Episodes

Erika Armstrong joins us to talk about teaching the next generation of pilots. In the news, GE plans to split into three companies, preliminary details on the MD-87 crash, Boeing liability for 737 MAX crashes, and a Northeast Alliance update. Also, the Australia Desk and the MotoArt/Plane Tag festival. Guest Erika Armstrong has had an extensive career as a Red Cross, charter, corporate, cargo, hazmat, and air ambulance pilot and captain. She flew 28 different aircraft before going to the airli...

An aviation espionage conviction, a crew assault by the pilot, a 5G rollout delay, tests to protect airports from drones, more unleaded fuel approvals, a faked inflight emergency, aviation benefits from the infrastructure package, and a Southwest Airlines trip report. Aviation News Jury convicts Chinese national in aviation espionage case The Chinese national was convicted of trying to steal trade secrets from a number of U.S. aviation and aerospace companies, including GE Aviation. Yanjun Xu w...

Green aviation topics such as sustainable aviation fuels and hydrogen power. Also, airline flight cancellations due to weather and staff shortages, flight automation for non-pilots, the F-15EX engine competition, FAA and FCC disagreement on 5G interference for pilots, a possible national no-fly list for unruly passengers, and interviews from the 2021 Pacific Air Show. Airbus zero-emission concept aircraft. © AIRBUS 2020 Aviation News Textron Aviation – More Environmentally Friendly Fuels Approv...

A Boeing 787 Captain explains getting type-certified and his career journey. In the news, an MD-87 is destroyed but all aboard survive, Piedmont Airlines flight attendants authorize a strike, flight statistics comparing 2019 with 2020 and 2121, buying an airline flight from a vending machine, a protest by Alitalia flight attendants, and a proposed hypersonic passenger plane. Also, plane spotting at LAX and the new parking structure. Guest Arnie Quast is a new Boeing 787 Captain for United Airli...

Highlights from NBAA-BACE, including the HondaJet 2600 Concept Light Jet, Cirrus Vision Jet, and Diamond all-electric trainer. Also, a KC-46 tanker update, airline ticket refunds, FA smuggling, a passenger who was not a terrorist, an Australia News Desk report, and a story from our Main(e) Man Micah. NBAA-BACE Highlights from the 2021 edition of the NBAA-BACE from the National Business Aviation Association. Aviation supply chain faces mounting strain as demand picks up Global shipping, supply ...

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 (NYCAviation), Tim and Greg (Big Ass Fans), Bob Ruple, Allie, Kevin (Airline Videos Live), Phil Derner (NBA...

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 Fighter Rebuilders. Steve tells us about the living history collection of aircraft that is the museu...

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 Tiltrotor, courtesy Leonardo. Guest William M. (Bill) Sunick William M. (Bill) Sunick is Head of T...

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 issues and gifts for flight attendants. Guest Reyné O’Shaughnessy was a commercial airline pilot for ov...

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 on their uncrewed aircraft. Guest Bob Mikkelson with camera on the Helio Courier. Bob Mikkelson is ...

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 human pilots. Currently, Daedalean is working with regulators, leading aerospace manufacturers, and maj...

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 Micah discuss Brian’s second flight on Avelo Airlines. Aviation News New startup airline Avelo is scr...

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-flown General Aviation industry. The company offers professional maintenance management and consulti...

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 refuel two B737s with one B747. Guest Tom Risen is the North America Air Transport Reporter for Cirium, ...

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 Robinson. Aviation News Spirit Airlines’ meltdown: Carrier cancels thousands of flights Spirit Airlines cancel...

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, and opportunities. NATA represents airports, FBOs, and other aviation businesses and services with...

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 North Dakota, his second AirVenture, Twitter: @pilotloganlynch, Instagram: pilotloganlynch. David Abbey...

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 STEM initiatives and the Maine Blue Collar Scholarship program. Micah, Shawn, and Max Bunk Chase gives ...

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 defense training for flight attendants. The Bambi Bucket, courtesy SEI Industries Ltd. Guest Sergio...

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 Vanderhoof, Max Trescott, Hillel, Brian Coleman, and Isaac Alexander reflect on their experiences with Launchpad and ...

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 Entertainment LLC, a company that gives you the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet. DreamB...

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 possible price increase for the new Air Force One planes, the U.S. Air Force wants to know who would bid on a co...

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 Charlies restaurant bar and grill at Dallas Executive Airport, KRBD. It’s an Eat at the Airport revie...

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 Championship Air Race (WCAR). Sanctioned by the FAI, the WCAR will consist of two series that run in paral...