Airplane Geeks Podcast

Епизоде

• 
  908 Bombardier Aviation 16.09.2026 1ч 15мин

  Bombardier and global aerospace manufacturing, air traffic controller criticism of the FAA, boom refueling for RAF tankers, airport gate access for people without tickets, restricting beverage service after pushback, and an OzDesk report. Aviation News Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition In a social media post, the President threatened to ban Bombardier’s business jet sales in the United States. Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier Aviation is a subsidiary of Bombardier Inc. and produces the Challenger 3500 and 650, and the Global 5500, 6500, and 8000. The company reportedly delivered 157 aircraft in 2025 and is expecting the same in 2026. Global 6500, courtesy Bombardier. Bombardier performs final assembly in Canada. Wings are manufactured in Red Oak, Texas, and flight control components come from the Los Angeles/Van Nuys, California area. A newer component-manufacturing plant is located in Moorpark, California. Wichita, Kansas, is Bombardier’s U.S. headquarters and houses Bombardier’s flight test center plus a large service and Bombardier Defense operation. Bombardier says they currently employ 3,500 people in the U.S., spread across more than 20 states. They are currently actively recruiting to fill 500 open U.S. positions. According to Bombardier, the company has engineering, supply chain, defense, and support roles in states including Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. The company recently said it has about 2,800 U.S. suppliers across 47 states and $2.5B in annual American purchasing. See also: A U.S. ban on Bombardier sales could ‘massively’ disrupt American aerospace Air traffic controllers turn on FAA chief as tensions boil over In August, the Washington Examiner published an interview with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford titled, Trump administration races to overhaul America’s air traffic control system by 2028. After the article was published, more than 400 air traffic controllers “have privately reached out to the publication… and warned that the nation’s aviation system has reached a breaking point.” Controllers said the FAA was being treated “like a corporate balance sheet by trying to squeeze out every ounce of productivity from controllers.” Congress previously approved and funded a compensation package, but Bedford admitted that the FAA is withholding a 2.8% retroactive raise. See also: FAA leaves air traffic controller raises in limbo amid mounting strain on system. UK Government Commits To Boom Refueling For RAF Tankers Aerial refueling is performed by one of two methods: flying-boom (used by the U.S. Air Force) and probe-and-drogue (used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and many allied air forces). The future Tempest combat jet being developed under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) initiative is planned to be a flying-boom aircraft. The U.K. tankers use probe-and-drogue refueling, but Defense Minister Luke Pollard said the RAF’s existing aerial refueling capability will eventually be complemented by a boom system. TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11 As a consequence of the 9/11 attacks, those without tickets have been unable to pass through security checkpoints. However, at some airports, under the program called “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” the TSA is allowing eligible TSA PreCheck® members without tickets to pass through security and enter gate areas. The program is free and TSA PreCheck members and those with Known Traveler Numbers (KTNs) are eligible. Children are eligible to visit but must be entered on their parent/guardian’s reservation. The program is currently available at 13 airports and will roll out to more airports in the coming months. Apply at the Gateside by TSA PreCheck webpage. See also: From the Lockerbie bombing to 9/11: How attacks on flights defined US air travel and A major TSA rule may be changing for some travelers. Drink Up: Delta Crews Will Collect Pre-Departure Drinks Earlier, In “FAA-Driven” Change Delta sent a memo to flight attendants explaining that effective September 1, 2026, “Flight attendants will be required to collect all Delta-provided service items, including both disposable and non-disposable service items, before pushback. This FAA-driven change applies across the industry and requires airlines to collect and stow service items before pushback. On flights that offer pre-departure beverages in disposable serviceware, customers may have less time with their beverages before collection, so consider opportunities to begin service earlier in the boarding process when possible.” This requirement has been in place since 1992, with FAR 121.577 (a) stating: “No certificate holder may move an airplane on the surface, take off, or land when any food, beverage, or tableware furnished by the certificate holder is located at any passenger seat.” Ben Schlappig writes, “The thing is, there was no enforcement mechanism in place, and there was also an exception for disposable service items. That has finally changed as of 2026…” Delta’s Regional Airline Says Passengers Must Put Complimentary Water Bottles in Their Carry-Ons Because Then It Belongs to Them Endeavor Air, a Delta-owned regional subsidiary, wants to follow the requirement to collect service items before pushback. To comply with the rule for complimentary water bottles, Endeavor says passengers must place the bottles in carry-on bags for taxi and takeoff, rather than in the seatback pocket. That shifts responsibility from the airline to the passenger. Australia News Desk Grant, Steve, and Brian deliver local aviation news from Australia. Find Grant and Steve at Plane Crazy Down Under. See: Qantas captain’s shock after he landed his final flight. Video: 2026 River Fire C-17 Rehearsal Video: 2026 River Fire F-18 Practice Mentioned Capetown’s DHL Stadium Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  907 Airshow Photography 02.09.2026 1ч 36мин

  We learn about airshow photography as we talk with a private pilot and UAV operator. In the news: Textron’s new president and CEO, controllers and the fatal Air Canada Express crash, Marine One communications with DCA tower, Boeing’s new F-15 contract, the TSA’s Gold+ privatized airport screening program, and the Airlink low pass over a Cape Town stadium. Thunderbird F-16 in flight. All photographs courtesy Logan Lynch. Guest Logan Lynch is a lifelong avgeek who loves photographing aircraft. He’s attended AirVenture since 2018, where he can usually be found on the flight line with a camera glued to his face. Be sure to look through Logan’s 2026 EAA Airventure photo gallery for a sample of his work. As we talk about airshow photography, we learn that Logan owns very little photo gear and prefers to rent long zoom lenses from Lensrentals.com. We talk about good focal lengths, using a monopod (especially for fast jets), and a tripod for night shows. Logan spends the entire day shooting at a show, and he explains the accessories he carries, like lots of batteries, memory cards, and a cleaning kit. We talk about shooting RAW vs. JPG and editing images in Lightroom. Logan addresses the challenge of getting the right amount of prop blur and the importance of panning. We also explore tips for shooters who might only have the camera in their phone. An example of prop blur and panning on the Skip Stewart PITTS S-2S. Logan is a part owner of a 1966 Cessna 150F nicknamed Graham Cracker, and also a full-time UAV Operator and LDAR Technician for a major oil and gas producer out of North Dakota. He started Lynch Drone Photography in 2021 as an idea to generate a little extra income, but plans to expand it. Logan earned a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management from Utah Valley University and serves as board treasurer for his local airport. The F-22 Raptor. The night show at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. Aviation News After Eight Years as President and CEO, Ron Draper Announces Retirement; Brian Rohloff to Lead Textron Aviation Forward Effective August 31, 2026, Ron Draper retired as president and CEO of Textron, with Brian Rohloff replacing him. Rohloff most recently served as senior vice president of Customer Support, overseeing global customer support operations, including service center capacity, parts availability, and AOG (aircraft-on-ground) response. Rohloff joined Cessna Aircraft Co. in 2009 as a production manager, and held positions including vice president of quality, vice president of sales, senior product director for the Citation XLS and Citation X lines, and director of paint operations. FAA seeks to fire two controllers who left early before fatal Air Canada crash On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots. That night, two controllers left about an hour before the end of their shift, leaving two controllers to cover the tower. They remained recorded as working, in a practice known as “early shove.” ABC News reported that the two departing controllers were not needed to provide the normal minimum staffing for that time of night. The FAA has not said that the absence of the two controllers contributed to the accident. NATCA said it was discussing the allegations with FAA management. The NTSB has not determined the probable cause of the accident. New tech at Portland Jetport aims to boost safety New grant money will help Portland [Maine] International Jetport pay for location transponders in 57 airfield vehicles. The FAA is providing $200,000 while the state and the airport are contributing smaller amounts. Portland Jetport Director Paul Bradbury said, “…the tragedy in LaGuardia happened at midnight, right? It’s dark; it’s hard for controllers to see. This will make it another opportunity for them to see exactly where every vehicle is on the airfield.”  White House construction contributed to radio problems that let Trump copter come close to jet Several times controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport failed to hear the standard three-minute warning call that Marine One was getting ready to take off. Marine One is using the Ellipse while the new helipad is being constructed behind the White House. This caused the radio receiver to be moved to a different location. Now the FAA has adjusted the antenna “to improve communications” between Marine One and the airport. Boeing nabs whopping $131 billion F-15 deal The U.S. Department of War, in its Contracts for Aug. 24, 2026, says that it has awarded Boeing “a $131,230,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the F-15 Eagle Crest in support of the F-15 Program Office. This contract provides for aircraft production, systems integration, modernization, upgrades, retrofits, sustainment, and the establishment of organic depot maintenance capabilities to deliver and maintain critical F-15 Eagle Weapon System capabilities for the Air Force, Air National Guard, and other Department of War customers. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by August 2037.” TSA Scraps Gold+ Privatized Airport Screening Program After 3 Months The Gold+ private airport screening program, which would privatize TSA screening, has been scrapped. In a previous web page (now taken down), the TSA explained Gold+: “TSA Gold+ is a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States. TSA Gold+ will pair the Screening Partnership Program with TSA’s innovation authorities to enable cutting-edge aviation security solutions. “Under TSA Gold+, TSA will continue to set the standards for aviation security using outcome-based measures that both drive performance and security. Long-term Screening Partnership Program (currently a TSA private screener contract model) contracts will redirect funds into the investable partnerships where leading industry operators can manage both technology and screening workforce.” Reasons cited for dropping the program: Only three airports (Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines) were interested in the Gold+ protocols. Tampa International Airport performed “an extensive review and evaluation over several months” and announced it would not adopt Gold+. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing TSA screening officers, sued the TSA to force it to turn over records about TSA Gold+. The TSA announced it will replace the Gold+ program with an “evolved” version of the existing public-private Screening Partnership Program (SPP). It was launched in 2002, where private companies hire and manage screening personnel while the TSA oversees operations. The SPP currently includes 20 U.S. airports. Airlink pilots caught on video flying dangerously close to South African sports stadium Two Airlink Embraer E190 passenger jets executed a flyover before a match at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium filled with some 60,000 fans. Airlink is a regional airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Flightradar24 calculated that the aircraft flew as low as 41–46 ft (12.5–14 m) above the top of the stadium. This generated widespread reaction about the safety of the spectacle. Some were appalled; others argued this was entirely in line with South African values. Airlink says the South African Civil Aviation Authority approved the flyover and has offered to provide the black box data showing they complied with the waiver’s altitude and speed requirements. The airline said, “The two aircraft were flown by highly-experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.” See also: VIDEOS: Airlink responds to concern planes got ‘too close’ to CT Stadium Airlink Flyover Sparks Global Outrage, But What Actually Happened Above DHL Stadium? Airlink hands over black-box data after low flypast over DHL Stadium Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  906 Aircraft Carrier Catapult Technology 26.08.2026 1ч 24мин

  Aircraft carrier catapult systems, Peraton’s performance as the Prime Integrator for the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System, the Department of Homeland Security’s luxury jets, Google’s purchase of Spirit Airlines’ data for AI training, American Airlines economy seatback screens, and a Li-ion laptop battery that caught fire in flight. Also, Micah’s first flight, Delta’s requirements for portable chargers, and the real reason they are called bear straps. Aviation News Trump orders Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carrier to use steam catapults to launch jets President Trump signed a national security memorandum directing the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao, to come up with a plan to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems for the construction of the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller. Critics of the change point to the major redesign and expense required. Aircraft Carrier Catapult Technology by Era: Era Technology Key navies 1910s–30s Compressed-air/flywheel catapults (mostly floatplanes) US, UK WWII Hydraulic catapults US, UK 1950s–2010s Steam catapults UK (pioneer), US, France 2010s–present Electromagnetic (EMALS) US, China Throughout No catapults (ski-jump/STOVL) USSR/Russia, Italy, Spain, India, UK (post-1978), current China (Liaoning/Shandong), US Navy Amphibious Assault Ships Arrangement of a hydro-pneumatic catapult in an aircraft carrier. Naval Marine Archive. See also: Why The Ford Class Carrier’s Island Superstructure Is Located So Far Back and Navy considers major aircraft carrier revamp to better suit Trump’s aesthetic. Trump’s FAA picked an unlikely contractor to lead its air traffic overhaul. The agency is having second thoughts. In December 2025, DOT/FAA selected Peraton as Prime Integrator for the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS), a $1.5 billion contract. Peraton, which had little direct experience working with the FAA, was chosen over Parsons Corp., which has extensive experience with FAA contracts. Peraton is a national-security and government-services contractor owned by Veritas Capital, and is known for its defense, intelligence, and IT/communications work. (Veritas also owns Peraton Labs, the former Bell Labs). Some reports indicate that the FAA is frustrated with Peraton. A source notes that “Peraton has basically not done any work since they got in” and admits that the FAA was partially at fault because it “stonewalled Peraton’s efforts to work seamlessly with FAA counterparts.” The FAA has micromanaged the project, and Peraton has failed to manage the project. An In-House Private Jet Service, Senators Say The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased two Gulfstream G650s, two G700s, and eight Boeing 737s to be used by the Trump Administration. U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair Patty Murray (D-Washington) and ranking homeland security subcommittee member Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) are calling for an investigation. In a letter to both DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the DHS inspector general requesting the investigation, the purchases are characterized as a “gross misuse” of tax dollars. Spirit Data Sale to Google Prompts Flight Attendants’ Objection After 34 years of operations, Spirit Airlines ceased all flight operations on May 2, 2026. Spirit’s Chapter 11 reorganization failed, and the airline went into full liquidation. The bankruptcy court entered a Wind-Down Order covering the sale of LaGuardia slots, the corporate campus, the loyalty program, and operating equipment. For $10 million, Google won the auction for Spirit’s approximately 100 million emails, calendar data, 500 million Microsoft Teams chats, documents, spreadsheets, and software code. Google will use them to improve its products and AI models. The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, voiced a limited objection to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, raising privacy concerns. The union is concerned about the confidentiality of disciplinary records, payroll history, and internal communications, noting that the deal’s privacy provisions are designed to protect consumers, not employees. The union also raised concerns about links between payroll, timekeeping, and communications data; whether there will be an independent screen for employee confidentiality; and provisions on later transfers to third parties. The AFA asked the court to reject the sale unless changes are made to exclude all flight attendant information, including training records, time cards, and payroll, as well as any Microsoft 365 content containing flight attendant data. Alternatively, the court should require a review protocol for labor or disciplinary records and communications, and prohibit using the data to profile any identifiable group of flight attendants, the AFA said. See also: Flight attendants freaked out that Google is buying tons of Spirit employee data American Airlines U-turn: Seatback screens coming to all classes in 2028 American Airlines plans to start rolling out personal inflight entertainment displays on its narrowbody fleet in 2028, and complete the upgrade by the early 2030s. American will begin offering Starlink inflight connectivity on 500 planes beginning in 2027.  The lack of screens in economy cabins dates back to the US Airways merger in 2014. Doug Parker argued that the cost of screens was not worth the investment since most fliers brought their own portable device. United and Delta followed a different path. Laptop catches fire on American Airlines flight, passenger suffers minor burns Injuries occurred on American Airlines flight 2398 between Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) on August 21, 2026, after a laptop battery caught fire. The pilots reported smoke in the cabin to ATC. The cabin crew extinguished the fire (reportedly using a thermal containment bag). The A321 landed without further incident. Mentioned Airplanes and Water Can Mix in the Stories about Flying podcast. The Wreck of the U. S. S. “Memphis” Up Against the Rocks: The Wreck of the Memphis Lynch Drone Photography LLC, 2026 EAA AirVenture. Photos by Logan Lynch. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  905 Li-ion Thermal Runaway 19.08.2026 1ч 8мин

  Li-ion thermal runaways in aircraft cabins, Ryanair engine blade-out accident, two planes with the same flight number at the same airport at the same time, Marine One and commercial operations at DCA, Air India crash report update, Boeing 737 Max crack inspections, hiring gamers to become air traffic controllers, and the Heart Aerospace X1 battery-electric demonstrator first flight. Aviation News Li-ion Thermal Runaways on the Rise in Aircraft Cabins UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) issued a 2025 Data Review, Lithium-ion Battery Incidents in Aviation [PDF, 13 pages]. The study reports a 15% increase in Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway incidents on passenger flights in 2025, compared to the year prior. Portable charger incidents increased 42%, ahead of e-cigarettes, with cell phones the third most common device involved in thermal runaways. The data comes from the voluntary ULSE Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP). More than 40 passenger and cargo airlines participate in the program. These incidents cost the industry an average of $1.8 million a year, or $96,000 per incident, “in damage, disruption, and associated losses.” To mitigate the risk of thermal runaway incidents, ULSE recommends cabin crew training, standards for onboard safety equipment to help manage thermal runaways, and more passenger education. Bird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accident In July, a Malta Air Boeing 737-800, doing business as Ryanair flight 1879, experienced a No 2 fan-blade-out failure as it climbed out of Thessaloniki International Airport in Greece. Engine fragments breached the fuselage and the cabin depressurized. A passenger was partially sucked out through a window that blew out. In its Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report [PDF, 13 pages], the NTSB reports: “Examination of the airplane revealed that the No. 2 engine, an CFM International (a joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace) model CFM56-7B26, experienced a fan blade separation that resulted in engine fragments striking the fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer. The pressurized section of the fuselage was penetrated 1) through the passenger cabin window located at row 11, as well as 2) lower lobe fuselage skin behind the right wing-to-body fairing… Additional impact damage was found on the right wing-to-body fairing, a dent with paint smearing on the fuselage window belt skin, a dent on a stringer common to the dented fuselage window belt skin, a gouge on the right horizontal stabilizer upper skin and a dent on the right horizontal stabilizer leading edge.” View of the No.2 (right) engine inlet. View is looking aft..Courtesy NTSB. “Examination of the engine and nacelle revealed that one fan blade (No.10) had fractured and separated below the blade platform. The outer blade tips were fractured and separated on two additional fan blades (Nos. 16 and 21). All remaining blades were full length but exhibited varying levels of impact deformation. Three loose fan blade fragments were recovered from the engine. A visual examination of the core was performed and there was no evidence of radial uncontainment though the engine cases, or any undercowl fire. The engine inlet cowl, which is forward of the fan case, exhibited evidence of punctures…” Bird remains were recovered and hand-carried to the Smithsonian Institution Feather Identification Lab in Washington. The Greece Hellenic Air and Railway Safety Investigation Authority (HARSIA) delegated the investigation in full to the NTSB. See: Ryanair Uncontained Engine Failure followed by Cabin Depressurization and Passenger Window Injury),  2 planes with the same flight number avoid possible disaster thanks to quick-thinking controller Recently, American Airlines flight 2482 was departing Phoenix International Airport (PHX) while another American Airlines flight 2482 was arriving at the same airport from Chicago. A Phoenix air traffic controller with 25 years on the job quickly recognized the problem and referred to the flights as “American 2482 on the arrival” and “American 2482 on the departure.” See: ‘It Could Have Been Disastrous’: Air Traffic Controller Carefully Handles Two American Airlines Planes With the Same Callsign as They Flew Towards One Another Passenger plane taking off got too close to Trump’s Marine One helicopter, NTSB and FAA to investigate Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located about three miles from the White House. When the president departs the Ellipse in Marine One, airport traffic is typically halted. This time, airport traffic continued for a few minutes. The FAA said, “…there was momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another.” Ahmedabad tragedy: Supreme Court accepts pilot dad’s plea not to make Air India crash report public The Supreme Court of India granted a request from the 91-year-old father of one of the pilots killed in the June 2025 Air India Ahmedabad crash (Flight AI171, 260 dead) that the final crash investigation report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) be submitted to the court in a sealed cover rather than made public.  The AAIB had told the court its final report would be ready by October, and the government agreed to submit it in a sealed cover out of respect for the father’s wishes, even though the Solicitor General had initially opposed keeping it confidential, citing international investigation norms under ICAO. FAA orders crack inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets The final rule applies to certain Boeing 737-8, -9, and -8200 Max models, estimated to be 471 planes. While no cracks have been found in these Max models, the FAA received reports of cracks in a forward “bear strap” for several older 737 NG planes. Mentioned Video: Heart Aerospace – X1 First Flight – World’s Largest Electric Aircraft – Electric Airliner https://youtu.be/fEudbAjschs?si=fp2Bwkq-qE2Xzb74 Cathay Pacific Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.
• 
  904 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Debrief 12.08.2026 2ч 38мин

  From EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026: interviews with Cirrus, Joby, the Seaplane Pilots Association, Skyfly, Factory Direct Models, SarahNautics, Samaritan Aviation, and Goodyear. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Interviews Hillel and Brian attended AirVenture this year. It was Brian’s first time, while Hillel has returned many times. Both recorded the following interviews: Ivy McIver, Executive Director, SR Series Product on the Cirrus Aircraft TRAC10. Lydon Sleeper, Head of U.S. Strategic Policy, Joby Aviation,  Steve McCaughey, Executive Director, Seaplane Pilots Association. Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly. Mike Gibson, Managing Director, Factory Direct Models. Sarah Daniels, Commercial Pilot, Cirrus owner, creator, aviation storyteller. Mark Palm, founder, Samaritan Aviation. Capt Adam, Pilot, Goodyear Wingfoot 1. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, Hillel Glazer, and Brian Coleman.
• 
  903 oneworld Alliance 05.08.2026 1ч 42мин

  We speak with a oneworld Alliance VP about airline alliances in general, and oneworld in particular. In the news: a mid-air near miss at Atlanta, NTSB and families call on Congress to act on the DCA accident recommendations, a civilian plane crash and military GPS jamming, adaptive-cycle jet engines and sixth-generation combat aircraft, and the unleaded avgas transition plan. Guest Roger Blackburn, Vice President – Commercial and Loyalty, oneworld Alliance. Roger Blackburn serves as the Vice President – Commercial and Loyalty for the oneworld Alliance. He leads the commercial team and oversees corporate revenue, events, and alliance fare products, as well as the development of oneworld’s loyalty proposition. A member of oneworld’s leadership team for the past six years, Roger has led several key alliance initiatives, including the creation of oneworld’s first two branded lounges. In our conversation with Roger, we learn about the value that airline alliances provide to the member airlines, and what value accrues to the flying public. We look at criteria for membership in an alliance, network fit, commercial value, and alliance governance, as well as loyalty programs and lounges. For reference, here are the three major global airline alliances: Star Alliance, founded in 1997 by Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways, and United. oneworld, founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas. SkyTeam, founded in 2000 by Delta, Air France, Aeroméxico, and Korean Air. Aviation News Two Delta Air Lines Jets in Mid-Air Near Miss at Atlanta Hartsfield as Air Traffic Control Direct Departing Aircraft into Path of Other Plane This was a mid-air near-miss at ATL with two Delta Air Lines flights: Flight DL-1568 from Pittsburgh to Atlanta operated by a Boeing 737-900, and Flight DL-2472 from Atlanta to Rochester, New York, an Airbus A321. The airport was experiencing weather delays, and controllers were working at full capacity to clear the backlog. Departures and arrivals were taking place on parallel runways. DL-1568 had been scheduled to land three hours earlier and was diverted to Chattanooga to wait out a storm. The arriving flight 1568 elected to make a go-around after seeing a Frontier flight taking a long time to clear the runway. At the same time, departing flight 2472 was directed to turn and climb to the same altitude as the other Delta flight. A TCAS Resolution Advisory alarm sounded, and the aircraft came within 1,800 feet of each other. NTSB Chair, Victim’s Families Call Upon Congress toTake Action on 50 Safety Recommendations After DC midair It’s been a year and a half since American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near DCA, killing 67 people. Six months ago, the NTSB issued safety recommendations. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and families of the victims want Congress to take action on the 50 open recommendations. So far, Congress has failed to pass either the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act or the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act. Statement from NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy on the open recommendations for the investigation of the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport In part: “Six months ago, we concluded our investigation and adopted our final report, issuing 75 findings and 50 safety recommendations, all of which must be implemented to prevent reoccurrence, yet we are no closer today to addressing many of the serious safety gaps that contributed to this terrible tragedy. “Every day that passes without implementation of all 50 NTSB recommendations represents a continued and unacceptable risk to public safety. “The National Transportation Safety Board provided a clear roadmap to improve aviation safety and reduce the risk of another catastrophic midair collision. Now it’s time for action that was promised months ago; we owe it to the victims, to the families who continue to grieve their loss, and to the millions of people who rely on the safety of our aviation system every day.” A Civilian Plane Crashed in New Mexico. Was Military GPS Jamming To Blame? On May 14, 2026, a Trans Aero MedEvac Beechcraft King Air 90 crashed in the New Mexico Capitan Mountains, killing four people. The NTSB’s preliminary report [PDF] stated that routine military GPS jamming exercises from White Sands Missile Range were active at the flight’s altitude and location. ADS-B was also degraded. The crew’s ForeFlight pre-flight package briefed the pilots on the jamming threat. Air Force eyes next-gen engine ‘integration’ by 2030 Although no decision has been made, the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) system could go into the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. Both Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace are developing NGAP prototypes which the Air Force intends to compete for future production. NGAP is designed to be platform agnostic and is a multi-billion-dollar program using adaptive-cycle jet engines for sixth-generation combat aircraft that change jet engine characteristics in flight, allowing more fuel-efficient cruising or increased thrust. GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney (RTX) are the two competitors, building prototypes designated GE’s XA102 and P&W’s XA103. As of late July 2026, the program completed a pre-prototyping readiness review, with both contractors having met the Air Force’s design requirements, clearing the way to begin building and testing hardware. ‘Final’ Unleaded Avgas Transition Plan Released The so-called “Version 1.0” of the 72-page FAA transition plan was released, updating a draft plan released earlier this year. The FAA says it’s keeping the 2030 target date for replacing 100LL with unleaded fuel. Unleaded fuel takes center stage at AirVenture The FAA took some of the comments received to heart, including communication and transparency. AOPA reports, “the FAA plans to release new versions of the transition plan after each phase. The agency also plans to publish two additional documents soon: an FAQ on unleaded fuel and a summary of the input received during the public comment period in early 2026.” Four transition phases make up the plan: Authorizing fuels and doing comparison testing. Focus on unleaded fuels gaining market experience for the benefit of fuel producers, aircraft owners, fuel retailers, and others. Wide-scale transition, first in the Lower 48 by 2030. Followed by Alaska two years later. Mentioned Air Traffic Control: 45 Years After the PATCO Strike Video: Spurwink Farm International Fly-In 2026 https://youtu.be/H6uUaq1R7Kk?si=ln-5YizGViSbEznH Two Australian helicopters in deadly midair collision fighting fires in Greece Hiller Aviation Museum Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.
• 
  902 Volunteer Pilots and ANR Headsets 29.07.2026 54мин

  Volunteer pilot groups delivering service through aviation, and the origins of ANR headsets. Guests Hillel Glazer represented Airplane Geeks at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 and recorded conversations with a number of people. In this episode, we have two of his interviews. Mark Hanson, President of the Air Care Alliance, Mark Hanson is the President of the Air Care Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public service organization that represents a nationwide network of volunteer pilot groups that deliver service through aviation. Mark became a pilot in 2009 and is a nationally recognized advocate for general aviation’s role in all types of public benefit flying. He has served on the Air Care Alliance Board of Directors since 2020, most recently as President. He is a seasoned FAA Safety Team Lead Safety Representative who runs a national monthly FAA Safety webinar series, an accomplished aviator, and a longtime advocate for charitable aviation. He has flown more than 500 volunteer missions supporting children, veterans, patients, and wildlife for organizations such as Angel Flight, Veterans Airlift Command,  Sky Hope, Turtles Fly Too, STEM Flights, and others. Dan Gauger, a Distinguished Engineer (retired) at Bose Corporation, worked on the headsets for the Burt Rutan-designed high-altitude composite ultralightweight aircraft Voyager. In 1986, Bose engineers approached the Voyager team with two ANR headset prototypes just before their record-breaking flight around the world. The pilots were risking the loss of 20% of their hearing. They agreed to try the prototypes. Three years later, the first ANR aviation headset was available to all pilots. Working on the ANR headset at the bench. The ANR headset. Hosts this Episode Max Flight and Hillel Glazer.
• 
  901 Marine One 15.07.2026 1ч 16мин

  New Sikorsky Marine One helicopters damage the White House lawn, the airports renamed for U.S. presidents, airline consolidation, DCA crash safety recommendations, controversy over ADS-B In regulations, Air France and Airbus manslaughter verdict, passengers sue Delta over turbulence injuries, a Ryanair window ruptures, and a seaplane makes a hard landing in New York’s East River. Also, interviews from the Spurwink Farm fly-in. Aviation News Lockheed Martin Is Covering the Cost of Trump’s White House Helipad President Trump said that Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, would cover the cost of building a new helipad at the White House. Lockheed Martin confirmed the report. Sikorsky helicopters have been used to transport the president since the 1970s.  The new VH-92A Patriot helicopter has propulsion exhaust vents located toward the rear of the airframe and pointed downward, unlike the VH-3D’s configuration. Also, with much more powerful engines, the VH-92A generates significantly more downwash than the VH-3D. The hot exhaust gets combined with the intense rotor downwash at touchdown, and the combined heat-and-airflow effect scorches the turf and can physically rip sod loose. Airline consolidation now rules the skies. Has it been good for passengers? Continental Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and US Airways are gone. Spirit Airlines is gone as well. Now, the Big Four U.S. airlines control roughly three-quarters of the U.S. market. Has this been good for the flying public? It depends on who you ask. Former governor Chris Sununu, now the head of Airlines for America, said at a Capitol Hill hearing, “We have more competition per route than ever before. When I go to buy a ticket, I have four, five, or six carriers going from Wichita to Dallas. So now they’re all competing on that exact same route.” There are six airlines serving Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, but there’s only one that flies nonstop to Dallas. Past guest Ganesh Sitaraman, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School and the author of the book Why Flying Is Miserable and How to Fix It said, “From the airlines’ perspective, it makes sense. Bigger is better, and it’ll be more efficient for them, even if there’s a lot of drawbacks for communities and passengers.” A Florida airport is officially renamed for Trump. What does he stand to gain? FAA Details First Official Response to DC Crash Safety Recommendations After the January 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C., that killed 67 people, the NTSB issued nearly three dozen recommendations. As is always the case, the FAA is not obligated to implement the NTSB’s recommendations. Earlier this year, the FAA said it had fully addressed seven of the recommendations and that it would evaluate the others, with further updates to come by May 31, 2027. The Air Current reported that the FAA indicated it is evaluating whether the number of arrivals permitted per hour at DCA is appropriate. This is a key metric that the NTSB said contributed to the airport’s congestion at the time of the crash. Also, any adjustments will be determined after an official analysis in 2027. This $50,000 Safety Fix Is Dividing the Aviation Industry and Washington This could be characterized as a conference-committee fight over how strong an ADS-B In mandate should be, not whether there will be one. ALPA and NTSB are on one side (ROTOR Act), and industry groups like A4A/AOPA/NBAA on the other (ALERT) side.  Senate: ROTOR Act (Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act) Would require all aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In and repeal certain military exemptions from the technology requirements. Passed the Senate by unanimous consent in December, with strong support, including from ALPA. The House rejected it on February 24, 2026, falling one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed after the Defense Department raised national security concerns House: ALERT Act (Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act) House lawmakers revised the bill to explicitly include an ADS-B In mandate after the earlier version was criticized for failing to clearly require it. The updated version requires that aircraft carry both ADS-B In and ACAS X (Airborne Collision Avoidance System X), integrated so ADS-B In data feeds the alerting function. Opposition: ALPA doesn’t endorse it, arguing that ACAS Xa (the large-commercial-aircraft variant) isn’t yet commercialized, that no integration standards exist, and that the system suppresses alerts below 1,000 feet when situational awareness matters most. The NTSB also declined to support it, saying it falls short of requiring ADS-B In for all aircraft operating in airspace where ADS-B Out is already required, even though it allows compliance via portable receivers with line-of-sight limitations. Air France and Airbus found guilty of manslaughter over 2009 plane crash A Paris Appeals Court found Air France and Airbus “solely and entirely responsible” for the 2009 AF447 accident, which killed 228 people when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. The companies were cleared in April 2023 but were found guilty after an eight-week trial. Both Air France and Airbus have denied the charges and say they will appeal. In 2012, French investigators found a combination of technical failure involving ice in the pitot tubes and pilot confusion over faulty air-speed readings. Pilot training has since been modified, and pitot tube sensors have been replaced. 20 Sue Delta Over 2.5 Minutes of Terror on Flight Out of Utah A lawsuit has been filed against Delta Air Lines on behalf of 20 passengers of Delta Flight 56, claiming that pilots “recklessly flew” too close to thunderstorms, where severe turbulence caused multiple injuries. The turbulence lasted 2 1/2 minutes over Wyoming, and the flight was diverted to Minnesota. Twenty-five people were transported to local hospitals. The NTSB said the pilots were caught by surprise. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs allege that the National Weather Service issued an advisory warning that turbulent conditions were present in the mountains east of Salt Lake City and that thunderstorms were present along portions of the flight path. Apparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 window The Air Current reports that the rupture of a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 window resulted from a fan blade failure on the right CFM56-7B engine. Fan blade failures are serious but rare. Aircraft engines are designed to contain fan blade failures and are tested during the certification process.  The FAA issued airworthiness directives to mitigate the risk of fan blade failure through inspections and an engine inlet redesign to ensure containment. The FAA set a July 31, 2028, deadline for compliance. Small plane makes hard landing into New York’s East River, officials say A Kodiak 100 seaplane with eight people on board made a hard landing in the East River between Brooklyn and Manhattan. There was “substantial damage” to the plane, but there were no injuries. The plane bounced three times, and the pilot subsequently told the passengers that a pontoon had broken. A pattern of progressive porpoise leading to structural failure appears in NTSB seaplane accident reports across various types, including Cessna 206 and 208 Caravan floatplanes, de Havilland Beavers, and Twin Otters on floats. A few East River/urban seaplane-specific factors that might be in play: Wake and chop from harbor traffic (ferries, tour boats) create a much less predictable water surface than open lake/bay operations. Confined approach corridors near Skyport limit go-around and abort options if the pilot senses a bad touchdown developing. The area has had at least one other recent seaplane mishap (a two-seater damaged by a wave three weeks prior), suggesting water-surface conditions have been a recurring operational challenge this season. The NTSB and FAA will be looking at whether this was primarily a pilot technique issue (porpoise recovery), an environmental factor (wake/wave state at touchdown), or a mechanical issue in the float attachment itself. Spurwink Farm International Fly-In From the fly-in, Micah brings us interviews with Spurwink Farm Manager Christina Mitchell, listener Tad Yergey, and Cessna 185 Floatplane Pilot John Hartz. John Hartz, one and a half of his children, and his Cessna 185. Micah at the Spurwink Farm Fly-In, Mentioned Ever wonder if pilots become frightened during an emergency? In the Stories About Flying podcast, Rob looks at the topic through the lens of a near catastrophe: “Aircraft Emergencies and the Saga of Speedbird 009.” NightSide with Dan Rea, WBZ NewsRadion, Not Just A Plane Topic. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, David Vanderhoof, and Erin Applebaum.
• 
  900 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Preview 08.07.2026 2ч 11мин

  What to expect at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 and an interview with the Manager of Onsite Learning at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum. Also, how L3Harris converted the Qatari-gifted 747 into Air Force One, the Cirrus TRAC10, window seat lawsuits, a rule change to allow supersonic flight over the United States, and an update on Boom Supersonic’s strategy for its self-developed Symphony engine. Image by Linda and Lily. Guest Dick Knapinski is Director of Communications for the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). He has served in that capacity since 2010 and has been with the organization since 1992. Dick serves as the liaison between the media and EAA throughout the year, particularly during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the world’s largest fly-in convention. The event runs July 20-26, 2026. Dick Knapinski Boeing Plaza will be packed with aircraft to celebrate the aviation technology theme. Currently planned innovation displays for July 21 include BETA Technologies, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, American Drone, MagniX, Zipline, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Airhart Aeronautics, Merlin Labs, Amazon Delivery, and Starlight Productions. In addition to the displays on Boeing Plaza, Bye Aerospace, Jetson, BETA Technologies, American Drone, and ScaleWings plan to fly during the afternoon air show. Drone delivery company Wing will display the latest developments in its operations at Twilight Flight Fest. Learn more about the AirVenture Airshows and performers, Aircraft Anniversaries & Gatherings, Authors Corner, AviationTech, KidVenture, and the Fly-In Theater. Rare warbird static/flying displays will include the B-29 “Doc,” as well as a rare Consolidated PB4Y and the CAF’s B-24 Liberator on static display at Boeing Plaza. Vicky Benzing will fly her P-51 “Plum Crazy,” and Bernie Vasquez will demo a Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in afternoon shows. The Aviation Gateway Park will spotlight helicopters, advanced vertical lift platforms, and eVTOL aircraft through static displays and interactive exhibits. Before joining EAA, Dick built a broadcasting career in Wisconsin, including stints as Program Director at WNBI Radio, News Director at WMGV Radio, and Station Manager at WLFM-FM/Wisconsin Public Radio. He also spent years as a sportswriter for the Appleton Post-Crescent. Dick holds a private pilot certificate and remains active as a writer and spokesperson for EAA. Aviation News How was the new Air Force One prepared for flight? The two permanent VC-25 replacements were selected in 2015, and the $3.9 billion fixed-price contract was signed in February 2018. Boeing began physical refurbishment work in February 2020 on two 747-8I airframes originally built for the bankrupt Russian carrier Transaero. Boeing has already reported $2.5 billion in losses on the program. The current delivery target for the first jet is between 2027 and 2028, with the second jet to follow later. The ex-Qatari 747-8 “bridge” aircraft was gifted to the U.S. Air Force in May 2025 and entered service on July 1, 2026. L3Harris did the conversion in about 10 months. The quick conversion was accomplished due to several factors: Pre-staged employees operated on a 24/7, three-shift structure. (Boeing has worked a normal single-shift industrial pace, with no incentive to surge, staff once costs started ballooning.) The bridge aircraft came with a luxury interior. (Boeing’s jets had incomplete interiors – basically shells.) Missing VC-25 elements. Reports (unconfirmed by the government) include no evidence of defensive countermeasures and a lack of EMP hardening. L3Harris didn’t out-engineer Boeing. They ran a 24/7 surge crew on a plane that already had a finished VIP interior, targeted a much narrower requirement (“executive airlift” vs. full presidential command-post survivability), and the government has not been forthcoming about which hardened-aircraft features (EMP shielding, missile countermeasures, full secure comms suite) were omitted. See also: Trump wants the $400M Qatari-gifted new Air Force One to be the centerpiece of his presidential library. But there’s a problem. Cirrus launches TRAC10, a new light aircraft for the flight training market Purpose-designed for flight schools and to be powered by a turbocharged Rotax 916 iSc FADEC engine, the plane has a three-seat interior, a Garmin flight deck, and the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System. Cirrus says they have 100 orders from 13 flight schools. United Airlines must face lawsuit over ‘window seats’ that lack windows Not every “window seat” has a window. Sometimes it has a wall. That’s just the way it is. But last August, some passengers filed class actions ⁠against United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, claiming that the carriers failed to properly disclose the lack of a window during the booking process. United claimed that “window seat” described the seat’s location and did not contractually promise that the seat would, in fact, have a window. In San Francisco, U.S. District Judge James Donato rejected the airlines’ request to dismiss the suit. New Rule Clears Way for Quiet Supersonic Flights By way of history: The FAA issued 14 CFR § 91.817 in April 1973, prohibiting civil aircraft from flying at speeds exceeding Mach 1 over land in the United States. The ban came as a result of early Air Force and NASA-controlled boom tests over cities, concerns over the Boeing 2707 SST program, and the impending arrival of the Concorde. NASA’s X-59 QueSST is flying specifically to gather community-response data on its “quiet boom” design.  In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Proposed rule: Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight), the FAA is looking to replace the blanket Mach-1 ban with a noise-based standard. Supersonic flight over land would be permitted if the boom signature falls under a certain loudness threshold. The NPRM states, “Manufacturers have demonstrated it is possible to fly supersonic aircraft without sonic booms reaching the surface by using sonic boom abatement techniques, making complete prohibition on civil supersonic flight outside of test areas no longer appropriate and an unnecessary restraint on the growth of the U.S. aviation sector.” The NPRM shifts the regulatory trigger from speed to noise. Right now, § 91.817 just bans anything faster than Mach 1 over land. The proposed rule keeps that structure but adds an exception: an operator may exceed Mach 1 if it can demonstrate that the sonic boom’s overpressure at the surface does not exceed 0.11 pounds per square foot (psf). This NPRM only covers en-route/overland boom noise. A separate rule on takeoff/landing noise is expected later this year, with both rules targeted for finalization by mid-2027. The comment period ends August 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM EDT. Boom Supersonic Q2 2026 Update https://youtu.be/gtf0-bVSbeA?is=GmG8VhICNm4wg7tP The FAA proposal to change from speed regulation to noise regulation is something Boom Supersonic and others have been seeking. In the Boom Supersonic Q2 2026 Update video, Blake Scholl reveals Boom’s strategy for the Symphony engine. The company intends to market a variant of the engine for behind-the-meter power generation that AI companies can utilize for power. In large part, the engine OEMs wouldn’t develop an engine for the Overture because the huge development cost couldn’t be covered by the expected engine volume. So when Boom announced it was developing its own engine, the business case was unclear. But by focusing on the ground power generation market, Boom can spread development costs over a greater number of engines. Also, that revenue stream would generate cash flow for the Overture program. National Air and Space Museum Celebrates 50 Years With Opening of Five New Galleries Hillel attended the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum media preview of the opening of the five galleries. Last episode, we listened to two recordings from that event. This week Hillel speaks with Mike Hulslander, the museum’s Manager of Onsite Learning. Mike has worked in museums and zoos for more than 28 years and has researched, written, presented, and evaluated science programs for school groups, families, and the general public. At the Air and Space Museum, he is responsible for science-focused programs and exhibitions. Mike also manages the Museum’s learning centers: How Things Fly and the Design Hangar. Mike is also an adjunct faculty member at the National Center for Earth and Space Science Education. He serves as a science educator on the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program national review panel for experiment selection and has participated in reviews for the past 11 missions aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Supersonic demo Lift vs. Angle of Attack Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, Hillel Glazer, and Brian Coleman.
• 
  899 PWM Airport Director 01.07.2026 1ч 41мин

  An airport director discusses air service and passenger growth, airport expansion, ATC impacts, and the implementation of a new RNP approach. In the news: DCA changes may increase the likelihood of helicopter-on-helicopter collisions, Collaborative Combat Aircraft airframers are selected while mission autonomy software is decoupled, Canada and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), harmonizing FAA and EASA certification rules, and another runway near-miss. Guest Paul Bradbury is the Airport Director at the Portland Jetport in Maine. We look at Air service and passenger statistics, and Paul announces the Jetport’s first seasonal transcontinental service with United to San Francisco and Los Angeles. He explains the opportunities small hub airports can realize through continued upgauging of aircraft. Paul notes that passengers have been willing to pay higher fares due to increased fuel prices.    See: United Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights from SFO and LAX to Portland Maine. To address parking capacity issues, Paul is now wrapping up the design and permitting for the revised $8.6 million surface parking plan, which the Portland City Council approved in April. This has been a lengthy process, and opposition from some area residents had to be resolved. See: Portland approves $10 million Jetport parking expansion. Paul also tells us about the challenges of Air Traffic Control capacity issues and the FAA’s capping of flights. We also learn about how the Jetport worked with Flight Tech Engineering to implement a new RNP approach to PWM that keeps flights over water. This approach was published on April 16, 2026, but is just now available for assignment by PWM ATC. Aviation News Helicopter collision risk higher after D.C. airspace changes, Coast Guard leaders say Following the January 2025 midair collision, the FAA made changes to the congested airspace around Washington, D.C. But in a public Transportation Research Board (TRB) meeting, U.S. Coast Guard representatives criticized the FAA, saying the revisions may increase the risk of a serious accident between helicopters. The Air Current reports that USCG pilots suggested that “the FAA did not adequately weigh the risks of a helicopter-on-helicopter collision when moving to eliminate helicopter routes and change airspace procedures to protect against close calls between rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft.”  The changes put helicopters closer together and made it harder for crews to train for proficiency. The pilots said there was an increased risk of helicopter controlled flight into terrain. In a written statement, FAA assistant administrator for communications Hannah Walden said, “Claims that these changes increased the risk of helicopter-to-helicopter collisions are not supported by the data.” She added that the FAA’s actions were guided by the National Transportation Safety Board’s emergency recommendations following the 2025 crash. The Transportation Research Board is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Board seeks “to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges.” This is accomplished through more than 5,500 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, federal agencies, and other organizations and individuals. Air Force picks General Atomics, Anduril to build first CCA drone wingmen The Air Force selected General Atomics and Anduril to build the U.S. military’s first Collaborative Combat Aircraft, beating out Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman in a re-solicited competition. The Anduril FQ-44A Furry and the General Atomics FQ-42A Dark Merlin will be fielded as production aircraft. The acquisition strategy is unique in that the Air Force is pursuing a “software sold separately” approach, in which the purchase of the airframe and the CCA’s mission autonomy software are decoupled. Anduril, RTX Collins Aerospace, and Shield AI were awarded production options for the autonomy software and will compete in a six-month head-to-head round. A primary autonomy provider is expected to be named by summer 2027. Canada Throws A Curveball As It Signals Interest In Joining GCAP Sixth-Gen Fighter Program In a Tokyo meeting, David McGuinty, the Minister of National Defense of Canada, said he is “interested in learning more about” the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). That next-generation fighter program is a joint venture with BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (JAIEC). Each holds a one-third share in Edgewing. The Tempest is a crewed fighter with a targeted service date of 2035. A demonstrator is currently underway with BAE Systems in the UK. McGuinty said, “I’ll take it back to my team and see what it looks ‌like.” The speculation is that Canada could join the GCAP program with “observer status.” FAA Proposes to Speed New Commercial Aircraft Certifications The FAA recently proposed changes to modernize and harmonize commercial aircraft certification rules with EASA. The proposal would provide consistent requirements and reduce the cost, time, and complexity of certifications. This would streamline certification and benefit manufacturers. Aircraft Certification: Comparison of U.S. and European Processes for Approving New Designs of Commercial Transport Airplanes The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued GAO-22-104480 on June 30, 2022. The study directly compared FAA and EASA certification processes and found a significant asymmetry that harmonization could eliminate in the wrong direction. EASA uses a risk-based approach to evaluate compliance findings and reviews the technical basis for compliance determinations, including oversight of all aspects of the airplane’s design. The FAA, by contrast, reviews the completeness of certification packages and compliance determinations in high-risk areas, but this review does not customarily include an independent review of the technical basis for compliance determinations. American Airlines flight aborts takeoff in Miami after business jet enters the same runway After American Airlines Flight 308 bound for Bermuda received takeoff clearance at Miami, the flight crew observed NetJets Flight EJA434 entering the same runway and aborted their takeoff. Addressing the NetJets plane, the controller said, “You just crossed an active runway.” The pilot responded, “You just told me to cross the runway, sir.” The controller said, “No, we said Amerijet 461.” National Air and Space Museum Celebrates 50 Years With Opening of Five New Galleries Hillel attended the National Air & Space Museum media preview for the opening of the five new galleries. He recorded the opening remarks by Christopher Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Chris joined the museum as deputy director in 2017 and served as acting director from 2021 to 2022, when he was named director. Hillel also interviewed Carolyn Russo, the curator of the art and trophy collections and the temporary curator of the poster collection. She has over 30 years of experience at the Museum, and is the author of four books: Art of the Airport Tower (Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, 2015), In Plane View: Abstractions of Flight (New York: powerHouse Books, 2007), Artifacts of Flight (New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2003), and Women and Flight: Portraits of Contemporary Women Pilots (Boston, New York, London: Bulfinch Press, 1997). Mentioned Cirrus announced the opening of its Duluth Talent Center, a multi-million-dollar investment that serves as a hub for community engagement, recruiting, and workforce development. Designed to connect individuals with careers in aerospace, the Talent Center provides direct access to recruiting, technical training, and career development resources in one centralized location. Plane Spotting C-130 Hercules spotted by Micah. Upcomming Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  898 Heart Aerospace Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft 24.06.2026 1ч 25мин

  The CEO of Heart Aerospace describes the development of a hybrid-electric 30-seat regional commercial aircraft. In the news, a near miss at Boston Logan between a landing Delta Air Lines flight and a departing American Airlines flight, NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability 2050 (AACES) program, Canada's purchase of F-35A fighters and possibly Saab Gripens, and Canada's look at early-warning-radar planes. Guest Anders Forslund is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Heart Aerospace, formed to electrify short-haul regional aviation. Heart Aerospace is developing the ES-30, a hybrid-electric 30-seat regional commercial aircraft. Heart is currently in upstate New York, testing the X1 demonstrator aircraft, which the company says will be the largest electric aircraft ever to fly. The company is backed by Bill Gates’ Breakthrough Ventures and Y Combinator, as well as operator/investors United Airlines and Air Canada. Anders explains Heart Aerospace's mission to lower the cost of air travel and how their clean-sheet Part 25 airliner will achieve about a 40% reduction in overall operating costs. The ES-30 will be an electric-motor-and-turboprop hybrid, while the full-scale X1 prototype is all-electric. The X1 demonstrator has completed low-speed taxi testing at the company's X1 flight-test base at Plattsburgh International Airport in upstate New York. First flight is expected shortly, with type certification planned for 2031. Video: Heart X1 Completes Low-Speed Taxi Testing https://youtu.be/5jkyKevsJNI?si=1xreSjh_gRcI6xu2 Anders tells us about the Heart team and how aerospace development has changed in the last decade. The company strives to manage uncertainty rather than minimize it, holds itself accountable, and sets falsifiable goals. Before starting Heart, Anders was an aerospace researcher at Chalmers, where he was a driving force behind the Elise-Electric Aviation research project in Sweden, funded by the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova. He spent 2013-2014 at MIT, where his work on geometric variation of aerospace components was awarded the Charles M. Manly Memorial Medal. He is also a founding member of the Nordic Network for Electric Aviation. Anders has a Ph.D. in Aerospace Product Development and a B.Sc. in Engineering Physics from Chalmers. He has a dual M.Sc. in Astronautics and Space Engineering from Cranfield University and Luleå University, as part of the SpaceMaster program. He is also a member of Prince Daniel's Fellowship for young entrepreneurs. Follow Heart Aerospace on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Aviation News Horrifying Near Miss at Boston Logan as Quick-Thinking Delta Air Pilots Go Around to Avoid Landing On Top of American Airlines Boeing 737 Delta Air Lines flight DL-2351, an Airbus A319 flying from Dallas, was landing at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), was cleared to land on runway 33L. Moments later, American Airlines flight AA-3161, a Boeing 737-800, was cleared to take off for Charlotte from intersecting runway 27. The pilots repeated the instruction back to the controller, and after about 40 seconds, started the takeoff. As Delta flight 2351 was about to touch down, the pilots saw the American Airlines plane and executed a go-around. That was followed by the air traffic controller asking the American flight, “American, where are you going?” Listen to the Incident Audio via @xJonNYC. Electra reveals 100-seat hybrid-electric aircraft concept Electra developed the concept under NASA’s Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability 2050 (AACES) program. NASA has commissioned industry and academia to “develop transformative aircraft designs, propulsion technologies, and sustainability solutions for commercial aviation by 2050.” Electra’s large airliner concept features a wide “double-bubble” fuselage that generates lift. Propulsion comes from two turbofans under the wings that produce thrust and electricity, as well as three fans mounted on the top of the aft fuselage. Electra says those fans would “ingest and re-energise slower-moving air over the fuselage, a technique known as boundary layer ingestion.” Other AACES participants include the Georgia Institute of Technology with the Liquefied Natural Gas Powered Athena Aircraft Concept, and JetZero with a hydrogen fueled blended wing body design. Congress Questions Air Force’s Combat Rescue Readiness As HH-60W Helicopters Get Turned Into VIP Transports The Senate Armed Services Committee filed S. 4784, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 (NDAA), which establishes funding levels and authorities for the U.S. military. The 66th annual NDAA supports a total of $1.15 trillion in FY 2027 funding for national defense. In its report [PDF], the Committee expresses concern “about combat search and rescue (CSAR) force structure in the Air Force. In recent years, the Air Force truncated the buy of HH-60Ws and has since transferred 26 HH-60Ws from units responsible for CSAR operations to the Air Force District Washington (AFDW) to replace H-1 helicopters. AFDW uses these helicopters to support contingency response, homeland operations, and ceremonial honors in the National Capital Region. “The committee believes that these actions have left CSAR forces unnecessarily short of the forces needed to support CSAR operations in a major contingency. Therefore, the committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct a study of CSAR requirements and capabilities, including HH-60Ws and HC-130Js, and provide a report and briefing on that study to the congressional defense committees, not later than March 31, 2027. “Furthermore, the committee directs the Secretary to avoid making any changes in CSAR force structure until the study is completed and he or she has provided the results of that study to the Congress.” Canada Plans Fleet Surge to 140+ Fighters as Low Cost Gripens Reduce Expenses According to informed sources, the Royal Canadian Air Force plans to grow its fighter fleet to 140, possibly by purchasing Saab Gripen jets. Canada has planed to purchase 88 F-35A fighters, but that could drop to 70, accompanied by 70 Gripens. Saab offered to establish final assembly, maintenance, and long-term industrial support in Canada. This would transfer technology and intellectual property to Canada. Under the F-35 program, sustainment and software updates are centralized in the United States. Canada to buy Swedish surveillance plane over US models Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada would not purchase early-warning-radar planes from the United States. Instead, they will purchase Saab's GlobalEye, which is based on the Bombardier Global 6500 jet, manufactured in Canada. Price and fleet size were not announced. Saab said in a statement that as part of any deal, the company would invest in research and development work in Canada. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  897 U.S. Aircraft Supporting NATO 17.06.2026 1ч 24мин

  The U.S. plans to reduce the number of aircraft for NATO operations, another A-10 lifeline appears, and discussions about restarting C-17 production. Also, owner-produced airplane parts, airport weirdos, a new album from Speed Brake Armed, how the NTSB uses audio spectrograms, lying flat on a broken Polaris seat, and Roman Numerals. Aviation News US Plans Major Cut to Fighter Jets, Warships for NATO Operations in Europe, NYT Reports Citing European officials, the New ​York Times reported that the U.S. plans to reduce the number of ⁠F-16 and ⁠F-15E fighter jets from roughly 150 to 100. Maritime reconnaissance ​aircraft would be cut from 26 to 15, and all eight aerial refueling tankers would be pulled. The ⁠New York ​Times said the U.S. aims to redeploy a missile-launching ​submarine and an aircraft carrier, along with several warships and jets ⁠that join ⁠the carrier’s missions. One of two groups of bombers previously assigned for ​Europe’s defense may also ⁠be reallocated. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart told Reuters, "Historically, there has been an over-reliance on U.S. forces and capabilities." The U.S. European Command said in a statement that it would "rightsize" its contributions to the NATO Force Model. Congress Throws A-10 Warthog Another Lifeline The A-10 end of life is scheduled for 2030. Depot-level maintenance has stopped, and the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, has ended. The A-10 Weapons School is scheduled to end this year. However, an amendment to the House Armed Services Committee’s version of the National Defense Authorization bill seeks to keep the Warthog alive. The amendment calls for the Air Force to keep supporting A-10 training, testing, experimentation, maintenance, and sustainment efforts. Other requirements include preserving lessons learned and operational expertise and maintaining a formal pilot training unit. A-10 Warthog’s New Aerial Refueling Probe Is Now Operational In The Middle East The A-10C is now operating in the Middle East with the new probe-and-drogue refueling capability. First demonstrated in early April, it took only six weeks to become operational. Previously, the A-10 could only refuel from a KC-135. The KC-46 was not yet certified to refuel the Warthog due to the “stiff boom” problem, which could damage the receiving aircraft. Now A-10s can refuel KC-46s with the probe or from HC-130s, MC-130s, Marine Corps KC-130s, and KC-130Js from other operators. A-10 with refueling probe. USAF photo. Boeing “Encouraged” By C-17 Production Restart Discussions Restarting C-17 Globemaster III production would be extremely difficult, extremely expensive, but not impossible. There is interest from various operators and from the U.S. Congress, which has asked the Air Force to prepare a formal briefing on the feasibility of acquiring new C-17s. Driving USAF interest is a succession of crises in recent years that have put serious strain on the aircraft, and questions have been raised about the viability of the current plan to keep them flying through 2075. The C-17 is powered by the F117-PW-100, which is the military variant of the PW2000 family (the same engine that powers the Boeing 757). New engine production for the PW2000 stopped in 2016, and the USAF is currently depending on overhauls of existing engines to keep the fleet flying. So the MRO infrastructure, engineering expertise, and supply chain for supporting this engine remain very much alive. In March 2025, RTX announced agreements with JetZero to integrate the PW2040 engine and APU into its blended-wing-body demonstrator. So P&W is actively working on the PW2040 for a new application, which suggests the engine isn't entirely dormant in their engineering ecosystem. The decision to restart the engine isn’t just a P&W decision. The risk-sharing partners, like MTU Aero Engines, have to be on board. There are 222 C-17s in service with the U.S. Air Force today. The last plane was delivered in 2013, and Boeing shut down the line in 2015. Australia, Canada, India, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom operate the C-17. C-17. USAF photo. Listener Mail Eclipse spare parts Mark writes regarding the discussion about Eclipse parts from Episode 896 and notes that FAR 21.9(a)(5) creates a framework for owner-produced parts. Where a certified part is unavailable, owners of certified aircraft can “produce” their own. And they can do that either by making it themselves or by contracting out its production to a suitably qualified supplier. There are rules about quality and the requirement that owner-produced parts be of equivalent specification to OEM parts, but as long as an aircraft owner can put their hand on their heart and assert that those conditions are met, they can supply parts to their maintainer and tell them to install them. See this AOPA guidance. Airport Weirdo Koeby has developed a crowdsourced gallery of airport weirdos, where travelers submit funny photos of strange things they spot in airports. No account is needed; you can just submit your photo, and it will be added to the gallery. It’s called Airport Weirdo. New Album release by Speed Brake Armed Pete Buffington tells us about Speed Brake Armed's new New Age album "Echoes Above the Infinite Sky." This album takes the listener on a journey of flight from South America, to Spain, to the Cosmos, and back to ancient Greece. Inspired by over 35 years of real pilot experience. Video: 737 Echoes Above The Infinite Sky | Speed Brake Armed | Full Album | New Age Aviation Music https://youtu.be/slO-4xnVqHg Spectrograms Andy adds his perspective about the conversation on spectrograms in NTSB investigations. While he has absolutely no actual knowledge about NTSB processes or how they actually use spectrograms, he speculates based on his experience as an audio engineer for over 30 years: “Spectrograms have been a tool I use fairly regularly in production. To me, it mostly comes down to being able to recognize things that are hard to pick out. For instance, if there is some kind of unpleasant noise in the background of a recording, sometimes I can identify it and potentially filter it out, purely by ear.  Other times, particularly if it’s not very far above the noise floor, it can be very difficult to pick out by ear.  In that case, I’ll often look at a spectrogram. It’s certainly not always helpful, but sometimes there are things that I can pick out visually that I can’t pick out audibly… “So I can imagine that in a cockpit recording with a lot of background noise, examining the spectrogram might allow patterns to be detected that would not be obvious audibly. My guess is that they wouldn’t be looking at the speech, but rather for indications in sound of what was happening mechanically. “For instance, if there was sound at a particular frequency, happening at a particular interval regularly, that might be an indication of something. That’s the sort of thing that you can often see on a spectrogram even if it is audibly buried in the noise floor.” 14 Hours Lying Flat Patrick thinks maybe United could have done better: 14 Hours Lying Flat: United Polaris Passenger Pays $7,400, Gets Just $350 For Broken Seat. A United Airlines passenger has recounted her experience of flying in a faulty Polaris seat. She was forced to sit in a lie-flat position for the entire journey. After complaining, United offered her only $350. The ticket cost $7,388. DCCCXCIV Rob wrote in to say he enjoyed the value that Erin Applebaum brought to Episode 894. Also, that “with the very welcome return of David, this episode may well be the first podcast ever where the hosts have an odd number of kidneys!!” We also got a refresher on Roman Numerals. Mentioned The Great State of Maine Airshow, Saturday and Sunday, July 11 and 12, 2026, at Brunswick Executive Airport (the former Brunswick Naval Air Station). DARPA Lift Challenge at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.  Aug. 5-9. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  896 Sonex Aviation LLC 03.06.2026 1ч 29мин

  Our guest purchased the assets of planemaker Sonex and restarted the company. In the news, Customs and Border Protection officers at airports, Eclipse 500 spare parts availability, a Spitfire kit plane, recreating cockpit voice recorder audio from spectrograms, and a new website to track ATC modernization progress. Guest Stephen Osborne is the owner and founder of Top Aviation Services and the president and CEO of The Osborne Company. Shortly after planemaker Sonex shut down, he purchased its assets and reopened operations as Sonex Aviation LLC. Sonex has a history of providing the recreational aviation community with innovative and affordable aircraft kits, powerplants, and accessories. The company is a leader in the homebuilt space and works to cultivate new pilots and airplane builders through educational efforts. Stephen describes how he quickly moved to purchase the Sonex assets, resume shipping kits, and set the tone for the company's future. Sonex has a strong “work family” environment that serves not only employees but also customers and vendors. As Sonex moves forward, its success will be built on those core values and the mission to make aviation affordable for everyone. Stephen is a military veteran and former U.S. Army Captain and FAA-certificated commercial pilot. Top Aviation provides FAA-certified flight training for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, and Commercial, as well as discovery flights and aircraft rentals at KTOP in Topeka, Kansas. The Osborne Company is a general contracting firm specializing in the design and installation of electric vehicle and aircraft charging infrastructure across the United States. Group photo of employees, courtesy Sonex. Aviation News Feds Mull Pulling Customs From New York, LA, Chicago, and Other Airports in ‘Sanctuary Cities’ Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested removing Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called sanctuary cities where local authorities do not assist federal immigration investigations. Those cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco international hubs. In a recent congressional hearing, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, “We shouldn’t shut down air travel in a state that doesn’t agree with our politics.” Airlines and business groups warn of chaos if US restricts international flights In a joint statement, the U.S. ​Chamber of Commerce, Airlines for America, the National Retail Federation, U.S. Travel, and other groups said the move "threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation's air transportation system." “Any reduction in Customs and Border Protection operations at major U.S. gateway airports threatens to cause unnecessary chaos throughout the nation’s air transportation system. International aviation networks are highly interconnected, and operational changes at a small number of gateway airports will quickly ripple across the country, negatively impacting travelers, cargo shipments, supply chains, and the communities that depend on those connections. Airports and airlines rely on stable, predictable federal inspection services to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently. We urge DHS to avoid actions that would create unnecessary operational and economic consequences for communities nationwide. As the United States prepares for growing international travel demand, DHS should avoid actions that would create unnecessary bottlenecks and economic consequences for communities across the country. Now is the time to strengthen America’s gateway infrastructure, not weaken it.” See also, Airlines urge Trump administration not to curb international flights in feud over ‘sanctuary cities’ Eclipse Aero Says It Has about 3 Years of Parts in Stock Eclipse supplier Resurgent Aviation Solutions (RAS) says on its webpage that the company “has elected to wind down all business operations and liquidate all remaining assets. All finished goods will be made available for outright purchase using an auction format. The liquidation will be completed over several auctions over the next two months.” Spitfire could return to production 90 years after first flight An original Supermarine Spitfire will set you back about £3 million. The new Aerolite Spitfire Type 433 has been constructed at a cost of about £750,000. The composite kit plane is touring the UK this spring and summer at air shows and military and classic motor festivals. Great British Supermarine Ltd, is the manufacturer. Chief executive Jeremy Meeson, said: “The moment is right to reimagine the Supermarine Spitfire because today’s materials, propulsion, and digital engineering finally let us evolve an icon without losing what made it exceptional.” A PDF let the internet hear the final words in the cockpit of a UPS plane as it crashed. The NTSB now wants it taken down The NTSB does not release cockpit voice recordings made during an accident. Other evidence from investigations is released to the public, including photographs, videos, maps, and other data. During a two-day investigative hearing on the UPS flight 2976 accident, a PDF file was released that showed an analysis of the spectrogram of the audio recorded by the CVR. However, the NTSB was not aware “that advances in image recognition and computational methods have enabled individuals to reconstruct approximations of cockpit voice recorder audio from sound spectrum imagery.” Subsequently, the NTSB closed public access to all dockets. Spectrogram of the spoken words in a clip from Airplane Geeks Episode 895. Frequencies are on the vertical axis, and time is on the horizontal axis. NBAA Welcomes New Website to Track ATC Modernization Progress The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) expressed its support for a new online dashboard developed by the Department of Transportation and the FAA to provide updates on the status of modernization of the country’s air traffic control (ATC) network. The Modern Skies dashboard provides information on ATC modernization projects already underway and updates at more than 4,600 FAA sites across the country, along with a map overlay detailing specific efforts. Mentioned Rob Mark and Max Trescott were shortlisted for the Aerospace Media Award in the Best Multimedia category for Episode 26 of NTSB News Talk - March 25, 2026 LaGuardia Plane Crash Into Fire Truck + Rob Mark on Losing a Pilot Friend. The Aerospace Media Awards will be presented on the evening of 19th July at No 8 Northumberland Avenue, London. The 2026 Call for Nominations closed with a record 700 nominations. Amelia Earhart is back in Harbour Grace as stolen statue returns home Infighting, court battles could put long-hyped air taxi breakthrough in jeopardy An Air Taxi Lands in Manhattan, but You Can’t Fly in It Yet Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
• 
  895 Points Path 27.05.2026 49мин

  We speak with the founder and CEO of Points Path, which helps travelers get the most up-to-date pricing from both Google and airlines. Guest Julian Kheel is the founder and CEO of Points Path, a browser extension that helps you make informed travel purchases. Points Path performs the same flight search with Google Flights for each of its covered airlines, but requests prices in points or miles rather than cash. The results are then combined with Google’s results, so you see the most up-to-date pricing available from both Google and the airlines themselves. In the free extension, Points Path offers award pricing for the frequent flyer programs of Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, and United. Paid Pro tier and Founders Club members also get access to Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France/KLM, Avianca, Emirates, Etihad, Qantas, Qatar, TAP Air Portugal, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia. All tiers include domestic and international flights on the airlines themselves, as well as flights with partner airlines. The free version of the Points Path extension includes real-time, true round-trip points pricing for US domestic airline programs, as well as bank transfer programs for those airlines, indicators when a transfer bonus is in effect, and deal recommendation arrows. Points Path Pro is a paid upgrade that adds more airlines, price-tracking alerts, a 7-day points calendar, and other features. Julian has extensive industry knowledge. He was previously Editorial Director of The Points Guy, as well as CNN’s Senior Editor covering travel and credit card rewards, and also worked as a consultant for the “Big 3” airlines. He has appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bloomberg Surveillance, and other TV programs to discuss frequent-flyer miles and has been quoted on travel rewards in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and many other national publications. Julian was kind enough to offer Airplane Geeks listeners a discount code for the Pro version. Use airplanegeeks15 at checkout. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Brian Coleman, and our Main(e) Man Micah.
• 
  894 E/A-18G Growler 20.05.2026 1ч 32мин

  U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler jet collision, Boeing’s China order, the new target for air traffic controller staffing, new United flight attendant contract, domestic flight lengths, Boeing civil suit award, and a tribute to a flight instructor. Aviation News Growlers Collide at Air Show, Four Good Chutes Two U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler jets collided midair during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. All four Washington-based pilots ejected. The jets exploded upon impact with the ground. The Gunfighter Skies Air Show (May 16-17, 2026) was a free event open to the public and featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Growler is a variant of the Super Hornet with advanced sensors and jamming pods. The VAQ-129 "Vikings" EA-18G Growler Demo Team showcases the platform for tactical jamming and electronic attack. Video: Deep Intel on the Growler Midair at Idaho Airshow https://youtu.be/eR6yXoyaarY?si=o_ZO4iqfplgNIfNG Boeing China Order Disappoints, Stock Falls Last week, we reported that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg was joining President Trump on his visit to China. There was anticipation for a 500-airplane deal, but it appears the negotiation resulted in a 200-airplane purchase. No other details were available at the time. FAA cuts target for air traffic control staffing The FAA has a new target for air traffic control staffing: 12,563 certified controllers. The previous target was 14,633 controllers. That’s a reduction of 2,070 controllers, or 14%. Controller overtime costs have gone up more than 300% since 2013, according to a National Academies of Sciences report. Air traffic is up, but time spent on position managing air ⁠traffic has gone down. The ​FAA said, "Deploying modern staffing models and scheduling tools will improve controller staffing efficiency and reduce the need for excessive overtime." The FAA said about 11,000 certified controllers are deployed, 4,000 are in training, including 1,000 who were previously fully certified and are training ‌at new air traffic control facilities. United Flight Attendants Ratify Contract — Top Pay Will Exceed $100/Hour, $740M Lump Sum Payout United Airlines flight attendants ratified the tentative agreement that was reached in March. Almost 89% of eligible union members voted, and of those who did, 82% approved the contract. Flight attendants get their first raise in 5.5 years, almost 20% over the life of the contract. Short flights are popular. Will they last? There are many more scheduled short domestic flights in the U.S. than long ones, but over the past 10 years, the number of flights of 500 miles or less has decreased, while the number of longer flights has increased.  Jury awards $49.5M to family of Boeing 737 MAX crash victim Samya Stumo was a 24-year-old who was killed in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, in 2019. Like other victims’ families, Stumo’s family brought a civil suit against Boeing. Most of those other suits were settled out of court. Stumo’s family did not reach a settlement, and the case went to trial focusing on compensation. Boeing had previously admitted liability. A federal jury in Chicago awarded $21 million for Stumo’s death, $16.5 million for the family’s loss of companionship, and $12 million for the family’s grief. 4 killed in medical plane crash in Capitan Mountains identified The Australia News Desk Steve Visscher’s tribute to Gary Bittle, his flight instructor and friend. Gary Bittle and Steve Visscher Mentioned FIFI, taken from the backseat of Gunfighter, a P-51 Mustang, by listener Chris. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.
• 
  893 Airbus A220 13.05.2026 1ч 16мин

  AirAsia places a large A220 order, a Frontier jet collides with a pedestrian, Boeing hopes for a mega-deal in China, power banks in the cabin are in the cross-hairs, the Senate hopes to save the last three Tomcats, and FedEx plans to return MD-11s to service. Also, preliminary information about AvCon 2027, upcoming airshows and fly-ins, and a detailed explanation of weight and balance for airliners. Aviation News Air Asia orders for 150 A220s, giving program a big boost; launches high density version AirAsia becomes the launch customer for a 160 PAX high-density version of the Airbus A220 currently under development. The order from the Malaysian LCC brings total A220 orders to more than 1,000. Airbus wants to increase the production rate to 14 per month, and this order will help. Deliveries could begin in late 2027 or early 2028. Credit: Airbus Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A (the holding company of AirAsia), said “My philosophy has been built on a very strong network. Two of the driving factors of AirAsia’s network are that 60% of our routes are routes that were never done before. We go into secondary and tertiary cities. And the second underlying principle of what we do is frequency. So, obviously, we’ve bought a lot of A321s, which have 244 seats. Not every route pairing could fill 244 seats.” Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit and killed by Frontier plane during takeoff on Denver runway, airport says A person crossed the perimeter fence and a runway at Denver International Airport and was subsequently struck and killed by a departing Frontier Airlines plane, Flight 4345. The flight was aborted, and a brief engine fire was extinguished. Twelve people reported minor injuries in the evacuation, and five were taken to local hospitals. Potential 600-aircraft Boeing mega-order from China hinges on Trump-Xi summit President Donald Trump’s business delegation is visiting China, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is reportedly attending. Thirteen Chinese domestic carriers operate 97 737 MAX aircraft, and Boeing is hopeful that with Trump’s help, as many as 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and about 100 widebody jets can be ordered. In April 2026, Ortberg said, “Without the administration’s support, I don’t think we’ll see any near-term large orders out of China. It really is something that would be tied to the effort from the administration.” The CAAC does not simply rubber-stamp Western approvals. It runs a parallel, sovereign certification process based on the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) signed by the US and China in 2005, with the operational details specified in the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA). Airlines Are Cracking Down on Portable Power Banks According to ICAO, power banks caused more reported airplane fires and thermal runaway incidents than any other lithium-battery device in 2025. FAA data shows that airlines reported lithium battery events involving fire, smoke, or extreme heat nearly twice a week on average in 2025. Airlines ban power banks in checked luggage and are now implementing new rules for these devices brought on board. ‘Maverick Act’ saves last 3 F-14 Tomcats from destruction The US Navy has just three remaining F-14D Tomcats. The aircraft were retired in 2006, but the U.S. Senate wants to ensure that those three jets survive and maybe even fly. S. 4161, the Maverick Act, passed by the Senate but not yet enacted, authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer the three F-14D Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The Commission could put the aircraft on display or operate them at “an airshow … or a commemorative event to preserve United States naval aviation heritage.” FedEx’s MD-11 comeback to start with short cargo flight to Miami FedEx hopes to repair and return to service 29 grounded MD-11 freighter aircraft. The company proposes to send technicians to 16 locations worldwide, where they will remove the engine pylons and transport them to maintenance facilities in Indianapolis and Memphis. There, Boeing redesigned bearings will be installed, and the pylons will be returned to the aircraft. MD-11 operations were halted after the November 4, 2025, crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky. See: FAA Ends MD-11 Grounding After Boeing Review Mentioned AvCon is billed as “The world’s only convention built for aviation fans by aviation creators.” The organizers say,  “Based on the success of 2026, we’ve extended this - so for THREE amazing days, we’re taking over the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando, Florida for panels, merch, meet-ups, and good old-fashioned AvGeek fun. Whether you’re a YouTube fan, private pilot, model collector, or airline loyalty nerd — join us aboard.” May 21, 21 & 22 2027” [sic]. Hyatt Regency, Orlando International Airport (MCO) Stories about Flying: When a Standard Instrument Departure Becomes Hazardous to Your Professional Health. A routine instrument departure turns into a career-defining moment when poor cockpit communication and rushed decisions lead to a serious ATC deviation. In this episode, Rob Mark shares how one flight exposed the dangers of weak Crew Resource Management—and the hard lesson that remaining silent can be just as risky as making the wrong call. The Great State of Maine Airshow, July 11 and 12, 2026, at Brunswick Executive Airport (former Brunswick Naval Air Station) and featuring the Blue Angels, the F-35 Demo Team, and the C-17 Demo Team. The 29th Annual Spurwink Farm Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In, Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Why Insurance Breaks The Uber-In-The-Air Fantasy Video: United — Safety in Motion https://youtu.be/Jep3RR2yEXA?si=4N4BMvuZtmTAAK0s Video: A Hundred Years of Safety - Delta's 2025 Centennial Safety Video https://youtu.be/mnOLUnExHvw?si=6alarZQtV1keuXF2 Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.
• 
  892 Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations 06.05.2026 1ч 13мин

  Spirit Airlines shuts down, aircraft technicians are in short supply, Sonex reopens while WACO closes, China Eastern Flight 5735 was intentionally crashed, NTSB’s United 1382 final report, United 169 truck strike, ground vehicle transponders, and the Jeju Flight 2216 accident in South Korea.
• 
  891 Airline Ticket Pricing 29.04.2026 1ч 14мин

  Dynamic airline ticket pricing, Blackhawk helicopter altitude instrumentation, a U.S. Government equity position in Spirit Airlines, the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal LGA accident, capacity cuts at airports, AI-enabled ATC, the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, and SpaceX Starlink in-motion aviation plans. Aviation News JetBlue sued over claims it uses customers’ personal data to set ticket prices Airline executives have told Congress that personal data is not used to dynamically set ticket prices. However, a complaint has been filed in federal court alleging that JetBlue uses "trackers" and shares data with third parties to dynamically set prices. This stems from an exchange on X where a passenger complained about a ticket price increase and JetBlue responded by saying the passenger should try "clearing your cache and cookies or booking with an incognito window." JetBlue later stated that the response was incorrect and added that "fares can change at any moment as seats are purchased or as inventory is adjusted based on demand". Army aviation chief: D.C. crash ‘wasn’t about’ outdated Black Hawk cockpit At a media briefing on Bell’s MV-75 tiltrotor, The Air Current asked the commanding general of Army Aviation, Maj. Gen. Clair Gill, whether last year’s fatal midair collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet changed the Army’s thinking about fielding the Black Hawk’s partial replacement. Gill answered, “No, it’s completely unrelated.” The MV-75 will have “a more advanced cockpit, but the D.C. crash really wasn’t about whether or not it was an advanced cockpit or not.” This implied that faulty altimeters and outdated avionics in the accident helicopter did not substantially contribute to the crash. The NTSB found that altitude exceedances on the Washington, D.C., helicopter routes were likely exacerbated by inaccurate altimeters on older UH-60L “Lima” Black Hawks, including the one involved in the crash. Possible Spirit rescue fuels new fears about government involvement in business The Federal government is considering an equity deal to keep Spirit Airlines afloat. Under the proposal, the airline would receive $500 million, providing additional liquidity as Spirit works to emerge from bankruptcy. The U.S. government could own up to 90% of the airline, according to sources. Reportedly, the government would charge Spirit a reasonable interest rate and move to the top of the debtor list. CBS News says, “The loan would be protected by Spirit assets that would exceed the government's costs, and would provide taxpayers with a warrant — the right to own 90% of the company after it emerges from bankruptcy.” Also, “The Pentagon would use Spirit's excess capacity for transporting troops, military cargo, or other missions. The airline would then likely be sold to another carrier.” See:  Spirit Airlines nears deal with Trump administration for $500 million rescue package White House mulls using Defense Production Act in Spirit Airlines takeover Ted Cruz pours cold water on Trump administration plan to bail out Spirit Airlines: TERRIBLE idea' NTSB Report LGA Air Canada Incident [PDF] On March 22, 2026, Jazz Aviation LP flight 646 (operating as Air Canada flight 8646), a CRJ-900, was substantially damaged after it collided with Rescue 35 (R35), an Oshkosh Striker 1500 aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle, while landing on runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport. The captain and first officer were fatally injured.  Of the 2 flight attendants, 72 passengers, and 2 crew of the ARFF vehicle, 39 were transported to local hospitals with 6 serious injuries reported. The airplane was a Part 129 scheduled flight from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Montreal, Quebec, to LGA. A review of the ASDE-X system data by the FAA determined that the system did not generate an aural or visual alert on the ASDE-X displays in the LGA ATC tower to warn controllers of the potential runway conflict. FAA orders Chicago O'Hare International Airport to cut over 300 planned flights daily between May and October The FAA is ordering flight reductions at Chicago O'Hare International Airport over the summer travel season. 3,080 daily flights were scheduled for peak summer days in 2026. Now O'Hare flights will be restricted to 2,708 per day from May 17 to Oct. 24. This change is motivated by capacity and operational delay concerns. The FAA said it intends to bring in more air traffic controllers, speed up controller training, reduce delays by optimizing routes and airspace, and increase communication between the agency, the airport, and airlines during high-risk periods. FAA quietly developing AI enabled air traffic management system The Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (SMART) is an artificial intelligence-powered software tool designed for air traffic management. People familiar with the project say it could fundamentally change how the U.S. airspace system operates. Palantir, Thales, and Airspace Intelligence (ASI) are competing on the initiative. Operational start could be as early as later this year. The system could enable the FAA to plan for bottlenecks and anticipate schedule conflicts before an aircraft even leaves the ground. This contrasts with today's human-centric, reactive ATC structure. Digital Tower Technology Coalition Pushing Remote ATC The Digital Tower Technology Coalition “is an alliance of stakeholders advocating for the FAA’s implementation of the digital tower program, as outlined in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. By leveraging U.S. airports, regional partners, air traffic controllers, original equipment manufacturers, and federal partners, our coalition seeks to ensure an efficient and transparent process while strengthening U.S. global competitiveness in cutting-edge aviation technology.” See the Press Release: Introducing the Digital Tower Technology Coalition, Representing Bold Commitment to Innovation in Effort to Modernize U.S. Aviation [PDF] SpaceX Cuts Starlink Aviation Prices – New GA Plans Start at $200/Month When SpaceX imposed a 100 mph speed cap on all non-aviation plans, general aviation pilots were forced to switch to more expensive aviation-specific tiers. That generated an outcry from the flying community, including a petition with over 9,500 signatures. GA pilots had been using Starlink Roam for $50 per month with a 100GB data cap. Now SpaceX has made some changes to its in-motion aviation plans. Aviation 300MPH is renamed General Aviation Local 50GB, the price is lowered to $200 per month (from $250), and the monthly data limit is increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $25 (from $10 per GB). The Aviation 450 MPH plan is now General Aviation Global 50GB, which is still $1,000 per month, but the monthly data cap has been increased to 50GB (from 20GB). Additional data can be purchased in 50GB blocks for $100 (from $50 per GB). Mentioned Swiss cheesemakers allowed to artificially make holes in Emmental cheese Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.
• 
  890 Airport Surface Detection Equipment 15.04.2026 1ч 6мин

  More on the Laguardia crash from the NTSB and ASDE-X; a near-collision at LAX involving a Frontier flight and two trucks; a United Airlines plane struck two de-icing trucks; the FAA requested funding for 2,300 controller trainees; a Navy MQ-4C Triton reconnaissance drone went missing; and air taxis are coming to Utah. Aviation News Seconds before LaGuardia crash, controller cleared the fire truck to cross the runway, NTSB says The NTSB has determined that a LaGuardia Airport air traffic controller cleared the fire truck to cross a runway 12 seconds before the Air Canada flight touched down. The two pilots were killed in the resulting collision. The NTSB has yet to identify how this was allowed to happen. Unanswered questions: Are two overnight duty controllers enough? Why didn’t a runway warning system sound an alert? Who was coordinating air and ground traffic? Did the fire truck hear the controller’s last-second pleas to stop? LaGuardia has an advanced surface surveillance system called Airport Surface Detection Equipment, Model X (ASDE-X). This system displays the locations of planes and vehicles to the Controllers. The fire truck didn’t have a transponder, but the emergency vehicles behind it stopped in time. Possibly, the close proximity of the vehicles merging kept the system from triggering an alarm. ASDE-X is a surveillance system that uses radar, multilateration, and satellite technology to allow air traffic controllers to track the surface movement of aircraft and vehicles. It was developed to help reduce critical Category A and B runway incursions. ASDE-X overview from FAA presentation. The ASDE-X collects data from a variety of sensors: Surface surveillance radar located on top of the air traffic control tower and/or surface surveillance radar located on a remote tower Multilateration (MLat) 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. Multilateration (MLat) sensors determine an object's position by measuring the time differences of signals received from multiple known locations. They are commonly used in applications such as air traffic control and navigation to accurately track the locations of vehicles or devices. Frontier Airlines Pilots ‘Slam On the Brakes’ to Avoid Colliding With Two Trucks at Los Angeles International Airport Frontier Airlines flight F9-3216, an Airbus A321, was taxiing for departure at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) when it encountered two trucks that cut it off. To avoid a collision, the pilots were forced to “slam on the brakes.” The Frontier pilot told LAX controllers, “It happened so fast, both of us are like holy shit and slammed on the brakes… I might have to call the flight attendants, make sure everyone is alright in the back. It was real close… close as I’ve ever seen.” Plane suffered 'substantial' damage after hitting de-icing trucks at Denver airport On March 6, 2026, a United Airlines plane struck two de-icing trucks at Denver International Airport (DIA) as it was taxiing out of the de-icing pad. No on-board injuries occurred, although one de-icing agent suffered minor injuries. The plane suffered substantial damage. There was some confusion about whether the plane had been cleared to leave the de-icing pad. FAA proposes to hire 2,300 air traffic controllers in budget request At the end of September, the FAA employed 13,164 air traffic controllers, about 3,500 short of the targeted staffing level. The FAA’s fiscal 2027 budget request proposes funding to hire 2,300 air traffic controller trainees, with about $95.4 million earmarked for that effort. A WSOC Charlotte, SC video reports that gamers are being offered paid training and other incentives if they apply. Navy MQ-4C Triton’s Fate Unknown After Disappearing From Flight Tracking Over Persian Gulf Open-source tracking indicates the surveillance drone suddenly turned toward Iran and transmitted the universal 7700 emergency code. It descended from more than 50,000 feet toward approximately 9,000 feet, then disappeared from public tracking networks. The Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton is the maritime version of RQ-4 Global Hawk. It is a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned surveillance aircraft flown by the United States Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Navy had 20 Triton aircraft in service in 2025, and had planned to acquire seven more. The unit cost was estimated to be just over $238 million. See: US Navy MQ-4C Triton Vanishes Near Iran After Emergency Code: Did Tehran Just Down America’s US$200 Million Spy Drone? Utah’s getting air taxis sooner than expected. Here’s when. Paul Damron, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) air mobility program manager, says unmanned electric aircraft might be carrying packages and medical supplies as early as this summer. The FAA has designated UDOT to lead one of eight national pilot programs focused on integrating electric aircraft into various airspaces. Initially operating out of Utah’s airports, the long-term goal is to create “vertiports” and connect them to existing transit modes. Under the uFLY pilot program, Utah leads a five-state partnership with Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Aircraft will be tested under a variety of environmental conditions. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.
• 
  889 The Lost Joy of Flying 08.04.2026 1ч 17мин

  The decline of enjoyment in today’s air travel experience, special TSA treatment for Congress members, consolidating ATC functions, TRACON evacuations, Artemis II, Part 141 training organizations, and aerial refueling. Also, Av-Con 2026, Spacewoman documentary, “souls onboard,” and EAS. Aviation News ‘The alarm bells are going off’: Air travel hits new lows Recent events have made commercial air travel a difficult proposition for many air travelers. We see increasing fuel costs and increasing ticket prices, long lines at some security checkpoints, TSA workers absent, recent accidents, air traffic controller shortages, equipment malfunctions, and more. The U.S. Travel Association’s senior vice president of government relations, Erik Hansen, said of passengers, “What they’re seeing is chaos, and what they’re seeing is a system that doesn’t work.” Delta suspends special congressional services amid shutdown In a statement to The Hill, Delta said, “Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta. Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.” Those services have included airport escorts and red coat services. Senate passes measure prohibiting preferential airport screening for lawmakers Just days before the Delta action, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a proposal to end the special treatment members of Congress get at airports. That included permitting members of Congress to speed through or skip security screening checkpoints. To become law, the House would have to pass the bill, and the President would have to sign it. LaGuardia controller staffing may have violated procedures on night of collision, document shows On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada jet landing at LaGuardia struck a fire truck, killing both pilots. LaGuardia tower's standard operating procedures specify that a controller cannot perform both air and ground duties. The NTSB is investigating the roles of the controllers at the time of the crash. A 2023 rule in the LaGuardia ​Tower Standard Operating Procedures states, "Positions at LaGuardia Tower are not to be consolidated to one position prior to midnight local time or 90 minutes after the start of the shift, whichever is later." Those familiar with the matter said the rule remained in effect in 2026. D.C.-area ATC evacuations followed 2025 smoke event which injured controllers On March 13, 2026, FAA operations were disrupted after Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) reported a strong smell. Fire responders investigated, and the source was identified as an overheated circuit board. That incident caused a ground stop lasting a little over two hours, affecting DCA, IAD, BWI, and nearby airports. On March 27, 2026, the TRACON was evacuated again after another strong chemical smell, reportedly originating from an overheated battery backup or other electrical component in the break room/IT area. That second evacuation also triggered ground stops and significant delays across the region. A similar event occurred in April 2025, when smoke entered the Potomac TRACON control room. That incident did not lead to an evacuation, but did leave multiple controllers with health issues severe enough to affect their medical certificates. Artemis II Headed for the Moon The Artemis II Mission flew four astronauts around the moon before returning them to Earth. The planned 10-day test flight is the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 that humans have departed Earth orbit. NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT on April 1, 2026. The Artemis III mission will launch a crew in the Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket to test rendezvous and docking capabilities between Orion and commercial spacecraft (SpaceX and Blue Origin) needed to land astronauts on the Moon. NASA will announce specifics on the Artemis III mission design and crew closer to the 2027 launch. Artemis IV astronauts will travel to lunar orbit, where two crew members will descend to the surface and spend approximately a week near the Moon's South Pole conducting new science before returning to lunar orbit to rejoin their crew for the journey back to Earth. Report Calls for Major Flight Training Changes The FAA has released a 471-page report by the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) titled A Comprehensive Modernization of Pilot Training Conducted by 14 CFR Part 141 Training Organizations, which states: “The goal of this modernization effort is unambiguous: to develop a robust certification and regulatory framework under 14 CFR Part 141 that stands alone as the preeminent accreditation and method by which aviators are trained throughout the world. Under this new framework, achieving FAA certification would represent the highest standard of training excellence available anywhere negating the need for further accreditation or external oversight. The American flight training system would, in this vision, stand alone already.“ The key recommendations include: Establishing a dedicated Central Management Office responsible for all Part 141 pilot school initial certification and ongoing certificate management. Establishing both Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems within the Part 141 training environment. Reforming how the FAA manages and oversees certificated pilot schools. Developing industry consensus standards as an alternate means of compliance with Part 141 regulations. Reforming the Part 141 examining authority framework. Expanding Flight Simulation Training Device (FSTD) and Technology Credit and Usage. Modernizing training course appendices. Replacing Provisional Pilot School with Registered Pilot School. A-10 Warthog Being Tested With Aerial Refueling Probe Bolted Onto Its Nose A test A-10 has been flown for the first time with a refueling probe replacing its normal aerial refueling receptacle. The A-10 successfully connected to the aerial refueling drogue of a C-130.  The Air Force uses a flying boom system, while the Navy uses a probe-and-drogue system. Mentioned The “Spacewoman” documentary about Eileen Collins, the first woman Shuttle pilot. Journey is the Reward / Airplane Geeks Meet-Up, Sunday, May 17, 2026, 4:00 PM at Charlie’s Pizza, Restaurant and Pub (1980 Rt. 37, Manchester Township, NJ 08759). Visiting the Av-Con 2026 in Atlanta - Held April 4, 2026, at the Delta Flight Museum. Av-Con is described as “the world’s first convention built for aviation fans by aviation creators.” Souls On Board Hosts this Episode Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.