Airplane Geeks Podcast

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...

The CEO of Iris Automation explains detect and avoid capability for unmanned aircraft. This technology is essential to integrating beyond visual line of sight unpiloted aircraft into the National Airspace System. Guest http://www.irisonboard.com/ Jon Damush, CEO Iris Automation Jon Damush is the CEO of Iris Automation , which provides onboard detect and avoid technology for Beyond Visual Line of S...

A micro-episode with some positive thoughts on aviation during Covid, and an Eat at the Airport review. Aviation During Covid A short piece from our Main(e) Man Micah with some positive personal aspects of aviation during Covid. This was originally written for the one-year anniversary of Isaac Alexander’s Sunday Night Zoom Meetings on March 21, 2021. Eat at the Airport Reporter-at-Large Launchpad...

We explore the glass cockpit and the new book on the Garmin G3000 and G5000. In the news, the shape of the airline recovery, JetBlue scores London slots, Boeing gets a very large 737 MAX order, a special National Aviation Hall of Fame volunteer, an update on the Cessna SkyCourier, possible relief for Wichita aviation jobs, and a fun mod for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Glass Cockpit Max Trescott&#8...

Our guest is Sporty’s Pilot Shop vice president John Zimmerman. In the news, startup airlines are launching during the pandemic, data on General Aviation shipments, and F-35 software upgrade issues. Also, the recent Blue Bonnet airshow, how to notify the FAA of construction activity, and a hush kit for the Gulfstream. Guest John Zimmerman, VP Sporty’s Pilot Shop John Zimmerman is a pilot and...

The inspiring story of a legendary woman aviator and member of the “Mercury 13” who was also the first female FAA inspector and the first female investigator for the NTSB. Also, the AerCap/GECAS merger of aircraft leasing companies, the Dassault Falcon 6X first flight, FAA 2021 GA award winners, Buzz Lightyear’s mission with Southwest Airlines, and the serial stowaway. Guest Loretta Hall Loretta H...

MotoArt turns unused aircraft parts into high-end furniture and aviation art designs. In the news, Pratt & Whitney’s new hypersonic engine project, the AFRL autonomous Skyborg aircraft and the Boeing Loyal Wingman, Boeing criticizes the A321XLR, Qantas offers mystery flights, and the Southwest Airlines grant program. Guest Dave Hall is the co-founder and owner of MotoArt which sells high-end a...

We learn about aeronautical charts produced by the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Services team. In the news, the NTSB will decommission the TWA Flight 800 reconstruction, Collier Trophy finalists announced as are Flying Magazine Editors’ Choice Awards and FAA General Aviation Awards, Boeing fined by the FAA, United orders the Boeing 737 MAX, Delta plans to reactivate pilots, Icelandair flies to A...

We examine aircraft line maintenance with a successful family-owned business. Also, two engine failures on commercial flights, testing single pilot aircraft with an eye toward future autonomous planes, a possible all new design for an F-16 replacement, and a mid-air wedding. Guests FEAM Maintenance/Engineering provides aircraft line maintenance engineering services for commercial aircraft operator...

The AOPA events planned for 2021, Bombardier ending Learjet production, United Airlines investment in eVTOL, VFR charts move to a 56-day production cycle, F-35A engine issues impact the demo team schedule, and a TSA agent saves the day for some confused passengers. Guest Chris Eads, AOPA Senior Director, Outreach and Events Chris Eads is Senior Director, Outreach and Events for the Aircraft Owners...

Amazing true stories of Australian woman pilots, predicting the air travel recovery, airline response to shifting demand, flying across the Atlantic on the jetstream, roles for USAF tankers, preventing cabin crew from disappearing, and an Alaska Airlines sweepstakes for lovers. Guest Kathy Mexted, author of Australian Women Pilots. Kathy Mexted is a writer, photographer, and editor of AirSport Mag...

The AeroEducate youth aviation initiative from the EAA, pandemic effects on airline pilot employment and proficiency, FedEx plan to temporarily relocate Hong Kong-based crew, a 5G program and its effects on satellite-based navigation, Norwegian Air Shuttle plans a different strategy, conformal fuel tanks on F-18 Super Hornets, the first contractor-owned F-16 aggressors. Guest Ron Connolly, Directo...

Geospatial data supporting airports, investment strategy for airport recovery, lower airport operations volume, halted international flights, a health bill for domestic air travel, aviation events, a criminal conviction for unsafe drone operation, a B-21 update, and the outlook for New Zealand. Guest Bob Vander Meer Bob Vander Meer is vice president of business development for NV5 Geospatial (Powe...