Airplane Geeks Podcast

Recorded at Cranky Dorkfest 2021 at LAX. This is an annual one-day event just outside the airport where avgeeks meet to plane spot, see old friends, meet new ones, and tell stories. It’s hosted by Cranky Flier and this year about 300 people attended. Brian Coleman spoke with some of the attendees, including Brett Snyder ( Cranky ), Isaac Alexander, JL Johnson ( AirlineReporter ), Ben Granucci ( NY...

Our guest is Steve Hinton, the president of the Planes of Fame Air Museum. In the news, Delta Airlines signs a contract for sustainable aviation fuel, United Airlines decides to resume cargo-only flights, Qatar Airways profits were cut by Covid, and British Airways pilots may have the opportunity to fly for Qatar. Guest Steve Hinton is president of the Planes of Fame Air Museum and the owner of Fi...

The Head of Tiltrotor Marketing at Leonardo describes the world’s first commercial tiltrotor. In the news, a United stationary tail strike, Congress steps in on the controversial FAA flight training policy, DOJ files an antitrust suit over the American Airlines-JetBlue alliance, an industry-wide no-fly list is proposed, and Rolls-Royce wins the contract to re-engine the B-52 fleet. Leonardo AW609...

An airline captain focuses on pilot mental health and tells us what she is doing to bring that conversation into the light. In the news, another aerial refueling tanker competition, a Rolls-Royce electric airplane first flight, an X-Wing at the Smithsonian, a criminal charge stemming from the 737 MAX probe, the Cranky Dorkfest you missed, and emergency landings in Maine. Also, checked baggage issu...

We talk with the founder of Winged Vision about aerial sports broadcasting. In the news, Emirates intends to fly the A380 for the next two decades, Scaled Composites may have a Loyal Wingman contender, legislation that would eliminate the diversion of the airline ticket security fee, a 2-megawatt electric motor for aircraft propulsion, and an eVTOL company founder plans to be the first passenger o...

Daedalean AI-based flight control software for pilot assist and eventual autonomous flight, a Boeing 737MAX flight report, and a travel report on a trip to Germany. Guest Dr. Luuk van Dijk Dr. Luuk van Dijk is CEO and co-founder of Daedalean , a Zürich-based startup developing flight control software for autonomous flight. The eventual goal is to create an AI pilot that measurably outperforms huma...

An Avelo Airlines trip report and a conversation with the CEO of Crew Dog Electronics. Also, bonuses for Piedmont pilots, the FAA Zero Tolerance for Unruly and Dangerous Behavior Toolkit, late-night TV hosts roast Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines cuts flights, and new startup Avelo Airlines makes route changes. Avelo Airlines Trip Report Contributing Editor Brian Coleman and our Main(e) Man Mic...

Mike Busch, founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation, talks about aircraft maintenance. Also, calling up the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, United Airlines says no duct tape, and unhappy Southwest Airlines pilots. Mike Busch is surrounded by fans after speaking at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021. Guest Mike Busch is the founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation , which provides aircraft maintenance services for the owner-...

The North America Air Transport Reporter with Cirium talks about airline recovery, Boeing, Airbus, and electric aviation. In the news, duct tape on a plane, the preliminary NTSB report on Launchpad Marzari’s crash, options for an upgraded F35 engine, an A330 that tried to take off from a taxiway, and the X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) jet. Also, a women in aviation quiz and how to refue...

Spirit Airlines cancels over 2000 flights, American Airlines offers free TikTok access, a cargo flight returns to Narita with a fire indication, a GA gallery is coming to the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, and aviation jet fuel shortages impact aerial firefighting operations. Also, an Across the Pond segment with Pieter Johnson and managing editor of Aerospace magazine, Tim Robinso...

Continued coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 with the National Air Transportation Association, teTra Aviation, Pod-A-Palooza, and EAA Radio. National Air Transportation Association Airplane Geeks Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent Hillel Glazer speaks with Ryan Waguespack, Sr. VP of the National Air Transportation Association on the role of the association, the market, challenges,...

A roundtable at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 recorded at the Theater in the Woods with: Max Flight, a first-time attendee. Hillel Glazer, Airplane Geeks Aviation Entrepreneurship and Innovation Correspondent, Twitter:  @hi11el . Laura Davis, first time at AirVenture, Instagram: space_davis , Twitter: @space__davis Tim from Canada, his 5th visit to AirVenture, Instagram: RV6tas Logan Lynch from...

Interviews from the Spurwink Farm fly-in and pancake breakfast held July 11, 2021, at the Spurwink Farm Airfield in Maine. Jim Brown’s Beech Staggerwing taking off Jim Brown flew in with his Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing . This plane is the last model D-17S built for the military in 1944. Max, Jim, Fiona, and Micah with the Staggerwing Shawn Moody arrived in a Flightstar. Shawn talks about...

We learn about the Bambi Buckets carried by helicopters in aerial firefighting operations. In the news, the wreckage of the cargo jet that made a water landing is located, Richard Branson flies into space, the F-35A wins a Swiss competition and Germany buys the P-8A Poseidon, but China isn’t having a lot of success exporting their fighters, thoughts on supersonic transports, unruly passengers and...

On July 4, 2021, our friend and Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari was killed when his Focke-Wulf FWP-149D crashed while enroute from New Braunfels Regional Airport to Skylark Field in Killeen, Texas. We are deeply saddened by the loss of this kind and generous man. Brad “Launchpad” Marzari on the deck at Sun ‘n Fun Radio In this episode, Max Flight, Micah, David...

We talk with a company that provides educational jet fighter cockpit experiences. In the news, Amazon Air adds turboprops to the fleet, Boeing 777X certification, a new 4K Ultra HD flight data recorder, Virgin Galactic approval for commercial passenger space flights, and exiting the aircraft after the door closes. Launchpad Marzari in the cockpit. Guest Dewy Larson is the owner of DreamBIG Enterta...

We talk with Ellie Carter, Britain’s youngest solo glider pilot, and youngest single-engined PPL holder. Ellie has a passion for helping youngsters in aviation. In the news, the possibility of just one pilot on the flight deck for long haul flights, Airbus eyes an A350 freighter derivative, airlines struggle to meet the growing travel demand, a unique checked baggage item, a delay and possib...

Airshow incident response, airport eatery, flight simulation, and the EAA Young Eagles Program. Bunk Chase and Brix at an EAA Young Eagles Program event. Interviews Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari speaks with Robert Yanacsek, the CEO of FROST (the Fast Response Operational Safety Team ) on airshow incident response. Next, Launchpad talks with Nana Palmer, the manager of Delta Ch...

World Championship Air Race is coming in 2022 and we speak with the series race director. In the news, Aerion’s supersonic intentions falter while Boom Supersonic flourishes, the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy winner is announced, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turns 60, and an American Airlines diversion due to lack of water. Guest Willie Cruickshank is Race Series Director for the World Cham...

Avelo Airlines flight report, Redbird Flight Simulation, Nicki’s flying adventures, the covert Ravens program, the Commemorative Air Force, USAF Aerial Targets Squadron, the Flying Musicians Association, and a commentary about sustainable jet fuel. Avelo Airlines Brian Coleman recently flew on the new ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines and he describes his experience with Micah. Redbird Flight...

A tri-wing jet concept, a court ruling and flight instruction, aviation fuel supply vulnerability, more baggage falling out of airplanes, Flying Tiger Line Flight 739, and an Across the Pond segment. Aviation News This Bonkers Tri-Wing Jumbo Jet Concept Reduces Fuel Consumption by 70% The SE200 concept airliner from SE Aeronautics is a tri-wing design with two rear-mounted engines and a double tai...

Dr. Geoffrey Bower, the Chief Engineer at Archer Aviation, discusses eVTOL aircraft for the urban air mobility industry. In the news, bad behavior can get your frequent flyer account deleted, more 737 MAX woes, the Airbus A380 is fading for many airlines, LCC Avelo Airlines starts operation, the Aviation Safety Reporting System is extended to drone operators, and a story of missing luggage. Guest...

Breeze Airways flight attendant strategy breaks new ground, and not everyone is comfortable. Also, an Air Force One contractor files for bankruptcy, Leap-1B engine orders for the 737 MAX drop, penalties for unruly air passengers under the FAA crackdown, a second Stratolaunch flight, Airbus freighters on the horizon, and Embraer delays the E175-E2 again. Aviation News Breeze Will Pay Flight Attenda...

Ingenuity becomes the first aircraft to make a powered, controlled flight on another planet. Also, green aviation initiatives from IAG, Southwest Airlines, and Universal Hydrogen; the F-15EX gets a new name; a museum reopens and a major GA event is canceled; a recap of the 2021 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo; and a Lego story. Aviation News Ingenuity Becomes the First aircraft to Fly on Another Planet...

This special episode was recorded live on the deck of Sun ‘n Fun Radio on April 14, 2021. It’s the second time we recorded an episode of the Airplane Geeks podcast at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo . Max Flight is joined by reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari and Lt. Col. Trevor “Boat” Boswell to talk about North American Aerospace Defense Command ( NORAD ) interception of civil aircraft flying in...