Episodes

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 ...

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...

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 im...

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 v...

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.

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 ...

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 control...

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 t...

The MOSAIC rule and the demand for Sonex Aircraft, rising jet fuel prices impacting airlines, JetBlue evaluating a merger, Essential Air Service, the Enhanced AT-CTI Initiative, and United Airlines’ Relax Row in economy class. Also, SpaceX Starlink for GA pilots, a Southwest flight experience, and a conversation with the NTSB. Aviation News FAA’s MOSAIC Rule To Help General Aviation Contributes To Sonex Failure The FAA’s MOSAIC rule (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) expands...

A runway incursion at LaGuardia results in a fatal crash, new helicopter safety regulations are introduced near airports, Airbus voices frustration with Pratt & Whitney, the second NASA X-59 test flight ends prematurely, A-10 Warthogs see combat over the Strait of Hormuz, and Essential Air Service is considered for Presque Isle Airport. Aviation News Decades of aircraft and ground vehicle near misses at LGA preceded fatal crash CRJ900, courtesy Air Canada. A tragic runway incursion at New York...

Surf Air plans to launch commercial passenger electric aircraft with BETA Technologies, a KC-135 accident kills all 6 aboard, Dassault unveiled the Falcon 10X, another search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, changes at Southwest Airlines, and the USAF says Boeing has to fix KC-46 problems. Also, the United Airlines’ Contract of Carriage and the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal Challenger 600 crash in Maine. Aviation News BETA to launch first commercial passenger electric aircraft with Su...

An aircraft dispatcher describes how weather, war, space launches, and other disruptions can throw airline operations into chaos. In the news, Rolls-Royce on the open-rotor engine design, pilots petition SpaceX Starlink over a price increase, an NTSB board member is fired, Lufthansa changes the carry-on policy for violins, and Barbados controllers stage an unexpected strike. Guest Mike Karrels is an aircraft dispatcher and air traffic manager for the Southeast U.S. with a major U.S. carrier, an...

The House fails to pass the ROTOR Act, and the competing ALERT Act is introduced. The military is shooting down drones with a laser, combat action in the Middle East is disrupting commercial flights, former President Biden flies commercial, Breeze Airways continues to expand, and United adds a new passenger requirement to its Contract of Carriage. Plus, more feedback on the Lockheed Constellation, and the passion for flying. Aviation News U.S. House rejects aviation safety bill after Pentagon a...

We take a look at the Lockheed Constellation with one of the last pilots to have flown the L-1649A Starliner Constellation. In the news, the ROTOR Act and an ADS-B In mandate, GAMA’s annual Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, the Government’s partial shutdown impact on the TSA, Government luxury jets, and a plan to market an Embraer aerial tanker. Also, an interview from the Singapore Airshow with a Product Development VP from Textron Aviation. Lockheed Starliner L-1649A flying in TWA colors....

Updates on the DCA midair collision, JetBlue software glitch, Air India B787 fuel control switch, injuries on United B777 flight, and Toronto CRJ-900 rollover. Also, the AA CEO’s message to employees, DOT mandate to purge DEI, Portland International Jetport passenger volume, Elliott Management and Southwest, and flight attendant carry-on bags. Plus, our first report from the Singapore Airshow. Guest Air Accident Updates We look at some air accident and incident updates in the press: NTSB Chair...

The founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation explains the need for on-condition maintenance for GA, the proper roles of aircraft owners and mechanics, his Inspection Authorization training course, and his new Aviation Masters podcast. In the news, American Airlines is under fire from pilots and flight attendants, AA’s financial performance, the departure of AOPA’s CEO, a United Airlines lawsuit, and the Inspector General audit of air traffic controller training. Also, an Airplane Geeks host announces h...

FAA reorganization and shutdown prep, Airbus A220 stretch, certification as a trade tool, UPS MD‑11 retirement, 777X engine snag, fatal Challenger crash, iconic aircraft, new NASM galleries, aviation career issues, aviation-themed music, and a future DC‑3/CH‑47 fly‑in. Aviation News FAA Adds Departments, Shuffles Roles The new FAA reorganization differs from the previous structure mainly by centralizing safety oversight, creating new modernization and advanced technology offices, and consolidat...

Pilot Nicki returns to describe her 1948 Globe Swift and explain her plans to make a mid-life career change and become a professional pilot. In the news, the FAA Administrator says what to expect from the “brand new air traffic control system,” a bill to address ADS-B “misuse,” navigating around the debris field after a rocket failure, accelerating the MV-75 Tiltrotor program, flying the Qatari 747 as Air Force One, reduced security restrictions at Heathrow, and a private jet crash in Maine. Gu...

The Americas Aviation Lead for PA Consulting discusses key priorities for the U.S. aviation industry, including investing in airport infrastructure and addressing the industry’s labor shortage. In the news, a bill to pay controllers during a shutdown, why ATC modernization has failed, the FAA’s unleaded avgas transition plan, similarities between the UPS crash and a previous problem with bearings, and the FAA’s decision to deregister hundreds of aircraft. Also, a new studio album from an airline...

The next phase of Boeing’s 737 Max 10 certification, Alaska Airlines’ purchase of Boeing jets, the effects of sanctions on airlines, the discontinuation of Avelo Airlines’ deportation flights, and the acquisition of Sun Country Airlines by Allegiant. Boeing 737 Max 10, courtesy Boeing. Aviation News Boeing advances 737 Max 10 into next phase of FAA flight testing Boeing’s 737 Max 10 has entered the second major phase of FAA flight testing, Type Inspection Authorization (TIA). An outstanding des...

This episode: The first real-world activation of the Garmin Autoland system, the E‑7 Wedgetail networked airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) platform, the flu season impact on crews, an airline captain stands up for exhausted flight attendants, and airlines with the largest fleets. Additionally, airport modernization and the Dulles people movers, the infrastructure needed to support the growth of personal air vehicles, and containment systems for lithium battery thermal runaway. Aviation...

An upcoming listener survey, the Engine Cowl aviation news, Christmas Trees and B-17’s, Spirit Airlines’ debtor-in-possession (DIP) credit agreement, Poor Little Lambs (The Baa Baa Black Sheep Story), and making the Airplane Geeks Podcast. Rytis Beresnevicius, the Engine Cowl Rytis Beresnevicius is an independent aviation journalist who started the Engine Cowl on September 1, 2025, to provide the latest news about the aviation industry through daily posts and newsletters. He previously worked ...

We look at the Air India Boeing 787 crash and the friction between investigators, Boom Supersonic’s plan for stationary power generation, Spirit Airlines’ new labor agreements, the canceled TSA labor contract, DHS purchase of Boeing 737s, ethics and the FAA Administrator, the V-22 Osprey accident rate, A-10 retirement postponement, return of PanAm, and fumes in the cabin. Aviation News Air India Boeing 787 Crash Probe Leads to Tussle Between Investigators India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation...

Airbus A320 fuselage panel problems, Thunderbird F-16C crash, ATC prime integrator, hand flying, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, Southwest Airlines meltdown fine, solar flares and A320 groundings, airline pay-for-delay compensation, and charging air travelers without REAL ID. Aviation News Airbus prepares A320 inspections as fuselage flaw hits deliveries Airbus engineers are inspecting 628 A320 family exterior fuselage panels for thickness defects. The skin panels have thickness deviations beyon...