Episodes

On this episode, we check on Iceland’s erupting volcano, dig through the Ukraine International Airlines flight 752 final report, and Gabe sits down with Amapola Flyg’s CEO to learn more about the small airline operating a fleet of Fokker 50s. Eruption at Fagradalsfjall The eruption at Fagradalsfjall made its fiery debut last week southeast of Iceland’s main airport, Keflavik. Fortunately, this eruption was not accompanied by a massive ash cloud, and has actually increased tourism in the area. ...

On this episode of AvTalk, we mark two years since the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and the beginning of a years long effort to fix the 737 MAX and return it to service. We also discuss Sir Tim Clark’s recent comments on Boeing in an interview with Jon Ostrower of the The Air Current. And Air Baltic CEO Martin Gauss joins us for an AvTalk interview to discuss how the airline has managed through the pandemic, including becoming an all A220-operator almost overnight. Two years since Eth...

On this very special episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Sven Lidström of the Norwegian Polar Institute to learn about Troll Research Station in Antarctica and the station’s blue ice runway. Troll Research Station As the operations coordinator at the Troll Research Station in Antarctica, Lidström is in charge of making sure the polar outpost runs smoothly. Since 2005, that job has included maintaining the research station’s 3000 meter runway built into the blue ice on the glacier in front of th...

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the engine failure aboard United Airlines flight UA328 and what investigators and regulators are doing now to ensure that the Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine is safe to operate. It’s raining engine parts On Saturday, 20 February two engine failures on two different aircraft led to two very different responses. Over Maastricht, a Longtail Aviation 747 ejected engine components from its number 1 engine after it failed just after take ...

On this episode of AvTalk, Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter joins Gabriel Leigh for a discussion on how the airline has managed through the pandemic and how they’re planning to emerge on the other side. We also discuss the recently released preliminary report on the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight 182 and the dramatic drop in air traffic in China to start the year. Sriwijaya Air 182 preliminary report Indonesian investigators have released their preliminary report on the crash of Sriwijaya Air fli...

On this episode of AvTalk, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority clear the 737 MAX for flight. And Ian hatches a plan to save Norwegian Air by getting the Norwegian government to sell its shares in GameStop. Sriwijaya Air flight 182 updates We discuss the status of the black boxes and what investigators are reportedly looking at more closely as we await an interim report next month. EASA and the UK CAA clear the 737 MAX EASA and the UK CAA ...

On this episode of AvTalk, we review what we know so far about the crash of Sriwijaya Air flight 182. We also look at the state of aviation industry as we begin 2021. And our first 737 MAX update of the year has little to do with the airplane itself. Sriwijaya Air 182 Sriwijaya Air flight SJ182 crashed shortly after take off from Jakarta on 9 January 2021. We review what we know so far about the crash and the state of the investigation. COVID’s continuing effects on aviation From dismal traf...

Happy New Year! This week we’re looking back at a couple of our favorite AvTalk conversations from 2020. We’ll be back on 15 January with our first new episode of the year. Completing the Trifecta Jon Weiswasser is a doctor,

On our 100th episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by John Walton to learn about the complexity of transporting the newly approved COVID-19 vaccine and why there’s a run on dry ice. Plus, we look back at 2020 and try desperately to escape to 2021 as fast as we can. Our last 737 MAX update of the year GOL has put the 737 MAX back in to service. Aeromexico will follow suit next week and other airlines will conduct their first passenger flights before the year is out. Others are waiting until the first...

On this episode of AvTalk, whale songs, a Vulcan howl, Chewbaca’s greeting—whatever you want to call it, Graham Webb from Pratt and Whitney joins us to explain the Geared Turbo Fan’s distinctive noise. We also discuss November traffic numbers, new movement on the 737 MAX’s return to service, and new rules for animals in the cabin on US flights. November air traffic review November commercial traffic was down 40% from 2019, but the Thanksgiving holiday did see a slight bump. Brazil clears the ...

On this episode, The Air Current’s Jon Ostrower joins us to discuss the FAA’s approval of the changes to the 737 MAX and the withdrawal of its grounding order, clearing the way for the aircraft to begin its return to commercial service. We also discuss major developments in aviation business as Korean Air is set to take over Asiana Airlines and Norwegian is filing for financial protection as it seeks to restructure. And… a 737 hit a bear in Alaska. The MAX is back — In conversation with Jon Ost...

On this episode of AvTalk, the impossible has happened—Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport is open! We welcome Matthew Colbert, founder of Empire Aviation Services to learn more about how small airports are seeing their air service affected by COVID-19. Plus, Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren joins us for a piston-powered adventure. Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport is finally open After nearly 10 years of delays, Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport is finally open. The airport inaugurated flights this past weekend with two...