Airplane Geeks Podcast

UAP safety risks with Todd Curtis, a troubling wave of US Army aviation accidents, the impact of aviation accidents on public perception of safety, the Flexjet order for Embraer jets, and Boeing’s worries about the future of the Space Launch System. Guest Todd Curtis Todd Curtis is a risk consultant who systematically uses data to understand and reduce aviation incidents. He is also a co-host of t...

A look at aviation ground operations technology, recent fatal aviation accidents, fire aboard an A321, the successful XB-1 supersonic flight, the sentencing of a drone operator, and the threatened readiness of the US Air Force. Guest Loren Mathis is the Chief Strategy Officer of INFORM GmbH’s Aviation division. INFORM is a worldwide aviation ground operations resource management technology provide...

Boom Supersonic’s first supersonic flight with the XB-1, the Jeju Air crash in Korea, final NTSB report on United Airlines hard landing, and a hydrogen-steam hybrid cycle engine for single aisle aircraft. Also, small DJI drones, the upcoming FlightSimExpo, personal flying devices, SAF for supersonic aircraft, a mid-air collision final report, and a waterbomber damaged by a drone. Aviation News Boo...

The SpaceX Starship explosion causes airline flight diversions, DJI changes its geofencing feature for drone flights, synthetic aviation fuel eyed for military aircraft, Boeing resumes 777X certification flight tests. Aviation News SpaceX Starship Explosion Causes Flight Diversions The January 16 launch of the SpaceX Starship was successful, and the launch tower caught the returning booster with i...

We speak with a Partner at an aviation practice who advocates for 737 MAX crash victims. In the news, we look at the Azerbaijan and Jeju crashes, Boeing’s safety and quality-control plan update, Delta’s plan for an AI-rich future, and V-22 Osprey catastrophic failure risks. Also, favorite flybys from listeners. Guest Erin Applebaum is a partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler...

A flight review of the luxury airline Aero, and a product review of the Bose A30 Aviation Headset. Aero Brian Coleman took a media flight on the luxury airline Aero from Van Nuys, California, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Brian discussed the airline with Liz Mazzei, Aero’s Head of Marketing, and Mikael Pelet, Aero’s COO. He then shared his experiences with our Main(e) Man Micah. Aero Embr...

A longtime educator discusses getting an aviation education. In the news, companies partner to address corporate aviation safety and security, an A321 engine shutdown after a birdstrike, a proposal to remove ATC from the FAA, and when pigs fly. Also, notable flybys, AI flight controls, taking care of business on long flights, and an aircraft incident investigation on another planet. Guest Dr. Stan...

The U.S. Senate hearing on airline fees, a Boeing employee surveillance program, the judge rejects the 737 MAX plea deal, Airbus floats a cockpit idea for Extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), and a study will look at how high-G flying might affect Naval fighter pilots. Also, ticket sales for EAA Air Venture Oshkosh 2024 and FlightSimExpo, Brian’s 2024 travels, fly-by-wire airplanes and smuggli...

An AI governance framework for aerospace and defense, airlines pad flight times and improve on-time performance, record numbers of travelers over the Thanksgiving holiday, stowaways on airline flights, and executive-level cost-cutting at Boeing. Guest Tim White is the Vice President of Engineering and Technology at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), where he advocates for the technical wo...

We talk to a youngster who sells the Polish Ekolot Special Light-Sport Aircraft. In the news, the Spirit Airlines CEO gets a retention bonus, an FAA review board will look at smoke in the cockpit after bird strikes, JetBlue plans to reduce the number of pilots, and a United Airlines captain delights passengers with pizza. In listener mail, we look at jet emissions and what the industry is doing. G...

A contrails study by GE Aviation and NASA, an F-15E Strike Eagle downs drones, Iberia’s new A321XLR in service, the Phillippine Mars moves to its final destination, an airliner and a UAP come close together, Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, and the environmental impact of private jets. Also, AvGeeks flock to Bluesky, a STEM author at the NASM, and F-35B trials on a Japanese flattop. The contr...

A Robinson hydrogen helicopter, Boeing machinists’ new contract, furloughed Boeing staff and impending layoffs, Jeppesen possibly for sale, incendiary devices at DHL, Boom Supersonic XB-1 test flight, shots fired at Spirit, and air tanker minimum drop height. Aviation News Unither Bioelectronics Signs Agreement with Robinson Helicopter Company Unither Bioelectronics Inc. (UB) and Robinson He...

We visit the Brunswick Naval Aviation Museum in Maine and speak with the Vice President and Operations Manager, and the Executive Director. In the news, more furloughs and cost-cutting measures at Spirit Airlines, the FAA’s final rule is out on powered-lift vehicles such as eVTOLS, a fuel top-off assumption leads to the loss of a Beechcraft B-60, the “doomsday plane” gets an official designation,...

We hear from participants at this year’s Cranky Dorkfest, the U.S. Marine Corps flew the XQ-58A Valkyrie drone with four F-35B fighters, American Airlines flew a B787 from Dallas to Brisbane in a 15 hour and 44-minute flight, a pair of corporate flight attendants are suing their employer, airlines are reacting to flight restrictions over Russia, and the Portland Jetport is replacing the firefighti...

Airline sustainability with the founder and CEO of the SimpliFlying aviation marketing, branding, and communications consultancy firm. Also, actions by Boeing, the outcome of the American Airlines vs. Skiplagged.com suit, US airlines performing poorly in a global ranking, United Airlines and passenger accessibility, and the U.S. Army looks for a new heavy-lift helicopter. Guest Shashank Nigam is t...

An aviator’s journey from a former commercial airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight examiner, and author. In the news, the SpaceX Starship first-stage booster returns to the launch pad, the NTSB reports on two B737s that were cleared for the same runway at the same time and the incident where an A350 clipped the tail of a CRJ-900. Also, navigating airline dress codes, an airport execu...

We talk with the Long Beach Airport Public Affairs Officer. In the news, watching racy movies on the inflight entertainment system, a fatal crash at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in New York, the competition for the main operating base for a fleet of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus air refueling tankers, and the AeroSHARK film that reduces fuel burn. Guest Kate Kuykendall has been the Public Affairs Officer a...

The mystery of D.B. Cooper with the host of The Cooper Vortex podcast. In the news, automatic takeoffs from Embraer, Southwest’s business improvement plan and the reaction by the activist Elliott hedge fund, the airship crash in Brazil, the Rolls-Royce electric propulsion unit, and the bad air travel decisions allegedly made by the Mayor of New York City. We also hear from Hillel and a listener ab...

A former Naval Aviator tells us about his life after Naval aviation, the content he’s produced, and the pivot he’s making. In the news, the optics of flying in a corporate aircraft, the Boeing Starliner is back to earth with a few problems, a new Navy policy for aviator sea tours, and noise complaints at Australian airports. Guest Rob Roy is a former Naval Aviator who produces a YouTube channel wi...

Aerospace workforce development with the CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance. In the news, the Machinist Union votes to strike Boeing, the TSA looks to Real ID enforcement, United Airlines makes a deal with SpaceX for inflight WiFi from Starlink, and more aviation firefighting foam news. Also, interviews from the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast with the Southport Flyi...

We talk with travel expert Gary Leff from View from the Wing.com . In the news, the DOT probe of airline frequent flyer programs, U.S. airlines reduced hiring, automated landing fee collection, more on PFAS in aircraft firefighting foam, and FAA action to ease network flight delays. Also, interviews from the Pacific Airshow. Guest Travel expert and blogger Gary Leff was named one of the world’s to...

We speak with the Porto Aviation Group CEO who flew to Oshkosh from Italy, the ForeFlight Head of International Growth, the CEO and Founder of Airhart Aeronautics , airline Captain Dana, an Historical Restoration Consultant about the historic terminal building at the Long Beach Airport , and flight team interns from the California Science Center program. Porto Aviation Group Innovation and entrepr...

A Martin Mars water bomber has a new home, the proprotor gearbox failure that caused the Air Force’s fatal Osprey crash, the FAAs new endorsement requirement for flight instructor candidates, and a refueling incident that damaged a KC-46 and an F-15E. Also, an Australia Desk report where Brian Coleman joined Steve and Grant in Australia, and Micah called in. Aviation News The Hawaii Mars Water Bom...

The FAA roadmap for Artificial Intelligence in aviation, clean aviation fuel setbacks, aviation fire-fighting foam, blended wing body aircraft, and the new Sikorsky VH-92A Marine One helicopter. Also, a first-timer’s experience at EAA Airventure Oshkosh. Aviation News FAA lays out ‘roadmap’ for AI safety in aircraft In Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence Safety Assurance [PDF], the FAA...

We speak with the Founder and CEO of Wright Electric , an aviation company with a goal to make all regional single-aisle flights zero-emissions. In the news, Boeing testified before the NTSB about the 737 door plug incident, American Airlines new standby rules are criticized, Space-X may bring the Boeing Starliner astronauts back from the International Space Station, and the impact on Delta Air Li...