Tag Archives: Boeing

907 Airshow Photography

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We learn about airshow photography as we talk with a private pilot and UAV operator. In the news: Textron’s new president and CEO, controllers and the fatal Air Canada Express crash, Marine One communications with DCA tower, Boeing’s new F-15 contract, the TSA’s Gold+ privatized airport screening program, and the Airlink low pass over a Cape Town stadium.

Thunderbird F-16 in flight. Credit Logan Lynch.
Thunderbird F-16 in flight. All photographs courtesy Logan Lynch.

Guest

Logan Lynch is a lifelong avgeek who loves photographing aircraft. He’s attended AirVenture since 2018, where he can usually be found on the flight line with a camera glued to his face. Be sure to look through Logan’s 2026 EAA Airventure photo gallery for a sample of his work. As we talk about airshow photography, we learn that Logan owns very little photo gear and prefers to rent long zoom lenses from Lensrentals.com. We talk about good focal lengths, using a monopod (especially for fast jets), and a tripod for night shows.

Logan spends the entire day shooting at a show, and he explains the accessories he carries, like lots of batteries, memory cards, and a cleaning kit. We talk about shooting RAW vs. JPG and editing images in Lightroom. Logan addresses the challenge of getting the right amount of prop blur and the importance of panning. We also explore tips for shooters who might only have the camera in their phone.

The Skip Stewart PITTS S-2S flying low over the runway.
An example of prop blur and panning on the Skip Stewart PITTS S-2S.

Logan is a part owner of a 1966 Cessna 150F nicknamed Graham Cracker, and also a full-time UAV Operator and LDAR Technician for a major oil and gas producer out of North Dakota. He started Lynch Drone Photography in 2021 as an idea to generate a little extra income, but plans to expand it. Logan earned a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management from Utah Valley University and serves as board treasurer for his local airport.

The F-22 Raptor in flight.
The F-22 Raptor.
Plane with fireworks at the AirVenture night airshow.
The night show at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024.

Aviation News

After Eight Years as President and CEO, Ron Draper Announces Retirement; Brian Rohloff to Lead Textron Aviation Forward

Effective August 31, 2026, Ron Draper retired as president and CEO of Textron, with Brian Rohloff replacing him. Rohloff most recently served as senior vice president of Customer Support, overseeing global customer support operations, including service center capacity, parts availability, and AOG (aircraft-on-ground) response.

Rohloff joined Cessna Aircraft Co. in 2009 as a production manager, and held positions including vice president of quality, vice president of sales, senior product director for the Citation XLS and Citation X lines, and director of paint operations.

FAA seeks to fire two controllers who left early before fatal Air Canada crash

On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots. That night, two controllers left about an hour before the end of their shift, leaving two controllers to cover the tower. They remained recorded as working, in a practice known as “early shove.” ABC News reported that the two departing controllers were not needed to provide the normal minimum staffing for that time of night.

The FAA has not said that the absence of the two controllers contributed to the accident. NATCA said it was discussing the allegations with FAA management. The NTSB has not determined the probable cause of the accident.

New tech at Portland Jetport aims to boost safety

New grant money will help Portland [Maine] International Jetport pay for location transponders in 57 airfield vehicles. The FAA is providing $200,000 while the state and the airport are contributing smaller amounts. Portland Jetport Director Paul Bradbury said, “…the tragedy in LaGuardia happened at midnight, right? It’s dark; it’s hard for controllers to see. This will make it another opportunity for them to see exactly where every vehicle is on the airfield.” 

White House construction contributed to radio problems that let Trump copter come close to jet

Several times controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport failed to hear the standard three-minute warning call that Marine One was getting ready to take off. Marine One is using the Ellipse while the new helipad is being constructed behind the White House. This caused the radio receiver to be moved to a different location. Now the FAA has adjusted the antenna “to improve communications” between Marine One and the airport.

Boeing nabs whopping $131 billion F-15 deal

The U.S. Department of War, in its Contracts for Aug. 24, 2026, says that it has awarded Boeing “a $131,230,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the F-15 Eagle Crest in support of the F-15 Program Office. This contract provides for aircraft production, systems integration, modernization, upgrades, retrofits, sustainment, and the establishment of organic depot maintenance capabilities to deliver and maintain critical F-15 Eagle Weapon System capabilities for the Air Force, Air National Guard, and other Department of War customers. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by August 2037.”

TSA Scraps Gold+ Privatized Airport Screening Program After 3 Months

The Gold+ private airport screening program, which would privatize TSA screening, has been scrapped. In a previous web page (now taken down), the TSA explained Gold+:

“TSA Gold+ is a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States. TSA Gold+ will pair the Screening Partnership Program with TSA’s innovation authorities to enable cutting-edge aviation security solutions.

“Under TSA Gold+, TSA will continue to set the standards for aviation security using outcome-based measures that both drive performance and security. Long-term Screening Partnership Program (currently a TSA private screener contract model) contracts will redirect funds into the investable partnerships where leading industry operators can manage both technology and screening workforce.”

Reasons cited for dropping the program:

  • Only three airports (Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines) were interested in the Gold+ protocols.
  • Tampa International Airport performed “an extensive review and evaluation over several months” and announced it would not adopt Gold+.
  • The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing TSA screening officers, sued the TSA to force it to turn over records about TSA Gold+.

The TSA announced it will replace the Gold+ program with an “evolved” version of the existing public-private Screening Partnership Program (SPP). It was launched in 2002, where private companies hire and manage screening personnel while the TSA oversees operations. The SPP currently includes 20 U.S. airports.

Airlink pilots caught on video flying dangerously close to South African sports stadium

Two Airlink Embraer E190 passenger jets executed a flyover before a match at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium filled with some 60,000 fans. Airlink is a regional airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Flightradar24 calculated that the aircraft flew as low as 41–46 ft (12.5–14 m) above the top of the stadium. This generated widespread reaction about the safety of the spectacle. Some were appalled; others argued this was entirely in line with South African values.

Airlink says the South African Civil Aviation Authority approved the flyover and has offered to provide the black box data showing they complied with the waiver’s altitude and speed requirements. The airline said, “The two aircraft were flown by highly-experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.”

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Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.

893 Airbus A220

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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 version

AirAsia becomes the launch customer for a 160 PAX high-density version of the Airbus A220 currently under development. The order from the Malaysian LCC brings total A220 orders to more than 1,000. Airbus wants to increase the production rate to 14 per month, and this order will help. Deliveries could begin in late 2027 or early 2028.

Rendering of Airbus A220 with AirAsia livery in flight.
Credit: Airbus

Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A (the holding company of AirAsia), said “My philosophy has been built on a very strong network. Two of the driving factors of AirAsia’s network are that 60% of our routes are routes that were never done before. We go into secondary and tertiary cities. And the second underlying principle of what we do is frequency. So, obviously, we’ve bought a lot of A321s, which have 244 seats. Not every route pairing could fill 244 seats.”

Person who jumped perimeter fence is hit and killed by Frontier plane during takeoff on Denver runway, airport says

A person crossed the perimeter fence and a runway at Denver International Airport and was subsequently struck and killed by a departing Frontier Airlines plane, Flight 4345. The flight was aborted, and a brief engine fire was extinguished. Twelve people reported minor injuries in the evacuation, and five were taken to local hospitals.

Potential 600-aircraft Boeing mega-order from China hinges on Trump-Xi summit

President Donald Trump’s business delegation is visiting China, and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is reportedly attending. Thirteen Chinese domestic carriers operate 97 737 MAX aircraft, and Boeing is hopeful that with Trump’s help, as many as 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and about 100 widebody jets can be ordered. In April 2026, Ortberg said, “Without the administration’s support, I don’t think we’ll see any near-term large orders out of China. It really is something that would be tied to the effort from the administration.”

The CAAC does not simply rubber-stamp Western approvals. It runs a parallel, sovereign certification process based on the Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) signed by the US and China in 2005, with the operational details specified in the Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (IPA).

Airlines Are Cracking Down on Portable Power Banks

According to ICAO, power banks caused more reported airplane fires and thermal runaway incidents than any other lithium-battery device in 2025. FAA data shows that airlines reported lithium battery events involving fire, smoke, or extreme heat nearly twice a week on average in 2025. Airlines ban power banks in checked luggage and are now implementing new rules for these devices brought on board.

‘Maverick Act’ saves last 3 F-14 Tomcats from destruction

The US Navy has just three remaining F-14D Tomcats. The aircraft were retired in 2006, but the U.S. Senate wants to ensure that those three jets survive and maybe even fly. S. 4161, the Maverick Act, passed by the Senate but not yet enacted, authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer the three F-14D Tomcats to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The Commission could put the aircraft on display or operate them at “an airshow … or a commemorative event to preserve United States naval aviation heritage.”

FedEx’s MD-11 comeback to start with short cargo flight to Miami

FedEx hopes to repair and return to service 29 grounded MD-11 freighter aircraft. The company proposes to send technicians to 16 locations worldwide, where they will remove the engine pylons and transport them to maintenance facilities in Indianapolis and Memphis. There, Boeing redesigned bearings will be installed, and the pylons will be returned to the aircraft. MD-11 operations were halted after the November 4, 2025, crash of UPS Flight 2976 in Louisville, Kentucky.

See: FAA Ends MD-11 Grounding After Boeing Review

Mentioned

AvCon is billed as “The world’s only convention built for aviation fans by aviation creators.” The organizers say,  “Based on the success of 2026, we’ve extended this – so for THREE amazing days, we’re taking over the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando, Florida for panels, merch, meet-ups, and good old-fashioned AvGeek fun. Whether you’re a YouTube fan, private pilot, model collector, or airline loyalty nerd — join us aboard.” May 21, 21 & 22 2027” [sic]. Hyatt Regency, Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Stories about Flying: When a Standard Instrument Departure Becomes Hazardous to Your Professional Health. A routine instrument departure turns into a career-defining moment when poor cockpit communication and rushed decisions lead to a serious ATC deviation. In this episode, Rob Mark shares how one flight exposed the dangers of weak Crew Resource Management—and the hard lesson that remaining silent can be just as risky as making the wrong call.

The Great State of Maine Airshow, July 11 and 12, 2026, at Brunswick Executive Airport (former Brunswick Naval Air Station) and featuring the Blue Angels, the F-35 Demo Team, and the C-17 Demo Team.

The 29th Annual Spurwink Farm Pancake Breakfast and Fly-In, Sunday, July 12, 2026, at 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM.

Why Insurance Breaks The Uber-In-The-Air Fantasy

Video: United — Safety in Motion

Video: A Hundred Years of Safety – Delta’s 2025 Centennial Safety Video

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

878 Airport Infrastructure

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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 pilot, visiting the USS Midway Museum in Southern California, and listener feedback on attractive airplanes.

Guest

Carlos Ozores headshot.

Carlos Ozores is the Americas Aviation Lead for PA Consulting, a global firm that focuses on technology and innovation. Carlos addresses the key priorities for the U.S. aviation industry in 2026, including investing in airport infrastructure and addressing the industry labor shortage. He explains that U.S. airports have an estimated $170B capital requirement over the next five years to address airport infrastructure needs. Carlos tells us about the traditional sources to fund such projects, and what other sources could make up the shortfall.

We look at public-private partnerships, the Passenger Facility Charge, and monetization of airport assets such as terminal concessions, car parking, and real estate development. Also, utilizing data collected about passengers and the importance of airport stakeholder engagement.

Carlos tells us how the aging workforce is contributing to an industry labor shortage and leading to the loss of institutional knowledge. We talk about promoting the industry to the young generations, and issues such as pay, training, documented and repeatable work, quality of life, and labor relations.

PA Consulting logo.

Before joining PA Consulting, Carlos served as Vice President and Managing Director, Head of Aviation, Americas, for ICF, a global solutions and technology provider. Before that, he spent time at American Airlines and Air France. He just returned from the American Association of Airport Executives Aviation Issues Conference in Hawaii, and we hear his observations from that event.

PA aviation clients include SkyTeam and its member airlines on sustainability issues, Heathrow Airport on on-time performance and passenger experience projects, Etihad Airways on decision-support for engine fleet management, and DFW on airport operations. Other clients have included Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Aer Lingus, and multiple SkyTeam member airlines through SkyTeam’s sustainability program.

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Aviation News

Update: Air Traffic Controller Pay During Shutdowns Meets Resistance

The House Transportation Committee advanced a bipartisan bill (H.R.6086 – Aviation Funding Solvency Act) which “provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if (1) an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins, or (2) a law making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect.” 

The “bill provides appropriations from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The FAA may use the balance of the fund, minus $1 billion. If the FAA determines that the amounts from the fund are insufficient to continue all programs, projects, or activities, then the FAA must prioritize compensation payments for employees of the Air Traffic Organization (e.g., air traffic controllers).”

However, Steve Womack (R-Ark.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee’s transportation panel, is critical of the legislation.

The Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund exists to cover war‑risk insurance claims for airlines participating in government programs such as the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), when commercial insurance is unavailable or withdrawn. The balance was originally built up from premiums paid by airlines, but that premium program authority expired in 2014.

Because the fund has been largely unused for claims, investment earnings have grown it to roughly more than 2.6 billion dollars, significantly above what has historically been needed for CRAF-related claims.

The Abundance Problem: Why the FAA Has Spent 40 Years Modernizing Air Traffic Control—and Still Isn’t Done

Vincent E. Bianco III, an FAA Veteran and Senior Aviation Safety Consultant, describes why presidential administrations and Congresses have failed to adequately fund the FAA and modernize the ATC system. He draws on a concept from the March 2025 book Abundance: What America Gets Wrong About Capitalism and What We Can Do to Fix It, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson. Those authors describe how an institution, like the FAA, can become paralyzed by process, where well-intentioned rules accumulate. Each rule is logical by itself, but taken together, they end up stifling progress.

FAA Publishes Unleaded Avgas Transition Plan Daft

Section 827 of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act directs the FAA to facilitate a safe, timely, and orderly transition to unleaded alternatives while maintaining operational efficiency. The FAA released a Draft Transition Plan to Unleaded Aviation Gasoline – For Public Comment (January 2026, Version 1.0, 77 pages), which phases out 100LL fuel by 2030 in the contiguous United States, and by 2032 in Alaska. The FAA is seeking feedback from aviation professionals, specifically aircraft owners, pilots, and aviation stakeholders.

Boeing warned 15 years ago about a part problem at the center of UPS crash

The Air Current reports that in an investigation update, the NTSB noted “that cracking discovered in a spherical bearing assembly from the accident aircraft ‘appears consistent’ with an issue identified by Boeing almost 15 years ago.” The bearing assembly is part of the pylon aft mount bulkhead. That mount, and the forward mount bulkhead and thrust link assembly, attach the engine pylon to the wing.

“The NTSB’s preliminary report on the accident, released Nov. 20, revealed that on the left pylon aft mount bulkhead, the forward and aft lugs that house the spherical bearing assembly had fractured and separated. The spherical bearing’s outer race, which contains the ball bearing and allows it to move independently of the surrounding parts, had also fractured around its circumference.”

The 2011 Boeing service letter informed operators of bearing race failures on three different airplanes. A visual inspection of the part was added to the regular 60-month maintenance cycle. Also, Boeing recommended (but did not require) installing a new part design. Boeing determined that failure of the bearing race would “not result in a safety of flight condition.”

The NTSB is not saying this is the conclusive cause of the accident.

Hundreds of Aircraft Deregistered in FAA Move Against Trust Company

About 800 aircraft registered through U.K.-based Southern Aircraft Consultancy have been grounded after the FAA informed the company it did not meet U.S. citizenship requirements.  Those requirements allow a trustee firm to register aircraft in the US. Southern Aircraft Consultancy’s registration service allows non-American owners to maintain N-registrations on their planes. Southern Aircraft Consultancy says it intends to transfer its business to a U.S.-based company.

See:

737 Diversion

Music artist, airline pilot, author, and piano technician Peter Buffington has released his second new studio album, 737 – Diversion by Speed Brake Armed.

“Recorded between late-night flights, hotel rooms, and restless studio time, 737 – Diversion captures the raw energy of sleepless nights, long-haul journeys, and the electric haze of life lived at 37,000 feet experienced by pilots. The 15-track project blends classic pop, worldly electronic, country, classic rock, and piano solo with introspective lyricism that pushes aviation-themed music into new territory. The music is family-friendly, yet captures the intensity of airline flying.”

737 Diversion on Apple Music

Mentioned

California dreamin’! New nonstop service coming to Maine airport

Photographs by Listener Steve:

Pratt & Whitney 747SP test aircraft at EAA Airventure Oshkosh.
A340 on takeoff.
A340 in flight.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.

877 Boeing 737 Max 10

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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 in flight.
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 design change for the Max 7 and Max 10 engine anti‑ice system has led to certification delays. The core issue is an engine anti-ice design that can overheat and damage the composite engine inlet structure if left on for too long in non-icing conditions. Regulators consider this an unacceptable hazard. The problem affects all Max variants, but it is being treated as a hard certification gate for the Max 7 and 10.

Alaska Airlines to buy more than 100 Boeing jets in carrier’s biggest order ever

Alaska Airlines is ordering 105 more Boeing 737 Max 10 jets (53 new orders, and 52 exercised options) and exercising options for five 787-10 Dreamliners. This reserves production slots for future airline expansion. Alaska Airlines expects FAA certification of the Max 10 this year, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The new order includes options for 35 more 737 Max 10s.

How sanctions turned Iran into a refuge for the world’s rarest passenger aircraft

A sanctioned country like Iran can’t buy new aircraft, engines, or OEM spare parts and components. Keeping the fleet flying, or just keeping a fleet, becomes difficult. Reportedly, more than half of Iran’s estimated 330 commercial aircraft are grounded. The Iranian fleet is composed of old airframes and supported by scavenged aircraft, parts, engines, and avionics smuggled into the country.

Avelo Airlines to end ICE deportation charters as it cuts commercial flights, jobs

The airline says it will stop flying deportation flights for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. In a letter to employees, CEO Andrew Levy said, “We moved a portion of our fleet into a government program which promised more financial stability but placed us in the center of a political controversy. The program provided short-term benefits but ultimately did not deliver enough consistent and predictable revenue to overcome its operational complexity and costs.”

Avelo is returning six of its Boeing 737-700 airplanes (they have 8) to focus on the more efficient 737-800 airplanes (they have 14) and said it will close bases at North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Wilmington International Airport, though it will continue to serve those cities.

Avelo closes three crew bases and removes six 737-700s following recapitalisation

Avelo chief executive Andrew Levy told FlightGlobal in September that the airline plans to receive its first E195-E2 in early 2027 and for deliveries to continue into 2032. It considers the incoming E-Jets well-suited for smaller, niche markets that major US carriers avoid.

Allegiant to buy rival budget airline Sun Country in $1.5 billion cash and stock deal

Low-cost leisure airline Allegiant announced it will acquire Sun Country Airlines in a deal that values the stock and cash transaction at approximately $1.5 billion, including $400 million of Sun Country’s net debt. The Allegiant brand would continue, with the two carriers operating separately until obtaining a single operating certificate.

See: Sun Country + Allegiant Merger FAQs

Mentioned

The Aircraft Carrier Midway Is San Diego’s Biggest Tourist Attraction, According To Tripadvisor

Aviation Masters podcast. Video version: George Braly on Lean-of-Peak, G100UL, Certification Battles, and Why Aviation Myths Die Hard

Check out the LEO JetBike – a personal propeller-free eVTOL that anyone can fly

LEO Flight

A rendering of the LEO Flight JetBike.
The JetBike, courtesy LEO Flight.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.

870 Airbus A350F

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The final assembly rollout of the first Airbus A350F freighter, the ICAO-mandated emissions standards that take effect in 2027, flight delay compensation, a streaming data black box, IAE signals future GTF engine, and FAA flight restrictions end. Additionally, updates on Boeing’s criminal and civil cases, the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier, and listener mail.

Aviation News

First A350F airframe rolled out from final assembly line

The Airbus A350F freighter was launched in 2021 and originally scheduled to enter service in 2025, but Spirit AeroSystems’ inability to deliver enough central fuselage sections prevented that. Spirit AeroSystems has experienced quality control and production output issues, compounded by financial challenges and a pending business restructuring involving both Airbus and Boeing.​ These issues affected both the freighter and passenger A350 production rates.

The A350F is designed to meet the ICAO-mandated emissions standards taking effect in 2027. The standards also work in coordination with ICAO’s CORSIA scheme, requiring carbon offsetting for most international flights from 2027–2035, with mandatory participation for most states.​

Rendering of Airbus A350F freighter in Singapore Airlines Cargo livery. Copyright Airbus.
A350F rendering, courtesy Airbus.

Trump Admin Blocks Plan to Force Airlines to Pay Customers for Delays

Flight cancellations by US airlines result in refunds for passengers, but flight delays are not compensated. The Biden-era proposal would have required airlines to pay cash compensation to passengers when carriers are responsible for major flight delays. The FAA said the proposal would create “unnecessary regulatory burdens” and impose significant costs on airlines. The DOT said it preferred to “allow airlines to compete on the services and compensation they provide.”

Black Box in the Sky Captures Data on the Fly

Honeywell Aerospace is developing a system it calls “Black Box in the Sky” (BBITS). It replaces hardware-based recorders with streamed flight data in near real-time. BBITS streams data via a cloud-based portal, simplifying flight data collection, and is consistent with the ICAO Timely Recovery of Flight Data (TRFD) mandate. 

The ICAO Timely Recovery of Flight Data (TRFD) technical standard, part of the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS), requires that aircraft use technologies that ensure flight data is quickly and reliably accessible for investigators after an incident, without needing to physically recover the flight data recorder (FDR), particularly in cases such as accidents over water. TRFD applies to large commercial aircraft with type certification applications submitted after January 1, 2021.

See: Honeywell to Connect ‘Black Boxes’ for Aviation Safety.

IAE partners reaffirm GTF engine push for next-generation single-aisle jets

International Aero Engines (IAE) is a joint venture formed in 1983 to develop the new V2500 engine for the 150-seat single-aisle aircraft market. The initial consortium was Pratt & Whitney (30%), Rolls-Royce (30%), Japanese Aero Engine Corporation (JAEC) (23%), MTU Aero Engines (11%), and Fiat (6%). Fiat later withdrew, and its share was taken over by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. Then Pratt bought out RR in 2012, making PW the majority shareholder.

The V2500 powers the Airbus A320 family and the McDonnell Douglas MD-90. More than 7,800 engines have been sold.

In a statement, (IAE international engine partnership marks key milestones and charts future propulsion path), the consortium said, “Together, the companies will evolve the required technologies for the development of the most advanced and efficient GTF engine technology for the next generation of commercial aircraft.” Aerotime comments that “IAE is signaling that an evolutionary path may offer lower risk than more disruptive architectures, such as open-rotor systems or hydrogen-powered solutions.”

Shane Eddy, president, Pratt & Whitney, said, “As founding partners on some of the most critical engine technology and support in aerospace today, we remain fully committed to these engine programs and working together on the development of future commercial aircraft applications, particularly the next generation single aisle aircraft. As we work to chart IAE’s future propulsion path, our performance on today’s GTF program will remain our highest priority as we continue to focus on delivering to our customer commitments.”

Trump administration ends flight cuts at busy airports

The FAA’s flight cuts at 40 major airports ended, and the DOT emergency directive was cancelled. DOT pointed to a decline in air traffic controller-related staffing triggers. Controllers received 70 percent of the pay they were owed during the shutdown. FAA said staffing levels have continued to snap back into place since the end of the government shutdown. The current data aligns with staffing conditions before the shutdown.”

Boeing Update

Erin Applebaum, attorney at aviation accident law firm Kriendler & Kriendler, describes the latest developments in the Boeing criminal and civil lawsuits.

First civil trial of 737 Max in Ethiopia begins as Boeing settles three more lawsuit

Boeing has accepted liability for the crash, and the jury’s task in this civil case was limited to setting damages for burial costs, lost income, and emotional suffering for the family of one victim. Boeing’s liability had already been established and is the same for all victims. On the other hand, damages are assessed on a per-victim basis, taking into account the unique circumstances of each individual.

Boeing settles with families of three 737 Max crash victims

Boeing won’t face criminal charge over 737 Max crashes that killed hundreds of people

A federal judge in Texas granted the government’s request to dismiss, and Boeing will not face a criminal conspiracy charge. Erin describes how the judge did not think dismissal was warranted, but his hands were tied as he would have had to find that the government was acting in bad faith. The families have filed an appeal under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act.

The USS Forrestal

Micah tells a story about a chance encounter and the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier. It’s called A Forrest Fire at Sea – The USS Forrestal.

Mentioned

Video: MAINE | An Aviation Short Film

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Erin Applebaum.

867 The Airline Observer

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Guest Brian Sumers tells us about The Airline Observer newsletter and The Airshow Podcast. Erin Applebaum updates us on the Boeing litigation and Delta Flight 4819 that rolled over on landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport in February 2025. In the news, the LOT Polish Airlines’ fraud case against Boeing is set to go to a jury trial, the FAA approves a 737 MAX production increase, the IAM rejects Boeing’s Latest Offer, controller staffing shortages are impacting operations, and engine shortages are affecting airlines and the leasing market

Guest

Brian Sumers, The Airline Observer.
Brian Sumers

Brian Sumers produces The Airline Observer newsletter dedicated to news and analysis about the global airline business. He covers every facet of the industry except operations. The newsletter targets professionals working in the airline and travel industries, but others with an interest in the industry will also find it valuable. Brian can also be found on The Airshow Podcast with Jon Ostrower and Brett Snyder.

Brian explains the types of stories he enjoys reporting on, including the people behind the industry, who is up and who is down, loyalty programs, and revenue management. He’s been covering airlines for some 15 years and tells us about the lack of airline policy and procedures clarity, and who understands their competition and who doesn’t. We hear his thoughts about his recent interviews with Scott Kirby and Sir Tim Clark, some of the hot-button issues that airlines see ahead, and the future of LCCs in the U.S.

Brian is a professional journalist with more than a decade of expertise covering airlines. He has written for Skift, Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveler, the Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal. Brian is often found in major media discussing airline news, with recent appearances in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Boston Globe, as well as on CNN, ABC News, and CBS News. He attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, and an MBA from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management.

Aviation News

LOT Polish Airlines’ Fraud Case Against Boeing Set to Go to Jury Trial

LOT Polish Airlines’ fraud and misrepresentation case against Boeing is proceeding to a jury trial scheduled for November 3, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. LOT alleges that Boeing rushed the 737 MAX to market, bypassed proper engineering protocols, withheld safety-critical details from regulators, and misled airline customers about the scope and safety of design changes from previous 737 models. The airline claims that these actions led to its belief that the 737 MAX was airworthy and economically advantageous. LOT claims at least $250 million in losses from the grounding, including lost revenue, storage costs, and expenses for replacing the unfit aircraft.

After months of limits, FAA allows Boeing to increase MAX production

The FAA has approved an increase in the production cap for Boeing’s 737 MAX jets, allowing for the manufacture of 42 aircraft per month. This follows a review of Boeing’s manufacturing processes and safety controls. The FAA will continue to supervise Boeing’s operations and monitor the manufacturer’s safety and quality culture. The rate increase helps Boeing’s financial situation by accelerating cash flow, improving debt serviceability, and restoring investor confidence.

Workers reject Boeing’s latest offer after nearly three months on strike

The roughly 3,200 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 at Boeing Defense in the St. Louis area rejected the company’s latest contract proposal. In a statement, Boeing said “We’re disappointed with the vote result” and “we are turning our focus to executing the next phase of our contingency plan.”

Boeing’s latest contract offer reduced the ratification bonus, added $3,000 in Boeing shares that vest over three years, and added a $1,000 retention bonus in four years. Wage growth for workers at the top of the pay scale increased in the fourth year of the contract.

Flights to Los Angeles International Airport halted due to air traffic controller shortage

Controller staffing shortages have halted some flights departing for LAX, and staffing-related delays have occurred at Chicago, Washington, and Newark, New Jersey. The temporary FAA ground stop was not expected to be the only time flights will be delayed and canceled as the air traffic controllers work without pay during the federal government shutdown.

How engine shortages sent almost-new Airbus jets to the scrapyard

Due to a global shortage of commercial jet engines, especially Pratt & Whitney’s GTF engine, aircraft are being grounded, and airline costs are increasing worldwide. The situation is so bad that some nearly new aircraft are being stripped for their engines and valuable components, because the engines themselves have greater market value than the entire aircraft.

The shortage of commercial jet engines is a result of supply chain disruptions, powder metal contamination issues with Pratt & Whitney’s Geared TurboFan (GTF) engines, and overwhelmed repair facilities.

Delta Connection Flight 4819

Kreindler & Kreindler LLP is representing 14 passengers from Delta Connection flight 4819 that crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport in February 2025 after a hard landing that caused the right landing gear to fail. This led to the plane’s right wing scraping the ground, breaking off, and the aircraft rolling over on the runway. Strong winds were present at the time, and the crash resulted in a fire from fuel leakage, but all passengers and crew survived. Erin Applebaum, a Partner at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, gives us an update.

Erin is widely considered a foremost authority on litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty on commercial air travel.

Mentioned

The Engine Cowl was started on September 1, 2025, by Rytis Beresnevicius, a Lithuania-based independent aviation journalist who previously worked at AeroTime and Simple Flying.

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.

Airplane Geeks Episode 339, where Micah tells the story of “Lew’s Flight of Fancy.”

The inaugural Affordable Flying Expo (AFE25) is set for November 6–8, 2025 in Lakeland, Florida, with exhibits, demo flights, forums, and seminars.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

865 Brand New Air Traffic Control System

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Two companies bid to become the Brand New Air Traffic Control System prime integrator, FAA issues carry-on SAFO, 737 MAX production limits eased, P&W and GE adaptive cycle engines, Sikorsky contract for CH-53K helicopters, and Sergei Sikorsky passes away at age 100.

Aviation News

Two bidders vie to be project manager of massive FAA US air traffic overhaul

Two bids to become the prime integrator in the FAA’s project to overhaul the air traffic control system have been received. Congress has approved $12.5 billion for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS), and the Agency has indicated that an additional $19 billion might be requested.

Brand New Air Traffic Control System graphic

The bids come from two DC Beltway companies:

The FAA says it will make a selection by the end of October.

FAA urges airlines to discourage passengers from taking bags during evacuations

The FAA issued Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO 25003, PDF) titled “Addressing Risk Associated with Passenger Non-Compliance and Retention of Carry-On Baggage and Personal Items During Emergency Evacuations.” The SAFO “Serves to emphasize the operational and safety-critical importance of strict passenger compliance with crewmember instructions during emergency evacuations. Specifically, it addresses the adverse effects of passengers attempting to evacuate with carry-on items, which can significantly impede evacuation procedures and increase the potential for injury or fatality.”

FAA Signals Easing of Oversight on Boeing Jets

The FAA is expecting to restore Boeing’s ability to conduct safety sign-offs on new 737 MAX jets. Final airworthiness certificates will continue to be issued by the regulator The FAA is also considering increasing Boeing’s 737 MAX production cap from 38 to 42 planes per month.

Engines for America’s F-47 Sixth Gen Combat Aircraft Coming Together Faster Than Expected

The F-47 is being developed as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) Family of Systems. It’s a stealthy air superiority aircraft that can directly engage adversaries on the ground and in the air. It will be able to fly itself as well as collaborate with and control wingman drones.

The propulsion system being developed under the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) program is a concept that offers two modes of operation, which can be dynamically adjusted in flight: high thrust and high speed, and lower thrust with reduced fuel burn. Adaptive cycle engines can modulate the bypass ratio and fan pressure using a third air stream and advanced variable geometry components. Both Pratt & Whitney and General Electric are developing NGAP engines.

Airbus, Air France reject blame over AF447 crash, 16 years on

Air France 447 crashed in the Atlantic in 2009. In a 2023 trial, the judge found acts of negligence by Airbus and Air France, but determined that, under French criminal law, these acts were insufficient to establish a definitive link to the loss of the A330. Both Airbus and Air France were cleared of corporate manslaughter.

In an appeals hearing, the two companies pleaded not guilty. Air France and Airbus chief executives recognized the suffering of the families, but denied any criminal responsibility for the crash. Appeal hearings are expected to run until late November 2025.

Sikorsky to Build 99 CH-53K King Stallions for the U.S. Marine Corps

Sikorsky announced the award of a $10.8 billion contract from the U.S. Navy to build up to 99 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps over the next five years. The Marines plan to procure 200 CH-53K King Stallions in total. Sikorsky has delivered 20 helicopters so far, and an additional 63 aircraft are in various stages of production.

Sergei Sikorsky, son of Sikorsky Aircraft founder, dies age 100

Sergei had a 41-year career at Sikorsky, starting at age 16. After retiring, he continued to represent the company and his family’s legacy as a goodwill ambassador at trade shows and other events. Sergei was a World War II veteran, serving in the helicopter development unit of the U.S. Coast Guard. Sergei I. Sikorsky obituary.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

864 Jet Fighter Pilot

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A retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot and current leadership instructor describes flying the F-16, the F/A-18, the F-22, and the F-35. He provides lessons from instructing at Top Gun, and the important behaviours for leaders. In the news, Boeing is fined for safety violations, the St. Louis strike continues, the NTSB preliminary report describes the air turbulence incident, and the creation of an aerospace hub at a former Air Force Base.

Guest

Dave Berke is a retired U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot and current leadership instructor with Echelon Front. Dave is one of the rare few to have flown the F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35. He also served as the Training Officer at TOPGUN, where he led the staff of instructors who trained the students in air combat tactics and leadership under pressure. He spent a year as a ground Forward Air Controller, calling in air strikes and supporting SEALs, Marines, and Soldiers in the Battle of Ramadi in 2006.

Dave describes how a Marine pilot ended up flying the F-16 and F-22, and what it’s like to fly the F-35B with its STOVL capabilities. He compares different jet fighters he has flown and explains how they are different and how they are similar.

We hear Dave’s thoughts on ground support aircraft and dedicated aircraft platforms in general. Dave tells us the combat environment is changing and how information and airframe flexibility are key now, as opposed to single-role platforms.

Of course, we ask Dave if the Top Gun movies are accurate. His answer is both yes and no, but Top Gun: Maverick is very good from a flying standpoint. Dave tells us the jet fighter career path is more attainable than many people assume. Also, while flying ability is important, being a Top Gun Instructor hinges on being a good teacher.

The Echelon Front leadership consultancy takes the lessons from combat and applies them to people’s personal and professional lives.

In his new book, The Need to Lead: A TOPGUN Instructor’s Lessons on How Leadership Solves Every Challenge, Dave describes the 10 most important mindsets and behaviors for leaders that he learned from the cockpit. Order the book on Amazon, available October 21, 2025.

Fighter pilot Dave "Chip" Berke in the cockpit.
Fighter pilot Dave “Chip” Berke.

Aviation News

FAA proposes to fine Boeing $3.1 million over widespread safety violations

Between September 2023 and February 2024, the FAA found hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems. The FAA also identified interference with safety officials’ independence and proposed a $3.1 million fine, the maximum statutory civil penalty authority consistent with law.

The findings include: presenting two unairworthy aircraft to the FAA for airworthiness certificates, failure to follow its quality system rules, and a Boeing employee pressuring another worker to sign off on a non-compliant 737 MAX. Boeing has 30 days to respond.

Press release: FAA Proposes $3.1 Million in Fines Against Boeing

Boeing Defense, union reach tentative deal to end strike in St. Louis area

On Wednesday, Boeing Defense and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers reached a tentative 5-year contract agreement that would end a five-week-long strike in the St. Louis area.

Striking Boeing workers reject latest offer

However, on Friday, 57% of the IAM members voted to reject the agreement that would have increased the average wage from $75,000 to $109,000. The contract term would have increased from four years to five and included a ratification bonus of $4,000.

Boeing says, “…no further talks are scheduled. We will continue to execute our contingency plan, including hiring permanent replacement workers, as we maintain support for our customers.”

See: Boeing’s Terms of the Strike Settlement Offer [PDF]

NTSB describes the turbulence that threw passengers around the cabin on a Delta flight

In July, a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam encountered severe turbulence over Wyoming and diverted to Minneapolis. Twenty-four 24 people were evaluated by paramedics, and 18 were taken to hospitals. Two crew members sustained serious injuries.

In a preliminary report, the NTSB said 

  • The pilots had changed their flight path to avoid turbulence from storms, but the encounter caught them by surprise. 
  • The seat belt sign was off.
  • The turbulence lasted two and a half minutes.
  • People on board experienced up to 1.75 upward Gs, followed by a half G down. 
  • At one point, the plane’s wing dipped down as much as 40 degrees.

AP reports, “The pilots likely believed they were in the clear after asking air traffic controllers to route them around the storms. But the NTSB charted the plane’s flight path over a radar report from the National Weather Service that showed the plane flew directly into a bright red section of the map showing the worst of the storm.”

How a Global Aerospace Company Landed in Northern Maine

Kansas City-based Aero Intelligence is a certified FAA/EASA 145 Repair Station that offers aircraft asset management, 24/7 AOG, disassembly, recycling, and records management services. Also, engineering support, recruitment services, Maintenance and Engineering Audits and Inspections, Aircraft Refurbishment & Interior Design, project management, and others. The Loring Development Authority wants to create an aerospace hub and bring new jobs to Aroostook County at the former Loring Air Force Base.

Erin Applebaum 

Erin Applebaum, our Legal Liaison, attended the Boeing/DOJ deferred prosecution hearing on the Government’s motion to dismiss the criminal charge against Boeing regarding the 737-Max and Ethiopian Flight 302. The DOJ asked the judge to dismiss the charge, accept a non-prosecution agreement with a fine, and allow Boeing to select its own compliance consultant. Erin explains that, in an unprecedented move, the DOJ has declared in writing that it will not prosecute Boeing, even if the judge does not dismiss the charge.

Erin is a Partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP. She represents the interests of passengers severely injured or killed in general aviation and commercial airline accidents.

Mentioned

Video: Underwater Drone Footage Moosehead Lake, Sunken Plane Locating and Recovery Mission

Video: USAF F-22 Raptor Pedal Turn w/ flares

13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

863 How Washington Works

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A former Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation explains how Washington works with respect to aviation policy and oversight. In the news, a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas, the DOT Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract, EMAS and runway overruns, carrier qualifications for new Navy fighter pilots, and the Boeing strike.

Guest

Alex Simpson is Senior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates, a bipartisan government relations firm, where he focuses on the transportation sector. Previously, Alex served as Senior Counsel on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under Chair and Ranking Member Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA). In that role, he led oversight of the FAA, TSA, NTSB, and the aviation industry. He executed over 25 hearings, including multiple high-profile hearings with airline and manufacturing CEOs, union leaders, DOT Secretaries, and FAA Administrators. Alex maintains close ties with the Senate Commerce and House Transportation & Infrastructure committees.

Photo of Alex Simpson, enior Vice President at Cassidy & Associates.

Alex explains the major Congressional members and committees that create aviation policy and provide industry oversight. That includes the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, and the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. In addition, non-government stakeholders that influence policy decisions include organizations such as Airlines For America (A4A), ALPA, NATCA, Boeing, and even crash victim families acting as advocacy groups.

Alex discusses a variety of topics, including ATC infrastructure, likely prime integrator candidates, and elements of a possible TSA reauthorization bill, such as the use of facial recognition technology at TSA checkpoints. Also, Boeing and the deferred prosecution agreement, lifting the 737 MAX production cap, and the 1500-hour rule for commercial airline pilots. We touch on consumer protection and the Full Fare Rule aimed at preventing deceptive airfare advertisements.

As a Committee staffer, Alex drafted and negotiated the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. He also worked closely on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included more than $25 billion for airport infrastructure upgrades. 

Before his tenure in the Senate, Alex practiced law at the U.S. Department of Transportation and Zuckert, Scoutt, & Rasenberger (now KMA Zuckert), where he helped clients problem-solve aviation issues, including those related to the Essential Air Service Program, airport landing rights (slots), antitrust, air carrier economic authority and fitness, federal preemption, and airport grant assurances.

Aviation News

Swift 100 R Gets ASTM Spec

ASTM International recently approved a Production Specification for Swift Fuels 100R unleaded avgas. Swift is one of three unleaded fuel makers, and the first to get ASTM approval. Swift Fuels has devoted years of research working with the FAA, Lycoming, Continental Aerospace, Rotax, Textron Aviation, Piper, and others. The ASTM AvGas standards define the required chemical, physical, and performance characteristics for unleaded Avgas sold for aviation use.

DOT Opens Solicitation for Air Traffic Control Integrator Contract

The Department of Transportation issued an updated request for solutions to identify a Prime Integrator for the Brand New Air Traffic Control System. (Solicitation Number BNATCSRFSFINAL.) Submissions to the Request for Solutions – Brand New Air Traffic Control System at Sam.gov must be submitted by September 21, 2025.

Carrier Qualifications Axed From Graduation Requirements For New Navy Fighter Pilots

U.S. Navy Tactical Air (Strike) aviators in training are no longer required to take off and land from aircraft carriers before earning their Naval Aviator wings. A Navy official said “Students in the strike pipeline, those training to fly F/A-18s, F-35s, and EA-18Gs, are no longer required to qualify by landing on a carrier prior to graduation.” Instead, Naval aviators from the Tactical Air pipeline will conduct their first carrier qualifications when they reach a Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS). The FRS units provide initial training on the specific type of tactical jet assigned to the pilot.

EMAS Halts Two Overruns in 24 Hours

Engineered Material Arresting Systems (EMAS) are safety systems designed stop aircraft experiencing a runway overrun. The crushable material slows the aircraft more effectively than soft ground. The FAA says the EMAS can handle most overruns at speeds up to 70 knots.

Recently, a Gulfstream G150 overran a wet 5,000-foot runway at Chicago Executive Airport. The plane was stopped short of a major roadway by EMAS. Only hours later, a Bombardier Challenger 300 overran the runway at Boca Raton Airport. The EMAS prevented the aircraft from leaving the airport property.

Currently, Runway Safe is the sole manufacturer of EMAS products that meet the FAA standards of Advisory Circular 150-5220-22B, “Engineered Materials Arresting Systems for Aircraft Overruns.”

Boeing hires replacement workers as defense unit strike enters second month

About 3,200 defense workers represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 837 have been on strike since August 4. Boeing offered a 20% general wage increase and a $5,000 ratification bonus. The company says it will hire new workers to replace the striking employees.

Amber Combs

David’s fiancée joins us to explain his medical condition and the need for a kidney transplant. She’s created a special page on the National Kidney Registry website that tells David’s story and explains how you can help: https://nkr.org/XQZ327. Please help spread this message.

Mentioned

Special Exhibit: Over the Horizon at the American Helicopter Museum. U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps rotorcraft operations from 1931 to today.

The Navy 250th Celebration

B-52 Close Call at Minot, Midair in Colorado, and Jammed Flight Controls

Is the Air Traffic Control System Broken? from Freakonomics Radio.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, Rob Mark, and our Main(e) Man Micah.

860 The Edge of Disaster

A guest panel discusses aircraft accidents, air turbulence injuries, airline and airframer culture, pilot training and experience, FAA shortfalls, and other topics that impact the flying public. In the news, the 90-second evacuation rule, the fatal Jeju Air crash at Muan Airport, and Zunum Air’s suit against Boeing for the misappropriation of trade secrets.

Guests

Cover of the book Whiskey Air.

Chris Manno became an Air Force pilot after graduation from college and served seven years as a squadron pilot in the Pacific. He flew as a pilot with American Airlines for 35 years and was a captain for 29 of those years. Over his career, Chris logged over 25,000 hours of jet time. He’s a cartoonist and author of many books. Chris has just written a new book based on actual airline incidents titled Whiskey Air. It’s a fictionalized deep-dive into actual airline incidents.

James Albright co-wrote Whiskey Air. He’s a fellow USAF pilot (they flew together in a squadron in PACAF) who went on to command a USAF squadron, then retired and spent another twenty years as a corporate pilot. He also writes safety analysis for AvWeek.

Erin Applebaum is a Partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP. She represents the interests of passengers severely injured or killed in general aviation and commercial airline accidents. Erin is currently on the team representing numerous victims of the DCA midair collision. She’s also handling cases on behalf of several passengers from the February 2025 Delta Air Lines crash in Toronto. Erin is a foremost authority on litigating claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the international treaty on commercial air travel.

Erin’s other major cases at Kreindler include the Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 catastrophic engine failure and the Liberty Helicopters doors-off tour helicopter crash in the East River. For the past six years, Erin has played a key role in Kreindler’s fight against Boeing in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302/737 MAX litigation. She was appointed by the court as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 cases and was instrumental in the victims’ families’ effort to overturn the Deferred Prosecution Agreement between Boeing and the Department of Justice.

Discussion

In this episode’s roundtable, our guests bring their knowledge and experience to the discussion of important issues faced by the industry, including: 

  • The 90-second evacuation rule.
  • The liability of the airlines, airports, and the regulators.
  • Boeing’s corporate culture, reputation, and the DOJ’s criminal case.
  • Profit motives over safety.
  • Decision making in the cockpit and being the captain that sometimes has to say, “no.”
  • Lack of FAA oversight resources and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP).
  • Delegated oversight authority.
  • Injuries sustained due to air turbulence.

See:

Whiskey Air on Amazon

Chris Manno’s author page

Code 7700 page by James Albright

Rough Skies Ahead: Legal Options for Turbulence Injuries [PDF] by Erin Applebaum and Taylor Sandella.

Aviation News

Senator Pushes FAA to Examine Aircraft Evacuation Rules

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) sent a letter to the FAA asking the agency to compare its 90-second evacuation standard against recent incidents. The rule originated in the late 1960s and requires aircraft manufacturers to demonstrate during certification that all passengers and crew can evacuate the aircraft within 90 seconds, even with only half of the emergency exits available.

Duckworth’s letter: “While FAA has yet to disclose how long any of the referenced passenger evacuations took, these incidents once again raise serious questions about FAA’s 90-second evacuation standard as well as FAA’s assumptions about how evacuations occur in real world conditions (such as the assumption every passenger will comply with instructions to deplane without carry-on bags).”

Duckworth wants the FAA to describe how long they took, how many passengers exited with bags, and how many were children, seniors, or disabled.

Decades of Blunders Put a Lethal Wall at the End of a South Korean Runway

The Korean Maeil Business Newpaper reports that the New York Times “extensively secured and reviewed 26 years’ worth of Muan Airport-related data, including the initial design drawing of Muan Airport, and listened to opinions from experts and bereaved families.” This concerns the fatal Jeju Air crash last year at Muan Airport. The original Muan Airport design in 1999 stipulated that localizers should be easily broken in collisions to “minimize fatal damage to aircraft in the event of a collision,” the NYT said. However, this design was changed in 2003 and the support of the localizer was changed to hard concrete rather than brittle structures. 

Boeing interfered with electric plane startup Zunum, appeals court finds

Electric airplane startup Zunum Aero, founded in 2013 and backed by Boeing and JetBlue, went out of business in 2019 after running out of funding. Zunum then sued Boeing, alleging that Boeing used its position as an investor to steal Zunum’s trade secrets. Also, that Boeing sought to discourage other groups from investing, forcing the company to cease operations.

A Seattle jury ruled against Boeing in 2024, but two months later, a federal judge reversed that decision. Now the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision and reinstated the $72 million verdict against Boeing. The case was remanded back to the district court to finalize the verdict.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof and our Main(e) Man Micah.