Airplane Geeks Podcast

Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems continue to dominate the news, along with 737 MAX certification, lap babies, the proposed JetBlue and Spirit Airlines merger, route growth at United Airlines and Breeze Airways, and the demise of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Also, flight tests for the B-21 Raider and more favorite aviation movies. Aviation News Boeing, not Spirit, mis-installed piece that blew off A...

Inflight connectivity with the CEO of air-to-ground network provider SmartSky Networks. In the news, an update on B737 MAX 9 inspections, unleaded avgas testing, and an Air Force officer has been crowned Miss America. Also, more favorite aviation movies. SmartSky-equipped Cessna Citation Excel Guest David Helfgott is the Chief Executive Officer of SmartSky Networks , a provider of air-to-ground in...

Our listeners’ favorite aviation movies. In the news, the Alaska Airlines B737 MAX 9 cabin door plug incident and cockpit doors, a British Airways pilot was kidnapped and robbed, Spirit Airlines initiated a sale/leaseback transaction to pay their debt, Netjets instituted a mandatory age 70 retirement for pilots, and Cirrus Aircraft announced a new generation of the SR-22 Listener’s Favorite...

Two X-59 test pilots discuss the NASA X-59 mission, the design and technology of the X-59 aircraft, the role of test pilots, and the challenges of flying supersonic. X-59 in flight. NASA image. Guests David Nils Larson David “Nils” Larson is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is NASA’s lead pilot for the X-59 aircraft, and is assigned to Arm...

A veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, and author discusses his journey to becoming an astronaut and his experiences in space. In the news, FAA orders Boeing 737 Max 9 planes grounded, a JAL A350 collides with a Dash-8, seating layout and air rage, American Airlines launches Smart Gating, and JSX plans to buy more than 300 hybrid-electric aircraft. Guest Thomas D. Jones is a veteran NASA astronaut,...

Flying on Breeze Airways to Florida and the meetup at Largo, a story about getting into an aviation career, a family holiday tale, becoming an air marshal, the value of warbird tours, getting to know Launchpad Marzari, and a 2023 year-in-review. Micah and C-12 Huron Flying Breeze Airways Brian Coleman and our Main(e) Man Micah each flew to Florida recently. Breeze Airways provided Micah with the f...

Aircraft leases, engine leasing pools, and related aerospace investments. In the news, Southwest flight attendants will have to vote again on the proposed labor contract, the YouTuber who crashed his plane in a video stunt is flying again, the FAA issues an NPRM for the 737NG nacelle retrofit program, another NPRM is out for PW1100G engine inspections, DOT fines Southwest Airlines $150 million, an...

We take a look at the China aviation market, including the aviation boom in China, the aircraft that will support that market, and the impact on the global aviation industry. In the news, the V-22 Osprey is grounded worldwide, a judge wants more concessions from JetBlue as they seek to acquire Spirit, how airport expansion plans can come under fire on environmental grounds, and producing Sustainab...

Aviation accident litigation with a partner from a law firm that specializes in that topic. In the news, some distressing recent air traffic controller behavior, the FAA acts on Safety Team recommendations, three United Airlines employees are accused of accepting bribes, a cargo drone airline achieves first flight, the Collings Foundation ends their air tours, and Alaska Airlines looks to acquire...

We talk with a pilot who is moving to a multi-engine aircraft, and his young daughter who wants to be a military pilot. In the news, Southwest Airlines is experimenting with an airport lounge idea, an airport just won a Best Restroom award, a hydrogen-powered engine is being developed for general aviation applications, the financial challenges of a municipal airport, and good news for general avia...

The Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey talks about the $30 Billion capital plan to rebuild airport facilities and the transportation infrastructure. In the news, an unruly passenger is fined almost $40,000 for costs related to the resulting flight delay, FAA certification for remote airport tower operations, public charter flights and regulatory loopholes, American...

We talk with the author of Why Flying is Miserable: And How to Fix It. In the news, the NTSB comments on the increase in near-miss aviation incidents, the FAA will appoint an ARC to examine pilot mental health, an NTSB preliminary report on the Hawker/Cessna collision, cargo pilots are offered $250,000 to go regional, and United adjusts their frequent flyer program. Guest Ganesh Sitaraman Ganesh S...

We look at the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco with a former combat aircraft pilot. In the news, Van’s Aircraft is experiencing financial issues, the U.S. Government is getting involved in the Schiphol airport move to reduce flights, and a Federal Flight Deck Officer allegedly threatens to shoot another pilot. Guest Tim Plaehn in 1985 Tim Plaehn is a former combat aircraft pilot who attended...

A doctoral dissertation examines success factors for small airports, two bizjets collide at Houston Hobby, an off-duty pilot tries to shut down the engines in-flight, a review of NBAA-BACE, a new FAA administrator gets Congressional approval, and Spirit Airlines halts pilot and FA training. Guest Dr. Mike Jones researched the factors that affect the economic impact of small airports. In his doctor...

Interviews from Cranky Dorkfest 2023, Micah on lighter-than-air vehicles, and a chance encounter at Costco. Cranky Dorkfest 2023 Brian Coleman spoke with some notable attendees at the Cranky Dorkfest held September 9, 2023. As Brett Snyder describes it, “a bunch of us get together and watch airplanes at LAX and eat burgers. The beauty is in the simplicity of it all.”  Hundreds of people show...

The airline boarding process, Leap-1A engine compressor stalls, the $19 billion Kennedy Airport transformation project, SpaceX Starlink Internet connectivity on planes, an update on the oldest skydiver, another Australia Desk report, and great listener mail. Boarding a United Air Lines Boeing 247. Aviation News Check your group: United Airlines to reintroduce window, middle aisle boarding this mon...

A transonic truss-braced wing aircraft gets an X-Plane designation, some categories of air travel capacity have returned to pre-pandemic levels, detecting germs on airliners, and the Collings Foundation reaches a settlement. Aviation News Next Generation Experimental Aircraft Becomes NASA’s Newest X-Plane The transonic truss-braced wing experimental aircraft has received the designator X-66A. This...

Autonomous aircraft with the regulatory affairs lead at Xwing. In the news, Delta Airlines reconsiders loyalty program changes, GPS spoofing of commercial flights, the Schiphol airport capacity cap, a crash takes the life of an AOPA senior vice president, and a 104-year-old woman goes skydiving. Guest Anna Dietrich is the regulatory affairs lead at Xwing , a company that flies piloted commercial c...

We talk with the CEO of an aircraft seat upholstery specialist company. In the news, airline loyalty programs are changing, unapproved parts are plaguing the airline industry, and Boeing is expanding its presence in India. Guest Jacobo Mesta is CEO of Soisa Aircraft Interiors , an AS9100-certified aircraft seat upholstery specialist headquartered in Chihuahua, Mexico, with a further facility in Du...

The Chief Strategy Officer of a global airline holding company talks about the challenges faced by air travelers with disabilities and how to address them. In the news, the DOT is considering increased passenger compensation for delays, a private company offers luxury terminal services, the outlook for the air traffic controller shortage looks bleak, the NTSB finds that posting to social media was...

We look at the state of air travel, and the outlook for the future. In the news, a ceremony commemorates the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, airlines leaving regional airports, skiplagging, the FAA Administrator nomination, and an engine fire on an Air China flight. Guest Robert Silk is the Travel Weekly Senior Editor for Aviation. Robby provides coverage and analysis of route networks, service offering...

Interviews from this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and the Spurwink Farms Fly-in and Pancake Breakfast. Shawn Moody in his Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey at Spurwink Farm. Guests from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Hillel Glazer captured two interviews at the 2023 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh : Zean Nielsen, CEO, Cirrus Aircraft. Zean Nielsen is the CEO of Cirrus Aircraft . In this follow-up to last year’s i...

The author of His Majesty’s Airship tells us about the era of the rigid airship and the fatal crash of the British airship R101. In the news, pilot medical condition reporting, the Boom Supersonic XB-1 demonstrator, two fatal military aircraft crashes, and the need for more air traffic controllers R101 at the mast. Guest Sam C. Gwynne has authored a new book titled His Majesty’s Airship: The...

We speak with a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk owner and pilot, and with an Assistant Chief Pilot at United Airlines. Guests Thom Richard is a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk owner and pilot. A photo Warhawk Shootout was recently held at the American Dream SkyRanch (18SC) private strip, which is home to Warbird Adventures , a vintage aircraft flight school offering private pilot, aerobatic, and tailwheel training. War...

Brian and Micah speak with Roger Sands, the CEO of Wyebot, a company that provides AI-driven WiFi automation for the WiFi industry. The company has a long history of placing WiFi on different transportation modes, including commercial aviation. You’ll hear almost everything you want to know about airline WiFi. Guest Roger Sands is the co-founder and CEO of Wyebot, Inc. He has over 20 years of exec...