lie-flat seats and our exclusive Tuft & Needle sleep experience.” But his seat was stuck halfway between upright and flat. Her seat was stuck fully upright. The crew managed to get his seat upright, but neither would recline. Then on the return flight, his seat reclined but her seat did not. Jetblue offered the couple $400 in Jetblue credit, but they plan to never fly on Jetblue again. The airline did increase their offer to $1,200 in travel credit. Mentioned Masters of the Air on Apple TV. 35th and Final Heli-Expo Sets Record Attendance Mark Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The components of an airline ticket price, Boeing’s contract negotiations with the International Association of Machinists, the NTSB’s frustration with Boeing’s cooperation, American Airlines’ order of 260 planes, an Alaska Airlines flight with an open cargo door, pilots falling asleep mid-flight, an Alaska Supreme Court ruling on aircraft surveillance, and a “technical event” involving a LATAM flight. Aviation News UK Air Passenger Duty Increasing, Premium Cabins Hit Hardest The passenger tax in the UK is called the Air Passenger Duty (APD) and it is just one part of an airline ticket price. One Mile at a Time calls the APD “the highest passenger tax on air travel anywhere in the world.” As of April 1, 2024, the APD is going up: The domestic economy APD will increase by £0.50, from £6.50 to £7 (~$9) The domestic premium APD will increase by £1, from £13 to £14 (~$18) The long haul economy APD will increase by £4, from £84 to £88 (~$112) The long haul premium APD will increase by £9, from £185 to £194 (~$246) The ultra long haul economy APD will increase by £1, from £91 to £92 (~$117) The ultra long haul premium APD will increase by £2, from £200 to £202 (~$257) Additional increases are planned for 2025. An airline ticket price is made up of the base fare and carrier-imposed surcharges. Government taxes and fees include an excise tax (a 7.5% tax imposed by the U.S. government on domestic flights), flight segment tax (a $4 fee per flight segment), a passenger facility charge (an airport fee determined by the U.S. airport from which you depart), the September 11 security fee ($5.60 per one-way trip to offset security costs), Air Passenger Duty (APD) (for flights departing from the U.K.), and other country-specific charges. As watershed contract talks with Boeing open, Machinists think big Boeing and the International Association of Machinists are negotiating a new labor contract. The union’s District 751 represents more than 32,000 Boeing Machinists. The union says they’ll ask for a wage increase of over 40% over the next three years and the restoration of its traditional pension. Also, a commitment to build the next new Boeing airplane in Seattle, more quality inspectors, more union input into quality control, and a shift in the corporate culture to one that doesn’t alienate employees. IAM president Jon Holden said the union “must stand up and save this company from itself.” A mass meeting and strike authorization vote are scheduled for mid-July. The contract expires on September 12, 2024. NTSB Chair Not Pleased With Boeing’s Cooperation On Door Plug Probe Regarding the investigation into the Alaska Airlines door plug incident, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy recently testified at a Senate hearing that “Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested numerous times over the past few months.” At the hearing, Homendy complained that Boeing was not cooperating as the NTSB attempted to interview team members. NTSB Chair: Alaska 1282 investigation is like ‘peeling an onion’ In an exclusive interview with The Air Current, Jennifer Homendy said the NTSB is planning a public investigative hearing into the January 5 accident aboard Alaska Airlines 1282. Homendy told TAC that the hearing will occur towards the end of the summer. American Airlines to buy 260 new planes from Boeing, Airbus and Embraer to meet growing demand American Airlines ordered 260 new aircraft and placed options for up to 193 more planes. The orders include 85 Boeing 737 Max 10s, 85 A321neo planes from Airbus, and 90 E175 aircraft from Embraer. Alaska Airlines flight carrying pets arrives with cargo door open as carrier and Boeing face $1B lawsuit An Alaska Airlines flight from Los Cabos, Mexico arrived at Portland, Oregon with its cargo door partly open. None of the pets in the cargo hold were injured. Alaska Airlines told KOIN in a statement that “there was no indication to the crew that the door was unsealed during [last Friday’s] flight and all indications point to the door partially opening after landing.” Also, “Our maintenance teams inspected the aircraft, replaced a spring in the door, tested the door, and reentered it into service.” A plane was flying with 159 onboard. Then both pilots fell asleep A preliminary report by Indonesia’s National Transportation Safety Committee says both pilots of a PT Batik Air Indonesia flight fell asleep at about the same time for around 28 minutes. The plane was carrying 153 passengers and four crew members headed to Jakarta on a two-hour and 35-minute flight. Officers need warrants to use aircraft, zoom lenses to surveil areas around homes, Alaska court says According to the Alaska Supreme Court, law enforcement officers cannot use aircraft with binoculars or cameras with zoom lenses to surveil a person’s home, unless they obtain a warrant. This stems from a 2012 case where Alaska State Troopers flew past a property to verify a tip that marijuana was being grown there. The officers used a camera and zoom lens to take photos of the property. Based on what they saw, a search warrant was obtained. At least 50 hurt as LATAM’s Boeing 787 to Auckland ‘just dropped’ mid-flight A Boeing 787 operated by LATAM Airlines experienced what the airline called a “technical event” mid-flight from Sydney to Auckland. Reportedly, the plane abruptly dropped and at least 50 people were hurt. Ten passengers and three cabin crew members were taken to a hospital. One person is in serious condition. The 787-9 Dreamliner (registered CC-BGG) operated as flight LA800 between Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand. A passenger told the BBC “The plane, unannounced, just dropped. I mean it dropped unlike anything I’ve ever experienced on any kind of minor turbulence, and people were thrown out of their seats, hit the top of the roof of the plane, throwing down the aisles. Some of the roof panels were broken from people being thrown up and knocking through the plastic roof panels in the aisle ways. And there was blood coming from several people’s heads.” Mentioned Understanding The UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) FlightSimExpo This new Airbus air taxi has a 50-mile range and is quieter than a hairdryer XPeng’s AeroHT flexes its eVTOL expertise, taking its X2 flying car to the skies above Guangzhou Aviation Careers Podcast Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We talk with both the President of Scaled Composites and the VP of Flight Operations. In the news, the FAA tells Boeing to make a plan, Boeing looks at re-acquiring SpiritAerosystems, Skyryse takes deposits for a fly-by-wire helicopter, the V-22 Osprey could be returning to flight, airlines scale back pilot hiring, and the JetBlue – Spirit merger is off. Guests Peter Siebold and Greg Morris Greg Morris is the president of Scaled Composites, and Pete Siebold is the VP of Flight Operations. Scaled Composites is the aerospace company founded by Burt Rutan to develop experimental aircraft. Currently owned by Northrop Grumman and located at the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, Scaled focuses on designing and developing concept aircraft that are often unconventional. Greg and Pete describe the Scaled “secret sauce” and the company culture that keeps employees engaged and operating at their creative best. We hear about the experience of a first flight in a Scaled aircraft and the preparations made before test flights. Also how Scaled helps customers define their requirements and then designs the aircraft technology to meet those requirements. Interestingly, the design for a technology demonstrator can be quite different than the design for manufacturability. The two explain the personal and professional qualities that position an individual for an aviation career such as you might find at a company like Scaled Composites. Greg Morris Greg joined Scaled Composites in 2023 from Gauntlet Aerospace where he was President and Chief Test Pilot. He operated a flight school for 7 years and had 10 years of experience in flight test operations, including teaching in the Qualitative Evaluation Program for the United States Air Force Test Pilot School and target and chase support for the 412th Test Wing. Greg is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and serves on the SETP Membership Committee. He is a nationally designated FAA Experimental Examiner and he’s conducted check-rides for a variety of aircraft, both Scaled Composites and others.  Greg received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Southern California and a Masters of Science in Flight Test Engineering from the National Test Pilot School. Peter Siebold Pete joined Scaled Composites in 1996 as a Design Engineer on the VisionAire Vantage. He worked extensively as a Flight Test Engineer on multiple programs before becoming a Test Pilot for the company. During his time at Scaled, Pete has held multiple leadership positions within engineering and flight operations, including Director of Flight Operations. Pete has flown 4 first flights at Scaled and 11 different Scaled aircraft. He was heavily involved in the development of Scaled’s simulator and avionics capabilities. Pete obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He became a certified flight instructor while attending the university, a rating he retains to this day. He is an Associate Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rating with seven Experimental Aircraft Authorizations and two Type Ratings. In 2004, Pete was part of the test team that won the Iven C. Kincheloe award for SpaceShipOne. He was bestowed the honor again in 2009 for his work as Project Pilot for WhiteKnightTwo. Video: Model 401 Sierra First Flight https://youtu.be/w_fqytm7P1Y?si=S8ea5RlWqhZNPv1H Video: Proteus: 25 years of Flight https://youtu.be/g8aJY4cn-yU?si=VmnsFz8cOkAg3fOo Find Scaled Composites on Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Aviation News FAA to Boeing: Develop a plan to fix your quality issues within 90 days At a meeting in FAA headquarters, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun that Boeing has 90 days to provide an action plan that addresses its “systemic quality-control issues.” After the meeting, Whitaker said, “Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements. “Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.” The plan must take into account the findings of the expert review panel report and the results of an FAA production-line audit. It will include the steps necessary to mature Boeing’s Safety Management System and integrate this with the company’s Quality Management System, to “ensure the same level of rigor and oversight is applied to the company’s suppliers.” Justice Department Looking Into Boeing Blowout The DOJ is examining whether the door panel incident falls under the government’s 2021 deferred-prosecution agreement with Boeing after the two fatal 737 Max crashes. If prosecutors determine that Boeing’s handling of the incident violated the 2021 agreement, they could rescind it and bring criminal charges against the company. Engineering union and Boeing face off in fraught pilot contract dispute The labor contract is with 23 flight technical and safety pilots in the flight operations group. These pilots don’t routinely fly production aircraft. The flight technical pilots develop pilot training programs and pilot manuals and liaise with airlines on their flight operations. The safety pilots help develop flight deck systems for new aircraft and support the certification process. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace union (SPEEA) says its members have “first-hand experience of the kinds of safety-culture problems an expert panel reported on…” Boeing in Talks to Buy Troubled Supplier Spirit AeroSystems Spirit AeroSystems has had preliminary discussions with Boeing and has hired bankers to explore strategic options. Spirit is also looking at selling its Ireland unit that makes parts for Airbus. Both companies have confirmed they are having merger discussions. The talks might not result in a deal. In a statement, Boeing said, “We believe that the reintegration of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems’ manufacturing operations would further strengthen aviation safety, improve quality, and serve the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders.” Skyryse Taking Deposits for Fly-by-wire Turbine Single Skyryse One is a Robinson R66 helicopter that has been retrofitted with the proprietary SkyOS operating system. This features a single-stick control and two touchscreens. It’s an IFR-capable, aircraft-agnostic, triple-redundant fly-by-wire system. Skyryse is taking refundable, non-transferrable $2,500 deposits. V-22 Osprey Fleet To Return To Flight After 3-Month Worldwide Grounding The V-22 Osprey fleet received approval from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for a safe and measured return to operations. The Naval Air Systems Command could lift the grounding and allow the services to resume V-22 flight operations. The cause of the crash has been identified, but the reason for the failure has not. The investigation continues. Southwest Airlines Scales Back Pilot Hiring In 2024 A Southwest memo says, “Based on expected capacity growth beyond 2024, we’ve made the difficult decision to suspend Initial First Officer Training classes through the remainder of 2024 and defer job offers, beginning with our April classes.” The airline said pilots with conditional job offers would be placed in a “deferred candidate pool.” Once hiring resumes, those pilots would be called up. JetBlue, Spirit end $3.8 billion merger agreement after losing antitrust suit Citing regulatory hurdles, the two airlines ended their merger agreement. Attorney General Merrick Garland said, “Today’s decision by JetBlue is yet another victory for the Justice Department’s work on behalf of American consumers.” Mentioned Making Like Maverick in an L-39 by Rob Mark in JetWhine. Bob Heil Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Tesla Model S and Model 3 vulnerable to GNSS spoofing attacks Wheel Bearings podcast. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The struggle to mandate corporate flight attendant egress training, the Bombardier Challenger jet crash in Florida, major executive changes at Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems whistleblowers, 737 Max Service Difficulty Reports, FAA’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program, FAA safety recommendations for Boeing, and details on Boeing’s “traveled work.” Guest Susan C. Friedenberg is the CEO of Corporate Flight Attendant – Tech Training and Consulting. Over the past 25 years, Susan has been committed to continually raising the standards for flight attendants in all aspects of business aviation. Her school teaches students the professional role of a corporate flight attendant. She has dedicated herself to the idea that egress training is critical to ensuring the safety of the passengers and crew in an emergency. Susan started Corporate Flight Attendant – Tech Training in 1999 when she realized there were just two valid egress training companies for business aviation and that neither offered students a chance to learn the professional role of a corporate flight attendant. In her 5-day – 50-hour Zoom training, guests include a senior Pfizer employee explaining cockpit resource management and a major business aviation caterer who discusses what their kitchens need to know to expedite and deliver a perfect catering order. Starting her aviation career as a flight attendant at American Airlines, Susan eventually moved on to Capitol Air until 1984 when that company went bankrupt. Discovering business aviation, she flew full-time for Coca-Cola’s flight department in Atlanta, Dupont Aviation in Wilmington, Delaware, and American Standard Companies from Teterboro, New Jersey. She’s also flown as a contract flight attendant.   Susan has been active for decades with the NBAA and served on the association’s Flight Attendant Committee and the Scholarship Committee. Susan was also the Chair of the Contract Flight Attendant Group for two years.  She’s written numerous articles about the corporate flight attendant’s professional role and created a safety presentation called, “Why You Need a Trained Person in the Back of Your Aircraft.” Her company also provides abridged training for Flight Techs (A&P’s) who act in a dual role aboard a business aviation aircraft as both a mechanic and a flight attendant in the back of the plane. Aviation News ‘We’ve lost both engines,’ pilot said before private jet crashed onto Florida interstate, killing 2 A Bombardier Challenger 600 series jet carrying five people crashed while attempting to make an emergency landing on Interstate 75 near Naples, Florida. The pilot and co-pilot were killed. A crew member and two passengers escaped. Boeing removes the Head of 737 Max program in wake of safety incidents Eighteen-year Boeing veteran Ed Clark has been removed from head of the 737 Max passenger jet program. He had previously held the roles of 737 Max chief engineer and chief 737 mechanic. Katie Ringgold fills Clark’s position as head of the 737 Max program. She had been vice president of 737 Max deliveries. Boeing also announced the creation of a new executive position, Senior Vice President for BCA Quality. Elizabeth Lund fills that position. Lund had been senior vice president and general manager of airplane programs for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Mike Fleming fills Lund’s position. He had been senior vice president of development and customer service. With Boeing in hot seat, claims against supplier Spirit AeroSystems take shape Two former Spirit AeroSystems employees have come forward with quality deficiency allegations. The first was a quality auditor at the Wichita plant who was fired in 2022 for allegedly failing to conduct inspections that were his responsibility. Now a second ex-employee who worked alongside the first has corroborated the allegations. Airlines Filed 1,800 Reports Warning Regulators About Boeing’s 737 Max More than 1,800 service difficulty reports concerning the 737 Max were filed by operators over the last three years. Alaska Airlines alone filed more than 1,230 737 Max reports over that period. The nonprofit Foundation for Aviation Safety compiled federal safety reports and found 737 Max issues including fuel leaks resulting from misapplied sealant, malfunctioning stabilizing motors, fuel tank FOD, engine stalls, and anti-ice system problems. Under § 121.703, certificate holders must file Service difficulty reports for the occurrence or detection of certain failures, malfunctions, or defects. FAA panel finds Boeing safety culture wanting, recommends overhaul The FAA commissioned a panel of independent aviation experts. Their report is critical of Boeing’s safety culture and makes more than 50 recommendations: Section 103 Organizational Designation Authorizations (ODA) for Transport Airplanes, Expert Panel Review Report, Final Report. [PDF] FAA Moves to Accelerate Air Traffic Controller Hiring by Enhancing College Training Program FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker says, “Hiring more air traffic controllers is a priority. We need more entry points for controller candidates and this enhanced college controller training program is an additional avenue to get controllers into facilities sooner.” The Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program is designed to increase the number of students who can begin facility training immediately upon graduation. As of May 2023, the FAA lists 31 approved AT-CTI schools. [PDF] Mentioned Why a Good Flight Attendant Matters Gulfstream 550 Evacuation Crewmember Training G550 Will Require Evac Crewmember PBS – The American Experience: Come Fly With Me: They Wanted to See the World and Ended Up Changing It The Biden administration’s bet on sustainable aviation fuel Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The vertical stacking of the space shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center, the delay in Boeing’s T-7A Red Hawk program, communication interruptions for El Al, infrastructure grants for US airports, Delta Air Lines trading cards, and the possibility of rescinding Boeing’s immunity deal. The Final Move of the Space Shuttle Endeavour Back on July 20, 2023, the California Science Center commenced Go for Stack, the process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour’s upcoming 20-story vertical display. This feat has never been done outside of a NASA facility. Press release: Space Shuttle Endeavour Is Now Fully Stacked and Mated, Completing World’s Only Ready-to-Launch Space Shuttle Display. Brian Coleman attended the recent Endeavour stacking event and spoke with the museum’s President and CEO and the Curator for Aerospace Science: Jeffrey N Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California, and the President of the California Science Center Foundation. He provided the leadership for the planning, design, fundraising, and implementation of the California Science Center Master Plan which transformed the California Museum of Science and Industry into the new California Science Center and created an award-winning Exposition Park Master Plan to guide the redevelopment of Exposition Park in central Los Angeles. Jeff serves as a Fellow of the California Council on Science and Technology and the Executive Committee for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board and the Los Angeles Tourism Marketing District. He is the past chair of the Board of the Association of Science & Technology Centers and past chair of the Board of the American Alliance of Museums. Jeff received an M.B.A. from Yale University and a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. Kenneth Phillips, PhD, Curator for Aerospace Science at the California Science Center. Ken develops the California Science Center Foundation’s programs and exhibits on aeronautics and space exploration. As curator, he is responsible for creating the vision that shapes these programs and leading the team in the process that includes concept and storyboard development; multiple phases of design; prototype development and testing; artifact acquisition; audiovisual production; exhibit fabrication and research on visitor learning. Major projects include Phase III of the Science Center’s 25-year Master Plan featuring the space shuttle Endeavour and the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center; the SKETCH Foundation Air and Space Gallery in Science Court; the Roy A. Anderson A-12 Blackbird Exhibit and Garden; and collaboration on the development of the Creative World gallery.  Ken received his B.S. degree in Physics from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, an M.S. in General Engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University in Environmental Engineering. Dr. Ken Phillips and Brian Coleman. Aviation News Will Biden Rescind Trump’s Boeing Immunity Deal? After the two 737 Max crashes, the previous administration negotiated a deferred prosecution agreement whereby Boeing was granted certain immunity from prosecution, including fraud charges, and protection for Boeing’s senior executives. Many have criticized the deal. The agreement required Boeing to “protect and detect violations of the U.S. fraud laws throughout its operations, including… those of its contractors and subcontractors.” Also, the Justice Department had “sole discretion” to decide if the “Company has breached the Agreement and whether to pursue prosecution of the Company and its subsidiaries.” A lawsuit filed after the Alaska Airlines door plug blow-out alleges that Spirit AeroSystems had engaged in a “fraudulent scheme” to falsify records and hide “excessive” numbers of manufacturing defects. The theory presented in the article is that if the fraud allegations are substantiated, the Justice Department could rescind the deferred prosecution agreement. Boeing pushes back T-7 plans due to faulty parts Low rate initial production (LRIP) of the T-7A Red Hawk training jet has been pushed out to mid-2024. Boeing said part quality problems are to blame, along with supply chain issues. The T-7 will replace T-38 jet trainers. The Air Force plans to buy 351 T-7s by 2034. Israeli flight from Thailand faced attack by ‘hostile elements’ – report For the second time in a week, someone attempted to take over the communication network of an El Al plane and divert it from its destination. The crew noticed that the instructions it was receiving were improper and ignored them. Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1 Billion in Grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Improve 114 Airports Across the U.S. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $5 billion ($1 billion annually from 2022 to 2026) to provide competitive grants for airport terminal development projects. In FY24, the FAA is awarding $970 million to 114 airports in 44 states and three territories. The FAA has an excellent data visualization tool for the airports receiving funding. Hover over an airport to see the amount of the funding and details about how the money will be used. You can filter by better PAX experience, expanded capacity, sustainability, safety, accessibility, serving smaller communities, and tower upgrades. What the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Means for U.S. Aviation Airport Terminals – $5B Airport Infrastructure – $15B Air Traffic Facilities – $5B Portland Jetport to receive more than $10 million from FAA for improvements Maine airports getting federal funding for critical terminal upgrades Army CH-47s Fill In For Grounded Marine MV-22s In White House Airlift Role The fleet of V-22 tilt-rotors was grounded after the fatal crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22 off the coast of Japan in November 2023. The U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps all fly versions of the V-22. Other aircraft are being pressed into service to fill the role of the tilt-rotors. CH-47F Chinooks are accompanying Marine 1, which is unusual in the U.S., but not uncommon overseas. Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) uses a dozen MV-22Bs for presidential airlift support missions.  Delta has been keeping a secret for the past 20 years—and pilots really want you to ask about it Unbeknownst to many passengers, Delta Air Lines has had a trading card program since 2003. The cards are exclusive to pilots and feature images of the aircraft they fly. New artwork is voted on by the pilots and introduced every five years. This recently broke on social media and now everyone is after the cards. In 2023, Delta handed out over 1.5 million cards. Mentioned Micah had a chance to meet up with listener Stephen Ivey who flies the Embraer Phenom for one of the big charter operations. He was doing a pickup at PWM and had some time to kill. Micah toured the Phenom, which is a smaller jet than he thought, but still very comfortable. This older one flies with a G1000. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The founder and Executive Director of the Flying Tigers 69th DRS Association discusses the legacy of the men who kept the Flying Tigers in the air during World War II. In the news, GPS jamming and spoofing aircraft positioning systems, 737 MAX 9 lawsuits, Boeing quality actions, sustainable aviation fuel options, FAA and airline pilot retirement age, AV-8B Harrier phase-out, and a positive airline story. Guest Charlene Fontaine is the founder and executive director of the Flying Tigers 69th DRS Association, Inc. That organization was founded in 2005 to carry on the legacy of the 350 men who served under Gen. Clare Chenault in World War II. This special squadron was requested by Chiang Kai-Shek and their mission was to drive the Burma Road, fly the Hump, and keep the aircraft flying. We discuss the history and stories of the Flying Tigers and the 69th Depot Repair Squadron during World War II. Topics include the challenges of flying the hump, the experiences of the men who served, and the importance of preserving and sharing their history. Charlene tells us about the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum and her work on trauma and mental health. She also gives us a little taste of the film she is working on. P-40 Warhawk under repair. Burma Road In addition to awarding youth scholarships, the Association seeks to educate others on the history of China, Burma, India (CBI) and continue to build relationships with the people of CBI.  The 69th DRS Association works with other WWII organizations to help veterans and their families navigate the challenges of age, injury, and illness. Charlene is an international consultant, speaker, author, root cause expert, wellness advocate, and researcher. Her main interest is how stress, trauma, and loss affect our daily lives. Her focus is on history and communication: how it shapes us, helps make life better and what can be gained. She works with industry, the military, law enforcement, veterans, and youth. The 69th engagements find her at air shows, conferences, schools, and reunions to inspire youth to learn history and honor our elders and all those who serve our country. 69th Test Pilots Heiner, Brecht, Garrison, and Sgt Twiggs. Aviation News GPS interference now a major flight safety concern for airline industry EASA partners with IATA to counter aviation safety threat from GNSS spoofing and jamming The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says GPS jamming and spoofing incidents have increased in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. EASA recently held a joint workshop with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the “high-level conclusion… that interference with satellite-based services that provide information on the precise position of an aircraft can pose significant challenges to aviation safety.” Mitigating these risks requires short-, medium- and long-term measures: Short-term, pilots and crews need to identify the risks and know how to react and land safely. Medium-term the certification requirements of the navigation and landing systems need to change. Long-term the agency needs to be involved in the design of future satellite navigation systems. The workshop attendees agreed to several measures: Reporting and sharing of GNSS interference event data. In Europe, this would occur through the European Occurrence Reporting scheme and EASA’s Data4Safety programme. Guidance from aircraft manufacturers to ensure that aircraft operators are well-equipped to manage jamming and spoofing situations. Alerting: EASA will inform airlines, air navigation service providers, manufacturers, and airports about attacks. As a backup, aviation must retain a Minimum Operational Network (MON) of traditional navigation aids to ensure there is a conventional backup for GNSS navigation. Boeing shareholders sue after midair 737 Max 9 blowout Shareholders filed a class action lawsuit alleging that Boeing misled them about potential “serious safety lapses.” The suit was filed for those who purchased Boeing common stock between Oct. 23, 2019, and Jan. 24, 2024. On that date, Boeing and its executives claimed they were “making steady progress” on their “top priority … the safe return to service of the 737 MAX” following two deadly crashes in late 2018. The suit claims “Unbeknownst to investors, statements such as those… were false and misleading because Boeing failed to disclose that it had been prioritizing its profits over safety, which led to poor quality control standards in the production of its commercial aircrafts such as the 737 MAX…” Other related suits: Six passengers filed a class-action suit claiming physical and emotional distress. Four passengers are seeking damages from Boeing and Alaska Airlines for experiencing “havoc, fear, trauma [and] severe and extreme distress.” Feb 4, 2024: Boeing to dedicate more days in 737 factory to address quality issues and ideas In a message to employees, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal said the 737 program will spend several days in the Renton factory to focus on quality, including inspecting some undelivered airplanes for potential nonconformances before delivery. Fat, sugar, trash: All the weird things that may fuel planes by 2050 Right for Whom? Airlines Shift SAF Goals to Easier – And Far Less Effective Targets Aviation has a net-zero carbon goal by 2050 with sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, being a key driver. The Washington Post says that in 2023, production of SAF in the United States was less than 0.2 percent of the airline industry’s jet fuel consumption. The goal is 100% by 2050. SAF can be produced from fat (cooking oil, vegetable oil, animal fat, Ethanol from corn now and other feedstocks in the future, waste (residue and “cellulosic cover crops” grown in the off-season), and hydrogen. As the Marine Corps Says Goodbye to Decades-Old Jet, Its Maintainers Hit the Fleet for the Last Time The F-35B Lightning II STOVL jet is the future for the Marines, replacing the AV-8B Harrier II which has been in service since the 1980s. The Harrier will be phased out over the next two years. FAA warns US Congress against hiking airline pilot retirement age In a letter to Congress, the FAA Administrator said the mandatory retirement age of airline pilots should not rise to 67 from 65 without first conducting additional research. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems continue to dominate the news, along with 737 MAX certification, lap babies, the proposed JetBlue and Spirit Airlines merger, route growth at United Airlines and Breeze Airways, and the demise of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Also, flight tests for the B-21 Raider and more favorite aviation movies. Aviation News Boeing, not Spirit, mis-installed piece that blew off Alaska MAX 9 jet, industry source says Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems builds the 737 fuselage for Boeing. A person familiar with the situation says the door plug was removed by Boeing, and then reinstalled on the 737. 127 Days: The Anatomy of a Boeing Quality Failure In The Air Current, Jon Ostrower reconstructs the journey of fuselage 8789 from Spirit AeroSytems to Alaska Airlines. It’s an insightful look at the relationship between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. Opposition grows to Boeing 737 MAX 7 safety exemption Boeing wants an exemption to certify the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10, despite problems with the engine anti-ice system. Video: United Airlines CEO: Boeing’s 737 Max-9 grounding is ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ for us https://youtu.be/Rdozbw_Go3Y?si=rmGjvZSNQRcgazMv NTSB Urges Parents Not to Fly With Children on Laps After Alaska Incident  At a recent press conference, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said “We would urge passengers to put their children under two in their own seat, in an FAA-approved car seat, so they are secure and safe in case something like this happens.” Currently, the FAA allows children under the age of two to be held in an adult’s lap. Boeing CEO to meet with senators scrutinizing 737 MAX 9 blowout Dave Calhoun has been meeting with U.S. senators to answer their questions about the 737 MAX 9. After meeting with Calhoun, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said he “offered no assurance” that Boeing would withdraw its exemption request for the 737MAX 7 jet.  Boeing Whistleblower: Production Line Has “Enormous Volume Of Defects” Bolts On MAX 9 Weren’t Installed JetBlue casts doubt on its merger deal with Spirit Airlines after judge rules against merger JetBlue Airways has informed Spirit Airlines that the merger agreement might be terminated. JetBlue feels some conditions of the merger agreement can not be met while Spirit says there is no basis for terminating the merger agreement. United Airlines To Launch First-Ever Route From Washington DC To Alaska Breeze Airways Adds Three Airports, 11 Routes To Network After Three Years on Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends On April 19, 2021, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter made history by becoming the first craft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. After sustaining rotor blade damage, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced that the Ingenuity mission had come to an end after  72 flights. This view of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was generated using data collected by the Mastcam-Z instrument aboard the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover on Aug. 2, 2023, the 871st Martian day, or sol, of the mission. For more information about Ingenuity, see https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter. Mentioned Do Electric Aircraft Face Lapse Rate Challenges? B-21 Raider Flight Testing Now Underway Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Inflight connectivity with the CEO of air-to-ground network provider SmartSky Networks. In the news, an update on B737 MAX 9 inspections, unleaded avgas testing, and an Air Force officer has been crowned Miss America. Also, more favorite aviation movies. SmartSky-equipped Cessna Citation Excel Guest David Helfgott is the Chief Executive Officer of SmartSky Networks, a provider of air-to-ground inflight connectivity services. The company offers real-time, low latency, bidirectional data links that serve the business aviation, general aviation, and commercial aviation markets. The network takes advantage of patented spectrum reuse, advanced beamforming technologies, and 60 MHz of spectrum for enhanced connectivity. David Helfgott, SmartSky CEO Dave describes the pros and cons of ground and satellite-based inflight connectivity systems. He explains the practical differences between bandwidth, latency, and upload/download speed, and the reasons why some aircraft employ both ground and satellite networks. We look at the differences in antenna size and weight for the different network solutions and how that impacts system selection for commercial and business aviation use. Dave describes the supporting SmartSky ground network and how the towers use beam forming to provide connectivity to specific aircraft. We touch on several other topics, including the data requirements of the three different domains of commercial aircraft (PAX, operational, cockpit), the unique needs of air cargo, and future industry trends. SmartSky Networks antenna As a 20+ year industry veteran, Dave has extensive experience in airborne communications, satellite broadband, mobile telecommunications, and commercial and government SATCOM networking services.  He was previously President and CEO of phased-array antenna developer Phasor. Before that, he held several senior executive roles including President and CEO of Inmarsat Government, President of Tactical Wireless Communications for Cobham, President and CEO of Datapath, and President and CEO of SES Government. He holds a BA degree from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the Darden School of Business. Aviation News Boeing Still Without a Timeline to Return to the Skies Following the loss of a mid-cabin door plug on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane on January 5, 2024, the first round of 40 preliminary inspections was completed. The FAA is reviewing the results. The planes remain grounded until an inspection and maintenance process is approved by the FAA and then applied to all grounded planes. See also:  Updates on Grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 Aircraft FAA Safety Alerts for Operators (SAFOs) SAFO #24001 FAA Boeing 737-900ER Mid-Cabin Door Plug Inspection [PDF] NTSB chair: Boeing CEO called, wants to rectify errors made in past At a briefing to House of Representatives lawmakers, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun called and said “they want to rectify errors” made in the past. Phillips 66 Suspends Unleaded AvGas Testing Phillips 66 has been evaluating an unleaded avgas alternative with Afton Chemicals under the Piston Engine Aviation Fuels Initiative. After a major test failure, Phillips 66 has “paused” their evaluation. The FAA confirmed that “PAFI evaluation of the Phillips 66/Afton Chemical 100M unleaded fuel has been paused due to issues encountered during durability testing.” Three other companies are developing unleaded avgas: LyondellBasell/VP Racing Fuels Swift Fuels General Aviation Modifications Inc. US Air Force officer crowned as 2024 Miss America 22-year-old Madison Marsh was crowned as the 2024 Miss America. She’s a second lieutenant in the US Air Force and a master’s student at the Harvard Kennedy School’s public policy program. Marsh became the first active-duty Air Force officer ever to win the contest. See One Lieutenant’s Journey from USAFA to Miss Colorado to Harvard from the Air Education and Training Command. Mentioned The Myth Of Old Boeing by Bill Sweetman. 17th Annual Triple Tree Fly-In September 23-29, 2024, Triple Tree Aerodrome, Woodruff, South Carolina. Flashlight damages $14 million F-35 fighter engine beyond repair at Luke AFB A report by the Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board [PDF] showed the incident occurred on March 15, 2023, while the jet was undergoing some maintenance work. Japanese startup plans to vaporize space junk using ground lasers Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Our listeners’ favorite aviation movies. In the news, the Alaska Airlines B737 MAX 9 cabin door plug incident and cockpit doors, a British Airways pilot was kidnapped and robbed, Spirit Airlines initiated a sale/leaseback transaction to pay their debt, Netjets instituted a mandatory age 70 retirement for pilots, and Cirrus Aircraft announced a new generation of the SR-22 Listener’s Favorite Aviation Movies We asked our listeners to tell us their favorite aviation movie, not including Top Gun. (We excluded Top Gun because it would likely overpower the results.) Listeners responded in great numbers. In no particular order, these are our listener’s favorite aviation movies: Theatrical release poster by Gary Meyer The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) (Paul F.) After WW1, an ex-pilot takes up barn-storming and chance-meets a former German ace fighter pilot with whom he co-stars in Hollywood war movies depicting aerial dogfights. Paul: My grandfather learned to fly in a Jenny and that movie just resonated with me.  I recently found it on Netflix and enjoyed it all over again! Winner of the random drawing. The Arrow (TV miniseries 1997) (Kevin H.) Starring Dan Aykroyd as Crawford Gordon, an experienced wartime production leader after World War II and president of Avro Canada during its attempt to produce the Avro Arrow supersonic jet interceptor aircraft. The film also stars Michael Ironside and Sara Botsford. Kevin: Ok guys…. so I’m not entirely sure if a TV miniseries would qualify, but if you played the four episodes back to back it would be a 180-minute movie. It was only Canada’s greatest aviation achievement, so of course it has a special place in the hearts of all Canadian avgeeks. No Highway in the Sky (1951) (James H.) Starring Jimmy Stewart and Jack Hawkins in a supporting role (yes it was made in England), Based on a Neville Shute Novel, Great use of visuals, based on models, As the major plot point identified the issue of metal fatigue long before the Comet disasters, And while a black and white film is a well-told yarn. Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes (1965) (Holger L. and Thierry B.) Hoping to push Britain to the forefront of aviation, a London publisher organizes an international air race across the English Channel, but must contend with two entrants vying for his daughter, as well as national rivalries and cheating. Holger: It’s funny but it’s also about aviation history. Airplane vs. Volcano (2014) (Hendrik N.) Not really my favourite aviation movie, but just to enter a really weirdly bad aviation movie. It is incredible how bad a movie can be. But it is so bad that it starts to be funny again. Devotion (2022) (Greg H. and Dag G.) A biographical war film based on the 2015 book Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Friendship, and Sacrifice by Adam Makos, which retells the comradeship between naval officers during the Korean War. Dag G: I saw the preview live-streaming theater in the woods on my laptop during AirVenture, and went to see it in the theater with one of my best friends. It has the most beautiful airplane shots and the most moving story. Airport (1970) (Rick B.) The original featuring Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset, and George Kennedy as the mechanic everyone aspired to be; Joe Patroni of TWA. Air America (1990) (John R. and Tom B.) An action comedy film directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. as Air America pilots flying missions in Laos during the Vietnam War. The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944) (Michael R.) Watching The Memphis Belle as a kid was a contributing factor to my interest in WWII, and especially in the B-17. Memphis Belle (1990) (Mark C. and Andrew C.) In 1943, the crew of a B-17 based in the UK prepares for its 25th and final bombing mission over Germany before returning home to the USA. I enjoyed the  Memphis Belle movie, about a flying fortress, when it came out in the early 1990s.I think it is time I see it again. Midway (1976) (Ted P.) My grandfather took me to see it when I was school-age and it ignited my love of airplanes and naval history.  He flew B-24s in WW2 but did not deploy as his father passed when his squadron was sent to Europe. He ended up training flight crews and family lore was he buzzed the family farm in South NJ and the chickens didn’t lay eggs for a week. American Made (2017) (Pawel M.) The story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair. Fail Safe (1964) (JD) A technical malfunction sends American planes to Moscow to deliver a nuclear attack. Can all-out war be averted? Strategic Air Command (1955) (Jeffrey L.) It holds a special place since my 20-year Air Force career started at Carswell AFB, Texas when it still was a SAC base, and that’s where many of the B-36 scenes were shot.  The hangar where Frank Lovejoy (yes, related) introduces the B-47 to Jimmy Stewart belonged to the squadron I was in from 1986-1992.  The factory across the runway was where Consolidated was building the B-36s, and later F-16s, and now F-35s.  Lots of history there. Midway (1976) (Mike S.) I can watch that every week! The Great Waldo Pepper (1975) (Paul F. and Roland H.) Stars Robert Redford, Bo Svenson, and Bo Brundin. Paul: My grandfather learned to fly in a Jenny and that movie just resonated with me.  I recently found it on Netflix and enjoyed it all over again! Roland: I have seen this many, many times as a kid on a VHS tape recorded from TV. Years ago I tried to find it on DVD and it wasn’t that easy. I did find it eventually. I think I just feel the urge to watch it again 🙂 High Road to China (1983) (Adam H.) Grew up in an aviation family and was always fascinated by WW1 aircraft. When this movie came out in the 80’s starring Tom Selleck and Bess Armstrong I was hooked. An heiress hires a washed-out ace and his mechanic to find her father so he won’t be declared dead by the courts. They fly two Belgian Stampe biplanes filling in for Curtis Jennys from England to China and have plenty of adventures along the way. The Big Lift (1950) (Gerard O.) Experiences of two Air Force sergeants during the 1948 Berlin Airlift. Starring Paul Douglas and Montgomery Clift. Miracle Landing (1990) (Sarah J.) A made-for-television drama film based on an in-flight accident aboard Aloha Airlines Flight 243 in April 1988. I watched it as a 9-year-old with my mum and wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that she let me watch it. Oh, the thrill of having a secret! Also, the movie isn’t actually bad for 1990. Hot Shots! (1991) (Kyle T.) A parody of Top Gun (1986) in which a talented but unstable fighter pilot must overcome the ghosts of his father and save a mission sabotaged by greedy weapons manufacturers. 633 Squadron (1964) (Bill A.) A RAF squadron is assigned to knock out a German rocket fuel factory in Norway. The factory supplies fuel for the Nazi effort to launch rockets on England during D-Day. I definitely love the Mosquito and the scenes of them flying what I think is the Mach Loop in Scotland. Always (1989) (Andrew F.) The spirit of a recently deceased expert pilot mentors a newer pilot while watching him fall in love with the girlfriend that he left behind. It has a great cast, a great storyline, and really cool flying. Fun fact about this movie: The featured B-26 (and others) was owned by Hawkins and Powers Aviation in Graybull, WY. The owner would fly that airplane over to Sheridan, WY where I was based with Great Lakes Aviation. What I thought was really cool was that there were two different liveries painted on each side of the airplane. That way they could use it in the background of different shots representing more than one airplane. Dunkirk (2017) (Matt R.) Not an aviation movie, but the aviation scenes haunt me. They made me think about how challenging and potentially frightening it would be to fly in a noisy cockpit with limited visibility, little communication, and no source of information except your eyes through goggles to warn you of an enemy whose goal is to destroy you, all with the ticking clock of fuel consumption constantly on your mind. The Final Countdown (1980) (RT) A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. It has multiple military aircraft (airplanes and helicopters), a dogfighting scene of F-14s and Japanese Zeros (What other movie would have that?), an aircraft carrier, and time travel. The Rocketeer (1991) (Andy B.) A young pilot stumbles onto a prototype jetpack that allows him to become a high-flying masked hero. I fell in love it: pure fiction yes, but full of waning days of the golden age of aviation context- with just the right dash of historical anachronism to “…really tie the room together!” Bat*21 (1988) (Mike S.) During the Vietnam War, Colonel Hambleton’s aircraft is shot down over enemy territory and a frantic rescue operation ensues. Starring Gene Hackman, Danny Glover, and Jerry Reed. Behind Enemy Lines (2001) (Peter T.) A disillusioned pilot shot down over war-torn Bosnia goes on the run from the local military and an assassin, as his commanding officer risks all to save him. There is a good plot and is not necessarily aviation-intensive but the aviation scenes are, in my opinion, well done! I actually bought the DVD from Blockbuster. Starring Gene Hackman, Owen Wilson, and Gabriel Macht. Iron Eagle (1986) (Quinn M. and Shannon V.) A young pilot plans a rescue mission when his father, an Air Force Colonel, is shot down over enemy territory and captured. The one that makes me smile at so many levels is “Iron Eagle” but not the sequels. One of my favorite features is the credits have a statement to the effect the the USAF had nothing to do with it but thanks so much to the Israeli Air Force for their help in filming… Explaining the camo that USAF planes have never used and the Kfir bad guy planes. I am very amused by the “totally not Libya”  bad guy country that had features of Iran and some of the other Israeli neighbors. Shannon:  Louis Gossett Jr. and the music of Queen, are you kidding me? It doesn’t get any better than that. The War Lover (1962) (Ed L.) In 1943, while stationed in Britain, arrogant Captain Buzz Rickson is in command of a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber, but his recklessness is endangering everyone around him. A great, realistic, black-and-white, B-17 movie. It’s also a great book by John Hersey. Starring Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, and Shirley Anne Field. The Blue Max (1966) (Kerry K.) A young pilot in the German air force of 1918, disliked as lower-class and unchivalrous, tries ambitiously to earn the medal offered for 20 kills. Probably a favorite because it was seen at an early age and the details of the movie always stuck with me.  Few movies about WWI and biplanes, especially with the same production value. Cloud Dancer (1980) (Luke H.) A fictionalized account of a competition acrobatic pilot. They used real aircraft, the actors were also in the seat of the two-seat Pitts. Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress (1944) (Paul A.) A documentary on the 25th bombing mission of the Memphis Belle, a B-17 in the US 8th Air Force. I saw this as a kid and rewatched it recently. The scene that has stuck with me and that I remember as a kid, is the solemn, tense moments depicted when the ground crews wait for the planes returning from the mission. The viewer is on the edge of their seat as we watch real footage of the landing aircraft, the stragglers limping home and arriving one by one…we feel as if we’re on the airfield praying for the safe touchdown of the damaged aircraft. Flight of the Intruder (1991) (Todd P.) During the air war over Vietnam, a U.S. Navy A-6 Intruder bomber pilot schemes with a hardened veteran to make an unauthorized air strike on Hanoi. “Fighter pukes make movies. Bomber pilots make… history!” Airplane! (1980) (Markku H., Steve S., Steve L., and Adam W.) After the crew becomes sick with food poisoning, a neurotic ex-fighter pilot must land a commercial airplane full of passengers safely. Harkku: Funny movie, I saw it when I was a little boy. Perhaps not politically correct nowadays with the Air Israel kipa and beard on the plane. Steve S: The best and funniest aviation movie ever. And stop calling me Shirley. Steve L: So many classic one-liners. And don’t call me Shirley! Adam: I saw it many times as a kid and then had the fun of sharing it with my own child.  Even seeing it at a different stage in my life, I laughed at some of the same things while also laughing at some different gags, all having to do with aviation.  No doubt, I’ll watch it again sometime in the near future. The Spirit of St Louis (1957) (Greg P.) Charles ‘Slim’ Lindbergh struggles to finance and design an airplane that will make his New York to Paris flight the first solo transatlantic crossing. Starring James Stewart, Murray Hamilton, and Patricia Smith. Twelve O’Clock High (1949) (Rich M. and d12776) A hard-as-nails general takes over a B-17 bomber unit suffering from low morale and whips them into fighting shape. Yes, it is about flying  B-17s in WWII. But it is also one of the best movies about leadership. I was an instructor at the Air Force’s Squadron Officer School in the late 70’s and we built an entire lesson plan on leadership and how Brig Gen Savage changes his leadership style depending on the situation. We taught situational leadership and this movie was a great example. Fantastic movie! Starring Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, and Gary Merrill. The Final Countdown (1980) (Martin-Guy C.) A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. I love the sequence F-14A v Zero. Sad that VF-84 no longer flies. Another good scene is the A-7E barricade. American Made (2017) (Chris B. and Job S) The story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair. Job: Definitely the best aviation movie ever… hands down! Black Box (2021) (Belinda D.) A young and talented black box analyst is on a mission to solve the reason behind the deadly crash of a brand-new aircraft. A French language aviation thriller. I think it’s a really clever film, particularly in light of recent certification difficulties with Boeing- really really enjoyed it! Original title: Boîte noire. Things to Come (1936) (Craig L.) The story of a century: a decades-long Second World War leaves plague and anarchy, then a rational state rebuilds civilization and attempts space travel. Starring Raymond Massey. Based on H.G. Wells’ “The Shape of Things to Come.” Check out the Wikipedia synopsis! Up in The Air (2009) (Brian G.) Ryan Bingham enjoys living out of a suitcase for his job, traveling around the country firing people, but finds that lifestyle threatened by the presence of a potential love interest, and a new hire presenting a new business model. Starring George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick. Wings (1927) (Andy D.) Two young men, one rich, one middle class, who are in love with the same woman, become fighter pilots in World War I. The silent film, specifically when accompanied live by Clark Wilson at the console of a Mighty Wurlitzer theater pipe organ. As Green As It Gets [Original title: Grüner wird’s nicht, sagte der Gärtner und flog davon] (2018) (Peter W.) The German 2018 movie where the protagonist gardener takes off in his beautiful Platzer Kiebitz biplane and travels through the countryside. The cinematography especially of the airplane scenes is fantastic! The Aviator (2004) (Martin K.) A biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes’ career from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Beckinsale. Flight (2012) (Max) An airline pilot saves almost all his passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashed, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling. Starring Denzel Washington, Nadine Velazquez, and Don Cheadle. Air Force One (1997) (Andre M.) It is a great movie, it has Han Solo in it, airplanes, and it is one I watched over and over when I managed to get my laptop to play those new fandangled DVD movies back when they first came out. Soul Plane (2004) (E.R.) Things get raucously funny aboard the maiden flight of a black-owned airline, thanks to some last-minute passenger additions. Diversity and culture. The Terminal (2004) (Dee) An Eastern European tourist unexpectedly finds himself stranded in JFK airport and must take up temporary residence there. It’s a demonstration of someone staying positive despite being presented with so many obstacles and loosely based on an actual event. Godzilla Minus One (2023) (Bill H.) The movie starts with an airplane scene and there isn’t much more aviation until the last part of the movie. But it’s worth the wait. The story takes place in Japan in the immediate aftermath of WWII. A plan is devised to ambush Godzilla, but he must be lured to the right place. This job falls to our hero flying a specially prepared plane, the J7W Shinden. The Shinden was designed to intercept B-29s and inspired some hope among the Japanese at a time when the war had become hopeless. In the new Godzilla movie, the airplane is recast as a warrior in a non-military struggle, a role that suits it perfectly. Yes, it’s a low-budget monster movie, and all of the flying scenes are done with CGI. But it’s well worth it to see this spectacular airplane at center stage facing a worthy challenge. One Six Right (2005) (Adam F.) There was just something about hearing so many stories of other pilots who loved flying at a time when I was so new to it myself. There are at least three spots guaranteed to bring on tears every single time I’ve viewed it. One section that’s especially powerful is the retired airline pilot explaining that as he was starting out in DC-3s, if he had been told by the end of his career he would fly near 40,000 feet at 600mph he would have considered that prediction as completely crazy – but with only 34 years between the DC-3 and 747, that’s how aviation grew in his career. On a cinematic level, the transitions between various segments can be a little rough – in a single movie covering everything from the history of a specific airport, emotional remembrance of the first solo, future warnings in the wake of Meigs, air traffic controllers, broader community complaints of noise, etc. But admittedly this roughness didn’t really occur to me until I had seen it more than a few times. Pan Am (2011-2012) (Sarah M.) ABC TV series. Period drama about the pilots and flight attendants who once made Pan Am the most glamorous way to fly. Not really a movie, but… The Geek’s Favorite Aviation Movies The Flight of the Phoenix (1965) (Max Flight) After an oil company plane crashes in the Sahara, the survivors are buoyed with hope by one of the passengers, an airplane designer who plans for them to build a flyable plane from the wreckage. Sully (2016) (Rob Mark) When pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger landed his damaged plane on the Hudson River to save the flight’s passengers and crew, some consider him a hero while others think he was reckless. Flying Tigers (1942) (Brian Coleman) Capt. Jim Gordon’s command of the famed American volunteer fighter group in China is complicated by the recruitment of an old friend who is a reckless hotshot. The Final Countdown (1980) (Steve Visscher) A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. One Six Right (2005) (Grant McHerron) An exhilarating documentary film that celebrates the unsung hero of aviation – the local airport – by tracing the life, history, and struggles of an airport icon: Southern California’s Van Nuys Airport. Strategic Air Command (1955) (David Vanderhoof) An ex-pilot and current baseballer is recalled into the U.S. Air Force and assumes an increasingly important role in Cold War deterrence. Starring James Stewart, June Allyson, and Frank Lovejoy. Sky King (TV series 1951-1962) (Max Trescott) King usually captured criminals and spies and found lost hikers, though he did so with the use of his airplane, the Songbird. Starring Kirby Grant, Gloria Winters, and Ewing Mitchell. Micah’s Favorite Aviation Movies Our Main(e) Man Micah struggled to pick just one favorite aviation movie. In his story, he mentions these films: Top Gun The Aviator Iron Eagle Air Force One Snakes on a Plane Pearl Harbor Flight Jet Pilot Flying Leathernecks Flying Tigers Islands in the Sky Fate is the Hunter The Wings of Eagles The High and The Mighty Task Force Fighter Squadron Dive Bomber  Wings Hell’s Angels Keep ‘Em Flying Captains of the Clouds Air Force God Is My Co-Pilot Zero Hour! Airplane Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines The Flight of the Phoenix Airport  Tora! Tora! Tora! The Great Waldo Pepper Midway (1976) Midway (2019) The Final Countdown Always A Guy Named Joe Twelve O’Clock High Command Decision The Dawn Patrol (1930) The Dawn Patrol (1938) Move Favorite Aviation Movies These movies were submitted by listeners after the episode posted: The Right Stuff (1983) (Obiwankenobi8999, Joe) The U.S. space program’s development from the breaking of the sound barrier to the selection of the Mercury 7 astronauts, from a group of test pilots with a seat-of-the-pants approach. A Gathering of Eagles (1963) (Tom L.) During the Cold War, Air Force Colonel Jim Caldwell shapes up his Strategic Air Command B-52 wing to pass a nuclear war readiness test. Whisky Romeo Zulu (2004) (JP) The film tells the story prior to the accident LAPA Boeing 737 on 31 August 1999 after hitting an embankment in central Buenos Aires, killing 67 people. Only Angels Have Wings (1939) (Peter D.) At a remote South American trading port, the manager of an air-freight company is forced to risk his pilots’ lives in order to win an important contract as a traveling American showgirl stops in town. Aviation News FAA investigating if Boeing failed to ensure certain aircraft were safe for operation after door blew on Alaska Airlines plane The FAA is investigating Boeing to determine if the company ensured that “products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in compliance with FAA regulations.” After the B737 MAX 9 grounding, Alaska and United found loose hardware on some planes. According to the FAA, these “circumstances indicate that Boeing may have failed to ensure its completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation in accordance with quality system inspection and test procedures.” Alaska flight incident reveals another feature Boeing didn’t inform pilots about Immediately following the cabin decompression on the Alaska Airlines B737 MAX 9, the cockpit door swung open, to the surprise of the pilots. That’s the design behavior. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said that Boeing would make this clear in the MAX 9 manual. British Airways Pilot Kidnapped, Brutally Assaulted and Robbed in Terrifying Ordeal During Layover in Johannesburg The First Officer was on a 2-day layover, staying in a gated and guarded community. While returning to the community after shopping, a woman asked him for assistance but then he was forced into a vehicle. Taken to a house for four hours, his bank accounts were emptied. Spirit Sells 25 Aircraft to Reduce Debt  The airline entered into a sale-leaseback deal. The transaction allowed the airline to repay $465 million in debt payments for the aircraft. The sale also generated $419 million in net cash proceeds. The specific aircraft involved were not specified. Spirit operates an A320-family fleet of over 200 aircraft. NetJets Implements Mandatory Age-70 Pilot Retirement NetJets instituted an age-70 limit for its fractional-share (Part 91K) pilots effective January 10, 2024. Fewer than 100 pilots are affected, and they have been removed from NetJet’s schedule. Notice of the change was issued by NetJets on January 10, 2023. This came after Congress’s omnibus spending bill that was adopted in December 2022. That bill allowed certain Part 91K and 135 operators to implement an age-70 ceiling. Such operators had to have logged at least 75,000 annual jet operations in 2019 or any subsequent year. The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) filed a grievance which NetJets denied. An arbitrator found no violation and also denied the grievance. Eight NetJets pilots filed a lawsuit seeking “a preliminary injunction to keep the age cap from taking effect Jan. 10, 2024.” The U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas Dallas Division rejected their arguments and denied the motion for a preliminary injunction. See: Congress passes rule raising voluntary pilot age restriction Cirrus Unveils Generation Seven of the SR-22 The G7 features Cirrus Perspective Touch+™ by Garmin®, advanced safety systems, improved visibility, increased legroom, and enhanced convenience features. The G7 integrates a  touchscreen-controlled flight deck with a comfortable and stylish cabin. This redesigned flight deck reduces pilot workload while offering enhanced situational awareness for both pilot and passenger. Video: SR Series G7 Features https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sAVe0JJt64 Mentioned Video: Van Halen – Dreams 1986 (Blue Angels) https://youtu.be/sFmTwJ-LQMA?si=MX-5FzbNY-0ECfo4 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Two X-59 test pilots discuss the NASA X-59 mission, the design and technology of the X-59 aircraft, the role of test pilots, and the challenges of flying supersonic. X-59 in flight. NASA image. Guests David Nils Larson David “Nils” Larson is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is NASA’s lead pilot for the X-59 aircraft, and is assigned to Armstrong’s F/A-18, F-15, T-34 research and mission support aircraft, and DC-8 airborne science aircraft. Nils also serves as senior advisor for NASA aeronautical flight research. In this role, he is a strategic advisor to program directors for agency mission directorates concerning aeronautics flight research planning, execution, aircraft airworthiness, and risk management for future flight research projects. Before joining NASA in 2007, Nils was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He has accumulated more than 7,000 hours of military and civilian flight experience in more than 100 fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft. James “Clue” Less James “Clue” Less is a research pilot and aerospace engineer at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is a project pilot for the X-59 aircraft. Clue has worked at Armstrong since 2010 conducting flight research and airborne science missions as a pilot for the F-15, F-18, T-34, and King Air, as well as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a  modified 747SP jetliner, and various remotely piloted aircraft, including the MQ-9 Ikhana and aircraft from the center’s subscale research laboratory. Before joining NASA, Clue served as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 21 years. Upon graduating from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, he flew F-111 aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and the F-117 Stealth Fighter at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. Quesst Commercial supersonic flight over land is prohibited because the noise of the sonic boom is objectionable. But NASA and Lockheed Martin believe they can turn the boom into a thud by designing the X-59 in a way that manages the shock waves. The NASA Quesst mission has two goals: To design and build NASA’s X-59 research aircraft which includes technology that will reduce the loudness of the sonic boom. Fly the X-59 over U.S. cities, collect data from the communities about the sound, and share the public reaction to the quieter sonic “thumps” with the FAA and international regulators.  The regulators can then consider writing new sound-based rules to lift the ban on supersonic flight over land. On January 12, 2024, NASA held a public unveiling ceremony for the X-59 supersonic research aircraft. Video: Rollout of the X-59 Quesst Supersonic Plane (Official NASA Broadcast) https://www.youtube.com/live/KjCdGqgD9Bs?si=leqMqvHHtHB6dM8G Hosts this Episode Rob Mark and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, and author discusses his journey to becoming an astronaut and his experiences in space. In the news, FAA orders Boeing 737 Max 9 planes grounded, a JAL A350 collides with a Dash-8, seating layout and air rage, American Airlines launches Smart Gating, and JSX plans to buy more than 300 hybrid-electric aircraft. Guest Thomas D. Jones is a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, author, pilot, and speaker. He flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit in more than eleven years with NASA. In 2001, Tom led three spacewalks to install the American Destiny laboratory, the centerpiece of the International Space Station. He has spent fifty-three days working and living in space. Tom has written seven space, aviation, and history books.  Tom’s latest title is Space Shuttle Stories: Firsthand Astronaut Accounts from All 135 Missions from Smithsonian Books. This book is a comprehensive oral history of the thirty years of the Space Shuttle. Tom collected stories from astronauts across all 135 shuttle missions. A Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Academy, Tom piloted B-52D strategic bombers, earned a doctorate in planetary sciences from the University of Arizona, studied asteroids and robotic exploration missions for NASA, and engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA. Tom’s awards include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, four NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Public Service Award, Phi Beta Kappa, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and Distinguished Eagle Scout. Asteroid 1082 Tom Jones is named in his honor. In 2018, Tom was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Tom served on the NASA Advisory Council and the Association of Space Explorers and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation boards. He consults on the future direction of human space exploration, uses of asteroid and space resources, and planetary defense. A frequent public speaker, he is often seen on-air delivering expert commentary on science and space flight. For more, see Tom’s website, follow him on Twitter/X at @AstroTomJones, and he’s also on Facebook. Aviation News FAA orders grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after Alaska Airlines incident FAA orders temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9s A new Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 lost a plugged rear-aft door as it climbed out from Portland, Oregon. The plane depressurized and immediately returned to the airport. No injuries were reported. The FAA ordered maintenance and safety inspections. Haneda accident outcome the sum of decades of integrated air safety lessons What if the Haneda Accident Had Occurred in the US? A landing Japan Airlines A350-900 collided with a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Dash 8-300 resulting in the deaths of five members of the JCG and the total loss of the A350. All 368 passengers and 12 crew members of JAL plane evacuated safely. Class ‘Inequity’ Fuels Air Rage The “Physical and Situational Inequality on Airplanes Predicts Air Rage” study by Princeton University found that the chance of an air rage incident increased four times when the aircraft had a first-class section. The chance doubles again when boarding economy-class passengers pass through the first-class section. Smart Gating: How American Airlines Is Using Machine Learning To Reduce Taxi Times By 20% The American Airlines Smart Gating system is designed to streamline operations, reduce taxiing times, save jet fuel, reduce carbon emissions, and improve operational efficiency. The system uses real-time flight information and assigns aircraft to the closest gate. This can reduce taxiing time by up to 20%. Smart Gating has been deployed across American Airlines’ major hubs. Video: American Airlines Smart Gating https://youtu.be/7aX0C1uXaJw?si=1PLk11Nx2cJsHUVy JSX Plans To Add 300+ Hybrid-electric Aircraft to Fleet Public charter operator JSX intends to purchase up to 332 hybrid-electric aircraft: 82 Electra nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft (32/50 firm/options), up to 150 Aura Aero 19-seat Era model (50/100), and up to 100 Heart Aerospace 30-seat ES-30 (50/50). Mentioned Ramrod to Munster by Stephen C. Ananian [PDF] Aircraft Accident Investigation (AAI) course, University of Southern California. The course is designed for individuals who have limited investigation experience. All aspects of the investigation process are addressed, starting with preparation for the investigation through writing the final report. It covers National Transportation Safety Board and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures. Investigative techniques are examined with an emphasis on fixed-wing investigation. Data collection, wreckage reconstruction, and cause analysis are discussed in the classroom and applied in the lab. Can you spot Max Trescott? The Journey is the Reward podcast, Episode 60: A Conversation with Capt Jeff of the Airline Pilot Guy. Hosts this Episode Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Flying on Breeze Airways to Florida and the meetup at Largo, a story about getting into an aviation career, a family holiday tale, becoming an air marshal, the value of warbird tours, getting to know Launchpad Marzari, and a 2023 year-in-review. Micah and C-12 Huron Flying Breeze Airways Brian Coleman and our Main(e) Man Micah each flew to Florida recently. Breeze Airways provided Micah with the flight from Maine and he and Brian discussed the flight, the Tampa airport experience, hotel accommodations, and T-Mobile service. Listener Meetup While in Florida, Brian and Micah met at Your Pizza Shop with a few listeners.  Getting into Aviation Long-time listener and friend of the podcast Martin Kemp describes how he got into aviation. Martin is Head of Integrated EFB, Commercial Aviation with Jeppesen and ForeFlight, a Boeing Company. A Family Matriarch Christmas Micah tells a story about family and flying. Portland, Maine Harbor Visual Looking North Federal Air Marshals Micah and Max Flight have a conversation about Federal Air Marshals, including how to become one and the training they receive. The Collings Foundation Micah and Max Flight offer thoughts about the Collings Foundation and how historic aircraft tours impact the public. The Collings Foundation Martin Kemp tells us about getting to know our late friend Launchpad Marzari and his chocolates. The Year in Review Micah relates the many ways aviation touched him in 2023. Mentioned Video: Rocky the Airplane Dog. Rocky is an Australian Labradoodle who lives right under the pattern of Brunswick Landing, the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. Whenever Rocky is outside, he watches every aircraft fly through the airspace until it is out of sight. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/q877z9qKN3I Contributors this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Brian Coleman, and Martin Kemp.

Aircraft leases, engine leasing pools, and related aerospace investments. In the news, Southwest flight attendants will have to vote again on the proposed labor contract, the YouTuber who crashed his plane in a video stunt is flying again, the FAA issues an NPRM for the 737NG nacelle retrofit program, another NPRM is out for PW1100G engine inspections, DOT fines Southwest Airlines $150 million, and a new museum is created for WWII crashes flying over “the hump.” Guest Nathan Dickstein is Managing Director and Head of Aerospace Leasing at investment firm AE Industrial Partners, LP. The company was founded in 1998 as AeroEquity and later rebranded as AE Industrial Partners (AEI). Nathan focuses on the origination and management of aircraft leases, engine leasing pools, and related aerospace investments. He has over 12 years of industry experience investing in aircraft and engine leasing at investment funds, banks, and leasing companies. We explore various aspects of aircraft leasing and its impact on the aviation industry. Nathan discusses the challenges faced by airlines due to airworthiness directives and the need for early engine visits. Our conversation also delves into different types of leasing companies and the expertise of AEI in aircraft leasing. Nathan highlights the benefits of aircraft leases and the flexibility they offer. We also consider the growth and resilience of the aircraft leasing industry. Before joining AE Industrial in 2020, Nathan worked in Marathon Asset Management’s Structured Credit team where he was responsible for the origination and management of aircraft and aviation-related investments. Before Marathon, Nathan was employed by Alterna Capital Partners, responsible for sourcing, executing, and realizing aircraft investments.  Nathan’s previous industry work experience includes Deucalion Aviation Funds, the equity investment arm of DVB Bank where he was responsible for transaction analysis and deal structuring, and AWAS Aviation Capital, a top 10 aircraft lessor, where he was part of the Risk Management team. Aviation News Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants Forced to Rerun Contract Vote After Crew Discovered Ballot System Was Vulnerable to Fraud Transport Workers Union Local 556 (TWU Local 556) represents Southwest Airlines flight attendants and contract negotiations have been going on for years. Recently, with 95% of eligible union members voting, the proposed contract was soundly rejected. However, some members questioned the integrity of the voting process. After an investigation, the union says the membership will have to vote again. Trevor Jacob Goes Flying On Temporary Certificate Two years ago, Trevor Jacob intentionally crashed his Taylorcraft for a YouTube stunt. His pilot certificate was revoked in April 2022, and he was recently sentenced to six months in prison for hiding evidence. However, Jacob was eligible to apply for a certificate after one year and he says he’s passed the written exam and completed his checkride. With that, the FAA says he has now been issued a temporary pilot certificate. (a) A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating is issued for up to 120 days, at which time a permanent certificate will be issued to a person whom the Administrator finds qualified under this part. (b) A temporary pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate or rating expires: (1) On the expiration date shown on the certificate; (2) Upon receipt of the permanent certificate; or (3) Upon receipt of a notice that the certificate or rating sought is denied or revoked. Code of Federal Regulations § 61.17 Temporary Certificate. FAA Starts 737NG Nacelle Retrofit Mandate Process Following two incidents, the NTSB recommended a redesign of the 737NG nacelle. The FAA issued three notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) that would mandate that operators would have until July 31, 2028, to upgrade their aircraft with new inlet spacers and fasteners, a fan cowl support beam, a stiffer exhaust nozzle, and upgraded inlet aft bulkhead fasteners. Boeing would issue maintenance instructions by Dec. 31, 2029. The changes are intended to keep fan cowls closed, intact, and attached to the airplane in the event of a fan-blade-out event. FAA Outlines Next Phase Of PW1100G Inspections In another NPRM, the draft rule based on two service bulletins developed by Pratt would mandate inspections of the PW1100G. The next batch of engines needing off-wing inspection of high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 and stage 2 disks were identified and high-pressure compressor (HPC) stage 7 and 8 integrated blade rotors (IBRs) are to be added to Pratt’s “fleet management plan.” DOT Penalizes Southwest Airlines $140 Million for 2022 Holiday Meltdown The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a $140 million civil penalty against Southwest Airlines for violating consumer protection laws over the 2022 Christmas holiday and into the New Year after the operational failures canceled 16,900 flights and stranded over two million passengers. Most of the penalty will go towards compensating future Southwest passengers. In its investigation, DOT found the company violated consumer protection laws by failing to provide adequate customer service assistance, failing to provide prompt flight status notifications, and failing to provide refunds promptly and properly. 600 U.S. planes crashed in the Himalayas during WWII. A new museum shows the artifacts An estimated 1,500 pilots and passengers were killed flying “the hump” due to incorrect maps, weather conditions, flying at high altitudes with unpressurized aircraft, and other causes. Mentioned American Heritage Museum Video: Collings Foundation Hangar (Stow, MA) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nThSBZlXQtA Air Force Safety Center: Aviation Statistics Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

We take a look at the China aviation market, including the aviation boom in China, the aircraft that will support that market, and the impact on the global aviation industry. In the news, the V-22 Osprey is grounded worldwide, a judge wants more concessions from JetBlue as they seek to acquire Spirit, how airport expansion plans can come under fire on environmental grounds, and producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel through CO₂ direct air capture technology. Guest Vance Hilderman is the CEO of AFuzion, a safety certification consultancy for the aviation industry. Vance is the founder, CEO, and CTO of multiple safety-critical companies. He’s a world-renowned safety-critical expert, speaker, trainer, and author. Vance describes the growth potential of the China aviation market, the challenges and opportunities for Western companies, and the implications of technology transfer and intellectual property concerns. He highlights the importance of the Chinese market for the aviation industry and the need for strategic approaches to navigate the complexities of doing business in China. Takeaways: China is a rapidly growing aviation market with a large middle class and increasing domestic and international travel demand. Western companies, including Boeing and Airbus, are eager to tap into the Chinese market, but they face challenges related to technology transfer and intellectual property concerns. The Chinese government plays a significant role in the aviation industry, and partnerships and joint ventures are often required to do business in China. The China aviation market offers both opportunities and risks, and companies need to carefully navigate the political and economic landscape to succeed. Vance is a top authority in the aviation industry and has been featured in the Associated Press, Aviation Pros, and Aviation Today. He is the author of The Aviation Development Ecosystem and Avionics Certification – Complete Guide to DO-178, DO-178C, DO-254. Vance holds BSEE, MSEE (Hughes Fellow), and MBA degrees. References: Boeing Commercial Market Outlook 2023–2042 China set to be biggest domestic aviation market according to Boeing China aviation regulator head, US ambassador seek increase of flights Competition with China Does Not Mean Kneecapping U.S. Aviation Check 6 Podcast: Has China’s Aviation Market Lost Its Luster? Aviation News Osprey Crash Triggers Worldwide Grounding A USAF CV-22B Osprey tiltrotor crashed offshore near Yakushima, Japan, on November 29, 2023, during a training mission, killing eight service members who were aboard. The U.S. Air Force’s Special Operations Command ordered an “operational standdown” of the CV-22 fleet, and all other V-22 operators have done the same. More than 400 Osprey’s are currently in service with U.S. forces and Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force, which operates 14 of the aircraft.  USAF Special Operations Command says, “Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but the underlying cause of the failure is unknown at this time. The standdown will provide time and space for a thorough investigation to determine causal factors and recommendations to ensure the Air Force CV-22 fleet returns to flight operations.” A CV-22 Osprey practices hoist operations near Albuquerque, New Mexico Feb. 22, 2021. Image: Airman 1st Class Ireland Summers Air Force. Judge Seeks Further Concessions as JetBlue-Spirit Trial Concludes  Judge seeks more sacrifices as JetBlue-Spirit trial ends The US District judge concluded that fares would likely increase if the proposed $3.8B acquisition of Spirit by JetBlue goes through, and commented that JetBlue will most likely need to divest additional assets.  The airline already said it would divest gates and slots at Boston, New York Newark, and Fort Lauderdale International. Portland jetport plan to cut trees, add surface parking draws opposition The Portland International Jetport wants to build an additional parking lot. Meanwhile, the new Mayor has prioritized fighting climate change and expanding Portland’s tree canopy. The Jetport says demand for long-term parking exceeds capacity so travelers park at an offsite city lot and use a shuttle to the airport. They say onsite parking has the smallest carbon footprint. The opposition says clearing trees and destroying wetlands is short-sighted and environmentally harmful. They say the jetport should expand the shuttle service to include other existing parking lots. UK’s first air capture plant is turned on to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and turn it into jet fuel Mission Zero Technologies was founded in 2020 to develop direct air capture (DAC) technology that recovers atmospheric CO₂, which can then be used or stored. Their machine will run on solar power, recover 50 tonnes of CO₂ per year, and then turn it into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Australia Desk Mentioned Early Winter Snow Stops Flights at Munich Airport Video: Cessna Citation X from ARFF World https://youtu.be/F8ObpIthXE4?si=kFai5QDB2ET4TYgd Video: EP 31: Smithy’s Southern Cross Replica Flies Again! https://youtu.be/cS59ZCZ9hh4?si=mZLPhkMO7Rq7o8BX Hosts this Episode

Aviation accident litigation with a partner from a law firm that specializes in that topic. In the news, some distressing recent air traffic controller behavior, the FAA acts on Safety Team recommendations, three United Airlines employees are accused of accepting bribes, a cargo drone airline achieves first flight, the Collings Foundation ends their air tours, and Alaska Airlines looks to acquire Hawaiian Airlines. Guest Erin Applebaum is a Partner at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP. Within Kreindler’s aviation practice, she focuses on representing individuals who are injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters.  Erin currently serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX litigation against Boeing and other defendants. She is also part of the team challenging the Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Boeing and the Department of Justice. Erin maintains a robust practice of representing passengers who have been seriously injured during commercial flights. She specializes in litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention and teaches a popular aviation accident CLE course for other attorneys – “Montreal Convention for Plaintiffs’ Lawyers: Representing Passenger Personal Injury Claims Arising on International Flights.” For the highly respected, industry-wide publication, “Annals of Air and Space Law,” published by McGill University, Erin contributed her insight on a recent landmark decision regarding British Airways and the application of the Montreal Convention to injuries caused by unexpected conditions present during passenger disembarkation from international flights. Erin is a member of several legal professional groups. She was recently appointed Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Aeronautics Committee, serves as a Vice Chair on the American Bar Association’s Aviation and Space Law Committee, and is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the International Aviation Women’s Association. Aviation News Drunk and Asleep on the Job: Air Traffic Controllers Pushed to the Brink Some distressing recent ATC incidents have been reported: a drunk controller, one who smoked marijuana during breaks, and an employee who threatened and “aggressively pushed” another who was directing airplanes. There are more reports of sleeping on the job and working under the influence. A New York Times investigation found that air traffic controllers are fatigued, distracted, and demoralized and are increasingly prone to making mistakes. FAA Takes Action to Address Safety Review Team Recommendations With the release of the National Airspace System Safety Review Team report, the FAA is taking immediate action to enhance air traffic controller training and safety reporting: The FAA will work with Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program colleges and universities to ensure that graduates from these programs have the necessary skills to begin on-the-job training at a facility. These graduates still must pass the Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) exam and meet medical and security requirements. Previously, these graduates were required to attend the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy before being assigned to a facility. FAA announced a year-round hiring track for experienced controllers from the military and private industry. FAA will keep filling every seat at the FAA Academy and increase classroom capacity beyond current limits. FAA will expand the use of advanced training across the country. The agency has new facilities in Chicago and San Diego and will be adding them in Nashua and Phoenix in the spring.  Finish deploying tower simulator systems in 95 facilities by December 2025. The FAA will deploy the first system in Austin by January 2024.  To strengthen the safety culture, the FAA will provide reports from the Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service to the FAA Administrator and Aviation Safety Associate Administrator. Three United Airlines Employees Accepted Bribes to Award ‘Lucrative’ Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation Contracts at Newark Airport Following a Federal probe, three United Airlines employees pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and kickbacks that included renovating their homes and receiving Rolex watches. This was in exchange for awarding contracts to a company that offered higher prices than at least two other competitors. United has terminated all three employees: a corporate real estate director, an airline senior manager, and a contractor. Qatar Airways Partners With The World’s 1st Cargo Drone Airline Qatar Airways Cargo and cargo drone airline Dronamics have partnered, initially to link the Dronamics droneports in Greece with Qatar’s worldwide network. The Black Swan remotely piloted aircraft has a 26-foot fuselage with a 52-foot wingspan, 770 lb cargo capacity, a 1,550-mile range, and a top speed of 125 mph. Dronamics was established in 2014 and calls itself “the world’s first cargo drone airline.” Video: Dronamics Cargo Drone First Flight https://youtu.be/hZfGrLnSZdQ?si=OSKdi22_Vt0VshD4 Collings Foundation Grounds Air Tour for WWII Aircraft The Collings Foundation American Heritage Museum newsletter says, “In the wake of the 2019 B-17 Flying Fortress accident… We are moving forward on our long-term plans to bring the aircraft from a nationwide flying exhibition to permanent display here in Massachusetts.” The Wings of Freedom tour brought access to World War II aircraft like the Boeing B-17G, B-25, B-24, and P-51D. Rides on those aircraft were offered as part of a monetary contribution to the Foundation. The American Heritage Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization located in Hudson, Massachusetts. It displays 50 aircraft and over 90 vehicles from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard vehicles, as well as some from other nations. The museum also has some large artifacts like a rebuilt Hanoi Hilton POW cell and a part of the Berlin Wall. Alaska Airlines in Deal to Buy Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 Billion Under the all-cash transaction, Alaska would buy Hawaiian for $18 per share, valued at $1.9 Billion (which includes $0.9 Billion of Hawaiian Airlines net debt), and operate the airline as an independent brand. Alaska said it plans to expand Hawaiian’s Honolulu hub to enable “greater international connectivity for West Coast travelers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.” The transaction agreement has been approved by both boards and is conditioned on regulatory approvals, approval by Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. shareholders (which is expected to be sought in the first quarter of 2024), and other customary closing conditions. It is expected to close in 12-18 months. The combined organization will be based in Seattle under the leadership of Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. Press Release: Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to merge Additional information about the transaction is available at a new joint website at localcareglobalreach.com and investor materials can also be found at investor.alaskaair.com and news.alaskaair.com. Australia Desk The GippsAero GA-8 Airvan, which in more recent years became known as the Airvan 8, has been a success story of Australia’s aviation industry over its many years of production. Originally known as Gippsland Aeronautics, the company was founded in 1977 by Peter Furlong at the Latrobe Valley Regional Airport in eastern Victoria.  He was joined by George Morgan in 1984 and together they developed the GA200 Fatman crop sprayer and the GA8 utility aircraft.  The company was purchased by Mahindra Aerospace in 2009, with production continuing until 2020.   But there’s good news!  George Morgan has now re-acquired the company and he has a vision to get the GA8 back into production in coming years.  This could see the eventual restoration of a large number of local manufacturing jobs, along with maintenance and other work along the way. Image credit: Steve Hitchen, Australian Flying Magazine Co-Founder buys Mahindra out of GippsAero – Australian Flying New LCC Bonza Air has raised the ire of many, canceling all of their new Gold Coast to Darwin flights for the entire month of December.  The move has left hundreds of passengers stranded and unable to get a satisfactory response from Bonza’s app-based contact system.  The route was announced in September and had been scheduled to commence this week. Does the move signal troubled times ahead for the fledgling new Australian carrier?  Time will tell, but they will need to improve their customer contact methods, and quickly. Bonza cancels Darwin-Gold Coast flights for all of December, leaving customers fuming – ABC News Virgin Australia have announced plans to increase their current order book for Boeing 737 Max-8s to 14, with 3 already delivered, and a planned fleet of 39.  Up until this point, the 737 Max models haven’t been seen in large numbers in this part of the world, and with Qantas looking to progressively replace their 737 fleet with A320s, Virgin will eventually become the nation’s largest operator of the type. Virgin Australia increases 737 MAX-8 aircraft order Virgin is also aiming to rekindle its former partnership arrangement with Air New Zealand, following a break of five years.  The codeshare agreement would be most beneficial to VA passengers wanting to cross the Tasman, after the airline cut back services to all New Zealand destinations except Queenstown, as they contracted operations to focus on Australia during financial restructuring in recent years. Virgin Australia plans to revive Air New Zealand partnership – Point Hacks Mentioned Video: How Many WW2 Fighters Survive in 2023? https://youtu.be/JY-pv1Am2V4?si=g-25hZ6fchsgtugO The Owners Behind the Most Expensive Private Jets in the World Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah. Contribution by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

We talk with a pilot who is moving to a multi-engine aircraft, and his young daughter who wants to be a military pilot. In the news, Southwest Airlines is experimenting with an airport lounge idea, an airport just won a Best Restroom award, a hydrogen-powered engine is being developed for general aviation applications, the financial challenges of a municipal airport, and good news for general aviation deliveries. Diamond DA62 Interviews Michael Rogers sold his Cirrus and bought a Diamond DA62 twin-engine because he needed something bigger for his family. Taking delivery in Canada, he met up with the delivery pilot and flew the DA62 cross country. We hear about transitioning to multi-engine aircraft. Michael’s daughter Eva Rogers was 10 years old when we first spoke with her. Now at 14, she still aspires to become a military pilot, although maybe with a different service. Aviation News Southwest Airlines trying massive customer perk Southwest does not operate its own airport lounges, but they have been testing lounge access with Priority Pass for select top-tier customers. The airline says, “Beginning Nov. 22, [2023] we’ll be surprising and delighting a select group of customers with a complimentary Priority Pass membership for a year, which will allow them and two guests per visit access to the Priority Pass lounge network.” Are BWI Airport’s new bathrooms the best in the nation? Now Boarding: Winner of Cintas 2023 America’s Best Restroom® Contest – BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Cintas Corporation has named the Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport the winner of the 2023 America’s Best Restroom® contest. Each year, Cintas selects one public restroom to receive the award. As part of a $55 million facelift, BWI built new restrooms in Concourse B and is modernizing restrooms throughout Concourses B, C, and D. The newly constructed restrooms at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport maximize occupant capacity while enhancing the overall passenger experience. The entrance welcomes travelers with an aesthetic mural and seating area while they wait for their companions. The new restrooms feature bright, spacious, fully enclosed stalls for privacy, touchless fixtures and individual lactation, adult changing and family assist rooms. Each restroom features a state-of-the-art smart restroom system that integrates with color-changing, LED stall occupancy lights and digital signage at the restroom entrances showing current availability. The smart restroom system also provides real-time inventory tracking and usage counts for custodial services. Cintas Corporation BWI joins Tampa International Airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and Fort Smith Regional Airport in Arkansas in America’s Best Restroom Hall of Fame. Nominations for 2024 are open. DeltaHawk launches hydrogen engine development program DeltaHawk Engines has completed advanced simulation analysis of a hydrogen fuel engine for general aviation aircraft. This is a variant of the 180-hp DHK180 2-stroke piston engine that was certified by the FAA in May 2023. That clean sheet engine has an inverted-V engine block, a turbocharger and a supercharger, mechanical fuel injection, and liquid cooling. Lewiston-Auburn airport puts biggest hangar up for sale or lease The Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport is trying to get on a solid financial footing. Elite Airways ceased operations in 2022 abandoning three leased Bombardier CRJ-700 airplanes at the airport. The same for tools, trailers, machinery, and other property. An auction was held which netted the airport about $140,000. The 27,000-square-foot Hangar #5 was originally built in 2008 for the Lufthansa Lockheed Starliner project, which was canceled in 2018. Hangar #5 is now available. GA aircraft deliveries continue to climb The 2023 Third Quarter General Aviation Aircraft Shipment Report [PDF] was just released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). YTD, all segments of general aviation aircraft deliveries and billings increased. Piston airplane shipments increased almost 12% in 3Q23 over 3Q22. Turboprops increased almost 15% and business jets increased 2%. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and Micah, with contributions by Brian Coleman.

The Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey talks about the $30 Billion capital plan to rebuild airport facilities and the transportation infrastructure. In the news, an unruly passenger is fined almost $40,000 for costs related to the resulting flight delay, FAA certification for remote airport tower operations, public charter flights and regulatory loopholes, American Airlines flight attendants might strike, and the FAA is allowing graduates of college and university air traffic control programs to skip training and go right to ATC facilities. Guest Rick Cotton is Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a post he’s held since August 2017. The Port Authority has jurisdiction over the transportation infrastructure in the region, including air, land, rail, and sea. That includes five airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Stewart International Airport, and Teterboro Airport. Rick describes the history and function of the Port Authority, and the $30B plan to create world-class facilities that include rebuilding the airports. We discuss transportation between the airport and the city, the focus on the curb-to-gate passenger experience, and even the pricing of airport food. Before joining the Port Authority, Rick served as New York State’s Special Counsellor to the Governor for Interagency Initiatives. He focused on the State’s major downstate infrastructure projects such as LaGuardia and JFK Airports, the Moynihan Train Hall and Penn-Farley Complex, the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the expansion of the Javits Center, and the MTA’s Second Avenue Subway project. Rick spent 25 years at NBC Universal, where he held several positions, including 20 years as EVP and General Counsel and four years in London as President and Managing Director of CNBC Europe. He also served as Executive Secretary to the Department at the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare under Secretary Joseph A. Califano, Jr. and Special Assistant for Renewable Energy to Deputy Secretary of Energy John Sawhill at the U.S. Department of Energy. Rick received an A.B. from Harvard College and a J.D. from Yale Law School, and served as a law clerk to Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. on the U.S. Supreme Court. Video: About the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey https://youtu.be/3yM_owgNLzg?si=kzYgwf85vpU0Z_-I Aviation News An expensive flight: American Airlines passenger fined almost $40,000 for being disruptive After pleading guilty to interfering with a flight crew member, the federal district court in Arizona ordered the passenger to pay American Airlines $38,952 in restitution for delay-related costs due to her actions. The woman was also sentenced to time served in prison (3.6 months) and three years of supervised release, during which time she cannot fly commercially without prior authorization. This stems from a Feb. 13, 2022 flight where the passenger used profanity and threatened flight crew members flying from Phoenix to Hawaii. The plane was diverted and returned to Phoenix. See also: Woman Ordered to Pay Over $38,000 in Restitution for Interference with Flight Crew on Hawaii-Bound Flight from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona. Another Remote Control Tower Option Bites the Dust Searidge Technologies will end its five-year effort with Colorado’s Department of Transportation to implement a remote technology (RT) digital tower at Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland. Bob Poole writes that new FAA certification requirements have also forced Saab to discontinue its participation as the RT technology provider for the remote tower for Leesburg Airport in Virginia. In March 2023, the FAA announced that to have a remote technology system certified for a U.S. airport, it must first be installed at the Atlantic City, NJ, airport. That is where the FAA Tech Center is located. In addition, the Tech Center staff must be allowed to reverse engineer the system over three years so the FAA can determine if the system meets FAA certification requirements. Searidge Technologies is a provider of services for remotely managing air traffic control. The company says they have “technology at over 40 sites in 25 countries [and they] are a global leader and preferred partner for Digital Towers and Advanced Airport solutions.” Searidge is owned by NATS (UK). Other RT service providers include Saab, Frequentis, and Kongsburg. Big U.S. airlines fight over safety of ‘travel hack’ charter flights “Public charter flights” have limited schedules (perhaps once or twice weekly) and set departure and arrival times. Booking is by individual seat and these flights are typically available during the tourist season. Flights are operated by tour operators or airlines that sell seats directly to passengers. Some charter operators offer these flights from private terminals and market themselves as providing flights without the hassle of the large terminals. (Avoid long security and boarding lines.) Dallas-based JSX is an example. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines want to see the safety and security of these operations examined. They consider public charters a “loophole.” Meanwhile, United Airlines and JetBlue don’t want to see any changes. But they each own a stake in JSX. See also: What Is a Charter Flight: Cost And All The Basics, What is Public Charter, and Plane Talk: Public Charter Flights – US Department of Transportation. American Airlines Flight Attendants Expected to Formally Announce Christmas Strike On Monday The American flight attendants are negotiating a new contract with the airline. The airline proposed a 19% pay rise over the four-year contract. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) wants a 50% pay rise. FAA Now Says AT-CTI Grads Can Skip Oke City Training Academy The FAA is allowing graduates of college and university air traffic control programs to skip training at its own ATC academy in Oklahoma City and go directly to on-the-job training at ATC facilities. Mentioned Pentagon unveils new form for reporting UFO sightings The form is available through the Defense Department’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). That website provides official declassified information on UAPs, including pictures and videos, for the public to view.  At this time, the form is not meant for the public but methods are being explored to change that. See DOD press release: The Department of Defense Launches the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office Website. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

We talk with the author of Why Flying is Miserable: And How to Fix It. In the news, the NTSB comments on the increase in near-miss aviation incidents, the FAA will appoint an ARC to examine pilot mental health, an NTSB preliminary report on the Hawker/Cessna collision, cargo pilots are offered $250,000 to go regional, and United adjusts their frequent flyer program. Guest Ganesh Sitaraman Ganesh Sitaraman is a policy expert, Vanderbilt law professor, and the author of the book titled Why Flying is Miserable: And How to Fix It. The book was written to stimulate conversation about the state of air travel in the U.S. and what might be done to make it serve more Americans, more efficiently, with fewer federal bailouts and headaches. Why Flying is Miserable takes the reader through the history of the U.S. airline industry and how deregulation has brought us to where we are today. In the early years of flight through the 1930’s, policies were defined by the needs of airmail. Then in the 1930s to the 1970s, airlines were regulated largely under a public utility model, ultimately through the Civil Aeronautics Board. This regulated oligopoly was changed to a free market model with deregulation in 1978. The resulting unregulated oligopoly resulted in cutthroat competition in the 1980s which led to consolidation without regulation. Ganesh describes why flying is miserable for the flying public and miserable for the industry itself. With no changes, another bailout situation will present itself sooner or later, he argues. Ganesh offers some reform principles that consider the dynamics of the industry and the goals of a national airline policy: no more flyover country, no bailouts or bankruptcies, and fair and transparent prices. He offers some creative and thought-provoking approaches to achieve those principles. Ganesh is director of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator for Political Economy and Regulation. He’s the author of numerous books, previously a senior advisor to Elizabeth Warren for her presidential campaign, and is a member of the Administrative Conference of the United States and the FAA’s Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee.  Follow Ganesh on X (Twitter) at @GaneshSitaraman. Why Flying is Miserable: And How to Fix It is available wherever books are sold, as an Audible Audiobook, and on Kindle. Aviation News NTSB chair says US near-miss aviation incidents ‘clear warning sign’ National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy told a U.S. Senate aviation committee that the increase in near-miss aviation incidents is a “clear warning sign that the U.S. aviation system is sharply strained.” Homendy stated the need for “more technology for runway and cockpit alerting… We cannot wait until a fatal accident forces action.” American Airlines dangles a $250,000 bonus to lure pilots from FedEx and UPS to fill job shortage that has led to canceled and delayed flights American Airlines regional carrier PSA Airlines is reportedly offering cargo pilots a $175,000 bonus in the first paycheck, with an additional $75,000 after one year. As the airline cancels flights due to staffing shortages, FedEx and UPS are experiencing reduced demand and flight cuttings. So those carriers are encouraging their pilots to consider the American offer. Hawker Crew Ignored Instructions from ATC in Houston Bizjet Collision As previously reported, the left wing of a Hawker 850 (N269AA) hit the vertical stabilizer of a Cessna Mustang (N510HM) landing on a crossing runway at Houston Hobby Airport (KHOU). According to the NTSB preliminary report: HOU has intersecting runways, and the local controller had instructed the crew of N269AA [Hawker] to line up and wait (LUAW) on runway 22. The crew of N269AA said in a post-accident interview that they believed they heard that they were cleared for takeoff when they took off. The collision between the two airplanes occurred at the intersection of the two runways. N269AA was in the takeoff roll on runway 22 when the flight data/clearance delivery controller alerted the local controller about N269AA’s movement, and at 1519:47 the local controller stated “november nine alpha alpha, stop, hold your position.” There was no response from the crew of N269AA, and at 1519:53 the local controller again stated, “alpha, alpha, hold your position, stop,” to which there was still no response. The flight crew from N269AA stated in their post-accident interview they had a rudder bias alert, and a pitch trim alert which they had to resolve as they were in the takeoff roll. NTSB HOU tower is equipped with an Airport Surface Detection Equipment – Model X (ASDE-X) system that the FAA describes as “a surveillance system using radar, multilateration and satellite technology that allows air traffic controllers to track surface movement of aircraft and vehicles. It was developed to help reduce critical Category A and B runway incursions.” ASDE X collects data from  Surface surveillance radar located on top of the air traffic control tower and/or on a remote tower Multilateration sensors located around the airport Airport Surveillance Radars such as the Mode S Automatic Dependent Surveillance — Broadcast (ADS-B) sensors Terminal automation system to obtain flight plan data. By fusing the data from these sources, ASDE-X can determine the position and identification of aircraft and vehicles in the airport movement area, as well as aircraft flying on final approach to the airport. Thirty-five major airports have received ASDE-X. FAA Naming Panel to Address Pilot Mental Health Issues The FAA says it is appointing a Pilot Mental Health Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC). The committee will provide recommendations on breaking down the barriers that prevent pilots from reporting mental health issues to the FAA. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said, “Mental health care has made great strides in recent years, and we want to make sure the FAA is considering those advances when we evaluate the health of pilots.” The FAA said it would also work to address uncompleted recommendations from a July inspector general’s office report on pilot mental health, which found the FAA’s “ability to mitigate safety risks is limited by pilots’ reluctance to disclose mental health conditions.” Source: FAA to Appoint Rulemaking Committee to Examine Pilot Mental Health. In addition, the FAA will work with the ARC to address open recommendations from the July 2023 DOT Office of Inspector General report on Pilot Mental Health Challenges, which found that the agency has “comprehensive procedures to evaluate pilots’ psychological health.” FAA fact sheet on pilot mental health oversight, Pilot Mental Fitness. United Airlines tweaks frequent flyer program to reward credit card spending  UA says they won’t change overall requirements for elite frequent flyer status in 2024. Instead, the airline will give customers 25 qualifying points for every $500 they spend on co-branded credit cards. United will also lift caps on credit card spending that can qualify for elite status. Presently, customers earn 500 points for every $12,000 spent. Australia Desk The Indo-Pacific International Maritime Exposition (IndoPac 2023) was held between November 7th and 9th in Sydney, and Grant was in attendance, gathering content for Australian Defence Magazine.  We take a brief look at the expo, particularly in terms of a focus on maritime aviation and defence. Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition Local company Rosebank Engineering has secured a contract for RAAF F-35 component maintenance, activating their wheel & brake repair depot, east of Melbourne. Rosebank Engineering activates F-35 repair depot The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) this week celebrated 30 years of operations at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia, conducting lead-in and advanced training for their military pilots.  The Australian Defence Force enjoys a close working relationship with the Singaporeans not only at Pearce but in several other aspects of training including CH-47 Chinook training at the Army Aviation Regiment’s base at Oakey in Queensland. The RSAF Commemorates 30 Years of Training in Pearce, Australia And speaking of maritime topics, what exactly was Steve eating for lunch that has Grant so concerned?  Tune in to find out!  Anchors away…. Mentioned Frank Borman and Rob Mark. Video: Stackhat (Australian ad – 1988) https://youtu.be/j-eNVH7Ai3Q?si=MOZMgmmLbWGBhmQC Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Brian Coleman. Contribution by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

We look at the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco with a former combat aircraft pilot. In the news, Van’s Aircraft is experiencing financial issues, the U.S. Government is getting involved in the Schiphol airport move to reduce flights, and a Federal Flight Deck Officer allegedly threatens to shoot another pilot. Guest Tim Plaehn in 1985 Tim Plaehn is a former combat aircraft pilot who attended the Air Force Academy, graduating in 1979. Tim attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB and his first assignment ran from 1980 to 1984, flying the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco. He spent one year at Osan AB in South Korea, and two years as an OV-10 instructor at Patrick AFB. Tim received his F-16 training at Luke AFB in 1985 and served as a frontline F-16 pilot at Nellis AFB through 1987 when he separated from the Air Force. Tim describes the very interesting OV-10 aircraft, and its design, armament, and acrobatic qualities. We hear some stories about his experiences training pilots to fly the OV-10 including several student-induced spins. NASA OV-10 After major maintenance was performed on an Air Force aircraft, a follow-up flight called a functional check flight (FCF) would be required. A squadron would have two pilots qualified to fly FCFs. Tim was fortunate to be an FCF pilot for both the OV-10 and the F-16. Since his Air Force career, Tim has spent most of his working life in the investment world. For the past 10 years, he’s been the researcher and writer of newsletters focusing on the stock market. He also writes about his experiences at landflyordie.substack.com. Video: Brilliant OV-10 Bronco Display – Abingdon 2023 https://youtu.be/vqd1AgR12B4?si=XFsR3spdnx-TIYfz Museums with the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco on display: Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB. OV-10D+ Bureau Number 155493, restored by OV-10 Squadron. Fort Worth Aviation Museum. A production mockup of the OV-10A on display (c/n NAA-001) along with two other OV-10s. National Museum of the United States Air Force. An OV-10A on display that is painted as it appeared when it served in Southeast Asia. Hill Aerospace Museum. An OV-10A on display that was developed under a United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps tri-service program. The Bronco Is Back! A Fleet Of OV-10s Will Help Train Air Force Forward Air Controllers The OV-10 Squadron is an organization that received seven OV-10D Broncos at Chino Airport in Southern California (KCNO). Blue Air Training Acquires Seven OV-10 Broncos Aviation News Van’s Aircraft reports cash crunch, prompts concern In a video posted on YouTube, Dick VanGrunsven, founder and CEO of kit plane maker Van’s Aircraft, said, “Van’s is facing serious cash flow issues that must be addressed for ongoing operation.” Van also stated, “We are confident we can work through the situation, but some changes are required. Candidly, since early September, Van’s has only been able to continue operating through loans of operating capital made by my wife and me.” Video: Van’s Aircraft Business Announcement from Dick VanGrunsven https://youtu.be/3Qsfw6pmHe4?si=mNN7t4LMoupe9osq Van was our guest in Airplane Geeks Episode 376. United States Retaliates Against Netherlands Flight Cap In previous episodes, we talked about Amsterdam Schiphol reducing the number of flights in 2024 by about 10%, and how newcomer JetBlue asked the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to take some action to protect its interests. The DOT now says the Netherlands is violating the United States and European Union Air Transport Agreement. As a consequence, The Department orders KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, NV; Martinair Holland NV; and TUI Airlines Nederland, BV to file with the Department, within seven days of the service date of this order, any and all of their existing schedules for air transportation services, including codeshare, common branding, and extra sections, between any point or points in the United States and any point or points not in the United States. US DOT The claimed violation falls under the balanced approach philosophy. According to the IATA factsheet The Balanced Approach to aircraft noise management: The Balanced Approach requires that all available options be evaluated to identify the most cost-effective measure or combination of measures to mitigate a specific noise problem. Each new generation of aircraft is quieter than the previous one and the noise footprint surrounding airports has reduced, but increased flight operations have counteracted some of these benefits. These factors are driving some local authorities to impose noise operating restrictions at airports, either in terms of annual movement reductions, aircraft type bans, or night operations bans. Most of these restrictions are being implemented without ICAO’s Balanced Approach, which requires that the noise concerns of local residents be balanced with protecting the huge social and economic benefits of the airport’s connectivity for the whole country.  IATA and its member airlines fully support the implementation of the Balanced Approach when it comes to noise management. IATA The Balanced Approach principle was adopted in 2001. It is included in Annex 16, Volume I of the ICAO Chicago Convention. It is enshrined in the EU regulation 598/2014, and it is also stipulated in the USA-EU Air Transport Agreement. Pilot accused of threatening to shoot captain who tried to divert flight for a medical emergency, officials say A commercial first officer has been indicted by a Utah grand jury for an August 2022 incident when he allegedly threatened to shoot the captain if the flight was diverted for a passenger medical event. The pilot had been charged with interference with a flight crew. The first officer “told the Captain they would be shot multiple times” after a disagreement regarding a possible flight diversion for a passenger medical event, the Office of Inspector General said. The pilot was authorized to carry a gun on board the plane under to the Transportation Security Administration’s Federal Flight Deck Officer program. Such officers are “deputized as a federal law enforcement officer and issued a TSA-approved firearm and federal flight deck officer credentials,” according to the TSA. Federal Flight Deck Officer Program (FFDO) How do I become a federal flight deck officer? Fact Sheet on The Federal Flight Deck Officer Program, A Model of Effectiveness and Efficiency in a Government/Industry Partnership [PDF] Online questionnaire form Federal Flight Deck Officer Record System (FFDORS) Mentioned Marshall Blythe stunning airplane models on Flickr. Shocker: Math proves boarding planes is actually really efficient Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A doctoral dissertation examines success factors for small airports, two bizjets collide at Houston Hobby, an off-duty pilot tries to shut down the engines in-flight, a review of NBAA-BACE, a new FAA administrator gets Congressional approval, and Spirit Airlines halts pilot and FA training. Guest Dr. Mike Jones researched the factors that affect the economic impact of small airports. In his doctoral dissertation at the University of Florida, he examined the cost to small airports of ill-fitting organizational designs, and what airports can do to improve the situation. Dr. Mike Jones “Jonesy” describes single-function and multi-function airport organizations and how that correlates with airport economic impact. He found that small airports organized under a local government tend to underperform. In his research, Jonesy quantified the economic impact that small airports should generate. We learn that the most important aeronautical predictor of an airport’s success is the length of the longest runway. The most important non-aeronautical variable is the intensity of economic activity within 15 miles of the airport. Also, a single-function organizational design with a high degree of operational control contributes greatly to airport performance. For a summary presentation of Mike’s work, see: Measuring the Degree in Which Politicians Degrade the Performance of Small Airports. [PDF] Jonesy is a feature writer for Cessna Pilots Magazine. He writes about flying adventures, the history of aviation and aviation pioneers, and the technology of aviation. He can often be seen at air shows and fly-in events, collecting interviews for his next feature. Jonesy served as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant and was an air traffic controller in Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War. He was chairman of the Pinehurst (NC) Airport Authority for eight years. An active pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the left seat, he’s the proud owner of a Cessna T210 Centurion. He volunteers with Angelflight and has flown more than 800 Young Eagles flights. CommAvia poster from the past. Aviation News Bizjets Collide after Unauthorized Takeoff Attempt at Houston Hobby A Hawker 850XP departing without ATC clearance clipped a Citation Mustang that was landing at William P. Hobby Airport (KHOU) in Houston. The Mustang tail section was damaged. Despite a damaged left wing, the Hawker returned to the airport after getting airborne. No injuries were reported. How safe are cockpits? Aviation experts weigh in after Horizon Air flight scare An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot riding in the jump seat on a Horizon Air Embraer 175 flight attempted to shut down the plane’s engines mid-flight. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and reckless endangerment. The man didn’t raise suspicions with the plane’s pilots, his neighbors, or those at the flying club where he instructed. His most recent medical exam was in September. However, the pilot told police that he had been depressed for about six months and was having a “nervous breakdown.” Could this result in a ban on jump-seat riders?  Video: 2023 NBAA-BACE: World’s Biggest Business Aviation Show The 2023 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) was held in Las Vegas. Highlights include: The debut of the Airbus ACJ Two Twenty The Boeing 737-700 BBJ The Embraer Phenom 100EX made its global debut Updates on Pilatus PC-24  The HondaJet Echelon A Volocopter 2X eVTOL live demonstration WIsk Aero showed their 6th Gen aircraft VoltAero introduced their Cassio 330 hybrid turboprop concept aircraft. Also, Kevin Larosa, an air-to-air stunt pilot and aerial co-ordinator showcased his CineJet and explained how air-to-air filming was done in the Top Gun Maverick movie. https://youtu.be/KhrsoI8px2g?si=p8jNAE6R6EXuFO1n Former deputy confirmed as FAA administrator On Oct. 24, 2023, the U.S. Senate unanimously voted to approve Michael Whitaker as the new FAA Administrator for a 5-year term. The FAA had gone for 19 months without the position being filled. Whitaker served as deputy FAA administrator from 2013-2016, where he led the FAA’s air traffic modernization program. He was also in charge of the agency’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 (S. 1939) was introduced into Congress on June 13, 2023, and is currently in the legislative process. See GovTrack, which is now on Mastodon as @GovTrack@mastodon.social. Spirit Airlines halts new pilot, flight attendant training after difficult quarter, Pratt engine issue The airline says it will suspend training for new pilots and flight attendants in November “until further notice.” Demand is soft and dozens of Airbus A320neo aircraft will need to be grounded for inspections due to an engine manufacturing problem. Spirit Airlines posted a third-quarter net loss of $157.6 million. It expects negative margins for the fourth quarter as well. Australia Desk With the situation in Israel and Gaza showing no signs of easing, the Royal Australian Air Force has been getting involved in repatriation flights for Australian citizens wishing to return home. RAAF flights assist with Israel departures Qantas hasn’t had the best of years, especially when it comes to reputational damage, and the latest Roy Morgan Trusted Brands Awards bear this out following a year-long survey.  Virgin Australia has now replaced its larger rival as the most trusted airline brand in the land. It’s Official: Woolworths is Australia’s Most Trusted Brand Meanwhile, Qantas has found another way to annoy customers (and they likely won’t be the only airline doing it), announcing fare increases of 3.5% for their mainline network, and 3% for Jetstar flights, thanks mainly to the rising cost of fuel. ‘Taking the p**s’: Passengers rage as Qantas flight prices set to soar A local Member of Parliament had a lucky escape when a skydive aircraft he was on board lost power soon after takeoff and returned to Earth with a thud.  Everyone walked away, with only two people requiring first aid…which was lucky because this MP just happened to be a former professional firefighter. Victorian MP who survived plane crash says pilot showed ‘amazing skill’ And is Australia planning to start its very own Space Force??   Well…probably not, but a recent agreement signed by the US and Australia will unlock the potential for both countries to move ahead with a space launch from Down Under in the near to medium future. SIAA welcomes deal to unlock US space launch from Australian shores Mentioned Eric Paterson, Ph.D., Executive Director, Virginia Tech National Security Institute, Rolls-Royce Commonwealth Professor provided additional information about the truss braced wing concept. This concept was developed and explored at Virginia Tech more than 25 years ago. There was a substantial team working on this, including, Dr. Bernard Grossman, Dr. Joseph Schetz, Dr. William Mason, Dr. Rakesh Kapania, Dr. Raphael Haftka, Dr. Frank Gern, Philippe-Andre Tetrault, Joel Grasmeyer, Erwin Sulaeman, Jay Gundlach, and Andy Ko. Multidisciplinary Design Optimization of a Truss-Braced Wing Aircraft with Tip-Mounted Engines [PDF] Transport Weight Reduction through MDO:The Strut-Braced Wing Transonic Transport [PDF] Structural Optimization and Design of a Strut-Braced Wing Aircraft [PDF] Nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of sugar truss-braced wing wind tunnel model under in-plane loads 2013 wind tunnel test at NASA Langley. Boeing Air Taxi Company Flies in Los Angeles Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah. Contribution by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

Interviews from Cranky Dorkfest 2023, Micah on lighter-than-air vehicles, and a chance encounter at Costco. Cranky Dorkfest 2023 Brian Coleman spoke with some notable attendees at the Cranky Dorkfest held September 9, 2023. As Brett Snyder describes it, “a bunch of us get together and watch airplanes at LAX and eat burgers. The beauty is in the simplicity of it all.”  Hundreds of people show up for this event, including quite a few people you wouldn’t otherwise have access to. The Dorkfest usually teams up with NYC Aviation to line the Dorkfest up with the SpotLAX event. It’s definitely one of the annual must-attend aviation events. This year, Brian spoke with: Ben Granucci and Heather Abbott from NYC Aviation. Nick Benson from JetTip.net, the smart flight alert service for aviation enthusiasts. Courtney Miller, the Airplane Geeks Podcast co-founder, now with The Air Current. Jon Ostrower, The Air Current and Yawman. Kevin from Airline Videos Live. Jason Rabinowitz, head of The Airline Tariff Publishing Company’s (ATPCO) Routehappy Rich content creation, focused on the airline amenities and UPA (Universal Product Attributes) product. And finally Brett Snyder, Cranky himself. Lighter than Nomenclature We have a replay of our Main(e) Man Micah’s piece way back in Episode 403 titled Lighter than Nomenclature.  We thought it was appropriate since we’ve talked about airships and dirigibles and balloons in some recent episodes. Luke Forister and Micah at Costco This new piece came about when Micah met someone he didn’t know at Costco. Who would expect to have an interesting aviation conversation with a stranger at Costco? Since Micah doesn’t leave home without his mic and recorder, he captures it for us to enjoy. Mentioned Your Pizza Shop, 1200 8’th Ave SW, Largo, Florida. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

The airline boarding process, Leap-1A engine compressor stalls, the $19 billion Kennedy Airport transformation project, SpaceX Starlink Internet connectivity on planes, an update on the oldest skydiver, another Australia Desk report, and great listener mail. Boarding a United Air Lines Boeing 247. Aviation News Check your group: United Airlines to reintroduce window, middle aisle boarding this month – saves 2 minutes! United economy passengers might benefit from a boarding process where passengers with window seats get on first, then the middle seat passengers, and finally the aisle seats. The airline thinks this will shorten boarding by two minutes. According to the airline, beginning October 26, 2023, boarding will take place in this order: Preboarding: Customers with disabilities and unaccompanied minors, active duty military, Global Services members, families with children under two, and Premier 1K members Group 1: United Polaris business, United first, United business, Premier Platinum, Premier Gold and Star Alliance Gold Group 2: Premier Silver, Star Alliance Silver, Chase, and certain other credit card holders and paid Premier Access Group 3: Window seats, exit row seats and non-revenue passengers Group 4: Middle seats Group 5: Aisle seats Group 6: Basic economy on domestic flights and those between the U.S. and the Caribbean or Central America excluding Panama City and San Salvador Leap-1A compressor-stall problem prompts FAA to propose inspections After reports of three high-pressure compressor stalls resulting in aborted take-offs, and two stalls resulting in turnbacks, the FAA released a proposed rule that would require increased inspections of CFM International Leap-1A turbofans. The stalls were “induced by high levels of non-synchronous vibration” and involved wear on the engines’ number three bearing spring finger housings. The Wikipedia Compressor Stall page provides more information on this topic. Why Tugboats Are Key to the $19 Billion Overhaul of Kennedy Airport Kennedy Airport is undergoing a $19 billion transformation project. Under the public/private redevelopment program, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will get two giant new terminals, expansion and modernization of existing terminals, streamlined roadways, and local retail and dining. See A New JFK for the latest information. Hawaiian now planning Starlink service entry in early 2024 In addition to personal services, SpaceX’s Starlink offers commercial connectivity options: fixed, mobile, maritime, and aviation.  According to the Starlink website, the aviation package is available for Gulfstream and Bombardier jets. In April 2022, Hawaiian Airlines announced that the airline would fit Starlink to its A321neos, A330s, and future Boeing 787-9s. Now the airline says that this has been pushed back to early 2024. 104-year-old skydiver dies days after jump that could put her in the record books Dorothy Hoffner was found dead by staff at the senior living community. She apparently died in her sleep. Australia Desk The Australia Desk returns after a few months away, and much has happened, both in aviation circles and a little closer to home. Steve Visscher Steve returns to the microphone following his recent journey with open heart surgery, the result of a heart attack in early September.  The aviation podcast community was so generous in their support during this time, and we take a moment to speak to that and express our appreciation. For those who may be interested, Steve chronicled his experience in a blog, which can be found at http://proceedaspect.com  In aviation news this week, Qantas has been transporting Australian citizens out of Israel on behalf of the federal government, due to the escalating conflict there.  At the time of recording, one 787 flight had been completed, while a second was aborted due to security concerns.  That flight was rescheduled. The 787s take passengers to London and then on to Australia using A380s. Statement on Second QANTAS Assistance Flight Former Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon is now the country’s Prime Minister following this weekend’s elections, following a shift into politics in recent times.  The news comes as the nation’s flag carrier experiences financial stresses due largely to the escalating price of fuel, exacerbated by ongoing wranglings with Pratt & Whitney over engine issues, and a post-covid travel credit hangover.  Air New Zealand Growth Boosted By Long Haul Demand The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is on a recruitment drive, offering multiple aircrew roles on their Dash 8 and Challenger 604 fleet.  Find out more here: Recruitment Seminars An Australian man is at the centre of a recent incident which resulted in a Scoot 787 flight from Singapore to Perth being turned around and given an RSAF F-15 escort back to Changi. Australian man charged with making bomb threat on Scoot flight The team at Paul Bennet Airshows have had a grand time at the recent Australian Aerobatic Championships, held at Narromine in New South Wales.  Paul took out the Freestyle Championship, while many other team members swept the awards categories as well. Hunter locals soar to victory at aerobatic championships Image courtesy Paul Bennet Airshows. Mentioned Your Pizza Shop, 1200 8’th Ave SW, Largo, Florida. Join Brian and Micah for a meetup on Sunday, November 12, starting at 4 p.m. Successful A330 MRTT flight test campaign for F-15 fighters automatic refueling Listener Michael’s RC Aircraft This is just a small sampling of the foam, balsa, and fiberglass electric-powered radio-controlled aircraft that Michael has built. When he’s not working on models, Michael is a helicopter pilot and flight test engineer. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Brian Coleman, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark. Contribution by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

A transonic truss-braced wing aircraft gets an X-Plane designation, some categories of air travel capacity have returned to pre-pandemic levels, detecting germs on airliners, and the Collings Foundation reaches a settlement. Aviation News Next Generation Experimental Aircraft Becomes NASA’s Newest X-Plane The transonic truss-braced wing experimental aircraft has received the designator X-66A. This will be developed under the NASA Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project and produced under a partnership between NASA and the Boeing Company. Recently, Boeing flew an MD-90 airplane from Victorville, California, to its facility in Palmdale, California, where the X-66A conversion will take place. The plane’s wings will be replaced with longer and thinner wings stabilized by diagonal struts. Transonic Truss-braced Wing. NASA concept. See the Wikipedia List of X-planes to learn more about past X-planes. Air travel is back to pre-pandemic levels with new turbulence ahead Based on data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, capacity (measured by scheduled available seat kilometers) has returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, IATA says industry profits will be more than 40% below 2019 levels. Airline analyst Helane Becker at TD Cowen says, “Industry revenues are back to 2019 levels but costs are over 2019 levels by about 18 or 19%.” Just how germy are airplanes? We put one to the test. Using a microbial detection test from Charm Sciences, the author swabbed 10 high-touch points on a recent flight. Nine tests failed. The worst spots were the lavatory sink handle and a tray table. The test that came back with zero contaminants might surprise you. Or maybe not. Collings Foundation Reaches Settlement With Nine-0-Nine Crash Victims The Collings Foundation has settled the remaining legal claims involving eight of the 10 passengers who were aboard the Nine-0-Nine B-17 when it crashed at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on Oct. 2, 2019. Terms of the settlement will not be made public. In its final report, the NTSB found pilot error, lax maintenance practices,  and a dysfunctional safety management system had contributed to the crash. We interviewed pilot Mac McCauley under the wing of that plane one week prior to the crash in AirplaneGeeks.com/573. Mentioned FAPA.aero (Future and Active Pilot Advisors) offers “objective and independent advice for aspiring pilots of all levels.” Hosts this Episode Max Flight and Rob Mark.

Autonomous aircraft with the regulatory affairs lead at Xwing. In the news, Delta Airlines reconsiders loyalty program changes, GPS spoofing of commercial flights, the Schiphol airport capacity cap, a crash takes the life of an AOPA senior vice president, and a 104-year-old woman goes skydiving. Guest Anna Dietrich is the regulatory affairs lead at Xwing, a company that flies piloted commercial cargo operations under a Part 135 certificate with a fleet of Cessna Caravans. The company has developed an autonomous aircraft for cargo operations and has conducted the world’s first fully autonomous gate-to-gate demonstration of a commercial cargo aircraft. Anna leads the certification program for advanced aircraft control and detect and avoid systems for the company’s autonomous flight operations. She gives us an overview of the Xwing autonomous program and the Superpilot autonomous flight technology. A remote pilot monitors the flight and can modify the flight plan if necessary. We hear how the regulator’s viewpoint on airworthiness is now a more performance-based approach to safety. Operational rules can be the same as with a crewed aircraft, but in this case, some are performed by a system, and some by a pilot on the ground. For now, airman certification is unchanged, but some requirements are different and these will need to change over time. Anna brings up the roles of humans in autonomous aircraft operations: who has liability and responsibility, and what training is appropriate? Also, how AI is regulated, thoughts on the certification process, and even public acceptance. We take the opportunity to ask Anna about the Terrafugia roadable airplane project that she co-founded. Anna is an industry-recognized leader in policy, certification, and government relations for advanced air mobility (AAM), eVTOL aircraft, and autonomous aviation. Her experiences include Mars rover testing, being the founding COO of Terrafugia, testifying on AAM for Congress, and speaking at TED Global. She has appeared on or been published in a wide range of outlets including CNN, Ms. Magazine, and Good Morning America. She runs AMD Consulting, serves as Director of Regulatory Affairs for Xwing, is the co-founder and Director of Industry and Strategy at the Community Air Mobility Initiative (CAMI), and is a Senior Policy Advisor for AUVSI. She was the founding chair of the GAMA EPIC EVTOL committee and continues to have key roles in industry, including standards development efforts such as ASTM AC377 Autonomy in Aviation. She received her BS and MS in aerospace engineering from MIT and is a private pilot. More at annamdietrich.com. See also: Aviation Xtended Episode 184 with Max Gariel, the Co-Founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer for Xwing.  Airplane Geeks Episode 736 with Earl Lawrence, the Chief Compliance and Quality Officer at Xwing, and former Executive Director of Aircraft Certification at the FAA. Video: Xwing – Gate to Gate demo – Feb 2021 https://youtu.be/B2uc98EEPqE?si=4ozhx18gO1kpclNm Aviation News Delta CEO Admits Airline May Have Gone ‘Too Far’ With Loyalty Changes Last week we described how Delta Airlines planned to change its SkyMiles program. The airline said it would retire Medallion Qualifying Miles and Medallion Qualifying Segments to focus on Qualifying Dollars. Many Delta customers were not happy with the change, and CEO Ed Bastian responded by saying, “No question we probably went too far in doing that. I think we moved too fast, and we are looking at it now.” ‘We moved too fast’: Delta Airlines may reverse controversial change After the initial Delta announcement, Alaska Airlines said Delta SkyMiles Medallion members could join their Mileage Plan program with no flight segment or spending requirement. JetBlue offered elite status in its Mosaic loyalty program to Delta flyers through Oct. 31, or until 30,000 people take advantage of the offer. Increasing Fake GPS Signals Near Iran Prompt FAA Alert The OpsGroup reports that the number of GPS spoofing incidents in Iraq is increasing along a flight path alongside the Iranian border. The FAA calls this a “safety of flight risk to civil aviation operations.” OpsGroup said about a dozen business jets and airliners received fake GPS signals, and many of them lost navigation capability. OpsGroup is a membership organization for pilots, flight dispatchers, schedulers, and controllers involved in international flight operations. The 8,000-member-strong organization shares new information on changes and risks that members have reported. Members get a Daily Brief, live Ops Alerts, and other resources. OpsGroup founder Mark Zee describes the organization in What Is Opsgroup All About? US’s JetBlue challenges Dutch, EU over Schiphol capacity cap The Dutch government is planning to cut capacity at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from 500,000 annual flights to 440,000 flights. This is an effort to reduce noise and carbon emissions, but it is not a popular move within the industry. Opposition comes from KLM, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and A4A representing ten US airlines. Other industry associations against the plan include BARIN (representing airlines in the Netherlands), Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN), Airlines for Europe (A4E), and the European Regions Airline Association (ERA). JetBlue Airways has made a regulatory filing with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) against the Dutch government and the European Union, calling on the DOT to take action. The airline claims is it under an immediate threat of expulsion from Schiphol in 2024. AOPA’s Vice President of Air Safety Institute, Richard McSpadden Dies in Plane Crash Richard McSpadden Jr., senior vice president of the AOPA Air Safety Institute, was one of two people killed in an aircraft accident on October 1, 2023, in Lake Placid, New York. The Cessna 177 Cardinal experienced an emergency after takeoff. The airplane attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway. Also killed in the crash was former NFL player Russ Francis. 104-year-old Chicago woman becomes oldest tandem skydiver The Guinness Book of World Records may certify Dorothy Hoffner as the oldest person in the world to tandem skydive. The woman turns 105 in December and wants to go for a ride in a hot air balloon. Mentioned From The American Helicopter Museum & Education Center: Speaker: Robin Bartlett, Vietnam Combat: Firefights and Writing History, Thursday, October 5, 2023, 7 – 8:30 p.m.​ Speaker: Alan Mack, Razor 03: A Night Stalker’s Wars, Thursday, October 19, 2023, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Aviation Newstalk Podcast Portland jetport briefly shut down Sunday after car crashes through gate, drives on runway Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We talk with the CEO of an aircraft seat upholstery specialist company. In the news, airline loyalty programs are changing, unapproved parts are plaguing the airline industry, and Boeing is expanding its presence in India. Guest Jacobo Mesta is CEO of Soisa Aircraft Interiors, an AS9100-certified aircraft seat upholstery specialist headquartered in Chihuahua, Mexico, with a further facility in Dubai, UAE. The family-owned and run business was founded in 2006 and provides a range of flexible design and manufacturing services including prototyping, product and quality engineering, and the integration of foams, composites, and other interior parts.  Soisa employs over 250 skilled workers across its sites and manufactures airplane seat dress covers, cushions, composite panels, curtains, carpets, and armrests. The company works with all major seat OEMs and its products are currently flying with more than 100 airlines worldwide. Soisa also has a robust ESG (environmental, social, and governance) program. Soisa aircraft seat cover We learn how Soisa pivoted in 2006 and joined the aerospace industry, growing its business and adding capabilities over time. Originally a fill-to-print shop, Soisa now has design and engineering capability. Products include seat dress covers, composite panels, and foam for OEMs and the aftermarket. Jacobo explains who their customers are, the important design criteria, and some of the material and design changes that have occurred. We also learn about Soisa’s very strong ESG  (environmental, social, and governance) program where the company provides surplus material to the local Tarahumara tribe in Chihuahua who then make products they sell for income. Leasing company Avolon has started contributing seat components as well. Also, Soisa works with people in jail in a similar program. Soisa cushion Prior to becoming CEO, Jacobo held a number of roles, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and Sales Director. Before joining Soisa and the aviation sector, Jacobo was involved in fuel oil trading at PEMEX, serving as a fuel oil trader and managing storage operations in Houston and Panama from 2002 to 2006. Find Soisa Aircraft Interiors on their website, and on LinkedIn. Soisa partners with Avalon to recycle used cabin materials With artisanal interior reuse partnership, Soisa focuses on ESG Aviation News Airlines Are Just Banks Now The Atlantic says airlines “make more money from mileage programs than from flying planes—and it shows.” In Delta SkyMiles changes: Airline overhauls how you earn Medallion status in biggest change yet, The Points Guy says, Delta Air Lines is overhauling how you earn Medallion status as part of perhaps one of its biggest loyalty updates yet. The airline is retiring Medallion Qualifying Miles and Medallion Qualifying Segments, and it’ll instead focus on a redefined version of Medallion Qualifying Dollars… Depending on your personal travel and spending habits, Delta’s news may not necessarily sting that much, but there will certainly be some flyers who will miss the old program. The Points Guy Under the old Delta SkyMiles formula, status was based on a combination of dollars spent and miles traveled. In the revised program, status is based on dollars spent, and the amount of spending required to achieve status has gone up. As The Atlantic says, “SkyMiles is no longer a frequent-flier program; it’s a big-spender program.” Durbin Pushes Legislation to Reduce Credit Card “Swipe Fees”; Critics Say Rewards Programs at Risk A new bill proposed in Congress would reduce the so-called “swipe fees” retailers pay every time a customer uses a credit card. This could impact airline (and other) credit card loyalty programs. Escalating scandal grips airlines including American and Southwest, wreaking havoc on flight delays and cancellations as nearly 100 planes find fake parts from company with fake employees that vanished overnight Airlines around the world have announced they have found parts sourced from AOG Technics that lack valid documentation. Allegedly, the parts were sold to shops repairing CFM International jet engines. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says that certain documents had been forged to make it appear as if AOG Technics’ parts had come from legitimate manufacturers. Boeing New Facility Outside the US to Open Sooner Boeing is opening a 43-acre complex in Bengaluru, India that will include laboratories, testing infrastructure, and research and development activities. It may create about 3,000 jobs. The company announced the investment following an order from Air India for 20 787 Dreamliners, 10 777Xs, and 190 737 MAX aircraft. Boeing has headquarters in Delhi and field service offices in other locations. Boeing is also expanding its Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC), with locations in Bengaluru and Chennai. Mentioned Step-by-step Guidance for Visually Impaired Travelers Now Available at Honolulu Airport Pratt and Whitney 4360 – $12,000 (Fulton) For sale by owner, the Pratt and Whitney 4360 Wasp Major R-4360-63A is a 28-cylinder, supercharged, air-cooled engine. This example was removed from a 1955 Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. Pratt & Whitney R-4360-63A Wikipedia reports the R-4360 is an American 28-cylinder four-row radial piston aircraft engine designed and built during World War II. First run in 1944, at 4,362.5 cu in (71.5 L), it is the largest-displacement aviation piston engine to be mass-produced in the United States, and at 4,300 hp (3,200 kW) the most powerful. It was the last of the Pratt & Whitney Wasp family and the culmination of its maker’s piston engine technology. The engine was used postwar on many aircraft, including: Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Boeing B-50 Superfortress Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter Convair B-36 Peacemaker Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The Chief Strategy Officer of a global airline holding company talks about the challenges faced by air travelers with disabilities and how to address them. In the news, the DOT is considering increased passenger compensation for delays, a private company offers luxury terminal services, the outlook for the air traffic controller shortage looks bleak, the NTSB finds that posting to social media was the probable cause of a fatal plane crash, and a small Hawaiian airline plans to add electric ground effect “seagliders” to its fleet. Guest Michael Swiatek is the Chief Strategy Officer of ABRA Group, a global airline holding company that owns Avianca, the largest airline in Colombia, and GOL Airlines, which is the largest airline in Brazil. Mike is on a mission to improve the experience for air travelers with disabilities: making it more affordable, easier, and with better service. Being legally blind, Mike has had unique life experiences that have impacted his outlook and career journey. Mike describes the four primary disability categories: visual, hearing, mobility, and neurodiversity. He explains how disability pain points were identified by examining the Avianca customer journey map. Such points can be addressed in five possible ways: awareness, training, process change, digital technology, and hardware. As a blind person, Mike developed several “superpowers” that have benefitted his life, both professionally and otherwise. We learn about those and consider related topics, like how to best interact with people with disabilities. Mike was formerly the Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Avianca, where he transformed the airline’s positioning through alliances, network expansion, and inclusivity initiatives. He’s held senior roles at a number of other airlines, including IndiGo Airlines and Qatar Airways. Aviation News United CEO says higher compensation for delays would make flying less safe United Airlines holding company CEO Scott Kirby said that a plan being considered by the Transportation Department could cost the industry “a god-awful amount of money.” The DOT is considering increasing payments to passengers for disruptions under airlines’ control, such as for hotels, transportation, meals, and re-booking. Kirby said, “We should never risk changing the safety culture in aviation. I do not want a pilot, I do not want a mechanic, thinking about the extra cost of delay when they’re thinking about a decision.” For $4,850, You Can Now Bypass TSA Lines at Atlanta’s Airport Private Suite, or PS as it is now known, operates from private terminals at Los Angeles International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, away from the public terminals at those airports. PS calls its service “a back door to your commercial aircraft, private TSA and Customs clearance, luxury spaces, and white-glove service before and after your flight.” Customers can get private suites with plush furniture, snacks, and beverages. PS offers fast, private TSA screening and chauffeured travel directly to the aircraft door. Secretary Buttigieg Warns of a Lengthy Air Traffic Control Staffing Shortage Airline executives raise alarm that air traffic controller shortage will continue disrupting flights for years U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the air traffic controller shortage “…is going to be a journey, especially when you factor in attrition, to get to levels we want to see. I think it’ll be a while before we’re at levels we’d like to see.” Across the U.S., air traffic controller levels are at about 81 percent of the need. That’s about 3,000 controllers short. In the New York market, staffing is only 54 percent of what is needed. Industry executives are looking at this as a 5-year problem. NTSB Says Snapchat Post Resulted in Fatal Crash “Distracted piloting” during a low-level pipeline patrol flight was the probable cause of the Cessna 182 striking a radio tower guy wire, killing the pilot. Electric Seagliders Could Come To Hawaii As Soon As 2026 Mokulele Airlines may add electric REGENT seagliders to its fleet, which fly port-to-port about 60 feet over the water. The airline currently serves residents of Molokai and Lanai. Mokulele’s parent company is Southern Airways, which was acquired by Surf Air Mobility in July 2023. Surf Air is a Los Angeles-based electric air travel company and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Video: REGENT Seaglider Achieves First Flight https://youtu.be/Ka1GpNGdjXM?si=owqMAGZXhkYgBfsL Mentioned The Journey Is The Reward podcast, Episode 41 Stuttering… A Live Show! Portland pilot who helped guard Maine’s coast honored 80 years after World War II One Mile in Five: Debunking The Myth and Snopes: Interstate Highways as Airstrips. Washington State Airport Restaurants [PDF] Outstanding Aviators Bradford Camps, Munsungan Lake Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof.

We look at the state of air travel, and the outlook for the future. In the news, a ceremony commemorates the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, airlines leaving regional airports, skiplagging, the FAA Administrator nomination, and an engine fire on an Air China flight. Guest Robert Silk is the Travel Weekly Senior Editor for Aviation. Robby provides coverage and analysis of route networks, service offerings, and distribution, as well as airline industry trends and political and policy debates. He writes the Wheels Up opinion column about commercial aviation. We look at the state of air travel, both from the airline perspective and from the customer perspective. Robby talks about the lasting impacts of the pandemic, the leisure/business travel balance, and how that has affected airline strategies. He touches on how fees have changed and how the shoulder day (or season) pricing doesn’t always offer the price advantage it has in the past. Robby also provides his thoughts on the dis-entanglement of the Northeast Alliance after the Justice Department suit found it anti-competitive, as well as market trends and predictions for where the market is headed. Travel Weekly and TravelWeekly.com are influential B2B news resources for the travel industry, providing late-breaking news, analysis, and research for travel professionals. They cover all the business sectors, including airline, car rental, cruise, destination, hotel, and tour operator as well as technology, economic, and governmental issues. Prior to joining Travel Weekly in 2015, Robby spent a decade covering tourism, business, the environment, development, and general news for the Florida Keys’ daily newspaper, the Key West Citizen, as well as for an affiliated weekly, the Florida Keys Free Press. He also edited the Travel Weekly Florida eNewsletter in 2015 and 2016.   Aviation News 22nd Anniversary Commemoration To commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks on New York, Washington, and in Pennsylvania, a ceremony was held on the Memorial Plaza. It focused on an in-person reading of the names by family members. More small airports are being cut off from the air travel network. This is why Airlines are leaving regional airports. A recent study by Ailevon Pacific found that American, Delta, and United together have left 74 regional airports since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons include the pilot shortage and the current economics of the 50-seat jet. We consider the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Skiplagging isn’t likely to stop anytime soon, even if airlines fight it Skiplagging is the practice of booking a ticket with the intention of getting off at the connecting airport rather than completing the flight to the destination.  It’s attractive because sometimes the ticket price for the longer flight is lower than the ticket for the shorter flight to the connecting destination. Also known as hidden-city ticketing, American Airlines has filed a lawsuit against the site Skiplagged.com. Biden will nominate a former Obama official to run the Federal Aviation Administration Michael G. Whitaker is a former deputy administrator at the FAA (2013-2016). Currently, he is the CEO of Hyundai affiliate Supernal working to develop an air taxi aircraft. Whitaker worked at TWA and United Airlines, where he became a senior vice president and oversaw international and regulatory affairs, before moving to the travel company InterGlobe. He holds a private pilot license. Since March 2022, the FAA has been run by acting administrators. See also White House Nominates Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator from AOPA. Air China A320neo GTF engine catches fire as plane evacuated in Singapore An Air China Airbus A320neo made an emergency landing at Singapore’s Changi Airport after a failure in the left engine. Smoke was reported in the cabin and the passengers were evacuated. The jet was assembled at the Airbus facility in Tianjin, China, and delivered by Airbus in December 2018. According to ch-aviation, the aircraft had accumulated 9,244 hours and 3,967 flight cycles as of June 2023. The Air China fleet includes are Airbus A320neos. Mentioned How the FAA Let Remote Tower Technology Slip Right Through Its Fingers Zeppelin NT Proceed Aspect, My unexpected journey – Steve Visscher’s blog. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof.

Interviews from this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the Spurwink Farms Fly-in and Pancake Breakfast. Shawn Moody in his Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey at Spurwink Farm. Guests from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Hillel Glazer captured two interviews at the 2023 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: Zean Nielsen, CEO, Cirrus Aircraft. Zean Nielsen is the CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. In this follow-up to last year’s interview, we get caught up with current Cirrus directions and plans. Zean succeeded co-founder Dale Klapmeier in 2019. Prior to joining Cirrus, Zean was executive vice president of North American sales for James Hardie Industries, and he held senior marketing executive roles at Tesla. Mack and Zara Rutherford. Credit: Jo Vlieghe. Zara and Mack Rutherford are two young pilots who flew around the world solo. They each did it independently of the other and in opposite directions. Zara was the youngest female to ever do it (started at age 18, and completed at 19). A year later, her brother, Mack, did it starting at age 16 and finishing at 17, to become the youngest person ever to do it. Guests from Spurwink Farm Fly-in and Pancake Breakfast Our Main(e) Man Micah recorded interviews at this year’s Spurwink Farm Fly-in and Pancake Breakfast: John Tait is a retired air traffic controller who has worked in both GA and commercial operations and has some interesting perspectives. Seth Whidden is a recent high school graduate who earned his PPL and now has an aviation job with Northeast Air, a large FBO at KPWM. Everybody loves pancakes at Spurwink! George Gal and his Carbon Cub at Spurwink Farm. Mentioned Latin Aerospace Industry Expo The Expo is organized by the Latino Pilots Association (LPA). The First Annual Latin Aerospace Industry Expo presented by United Airlines will be held on September 15, 2023, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida. The LPA is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2015. They aim to inspire, develop, and support the Latino aerospace and aviation communities and eliminate socio-economic barriers through representation, financial support, education, and mentorship. The LPA has over 1,900 active members. The event kicks off National Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 (Sep 15 – Oct 15). See Expo Fees and the Registration link. Whirly-Girls Open 2024 Scholarship Season The Whirly-Girls Scholarship Fund, Inc. announces the opening of the 2024 scholarship season.  Deserving female aviators and maintainers can apply for over $500,000 of helicopter training and educational scholarships. These scholarships advance the helicopter industry by strengthening the talent pool and increasing diversity. Applications are available online and are due October 1, 2023. Scholarship applications are due October 1, 2023.  Scholarships will be formally presented at the Whirly-Girls Annual Banquet on February 25, 2024, at the HAI HELI-EXPO in Anaheim, CA. For more information on attending the banquet, please visit www.whirlygirls.org. Hosts Hillel Glazer, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Flight

The author of His Majesty’s Airship tells us about the era of the rigid airship and the fatal crash of the British airship R101. In the news, pilot medical condition reporting, the Boom Supersonic XB-1 demonstrator, two fatal military aircraft crashes, and the need for more air traffic controllers R101 at the mast. Guest Sam C. Gwynne has authored a new book titled His Majesty’s Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World’s Largest Flying Machine.  In 1930, Britain’s airship R101 was destined to transform air travel, link the far-flung outposts of the British Empire, and advance the career of ambitious Britain’s Secretary of State for Air, Lord Christopher Birdwood Thomson. The R101 would travel people in grand luxury with two floors of heated sleeping berths, bathrooms, cooking and dining facilities, and a smoking room. Unfortunately, there were numerous complications, and their maiden voyage from England to British India’s Karachi and back took a fatal turn. While the May 1937 crash of the Hindenburg is infamous in U.S. lore, the fatal voyage of R101 is less well known, despite being one of the world’s great tales of aviation. In our conversation, Sam places the R101 in the context of the rigid airships in the early 1900s. That includes issues of nationalism, competition with airplanes, and the British Imperial Airship Scheme of the 1920s that launched with the R100 and R101 sister airships. Sam says, “The history of airships is a history of a bad idea” and we explore the flawed technology that led to so many rigid airship disasters. As for the R101, Sam argues that the airship was an experimental prototype, which is dangerous by definition, but it was not treated that way. Sam is the author of Hymns of the Republic and the New York Times bestsellers Rebel Yell and Empire of the Summer Moon, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. He spent most of his career as a journalist, including stints with Time as bureau chief, national correspondent, and senior editor, and with Texas Monthly as executive editor. R101 during assembly. Aviation News 5,000 pilots suspected of hiding major health issues. Most are still flying About 4,800 pilots are being investigated for falsifying medical records. They are military veterans who are receiving disability benefits for conditions that could make them unfit to fly. These include mental health disorders and other serious conditions. Veterans Affairs investigators discovered reporting inconsistencies when they cross-checked federal databases. FAA Clears Boom Supersonic For XB-1 Flight Tests The Boom Supersonic XB-1 technology demonstrator received an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate. With that, Boom can begin flight testing at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The XB-1 is 71 feet long and is powered by three small afterburning General Electric J85-15 engines. High-speed taxi tests have been conducted, with a run up to 60 kt. achieved on Aug. 23, 2023  Video: XB-1 Taxi Testing: August 23, 2023 https://youtu.be/Hg9pHnQ4zTs?si=45injtyqBMHfBhmd F/A-18 Hornet Pilot Pronounced Dead In Crash At MCAS Miramar Marine major identified as pilot who died in California F/A-18 crash A two-seat F/A-18D Hornet crashed just before midnight at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in the northern part of San Diego, California. The single pilot (Marine Maj. Andrew Mettler) aboard the F/A-18D was killed in the crash at MCAS Miramar. The Hornet belonged to Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, 3 US Marines killed in aircraft crash in Australia during training exercise Twenty-three Marines were on board the MV-22B Osprey aircraft. Three died and others were seriously wounded. The Marines were flying in support of Exercise Predators Run. FAA hires 1,500 air traffic controllers but staffing challenges remain The FAA reached its goal of hiring 1,500 air traffic controllers this year and wants funding for 1,800 in 2024. About 2,600 controllers are currently in training. There were more than 12,000 applicants this year. Mentioned 9th Annual Girls in Aviation Day, September 23, 2023. American Helicopter Museum & Education Center Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We speak with a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk owner and pilot, and with an Assistant Chief Pilot at United Airlines. Guests Thom Richard is a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk owner and pilot. A photo Warhawk Shootout was recently held at the American Dream SkyRanch (18SC) private strip, which is home to Warbird Adventures, a vintage aircraft flight school offering private pilot, aerobatic, and tailwheel training. Warbird Adventures also provides flights in WWII aircraft. Brian and Micah talked with Thom about warbirds, the P-40 in general, and the very interesting history of the P-40 that Thom owns. The P-40, by the way, is the only aircraft that flew in every single theatre of the war every single day. Thom describes the acquisition and restoration of his aircraft and his aviation school. See Warhawk Shootout! Warbird Adventures to Host P-40 Photo Event in Warbird News. Capt. Chris Dowell is Assistant Chief Pilot at United Airlines. Chris describes his career progression as a pilot and explains the role of the assistant chief pilot. He talks about customer service, substance abuse, and pilot training. Also, what a check airman looks for in a new pilot, and how new pilots today are different from those in the past with all the technology and automation now available. Chris comments on Captain/First Officer teamwork and CRM. Hosts Brian Coleman and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Brian and Micah speak with Roger Sands, the CEO of Wyebot, a company that provides AI-driven WiFi automation for the WiFi industry. The company has a long history of placing WiFi on different transportation modes, including commercial aviation. You’ll hear almost everything you want to know about airline WiFi. Guest Roger Sands is the co-founder and CEO of Wyebot, Inc. He has over 20 years of executive management experience, gained from working with both successful networking startups and Fortune 500 companies. Roger Sands Prior to Wyebot, he was the Business Line Manager for Hewlett-Packard’s WW WLAN business, which he grew from 6th to 2nd in the market. He joined HP via the acquisition of Colubris Networks, a wireless startup, where he held a number of executive positions including co-CEO, and was instrumental in the HP acquisition. Prior to Colubris, he was a GM at Accton Technology, founding the enterprise wireless business and building it to #3 market share via 6 strategic partnerships. Roger also held senior management positions at 3com, USRobotics, and Bytex Corporation. He holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University. Hosts Brian Coleman and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A replay of our conversation with USAF Maj. Brian Shul from Airplane Geeks Episode 375. Guest Brian Shul served as an Air Force fighter pilot from 1970-1990. Shot down during the Viet Nam Conflict, and unable to eject, he rode the plane into the jungle and was seriously burned in the ensuing fireball. Lucky to be alive, he spent a year in the hospital and was told his flying days were over. Miraculously, after many surgeries and months of physical therapy, Brian returned to active flying duty.  He went on to fly the A-7D, he was in the first A-10 squadron, he taught at the Air Force’s TopGun school in the F-5B, and his flying career culminated by flying the SR-71 spy plane.   After retiring from the Air Force, Brian pursued his writing and photography by starting his own business with Gallery One. He was the first man to write a book about flying the SR-71, all illustrated with his own photography. Brian flew extensively with the Air Force Thunderbirds and the Navy Blue Angels and wrote books about both teams. Sadly, Brian Shul died on May 20, 2023, in a Reno, Nevada hospital. The cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest. He was 75. Learn more about Brian and his books at SledDriver.com, and his photography can be found at Gallery One Images. Consider making a Donation in Brian’s memory. Our interview originally appeared in Airplane Geeks Episode 375, published on November 4, 2015. Video: Brian Shul – From Butterflies to Blackbirds https://youtu.be/3kIMTJRgyn0

A replay of our conversation with Reyné O’Shaughnessy from Airplane Geeks Episode 671 about pilot mental health. Guest Reyné O’Shaughnessy was a commercial airline pilot for over 34 years with a Fortune 50 company. She was a captain on the B767 and logged over 10,000 hours of total heavy jet flight time. Her experience also includes the A300/310, B727, and B747. Reyné founded Piloting 2 Wellbeing (or P2W) with a mission to create awareness about pilot mental health and mental wellness in the aviation industry. P2W serves individuals, schools, and corporations that want to implement supportive and practical training, experience compassionate forums, and be part of creating a better aviation world. Reyné explains why the aviation community is so averse to talking about pilot mental health and the need to normalize the conversation. Companies need to support their employees with mental health training, and Reyné argues that reaching student pilots with information early in their careers will help normalize mental health. This interview originally appeared in Airplane Geeks Episode 671, published on September 22, 2021.

A replay of our conversation with Jeff Bolton, originally published as Episode 570 on September 18, 2019. Guest Jeff Bolton is the first person ever to film a B-2 stealth bomber cockpit tour narrated by the pilot in-flight. He also filmed a B-2 aerial refueling from the bomber’s cockpit. Jeff has also taken a camera inside the B-52. Jeff tells the stories of the men, women, and families of the United States military. He draws on his experiences after being embedded in military commands, combat theatres, and natural disaster zones around the world. Jeff’s website is JeffBolton.org. He produced the documentary film America’s Marine Aviators, available on Amazon Prime Video. He’s developing a documentary series called THE WATCH: America’s Nuclear Mission Revealed that examines the United States military’s global nuclear mission in the 21st century.

A replay of Episode 89 with guest Amy Laboda, published on March 16, 2010. Guest Amy Laboda has been writing, editing, and publishing print, audio, and digital materials for more than 35 years. She’s an instrument-rated commercial pilot and an instructor. Amy lives and breathes aviation and we chat with her on a range of topics. This is a full replay of Episode 89 and provides a look at what the Airplane Geeks podcast was like in the early days – humor, warts, and all! It includes Court’s WTF segment and David’s This Week in Aviation history segment. Opening and closing music was courtesy of Brother Love, from the Album Of The Year CD.

A replay of our conversation with Eileen Bjorkman from Episode 618 published on August 26, 2020. Guest Eileen Bjorkman is an author who tells veteran stories, She’s a speaker and a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with 700+ hours of flying time as a flight test engineer in 25 different types of military aircraft, primarily the F-4, F-16, C-130, and C-141. Eileen holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating and she is a Certificated Flight Instructor with more than 2,000 hours of flying time. She owns an aerobatic airplane, a Decathlon. Eileen had just published her book Unforgotten in the Gulf of Tonkin: A Story of the U.S. Military’s Commitment to Leave No One Behind, which tells the story of U.S. Navy pilot Willie Sharp who had to eject from his F-8 fighter after being hit over North Vietnam. Look for Eileen’s new book titled The Fly Girls Revolt. It’s described as the untold story of the women military aviators of the 1970s and 1980s who finally kicked open the door to fly in combat in 1993—along with the story of the women who paved the way before them. In addition to her books, Eileen has published many articles and technical journals. She has both MS and BS degrees in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Ohio, and a BS in Computer Science from the University of Washington in Seattle. She also has a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering from The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Visit Eileen’s web page EileenBjorkman.com for more about her books, publications, and her blog.

The Spurwink Farm Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast is coming up on July 9, 2023. This annual event is hosted by EAA Chapter 141 on the 1,800-foot grass runway at the Spurwink Farm Airfield in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The farm is a 40-stall private boarding facility owned by the Sprague family. The fly-in runs from 0800 until 1100 AM. The pancakes are freshly cooked and the blueberries and maple syrup are Maine products. Last year Micah and Max recorded a number of interviews at Spurwink for Episode 708. Since we’re on our summer 2023 hiatus, and because we don’t want to leave you without an Airplane Geeks episode, we replay those interviews for this episode. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to attend the fly-in July 9. Perhaps they’ll inspire you to attend a fly-in in your area. Interviews: Fred Wilcoxen tells us about his Bede BD-5 micro-homebuilt airplane. Douglas Corrigan relates his story about getting the aviation bug as a youngster and now working ATC. JD is a retired military pilot who flies long-haul cargo in a Boeing 777. He flew up from New Jersey in his Cessna 177B Cardinal. Mike Smith brought his beautiful Sonex up from Massachusetts. We talked with Bill Barry, the former NASA chief historian and glider enthusiast. MaryLou Sprague tells us how she and her late husband Phineas (Phin) started a relationship with EAA Chapter 141 and how the airstrip came about. Hosts Max Flight and our Main(e) Man Micah.

A replay of our conversation with Ward Carroll from Episode 680, published on November 24, 2021.  Ward is a former F-14 Naval Aviator who spent 20 years as an F-14 Radar Intercept Officer. He is the author of the bestselling Punk trilogy about life in an F-14 squadron. Punk’s Fight, Punk’s War, and Punk’s Wing are widely considered to be realistic portrayals of naval aviators in the context of a techno-thriller. Find Ward on his YouTube channel. The Punk’s books are available on Amazon.com and on the U.S. Naval Institute website. Hosts Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Igor and Karen Sikorsky A replay of our conversation with Igor Sikorsky III from Episode 144, published on April 19, 2011. Igor is the grandson of Igor Sikorsky, who many consider to be the father of the helicopter industry. Igor III flies a Skyhawk on floats. He and his wife Karen operate The Bradford Camps on Munsungun Lake in the North Maine Woods, a premier lodge in the North Maine Woods located fifty miles from the nearest paved road.  The camp dates back to 1890 and offers fishing, hunting, and relaxing vacations. The Sikorsky Seminar Weekend is held each year at the camp with videos, books, artifacts, photos, and Sikorsky family speakers. Hear the stories of Igor’s Russian years in aviation, the large Pan Am flying clipper ships, and of course the helicopter. The price includes all meals, private lodging, and full use of all facilities including boats, motors, and kayaks. You might even get a scenic flight with Igor I. Sikorsky, III. Igor Sikorsky III and his plane. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Dan Webb, and Chris Mano.

Breeze Airways Breeze Airways A220 Breeze Airways celebrated its inaugural flight at the Portland International Jetport (PWM) on May 17, 2023. Our Main(e) Man Micah spoke with: Lucas Johnson, Breeze Airways Chief Commercial Officer Julie Oliphant, Breeze Trainer Ryan Hamner, Breeze First Officer Paul Bradbury, Portland International Jetport Director Lynn Tillotson, president and CEO of Visit Portland Breeze First Officer Ryan Hamner Micah in the Breeze A220 Cranky Flier Brett Snyder is the President & Chief Airline Dork of the Cranky empire, which has grown to include the award-winning consumer air travel blog Cranky Flier, Cranky Concierge offering domestic and international travel planning, Cranky Network Weekly, Cranky Network Awards, and the popular Cranky Dorkfest. There is even a Cranky Talk Podcast. Micah and Brian chatted with Cranky about air travel. Hosts Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

We speak with a retired USAF General about the challenges involved in providing Ukraine with F-16s. Guest Brig. Gen. John “Dragon” Teichert (Ret) Brigadier General John “Dragon” Teichert (Ret) is recently retired from the U.S. Air Force. He was the Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, and was responsible for worldwide international engagement on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force. He led the services’ $240 billion security cooperation portfolio. Prior to that, John was the Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché to Iraq. He has been an F-15E combat pilot, an F-22 test pilot, the commander of Joint Base Andrews, and the commander of Edwards Air Force Base. John has more than 2,000 hours in 38 different aircraft types. The President of the United States has agreed to allow F-16 fighter jets to be provided to Ukraine. John explains what the F-16 could mean for Ukraine and how it could be used strategically and tactically. We then consider the complexities involved in making it happen: sourcing the F-16s, training pilots and support crew, facilities requirements, and logistics and maintenance support. Also how this ties the West to Ukraine long term. John has written and spoken extensively on leadership, innovation, technology, national security, security cooperation, cross-cultural relationships, risk management, resilience, and international affairs. He holds engineering degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, and is the founder and president of Capital Leadership LLC.   Learn more at JohnTeichert.com. His full military biography is also available. Host Max Flight

A ruling in the Northeast Alliance antitrust suit, American Airlines flight attendants troubled by the “ConnectMe” app, new service and routes from Breeze Airways, Republic Airways to fine pilots who leave early, Cessna Citation Ascend unveiled, and a YouTuber charged in the crash of his plane. Aviation News Judge ends American Airlines-JetBlue alliance, says it is anticompetitive In a May 19, 2023 ruling, the judge in the Northeast Alliance antitrust suit determined that the Alliance “substantially diminishes competition in the domestic market for air travel.” The Department of Justice alleged that by codesharing and collaborating to run complementary route networks through New York and Boston, the Northeast Alliance would “eliminate significant competition between American and JetBlue that has led to lower fares and higher quality service for consumers traveling to and from those airports.” Unless the ruling is appealed, the Alliance must end within 30 days. In his ruling [PDF], Judge Sorokin says: In the first months of 2020, executives at American Airlines and JetBlue negotiated and signed a first-of-its-kind alliance, in which the two carriers essentially agreed to operate as one airline for most of their flights in and out of New York City and Boston. This case turns on what “competition” means. To the defendants, competition is enhanced if they join forces to unseat a powerful rival. The Sherman Act, however, has a different focus. Federal antitrust law is not concerned with making individual competitors larger or more powerful. It aims to preserve the free functioning of markets and foster participation by a diverse array of competitors. Those principles are generally undermined, rather than promoted, by agreements among horizontal competitors to dispense with competition and cooperate instead. That is precisely what happened here. American Airlines and Microsoft Partnership Takes Flight to Create a Smoother Travel Experience for Customers and Better Technology Tools for Team Members In May 2022, American Airlines announced they were partnering with Microsoft “to use technology to create better, more connected experiences for customers and American Airlines team members… American will use Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud platform for its airline applications and key workloads.” American Airlines Flight Attendants Say Mobile App Designed to Improve On-time Performance is a ‘Hazard to Passenger Safety’ Now the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) representing American Airlines flight attendants takes issue with the Airline’s “ConnectMe” app. The mandatory internal messaging app works within Microsoft Teams and allows flight attendants to communicate with gate agents, pilots, and engineers during pre-boarding and boarding. The union says they didn’t have any input into the use of ConnectMe, interruptions through the app are a distraction, and there is a “constant barrage of texts [which] prioritizes another department’s objectives over safety which should be first and foremost.” New Routes, Amenities, and a New First Class: An Update on a Busy Week for Breeze Airways LCC Breeze Airways is announcing new cabin features, a new class of service, and the launch of some new routes. The “Breeze Ascend” first-class section upgrades its previous “Nicest Fare” seats. It will be introduced on its A220 aircraft and offer more space, premium seats and cocktails, and free snacks. Onboard WiFi is coming to the A220 fleet through Viasat satellite internet. The price is TBD and the rollout is expected to be complete by early 2024. See Cranky’s comments on this in Cranky Weekly Review Presented by Oakland International Airport: WestJet Fights off Strike, Breeze Gets Even Nicer, and More… Republic Airways To Issue $100,000 Fine If Pilots Quit Within First Three Years The new Republic Airways New First Officer Career Advancement Pathway Program Agreement is designed to retain pilots, but it comes with some provisions: Pilots must stay with the regional airline for at least three years. After one year, pilots may have the opportunity to graduate to the captain position but will need to fly as much as they can in order to do so. New hires are committing to being a captain for two years. Pilots who voluntarily break the agreement and leave the airline before the three-year mark are subject to a $100,000 fine. If a pilot resigns before the three-year mark, they are not allowed to work for any other competing airline within a year. Teamsters, the union representing the airline’s pilots, filed a grievance against Republic, saying the agreement is problematic. Textron Aviation Unveils Cessna Citation Ascend in Geneva The fifth-generation Citation 560XL arrives in 2025 at a price of $16.7 million. ​Changes include a new and larger flight deck and cabin windows, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D engines, and interior improvements. The APU now is approved for unattended operation and the cockpit incorporates the latest version of the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck, as well as Garmin’s 3D exocentric view airport diagrams on PFDs, including runway and taxiway signs, obstacle symbols, and building images. Santa Barbara County Man Who Deliberately Crashed Airplane for YouTube Video Admits to Obstructing Federal Investigation It’s a felony charge for the YouTuber who deliberately abandoned his plane in 2021 and recorded the event while he parachuted out, in an effort to get views. Mentioned AeroXplorer (previously TheExplorerBlog) is an aviation photography and news source that provides industry news and an airframe photography database with more than 30,000 photos. They have a map showing many airports. Click on one and see spotting photos from that airport.  Ukraine’s F-16s Could Come From These Countries SR-71 pilot, photographer and storyteller Brian Shul dies at 75 Brian Shul, our guest from Episode 375 (2015) died on May 20, 2023. He was an Air Force fighter pilot, flew A-7D, flew A-10, taught at the Air Force’s TopGun school in the F-5B, and became an SR-71 spy plane pilot. History This Week Podcast – The World’s First Budget Airline Takes Off,  Monday, May 1, 2023. Bill Barry is the 2023 winner of the Roger R. Trask Award from the Society for History in Federal Government. National Air & Space Museum Innovations in Flight – Outdoor Aviation Display. 2023 Aerospace Media Awards Aviation Xtended EP.172 – VC10DERNESS myFlightradar24 myFlightradar24.com  Bureau of Transportation Statistics Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We look at human trafficking, how airports play into the issue, and what one organization is doing at airports to address the problem. Guest Betty Ann Hagenau is the Founder and Executive Director of the Bay Area Anti-Trafficking Coalition (BAATC) and Airport Initiative. BAATC has observed a “Move, Work, Sleep” pattern in human trafficking cases and the organization has created a targeted approach to disrupt the cycle at frontline industries: airports, apartments, and hotels. Airport Initiative is the training division of BAATC that brings human trafficking identification training to airport employees. We look at the scope of the problem, who the victims of human trafficking are, and how airports (large and small) play an unwitting role in the transportation of victims. Betty Ann describes common trafficking myths and the BAATC training-based approach to disrupting human trafficking. Betty Ann has focused her career on being an anti-trafficking thought leader, and she’s known for her collaborative work with over 100 anti-trafficking organizations and government agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world.  Betty Ann spent 18 months interviewing former human traffickers in San Quentin Prison to better understand their lucrative business practices and to inform the development of BAATC’s strategies and programs to train frontline employees in the airline and hospitality industries to effectively identify and report trafficking. Mentioned Airplane Geeks Episode 1 on the Internet Archive Wayback Machine. (Show notes only.) Airplane Geeks – the Missing Episodes (mp3 files only) Cleco. Schroeders Sportsman Ohio Roller Derby Spirit Airlines media relations email Video: Watch How We Land on a STEEP Sloped Runway in Papua https://youtu.be/ivRYtgZNlAw Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

We discover mission aviation from JAARS. In the news, airlines add staff in anticipation of the coming summer travel boom, Congress looks at increased educational funding for flight training programs, compensating passengers for preventable delays, and DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard. Mission Aviation Mission aviation is the use of aircraft to transport people, supplies, and medical care to remote areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. It is often used by missionaries to reach people who live in isolated communities and do not have access to other forms of transportation. JAARS is a community of missionaries, volunteers, and a few employees who provide Scripture to people around the world in a language and form that they can clearly understand. They support Bible translation and language development partners globally and work with prayer and financial partners in the United States to help make a range of on-the-field solutions possible. Guests Brendan Palmer is a mechanical engineer who designs modifications and fabricates parts for special needs at JAARS. His wife Allie Palmer is an aircraft mechanic, working primarily in avionics. As a hobby, the couple is constructing a KR-2S home-built aircraft. Based in Waxhaw, North Carolina, JAARS maintains training aircraft and performs heavy overhauls for overseas aircraft. Pilots receive preliminary training for conditions like short field landings and severe strip upslopes, then receive additional training overseas in the actual environment where they will be flying. Aircraft are either received as a donation or purchased by JAARS and include Pilatus PC-6 Porter, Cessna 206, Helio Courier, Kodiak, and Robinson R66 aircraft. Current areas of operation include Indonesia, Cameroon, Papua New Guinea, and locations in South America. JAARS hosts events, tours, and vision flights. See their website for more information and how to support the organization. Find JAARS on Facebook and Instagram. Aviation News Airlines add workers as they gear up for summer travel bonanza A robust air travel season is predicted for Summer 2023 and airlines have been hiring workers in response. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the air transportation industry had around 534,400 employees in March, which is up 9.5% from 2022. It’s the largest pool of employees since April 2003. United Airlines hired more than 7,000 workers so far in 2023 and plans to hire 8,000 more this year. Congress tackles funding options for flight training Two bipartisan bills offer options for increased educational funding for flight training programs. The Flight Education Access Act (H.R. 2874) would make federal student loans available to university and Part 141 flight schools, raise loan limits for flight students, and create a public/private partnership grant program to increase scholarship and outreach programs. The Aviation Workforce Development Act (H.R. 1818) would extend 529 college savings plans to training at FAA-certified commercial pilot and aircraft maintenance technician schools. Biden Wants Airlines to Compensate Passengers for Flights Hit by Preventable Delays The rulemaking process has started which would require airlines to compensate passengers in the case of preventable delays and cancelations. Meals would be covered along with hotel rooms and rebooking fees. Airline Customer Service Dashboard | US Department of Transportation  The Dashboard shows airline policies for family seating, controllable delays, and controllable cancelations. Australia News Desk Qantas has dominated this week’s airline news, as long-time, and often controversial CEO Alan Joyce announced his intention to step down in November, handing the reins to the company’s current Chief Financial Officer, Vanessa Hudson. Alan Joyce steps down as Qantas CEO, replacement revealed Hudson has been working at the airline in various roles over her 28-year career, and her appointment comes as no surprise, despite claims of a worldwide search for Joyce’s replacement, taking in around 40 potential candidates. Alan Joyce began his airline career in 1988 at Aer Lingus, coming to Australia in 1996 for roles at Ansett before joining Qantas in 2000.  He became the CEO of low-cost offshoot Jetstar in 2003 before being appointed Qantas CEO in 2008. Meanwhile, Qantas is once again taking unions to court, this time over the question of A380 Second Officer vacancies, and whether they’re able to bypass the long-standing convention of pilot seniority to fill current gaps. Their proposal includes recruiting aircrew from outside the company.  The Australian and International Pilots Association wants the seniority system retained, and the decision of the court may well have broader implications for Australian workers, should they be unsuccessful. Qantas’ jumbo stoush with pilots over who gets to fly the big jets Alan Joyce and Vanessa Hudson. Image credit Bianca de Marchi/AAP Mentioned Video: Kalitta Air 747-400F LOW Flyby – Thunder Over Michigan 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcGPzVDte8c Video: B-17 Flying Fortress Low Flybys – Thunder Over Michigan 2018 https://youtu.be/MADKeDVifh0 Brandon Francis youTube channel – Whirlybirds tv series. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott. Contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

This episode focuses on the “Queen of the Skies,” the Boeing 747. The last Boeing 747. Photo by @Jetcitystar. Boeing 747 We look at the history of the Boeing 747, some facts and figures, our memories of the plane, the 747 in the news, and we discuss a few of the accidents and incidents. We also have some personal photos of the Boeing 747 taken by our listeners. 35 Years Of Flight: Which Standard Active Boeing 747-400s Have The Most Cycles? What It’s Like to Fly in the Top Deck of a Rare Boeing 747 ‘Queen of the Skies’ The United Kingdom Has A Boeing 747 Operator Again US judge awards lessor over $400 million for Boeing 747-8s stuck in Russia Dramatic Landing: Cargolux Boeing 747 Incident at Luxembourg Dutch investigators recommend changes to Boeing 747 engines following failure British Airways smashes record for quickest subsonic flight from New York to London Australia News Desk This week being episode 747, the boys decided to have a little fun and look at some Australian Boeing 747 milestones over the years.  There are so many to cover, so these are just a snapshot.  We highly recommend checking out http://aussieairliners.org/ as a superb reference on Jumbo’s and many, many other types in Australian service. Qantas VH-OJA. Image credit – Seth Jaworski In the news this week, regional operator ReX have made the decision to cut schedules across their route network, citing the impact of global supply chain issues impacting their ability to service and operate their fleet, especially in terms of sourcing parts & spares for their SAAB 340’s.  Rex Cutting Flights In Australia The Australian Government’s Defence Strategic Review has been released, and we continue to pour over the details, with the Army appearing to cop the brunt of cutbacks and/or changes to equipment and posturing, while the impact, if any, on defence aviation operations remains to be seen.  We’ll have more on this in future editions of this report, and on Plane Crazy Down Under and the Australian Defence Magazine podcast in coming weeks. The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine. It’s hosted by Grant McHerron and produced by Steve Visscher. Listener Photos KLM 747-400, Amsterdam June 2018. Photo by Ted. Sheik of Dubai’s Boeing 747 parked at LEX. Photo by Greg. Joplin Missouri Presidential visit in 2006. Photo by Adam. Lufthansa 747-8i landing LAX. Photo by Greg. First time spotting. Photo by Heliscone. Atlas Air landing at CVG. Photo by Greg. Mentioned Southern California Logistics Airport (“Victorville Airport”) EarPlanes, pressure-preventing earplugs. The Air Up There: Podcast Sn 5 Ep 1: Flying With Kids: Tips From An Expert Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah. Contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

Live and recorded ATC transmissions from LiveATC.net. In the news, the FAA Acting Administrator is stepping down, Airbus and Air France are cleared in the Air France Flight 447 accident, the FAA has some advice for terrain avoidance and warning systems, and ADs for Boeing 747-8s and B-17s. Guest Dave Pascoe is the founder and CEO of LiveATC.net, the world’s largest aviation radio voice data collection. Dave has had a life-long obsession with radio and technology, which led him to an MSEE degree and a career that spans RF technology to large-scale IT systems management. Dave made a few minor detours along the way. One of those detours turned into LiveATC.net, which Dave started in late 2002. The service hosts live audio streams and archived voice data from over 3,000 channels of air traffic radio transmissions at over 1,400 airports and ATC control areas. Dave is also an active instrument-rated private pilot and avid ham radio operator. Dave describes how the service is used by pilots, student pilots, CFIs, flight schools, aircraft operators, FBOs, the NTSB, and more. Volunteers capture the transmissions, often with a simple Raspberry Pi and a software defined radio. In addition, Dave often supports events such as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Sun ‘N Fun, and the Air Race Classic. Aviation News FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen To Depart Agency Nolen announced he’d be leaving the FAA to spend more time with his family. He became Acting Administrator in April 2022 when former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson stepped down before his term was finished. Air France and Airbus cleared over fatal 2009 Rio-Paris crash Air France Flight 447, an A330, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on June 1, 2009, killing all 228 people on board. A French court has determined that a causal link between any possible errors made and the crash could not be proved. “A probable causal link isn’t sufficient to characterize an offense,” the judge said in her statement. Families of the victims were shocked and angered by the finding. FAA Issues Notice Warning Pilots Not To Silence TAWS Alerts A terrain avoidance and warning system (TAWS) seeks to avoid controlled flight into terrain accidents. TAWS is the generic term for a ground proximity warning system (GPWS). According to the notice, “Alerts from TAWS can become a nuisance or a distraction to pilots when flying at altitudes below the alerting threshold of the system. This may result in the pilot’s decision to inhibit the system. Inhibiting warning systems and ignoring warnings, combined with deteriorating weather conditions leading to loss of visual surface reference and situational awareness, has been found to be the cause of some CFIT [controlled flight into terrain] accidents.” FAA Proposes New Airworthiness Directive For Boeing 747-8 Aircraft The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) concerning “cracks in stringers, common to the end fittings, forward and aft of the pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 2360 at multiple stringer locations” on 747-8i and 747–8F series aircraft. The proposed AD would require repetitive inspections of stringer sidewalls and certain stringer assemblies. In its investigation, the FAA determined that during assembly, un-shimmed or incorrectly shimmed gaps larger than what is required caused “excessive and sustained internal tensile stresses and resulted in stress corrosion cracking in the stringers.” See also: AD Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (AD NPRM) – FAA-2023-0657 Coming Airworthiness Directive Expected to Ground All Airworthy B-17s The FAA is preparing to issue an AD that will likely ground all B-17 aircraft due to “wing spar issues.” The Yankee Air Museum has already grounded its Boeing B-17G (“Yankee Lady”) in anticipation of the AD. The upcoming AD may be a result of wing spar issues found in the EAA’s B-17 “Aluminum Overcast.” That plane has been grounded since April 2021. GlobalAir.com says in Rumors fly of AD that will ground all B-17 aircraft that Hangar Thirteen is restoring a B-17 and posted on Facebook about the Yankee Lady. The post noted that wing spars are a common issue within the B-17 community, citing a 2001 AD from the FAA concerning cracking and corrosion of the wing spar chords, bolts and bolt holes of the spar chords and wing terminals, and a correction of any problems found during inspections.” According to Aero Vintage, there are now only four operational B-17s left. While there may be 46 total complete airframes and 18 registered in the U.S., many are currently being restored or used as display pieces. Australia News Desk Aviation pioneer Max Hazelton sadly passed away shortly before his 96th birthday after quite the career. Max was the founder of Hazelton Airlines which became a subsidiary of Ansett Airlines and then merged with Kendell Airlines to become Regional Express (aka REX) after Ansett went under in September 2001. Vale Max Hazelton Speaking of REX, they’ve taken a financial stake in a local electric propulsion company. Rex Takes Stake In New Technology Electric Aircraft Meanwhile, Qantas’ bid to take over Alliance Airlines is blocked by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Qantas are not happy about it. Qantas’ Purchase of Alliance Blocked Finally, a former RAF Mustang arrives at the Hunter Fighter Collection in Scone where it was reassembled to static display in just three days. Ex-RAF Museum P-51D Arrives in Australia Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott. Contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

Increased air turbulence from climate change, national aeronautics science and technology priorities, a sleeping Delta pilot is raided, international passengers skip immigration, prison time for shining a laser at an airplane, responsibility for aborting a takeoff, and flying with children. Clear-air Turbulence Aviation News Airline passengers could be in for a rougher ride, thanks to climate change Paul Williams, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Reading in England, says that there is evidence that wind shear above 15,000 feet is becoming more frequent. This can produce unpredictable “clear-air turbulence” where there are no clouds or bad weather. Williams believes that the jet stream is being impacted by rising temperature levels. The NTSB has said that air turbulence causes the most common types of accidents aboard aircraft. From 2009 to 2022, the NTSB recorded 163 “serious injuries” resulting from air turbulence. Flight crews incurred 80% of the injuries. See: Clear-air turbulence trends over the North Atlantic in high-resolution climate models. [PDF] White House Publishes National Aeronautics Science & Technology Priorities The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy has released a National Aeronautics Science & Technology Priorities [PDF] document. It offers three strategic priorities: Achieving Sustainable Aviation, Transforming the National Airspace System, and Promoting Connectivity and Speed. Across all priorities, the U.S. Government’s efforts will be guided by seven principles: (1) Safety, (2) Environment, (3) Economic Competitiveness, (4) Innovation, (5) Security, (6) Workforce, and (7) Equity. Feds barged into the wrong hotel room during a drill, then detained the guest inside U.S. Army Special Operations Command and the FBI conducted “essential military training” at a Boston hotel. The plan was to enter a hotel room and interrogate a role player. Unfortunately, the team was “mistakenly sent” to the wrong room “based on inaccurate information.” There they woke a sleeping Delta Air Lines pilot, hand-cuffed him, placed him in the shower, and interrogated the “suspect” for 45 minutes. Airline Forgets To Send Arriving Passengers To Customs, Now They Have To Return To JFK Airport Passengers deplaning a Norse Atlantic flight at JFK’s Terminal 7 were directed through a doorway leading to the terminal, not through the doorway to customs. After the error was discovered, passengers received an email from the airline saying they must return to New York JFK airport the next day at a specific time to be cleared by immigration. Minnesota man gets 2 years in prison for laser strike on jet After pleading guilty to aiming a laser at a Delta Air Lines jet in 2021, a federal judge sentenced the man to two years in prison. James Link, 43, of Rochester, Minnesota, lit up the cockpit with a blue laser three times. ATC then contacted a Minnesota State Patrol aircraft, which flew to the area. Link then flashed the State Patrol aircraft. The pilots spotted Link and worked with local police to apprehend him. Australia News Desk Accents??  What accents??  It may well be a matter of perspective of course, but following on from last week’s discussion of Aussie accents vs American accents, we take a quick look at some of the challenges that can sometimes pose, from an aviation standpoint. In the news, Virgin Australia has resumed flights this week to the Pacific paradise of Vanuatu, following a three-year, covid driven break.  As you’ll hear, the crew received a warm welcome upon arrival in Port Vila. Virgin Australia Returns To Vanuatu After Three Years Virgin are also expecting the delivery of their first 737 MAX aircraft;  something also delayed, and obviously not only by the covid years.  The airline had originally placed their orders prior to the type’s well-publicised issues, and hence put those plans on hold pending a solution.  At any rate, we expect to see the first MAX in VA colours here in June. Virgin Australia counts down to first Boeing 737 MAX And being Easter, we see the yearly reportage of massive queues and delays at many of Australia’s larger airports, as people flock to get away on the last holiday break before the Australian winter sets in. Massive queues grow at airports as holiday-makers head off for the Easter long weekend Mentioned Revision Military Asleep at the wheel; On-demand flying in the old days from Jetwhine.com. The Airlines Confidential podcast is hosted by Ben Baldanza, the former CEO Spirit Airlines, and Scott McCartney, the former WSJ columnist “The Middle Seat.” Episode 181, published on April 5, 2023, touches on lap babies at 7:07 into the program. Airline Family Seating Dashboard from the DOT. Family Seating Legislative Proposal Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott. Contributions by Grant McHerron,  Steve Visscher, and Brian Coleman.

More states join the Justice Department antitrust lawsuit to block the JetBlue-Spirit Merger, a Delta flight aborts takeoff after another jet raises concerns, Shell cancels it’s plans for a SAF plant in Singapore, Delta uses its partnership with Lyft, and the FAA warns about summer travel disruptions. We also offer a little bit of aviation career advice and talk more about lap babies on airlines. Aviation News California, New Jersey Join Suit to Block JetBlue-Spirit Merger The Attorneys General of California, Maryland, New Jersey, and North Carolina joined the civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. Those states now join Massachusetts, New York, and the District of Columbia. The civil antitrust lawsuit seeks to block JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit Airlines. The 42-page amended complaint says: JetBlue’s proposed $3.8 billion acquisition of Spirit would eliminate the largest and fastest-growing ultra-low-cost carrier in the United States. Spirit’s ultra-low-cost business model has increased competition and brought low fares to hundreds of routes across the country, making it possible for more Americans—particularly the most cost conscious—to travel. JetBlue competes hard against Spirit, and views it as a serious competitive threat. But instead of continuing that competition, JetBlue now proposes an acquisition that Spirit describes as “a high cost, high-fare airline buying a low-cost, low-fare airline.” If the acquisition is approved, JetBlue plans to abandon Spirit’s business model, remove seats from Spirit’s planes, and charge Spirit’s customers higher prices. JetBlue’s plan would eliminate the unique competition that Spirit provides—and about half of all ultra-low-cost airline seats in the industry—and leave tens of millions of travelers to face higher fares and fewer options. The DOJ’s suit is scheduled to go to trial in a Massachusetts courtroom on October 16, 2023. Delta flight aborts takeoff as another aircraft crosses runway Delta flight DL-1482 was cleared for takeoff from New Orleans runway 11 when ATC canceled the clearance and the A321-200 (N342DN) screeched to a halt. The FAA says the Learjet did not cross the “hold short line,” but the controller canceled the takeoff clearance out of an abundance of caution. The Aviation Herald reports the crew rejected takeoff at high speed (about 125 knots over ground) and stopped about 1500 meters/4920 feet down the runway. The Tower explained another aircraft had crossed the hold short line of the runway. Shell cancels sustainable aviation fuel and base oil plant projects in Singapore Shell announced in 2021 that it was planning a biofuel project in Singapore to produce 550,000 tonnes of SAF per year for major Asian hubs like Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN). Shell had planned to make their final investment decision by early 2023. Now the company says the market demand in that region will not support the investment. Delta Rebooks Passengers On Lyft When There’s No Airline Seats Available Some Delta Air Lines passengers arriving in Detroit found that strong thunderstorms in the area prevented them from flying to nearby final destinations. Delta stepped in and rebooked some passengers on Lyft. Lyft has been a Delta partner for six years. FAA Warns of Air Traffic Controller Shortage Ahead of Summer Travel Season The New York airspace is so congested that the FAA has asked airlines to make operational changes. For the peak summer travel season, the FAA would like to see larger planes and fewer flights. Consumer demand is forecasted to be seven percent higher during the summer than last year. The FAA says if nothing changes, we can expect 45 percent more delays. Staffing at air traffic control centers averages 81 percent of what’s needed. Staffing at the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) is only 54 percent of the need. Career Advice An Electrical Engineering student with an interest in aviation asked us about career opportunities, how to fund pilot instruction, and general advice. We provide our thoughts and strategies. Mentioned: Women in Aviation International Aviation Careers Podcast Aerospace Scholarships Guide SkyVector.com AirNav.com Australia News Desk Australia’s newest airline, Bonza, continues with the rollout of its new route network with the opening this week of its base in Melbourne, Victoria.  The opening comes as figures show they’ve sold over 100,000 seats since commencing operation two months ago. Will the strategy of offering budget fares for Melburnians to access the warmer weather of Queensland and points north be sustainable in the medium to long term?   And will other airlines move to match their destinations and pricing?  Business is business, after all.  We’ll continue to watch with interest. Bonza hits 100k bookings as it launches Sunshine Coast-Cairns route Qantas meantime have ventured into the sustainability stakes from another angle – biofuels.  Partnering with Queensland-based biofuel manufacturer LanzaJet & JetZero Australia, the airline will aim to jointly fund the construction of a facility to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) The proposed facility will utilise LanzaJet’s alcohol-to-jet technology to produce up to 100 million litres of SAF per year. Construction is expected to start in 2024. Queensland biofuel refinery to turn agricultural by products into sustainable aviation fuel The Royal Australian Air Force has returned from a successful Exercise Cope North in Guam, testing new strategies for the use of its C-17J Spartan fleet.  The platform continues to evolve for the RAAF, having been reclassified in 2021 from that of a battlefield airlifter to “Light Tactical Fixed Wing Airlifter”, with impressive results to date. Exercise Cope North wraps up Flying with Children and Infants After the discussion on this topic in the last episode, a listener wrote in to present a different viewpoint on any ban on “lap babies” on airlines. Mentioned This battery safety feature can break your Apple AirTags. Here’s how to fix it FAA Airport Design Challenge The Airport Design Challenge (ADC) is an interactive learning and collaboration opportunity for students in grades K-12.  Small teams of students work together to learn about their local airport and to complete development tasks in Minecraft Organized lesson plans covering topics from airport layout, pavement, lighting, structures, and innovative growth. Collaborative work between students, parents, and teachers performed in a virtual environment. Airport Design Challenge enrollment opened on April 1, 2023. Emil Bocek, last Czech RAF pilot during WWII, dies at 100 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

China reportedly flies an engine destined for the COMAC C919, the Airbus final assembly line in China delivers its first A321, a “Really Cool” airline is planned for Thailand, United and Archer plan eVTOL air taxi service in Chicago, still no permanent FAA Administrator, orders for the Osprey V-22 come to an end. Also, an Australia Desk report and interviews from the Point Mugu Air Show. C919, courtesy COMAC. Aviation News As congress debates TikTok, China flies its own commercial jet engine Jon Ostrower reports in The Air Current that there is footage on social media of what appears to be a test aircraft flying with the Aero Engine Corporation of China CJ-1000A engine. This is significant because that engine is planned to eventually replace the CFMI LEAP-1C engine currently used on the Chinese Comac C919, a single-aisle jet in the A320/B737 class. Airbus Final Assembly Line in China delivers its first A321neo Airbus has four A320 family final assembly lines: Hamburg, Germany; Toulouse, France; Mobile, Alabama; and Tianjin, China. The FAL in Tianjin was the first Airbus commercial aircraft assembly line outside Europe. Now Airbus has delivered the first A321neo aircraft assembled in Tianjin to China’s Juneyao Air. The aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. “Really Cool Airlines,” A New Thai Airline Startup (Not A Joke?!) The former CEO of Thai LCC Nok Air has been running a travel agency named “Really Really Cool.” Now Patee Sarasin wants to start a new airline named “Really Cool Airlines” with the tagline “We fly the future.” Their plan is to acquire four Airbus A350s by the end of 2023. Promotional video: Really Cool Airlines – We Fly the Future Screen grab from Really Cool Airlines website. United Airlines And Archer Announce First Commercial Electric Air Taxi Route In Chicago United Airlines and Archer Aviation plan to launch the first air taxi route in Chicago, between O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Vertiport Chicago. Archer’s eVTOL aircraft will be used as part of their urban air mobility (UAM) network buildout. The company is focused on airport to city center routes. Archer plans to deploy 6000 aircraft By 2030. CNET Video: United Airlines First Air Taxi Revealed: Archer Midnight eVTOL https://youtu.be/h95jtCArSyA Biden’s pick to lead FAA withdraws name from consideration after GOP criticism The FAA has been led by an acting Administrator since March 2022. The White House had nominated Phillip Washington, the CEO of Denver International Airport, but Republicans and some other key senators opposed Washington. They say he is not qualified because of limited aviation experience. The agency is being led by an acting administrator, Billy Nolen, a pilot who has held safety jobs at three airlines. Military Quietly Stops Buying Ospreys as Aircraft Faces an Uncertain Future The Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force fly the V-22 Osprey, but none plan to purchase more. Deliveries are scheduled through 2025. An autonomous suitcase decides it doesn’t want to fly @TansuYegen tweeted: “An autonomous suitcase decides it doesn’t want to fly. Imagine that you are already on the plane and you see your luggage flee down the runway.” For See: Travelmate autonomous suitcase follows you. Airwheel self-driving suitcase has auto-follow. Cowarobot R1. Point Mugu Air Show The Point Mugu Air Show was held March 18, 19, 2023, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), Point Mugu. This years event celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Navy at Point Mugu, and featured dual-premiere demonstration teams: the Blue Angels, and the Thunderbirds. Brian Coleman attended the air show and recorded interviews with Capt. Pap, a flight nurse with the Air National Guard. Matt, president of California Aeronautical University. Shay, a Coast Guard Helicopter mechanic. Australia News Desk After a busy couple of weeks, the guys are back in the studio as Grant recovers from another weekend of air show commentary duties, this time at Benalla, 130 miles north of Melbourne.  We discuss the role these regional air shows play in terms of promoting the importance and fun of aviation in the community. Army helicopter ditches in Jervis Bay during special forces training The Army’s fleet of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters has been temporarily grounded following an incident this week. The crew of a Taipan conducting a special forces training exercise off Jervis Bay, 200km south of Sydney, had to ditch their aircraft after it appeared to lose power. Only minor injuries were sustained by some onboard, and the aircraft was successfully recovered.  An investigation is now underway. Northrop Grumman Australia modernizes Brisbane facility Northrop Grumman Australia’s newly-modernised Brisbane Maintenance and Modification Centre (BMMC) has been officially opened; a major facility for the sustainment of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) aviation capability. Northrop Grumman invested $20 million in the BMMC project. The facility conducts continuous through-life support to RAAF fleets including its six KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and 10 C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, and will provide jobs for around 100 people. Highly Authentic Harvard Flies in New Zealand And across the Ditch in New Zealand, Bevan Dewes’ immaculately restored, former Royal New Zealand Air Force Harvard Mk.IIa (NZ1044) landed at its new home in Masterton, New Zealand on March 19th, 2023 following a three-year rebuild effort with Twenty24 Ltd, at Wanaka. Registered as ZK-OTU, the aircraft made its first post-restoration flight from Wanaka on March 10th. Be sure to check out the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast! Flying with Children and Infants Flying with Children from the FAA. After the child is over 44 pounds he or she no longer needs a safety seat on an aircraft and can safely use a regular seatbelt. The AmSafe Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) device is FAA-certified for children up to 40 inches tall and weighing between 22 and 44 pounds. Traveling with children from United Airlines. Car seats made after 1985 are FAA-approved and will have a certification sticker attached to them. These car seats can be used on your flight, but there are exceptions. Children in car seats should sit in a window seat with the car seat secured to the seat itself. Your child should be in their seat during takeoff, landing, and turbulence. Traveling with children and infants from American Airlines. Most safety seats that are approved for use in motor vehicles are acceptable for use in aircraft. The seat must have a solid back and seat, restraint straps installed to securely hold the child, and a label indicating approval for use on an aircraft. Infant Air Travel from Delta. When you travel with a child under 2 years old, you may choose to travel with the child on your lap (infant-in-arms) or travel with your child in an FAA-approved child safety seat. To use a FAA-approved safety seat, you must purchase a ticket for your child so they have a reserved seat. Mentioned Pilots around the state fly in for second annual Ski Plane Fly-In in Easton Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah with contributions by Grant McHerron, and Steve Visscher.

The Condor Airlines Director of Sales for the Americas describes the airline’s plans for the North American market and explains what an airline sales director does. In the news, we look at what happened at the recent FAA Aviation Safety Summit sessions, the Russian fighter and the MQ-9 Reaper drone, longer recording time for CVRs, and a push to ban lap infants on commercial flights. Condor Airlines A330neo Guest Mikko Turtiainen is the Director of Sales, The Americas for Condor Airlines. He’s responsible for leading sales, strategy, and growth in North America. Mikko is also in charge of continuing to build Condor’s brand awareness and sales from consumer and B2B channels in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, Mikko had a long career at Finnair, most recently as vice president of global sales, and he also served on Finnair’s commercial leadership team. He spent four years based in New York, heading Finnair, North America. Condor Airlines is a well-known German leisure airline that operates a fleet of around fifty Boeing and Airbus aircraft. A number of new Airbus neo aircraft are coming to the fleet, including Condor’s brand-new, long-haul A330neo. The company is introducing its exclusive Prime Seat in Condor’s new business class. Mikko tells us about Condor’s plans for the North American market and explains what an airline director of sales does. The airline is renewing its long-haul fleet and maintaining its identity as a top-tier leisure and charter operator for the German consumer. But Condor Airlines is repositioning its brand identity for the North Atlantic market with premium seats on the Airbus A330-900neo. Business class is a 1-2-1 configuration with lie-flat seats and 17-24 inch screens. Premium economy and economy seats are also available. Mikko works closely with tour operators and other travel partners to create packages for leisure destinations. He’s building awareness with travel agencies, different associations, corporate clients, and others. Video: A330neo – Prime Seat https://youtu.be/88-iswQJIys Aviation News Readout from the FAA Aviation Safety Summit Breakout Panels FAA Safety Summit Brings Renewed Call for Vigilance At the FAA’s Aviation Safety Summit in McLean, Virginia, more than 200 aviation industry safety leaders met to discuss ways to enhance flight safety. Four sessions were facilitated by a member of the industry and an FAA subject matter expert: Commercial Operations  Pursue more efficient methods of sharing safety information in near real-time at all levels of the aviation industry, including frontline workers.  The FAA will urge the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST) team to set a new goal of eliminating serious incidents such as runway incursions and close calls.  Continue to refine the data being collected by the Aviation Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) system to include a broader range of factors that will help identify precursors to incidents.  Pilots and flight attendants expressed concerns that they continue to feel stress in the workplace, including long work hours under adverse conditions. The group acknowledged that risk models should also incorporate human factors.  Air Traffic System Re-examine runway incursion data to identify underlying factors that led to these incidents and identify remedies.  The FAA issued a call to the industry to help identify technologies that could augment the existing capabilities of surface surveillance equipment and deploy this technology to all airports with air traffic control services.  Airport and Ground Operations A primary concern was workforce experience and attrition. Airport operators, airlines, workers, and the FAA discussed sharing the best practices of training programs among airport tenants and other stakeholders operating at airports. Airlines that operate regularly at specific airports said the industry could explore airfield familiarization training for employees.  The attendees discussed how to effectively implement Safety Management Systems (SMS) at more than 200 of America’s busiest commercial airports. The FAA recently published a final rule that requires those airports to develop and adopt SMS programs within five years. The FAA will host a collaborative workshop on March 30.  General Aviation Operations Attendees discussed preliminary data from recent fatal accidents as part of their ongoing efforts to reduce the fatal accident rate in this sector. The group discussed ways to promote the sharing of General Aviation flight data in the ASIAS database to improve safety decision-making.  On March 22, the FAA will broadcast its annual From the Flight Deck Live virtual event for pilots. Topics will include preflight planning, wrong surface risk and human factors (runway safety), and airport signs, markings and lighting (airports). GA pilots who attend will earn WINGS continuing education credits.  Video Shows Russian Fighter Hitting USAF Drone  Two Russian Su-27 Flanker fighter jets intercepted a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper, dumped fuel on the drone, and struck and damaged the MQ-9s propeller. (From past guest Ward Carroll.) https://youtu.be/IUiNxvNWg7w FAA To Require 25-hour Cockpit Voice Recorders The FAA told AIN “We are initiating rulemaking that will require cockpit voice recorders to capture 25 hours of information. We will also establish an Aviation Rulemaking Committee to explore how to make greater use of data gathered by the airplane and its systems, including expanded flight data monitoring. We welcome any tools or resources Congress wants to provide to help us do this expeditiously.” NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy asked the FAA to accept seven recommendations from the Safety Board, including increasing the duration of CVR recordings from two to 25 hours: “The fact is Europe has mandated 25-hour CVRs on new aircraft for over a year. We should do the same. We’ve also recommended that we retrofit certain in-service aircraft with 25-hour CVRs. I don’t understand why it’s so controversial.” See: Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR) and Flight Data Recorders (FDR) from the NTSB, and L3Harris cockpit and voice data recorders. Flight Attendants Are Again Pushing For a Lap Infant Ban On U.S. Airlines Flight attendants want to ban lap-babies on plane The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) has repeated its call to ban lap infants. They hope this is included in the latest FAA Reauthorization Act. It failed to make the 2018 Reauthorization. The AFA-CWA represents the crew members at around 20 U.S. carriers, including United, Alaska, and Spirit. The FAA currently recommends that infants and children occupy their own seats, but there is no mandate. Repair Parts Running Out For GNS 430/530 Garmin says starting in 2024, repairs on early devices won’t be possible due to “multiple component availability limitations.” This applies to “WAAS and Non-WAAS GNC® 420, GNS 430, GNS 530, GPS 400, and GPS 500.” Garmin “encourage[s] GNS 430(W)/530(W) series owners to begin considering their transition strategy to newer generation products.” Database updates and technical support will remain available. Two Indian Pilots Suspended After Photo of a Full Coffee Cup Balanced On Cockpit Controls Goes Viral Two Spicejet pilots placed the cup on the controls. The pair have been taken off flight duty while the airline investigates. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation also says it is investigating the incident. Mentioned Elvis’ jet is grounded—forever—but its new owner is flying high Video: No Engine, No Problem | Pilot Refuses to Declare an Emergency (ATC) Small plane makes incredible landing on Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab helipad – video Danger Close w/Amber Smith – Registration for Mar 23, 2023, Zoom meeting. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We look at how the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance advances an aerospace cluster. In the news, the American Airlines flight attendant union asks for compensation increases, the last year for the air races at Reno, and the first Boeing Dreamliners to leave service are being parted out. Also, an Australia News Desk report, the State of NASA, hydrogen fuel, Rolls Royce F130 engine testing, an Aerospace Media Awards call for nominations, and Boeing 747-400 N401PW. Guest Nikki Malcom Nikki Malcom is the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA), a non-profit trade association that promotes the growth and global competitiveness of the Pacific Northwest aerospace cluster.  The PNAA holds conferences and educational events, provides market intelligence, conducts B2B meetings, and provides networking opportunities. The region is attractive for aerospace companies because it has a built-in “ecosystem” and offers sustainability advantages for the industry. The workforce is skilled but Nikki feels that diversity needs to be taken more seriously by the industry. She also comments on the conservative and risk-averse reputation that aerospace holds, and the ongoing supply chain challenges. Nikki encourages others to join the aerospace industry, and volunteers on multiple trade school advisory boards and STEM education programs in an effort to promote the message that “Aerospace is for Everyone.” To support the effort of encouraging more women and girls to join the aerospace industry, she registered National Women in Aerospace Day for May 20th and is continuing that campaign to celebrate all of the cutting-edge work being done by women to advance the industry past, present, and future.  Nikki has spent the past 23 years dedicated to the aerospace industry. She has had roles in supply chain, business development, and executive leadership in companies ranging from materials to manufacturing and testing. She’s obsessed with all things aviation and aerospace, including manufacturing, and is also president of NFM Enterprises, LLC. Nikki is looking forward to chasing her dream of pursuing her private pilot’s license this year! See: Washington state aerospace companies take off for AVALON airshow and exposition in Australia this week. From the Washington State Dept. of Commerce: Aerospace & Aviation. Aviation News American Airlines Flight Attendants Demand 35% Hike in Hourly Pay Rates and Boarding Pay in Latest Contract Proposals The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) represents about 23,000 members at American Airlines. They are demanding a 35 percent hike in hourly pay rates, boarding pay of 50% of the standard hourly rate (the same as Delta), pay increases for galley work and night shifts, increased per diem allowance rates, a “me too” clause that would automatically increase allowances if pilots won a higher rate, and an hourly pay rate increase of 6 percent in each of the three contract years. Related: American Airlines CEO Offers Pilots Up To $590K In Pay. Reno Stead Airport to Hold its Final National Championship Air Races Event in 2023 The Reno Air Racing Association issued a statement saying, “While we knew this day might come, we had hoped it wouldn’t come so soon. Citing the region’s significant growth amongst other concerns, the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority has made the decision to sunset the event. However, we are confident the event will continue. In fact, we are currently exploring several other possible locations to host the event in the future.” The National Championship Air Races have been taking place outside Reno since 1964. See To Our Loyal Fans and Passionate Community. Two 10-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliners are already being scrapped Two former Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 787-8s are being parted out at Prestwick Airport near Glasgow, Scotland. These were delivered in June and August 2013 and are the first Dreamliners to be retired. The Dublin-based EirTrade Aviation is managing the disassembly. The planes were coming up to their 12-year heavy maintenance check. Australia News Desk ATSB releases preliminary report from on-going Gold Coast helicopter mid-air collision investigation The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) this week released a preliminary report into the collision of two EC130 helicopters on January 2nd, at the Gold Coast in Queensland, resulting in the loss of four lives. It is important to note that this is not the full finding of the investigation – only a preliminary, high-level overview.  The full findings will be many months away, or longer. Straddie ‘brewairy’ flight takes beer tasting to new heights Grant’s found a new air-charter operation further north in Queensland which combines his love of flying with his other great passion….beer!   The company is called Brewairy and allows tourists to climb on board a Cessna and sample a few local ales while making the short hop to Stradbroke Island.  At last news, Grant was hightailing his way north to file a first-hand report… More flying coffees forecast as Google to expand drone tech Switching from beer to coffee, Australians could see many more of them flying around the suburbs after Google announced plans to test technology designed to load its drones and boost the number of airborne deliveries. Mentioned Alyssa Carson –  Future Mars Walker, creator of the Blueberry Foundation. Find her on LinkedIn. The Spring 2023 Issue of Let’s Go Aerospace magazine has an article about Alyssa. Inside the world of aviation, space and defense news with the team behind Hype Aviation – The GeekWire Podcast talks with Isaac Alexander and Robin Koenig of Hype: Aviation, Defense and Space News. Video: 2023 ‘State of NASA’ Address from Administrator Bill Nelson https://youtu.be/yTVxELrVfB0 Hydrogen colours codes Video: Rolls-Royce Begins F130 Dual Pod Engine Test For B52 Aircraft https://youtu.be/oXs0QJ41HvM The 2023 Aerospace Media Awards, Fourth Call for Nominations, closing date – 31st March. Delta Flight Museum, Boeing 747-400 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott. Contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher.

Status match and airline loyalty programs with an industry leader. Also, an alleged export control violation involving Russia, a hydrogen-powered regional airliner takes flight, Jetblue court cases, and an FAA system problem impacts check rides. We also have an Australia News Desk report from Avalon and a visit to an El Al MRO shop. Guest Mark Ross-Smith is an award-winning global airline loyalty industry leader. He’s an author, the founder of industry news site Travel Data Daily, and the CEO of Status Match.com, which helps switch loyalty tier status to a new airline or hotel. Mark has 20 years of experience leading loyalty programs in telecoms and travel, most recently at Malaysian Airlines. He’s published dozen of papers and articles on airline loyalty and is a frequent speaker at conferences and other events. Mark describes the “status cliff” faced by airlines and customers. As the pandemic halted travel, airlines extended customer loyalty status. Now that demand has returned, airlines don’t want to extend status for free. Large numbers of customers have been or are in danger of being downgraded. We also learn that an airline’s loyalty program is sometimes valued higher than the airline’s operations. Credit cards are a high-margin business for airlines and contribute significantly to an airline’s valuation. We wonder if airlines these days airlines, or are they marketing companies and loyalty programs that have an airline division? Mark explains that regardless, airlines need to provide the kind of service that makes the loyalty program attractive to their customer demographics. Mark tells us about the concept of the status match. This is where one loyalty program gives you some status based on the status you have with another. It’s a process that shifts consumer behavior and Mark explains why airlines (and hotels) engage in this practice, and what it means for the consumer. For a fee, StatusMatch.com may be able to arrange one for you. Aviation News 2 Americans arrested for allegedly sending aviation technology to Russia The charges include exporting controlled goods without a license, falsifying and failing to file electronic export information, and smuggling goods contrary to US law. US-based KanRus Trading Company allegedly sold equipment to Russian companies and provided repair services for Russian aircraft. Prosecutors say the pair concealed who their clients were, lied about how much the products cost, and they were paid through foreign bank accounts. All this to circumvent U.S. sanctions. First hydrogen-powered airplane takes flight in Moses Lake The 40-passenger regional airliner flew for 15 minutes using hydrogen fuel cell propulsion.  Universal Hydrogen developed the plane, nicknamed Lightning McClean. A fuel cell electric powertrain replaces the existing turboprop engines. The FAA granted Universal Hydrogen approval for the test flight under a special airworthiness certificate. The flight test campaign is expected to run through 2025, followed by entry into passenger service of ATR 72 regional aircraft that same year converted to run on hydrogen. JetBlue is at the center of two cases that could remake the industry JetBlue is deeply into a pair of high-profile antitrust cases that some say could redefine the way U.S. airlines compete. In one case, the Justice Department is looking at JetBlue’s Northeast alliance with American Airlines where the two airlines coordinate schedules and share revenue on selected Northeast routes. The airlines call it an alliance. The DOJ says it’s a de facto merger. In the other case, JetBlue seeks to merge with Spirit Airlines. The DOJ hasn’t yet said what it will do. Check Rides Grind to a Halt When the IACRA System Coughs It’s not a NOTAM system crash this time, it’s the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system (IACRA) that is failing. Without IACRA, designated pilot examiners are having difficulty performing check rides. The FAA confirmed that the IACRA system lost some data. Australia News Desk The Australian International Air Show made a triumphant return after a covid interrupted four-year break, and Grant and Steve were there to take in all the action. The event is located at Avalon Airport, roughly 60 kilometres southwest of Melbourne, and is a major event on the world air show calendar.  This year saw attendance from many nations including the United States, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, and South Korea. Standout displays included the Republic of Korea Air Force Black Eagles, RAAF F-35A and  F-18F’s, USAF F-22, Air Race World Champion Matt Hall, and aerobatics ace Paul Bennet. Ostensibly a trade, government, and business exposition, it runs across six days, culminating in two and a half public open days, where the aerial action kicks into high gear. In this report, the guys discuss some of the military announcements made during the show, take in the impressive array of USAF tankers that made the trip, and a new remote-operated aircraft designed and built by the ADF for ISR operations, which cost only $AU50,000 each. Finally, they catch up with veteran air show commentator Peter Meehan, who’s retiring from his role as the voice of Avalon after more than 30 years, and his successor, well-known aviation writer and radio presenter Tony Moclair. Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron. F-35 at Avalon. Action at Avalon 2023. Aircraft images by Wayne Nugent and Victor Pody. El Al MRO Facility Brian Coleman talks with Max Flight about his visit to an El Al MRO facility in Tel Aviv. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.  Contributions by Grant McHerron, Steve Visscher, and Brian Coleman.

Decarbonizing aviation with a Program Director from the International Council on Clean Transportation. Also, a venture capital fund to grow the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the PT6 is 60 years old, GA aircraft shipment numbers for 2022, an AD for Continental engines, another close call at the airport, a plea to refrain from putting your pets through the TSA x-ray machine, and we wait to see if the DOJ will object to the Jetblue/Spirit merger. Guest Dan Rutherford is a Program Director at the International Council on Clean Transportation. The ICCT works to improve the environmental performance and energy efficiency of road, marine, and air transportation. Dan directs ICCT’s aviation and marine programs. In that capacity, he helps national and international regulators develop policies to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases from planes and ships. We discuss the function and leadership of the ICCT and look at solutions for decarbonizing aviation through technology and policy. Dan describes pathways to net zero by 2050, which include emission cuts from sustainable fuels, increased aviation fuel efficiency, carbon pricing, and a few modal shifts. We consider how much it will cost to decarbonize aviation as well as regional differences in approach, such as surcharges and subsidies. Dan describes a way to integrate the different approaches across the global air travel industry. Dan offers his thoughts on hydrogen as a fuel, and on the types of SAF: waste oils, other waste like agricultural or municipal solid waste, synthetic fuel like E-kerosene produced with renewable energy and captured carbon, and crop-based biofuels (from soybeans, palm oil, etc.) Dan is an internationally recognized expert on measures to promote international transport’s fuel efficiency, control short-lived climate pollutants, and phase out the use of fossil fuels. Dan has helped design environmental policies at the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization for over a decade. Dan holds a B.A. in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota at Morris and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Science from Stanford University. See also: Why It Is Time to End Aviation Subsidies VISION 2050: ALIGNING AVIATION WITH THE PARIS AGREEMENT Video: Vision 2050: A strategy to decarbonize the global transport sector by mid-century There are multiple routes to net-zero aviation, but check for tradeoffs before getting on board Pathways to net-zero emissions from aviation Aviation News United Airlines, five other companies launch effort to develop sustainable aviation fuel A venture capital fund was created called the United Airlines Ventures Sustainable Flight Fund. Its objective is to invest in startup firms and technology that grows the availability of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Initial investors providing more than $100 million are United Airlines, Air Canada, Boeing, GE  Aerospace, JPMorgan Chase, and Honeywell. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said “This fund is unique. It’s not about offsets or things that are just greenwashing. Instead, we’re creating a system that drives investment to build a new industry around sustainable aviation fuel, essentially from scratch.”  The Sustainable Flight Fund is not open to retail investors but United Airlines is offering 500 United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles to the first 10,000 customers who donate $1, $3.50, or $7 to the fund. Also, the United website and app will show customers booking flights the estimated carbon footprint of a particular flight. United, Tallgrass, and Green Plains Form Joint Venture to Develop New Sustainable Aviation Fuel Technology Using Ethanol In January, United Airlines, Tallgrass, and Green Plains Inc. announced a new joint venture – Blue Blade Energy – to develop and then commercialize a novel Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology that uses ethanol as its feedstock. If the technology is successful, Blue Blade is expected to proceed with the construction of a pilot facility in 2024, followed by a full-scale facility that could begin commercial operations by 2028. The offtake agreement could provide for enough SAF to fly more than 50,000 flights annually between United’s hub airports in Chicago and Denver. PT6 Reaches 60 Years, Pratts Fly a Billion Hours Pratt & Whitney Canada has accumulated one billion flight hours with the PT6 turboprop and turboshaft family. More than 64,000 PT6s have been produced since 1963 for more than 155 different aviation applications. Design work started in 1958, first run was February 1960, first flight was May 1961 on a Beech 18, and the engine entered service in 1964 on the Beech Queen Air. GAMA: General Aviation Aircraft Shipments, Billings Improve in 2022 The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) reports that business and GA fixed-wing shipments were up 6.5% in 2022 compared to 2021, billings were up 5.8%, and rotorcraft shipments and billings were up 7.5 percent and 6.8 percent, respectively. Source: GAMA Releases 2022 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report Airworthiness Directives; Continental Aerospace Technologies, Inc. Reciprocating Engines “The FAA received a report of a quality escape involving improper installation and inspection of counterweight retaining rings in the engine crankshaft counterweight groove during manufacture. The FAA has also received reports of two ground engine seizures and one in-flight loss of engine oil pressure due to improper installation of the counterweight retaining rings during manufacture.” “This AD requires inspection of the crankshaft assembly for proper installation of the counterweight retaining rings in the counterweight groove, and corrective actions if improper installation is found. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.” Regional Jet Aborts Landing To Avoid Departing Flight At Burbank A Skywest Airlines E175 (operating as United Express 5326) was cleared to take off at Hollywood Burbank Airport in California. Meanwhile, a Mesa Airlines CRJ-900 (American 5826) was on short final for the same runway. According to the Aviation Safety Network report, “The air traffic controller cleared UA5326 to take off from runway 33 while the approaching CRJ-900 was around on short final to the same runway. The CRJ-900 discontinued the approach and initiate[d] a climb out. At the same time the ERJ-175 continued with its departure, which prompted a TCAS alert on the CRJ-900. The controller then instructed the CRJ-900 to turn… left. AA5826 circled and landed safely. UA5326 continued to the destiation.” TSA wants you to stop putting pets through the X-ray machine TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said, “We are seeing more people traveling with their pets and too many people are leaving them in the carrier case and sending them through the machine. No living creature, human or animal, needs to be exposed to X-rays they don’t need.” JetBlue, Spirit insist merger won’t lead to higher airline fares, as DOJ circles The Justice Department’s antitrust division hasn’t yet made a decision to block the merger of JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines or let it proceed. The airlines maintain the merger would lead to lower prices. Mentioned Video: How to fold a winning distance paper airplane: U.S. champion shares his secrets. https://youtu.be/E68rUBhuDTA Video: PCDU…..There’s Been an Awakening…. https://youtu.be/-NXpT2OuN8I Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

An Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certification program, actions from the FAA including a safety call to action, a request for increased hand-flying during normal operations, a new rule requiring airport safety management systems, and IT system fixes. Also, flying over Russian airspace. Guest Brooke Manley is an Air Traffic Controller and Adjunct Professor at SUNY Schenectady in New York. She has worked at Albany Tower, an FAA control tower in Latham, New York, for three and a half years. Brooke graduated from SUNY Schenectady in 2017 with a degree in Aviation Science, Air Traffic Control, and a commercial pilot’s license. SUNY Schenectady is one of only two colleges in the country that offers an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (CTO) certification program. At SUNY Schenectady, students gain hands-on training in the Schenectady County Airport Control Tower. The College developed this program to help fill a need locally and nationally for qualified air traffic controllers. The two-year program includes four semesters: Air Traffic Basics, Ground Control, Local Control [or Tower Control], and ATC Internship. Ground and local control each include 8-10 weeks in the lab. Using a tabletop exercise with model airplanes, Brooke presents student controllers with realistic scenarios that controllers encounter in the tower. Students take the role of controllers while Brooke coaches them while speaking as the pilots. After certification at Schenectady Tower, a 6-month internship provides the work experience necessary to apply to private, nonfederal contract towers. This internship is performed under the supervision of a certified controller who is plugged in with the student and can step in at any time if needed.  Later, many students want to work for the FAA at larger facilities. After getting one year of experience at a contract tower, they can apply to work for the FAA. The other option to get into the FAA is to apply directly as an “off the street” applicant – essentially anyone that doesn’t have a one-year experience regardless of previous experience or education. This is the route Brooke took. She went through the SUNY Schenectady program and got hired by the FAA right after she graduated. She encourages students to apply to any off-the-street openings from the FAA. The hiring process can vary from a few months to more than a year wait. Find SUNY Schenectady County Community College on Facebook and Twitter. Aviation News FAA issues “safety call to action” after several near-disasters FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen issued a memorandum to the FAA Management Board announcing the formation of a safety review team to examine the U.S. aerospace system’s structure, culture, processes, systems, and integration of safety efforts. The initial focus will be a Safety Summit in March, then the Commercial Aviation Safety Team will take a fresh look at Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing data. Finally, the review team will focus on the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and assess ATO’s internal processes, systems, and operational integration. FAA Shifts Focus to Pilot Manual Flying Skills The FAA has now recommended that airlines should allow pilots to hand-fly during normal operations whenever possible. The FAA recently published Aviation Circular Flight Path Management (AC 120/123) which states the importance of pilots having the skills to fly the plane when the automation fails. It notes that manual flying skills are paramount for flight safety, that automation requires more training (not less), and that it is not a binary choice between manual and automated flight. Both are essential components with different but complementary skill sets needed. FAA Completes Rule to Increase Safety at Airports The final rule requires certain airports to develop and implement a safety management system (SMS). The Part 139 Airport Certification Status List shows the 258 Part 139 airports required to implement SMS. These capture over 90 percent of air carrier passenger traffic in the United States. The final rule for SMS for Certificated Airports goes into effect 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. External SMS (SMS for Part 139 Airports) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Safety Management Systems (SMS) Implementation FAA says it’s implemented fixes to avoid repeat of IT failure that halted air traffic Acting FAA administrator Billy Nolen testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, addressing NOTAM system failures that caused an aviation ground stop. He said, “We have instituted a one-hour synchronization delay between the primary database and the backup database that gives us time to make sure that we have no issues there.” And “Secondly, we’ve increased the level of oversight to ensure that more than one person is available when work or updates are being done on the live database, along with up leveling our level of oversight within the command center to ensure that we’ve got leadership present.” Airlines say Chinese carriers have an ‘unfair advantage’ as China reopens: They’re allowed to fly over Russia After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many air carriers were banned by Russia from flying over Russian airspace. This means long detours. Airline CEOs say that puts them at a disadvantage compared to Asian carriers who still fly over Russian airspace. Australia News Desk As Grant and Steve are getting ready for the Australian International Airshow (better known as Avalon 2023), the timing was right for a wrap of some military aviation news from the past fortnight. Australian company SEA Tech has received a $279M contract to upgrade training ranges for the RAAF’s EA-18G fleet.  The aircraft themselves will also receive upgrades including newer generation jamming packages and anti-radiation missiles. CEA Technologies to upgrade Growler training ranges Australia to upgrade Growler electronic warfare planes The latest Government Defence White Paper has also been tabled, although not yet made public, with rumours of more MQ-4C Tritons on the order books, and even an additional squadron of F-35A’s, taking the total order from 72 airframes to 100.  Time will tell on this one. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) have retired the first of their C130H aircraft, beginning a draw-down of the type ahead of the arrival of a new C130J fleet later this year.  It comes as a similar withdrawal of their P-3K2 Orion fleet, similarly to be replaced in coming months with new P-8 aircraft, leaves a brief capability gap in the region, to be filled by RAAF and other allied aircraft for the time being. End of an era: RNZAF retires first C-130H P-3K2 retirement leaves capability gap And in civil aviation news, the government is said to be considering yet another report into the state of general aviation in Australia, with yet more re-hashed ideas on how to fix the mess.   Stand by here as Grant climbs onto his soap box for a bit of a (G)rant! Airports Association welcomes White Paper Mentioned Electric air taxi tested in the greater NYC area BETA Technologies ALIA-250. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott. Contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Vischer.

We speak with Jon Ostrower, Editor-in-chief of The Air Current. He’s currently working with a team developing a new flight sim controller. In the news, how a Chinese balloon impacts Boeing, a United 777 departing Maui experiences a steep dive, American Airlines pilots refuse to be interviewed on tape, and more on unidentified objects that have been shot down. Guest Jon Ostrower is Editor-in-chief of The Air Current, a high-quality subscription news source for current aviation topics. His journalism career includes positions at CNN, WSJ, and Flightglobal. Jon has joined a start-up team developing an entirely new type of flight sim controller, the Yawman Arrow. Jon, Thomas Nield, and Dwight S. Nield studied aircraft cockpits of all types in detail and came away with an appreciation for the challenge of rethinking the ergonomics of virtual flying for a handheld. They wanted a flight sim controller that you could take anywhere with the tactile feedback of everything from throttle to trim. The team integrated a mechanically-linked trigger system for intuitive yaw control. Recently, Jon took a production candidate unit on a flight test, running a Laminar Research X-Plane at 38,000 feet on a MacBook Air, and practicing cross-wind landings. Yawman has been working with Infinite Flight and the Arrow will be fully compatible with flying on Android tablets, too. Yawman Arrow flight sim controller. The Arrow flight sim controller is ideal for simming on the road but also great at home. Jon successfully wirelessly mirrored a MacBook Air with the Arrow to a TV and went full couch mode. The Yawman Arrow is arriving in Spring 2023. Sign up to receive updates and get notified when pre-orders are launched at: https://yawmanflight.com. The Arrow is designed, manufactured, and packaged in the USA. Aviation News China’s surveillance balloon deflates Boeing’s hopes for 737 delivery resumption After the shootdown, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken canceled his trip to China. David Calhoun, Boeing’s CEO, hoped the visit would lead to resumed deliveries of 737 Max 8’s into China. Now that seems unlikely. United dive after Maui departure adds to list of industry close calls A United Boeing 777-200 departing Maui in stormy weather climbed as expected to 2,200 feet, then experienced a steep dive to below 775 feet. The plane recovered and continued its flight to San Francisco. At SFO, an internal safety report was filed, and the aircraft was inspected before the next flight. United coordinated with FAA and ALPA on an investigation and the pilots received additional training. American Airlines Pilots Refuse Recorded Interview With Safety Board On January 13, 2023, an American Airlines 777 at JFK taxied across the same runway that a Delta plane was using for departure. At about 115 mph, air traffic controllers instructed the Delta flight to abort their takeoff. The American 777 had not been cleared to cross the runway. Three times the American flight crew refused to be interviewed if the session was to be recorded. In a statement, the Allied Pilots Association (APA) said, “We join in the goal of creating an accurate record of all interviews conducted in the course of an investigation. However, we firmly believe the introduction of electronic recording devices into witness interviews is more likely to hinder the investigation process than it is to improve it.” The NTSB has issued subpoenas for their testimony. The flight crews have seven days to respond. U.S. downs object over Lake Huron after airspace shutdown The U.S. military had downed another high-altitude object, this time by a U.S. Air Force F-16. The object was flying at about 20,000 feet over Lake Huron in Michigan. Mentioned Video: Intercept audio: Listen to the jet that shot down the Chinese Spy Balloon https://youtu.be/DRvAue0TVz4 Composite clip including interception audio from the shoot-down of the suspected Chinese spy balloon off the coast of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Also includes a video of the shoot-down and a time-lapse of ADS-B flight tracking data from the region. FlightSimExpo 2023 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Brian Coleman.

We talk about autonomous aircraft with an Xwing executive. In the news, Airbus and Qatar Airways settle their dispute over A350 paint problems, a personal eVTOL, the 2019 report that explains how Boeing lost its way, a close call with a B737 taking off and a B767 landing on the same runway, the F-22 Raptor gets its first kill, and a Boeing 737 has crashed fighting fires in Australia. Xwing Caravan Guest Earl Lawrence is the Chief Compliance and Quality Officer at Xwing, a Part 135 air carrier operating across the United States. The company is building an air transportation system of certified autonomous aircraft, starting with the express regional air cargo market. Xwing has demonstrated an autonomous gate-to-gate flight with a cargo aircraft. The plane was able to taxi, take off, land, and return to the gate entirely on its own. Earl Lawrence Earl explains that the Xwing vision for autonomous aircraft doesn’t mean moving the cockpit to the ground or eliminating the pilot. It means taking the pilot out of the airplane and into a control center. A single pilot could provide guidance to multiple flights from one console while handling ATC communication. Doing this offers cost savings, greater aircraft utilization, and more stable and predictable hours for pilots. Earl tells us about the positive impact on pilot lifestyle and the opportunity for some disabled people to become pilots. Earl points out that Xwing is using autonomous technologies, but for the most part following existing regulations. Autonomy is needed to bring the price of flying down and make it simpler and more accessible to people. Earl brings more than three decades of experience in the aviation industry to Xwing. Most recently, Lawrence served as the Executive Director of Aircraft Certification at the FAA, leading an organization of over 1,400 people that oversee all types of certification, production approval, airworthiness certification, and continued airworthiness of the U.S. civil aircraft fleet – including commercial and general aviation activities. Before joining the FAA, Earl spent sixteen years at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), where his efforts contributed to the creation of the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft categories. Throughout his career, Earl has consistently led the charge in bringing cutting-edge aviation technology to market. Xwing YouTube Channel FAA Contracts Xwing to Conduct Autonomous Flight Trials Over Wildfires NASA Contracts Xwing To Study Safety of Autonomous Flight Operations Aviation News Airbus and Qatar Airways settle A350 dispute In 2021, Qatar Airways complained to Airbus that some A350 fuselage paint was peeling and unsightly. Qatar grounded some 30 aircraft and asked Airbus for compensation. Airbus said it was only a cosmetic issue, which they would address. But Qatar refused to take new deliveries and Airbus canceled the A350 contract with Qatar. And then Airbus canceled an order for A321neo jets. Qatar filed a lawsuit in London. Now both parties have made up and “reached an amicable and mutually agreeable settlement.” Terms were not made public. Press release: Qatar Airways and Airbus reach amicable settlement in legal dispute Startup Says It’s Personal eVTOL is the One for Supercar Customers Israeli company AIR has spent four years developing and testing a sport eVTOL “that is easy to handle and can be used daily.” Their mission is to “create personal, intuitive flying vehicles at scale, for exciting and safe experiences.” The winged multicopter seats two. You can pre-order the AIR ONE with a $1,000 deposit. The base price is $150,000. They have 300 pre-orders. Air One in flight. The Long-Forgotten Flight That Sent Boeing Off Course That flight is the headquarters move from Seattle to Chicago. “A company once driven by engineers became driven by finance.” Fedex B763 and Southwest B737 at Austin on Feb 4th 2023, loss of separation on runway resolved by go around A FedEx 767-300 was on final for a CATIII ILS approach to Austin Texas runway 18L and was cleared to land. The tower let the crew know that a Boeing 737 would depart prior to their arrival. The 767 was cleared to land. Meantime, a Southwest Airlines 737-700 was holding short on runway 18L for departure and was cleared for takeoff from that runway. The tower let the Southwest pilots know that a Boeing 767 heavy was on a 3-mile final. About 30 seconds later the Tower asked if they were on the roll, and the crew confirmed they were. Shortly thereafter (25 seconds) someone says “Southwest abort, the Fedex was on the go (around)”. F-22 Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off Carolinas With Missile (Updated) The large balloon traversed much of the country, sometimes over sensitive military locations. As the balloon moved off the coast, F-22 fighters from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force used a single AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile to bring it down. Why stratospheric balloons are used in era of space-based intelligence Balloons can hover closer to the ground and may be able to intercept communication or electronic signals that orbiting systems can’t. Balloons also offer more persistent, less predictable coverage over an area of interest. A Boeing 737-300 Has Crashed Fighting Fires In Australia Early reports indicated both pilots were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The 737 was operated by Coulson Aviation to help firefighting efforts in the Fitzgerald River National Park. After dropping the load at around 700 feet, flight tracking data shows the plane reaching about 1,800 feet and then crashing. Australia News Desk While it hasn’t exactly been your stereotypical summer weather in Australia, we haven’t (yet) seen any snow – and certainly none in Sydney.  Snow, however, was exactly what greeted a Sydney-bound passenger this week as confusion with the airport code when booking saw him arrive in a rather chilly Sidney, Montana G’day? Man Realizes Too Late He Bought a Ticket to Sidney — not Sydney Meanwhile, the Qantas and Emirates codeshare agreement noted up ten years this week.  We look at what that has meant to Australian travelers. 10 years on, has the Qantas-Emirates partnership delivered? Qantas is still in the sights of local media, however, with another turnback, this time for a QantasLink Dash 8 due to severe turbulence.  The event forced CEO Allan Joyce to go on the offensive, pointing out a few facts about turnbacks, comparing them not only to airlines overall but specifically the local QF rival, Virgin Australia Qantas passenger and flight attendant rushed to hospital suffering head and neck injuries after sudden turbulence Mentioned Video: What it’s like to fly the Opener BlackFly eVTOL https://youtu.be/aSwfmrZDeeo AOPA Podcasts The people who live inside airplanes Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott. With contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Vischer.

The co-founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics explains how aircraft automation sets the path to bringing certified autonomous vehicles to commercial aviation. In the news, the first graduating class from United Aviate Academy, the NTSB and BEA comment on the Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s final report on the 737 Max crash, pilots working to make their airport safer, the government wants to know if the Southwest meltdown was caused by unrealistic scheduling, and ADS-B Exchange purchase by Jetnet. Guest Robert Rose is the co-founder and CEO of Reliable Robotics, a company that seeks to bring certified autonomous vehicles to commercial aviation. Their vision is to leverage aircraft automation to transform the way we move goods and people around the planet with safer, more convenient, and more affordable air transportation. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has a distributed global workforce. Robert explains how incremental safety enhancements can lead to the long-term goal of remotely piloted aircraft. Reliable Robotics is developing a higher precision navigation system, followed by the capability for auto-land without airport infrastructure. From there, an auto-takeoff capability that includes takeoff rejection, and auto-taxi. Altogether, these significantly impact the safety of GA aircraft Admitting that fully autonomous aircraft are not a near-term possibility, Robert says that aircraft automation takes us down the path to autonomous operation. He sees certification in three phases: Certification of a continuous engagement autopilot for the Cessna Caravan. Certifying the management of contingencies outside the system’s control. Certifying detect and avoid and the communication system with the pilot in a control center. Robert’s engineering experience spans aerospace, self-driving cars, robotics, gaming, and consumer products. Prior to co-founding Reliable Robotics, he was the Director of Flight Software at SpaceX where he led the development of the onboard flight software for the Falcon 9 rocket and the Dragon spacecraft, resulting in the first commercial mission to the International Space Station. At Tesla, Robert was the Senior Director of Autopilot, Robert brought to market the first consumer automobile with fully unassisted self-driving capability. At X (Google’s skunkworks division), Robert led a team bringing advanced machine perception and manipulation technologies to large vehicles.  Earlier in his career, he developed three Game of the Year award-winning titles as a Game Engine Programmer at Sony PlayStation. Robert holds a B.S. in Computer Science, a B.S. in Computer Engineering, and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oregon State University. Aviation News United Airlines celebrates historic first graduating class of Flight Academy Pilots United Aviate Academy graduated the first 51 student pilots out of what United hopes will be 5,000 by 2030. United is the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school. Nearly 80% of this inaugural graduating class is made up of women or people of color. The airline hopes that at least half of the graduates will be women or people of color. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says only 5.6% of pilots are women and 6% are people of color. What’s next for the graduates? Some will work as Certified Flight Instructors at the academy and build their hours toward 1,500 required flying hours Others will build hours at participating flight schools or universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Purdue University and Hampton University. Graduates are encouraged to eventually fly for a United Express carrier, take on leadership roles at an Aviate participating Part 135 operator, or become a Fleet Technical Instructor at United to complete their training. Aviate participants can expect to become a United pilot within about six years of graduating from United Aviate Academy. NTSB Finds More Problems in Ethiopian 737 Max Final Report The Ethiopian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (EAIB) final report focuses on system failures, not the actions (or inactions) of the pilots. The NTSB and BEA believe the failure of the pilots to execute proper procedures was a contributing factor. Comments made by NTSB and BEA to that effect were not included in the EAIB final report. NTSB and BEA have gone on record to express their belief that the final report is deficient in this respect. NTSB disagrees with final report on Ethiopian ET302 U.S. safety experts dispute aspects of Ethiopia 737-MAX air crash findings Ethiopian ET302 final report released, NTSB and BEA issue comments ​​NTSB Releases Comments on Ethiopia’s Investigation of the Boeing 737-8 Max Accident US Comments on Draft Aircraft Accident Investigation Report, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Boeing 737-8 MAX, ET-AVJ, Ejere, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019 [PDF] NTSB Publishes Additional Comments on Ethiopia’s Final Report on 737 MAX 8 Accident National Transportation Safety Board, Response to Final Aircraft Accident Investigation Report, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Boeing 737-8 MAX, ET-AVJ, Ejere, Ethiopia, March 10, 2019. [PDF]  Ethiopia’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (EAIB) final report [PDF] Boeing pleads not guilty to fraud in criminal case over deadly 737 Max crashes Boeing pleaded not guilty to felony fraud in the recent arraignment in federal court. The families asked Judge O’Connor to impose certain conditions on Boeing as a condition of release, including appointing an independent monitor to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the terms of the previous deferred prosecution agreement, and that the company’s compliance efforts “be made public to the fullest extent possible.” Boeing and the Justice Department opposed the request and the judge did not rule on those at the time. Aspen Pilots Want to Improve Airport Safety Record The Aspen Airport (KASE) has been regarded as a dangerous airport. The Aspen Times called it “the most dangerous [airport] in the United States.” A number of jet and piston accidents have occurred there, some fatal. In December 2022, the formation of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport FlightOps Safety Task Force was announced. The task force includes a dozen volunteer pilots Transportation Department looking into whether ‘unrealistic scheduling’ played role in Southwest holiday meltdown A Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesperson said, “DOT is in the initial phase of a rigorous and comprehensive investigation into Southwest Airlines’ holiday debacle that stranded millions … [and] probing whether Southwest executives engaged in unrealistic scheduling of flights which under federal law is considered an unfair and deceptive practice.” Southwest Airlines says travel disruptions could cost $800 million “In a …filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, [Southwest Airlines] estimated pretax losses from the disruption of $725 million to $825 million for the quarter. Of that, it expects to lose $400 million to $425 million in revenue directly from the flight cancellations.” The Flight Tracker That Powered @ElonJet Just Took a Left Turn ADS-B Exchange was purchased by Jetnet, which Silversmith Capital Partners own. Some people are expressing outrage and worry that ADS-B Exchange will lose its openness. Founder and president of ADS-B Exchange Dan Streufert was our guest in Episode 692. Australia News Desk Auckland floods: International flights resume at Auckland Airport, 600% increase in calls to Air NZ This week we take a look across the Tasman Sea as New Zealand’s capital, Auckland, was hit with historic levels of flooding, leading to the temporary closure of their International Airport, leaving passengers from all corners of the globe stranded for many hours in the terminal, and saw a number of inbound flights diverted. Steve’s a little tired after being recertified as an instructor…not for airplanes…but for trains.  We discuss the similarities in approaches to training between rail and aviation, including one of Steve’s more interesting sim sessions. Saber announces first projects to fly in Australian Astronaut Program Meanwhile, Grant’s literally over the moon following Saber Astronautics’ plans to send Australian tech to the International Space Station in coming years, including beer in a specially made zero-G bottle.   Sydney Airport chaos as control tower incident triggers evacuations and grounds flights Flights were temporarily halted in and out of Sydney Airport this weekend when the control tower had to be evacuated following the smell of gaseous fumes in the ventilation system. And finally, we pay tribute to local aviation photographer Matt Savage, of Mach One Aeromedia, who passed away recently after a long battle with illness.  Matt was a man who shared our passion for aviation and was a big supporter of our work.  Though he left us way too soon, his skill with the lens will live on as a lasting legacy for all of us to enjoy.  Image by Matt Savage – 2022 Mentioned Air Traffic Out Of Control podcast. AutoGyro USA 2014 Calidus Gyroplane New aviation museum planned at the Santa Maria Airport ready to take off Donate here: https://www.pofsantamaria.org/ Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof. With contributions by Grant McHerron and Steve Vischer.

We speak with the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Grand Dames of Aviation. In the news, Boeing and NASA team up to develop a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing airliner, a US judge orders Boeing to appear for an arraignment on a 737 Max fraud charge, SWAPA authorizes a strike vote, and a procedure change and the JFK runway incursion. We also have an Australia News Desk report and interviews from the 2023 Seattle Aerospace BBQ. Guest Carol Dean, founder of Grand Dames of Aviation Carol Dean is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the non-profit Grand Dames of Aviation. Formed in 2017, the Grand Dames of Aviation is an exclusive group of accomplished women in professional aviation. What started as a private Facebook group has grown into a large organization that celebrates, educates, and inspires women to believe, achieve, and lead in aviation. Carol explains the requirements to become a Grand Dame of Aviation and mentions some of the notable members. We learn about scholarships, mentoring, and leadership networking. Cultivating the talent, innovation, and leadership of women is critical for the future of aviation and aerospace. Carol is currently a B757 pilot for a major carrier and has over 30 years of experience in aviation. As a test pilot and pilot instructor on the Design-Build Team, she helped certify the Gulfstream V in 1997 and was the first woman to fly the aircraft. Carol is an FAA-Designated GV Pilot Examiner and a JAA-certified GV Type Check Airman. She flew Gulfstreams Part 91 and 135 for various Fortune 500 companies for 20 years before going to the airline in 2016. Grand Dames of Aviation Watch – The “Grand Dame” is offered by Abingdon Company. This timepiece was designed to honor trailblazing women in aviation. Fierce. Accomplished. Confident. Skilled. All proceeds go to the Grand Dames of Aviation scholarship fund. For a limited time, Grand Dames receive a special 15% discount. Grand Dames of Aviation private Facebook group. Sisters of the Skies   AVIATE with Shaesta Aviation News New aircraft design from NASA and Boeing could benefit passengers in the 2030s The Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project brings NASA and Boeing together to create a plane with a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (or TTBW) configuration. This features long thin high wings supported by diagonal struts to the fuselage belly. Boeing is to produce and test a full-scale single-aisle demonstrator aircraft with the first test flight planned for 2028. Artist’s concept. Courtesy Boeing US Judge Orders Boeing Arraigned on 737Max Fraud Charge In January 2021 the U.S. Department of Justice granted Boeing immunity under a $2.5 billion deferred prosecution agreement. A Texas federal judge has now ruled that Boeing must appear in court on Jan. 26, 2023, to be arraigned on federal criminal charges over the 346 deaths in two Boeing MAX 737 crashes in 2018 and 2019. The judge believes the victim’s families were not part of the process under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. SWAPA President Casey Murray Calls for Strike Authorization Vote The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association has authorized a strike vote beginning May 1, 2023. “This historic action on the part of the pilot union comes in the wake of Southwest’s largest meltdown and the utter lack of meaningful progress on a contract negotiation, with scheduling work rules and information technology asks in particular, that has been ongoing for more than three years.” First Officer On American JFK Runway Incursion Flight Had Added Task At Departure, Source Says New cockpit procedures Introduced on January 2 were being executed for the first time by the first officer. These procedures required the first officer to make a takeoff announcement for the passengers and flight attendants. The announcement must be made with precise timing, and other tasks are to be interrupted. An unnamed source said, “She has all this data to analyze and input, plus she has a new task on top of all that. She was overwhelmed.” Australia News Desk The guys recap a little of their history with the show, for the benefit of newer listeners, digging into the archives to find their first report as a team from episode 52 in 2009. On the news front, Bonza Airline announces its inaugural flight ‘Overdelivering on expectations’: excitement builds for a Bonza first flight The Defence Department announces a confirmed order for 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Army, with deliveries to commence at the end of this year Black Hawk helicopters for Defence And QANTAS has sure had better weeks, with multiple in-flight mechanical issues making the news and causing a media frenzy!   Oh dear…. Fixation on Qantas won’t end, even if string of incidents were unconnected Qantas calls for calm after engine failure and three flight turnbacks Seattle Aerospace BBQ 2023 Brian Coleman attended the 2023 Seattle Aerospace BBQ and recorded four interviews: Isaac Alexander from Hype Aviation and the organizer of the Seattle Aerospace BBQ. Robin Koenig, the founder of Hype Aviation, the news aggregator and media intelligence service for aerospace industry professionals and enthusiasts. Nick Benson of JetTip.net, the smart flight alert service for aviation enthusiasts. Flight alerts are sent by app notification or email, and filterable arrival/departure boards make aircraft spotting a breeze. JetTip tracks flights of interesting and unusual aircraft at major US and Canadian airports. Dave Honan, a photographer and plane and train spotter living in the Seattle area. See his Instagram. 2023 Seattle Aerospace BBQ. Photo by Isaac Alexander. Mentioned ZeroAvia successfully completes first flight of world’s largest hydrogen-electric plane Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof. With contributions by Grant McHerron, Steve Vischer, and Brian Coleman.

The NOTAM outage and subsequent ground stop, why Amazon Air is selling cargo capacity, the runway incursion at JFK, the Airbus automated emergency diversion system, and an Australia News Desk report. Aviation News Here’s the latest on the NOTAM outage that caused flight delays and cancellations On January 11, 2023, the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system failed and the FAA issued a domestic ground stop, leading to thousands of delayed and canceled flights. A corrupt database file has been cited as the cause of the failure. NAV CANADA reported issues with their NOTAM system on the same day. At the time, they did not believe the Canadian outage was related to the FAA outage. See FAA’s NOTAM computer outage affected military flights. Amazon Air to Sell Surplus Capacity Onboard its Jets Ahead of Predicted Market Slump In 2023, the global air freight market is forecast to shrink by about 25%. Amazon Air has decided to sell excess air freight capacity on its fleet of 97 wet-leased planes. The FAA is investigating a near-miss between two passenger planes at JFK airport A Delta Air Lines 737-900 (Flight 1943) was on its takeoff roll when ATC noticed an American Airlines Boeing 777 (Flight 106) crossing the active runway. The Delta plane stopped about 1,000 feet before the crossing. The American 737 returned to the gate and passengers disembarked. Due to a crew resource issue, the flight resumed the next morning. Customers were given overnight accommodations. Airbus tests pilot assist that can automatically divert flights Airbus is testing a pilot assistance feature called DragonFly, which can automatically divert a flight in an emergency. The system can pick a flight path to the best airport and communicate with air traffic control and an airline’s operations center. Even if the pilots are incapacitated, DragonFly can land the aircraft safely. Australia News Desk This week we have a follow-up on the news about Bonza Airline’s air operators certificate, which was approved by the regulator the day last week’s episode went live. There’s some consternation among the travel agent sector over Bonza’s decision not to service Sydney at all, but as we talked about last week, they’re trying a different strategy.  Time will tell if it works or not. Australia’s Bonza awarded AOC On the tourism front, two of China’s three major carriers – Air China and China Southern – are boosting their schedule for flights to Australia, in a move that many hope will see the lucrative inbound Chinese tourist market ramping back up. China Southern, Air China boosting flights to Australia And a new network of satellites from Skykraft, sporting significant levels of Australian-made components, has been successfully deployed over the country, in a move that will eventually allow more accurate and reliable tracking of aircraft and WHF communications in some of the more remote areas of the continent. Australia’s largest ever satellite constellation now active Mentioned Airline Pilot Study –  A questionnaire for pilots to learn about what aspects of innovation might make an airline more attractive to pilots when they decide which airline to apply to fly for. Rob’s Newest jet: Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

We talk about cabin air management technology with the president of Pexco Aerospace. In the news, an AD for A220 engines, a terrible ground crew accident, the Southwest meltdown, an airport without jet fuel, and happy pets. Also, our safety card and T-Mobile Un‑carrier On giveaway winners and an Australia News Desk report. Guest Jon Page is the President of Pexco Aerospace, a company that produces aircraft interior systems, including trim and finish components. Pexco has developed AirShield, a cabin air management technology that augments existing HEPA filters to reduce shared air by 76 percent and doubles the rate particles are expelled from the cabin and replaced by purified air. Jon explains how the AirShield product mounts over the gasper air vents in an airliner and creates “air curtains” or compartments for each person. Besides reducing shared air, the AirShields return more air to the HEPA filters and increase the effectiveness of the air purification system. Jon tells us about the design challenges and the STC certification process. AirShield “air curtains.” Before joining Pexco in July 2021, Jon was the President of Shield Restraint Systems. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Sales and General Manager at L.O.F., Inc., which sells automotive aftermarket accessories and hardware. Jon also had multiple roles as Director or Manager of Sales for companies including the IMMI Child Restraints team. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Consortium. AirShield installed over gaspers. Aviation News FAA addresses dual-engine shutdown of A220 P&W engines An airBaltic Airbus A220-300, registered as YL-AAQ, experienced a dual-engine shutdown while landing at Copenhagen Airport (CPH) in July 2021. The FAA investigation found that “the sequence of the auto-throttle increasing throttle to maintain Mach number, immediately followed by pilot command to decrease throttle to idle, caused a transient disagreement between actual and commanded thrust.” This triggered the thrust control malfunction (TCM) detection logic which shut down both engines as soon as wheel sensors detected that the aircraft had physically landed on the runway. The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) that requires a FADEC software update. American Airlines Ground Worker Reportedly Killed in Horrific Accident After Being Sucked Into Jet Engine A ground handling agent was killed after being sucked into the jet engine of an Embraer E175LR at Montgomery Regional Airport in Alabama. The victim was an employee of Piedmont Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines. FAA and NTSB are investigating. Southwest Airlines’ holiday chaos could cost the company as much as $825 million In a regulatory filing, the airline says that holiday disruptions could cost as much as $825 million. More than 16,700 flights were canceled due to weather, staff shortages, and an outdated crew scheduling computer system. Thousands were stranded and luggage piled up at airports. SWAPA (the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association) published a letter that places the blame on the airline’s lack of leadership. San Diego Airport Has Run Dry of Jet Fuel, Resulting in Lengthy Diversions For Some United and British Airways Flights A leaking fuel pipe that serves San Diego County has led to the unavailability of jet fuel at San Diego International Airport. Some flights are being canceled, others are being diverted for refueling stops, and airlines are tankering extra fuel. Puppy abandoned at SFO adopted by airline captain and family A puppy was abandoned by his owner at San Francisco International Airport after the dog lacked the paperwork to remain in the United States. United Airlines partnered with SF SPCA to find a new home for the pup. Frontier Airlines will Give You Free Flights For Adopting These Cats The Animal Foundation named three kittens up for adoption: Frontier, Delta, and Spirit. Frontier offered up to four flight vouchers to anyone who adopted the Frontier kitten, and two vouchers each for the other kittens. Giveaway Drawing The winners of the two giveaways from Episode 728 were announced. The Interaction Group owner Trisha Ferguson kindly provides airline safety cards, while T-Mobile Senior Manager of Communications Steve Carlson donated the Un‑carrier On hard-sided suitcase. Australia News Desk Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron bring us an installment of The Australia Desk with aviation news from Down Under. Mentioned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Pilot Proficiency Center Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and David Vanderhoof. Contribution by Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron.

We speak with the President and CFO of DG Fuels LLC about producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and the Co-Founder and Chief AI at Fetcherr about continuous pricing models for airlines. We also take a look back at 2022. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Christopher J. Chaput is the President of DG Fuels, LLC. He has over 23 years of experience as an executive, an investment banker, a restructuring advisor and investor, primarily in the aviation sector. Christopher J. Chaput DG Fuels is developing a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production facility at Loring Commerce Centre in Limestone, Maine, the former Loring Air Force Base. Chris explains SAF and biofuels and describes how the DG Fuels process uses waste timber products and stranded electricity to make SAF efficiently and sustainably. An existing pipeline to the coast will facilitate the transport of the SAF to Boston and New York markets. Prior to DG Fuels, Chris was a partner in and co-founder of RPK Capital Management, investing in commercial aircraft and other aviation-related assets. Chris was a partner and head of the Structured Finance Group at the Seabury Group where he arranged secured financings of aircraft and other assets. Chris was a senior member of the advisory team that represented US Airways in its merger with America West Airlines and that restructured US Airways, Air Canada, and Northwest Airlines in bankruptcy. Prior to that he structured and executed public and private aircraft-backed secured bonds at Morgan Stanley. Early in his career, Chris was the Managing Director-Corporate Finance at Northwest Airlines. Chris earned his B.A. from Creighton University, magna cum laude, and his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School, where he also taught Business Planning for two years as an adjunct professor. Continuous pricing models for airlines Dr. Uri Yerushalmi Dr. Uri Yerushalmi is the co-founder and chief AI officer at Fetcherr, an Israeli tech company that developed a proprietary AI-powered engine that predicts demand and enables continuous pricing for the airline industry. The company was founded in 2019 by experts rooted in deep learning, algorithmic trading, e-commerce, and the digitization of legacy architecture. Uri explains the continuous pricing approach and how that can solve airline challenges and maximize revenue. Airlines typically employ dynamic pricing where the prices are bucketed into certain levels and change infrequently. Under a continuous pricing model, the price can be set at any level. Dynamic pricing is all that was allowed by the technology in the 80s. Now, however, deep learning and reinforcement learning technology can predict the behavior of the market by considering factors such as travel origins, destinations, number of stops, days of advance purchase, stay days, capacity (load factor), seasonality, and time of day. Old pricing models are inefficient and utilize “middlemen” that introduce an added cost. Uri tells us that the efficiency of continuous pricing models negates the need for middlemen and creates a revenue uplift for the airlines. Fetcherr technology is running live now with low-cost Azul Airlines. The company is onboarding a large traditional global airline and exploring advanced functionality with another major airline. 2022 I Can Hardly Remember Our Main(e) Man Micah brings us his year-in-review piece. He originally thought 2022 was pretty quiet for him aviation-wise, but when he reflected on it Micah realized that quite a lot actually happened. 2022 was very much an #AvGeek year for Micah. John Bush VSF50 VisionJet Micah in the 787 headed for the UK Dartmouth-Hitchcock Helicopter Friends at Spurwink More friends at Spurwink Sunday Roast at The Greyhound Inn Micah and Lt Hardinger Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

Si Seigel, standing far right. In this special holiday episode, our Main(e) Man Micah tells the story of Si Spiegel. As a young man, Si wanted to serve his country and he joined the US Army Air Corp. After completing his training, he flew his first mission over Europe in a B-17 at the age of 20. On one mission, two of the B-17 engines became disabled and Si made an emergency landing in Poland. Micah tells us how Si was able to make an incredible escape over occupied territory and went on to complete 35 missions during the war. But that’s not the end of Si’s story because after the war he went on to develop something that was unusual for the time, but commonplace now during the Christmas season. It’s all in Micah’s story. At the time of this episode, Si Spiegel is 98 years old and lives in a Manhattan apartment with a view of Central Park. Si Seigel, May 2016. Hosts this Episode Our Main(e) Man Micah and Max Flight.

We speak with the operator of the world’s largest network of airport lounges. In the news, United’s order for Boeing planes, air travel trends for 2023, Boom Supersonic plans to develop its own engine, the U.S. Army selects the Bell V-280 over the Sikorsky/Boeing offering, and passengers are injured by turbulence on a Hawaiian Airlines flight. Guest Stuart Vella is Vice President of Commercial Development and Operations with the Plaza Premium Group (PPG), an award-winning leader in premium airport hospitality services. PPG operates the world’s largest network of airport lounges. In the U.S. the company operates the Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW Terminal E and recently opened a lounge at Orlando (MCO) Terminal C. Stuart has been in the hospitality industry for some 30 years and has an extensive travel background. Stuart Vella We talk with Stuart about airport lounges and making the travel experience less hectic. He explains how PPG was formed to cater to those without access to elite lounges. PPG offers lounges for all travelers, regardless of cabin class or airline. Customer demand is high for more lounge access not necessarily tied to an airline or credit card. PPG owns the lounges they operate and offers full food and beverage service with production kitchens, full bars, showers, play areas for children, and quiet areas for business people. The benefits of each lounge are tailored to the demographics of travelers going through that specific airport. We discuss the PPG pricing model, LEED ratings, and the “ALWAYS” meet and greet at DFW. Plaza Premium Lounge Opens at Orlando International Airport Plaza Premium Lounge Wins Skytrax Awards Six Years in a Row [PDF] Aviation News United places order for 200 Boeing planes, giving two troubled jets a vote of confidence The United order represents 35% of the orders received by Boeing commercial airplanes this year. The announced order includes 100 firm/100 option 787 Dreamliners and 56 firm 737 Max planes for delivery between 2024 and 2026. The airline also exercised options on 44 737 Max jets with delivery between 2024 and 2026. Suppliers expect Boeing to increase 787 rates next year United Airlines to add thousands of jobs at SFO as part of huge expansion 3 air travel trends to watch for in 2023 Three trends are noted in a conversation with United’s Director of UK, Ireland, Israel and Off-line Sales: “Alternative” airports will increase in popularity Greener air travel will remain a top priority Travel will become a lighter-touch experience Boom plans new Symphony supersonic engine design Boom Supersonic could not get any of the major engine manufacturers to commit to developing an engine for them. Boom now plans to develop its own engine, called Symphony, a medium-bypass engine producing 35,000 pounds of thrust. Three partners were announced: Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT) for engine design, (a division of  Kratos Defense & Security Solutions) GE Additive for additive technology design consulting,  and StandardAero for maintenance. Symphony (conceptual render). Courtesy Boom Supersonic. Kratos purchased Florida Turbine Technologies in February 2019 and formed the Kratos Turbine Technologies (KTT) division. KTT develops and produces small high-performance jet engines for cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). A Reality Check On The Army Picking V-280 Valor Over SB>1 Defiant U.S. Army’s fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters is to be replaced under the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft initiative, or FLRAA. The Army has chosen the Bell V-280 Valor tiltrotor over the Sikorsky/Boeing Defiant X, a compound coaxial helicopter based on Sikorsky’s X2 technology. The Army said the V-280 offered the “best value proposition” without providing any specifics. Note: Paul Wilson, chief engineer for the Bell V-280 Valor program was our guest in Episode 576 Bell V-280 Valor. Passengers and Flight Attendants Hit the Ceiling After Severe Turbulence Strikes Hawaiian Airlines Plane From Phoenix The A330 flight from Phoenix to Honolulu encountered severe turbulence, injuring as many as 36 passengers, 11 seriously. The pilots declared an emergency following the incident due to the number of injuries and the plane was given priority clearance to land. See inside of Hawaiian Airlines plane rocked by turbulence David’s Christmas Story Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Max Trescott, David Vanderhoof, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We speak with the owner of a company that designs and creates airline safety cards and talk with a T-Mobile manager about an interesting new product for air travelers. Guests The Interaction Group Trisha Ferguson is the owner of The Interaction Group, a company that designs and creates airline safety cards for leading airlines such as American, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Canadian carriers, and Etihad Airways. Trisha Ferguson The company believes that 90% of people tested should understand what to do based on the images on the card. If less than 90% of people (of all ages) don’t understand the instructions or interpret them incorrectly, then design elements need to be changed. When airlines need to update their safety cards, they work with the design team to make the changes. Safety cards in the seat backs have to be the tallest printed material in a seat back, ie. so they stick out, and every seat needs one as a part of the Minimum Equipment. Tricia started at The Interaction Group 25 years ago and then fell in love with the intersection of safety, design, and airlines. She earned a Master’s degree in Human Factors Science and now owns the company. T-Mobile Steve Carlson Steve Carlson is the Senior Manager of Communications for T-Mobile. We look at some considerations for travelers who are choosing a mobile carrier, as well as the travel benefits that T-Mobile offers. T-Mobile had launched a suite of travel benefits called Coverage Beyond, and now they have introduced the Un‑carrier On, a hard-sided suitcase with wireless (and USB-C) charging. The battery pack is removable and other features include a flat top work surface, a packing set of bags, and Tag Smart tracking via Bluetooth. T-Mobile Un-carrier On Hosts this Episode Brian Coleman, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Max Flight.

A Michigan technology activation manager explains grants made to companies developing air mobility solutions at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. We also look at the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal Wings Over Dallas airshow collision, retiring the F-22 Raptor, a Boeing 777X engine issue, the Delta pilot’s “me too” contract clause, and an F-16 destroyed by a pilot. Gerald R. Ford International Airport Guest Charlie Tyson is the Technology Activation Manager at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), in the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. The MEDC is a public-private partnership between the state and local communities that seeks to accelerate economic development opportunities in the mobility space. Charlie talks to us about grants for air mobility solutions and an air mobility corridor. Air Mobility Solutions Recently, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in West Michigan announced the second round of grant funding to test air mobility solutions at the airport. The grants are made possible through the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) program, which provides grants and testing opportunities to companies focused on bringing emerging air travel solutions to market. Cutting Edge Mobility Technologies Coming to Gerald R. Ford International Airport through State-Industry Collaboration First-round FLITE recipients (see press release here):  Aurrigo: Leveraging their Auto-Sim® software platform, created a “digital twin” of airport operations to optimize targeted metrics and increase operational efficiency. WHILL: Deployed their autonomous mobility device to increase traveler independence and reduce wait times for wheelchair requests. Sunflower Labs: Deployed their remote autonomous drone-in-a-box security system used to conduct inspections and security monitoring tasks. Second-round FLITE recipients: Aircraft Data Fusion: Utilizing web-based cloud solutions to provide real-time passenger forecasting. Dataspeed: Revolutionizing aviation operations with the Kinetic360 Autonomous Service Vehicle. EVA: Retooling EVA’s drone infrastructure to provide airport services to revolutionize baggage delivery. Renu Robotics: Revolutionizing aviation facilities’ vegetation management with autonomous lawn mowers. Spotter: Developing innovative sensor technology to help travelers identify open parking spots. Michigan-Ontario Air Mobility Corridor The aerial mobility corridor study will test the feasibility of commercial drones and other aerial systems, including cross-border between Michigan and Ontario. The study is exploring whether small drones can be flown beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and be used in operations like just-in-time delivery, medical transport, or other small-scale deployments of UAS. The information gathered from this feasibility study will be used to further decision-making in preparing for the future of advanced air mobility in North America. A newly formed partnership with Airspace Link, a Detroit-based drone technology start-up, and their partners (including Thales) will develop a feasibility analysis as a first step to establishing the infrastructure required to support a range of commercial and public advanced air mobility use cases. The Airspace Link team will provide an analysis of existing airspace, air traffic infrastructure, and ground infrastructure required to ensure the operational safety of commercial drone skyways. Another key partner will be the Michigan Central mobility innovation district in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit. Their collaboration with key stakeholders from the state and city will help advance this research and innovation to a broader idea of autonomy that goes beyond vehicles on the road, but also the water or sky. Aviation News No Altitude Advice Before Dallas Air Show Crash NTSB Says The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report [PDF, Accident Number: CEN23MA034] on the November 12, 2022 midair collision between a B-17G and a P-63F during the Wings Over Dallas airshow. According to the NTSB report, the fighter planes were told to fly ahead of the bombers, but there were no altitude deconfliction briefings. The NTSB is looking into the sequence of maneuvers that led to the crash and if air shows normally have altitude deconfliction plans. Why Would America Want to Retire the F-22? Reasons include the relatively small number of aircraft and the high cost of operation, outdated avionics, and the new fighter being developed in the Next Generation Air Dominance Program. Boeing 777X Test Flights Suspended Over Engine Issue The unspecified issue was discovered during a borescope inspection of a high-time GE9X flight test engine. Apparently, there was a temperature alert. GE Aerospace says, “We are reviewing a technical issue that occurred during GE9X post-certification engineering testing, and we are closely coordinating with Boeing on our findings to support their return to flight testing.”  The Fascinating ‘Me Too’ Clause That Will Guarantee Delta Air Pilots The Best Pay in the Industry The tentative labor agreement with Delta pilots includes a “me too” clause. This benchmarks the Delta pilot’s contract against American Airlines and United Airlines and guarantees at least one percent higher wages than American and United pay their pilots. If the Delta contract is approved, the pilots would get an immediate 18 percent pay rise, as well as a one-time payment equal to 22 percent of their earnings between 2020 and 2022. Then Delta pilots would receive a 5 percent pay rise after the first year of the contract, followed by 4 percent pay raises in the two years thereafter. Delta Allied Pilots Union (ALPA) members must still vote in favor of the proposed contract. Fighter pilot who tailed a civilian plane blamed for destroying F-16 In March 2022, an Oklahoma Air National Guard F-16C crashed while on a two-jet homeland defense “aerospace control alert” training mission. A GA plane was used as a practice aircraft however neither the GA plane nor air traffic control was notified about the attempted interception. One of the F-16 pilots experienced a “shudder” after selecting the wrong switch and ejected. According to the investigation, “Flight simulations confirmed … the [aircraft] was still in a flyable state prior to ejection. A noticeable shudder and movement of the aircraft [was] indicative of the flight controls responding properly. … The aircraft was not out of control and could have been recovered.” Mentioned Flying in 2022, by Patrick Smith in Ask the Pilot. Covenant Aviation Security U.S. again delays deadline for Real IDs, until May 2025 ChatGPT Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Thoughts on one-pilot cockpits, Frontier drops its customer service line, pigeons on an aircraft carrier, get ready for Real ID, an A-10 pilot gets a flying award, the A-1H Skyraider joins the Museum of the US Air Force, a Mooney crashes into a transmission tower, and America’s best airports. Aviation News One-pilot cockpits? Here’s what QF32 hero and ‘Sully’ Sullenberger think On November 4, 2010, Flight QF32 from Singapore to Sydney experienced a massive engine failure on the A380. Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny describes the explosion, the subsequent systems damage, the resulting cockpit chaos, and how the crew worked together to save all aboard. Sully said, “Those who propose single-pilot airline operations are wrong, dead wrong.” In-flight uncontained engine failure Airbus A380-842, VH-OQA.Courtesy Australian Transport Safety Bureau. Frontier Airlines drops its customer service line Customers can no longer call Frontier airlines on the phone and speak with a live agent. Instead, customer service options are a chatbot Frontier’s website, 24/7 live chat, and social media channels including WhatsApp. The airline said, “[this] enables us to ensure our customers get the information they need as expeditiously and efficiently as possible.” Also, most customers prefer communicating through online channels. Why the US Navy’s First Aircraft Carrier Also Carried a Pigeoneer USS Langley underway, 1927. U.S. Navy photo. The USS Langley, America’s first aircraft carrier and the US Navy’s first turbo-electric-powered ship, was launched on August 14, 1912. A pigeon house was built on the stern for food storage, nesting, training, and trapping areas. Carrier pigeons were used extensively in the past for military communications. States begin final push for compliance as Real ID deadline nears Real ID is an enhanced verification process for State-issued IDs, such as driver’s licenses. The Real ID Act was passed by the U.S. Congress after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and requires that driver’s licenses or state-issued IDs must meet the federal Real ID requirements to be accepted for boarding commercial flights. This takes effect on May 3, 2023. A-10C pilot earns top flying award for combat successes in Afghanistan Maj. Kyle Adkison accepted the Distinguished Flying Cross at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, for his combat achievements in Afghanistan. The Major is a test pilot with the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron. In 2019, Adkison and his wingman, Capt. Erin Fullam, drove away enemy forces, protected the positions of friendly forces, and kept members of the U.S.-led military coalition alive, the Air Force said in a release. A-1H Skyraider now on display at AF museum The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force now has an A-1H Skyraider on display in the museum’s Southeast Asia War Gallery. This radial engine aircraft preceded the A-10 in an attack role and was in service from 1946 to the early 1970s in the U.S. and elsewhere to the 1980s. Douglas A-1E Skyraider.Courtesy National Museum of the United States Air Force. Pilot, passenger rescued from plane after crash into power lines that caused widespread outages in Montgomery County [Maryland] Small Plane Crashes Into Transmission Tower in Maryland The single-engine Mooney M20J crashed into a transmission tower. It took almost seven hours to extricate the pilot and passenger. Both individuals were injured and ambulances transported them to area trauma centers. How SFO ended up ranked as America’s best airport The Wall Street Journal says that San Francisco International is the best among the 20 busiest airports based on passenger numbers. Sacramento International is No.1 among 30 midsize facilities. In its ranking, the WSJ considered 19 factors, including airline on-time performance, average ticket prices, security line wait time, and airport concession costs. Also, the results of J.D. Power’s annual survey of passenger satisfaction and more.  Mentioned 21st Century Aerospace Writers Facebook group. Mastodon – Decentralized social media. Explained: What is Post.news, the emerging easy-to-use Twitter alternative. Link to sign up. Western Museum of Flight Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

An airshow crash involving two warbirds, Flight MH17 convictions, A350 carryon weight, GA airplane shipments, A-10s and B-1Bs as attack aircraft, an airport closure impacts seaplanes, G700 on a world tour, and a sustainable jet fuel plant. Aviation News Dallas air show crash: Two World War Two planes collide in mid-air A P-63 Kingcobra fighter and a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress collided at a commemorative air show near Dallas. The P-63 pilot and all five occupants aboard the B-17 died. Video: Early Analysis: Wings Over Dallas Midair Collision WWII Airshow November 12, 2022 https://youtu.be/rumZ1jc74f4 3 convicted in 2014 downing of Malaysian jet over Ukraine Malaysian Flight MH17 from Amsterdam was headed to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down over Ukraine with a Russian surface-to-air missile. All 283 passengers and 15 crew aboard the 777-200ER perished. The investigation by the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) determined that the plane had been downed by a missile launched from pro-Russian separatist-controlled territory in Ukraine. Specifically, the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Federation. A Dutch court has now convicted two Russians and a pro-Moscow Ukrainian. Spanish Court Orders Flag Carrier Iberia to Limit Hand Luggage On Airbus A350 Because Overhead Lockers Are So Big Airbus has been offering larger overhead luggage bins as new equipment and as a retrofit. The so-called “XL Bins” on the A350 are truly huge. Airbus says the compartments on the A350 can accommodate five full-size carry-on suitcases. The cantilevered bins are designed to hold a maximum of 30-45 kg (66-99 pounds) and fold up into the ceiling. Iberia flight attendants thought that lifting that weight for as many as 112 bins on the A350-900 was too much to ask, and filed a lawsuit. They asked for the XL Bins to be replaced with smaller bins, or ban Iberia from expecting them to close the XL Bins. The judge dismissed those demands and ordered the airline to start weighing passenger carry-on luggage and make sure that Iberia’s own weight allowance was being adhered to. U.S. Air Force wants to use A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft along with B-1B Lancer supersonic bombers to destroy enemy air defense systems ADM-160 MALD (Miniature Air Launched Decoy) drones will be used as decoys with electronic warfare systems instead of warheads. Mounted on the A-10, the decoys should improve the survivability of the attack aircraft. U.S. Air Force exercises on Guam have been using the B-1B Lancer paired with the A-10. Twitchell Airport property in Turner under contract to be sold Twitchell Airport is the last privately owned and commercially operated airport in Maine. It’s been operating for 76 years. The land owners are selling the 145 acres that the airport and seaplane facilities share, reportedly to build a self-storage facility. Twitchell is the only seaplane base providing fuel between its location and Rhode Island, about 200 miles. Gulfstream Unveils Newest Business Jet Model G700 In Nigeria Gulfstream Aerospace is taking two G700 aircraft on a world tour that includes major events and private showings in 20 cities. These are fully outfitted G700 production test aircraft. Elon Musk has reportedly added a new $78 million jet to his growing fleet of private planes. This will replace his Gulfstream G650ER. Musk currently owns four jets, including three Gulfstream and one Dassault. Company hopes to produce sustainable jet fuel at Loring Air Force Base The former Loring Air Force Base was a large cold-war era base in far northeastern Maine. It was used by the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command. In 1994, the base was closed and then redeveloped into an industrial and aviation park called the Loring Commerce Centre. The airfield became Loring International Airport. Now DG Fuels LLC (DGF) plans to lease 1,240 acres from the Loring Development Authority and produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel. (SAF). Press release: DG Fuels Signs Key Maine Land Agreement. Mentioned Plane Talking UK Podcast Grand Dames of Aviation Charity auctions off AN-225 “Mriya” debris pieces to raise funds for Ukrainian Soldiers Video: ONBOARD Emirates New A380 FIRST CLASS *It ONLY Cost $___* https://youtu.be/4oz3wGljQ3M Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and Micah.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum opened the completed portion of the renovation at the National Mall in Washington, DC. The Museum calls itself “the world’s largest and most significant collection of aviation and space artifacts, encompassing all aspects of human flight, as well as related works of art and archival materials.” It’s typically the most visited museum in the United States. The museum occupies two locations: The original location is in Washington, DC and the newer Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the annex, located outside DC next to Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. That facility was made possible by a $65 million donation by Steven F. Udvar-Házy, a co-founder of the aircraft leasing firm International Lease Finance Corporation, or ILFC. In this episode, we look at the DC facility. It was established in 1946 as the National Air Museum and the main building opened on the National Mall in 1976. In 2018 the Museum started a $250 million seven-year renovation project. When the renovation is completed, all of the museum’s 23 galleries and presentation spaces will be updated or completely redone. On Oct. 14, 2022, the downtown museum reopened with eight new and renovated galleries in the west wing. Our Hillel Glazer was present representing the Airplane Geeks podcast at the press preview day, and he recorded some interviews. Christopher Browne Hillel recorded the opening video and the remarks from Christopher Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Browne joined the museum as deputy director in 2017 and served as acting director from 2021 to 2022 when he was named director. Next, Hillel speaks with Dr. Jermery Kinner, the Associate Director of Research and Curatorial Affairs at the National Air and Space Museum. He leads the Museum’s three research and curatorial departments (Aeronautics, the Center for Earth and Planetary Studies or CEPS, and Space History). Kinner also provides counsel and advice on curatorial and museum affairs to the Director and the Senior Leadership Team. Finally, we’ll hear from Beth Wilson. She’s been an educator at the Museum since 2004. Video: Space For Everyone | The Reimagined National Air and Space Museum Open October 14 https://youtu.be/Ds6ILAlNUPU Hosts this Episode Max Flight and Hillel Glazer.

Boeing won’t pursue a new middle-of-the-market airplane, propellers for aviation sustainability, high-wall super suites, passenger detention, large PAX and weight and balance, a KC-46 Class A mishap. Aviation News Boeing: “We won’t contemplate a new airplane” Concerning a Boeing MoM, president and CEO David Calhoun, said, “We won’t contemplate a new airplane; we won’t even put it on the drawing board until we know we’re capable of doing that. So this is strategy for us. Capabilities. And then there’ll be a moment in time where we’ll pull the rabbit out of the hat and introduce a new airplane sometime in the middle of next decade.” Opinion: Could Propellers Help Solve The Sustainability Conundrum? The global civil aviation industry has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 but new technologies will require billions of dollars in investment. Hydrogen, electric and hybrid propulsion, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) have promise, but feasibility and cost-effectiveness concerns remain. But propfans and ducted propellers “might finally be ready for use.” The Latest in Luxurious First-Class Airplane Suites: Building Up First-class suites with doors first appeared on the Airbus A380 then spread to other widebodies offering luxury and some degree of privacy. How do the latest class of high-wall super suites from Emirates and Lufthansa deal with the cabin view requirements? Flight Attendant Physically Detained Passenger Because They Thought He Had Taken a Photograph of Them The crew didn’t like being photographed and detained a passenger when they believed he’d taken a picture of them. United Airlines Is Blocking Seats Under New Weight Requirements Per Passenger The FAA has increased the “standard” weight of men and women which impacts airplane weight and balance. United’s B757s are affected to the degree that at least six seats per flight will be blocked. AMC Investigating Class A Mishap That Damaged KC-46 Boom, Fuselage The Air Mobility Command is investigating a potential Class A mishap involving a KC-46 Pegasus tanker that left the plane’s boom and fuselage damaged. Mentioned Albuquerque Intl. Balloon Fiesta releases 2022 attendance totals Pawn Stars at the American Helicopter Museum – Scheduled to air on the History Channel on November 16, 2022. Eastern Airlines Flight 401 50th Anniversary Memorial Monument – Dedication December 29, 2022, at 1:00 pm. Contact flt401memorial@gmail.com for more information. For donations: By check payable to National Air Disaster Foundation. Note on your check that it is for Eastern 401. 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes toward the memorial. Send your check to: National Air Disaster Foundation, 2020 Pennsylvania Ave NW, #315, Washington, DC 20006. By credit card visit www.PlaneSafe.org and click Donation. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

Ryan Jones, founder and CEO of Flighty, describes the flight tracking app that pulls together a number of tools for flyers into one application. It features fast push notifications, flight delay predictions, and pilot-grade data. Ryan is giving away lifetime subscriptions to two Airplane Geeks listeners. At the end of the interview, Ryan describes that if you install the app and leave a comment, you’ll be entered in the drawing. We really appreciate that Flighty is doing this for you. Follow @rjonesy and @FlightyApp on Twitter. Mentioned As a follow-up to our conversation in episode 721 about Rotax engines in Iranian drones, listener Mark Newton posted in our Slack team the link to an article from The Drive. It’s titled Same Type Of Rotax Engines Used In Iranian Drones Targeted In Bizarre Theft Wave, published October 25, 2022. Many of these engines have been stolen and that might be how Iran obtained them.  Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Isaac Alexander is the Chief Content Officer for Hype Aviation, a news aggregator and media intelligence service for aerospace industry professionals and enthusiasts.  Hype Aviation was founded, designed, and developed by Robin Koenig in 2017 with the goal of making it easy to stay up to date on aviation news without having to follow hundreds of separate sources. The service organizes content into aviation, defense, and space categories. An extensive events database in those categories and a daily newsletter are also provided. Isaac became the first dedicated human editor for Hype Aviation. His experience in the aerospace industry today augments the automated curation system to provide a more human touch to the content while maintaining high-quality standards and unbiased assessment of the automated system. Mentioned The Journey is the Reward now on Twitter at @TJITReward Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

We have two interviews recorded by Hillel Glazer, our Innovations and Entrepreneurship Correspondent, and our Main(e) Man Micah. Julie Melnick The first is with Julie Melnick the founder and CEO of SkySquad. SkySquad provides an extra set of helping hands at the airport for people who need assistance. It’s a very creative business idea. Lift by John & Martha King Then we hear from John and Martha King. When it comes to pilot training programs, King Schools is legendary. Now the couple has written a new book about their life lessons: LIFT: How to Start, Run and Grow Your Own Successful Business. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Hillel Glazer, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

Max Flight reports from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held October 1-9, 2022. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Balloon Fiesta. Balloon Fiesta mass ascension. Interviews with: Katie, the Crew Chief for Team Coddiwomple, talks about crew chief responsibilities, getting started in ballooning, and buying a balloon. Coddiwomple Ballooning offers a unique specially-fitted wheelchair-accessible balloon. Jim Lynch from Destin, Florida pilots the “Whirlaway” balloon and describes how balloons are FAA-certified aircraft and a pilot’s license is required to fly them. We talk about the propane burners, why the fuel is preheated, and when a pilot knows to abort the launch attempt due to the wind. Linda C gives her impressions of the drone show provided by Verge Aero. See also, Simon Cowell presses Golden Buzzer for Verge Aero on America’s Got Talent: Extreme Glen Moyer is the editor of Ballooning: Journal of the Balloon Federation of America (BFA) and also one of the two show announcers at the Balloon Fiesta. The BFA is an aviation safety and education organization for lighter-than-air aviation. Members include pilots, crew, and enthusiasts. The Balloon Fiesta features a large grass launch field, surrounded by many RV camping areas. There are sponsor and exhibitor booths, and a huge number of food vendors. The hallmark event is the mass ascensions where hundreds of balloons launch at sunrise. During balloon launches, spectators get right on the launch field in and amongst the balloons.  When a balloon is ready and the pilot gets the thumbs up from an official, the crown cheers enthusiastically while people in the basket wave frantically to the spectators.  Balloons over the South RV Lot Who said pigs don’t fly? Radio Controlled balloon Mentioned Outdoor REgear – a large Albuquerque consignment shop where you can purchase used bicycles. Host this Episode Max Flight

Advances in aircraft towing systems, personal flying vehicles, and a story about becoming an airplane geek. Aircraft Towing Systems Vince Howie Micah and Max interview Vince Howie, the CEO of Aircraft Towing Systems World Wide, LLC (or ATS). We learn how this company is working to lessen the considerable cost and environmental impact of aircraft movement on the ground. ATS aircraft towing system. Films With My Father Our Main(e) Man Micah brings us a story he calls Films With My Father which explains why Micah is an airplane geek. AIR EV Hillel Glazer, our Aviation Entrepreneurship and Innovation Correspondent has another “Beyond the Press Release” interview from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. This time he speaks with Rani Plaut, the CEO of AIR EV. The company seeks to create personal, intuitive flying vehicles at a production rate usually achieved with automobiles. They recently demonstrated flight and control at their facility in Israel.  Video: AIR ONE eVTOL Full Scale Test Flight https://youtu.be/2IdgzSnswOY Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Hillel Glazer.

We talk with a mergers expert about the proposed Jetblue/Spirit merger. Jetblue/Spirit merger Amira elAdawi Amira elAdawi is an expert merger consultant who has worked with Fortune 100 companies, government entities, and international organizations on mergers and acquisitions. Amira has been featured in Digital Journal, CEO World, Startup Nation, and others. We talk about the details of the Jetblue/Spirit merger, or perhaps acquisition is a better term. Amira helps us understand the value of the deal expected by Jetblue and Spirit, and how it might affect others. She also helps us appreciate the difficulties that can be encountered, especially in integrating the cultures of the two companies. Amira describes possible impacts on ticket prices when a low-cost provider is removed, and we wonder how Frontier or others might fill any “gap” created. Amira was formerly a senior principal at Booz & Co, and an external advisor to Bain & Co. In 2013 she founded AMIRA & CO, a boutique global management consulting firm, working exclusively on M&A integrations and enterprise optimization. In addition to management, Amira is passionate about teaching. She regularly coaches an immersive business boot camp on strategy and financial management and founded a microfinance NGO for single mothers in Egypt. Amira is fluent in English and Arabic and holds a double-major BA in economics and international relations (magna cum laude), an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Master’s certificate in hospitality management from Cornell. Hosts this Episode Max Flight and our Main(e) Man Micah.

We speak with four women working for air navigation services provider Air Navigation Solutions Ltd (ANSL). We also talk with the president of Hartzel Propeller. Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. (ANSL) Sophie Mills, Sharon Utting, Emma Hawksworth, and Vicky Bhogal-Hunt work for Air Navigation Solutions Ltd. ANSL is the air navigation services provider for Edinburgh and Gatwick airports. They also provide simulation training for Cambridge City Airport. We discuss their experiences as women in the aviation industry. From left to right – Sophie Mills, Sharon Utting, Emma Hawksworth, Vicky Bhogal-Hunt. Mentioned in the conversation: Women in Aviation International Girls in Aviation Day We Are the City Hartzel Propeller JJ Frigge is president of Hartzell Propeller. He’s responsible for all operating elements of the business including the development and execution of Hartzell Propeller’s strategy.  JJ Frigge JJ began at Hartzell in 2011 as the company’s controller. In 2013 he took responsibility for the day-to-day business team as well as managing the company’s marketing and brand-building efforts. Prior to Hartzell Propeller, JJ spent 10 years as a finance manager at Proctor & Gamble. He is on the Communications Committee of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. A 2001 Cum Laude graduate of the University of Notre Dame, JJ serves his community as a member of the board of directors and past president of the United Way of Miami County. He is also a past president of the Miami County Humane Society. Mentioned Facts about Airbus Top 10 Interesting Facts about Airbus The Whirly-Girls scholarship program Hosts this Episode Max Flight and Hillel Glazer.

A human factors and ergonomics expert explains the importance of airline seat comfort and safety. We also talk with the founder and CEO of LiveATC.net and present our traditional Labor Day message. Airline Seats Dr. Mica Endsley Dr. Mica Endsley is the Government Relations Chair for the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society (HFES). She’s also president of SA Technologies, a situational awareness research, design, and training firm. She was formerly the Chief Scientist of the United States Air Force. Mica joins us to talk about airline seats from comfort and safety perspectives, taking into account the scientific human factors data that is relevant to this subject. The FAA is currently addressing seat size at the direction of Congress so this is a timely topic. Airline seating has a massive impact not only on the physical comfort but also on the psychology and overall well-being of travelers. So much so that the HFES wrote Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Policy Statement on Airline Seating [PDF] which outlines and endorses a number of changes to airline seating. HFES makes six recommendations in its report: The FAA should update its standards to account for widespread physical changes of the average passenger. This should reflect requiring seat widths and seat belts that accommodate 95 percent of the general population. The FAA should mandate a minimum seat pitch to accommodate the seated height of 95 percent of the general population (38.5”). Alternatively, 3 or 4-point restraints should be provided, as is done in some aircraft for premium cabins. The FAA guidelines should specify the inclusion of footrests and adjustable lumbar supports to reduce neck and back strains and injuries. FAA policy on emergency evacuations should include consideration for variation in waist size in addition to age and gender. When updating seat dimension standards, the FAA should take into consideration possible adverse health effects of airline seats and review whether larger seating spaces should be mandated for long-duration flights. The FAA, internally as well as through the National Academies and the National Institutes of Health, should determine whether the body of research regarding airline seat dimensions is sufficient to draw a full range of recommendations. If there is not sufficient research available, the FAA should request additional research on this topic. Comments in response to FAA Request for Comments in Minimum Seat Dimensions Necessary for Safety of Air Passengers (Emergency Evacuation) [PDF] Mica’s educational background is in Industrial Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University and a Master of Science degree from Purdue University.  She earned her Ph.D. in industrial and systems engineering from the University of Southern California. Mica is recognized internationally in the field of human factors, situational awareness, and related areas. It’s very much an honor to have her speak with us today. Labor Day Rob Mark presents his annual Labor Day message. LiveATC.net Hillel Glazer, our Aviation Entrepreneurship and Innovation Correspondent, brings us another “Beyond the Press Release” interview from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. This time he speaks with Dave Pascoe, the founder of LiveATC.net. The site is a popular resource for those who enjoy listening to and talking about Air Traffic Control. LiveATC.net is a listener and advertiser-supported site: volunteers with scanners can join the network and contribute data. LiveATC.Net was the first site to provide both live and recorded ATC audio transmissions with instant archive retrieval. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, Brian Coleman, and Hillel Glazer.

We learn about airline contact centers with an expert in that field, and we talk with a Hollywood pilot and aerial coordinator who is widely known for his work on Top Gun Maverick and other major blockbusters. In the news, Boeing and Airbus are both having narrowbody delivery problems, a new US aircraft carrier reaches a milestone, a new avionics market report has some good news, and the French BEA investigates pilots who didn’t follow procedure. Airline Contact Centers Justin Robins Justin Robins has had a long career in customer experience and contact centers, working at companies like Network Solutions, Intercontinental Hotels, Grizzly Industrial, and Hershey Entertainment and Resorts. His expertise is in contact center quality assurance, training and development, and workforce optimization. Justin is Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Evangelism at UJET. The company provides a cloud-based call center application that integrates with CRM (customer relationship management) solutions. Justin discusses airline customer contact centers broadly, including value to the airlines, contact center metrics, and utilizing the data that accumulates. He also explains reactive versus proactive service and how channels have changed over time – beginning with 800 phone numbers, then email and web-based chat, social media, and now smartphone apps. He explains the UJET approach where the contact center system is purpose-built for the airline CRM system. Justin sees a contact center future with increased automation, self-service, and proactive outbound service. Justin has significant experience as a keynote speaker and business consultant and is frequently recognized as one of the top experts to follow in contact center and customer experience. Hollywood Aerial Coordinator Kevin Larosa Kevin Larosa (“K2”) is a sought-after pilot and Hollywood aerial coordinator who has worked on over 100 different motion picture and commercial productions. He’s Known for his work on major blockbusters like Top Gun Maverick, The Avengers, Iron Man, Transformers, and The Last Knight. Kevin is licensed to fly a variety of aircraft ranging from helicopters and airplanes to Learjets and more. He’s an ATP-rated pilot trained and certified in a number of aircraft, holding type ratings in several Learjet models in addition to the C-130/ L-382 Hercules and the Sikorsky S-70/ UH-60. Kevin also holds an FAA Part 107 UAS rating for flying unmanned aircraft. He’s a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the Motion Picture Pilots Association. Aviation News Boeing’s Problems Mount (GE and Raytheon Take Note) Boeing Is Removing Engines From Built 737 MAX Inventory Amid Supply Chain Problems Is recovery at risk from a broken supply chain? Supply chain problems are affecting both Boeing and Airbus narrowbody deliveries. Boeing is delivering 31 737 MAX jets per month compared to a pre-pandemic rate of 52 per month. Airbus is building 40 A320 family aircraft per month against a target of 75 per month by 2025. Engine suppliers are behind and Boeing plans to take engines off previously built 737 MAX aircraft and install them on newly produced airplanes.  The nation’s newest aircraft carrier, the Enterprise, reaches a milestone Newport News Shipbuilding just laid the keel for the USS Enterprise, a Ford-class aircraft carrier. At over 1,100 feet long and weighing some 100,000 tons, the ship is powered by two nuclear reactors and features an electromagnetic catapult. Completion is expected by 2028. AEA Unveils Second-Quarter 2022 Avionics Market Report The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) second-quarter avionics market report shows worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales up 11.7% from the first quarter, the eighth consecutive quarter of increasing sales. This is a 15.8% increase in total sales compared to the first six months of 2021, driven by a 35.6% increase in forward-fit sales compared to the same time frame one year ago. Air France pilots suspended after brawling in cockpit In June 2021, two pilots in the cockpit of an Airbus A320 became engaged in an altercation. The copilot would not comply with certain instructions and the captain grabbed him by the collar. There may have been a slap involved. A flight attendant broke up the fight. Air France has suspended the two pilots. Crew of fuel-leak A330 did not shut down engine before suboptimal diversion A French BEA investigation determined that the crew on a December 2020 Air France flight at cruise noticed the fuel level was 1.4 tons below what it should have been. The captain went on a rest break asking the first officer and relief pilot to monitor the fuel level. After about 20 minutes, the discrepancy on the A330-200 had increased to 2.1 tons. The captain was recalled and fuel leak procedures were implemented, with the exception of a required engine shutdown.  BEA says the captain’s decision to leave the engine running was not questioned. Mentioned Top 10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Boeing Video: 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Boeing https://youtu.be/j11onrcRfyo Hosts this Episode Your hosts: Max Flight and Max Trescott.

We talk with two women aviators. The first had a dream of flying, changed careers, persisted, and eventually became a Boeing 777 pilot. Then a Marine pilot in training from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 tells us about flying the MV-22. In the news, the DOT wants to see action from the airlines, an Apple AirTag leads law enforcement to a bag thief, two pilots reportedly fell asleep and overflew the runway, and seaplane service expands in the eastern U.S. Tami Ueda-Heuer Tami Ueda-Heuer This is the story of an insurance claims adjuster who went to flight school, left her job to become a flight instructor, lived frugally to pay off her debt, got married and had a child, and was furloughed. Tami was passionate about flying and very persistent. She flew charter and regional and she is now the First Officer on a Boeing 777 for a major US airline. Lt Rachel Hardinger Lt Rachel Hardinger USMC Our Main(e) Man Micah spoke with Lt Rachel Hardinger USMC, a Marine pilot in training on the MV-22 Osprey. Her squadron’s mission is to “Train the world’s finest tiltrotor pilots, aircrew, and maintainers for the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 traveled from North Carolina to Maine to perform training operations. Micah and Lt Hardinger Aviation News Buttigieg Warns Airlines to Help Travelers or Face New Regulations Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg wants the airlines to step up regarding flight cancellations and delays. The DOT sent letters to the CEOs of 10 U.S. airlines, saying the department is considering additional rules “that would further expand the rights of airline passengers who experience disruptions.” Buttigieg announces DOT dashboard for delayed, canceled flights The DOT plans to launch an interactive dashboard before the Labor Day weekend. Travelers will be able to find out what each airline offers in the event of a delay or cancellation. Buttigieg wrote, “The Department is creating an interactive dashboard that provides air travelers with a single venue where they can locate easy-to-read, comparative summary information on the services or amenities that each of the large U.S. airlines provide when the cause of a cancelation or delay was due to circumstances within the airline’s control.” AirTag leads to arrest of airline worker accused of stealing at least $15,000 worth of items from luggage Two travelers reported missing luggage. One of them had an Apple AirTag inside her bag which indicated the location of the device. Police arrived at the residence and found the missing bag of one passenger, and just the AirTag owned by the other. A 19-year-old has been charged with two counts of grand theft. According to the Department of Transportation, through May, 237,828 items of luggage have been reported missing. That compares to 132,071 bags during the same period last year. For detailed information, including the rate of mishandled bags by each airline, see the July 2022 Air Travel Consumer Report from DOT. Ethiopian B738 at Addis Ababa on Aug 15th 2022, pilots asleep On Aug 15, 2022, the pilots on an Ethiopian Airlines flight reportedly fell asleep. ET-343 departed from Khartoum (Sudan) for Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). The plane passed the top of descent, maintained FL370, and continued along the FMC route for the approach and overflew runway 25L. At that point the autopilot disconnected and the alert woke the pilots up. They then flew the aircraft for a safe landing on runway 25L. Both pilots have been suspended and the incident is under investigation. Tailwind launches DC-ish semi-seaplane service from New York City Tailwind Air announced nonstop seaplane service from Manhattan’s Skyport Marina (NYS) to Washington, D.C.’s College Park Airport (CGS). Scheduled service begins September 13, 2022, and will be operated by a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans with eight Economy Plus leather seats. Tailwind is offering a “buy one seat, and a companion flies with you free” launch promotion available on the company’s website until September 10, 2022. Tailwind Air Hosts this Episode Your hosts: Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The founder and CEO of AeroSys describes the company’s digital co-pilot. Deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner resume, a personal eVTOL, USAF eVTOL pilot training requirements, A-10 Warthog modernization updates, Wheels Up partners with ATP to draw in pilots, the Regional Airline Association disagrees with ALPA over the pilot shortage, and the B-52H may receive a new designation. Digital Co-pilot In this Beyond the Press Release installment, we talk with Mirko Hahn, founder, and CEO of AeroSys. The company is developing Goose, which they say is the world’s first certified digital co-pilot for commercial and general aviation. Goose is an AI-based, offline-capable voice assistant. AeroSys says its mission is “to make single-pilot journeys at least as safe as a multi-crew flight and to replicate the pilot monitoring for all the operations where a second human pilot is not present.” Aviation Entrepreneurship and Innovation Correspondent Hillel Glazer recorded this interview at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. Aviation News U.S. approves Boeing inspection, rework plan to resume 787 deliveries The FAA has approved Boeing’s 787 inspection and modification plan and the company has resumed Dreamliner deliveries. On August 10, 2022, Boeing delivered a 787-8 to American Airlines. In September 2020, the FAA announced it was “investigating manufacturing flaws” in some 787 jetliners and deliveries of the 787 were halted in May 2021. On Sale Flying Car Requires No LIcense The Jetson One eVTOL from Sweeden weighs 86 kilograms (190 pounds) and is classified as an ultralight. Thus, no license is required to fly it. With a 20-minute flight time and a 102 km/hr top speed, the Jetson One can be ordered with a $22,000 deposit and a $70,000 final payment. However, production is sold out through 2023. Video: Jetson ONE – Official Launch https://youtu.be/FzhREYOK0oo Also: The brilliant Engineering behind Jetson ONE (video). US Air Force Awards Contract for APTIMA to Evaluate Pilot Trainings on EVTOL Aircraft The US Air Force awarded Aptima a contract to identify pilot competency requirements for eVTOL operations. Using simulators of various eVTOL prototypes with different levels of automation, Aptima will determine the training needed for eVTOL pilots. Aptima training scientist Samantha Emerson said: “The learnability study will help us not only understand the baseline pilot skills and competencies needed for proficient eVTOL flight, but also the impact of automation on pilot performance.” A-10 Warthog’s Tusks Are Being Sharpened For A High-End Fight The A-10 Thunderbolt II (or “Warthog”) is undergoing a modernization effort to support fifth-generation fighters. The A-10 has 10 pylons and can deploy a number of standoff weapons. Being considered are the ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD) and the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). In the future, the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) is a possibility. Wheels Up Partners with ATP for Pilots Under the new agreement with ATP Flight School, Wheels Up can interview flight instructors with at least 1,000 hours. At 1,200 hours, if they are selected, the instructors can transition first officers on Beechcraft King Air 350, Cessna Citation CJ3, or Beechjet 400 aircraft. Wheels Up members can book private aircraft from the company’s fleet, as well as from third-party operators. RAA Responds to Inaccurate Data on Pilot Supply The Regional Airline Association (RAA) and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) don’t agree if there is really a pilot shortage. In response to New FAA Data Shows U.S. Pilot Production Remains Strong from ALPA, the RAA issued a statement, RAA Responds to Inaccurate and Misleading Data on Pilot Shortage [PDF]. RAA claims ALPA “release[d] misleading comments and graphics seeking to deny the existence of a real and worsening pilot shortage.” B52 to Receive at Least One New Designation After New Equipment Designation The B-52H is getting new engines (Rolls-Royce F130s) as well as active, electronically scanned array radar, cockpit displays, and other changes. That could mean it’s time to move on from “H,” possibly to the B-52J or B-52K. The Air Force hasn’t decided yet on the new variant. Mentioned Wings Set Aviation Movie Standard in 1927 Video: New Lowest Landing? Wizzair Airbus A321neo Landing at Skiathos Airport https://youtu.be/pN40Pxs27Sw Yet another spectacular landing at Skiathos Airport (Greece), possibly lower than the famous Air Italy 737-800 approach! Small plane crash lands on 91 Freeway in Corona Hosts this Episode Your hosts: Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, Rob Mark, and Hillel Glazer.

A woman earns her pilot’s license at age 68 and now helps women of all ages successfully become pilots. We also have an interview with the CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. In the news, a hard landing injures a flight attendant, a mother/daughter flying first, JetBlue’s high turnover rate, flight cancellations and delays, a proposed rule for passenger refunds, and the FAA asks for public comments on seat size. Maria Harrison-Dooley in the Diamond DA42 Guest Maria Harrison-Dooley is the founder of You Fly Gal, an organization that provides scholarships and support for women student pilots. For decades Maria had dreamt of getting her Private Pilots License and at the age of 68, she accomplished that dream. Her motto is: “Flying is my passion, inspiration is my mission.” Maria shows us that age doesn’t have to be a barrier when it comes to becoming a pilot. Noting the very high fallout rate for student pilots, she illustrates the critical role that community plays, especially for women student pilots. The Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots is an example of an organization that fills that need. Sponsorship for You Fly Gal scholarships comes from several sources, including King Schools and Pilot Workshops, but individual donations are also welcome. Aviation News Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Ends Up With ‘Broken Back’ After Hard Landing A Southwest Airlines flight attendant suffered a compression fracture to her T3 vertebra after a firm landing. She was reported to have been in her jumpseat. The pilots of Southwest flight WN2029 were making a visual approach at Santa Ana’s John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA). The NTSB closed the investigation without making any specific recommendations. Mother, daughter lead historic Southwest Airlines flight to St. Louis Mother Holly Petitt and daughter Keely Petitt flew the flight from Denver (their hometown) to St. Louis on July 23, 2022. Holly served as the captain and Keely served as the first officer. The airline’s Campus Reach Internship Program helped Keely learn more about aviation and the airline. JetBlue Boss Says Airline is Over-Hiring Staff Because Existing Employees Are Quitting En Masse JetBlue is hiring, as are most other airlines, but employee retention is a big problem and the turnover is very high. So the airline is forced to over-hire. JetBlue estimates that by the end of the year, half of its workforce will have been with the airline for less than two years. Airlines cancel more than 1,500 US flights Friday Bad weather caused more flight delays and cancellations. FlightAware reported more than 7,700 delays in the United States on one day last week. The day before that, the TSA screened 2.3 million passengers. DOT rule would require airlines to issue refunds for domestic flights delayed by 3 hours Under current rules, passengers are entitled to refunds if an airline has “made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.” However, there is no definition of “significant.” If enacted, the proposed rule would define the terms of a “significant” change and cancellation: Changes that affect the departure and/or arrival times by three hours or more for a domestic flight or six hours or more for an international flight Changes to the departure or arrival airport Changes that increase the number of connections in the itinerary; and Changes to the type of aircraft flown if it causes a significant downgrade in the air travel experience or amenities a­­vailable onboard the flight. See Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Airline Ticket Refunds and Consumer Protections. How small should airplane seats be? The FAA wants to hear from you In the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, Congress directed the FAA to issue rules for minimum dimensions for passenger seats necessary for passenger safety. Since then, the FAA conducted simulated emergency evacuations and is now asking for public comment. This is safety-related, not comfort-related. See: Request for Comments in Minimum Seat Dimensions Necessary for Safety of Air Passengers (Emergency Evacuation) Australia News Desk We pay tribute to Glen Towler, Dave Higdon, and Grant’s father, Jim McHerron, all of whom passed away since our last segment. Australia is about to see a new low-cost carrier take to the skies, in the form of Bonza Airline, flying a small fleet of Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft. The first of those arrived in-country last week, and Steve is cringing at their proposed market strategy. Corny, you may ask? Well, it may be if you speak Australian slang. Bonza airline’s first plane touches down: Boeing 737 MAX arrives in Australia Bonza 737 Max-8 VH-UJT. Photo by Cam Hines. In defence news, the RAAF has elected to keep Australia’s fleet of F-35A fighters flying, despite safety concerns over ejection seat components in a small number of US and Israeli jets which has seen those nations temporarily suspend operations.  The Department of Defence has issued a statement saying an ongoing risk assessment regime has been put in place with regard to the issue, and developments are being monitored closely. RAAF to continue flying its F-35s despite ejector seat fault Beyond the Press Release Our Aviation Entrepreneurship and Innovation Correspondent Hillel Glazer interviewed business executives at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022. His objective was to look beyond what anyone can read in company press releases. In this episode, Hillel talks to Zean Nielsen, the CEO of Cirrus Aircraft. Mentioned Museum needs space for more cars, airplanes, and students The Owls Head Transportation Museum has launched a $9.7 million capital campaign to expand museum space and educational programs. EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2022 photos by listener Steve: Cirrus Vision jet. Focke Wulf FWP-149D. Video: President Theodore Roosevelt flying in a Wright Brothers plane in 1910 https://youtu.be/p55_TD6cmJo Theodore Roosevelt – First Presidential Flight, 1910 Hosts this Episode Your hosts: Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark. Contributions by Hillel Glazer, Steve Vischer, and Grant McHerron.

A 737 plane crash flight attendant tells her story. In the news, JetBlue plans to purchase Spirit Airlines, Piper Aircraft and CAE partner on electric aircraft, 2 million aviation professionals needed, FAA wants secondary fight deck barrier, EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2022 numbers. Miami Air crash site, courtesy NTSB. Guest Melissa Gonzalez Melissa Gonzalez was a flight attendant aboard Miami Air International Flight 293 on May 3, 2019. The charter from Guantanamo Bay carried military and civilian personnel. While attempting to land on an ungrooved runway in heavy rain at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, the Boeing 737-800 overran the runway, crashed over the seawall, and came to a rest in the St. Johns River. In this episode, we learn about something we hope to never personally encounter – a plane crash – from someone who was not only there, but who was a member of the cabin crew. Melissa describes the chaos of a nighttime plane crash into the water and how her training overcame the resulting confusion. Thrust into a leadership role, she was instrumental in getting the passengers out of the plane and to safety. In 2020, Miami Air declared bankruptcy and ceased operations. However, Melissa has a passion for flying and she’s now a flight attendant doing corporate gigs. NTSB releases report on 2019 Miami Air crash at NAS Jax National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Final Report [PDF] Miami Air Flight 293, Courtesy NTSB. Aviation News Spirit terminates Frontier merger deal, paving way for possible JetBlue acquisition Spirit Airlines has decided to pursue a merger with JetBlue and not Frontier Airlines. Spirit had urged shareholders to accept the Frontier offer but didn’t have the support. The final vote was canceled and Spirit terminated the agreement. The JetBlue offer is all cash. If Spirit shareholders agree to an acquisition, the Department of Justice would have to approve. Piper Aircraft Partners with CAE to Create Electric Aircraft STC The Piper Aircraft and CAE partnership intends to develop a conversion kit via a Supplemental Type Certificate for in-service Piper Archer (PA-28-181) aircraft. CAE will convert two-thirds of its Piper Archer training fleet and the conversion kit will be made available to third parties. H55 of Switzerland is set to provide the battery system and the kit will include a SAFRAN ENGINeUSTM 100 electric motor. Boeing forecasts need for 2.1 million aviation professionals Boeing has published its Pilot and Technician Outlook 2022 – 2041. “The commercial aviation industry (minus business aviation and helicopter operations) will need 602,000 new pilots, 610,000 new technicians, and 899,000 new cabin crew personnel globally over the next 20 years…” FAA introduces rule requiring airlines to have secondary flight deck barrier The FAA has proposed a rule that requires commercial airplanes to have a secondary flight deck barrier. In a statement, Air Line Pilots Association President Joe DePete said, “I am pleased that the FAA has finally taken the first step toward addressing this vulnerability after years of delay—delays caused by airline opposition and that have resulted in thousands of planes coming into service since 2001 without this critical security enhancement.” The proposed Saracini Enhanced Aviation Act is currently before Congress. Installation and Operation of Flightdeck Installed Physical Secondary Barriers on Transport Category Airplanes in Part 121 Service “This proposed rule would implement a mandate in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 by requiring that certain airplanes used to conduct domestic, flag, or supplemental passenger-carrying operations have an installed physical secondary barrier that protects the flightdeck from unauthorized intrusion when the flightdeck door is opened.” This document has a comment period that ends September 30, 2022. David J. Higdon, Jr. Our friend and fellow aviation podcaster Dave Higdon passed recently. See David Higdon Dies At 73 and the GoFundMe page Honor Dave with a brick at Brown Arch Osh. Mentioned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022: Facts and Figures for a Record-Setting Year Rex Airlines announces plan to retrofit existing fleet with electric-propulsion engines in regional trial – ABC News Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

Aviation training at the University of Maine Augusta, Boeing and Airbus orders at Farnborough, Delta TechOps LEAP-1B MRO, a fighter market forecast, an open fan engine demonstrator, dropping the KC-46 co-pilot, electronic bag tags from Alaska Airlines, airline pilots who decide to exit the plane, and rebalancing travel demand and airline capacity. Aviation Training at the University of Maine Augusta UMA’s new Cirrus SR20 G6 UMaine at Augusta prepping a new generation of students for the airline industry The University of Maine Agusta offers aviation training with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation program, through a public-private partnership with Maine Instrument Flight.  On the occasion of UMA’s introduction of their new Cirrus SR20, our Main(e) Man Micah speaks with: Lt John Warren, Maine Air Guard KC-135 Pilot and UMA Graduate Maj. Gen. Douglas A. Farnham, Adjutant General, Maine Amber Kochaver, a recent Program graduate Dr. Joseph Szakas, Interim President UMA Greg Jolda, Aviation Program Director Dr. Szakas flying the VR Simulator with Greg Jolda UMA SR20 Being Admired – Gen Farnum and Greg Jolda Note that UMA also offers a program for remote pilots flying small unmanned aircraft or drones. The 8-course UAS certificate program allows you to become a certified FAA remote pilot. Aviation News Longtime EAA President Tom Poberezny dies as AirVenture 2022 kicks off Experimental Aircraft Association president Tom Poberezny has died at the age of 75. Tom was EAA president from 1989-2010 and succeeded his father, EAA founder Paul Poberezny. EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board Jack Pelton said, “It is not lost on us that Tom’s passing occurred on the opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the event he led into world prominence as its chairman beginning in the 1970s.” Boeing Arrives with Max Order Boon from Delta, ANA At the 2022 Farnborough Airshow, Delta Air Lines ordered 100 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets with options for 30 more. All Nippon Airways ordered twenty 737 Max 8s and two 777-8F cargo variants. Boeing Smokes Airbus at Farnborough Airshow Boeing received 172 firm orders at Farnborough while Airbus saw 85 orders. However, Airbus holds a much more significant backlog than Boeing and received a commitment for 292 jets from Chinese customers recently. Delta TechOps to provide maintenance services for next-gen LEAP engines Delta TechOps will become a provider of MRO services for CMFI LEAP-1B engines. Delta TechOps provides support for Delta’s fleet of aircraft and more than 150 other aviation and airline customers worldwide. Forecast International: Fighter Aircraft Market Worth $260B over Next 10 Years Forecast International released a new study, “The Market for Fighter Aircraft” ($2050). The company projects over 3,855 fighters built from 2022 through 2031. In 2022 dollars, that represents $281.4 billion. Airbus and CFM International launch a flight test demonstrator for advanced open fan architecture Airbus and CFM International are collaborating on an open fan (open rotor or unducted fan) engine architecture. The Flight Test Demonstrator is under CFM’s Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine (RISE) technology demonstration program. Testing is on an A380 with the engine replacing the usual #2 engine. Air Force Considers Dropping KC-46 Co-Pilot on Some MIssions The Air Force’s Air Mobility Command is thinking about reducing crew size on Boeing KC-46 Pegasus tankers during dangerous missions. The concern is that a conflict in the Indo-Pacific region could involve a Chinese anti-aircraft missile attack. Tankers are particularly vulnerable.  Reducing the number of airmen onboard a tanker would minimize casualties. This airline is launching electronic bag tags to speed up airport check-in Alaska Airlines is selectively rolling out electronic bag tags that can be activated up to 24 hours before a flight with the Alaska Airlines mobile app. At the airport, touching your phone to the tag will display flight information. No check-in is required. The program starts at San Jose International Airport in California. Captain Walks Off Alaska Airlines Flight After Fighting With First Officer It was a disagreement between the two after a 90-minute weather delay. Following an announcement by the pilot, the plane returned to the gate. Live and Let’s Fly claims “a credible source” said the captain was arguing with ramp agents and barking orders. Captain, Crew Abandon Passengers In Burning Plane Reportedly, after an explosion and smoke on a Vueling plane, the captain and most of the crew ran out of the plane leaving passengers to fend for themselves. It could be up to 3 years before flight capacity and pilot supply are ‘back in sync,’ American Airlines CEO says CEO Robert Isom told investors the surge in demand is outpacing staffing levels. Mainline route capacity should be sufficient in about a year. Regional routes could take two or three years. Mentioned American Helicopter Museum Voted Best Museum for Families History of El Avion Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and Rob Mark.

Fly-in conversations, lost baggage woes, limiting airport passenger volume, and a missed runway crash investigation. 25th Annual Spurwink Farm Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast Max Flight and our Main(e) Man Micah attended the fly-in on July 10, 2022, at the Spurwink Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. This annual event is held at the grass strip on the Farm and is hosted by EAA Chapter 141 on the first Sunday after Independence Day. The fly-in is well-attended with a wide variety of aircraft flown in for the pancake breakfast. We captured conversations with several who were in attendance, including some listeners and friends of this podcast: Fred Wilcoxen tells us about his Bede BD-5 micro-homebuilt airplane. BD-5 Douglas Corrigan relates his story about getting the aviation bug as a youngster and now working ATC. Doug and Max Flight JD is a retired military pilot who now flies long-haul cargo in a Boeing 777. He flew up from New Jersey in his Cessna 177B Cardinal. Micah and JD JD and his Cessna 177B Cardinal Mike Smith brought his beautiful Sonex up from Massachusets. Micah, Mike, and Max with the Sonex We talked with Bill Barry, the former NASA chief historian and now glider enthusiast. Micah and Bill Barry Spurwink Farm is a 40-stall private boarding facility owned by the Sprague family. We spoke with MaryLou Sprague who tells us how she and her late husband Phineas (Phin) started a relationship with EAA Chapter 141 and how the airstrip came about. Max and MaryLou Sprague Video by Steve Martin: 2022 SPURWINK FARM FLY IN! https://youtu.be/_JXb4sLLvmE Finally, the “Oreo Cows.” Are they Lakenvelder cattle (Dutch Belted cow) or the Belted Galloway? Let us know. Aviation News Airlines to stop selling tickets as Heathrow puts 100,000 daily passenger cap Airports are experiencing severe operational problems as a result of staff shortages and increased travel. This has impacted baggage processing and thousands of bags are piled up at some airports. Through September 11, 2022, London Heathrow wants to limit the number of departing customers to 100,000. Heathrow’s pre-pandemic levels were between 110,000 and 125,000 daily departing customers. In face-off with London Heathrow, Emirates airline says it won’t cut capacity Emirates says they won’t agree to limit passengers at Heathrow. They plan to continue operating six daily A380 flights into the airport. Emirates said Heathrow gave them 36 hours to reduce capacity on its daily A380 flights. “Their communications not only dictated the specific flights on which we should throw out paying passengers but also threatened legal action for non-compliance.” In a statement, the airline said, “Until further notice, Emirates plans to operate as scheduled to and from (Heathrow).” Delta Airline Flies Plane From UK To US Just To Deliver 1,000 Pieces Of Stranded Luggage Delta Airlines responded to the huge volume of lost baggage at London Heathrow by using an empty Airbus A330-200 to fly the bags home. The bags flew in the baggage bins, not in the passenger cabins. An airline was sick and tired of airport luggage chaos. Its solution was brilliant Icelandair has a different passenger-friendly solution: Fly their own baggage handlers on the plane instead of relying on overworked and under-staffed airport workers. Icelandair took this action for flights to Amsterdam’s Schipol airport. Pilots failed to see Presque Isle runway before 2019 plane mishap, investigators find CommutAir, operating a 50-seat Embraer EMB145 as a United Express flight, missed the runway on March 4, 2019, and ended up in the snow. Of the 31 passengers and crew, thankfully only three suffered minor injuries. The NTSB investigation revealed that the instrument landing system was out of adjustment by about 200 feet to the right of the runway. At least six other pilots previously encountered the problem, but none filed a company safety report. Mentioned UMA Acquires New Airplane for Expansion of Aviation Education Program Use these tips to keep your time at the airport as easy as possible From the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center: American Helicopter Museum membership with Airplane Geeks discount Star Trek Screen-Used Props and Costumes Member’s Only Speaker’s Series Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

This episode is dedicated to the Boeing 707. Our guest is the facilities manager for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute which displays a Boeing VC-137C used as Air Force One for seven U.S. presidents. In the news, Lufthansa looks to reactivate some A380s, sometimes it’s a good idea to toss something into the cockpit, and how old planes are repurposed. Boeing 707, courtesy Boeing. Guest John Lehne is the facilities manager for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute, located at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. John’s responsibilities include the operations and maintenance of Foundation property and displayed artifacts, such as the Air Force One Pavilion and SAM 27000, the Boeing VC-137C aircraft used by the president of the United States. In October 2005, John was asked to help the Foundation on a “temporary” basis. The completed Air Force One Pavilion was being transitioned from the general contractor to the Reagan Foundation. That “temporary” job turned into a 16+ year career with the Foundation.   He also oversees construction projects, contracted services such as maintenance, and various trades, as well as special event logistics.  John has a small staff of foundation employees and outside contractors that make up his “on-site” facilities team.  It is an ever-changing job that presents some unique challenges, especially the care of the aircraft and other displays.  Boeing 707 Our Main(e) Man Micah reflects on the history of the Boeing 707. Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute SAM 27000 was the second of two Boeing VC-137C United States Air Force presidential aircraft. It is a specially-built Model 707-353B that served seven United States presidents over 29 years. SAM 27000 at Reagan Library John explains the acquisition process and ownership of the aircraft, along with the transportation challenges to get it to the facility. He tells us about how the aircraft was prepared and the display constructed. We learn about the maintenance challenge in the face of large numbers of visitors who go through the aircraft. John describes the interior of the plane, including the presidential suite and other cabins. He also tells us about the other aircraft and exhibits at the site. Video: Boeing VC-137C Air Force One – “SAM 27000 in Action” – 1982-88 https://youtu.be/4kzlB2rN6mA Aviation News Lufthansa to Reactivate Airbus A380 The airline anticipates increased travel demand in 2023 and is assessing the number of A380s they plan to reactivate. Delayed deliveries of other aircraft contributed to the decision to bring the A380 back into service. In 2021, Lufthansa announced a phase-out of some long-haul aircraft, including the A380. Six of the airplanes have been sold. Up to eight may be reactivated. Lufthansa plans to add more Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 787 and 777 airplanes to replace older aircraft. Woman Forgets Purse While Boarding Flight. Ground Crew Does The Unthinkable In a viral video, an airport worker throws a passenger’s forgotten purse from the edge of the passenger bridge to a pilot’s waiting hands in the cockpit window. It’s a perfectly executed toss. 10 Examples of How Old Planes were Transformed into New Businesses Recycling old airplanes takes several forms: Some parts and components are sold into the used parts market. Others A few items become end up as aviation collectibles, artwork, and even functional furniture. What’s left over can be sold as scrap. This article gives some creative ways that old aircraft have been repurposed. Mentioned From the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center: American Helicopter Museum membership with Airplane Geeks discount Star Trek Screen-Used Props and Costumes Member’s Only Speaker’s Series The Journey is the Reward Palms to Pines Air Race – August 11 – 13, 2022. NASA To Aviation Industry: We Can Develop Flight Tech To Cut Carbon Emissions Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

Flight delays and cancellations, long lines at the airport, higher fares, and travel woes with travel guru Johnny Jet. Also, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta tips, Spurwink Farm International Fly-In, PlaneTags Festival, and an ultra-efficient business plane. Guest Johnny Jet is a well-known travel and technology expert who provides tips, guides, articles, and a newsletter to help the traveler with ticket booking, points and rewards, and credit cards. He offers information about travel apps, products, and available online resources. Johnny Jet We talk with Johnny about the current air travel situation, including canceled and delayed flights, airfare and rental car prices, and long lines at the airport. He offers some strategies to reduce the pain and anxiety that is air travel today. Johnny logs around 150,000 air miles each year. He and his website JohnnyJet.com have been featured thousands of times in major publications, including USA Today, Time, Fortune, and The New York Times. He’s appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC, and PBS. You can also find Johnny every Saturday on Leo Laporte’s The Tech Guy Show where he talks about travel and technology. JohnnyJet.com has been named “one of the top best money-saving websites for travel” by Budget Travel Magazine, and the L.A. Times calls it “one of the top 10 essential travel resources on the internet.” Current travel news topics: United Airlines will cut 12% of Newark flights in effort to tame delays 5,000 people hit by Heathrow flight cancellations Airlines are cutting flight schedules. You can expect longer lines and higher fares Hold Onto Your Hats (and Bags). Travelers to Europe Face Chaos Canceled flights rise across U.S. as summer travel heats up United Airlines Cancels Newark Flights to Reduce Delays Delta Airlines puts time limit on guests visiting its lounge Mentioned The Journey is the Reward 25th Annual Spurwink Farm International Fly-In Sunday, July 10, 2022 pancake breakfast 8:00 – 11:00. Spurwink Farm, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, off Route 77. Second Annual PlaneTags Festival August 12th and 13th, 2022 at MotoArt Studios in Torrance, California. This is your chance to join fellow Tagnatics and the MotoArt PlaneTags crew for the weekend’s festivities. In Episode 644 Aviation Art Designs we spoke with Dave Hall, the owner of MotoArt and PlaneTags. Second Annual PlaneTags Festival Brian Shul is scheduled to be a guest speaker at the PlaneTags festival. He’s an Air Force fighter pilot who flew the A-7D and the A-10, and taught at the Air Force’s TopGun school in the F-5B. He went on to become an SR-71 spy plane pilot. Brian was our guest in Episode 375 – Sled Driver Brian Shul. Want to own an airport? There’s one for sale in southern Maine World’s most efficient passenger plane gets hydrogen powertrain Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

Air Force One paint scheme and production problems, F-35s as Aggressors, Israeli extended range F-35s, Delta’s “juniority benefit,” Piedmont wage increases, and a U.S. Navy safety stand-down. Air Force One Aviation News Hot mess: There’s a problem with Trump’s Air Force One paint job Former President Donald Trump decided to replace the traditional Air Force One paint scheme with a different design that includes dark blue paint on the underbelly and engines. Reports say the dark color may cause cooling problems for some components. An Air Force spokesperson said the “…darker colors, among other factors, on the underside of the VC-25B aircraft might contribute to temperatures exceeding the current qualification limits of a small number of components.”  Two days later… Biden scraps Trump’s Air Force One paint scheme over cost The Biden administration announced the new Air Force One planes will not change to the darker paint scheme. An administration official said, “The Trump paint scheme is not being considered because it could drive additional engineering, time, and cost.” Under the $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to modify two 747-8s, Boeing would have had to pay for any design changes. Boeing Can’t Find Enough Workers to Build the New Air Force One The Government Accountability Office says that Boeing is having difficulty finding enough skilled mechanics to work on the aircraft who can also pass strict security requirements. Supply chain delays and Boeing’s dispute with former subcontractor GDC Technics are contributing to the project headwind. First F-35 Aggressor Dedicated To Replicating Chinese Threats Unveiled The U.S. Air Force 65th Aggressor Squadron (AGRS) has been reactivated at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada using the F-35A Lightning II. The AGRS mission is “to know, teach and replicate fifth-generation air adversaries,” particularly the airpower capabilities emerging from China. See: 65th Aggressor Squadron reactivates at Nellis AFB with aggressor force of F-35s. Israel Has Extended The Range Of Its F-35s Israeli media reports indicate that the country has developed modifications to its F-35I fighters that give them enough range to reach Iranian targets without refueling. This could possibly come from external drop tanks or conformal fuel tanks. The Israelis have also developed a smart bomb that can be carried by their F-35s. Delta’s ‘juniority benefit’ is saving the airline loads of cash after many of its higher-paid workers took buyouts in 2020, bucking the recent trend of companies paying more After the federal payroll support program ran out in September 2020, most airlines furloughed workers to downsize their operations, But Delta targeted their highest-paid employees with buyouts, not furloughs. That left Delta with a relatively younger and lower-cost workforce. With the travel rebound and insufficient employees, airlines are scrambling to hire. That’s driving their workforce costs up. But Delta is able to hire younger staffers that cost less. Delta CEO Ed Bastian calls this a “juniority benefit.” Significant wage bump for Piedmont PIlots [From Reddit.com] A memo published to pilots by Piedmont Airlines VP, Flight Operations Stephen Keefer, and MEC Chairman Captain Ryan Miller stated that a tentative agreement (TA) had been reached for a labor contract extension through July 2029. The TA provides for wage increases for pilots, increased wage premium for Line Check Pilots, and commitment to improvements in flow-through to American. After series of crashes, U.S. Navy to pause flight operations for safety reviews After a spate of recent crashes, the U.S. Navy said it would pause all flight operations to conduct safety reviews and training. Units that were not deployed paused on June 13. Deployed units were to pause “at the earliest possible opportunity.” In the past few weeks: A Navy pilot was killed when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed during a training mission. An MV-22B Osprey crashed and killed five U.S. Marines during a training mission. A Navy helicopter went down during a training flight and one person sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Mentioned The Journey is the Reward Portland jetport’s main runway reopens, ending disruptions Innovations in Flight – Outdoor Aviation Display at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum June 18, 2022, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. 3 Good Reasons Why The F-35 Was Not Featured In Top Gun: Maverick Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The fascinating development and operational history of the B-1 BONE bomber, certifying the last models of the 737 Max, the Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance fighter (NGAD), Germany selects its heavy-lift helicopter, piloting an A330 while sleeping, prison time for an unruly passenger, and staff shortages impact service at European airports Guest Kenneth P. Katz recently published his book titled The Supersonic BONE: A Development and Operational History of the B-1 Bomber. Highly researched with rich technical data and photographs, the book describes the fascinating history of the B-1 BONE, which turned out to be a very different aircraft from what it was originally intended to be. Ken explains how changing military technology and strategy, political imperatives, and the evolving nature of external threats all impacted U.S. bomber strategy. The B-1A was transformed into the B-1B with 100 copies built and is still in service. Where to buy The Supersonic BONE: The publisher, based in the UK The US distributor Amazon Barnes & Noble Ken is a long-time airplane geek. He was educated in aerospace engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Michigan. Ken has over three decades of experience as a US Air Force officer, flight test engineer, and project manager, and is currently employed as a staff project engineer for a major aerospace contractor.  Ken has a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating, and flight experience as an observer and crewmember in over 20 types of military aircraft. He’s a senior member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers. Aviation News Inside the Convoluted Politics of Certifying the Last 737 Max Models If the last two 737 Max derivatives (the Max 10 and Max 7) aren’t certified by the end of 2022, Boeing will have a significant problem with the cockpits on those airplanes. Section 116 of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act [PDF] signed in December 2020 prohibits the certification of any transport category aircraft that lacks “a flight crew alerting system that, at a minimum, displays and differentiates among warnings, cautions, and advisories, and includes functions to assist the flight crew in prioritizing corrective actions and responding to systems failures…” and “…any system safety assessment with respect to the Boeing 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, and 737-10 airplanes… is conducted in accordance with [this requirement]. The Air Force’s secret next-gen fighter has reached development phase The Air Force Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter is shaping up as more than just one airplane. It’s a family of systems that include new weapons, sensors, and drones that operate with the new fighter. The highly classified 6th generation fighter is now confirmed to be in the development phase. German Heavy-Lift Helicopter Program Selects Chinook Germany is expected to purchase up to 60 Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters in a deal valued at about €4 billion ($4.3 billion). These will replace the current Sikorsky CH-53G helicopter fleet. Delivery reportedly takes place between 2023 and 2029 although the agreement has not yet been finalized. Both Pilots Flew the Airbus A330 Asleep This past May, pilots on an ITA Airways A330-200 failed to maintain ATC communication for about 10 minutes as they allegedly slept at cruise altitude. The plane was operated by autopilot at the time. The first officer was at “controlled rest.” Italian media reports that the captain was dismissed, but he says he was not sleeping and there was a radio communication failure. Woman Who Knocked Out Southwest Airlines Teeth Ends Up With 15 Month Prison Sentence The woman who assaulted a Southwest Airlines flight attendant in May 2021 has been sentenced to 15 months in prison and to pay $25,981.57 in restitution and a $7,500 fine. Expert says ministers must declare EMERGENCY and draft in army for at least six months to solve holiday hell British airports claim they have 40,000 job vacancies. Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said that “defence personnel with experience providing security” should be called in for “three to four months” to with the travel disruption that has resulted. Author, media personality, and aviation expert Julian Bray thinks military personnel may be required for six months. See also: Germany Plans to Hire 2,000 Temporary Workers From Turkey to Ease Airport Travel Chaos Passengers Told to Leave Luggage at Home if They Want to Make Flights Due to Staff Shortages KLM cancels all flights from European cities to Schiphol on Saturday night Mentioned Innovations in Flight – Outdoor Aviation Display at the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum June 18, 2022, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Into Flight Once More –  Brings the history of June 6, 1944, to the present through the lens of one squadron and their epic recreation journey across the North Atlantic to Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. In 1994, Lt. Carey Lohrenz, U.S. Navy, retired, became one of the first women to fly the F-14 Tomcat… This is a story that has had generational impact and continues to inspire women in the armed forces and beyond: Video: Flying an F-14 ‘I Can’t Believe It Was Legal’ https://youtu.be/D3etJrPDd9o Accurate Ranging Perception for Assisted and Automated Driving This report by Sam Abuelsamid provides an overview of the assistive and automated driving technology landscape including the steps these systems take and how distance and trajectory are measured by various sensor types. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and Max Trescott.

The FAA IASA program (International Aviation Safety Assessment), Bombardier’s business jet strategy, possibly another AN-225, the American/Sabre antitrust verdict, ALPA and pilot retirement age, a lawsuit alleges Southwest concealed safety defects, the Facebook free ticket scam, and a NEXUS interview report. Aviation News A year later and Mexico hasn’t yet recovered its top-tier aviation safety rating In May 2021, the FAA announced that the Government of Mexico did not meet ICAO safety standards and downgraded Mexico’s rating to Category 2 from Category 1. (Federal Aviation Administration Announces Results of Mexico’s Safety Assessment.) Under that rating, Mexican air carrier level of service to the U.S would be frozen: they could continue existing service to the United States, but any new service and routes were prohibited. Also, codesharing with a U.S. airline would only be permitted one-way and no U.S. carrier codes on Mexican-operated flights. The FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program was established in 1992 and employs a 4-person IASA assessment team that looks at eight critical elements of a safety oversight system. The assessment is performed with IASA Assessment Checklists available on FAA’s website. The assessment results are either Category 1 (the country complies with ICAO standards) or Category 2 (they do not comply with ICAO standards.) Video: Federal Aviation Administration’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Program https://youtu.be/tvgMOkcK3EI When the IASA program first began, over 66% of assessed countries with operators seeking U.S. service did not meet ICAO standards. Now, 90% of countries with an IASA rating are Category 1. See IASA Program Results. Bombardier Sees Blended-wing Future for Business Jets At EBACE 2022, Bombardier showed a model of their blended-wing Eco Jet concept. The company describes its three pillars to reduce business aviation carbon emissions: aerodynamic improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, and new propulsion systems (hydrogen, hybrid-electric, and all-electric). Ukrainian president Zelensky wants to rebuild An-225 Mriya to honor hero pilots Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky referenced the An-225 in an online meeting with Ukrainian students. He said there had been plans to build a second An-225 but that project was too expensive. “But in this case,” he says, “it’s not a matter of money, it’s a matter of ambition.” American Airlines gets favorable antitrust verdict, and $1 in damages In its long-running antitrust lawsuit, American Airlines Group claimed Sabre Corp charged excessive fees and suppressed competition. After five days of deliberation, the federal jury ruled in favor of American and awarded the carrier $1 in damages. The case goes back to 2011 in a suit brought by US Airways before it merged with American. ALPA Rejects Boost In Retirement Age The Air Line Pilots Association says it will oppose any attempt to raise the retirement age for pilots. The union believes such a change would disrupt the seniority-based flight bidding process. The older pilots wouldn’t be able to bid on international flights if other countries stayed with the age 65 retirement mandate. In a statement, ALPA said:  “When age 65+ airline pilots return to domestic-only flying, they will then displace more junior pilots and both cohorts may require training on different aircraft, adding to the training costs of air carriers. Furthermore, most regional airline pilots leave the regional industry long before age 65 for more lucrative jobs at mainline or low-cost carriers or other opportunities. Therefore, the pool of domestic-service pilots will not increase appreciably without additional training costs or disruptions.” Southwest Airlines proposed a ploy to deceive FAA on Boeing 737 MAX, legal filing alleges Reportedly, a Southwest manager asked Boeing officials if engineers could install a new flight-control safety alert required for the MAX on one of Southwest’s older 737s, and then once the MAX was certified, deactivate it. Plaintiffs allege that this move would let Boeing tell the FAA that the alert was not new on the MAX. Thus, no additional pilot training would be required, which Southwest wanted to avoid. The class-action lawsuit was brought on behalf of Southwest passengers who purchased tickets between the time of the first crash and the second. Southwest Airlines warns of free ticket Facebook scam A “Southwest Air Fans” Facebook post declared that replying “Done” to the post would earn you two free tickets. Southwest had nothing to do with this supposed “promotion.” Portland Jetport (KPWM) Runway Rehab Update Jetport experiences delays, cancellations following nighttime closing Runway 11–29 Rehabilitation Project Report Our Main(e) Man Micah tells us about his Trusted Traveler Program interview. Trusted Traveler Programs Johnny Jet, Simplifying Travel Which Trusted Traveler Program Is Right For You? Mentioned America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Commercial spacecraft gets approval to land at Huntsville airport Dream Chaser, courtesy NASA. Thunder Over Dover Air Show 2022 KC-46 by David Vanderhoof. David in the KC-46. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

The pilot shortage, flying Icelandic Air, air mobility initiative, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, funding travel, airborne nuclear command and control aircraft, Aviation and Aerospace Media Awards, and aviation careers. Also, eVTOL certification, BA pilots, the 1,500-hour rule, an all-electric seaglider, and locked out of the cockpit. Glen Towler Glen Towler, 2017. The aviation community recently lost an avid enthusiast. Micah delivers a touching eulogy while Hillel explains how Glen deeply loved EAA and AirVenture and would save up money all year to make the journey from New Zealand to Oshkosh every summer. Glen was well known at “Camp Bacon” and throughout the aviation community through his avid participation in many online aviation forums and podcasts to which he frequently submitted short recordings. Funds are being collected to buy Glen a brick at the Brown Arch where each year Glen arranged a group photo of all his online friends. Donations will also be used to have Glen’s name and obit inscribed on the EAA Museum Memorial Wall. Any excess funds will be given to EAA. Please donate whatever you feel in your heart to remember Glen in his favorite place: Remembering Glen at OSH. Glen Towler in the simulator at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2019. Glen, center kneeling, 2019. Aviation Topics from Listeners Opinions Differ On Pilot Shortage The Air Line Pilots Association created a webpage: More Than Enough Pilots to Meet U.S. Airline Demand – Debunking the Pilot Shortage Myth where they say,  “Over the past eight years, the United States has produced more than enough certificated pilots to meet airline hiring demands and compensate for retirements, even as new and more rigorous pilot training standards were enacted to enhance safety. In fact, there are currently about 1.5 certificated pilots relative to demand, according to Federal Aviation Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics data. So, although we don’t have a pilot shortage, we do have a shortage of airline executives willing to stand by their business decisions to cut air service and be upfront about their intentions to skirt safety rules and hire inexperienced workers for less pay.” Keflavík Airport Questions about the Icelandic Air connections at KEF. Electric Air Transport Of The Future: Air Mobility Initiative The Air Mobility Initiative (AMI) is being created with a series of research projects looking at making electric air mobility within and between cities a reality. Projects are centered around three main areas: electric aircraft, air traffic management services, and vertiports. Tesla software update From Patrick Wiggens: What the Tesla now sees and what the human eye sees. (Look closely!) Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Tips for visitors include volunteering to crew, getting up pre-dawn, and taking the tram up Sandia Peak. Lawmakers press Air Force on speeding up purchase of Boeing E-7 Wedgetail The Air Force wants to get Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail operational, but the prototype might not fly until fiscal 2027. Boeing E-7 Wedgetail, courtesy Republic of Korea Armed Forces. The Journey is the Reward How Brian funds his dream of achieving lifetime 1K status with United Airlines. USAF’s Next Airborne Nuclear Command-And-Control Aircraft, Needs Four Engines The U.S. Air Force wants its next airborne nuclear command and control aircraft to have four engines, and will likely choose used aircraft. U.S. Air Force E-4B, courtesy Wikipedia. Aviation Xtended The Aerospace Media Awards were created to honor journalists and publishers who have made a significant contribution to aerospace journalism and publishing. Pieter Johnson’s Aviation Xtended podcast is a finalist in the Best Digital Submission category. High-flyers: five careers in aviation that don’t require a pilot’s license Five careers in aviation that don’t require a pilot’s license, from Artemis Aerospace. Aircraft maintenance mechanic, courtesy Artemis Aerospace. Aviation News FAA changes course on eVTOL certification The companies (and investors) of winged eVTOL aircraft assumed they would be certified under the FAA’s small airplane certification rules. Now, and unexpectedly, the FAA says it plans to type-certify the eVTOLS as powered-lift aircraft under its “special class” process in 14 CFR 21.17(b), not 14 CFR Part 23. British Airways hit by pilot rise up over pay cuts British Airways pilots are unhappy with the airline’s plan to cut their pay. Under a 2020 deal, pilots accepted pay cuts in exchange for reducing redundancy from 1,255 pilots to 270. Republic Seeks 1500-Hour Rule Exemption Republic Airways wants the FAA to drop the current 1500-hour mandate for right seat pilots to 750 hours, under the supervision of a trained and experienced captain. “The Republic R-ATP Program is designed to make airline pilot career opportunities more accessible for qualified individuals from underrepresented groups who meet the selection criteria but may not have the financial means or academic support to pursue an aviation career path.” the airline said to the FAA. Airline Pilot Retirement Age Could Be Raised To 67 Allegedly, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina is working on a bill that would reduce the commercial airline pilot retirement age raised to 67 from 65. Southwest Airlines admits to an insulting problem that’ll drive everyone crazy Southwest Airlines needs 10,000 more employees, including 1,200 more pilots. The Wall Street Journal reported that between 15% and 20% of the new hires never turn up. It’s called ghosting and it’s occurring broadly. Hawaiian Airlines is building an all-electric seaglider that holds 100 passengers Regent announced that Hawaiian Airlines has agreed to strategically invest in the company to support the initial design of its next-generation 100-person capacity all-electric seaglider known as the Monarch. With this investment, Hawaiian Airlines becomes Regent’s first U.S.-based design partner for the Monarch, which is slated for entry into commercial service by 2028. Regent seaglider Hilarious: Delta Air Lines Pilot Crawls Through Window Of Boeing 737 Watch what happens when the pilots are locked out of the cockpit. Mentioned Women in Aviation International (WAI) honors the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) in May by visiting their graves and leaving an appropriate decoration in the form of flowers or other remembrances. The database of WASP gravesites includes Google maps showing their locations. #HonorTheWASP Sky River Helicopters – Providing helicopter tours, charters, and flight school. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, with contribution by our Main(e) Man Micah.

How aviation weather intelligence affects airlines and airports, the FAA wants radio altimeters replaced, Easyjet has a solution to fly with less crew, Spirit Airlines says no to JetBlue, an electric airplane first, jail time for some unruly passengers, and Virgin Atlantic flight training requirements. Guest Scott Gilmore is the Global Vice President and GM of Aviation at Tomorrow.io, a company that provides an aviation weather and climate security platform. Scott has over 40 years in the aviation industry, including 27 as a pilot. He drives Tomorrow.io’s aviation go-to-market offerings, including sales activity, revenue management, and the product roadmap. Scott explains the sources and uses of aviation weather data, and how weather intelligence results in fewer turnbacks, more payload, and better fuel load. He also tells us about the impact on airport ground staffing and de-icing planning. Tomorrow.io is deploying its own constellation of LEO weather satellites equipped with radar and microwave sounders. This will provide global coverage with a significantly improved refresh rate. Scott describes the goal of being able to machine generate a custom “TAF” (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast) for any selected location. It’s with noting that the non-profit TomorrowNow.org is committed to helping vulnerable populations adapt to the climate changes that are happening now. Prior to Tomorrow.io, Scott served as the Head of Flight Deck Solutions with The Weather Company, an IBM Business; Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at the International Air Transport Association (IATA); and Director Of Business Development Airline Industry Solutions, and Head Of Application Development Aircraft Mission Kit / Electronic Flight Bag at Unisys. Scott was a Senior Strategic Airlift Manager C-5, C-17, and Tanker Operations with the United States Air Force. He’s an FAA Rated Flight Engineer with over 21,000 hours in the flight deck, an Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic, and a member of the American Association of Airport Executives. Aviation News FAA wants U.S. airlines to retrofit, replace radio altimeters The FAA wants to establish “an achievable timeframe to retrofit/replace radar altimeters in the U.S. fleet” due to possible interference from C-Band 5G wireless service. So they are meeting with telecom and airline industry officials where they can hear “options and commit to actions necessary to meet these objectives.” EasyJet to take out seats so it can fly with fewer crew Staff shortages are affecting commercial flight schedules globally and EasyJet has a solution to reduce its cabin crew from four to three legally: Take out the back row of seats in its A319 fleet. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates the number of cabin crew based on seats, not passengers on board. Nigerian airlines are threatening to ground domestic flights amid soaring jet fuel prices Nine Nigerian airlines issued a statement saying that the cost of imported jet fuel had increased nearly fourfold as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and that they are threatening to stop domestic flights. Airline operating costs have increased from about 40% to nearly 95% Frustrated Alaska Airlines Pilots to Vote on Strike Alaska Airlines pilots have been without a contract for some three years. Pilots started voting on May 9 on whether to strike. Balloting will end on May 25. The Air Line Pilots Association is seeking higher pay and better scheduling for its pilots. Spirit Airlines rejects JetBlue’s buyout bid, citing approval concerns The Spirit Airlines board rejected the $3.6 billion takeover bid by JetBlue Airways. They say Spirit will continue to pursue a merger with Frontier Airlines. The Board determined that the JetBlue proposal involves an unacceptable level of closing risk that would be assumed by Spirit stockholders. We believe that our pending merger with Frontier will start an exciting new chapter for Spirit. Mac Gardner, Spirit Airlines board chairman. U.S. Aviation First: Private Pilot Certificate Earned Using an Electric Airplane In a U.S. first, a student pilot has earned a private pilot certificate with an electric aircraft. Shane Fisher flew his check ride in a two-seat Pipistrel Velis Electro, the world’s first and still only electric-powered airplane to receive a type certificate. Certificated by EASA in 2020, it operates in the U.S. as a light sport experimental aircraft. Fisher’s cross-country was accomplished in a Pipistrel Virus SW, which has a similar airframe but is powered by a Rotax 912 engine.  Unruly Passenger Who Managed to Open Plane Door Inflight is Sentenced to Just One Year in Jail A disruptive and violent passenger who opened the aircraft door on a United Express flight just before landing could have received 20-years imprisonment and a $200,000 fine. But instead, he was sentenced to one year behind bars for interfering with a flight crew. Kameron C. Stone, 30, of Fairfax, Virginia was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine and undergo three years of supervised release. He can also look forward to a fine from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Man Who Assaulted Flight Attendants Gets 60 Days in Jail Witnesses Describe the Scene When Man Exited Moving Plane at O’Hare, Slid Down Wing A person opened the emergency exit door of United flight 2874 at O’Hare International Airport as the plane was moving on the runway. The passenger then walked out onto the wing and slid down onto the airfield.  Our ground crew stopped the individual outside of the aircraft, and the person is now with law enforcement. United Airlines statement. Virgin Atlantic Flight Aborted After Pilot Found To Be ‘Untrained’ This was a Virgin Atlantic internal training protocol compliance violation, not a regulatory violation. The first officer had not completed his final assessment, and the captain was not yet qualified as a check airman. The plane returned and the first officer was replaced. Australia News Desk This week’s segment covers the big announcement by QANTAS of the purchase of 12 A350-1000s, along with a ton of other variants which will gradually replace, and effectively phase out, Boeing aircraft over the next five years.  We also take a look at QANTAS purchasing regional operator Alliance Airlines, the upcoming RAAF Amberley Air Tattoo, the Pacific Air Show scheduled for Queensland in 2023, and the World Championship Air Race round for Australia which was recently announced.  We also may have had a little fun at Rob’s expense…. What passengers can expect on Qantas’ longest commercial flight in the world Introducing the Airbus A350-1000 Pacific Airshow comes to Gold Coast in 2023 Pacific Airshow Qantas has reached an agreement to fully acquire Australian-based operator, Alliance Aviation Services QANTAS to acquire Alliance Aviation to Better Support Resources Segment Air race 2022: Lake Macquarie locks in $8 million drawcard for November Ipswich Amberley Air Tattoo Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Max Trescott

A former TWA flight attendant describes the freedom of air travel in a new memoir. In the news, Delta says it will pay flight attendants during the boarding process, a resurrected Jet Airways says it won’t hire male flight attendants, American Airlines fires some reserve flight attendants, a custom 747-8 with 42 hours goes to the boneyard, add fuel shortages to the list of summer air travel challenges, and the F-15EX program faces some headwind. or GFDL 1.2 ), via Wikimedia Commons" class="wp-image-9248" srcset="http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lockheed_L-1011-1_Tristar_Trans_World_Airlines_TWA_JP5893650_600.jpg 600w, http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lockheed_L-1011-1_Tristar_Trans_World_Airlines_TWA_JP5893650_600-300x152.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />Lockheed L-1011-1 Tristar at St Louis Lambert-St Louis Int’l – KSTL, USA – Missouri, 2 April 1985. (Courtesy Jon Proctor) Guest Ann Hood From the time she graduated college in 1978 until 1986, Ann Hood was a TWA flight attendant. In her new book Fly Girl: A Memoir she reveals how she went from being a small-town girl with big-time dreams to flying 35,000 feet up in the air. In Fly Girl, Ann gives the reader a look at the freedom and love of life that aviation offered. She tells us how the job empowered her, despite its roots in sexist standards where stewardesses were part of blatant innuendo in airline marketing. In our conversation, Ann describes how air travel was different in the 1970s and 80s when passengers dressed up for the flight and wrote letters onboard for the cabin crew to mail. Of course, the food served was something altogether different, even in coach.  Ann observes how life unfolds on the airplane, meaning that the passengers all have different life stories, emotional states, and reasons for traveling. Flight attendants learn how to understand that and be compassionate and respectful of the passengers. She also comments on the qualities of a really good flight attendant and talks about long layovers and the L-1011. As a bestselling author, Ann has written 14 novels, a collection of short stories, some nonfiction, a book series for middle readers, and much more. Find her and where to buy Fly Girl at her website AnnHood.us. Aviation News Delta, facing a union drive, says it will start paying flight attendants during boarding Delta is the only major U.S. airline whose flight attendants aren’t unionized. Delta has more than 20,000 flight attendants. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) wants to change that and a union campaign is underway. Now Delta says that starting June 2, 2022, they will pay their flight attendants while the plane is boarding, upending the block-to-block standard. However, the pay will be half the hourly rate. This Airline Won’t Hire Male Cabin Crew Because it Wants to Save Money On Hotel Rooms India’s Jet Airways went out of business in 2019, but investors are trying to bring it back to life. They want to do everything they can to keep costs down, so they plan to have flight attendants share hotel rooms. That’s fine, as long as the roommates are of the same gender. Otherwise, the airline would have to pay for two rooms. Their solution is to start with a flight attendant staff of just one gender, only allowing males into the company once a certain operational scale is reached. American Airlines Sacks 50 Flight Attendants in Six Months For Going AWOL On Reserve Duty When called, flight attendants on “reserve duty” have to be at work within two hours. If they are commuters (not living in the city of their assigned airport) they are expected to stay within two hours of travel to that airport. It seems some flight attendants were staying at their home location, betting they wouldn’t get called. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is warning its members that American is investigating no-show reserve flight attendants to see if they were AWOL. In an internal memo, the union told members, “During this investigation, they will pull all your travel benefits history, including past, current AA listings, travel, and other airlines. They will use other evidence to substantiate their claim that a Flight Attendant was not in a position to report within the contractual timeline.” Royal Junk: Brand-New, Custom $300 Million Boeing 747-8 Arrives at Scrapyard In 2012, a new Boeing 747-8 was delivered for the personal use of Saudi Arabian Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Before the full VIP refit was accomplished, the Sultan passed away and the jet was abandoned for a full decade. N458BJ only clocked 42 hours of flight time. Recently, the 747 was flown to Pinal Airpark in Arizona. Video from BSL Planespotter 4K: Last flight of this white jumbo before its retirement B747-8JA | N458BJ | take off at Basel Airport https://youtu.be/kinGI1ekttA?t=195 Could fuel shortages be the airlines’ next pandemic problem? A number of factors have conspired to limit Jet-A availability at some airports, including weather and the process by which pipeline operators allocate pipe capacity to different fuel types. Fuel Shortage Forces United Airlines to Cancel Johannesburg Flights “We’re sorry to let you know that your flight has been canceled because of an airport-wide fuel shortage at Johannesburg Airport. We are closely monitoring the situation and we will resume operations as soon as possible.” How Do Pipelines Work? The F-15EX Program Is In Trouble Officials in the U.S. Air Force are examining options for canceling the service’s new F-15EX Eagle II fighter program. Originally 144 aircraft were planned, but now the U.S Air Force is considering capping the program at 80 aircraft, making more funding available for the F-35A. Mentioned Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, October 1-9, 2022. The Journey is the Reward Brian’s notes to airline crews: What the eyes see (on the left) and what the Tesla sees (on the right). Courtesy Patrick Wiggins. Archer and United Airlines Form Joint eVTOL Advisory Committee to Support Archer’s Future Airline Operations Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.