Tag Archives: NASA

868 X-59 Supersonic Aircraft

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The first flight of the Lockheed Martin X-59 supersonic Aircraft, Boom Supersonic, the end of SeatGuru, JetBlue emergency landing, new Navy jet trainer, and an Airbus A400M is delivered to Indonesia. Also, a talk with Cranky Flier and the certification of Chinese commercial jets.

Aviation News

NASA takes one step closer to launching quiet supersonic jets

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®, in partnership with NASA, completed the first flight of the X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft. The X-59 is designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom to a “gentle thump.” 

The Lockheed Martin X59 in flight.
Lockheed Martin X59 first flight.

The X-59 took off from Skunk Works’ facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, before landing near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Lockheed Martin says “the X-59 performed exactly as planned.”

Working with NASA, Skunk Works will continue to lead the aircraft’s initial flight test campaign to expand the X-59’s flight envelope over the coming months. Part of this test will include the X-59’s first supersonic flights and enable NASA to operate the X-59 to measure its sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing.

Lockheed Martin press release: X-59 Soars: A New Era in Supersonic Flight Begins.

The Douglas X-3 Stiletto on the tarmac.
Douglas X-3 Stiletto.

Related: Boom Supersonic – Overture Airliner Program Outlook. The Overture remains targeted for a first flight in 2027, followed by a goal of certification by 2029. Boom is assembling and testing components for its in-house Symphony turbofan engine, with manufacturing and validation underway at its Colorado R&D facility. Full-scale engine tests are anticipated in 2026.

At least 15 people sent to hospital after JetBlue flight drops altitude, forcing emergency landing in Florida, officials say

In a statement, JetBlue said Flight 1230 from Cancun, Mexico, to Newark, New Jersey, “experienced a drop in altitude.” The plane diverted to Tampa International Airport, and at least 15 people were sent to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and discharged. The Airbus A320 dropped about 100 feet in about seven seconds. The FAA is investigating a “flight control issue.”

End Of An Era: SeatGuru Officially Shuts Down, Redirects To TripAdvisor

SeatGuru was launched in 2001 and was widely used by air travelers to examine airline seat maps of most aircraft types. TripAdvisor acquired SeatGuru in 2007, but by early 2020, updates to the seat maps ceased. Seatguru.com now displays the message “SeatGuru has closed down, please visit Tripadvisor to plan your next trip.” TripAdvisor doesn’t offer the service that SeatGuru once did.

Alternatives include AeroLOPA, SeatMaps, Expert Flyer, and AwardFares.

United Airlines CEO Aligns With Trump, Eyes JetBlue Merger?

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby appeared at the White House alongside Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, voicing strong support for reopening the U.S. government without conditions. Kirby emphasized the strain on air traffic control and the airline industry amid the prolonged government shutdown. He called for a “clean continuing resolution.” Some observers speculate that Kirby has a strategy to integrate JetBlue’s operations in the Northeast with United’s existing Newark operations and a potential Boston expansion.

T-45 to Depart the Pattern

The T-45 Goshawk Navy jet trainer was originally manufactured by McDonnell Douglas, which merged with Boeing in 1997. The Navy wants a replacement for the Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program. Vying for the contract are the SNC Freedom Trainer and the Beechcraft M-346N. The Navy expects to formally announce a request for proposals in December 2025 and award a contract in January 2027.

Airbus delivers first A400M to Indonesia

The Indonesian Air Force will operate the Airbus Defence and Space A400M heavy tactical airlift aircraft. The second A400M is expected to be delivered to Indonesia in 2026. Airbus will be providing the Indonesian Air Force with training and support services. Indonesia will study the potential integration of the newly developed A400M roll-on / roll-off modular firefighting kit on board both aircraft.

The Airbus A400M is powered by four Europrop TP400-D6 turboprop engines, each rated at 11,000 horsepower. These are the most powerful turboprop engines in operational use in the Western world. On each wing, using a gearbox, one engine’s propeller rotates clockwise and the other counterclockwise to optimize lift and avoid premature stalling. Called “down between engines” (DBE), the propeller closer to the fuselage rotates so its blade tips move downward between the two engines on that wing, while the outboard engine’s propeller rotates in the opposite direction.

Video: Airbus A400M Engine Start up at linz airport

Cranky Flier

Brian Coleman ran into Brett Snyder at the 2025 APEX show. They discuss Cranky Dorkfest / SpotLAX, which is planned for the Weekend of September 18 – 20, 2026.

The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) held two main conferences in 2025: APEX TECH in Los Angeles, CA, from May 20 to 21, and the APEX Global EXPO in Long Beach, CA, from September 9 to 11. APEX TECH focused on in-flight connectivity and data use cases, while the Global EXPO, co-located with FTE Global (Future Travel Experience) and IFSA (International Flight Services Association), showcased innovations in all aspects of the passenger journey.

Plane Spotting

Micah found this C-21 at the MacJets FBO. It’s the military version of the LearJet.

C-21 on the tarmac.

Mentioned

Trust in Transition: Why Global Aviation Is Starting to Fly on Chinese Certification

Hosts this Episode

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

859 F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Future Combat Air System

Foreign nations consider F-35 alternatives such as the Typhoon and FCAS, Denver Airport studies the use of a small modular reactor, Astronaut Jim Lovell passed, Senate bill blocks ATC privatization, NTSB hearings highlighted, and the Regional Airline Association calls for accredited flight training programs to be recognized as professional degrees.

Aviation News

Spain rules out F-35 order, prioritizes Eurofighter and FCAS

The Spanish Ministry of Defense has decided to “prioritize investment in European industry” and will consider the Eurofighter Typhoon or the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) over the Lockheed Martin F-35. The Spanish government wants to replace its aging fleet of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets and AV-8B Harrier II aircraft. Previously, the F-35 was considered a leading candidate. Talks with Lockheed Martin are now suspended.

Image of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in flight with Belgium markings.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, courtesy F35.com.

Other potential foreign F-35 customers, including Canada and Portugal, have signaled doubts about joining the American-led program amid geopolitical strain with the Trump administration. Swiss lawmakers are calling for the government to cancel a $9.1 billion order for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter.

Denver to look at nuclear option for power at Denver International Airport

The Denver airport (DIA) “issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to study the feasibility of building a small modular (nuclear) reactor (SMR) on the DEN campus. The study is part of DEN’s overall efforts to meet future clean energy demands.” A new Colorado law reclassifies nuclear energy as a clean energy resource.

See the press release: DEN to Pursue More Alternative Energy Options for Future Needs and A nuclear reactor at the Denver airport? Here’s what you need to know.

Professor Thomas Albrecht, director of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Center at the Colorado School of Mines, said, “The idea, with many of the small modular reactors, is you can drive them up on a semi. put them down on a concrete pad and plug them in, and they just go. The idea of many of these designs is you could keep adding them.”

The study will cost up to $1.25 million and is expected to take between 6-12 months to complete, at which time DEN, along with its partners, will evaluate the findings and determine next steps.

NASA Administrator Reflects on Passing of Astronaut Jim Lovell

Astronaut James A. Lovell was a pioneering NASA astronaut best known as the commander of Apollo 13 and as one of the first humans to orbit the Moon, having flown a total of four space missions—Gemini 7, Gemini 12, Apollo 8, and Apollo 13—more than any astronaut in NASA’s early years.

Astronaut James A. Lovell
Astronaut James A. Lovell, NASA.

Gemini 7 (1965): Set an endurance record of nearly 14 days in orbit and accomplished the first rendezvous of two manned spacecraft, a vital maneuver for Moon missions.

Gemini 12 (1966): Commanded the final Gemini mission, featured Buzz Aldrin as pilot, and executed complex extravehicular activities, closing the Gemini program successfully.

Apollo 8 (1968): Served as Command Module Pilot for the first crewed mission to leave Earth’s orbit and enter lunar orbit, making him and his crewmates the first humans to orbit the Moon and see its far side.

Apollo 13 (1970): Commanded the ill-fated lunar mission that suffered a catastrophic explosion en route, forcing a dramatic turnaround and Moon flyby. His leadership in crisis turned it into an inspirational story of survival; Lovell and his crew made it back safely, an event celebrated worldwide and dramatized in the 1995 film “Apollo 13”.

See Former Astronaut James A. Lovell – NASA and EAA’s Jack Pelton on the Death of Astronaut Jim Lovell.

Senate ATC modernization funding bill blocks privatization

The Senate Appropriations Committee bill to fund the Department of Transportation, including the FAA, in 2026 seeks to block any attempts to privatize the U.S. air traffic control system. Senate bill S.2465, (the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026) would provide $13.8 billion to fund the FAA’s regular operations, and more than $10 billion for the FAA’s air traffic organization. However, the bill also states that none of the funds can be “used to plan, design, or implement the privatization or separation of the air traffic organization functions of the Federal Aviation Administration.”

A committee report accompanying the bill states, “The Committee does not support any efforts to transfer the FAA’s air traffic functions to a not-for-profit, independent, private corporation. The Committee is aware that if the Nation’s air traffic control system had been privatized during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to other air navigation service providers in Canada and the European Union, the United States would have faced severe funding shortfalls. These shortfalls would have likely led to controller layoffs and greater risks to flight safety, and a slower recovery after the end of the pandemic, thus leading to more flight delays and price increases for consumers.”

Highlights of the NTSB’s DCA Hearings

More than 30 hours of testimony were created when the NTSB began its recent public investigation of the events surrounding the January midair collision near the approach end of Runway 33 at Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). NTSB News Talk has made learning the essential details easier by condensing all three days into three separate episodes, totaling just under five hours.

Regional Airline Association Urges U.S. Department of Education to Recognize Accredited Flight Training Programs as Professional Degrees

In remarks to a U.S. Department of Education Public Hearing, Faye Malarkey Black, President and CEO of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), highlights the pilot shortage and its impacts. The cost of training is a significant barrier to entry, as well as the inability to finance it. “Accredited, Part 141 flight training programs—often embedded within university programs—add around $90,000 in additional costs to a four-year degree. Students in these programs are limited to standard undergraduate federal loan caps. They cannot access the higher loan limits available to graduate professional students—even though pilot training meets every test of a professional degree.

The RAA urges the Department to issue clear guidance recognizing accredited undergraduate Part 141 flight training programs as professional degree programs. This would unlock federal resources for students, advance aviation workforce growth, and support the economic health of smaller communities.

Hosts this Episode

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

825 Contrails

A contrails study by GE Aviation and NASA, an F-15E Strike Eagle downs drones, Iberia’s new A321XLR in service, the Phillippine Mars moves to its final destination, an airliner and a UAP come close together, Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy, and the environmental impact of private jets. Also, AvGeeks flock to Bluesky, a STEM author at the NASM, and F-35B trials on a Japanese flattop.

The contrails of an Airbus A340 jet, over London, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in March 2007 and placed in the public domain.
The contrails of an Airbus A340 jet, over London, England. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in March 2007.

Aviation News

GE and NASA to accelerate understanding of contrails

The “Contrail Optical Depth Experiment” (CODEX) is a research project conducted through a NASA and GE Aerospace partnership to study the formation and behavior of contrails. Contrails are clouds of ice particles that airplanes can create when they fly through cold and humid air. Persistent contrails are thought to contribute to climate warming. The primary goal of CODEX is to accurately measure the optical depth of contrails, which indicates how much light is blocked by the contrail.

In the project, a GE Boeing 747-400 creates the contrails and NASA’s G-III research aircraft (a modified Gulfstream III business jet) follows and scans the 747’s wake with Advanced LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to analyze the contrails produced by different engine configurations. This will hopefully lead to the development of engine technologies that reduce contrail formation.

NASA Gulfstream G-III

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, operates the Gulfstream G-III aircraft, NASA tail number 804, as an aerodynamics research test bed. Work with the aircraft is funded through NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) as part of the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) project under the agency’s Integrated Systems Research Program.

GE 747-400 Flying Test Bed

Since 2010, this former Japan Airlines plane has been used by GE to test new jet engines, such as the GE90, GEnx, LEAP, and the GE9X. The plane is based at Flight Test Operations (FTO) in Victorville.

F-15E Pilot Recounts Having To Switch To Guns After Missiles Ran Dry During Iranian Drone Barrage

An F-15E Strike Eagle shot down so many Iranian drones aimed at Israel that they ran out of air-to-air missiles. The crew was ordered to continue and use any weapon available, which left the Strike Eagle’s 20mm Gatling Gun, capable of firing around 6,000 rounds per minute. Operating this gun is said to be risky with small, low, slow-moving targets. In this instance, the F-15 did not stop the drone.

Feel Sorry For the Flight Attendants: Iberia’s New A321XLR Long-Haul Jet Features Tiny Galleys That Even Contortionists Would Struggle to Work in

Iberia is the launch customer of the Airbus A321XLR (extra long range) single-aisle jet. The airline is flying the plane on a Madrid and Boston route. According to Saffran, the Airbus SpaceFlex V2 galley and lavatory allows for 6 more seats in the A321.

The Airbus Space-Flex galley and lavatory concept.

Airbus says the A321XLR features a 4,700 nm range, 180-220 seats, and 30% lower fuel burn per seat than previous generation aircraft. The plane was launched in 2019 at the Paris Air Show. Compared to other A320 family aircraft, the A321XLR carries more fuel, has strengthened landing gear, and includes a revised wing trailing-edge flap for takeoff performance. Airbus offers two engine options: the CFM LEAP-1A and the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G.

The first A321XLR was delivered to Iberia on 30 October 2024 and conducted its first revenue flight on 6 November 2024. The first long-haul flight with passengers was on 14 November 2024, from Madrid to Boston.

Martin Mars To Visit San Francisco, San Diego On Final Flight

The Philippine Mars is destined for the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. In preparation, the plane is undergoing taxi tests in Port Alberni, British Columbia. It will be flown to a lake near Phoenix and partially dismantled so it can be trucked to the Pima Museum.

Hawaii Mars was flown to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria, B.C., last August. (Covered in Airplane Geeks #813.) The 16-foot props were removed from Hawaii Mars and installed on Philippine Mars for its flight.

Video: Final preps underway for Philippine Mars’ final flight

US Airlines Plane Narrowly Avoids Collision with UFO Near New York, Prompting Increased Scrutiny of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena and Aviation Safety Concerns

The U.S. government released information on 757 reported Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) cases between May 2023 and June 2024. One case involved a near miss between a commercial airline flight and a “cylindrical object” over the Atlantic Ocean. This occurred just off the coast of New York and was classed as a “possible flight safety issue.” The airline and time of the encounter have not been made public.

UAP sightings are investigated by the Pentagon’s All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO). Of the 757 UAP reports worldwide that AARO analyzed nearly 300 were resolved. This often related to balloons, birds, drones, and even satellites. Other sightings remain unexplained.

Spirit Airlines Files for Bankruptcy; Lost $2.2 Billion in 5 Years

Spirit Airlines, Inc. announced that it has entered into a restructuring support agreement supported by a supermajority of Spirit’s loyalty and convertible bondholders on the terms of a comprehensive balance sheet restructuring. Spirit expects the restructuring to reduce the company’s debt and provide increased financial flexibility.

Spirit says it will continue operating normally throughout the Chapter 11 process. Customers can continue to book and fly without interruption and can use all tickets, credits, and loyalty points as normal. According to the Airline, employee wages and benefits will not be impacted. Vendors, aircraft lessors, and holders of secured aircraft indebtedness will continue to be paid.

Spirit Airlines Press release: Spirit Airlines Announces Comprehensive Agreement to Deleverage Balance Sheet and Position the Company for Long-Term Success as a Leading Low-Fare Carrier

NBAA Fact Checks Misleading Report on Business Aviation Sustainability

On November 7, 2024, the journal Communications Earth & Environment published a study titled Private aviation is making a growing contribution to climate change. The abstract says, in part:

“Commercial aviation’s contribution to climate change is growing, but the global role of private aviation is not well quantified. Here we calculate the sector’s CO2 emissions, using flight tracker data from the ADS-B Exchange platform for the period 2019 to 2023. Flight times for 25,993 private aircraft and 18,655,789 individual flights in 2019-2023 are linked to 72 aircraft models and their average fuel consumption. We find that private aviation contributed at least 15.6 Mt CO2 in direct emissions in 2023, or about 3.6 t CO2 per flight… Emissions increased by 46% between 2019-2023, with industry expectations of continued strong growth. Regulation is needed to address the sector’s growing climate impact.”

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has challenged the report for “selectively using data, making statements based on faulty analysis and ignoring facts to produce a one-sided set of conclusions about sustainability and business aviation – an industry that is on pace to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

The Need for Presque Isle’s New Airport Terminal

The terminal project is for an airport with only one flight per day, which is Essential Air Service (EAS) only.

Mentioned

Understanding Takeoff Calculations on Jetwhine.com.

Ladybug Launch book cover.

Ladybug Launch. Author Melissa Trempe will be at the National Air & Space Museum,  Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA noon to 2:00 on Nov 29, 2024. Ladybug Launch is inspired by the true story of young girls who devised an experiment that NASA took to the Space Station. The book is a great STEM story for youngsters, girls especially, but boys as well. The book is available for sale in the museum shop. 

Modified Japanese carrier completes F-35B trials off Southern California

Hosts this Episode

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

818 D.B. Cooper

The mystery of D.B. Cooper with the host of The Cooper Vortex podcast. In the news, automatic takeoffs from Embraer, Southwest’s business improvement plan and the reaction by the activist Elliott hedge fund, the airship crash in Brazil, the Rolls-Royce electric propulsion unit, and the bad air travel decisions allegedly made by the Mayor of New York City. We also hear from Hillel and a listener about the Boeing Starliner, and from several listeners about executive jets.

D.B. Cooper artist sketches.
D.B. Cooper artist sketch.

Guest

Darren Schaefer is the host of the The Cooper Vortex podcast. Darren grew up in Woodland, Washington next to where D.B. Cooper is believed to have landed, and had been passionate about the mystery for a decade. In the podcast he started years ago, Darren interviews experts who have something to contribute to the conversation about the mystery, such as authors, pilots, aircrew, paratroopers, and skydivers.

D.B. Cooper hijacked Orient Airlines Flight 305, a B727, on November 24, 1971. Cooper said he had a bomb and demanded $200,000 in ransom. Upon landing in Seattle, Cooper requested parachutes, released the passengers, and told the crew to refuel the aircraft and fly to Mexico City after refueling in Reno, Nevada. During that flight, Cooper opened the airplane’s aft door and parachuted into the night over Washington state. He was never seen again. This remains America’s only unsolved skyjacking.

The Cooper Vortex podcast album art.

Darren helps us understand why the public remains intrigued with D.B. Cooper after decades have passed, how “Dan Cooper” became “D.B. Cooper,” and how that helped the FBI weed out those who claimed to be Cooper.

Darren tells us about Cooper copycats, available physical evidence, and changes to commercial aviation made to reduce airliner hijacking. That includes the “Cooper vane” which locks the B727 aft stairs. (Darren wants one so contact him if you know a source.) He also describes how the three segments of the DB Cooper community (aviation people, skydivers, and true crime fans) view the mystery. We note D.B. Cooper’s thoughtfulness toward the passengers and crew, and his apparent technical knowledge suggesting an aerospace background.

Darren will be the master of ceremonies at CooperCon 2024 the annual DB Cooper Convention being held at the Seattle Museum of Flight November 15-17, 2024.

Books of interest:

  • The Skies Belong to Us, Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking by Brendan I. Koerner.
  • Skyjack: The Hunt for D. B. Cooper, by Geoffrey Gray.

See FBI Records: The Vault, D. B. Cooper and Key piece of evidence in D.B. Cooper investigation to be displayed at Tacoma museum.

Aviation News

Automatic takeoffs are coming for passenger jets and they’re going to redraw the map of the sky

Along with other improvements announced at Farnborough, Embraer is introducing the “E2 Enhanced Take Off System,” an automated takeoff system designed for the company’s E2 jets. Embraer says “This automatic take off system produces a more precise and efficient rotation moment and flight trajectory, reducing the required field length and pilot workload; meaning more payload and more range from challenging airports. This gives the E2 best in class performance from airports like London City, Florence, and Santos Dumont. Adding 350NM in range from LCY for example.” Embraer has started flight testing and aims for approval by aviation authorities in 2025.

Southwest Airlines to cut service and staffing in Atlanta to slash costs

According to a company memo seen by CNBC, for the April 2025 bid, Southwest is planning to reduce service in Atlanta and cut as many as 140 pilot and 200 flight attendant jobs. Southwest will reduce Atlanta gates to 11 from the current 18. Activist hedge fund Elliott Investment Management continues to call for Southwest CEO Bob Jordan to resign.

The CEO of Southwest Airlines called an activist investor’s criticisms ‘inane’

Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said it is inane that Elliott (which holds an 11% stake in Southwest) would call the airline’s plan to improve its business “rushed and haphazard.” At an investor day presentation, Elliott said “I hope you can tell that the plan that we presented today was intentful, the plan was detailed, the plan was well constructed.”

Airship crashes into residential building in Brazil

On September 26, 2024, an airship hired by a football club deflated while flying over a Sao Paulo suburb. The Brazilian-made ADB 3-3 airship is produced by Airship do Brasil (ADB). It measures 49 meters long and 17 meters tall and is capable of speeds up to 85 km/h (53 mph). It can carry five passengers and two crew.

Video: Blimp Crash Shocks Brazil: Airship Plummets into Homes, One Injured!

Rolls-Royce Shuts Down Electrical Propulsion Business

In November 2023, Rolls-Royce announced a restructuring plan that included selling off non-core assets and refocusing on its turbofan business. One victim of the plan was Rolls-Royce Electrical. In December, Rolls admitted they had a potential buyer, and now the company says they have “now moved that process to the next step,” with no additional details.

New York City Mayor Faces Wrath—of Frequent Fliers

Subtitle: “Airline points enthusiasts sift through indictment, say Eric Adams made litany of rookie travel mistakes; ‘It’s mind-blowing.’” Jason Rabinowitz commented, “If you’re going to get indicted in large part because you were taking illicit upgrades to business class, at least do it with an airline that has a better product.”

Boeing Starliner

Listeners and the hosts comment on the Boeing Starliner. Hillel Glazer provides an opinion piece about NASA’s role in Starliner failures.

Star-Crossed Starliner Flight Test Comes To A Close

Chatter: The Inside Story of the Challenger Disaster with Adam Higginbotham.

Houston We Have a Podcast, Episode 355, Call Sign: White Flight.

Mentioned

Wilson, T. A. (1921-1999) the CEO of Boeing from 1969-1986.

Hosts this Episode

Our Main(e) Man Micah and Max Flight standing with a P3 propeller.
Our Main(e) Man Micah and Max Flight.

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

811 Wright Electric Airplane Motors

We speak with the Founder and CEO of Wright Electric, an aviation company with a goal to make all regional single-aisle flights zero-emissions. In the news, Boeing testified before the NTSB about the 737 door plug incident, American Airlines new standby rules are criticized, Space-X may bring the Boeing Starliner astronauts back from the International Space Station, and the impact on Delta Air Lines after the Microsoft/CrowdStrike global IT outage. We also have an Australia News Desk report.

Guest

Wright Electric Founder and CEO Jeff Engler.

Jeff Engler is the Founder and CEO of Wright Electric. The company develops ultra-lightweight electric motors, generators, and batteries for aerospace and defense. Wright is leveraging the company’s megawatt-class propulsion system to transform a 100-passenger BAe 146 into an all-electric, zero-emissions aircraft. Wright and Columbia University are developing batteries that are up to four times lighter than lithium-ion.

Jeff explains how the company all started with a newsletter and came to focus on flights with more than 100 passengers and shorter than 800 miles. He describes what distinguishes aircraft propulsion electric motors from other electric motors, and how the transportation market segments into different technologies for different applications.

We consider the important issue of battery energy density and why Wright has decided to develop their lightweight batteries. Also, we discuss programs the company is involved in, the C-130/LM-100J and BAe 146 aircraft that support the technology development, and Wright’s commercial, government, and academic partners. Jeff describes Wright’s timeline targets for retrofitted and clean-sheet electric aircraft.

The BAe 146-based Wright Spirit concept.

Jeff started the company when he learned flying tripled his carbon footprint. He incubated Wright through a Harvard University fellowship and led Wright through the selective Y Combinator accelerator program. He previously co-founded Podimetrics, a medical device company that has raised $70M+ in venture funding. Jeff has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia and Harvard.

See:

Other articles supporting our conversation:

Aviation News

NTSB chair: Boeing reassigning workers to Everett was retaliation

NTSB chief rips Boeing over lack of 737 Max answers

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held an investigative hearing open to the public in the NTSB Boardroom on August 6-7, 2024. During the hearing, the NTSB gathered sworn testimonies about the Jan.​ 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug incident. This was a fact-finding step in the safety investigation and the testimonies became part of the public record.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy asked Boeing Director of Quality Hector Silva if he was “100 percent sure a defect will not occur tomorrow” and whether he was “100 percent sure there will never be an unauthorized removal” of a door plug. He replied, “No.” Boeing factory workers told the hearing they felt pressured to work fast and complete jobs for which they did not feel qualified.

Videos of the hearing are publicly available. Note: Each video is over 8 hours long.

Cost-Cutting Chaos: New American Airlines Standby Rules and IT Glitches Leave Loyal Flyers Stranded

Gary Leff writes that “American Airlines standby is a mess, and it encapsulates much of what is wrong with the carrier. They don’t have their customer in mind when making and changing policies. Instead, the focus is on reducing costs, and getting customers to change their behavior.”

Standby isn’t allowed if you have checked bags, unless you’re an AAdvantage elite. Once you check a bag, you can no longer add yourself to standby using American’s mobile tools. But Gold and Platinum elite members aren’t allowed to add themselves any other way. Also, passengers cannot get help from an agent to get on a different flight, and passengers still have to follow their original routing.

Dragon Rescue For Starliner Crew Looking More Likely

Test pilots Sunni Williams and Butch Wilmore flew to the International Space Station in the Boeing Starliner crew capsule on an eight-day mission. It docked with the Space Station on June 6, 2024. However, thruster and helium leak issues have plagued the capsule, preventing their return to earth. Boeing and NASA have conducted many space and ground tests of the propulsion system, but root cause of the problems is still not understood.

According to its most recently published Mission Update on August 2, 2024 Boeing’s confidence remains high in Starliner’s return with crew: “The testing has confirmed 27 of 28 RCS thrusters are healthy and back to full operational capability. Starliner’s propulsion system also maintains redundancy and the helium levels remain stable. The data also supports root cause assessments for the helium and thruster issues and flight rationale for Starliner and its crew’s return to Earth.”

Yet on August 7, 2024, NASA held a teleconference to discuss the options for getting the two astronauts home. The safety of the Starliner is still being discussed. An alternative for bringing them home is to use an upcoming SpaceX Crew 9 mission delayed and launched with two empty seats. The Starliner crew would return in February 2025 and the Starliner would return to Earth autonomously.

NASA likely to significantly delay the launch of Crew 9 due to Starliner issues

Sources tell Ars Technica that “Officials are contemplating moving the Crew-9 mission from its current date of August 18 to September 24, a significant slip.” Such a delay would give NASA more time to determine the safety of the Starliner, and time for Boeing to implement a software update that could take up to four weeks.

NASA safety discussions center around “the performance of the small reaction control system thrusters in proximity to the space station. If the right combination of them fail before Starliner has moved sufficiently far from the station, Starliner could become uncontrollable and collide with the space station. The thrusters are also needed later in the flight back to Earth to set up the critical de-orbit burn and entry in Earth’s atmosphere.”

Microsoft says Delta ignored Satya Nadella’s offer of CrowdStrike help

Last month a significant global outage of some Windows systems followed a flawed CrowdSource software update. Microsoft estimated 8.5 million Windows devices were disabled. Airlines, and many others, were unable to operate some of their systems.

Delta Air Lines took longer to get back online than other airlines and says it was forced to cancel around 7,000 flights over 5 days. Delta has criticized Microsoft and CrowdSource and wants compensation for the $500 million it claims was lost. Microsoft said that Delta was operating with an outdated IT infrastructure, and refused help from the Microsoft CEO.

Delta is being investigated by the US Department of Transportation and a lawsuit has been filed against Delta on behalf of passengers whose flights were canceled. CrowdStrike has since been sued by its shareholders.

Australia News Desk

In our last report, we spoke of the difficulties new entrants to the Australian airline market face, and how it almost always ends in tears.  With startup LCC Bonza Air exiting the scene earlier this year, we were full of praise for Regional Express (Rex), who seemed at least on the surface of things to really be kicking some goals.

So imagine our surprise when it was announced on July 30th that Rex had been placed into voluntary administration;  its 737 fleet grounded and their associated flights canceled.  It was news that blindsides many in the industry and media alike and appears to have come in the wake of a board-level stoush that’s left the carrier starved of funding.  

News out today suggests Rex’s deficit may be as high at $A500million.  

Affected passengers (including Steve and his wife) were re-booked on Virgin Australia flights – a process which has so far been flawless, with VA taking leases on three of Rex’s 10 737-800’s (jets which ironically had come from VA in the first place) to bolster capacity.

Rex’s regional SAAB 340 services remain operational at present, as administrators Ernst & Young seek to find a buyer for the airline.

In defence news, the USAF have parked a handful of F-22’s at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, allowing joint training exercises with local F-35A’s from 3SQN & 77SQN.  Two of these Hickam-based Raptors will be making their way north to Queensland for the upcoming Pacific Airshow Gold Coast.  Raptors are not often seen in this part of the world, so it’ll be a treat to see them perform at the event.

And speaking of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, Steve and Grant will be there for all the action, along with the Airplane Geeks’ very own Brian Coleman.  Be sure to let us know if you’ll be there too! August 16-18, 2024.

A pair of F-22 Raptors on the taxiway.
Image credit: G.E.G Aviation Photography (by permission)

Mentioned

Making an ATR-72 Spin

Flighty

Australiadesk.net

Hosts this Episode

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

805 Running an Airport

The director of the Portland International Jetport explains airport surface detection and runway incursions, airport use restrictions, construction at the airport, the impacts of a power outage, and many other issues faced by airports. In the news, the NTSB reacts to a violation of its investigative regulations, Boeing plans to purchase Spirit Aerosystems, a resolution to the violation of the deferred prosecution agreement, the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI), a home damaged by space junk, and a pilot caught working for two airlines at the same time.

Guest

Photo of Paul Bradbury, Director of the Portland International Jetport (PWM).

Paul H. Bradbury is the director of the Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Portland, Maine. Since there have been many recent airport-related news stories, we asked Paul to join us and provide his insight.

One timely topic is runway incursions and surface surveillance systems. The Jetport currently employs an Autonomous Runway Incursion Warning System (ARIWS) but we also look at the  FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative and the new uAvionics deployments.

We also discuss airport use restrictions, the different Part 135 and Part 121 requirements, and the financial, security, and safety impacts of service vs. on-demand operations.

Other topics include airport expansions, construction, and renovation while maintaining operations in the face of runway closures and back-taxiing on a runway. Also, residential development near the airport and land use issues such as improper zoning. Paul explains the impact of a power outage and the Jetport’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) backup project. We even talk about solar panel glare that impacts pilots, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) requirements, and whether there should be a Gate 13. (See Airports having or skipping gate 13, based on airport size [OC]).

Aviation News

uAvionix enables ground surveillance for runway safety

The uAvionix FlightLine system provides ADS-B surveillance and surface situational awareness for Air Traffic Control towers at U.S. Airports. The system is qualified through the FAA’s Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) program, a component of the FAA Surface Safety Portfolio. FlightLine is designed for facilities without existing surface surveillance systems. According to uAvionix, the FAA has identified over 230 airports that are potential candidates for an SAI solution.

The first FlightLine deployments by uAvionix are for Indianapolis International Airport (KIND) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) towers. The systems were to be fully operational by June 30, 2024. Aircraft positions on the surface and in airport arrival and departure corridors are displayed on a surface map of the airport. ADS-B is the primary source of aircraft position.

The Surface Awareness Initiative includes Approach Runway Verification and the Runway Incursion Device.

Boeing Sanctioned for Sharing Non-Public Investigative Information With Media on 737 Max 9 Door Plug Investigation

​​​Boeing “blatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations” and the NTSB announced a series of restrictions and sanctions on the company. Boeing provided non-public investigative information to the media and speculated about possible causes of the Jan. 5, 2024 door-plug blowout.

NTSB said Boeing will “no longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident.” Also, the NTSB will subpoena the company to appear at an investigative hearing into the case scheduled for Aug. 6 and 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. “Unlike the other parties in the hearing, Boeing will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants.”

See also:

Boeing to buy supplier Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7bn deal

Boeing plans to acquire Spirit AeroSystems in an all-stock transaction. Spirit, the manufacturer of the door plug, was spun off from Boeing in 2005. About 70% of all Spirit orders are for Boeing while Airbus accounts for roughly 25%. Spirit’s Northern Ireland operations that make wings and fuselage for the A220 will go to Airbus. Boeing will pay Airbus $559 million to take over four plants. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals.

Boeing will get a ‘sweetheart’ plea deal, says lawyer representing 737 Max crash victims

Lawyers representing the families of victims of the 737 Max crashes say that the US Justice Department is making a deal with Boeing concerning the deferred prosecution agreement. Reportedly, Boeing will plead guilty to criminal charges, pay a fine, agree to a corporate monitor, and be on probation for three years. The families would rather see a trial. They characterize this as a “sweetheart deal.”

A Florida family is suing NASA after a piece of space debris crashed through their home

After the space junk punched a hole in their roof, the family is seeking compensation for non-insured property damage, emotional and mental anguish, and other damages. Pilots must report incidents where objects fall from aircraft within 24 hours. The FAA tracks such incidents to ensure safety. Falling objects (including those from the sky) are typically covered under standard homeowners’ insurance policies for property damage.

Pilot Caught Secretly Working For Two Airlines

One Mile at a Time wonders how she managed schedules at two airlines without running into conflicts. Also, how long did she think this was going to last? Was she planning to pick one airline?

KM Malta pilot caught flying for another airline in breach of safety rules

The Shift reports that a first officer with KM Malta Airlines was found to be traveling to London during her rest period and working for Virgin Atlantic. Virgin fired the woman immediately when they discovered what she was doing, a violation of international safety rules and the employment contract. Reportedly, KM Malta Airlines initially suspended her but then reinstated the pilot. See also, Virgin Atlantic is hit by frightening safety scare after pilot’s disturbing secret was exposed and Pilot Caught Secretly Working For Two Airlines.

Mentioned

The Air Show Podcast

Flight Planning Demands a Dose of Common Sense

Airbus releases its first original free-to-view docuseries, A330neo evolution

The series is titled “A330neo: The Heir Apparent.” It’s an Airbus Original documentary series that explores the A330neo. Find episodes on the Airbus YouTube channel.

Video: A330neo: The Heir Apparent – An Airbus Original series (Trailer)

Dassault Falcon 7X at the Portland Jetport.
Dassault Falcon 7X
Three airplane geeks at a beachfront picnic table.
An FO, Micah, and Captain Dana

Hosts this Episode

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

785 The Boeing Company

Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems continue to dominate the news, along with 737 MAX certification, lap babies, the proposed JetBlue and Spirit Airlines merger, route growth at United Airlines and Breeze Airways, and the demise of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Also, flight tests for the B-21 Raider and more favorite aviation movies.

Aviation News

Boeing, not Spirit, mis-installed piece that blew off Alaska MAX 9 jet, industry source says

Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems builds the 737 fuselage for Boeing. A person familiar with the situation says the door plug was removed by Boeing, and then reinstalled on the 737.

127 Days: The Anatomy of a Boeing Quality Failure

In The Air Current, Jon Ostrower reconstructs the journey of fuselage 8789 from Spirit AeroSytems to Alaska Airlines. It’s an insightful look at the relationship between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.

Opposition grows to Boeing 737 MAX 7 safety exemption

Boeing wants an exemption to certify the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10, despite problems with the engine anti-ice system.

Video: United Airlines CEO: Boeing’s 737 Max-9 grounding is ‘the straw that broke the camel’s back’ for us

NTSB Urges Parents Not to Fly With Children on Laps After Alaska Incident 

At a recent press conference, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said “We would urge passengers to put their children under two in their own seat, in an FAA-approved car seat, so they are secure and safe in case something like this happens.” Currently, the FAA allows children under the age of two to be held in an adult’s lap.

Boeing CEO to meet with senators scrutinizing 737 MAX 9 blowout

Dave Calhoun has been meeting with U.S. senators to answer their questions about the 737 MAX 9. After meeting with Calhoun, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said he “offered no assurance” that Boeing would withdraw its exemption request for the 737MAX 7 jet. 

Boeing Whistleblower: Production Line Has “Enormous Volume Of Defects” Bolts On MAX 9 Weren’t Installed

JetBlue casts doubt on its merger deal with Spirit Airlines after judge rules against merger

JetBlue Airways has informed Spirit Airlines that the merger agreement might be terminated. JetBlue feels some conditions of the merger agreement can not be met while Spirit says there is no basis for terminating the merger agreement.

United Airlines To Launch First-Ever Route From Washington DC To Alaska

Breeze Airways Adds Three Airports, 11 Routes To Network

After Three Years on Mars, NASA’s Ingenuity Helicopter Mission Ends

On April 19, 2021, the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter made history by becoming the first craft to achieve powered, controlled flight on another planet. After sustaining rotor blade damage, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced that the Ingenuity mission had come to an end after  72 flights.

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter sitting on the surface of Mars.
This view of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter was generated using data collected by the Mastcam-Z instrument aboard the agency’s Perseverance Mars rover on Aug. 2, 2023, the 871st Martian day, or sol, of the mission.

For more information about Ingenuity, see https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter.

Mentioned

Do Electric Aircraft Face Lapse Rate Challenges?

B-21 Raider Flight Testing Now Underway

Hosts this Episode

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

782 NASA X-59 Test Pilots

Two X-59 test pilots discuss the NASA X-59 mission, the design and technology of the X-59 aircraft, the role of test pilots, and the challenges of flying supersonic.

The X-59 in flight. Graphic courtesy NASA.
X-59 in flight. NASA image.

Guests

Photo of X-59 test pilot Nils Larson.
David Nils Larson

David “Nils” Larson is a research test pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is NASA’s lead pilot for the X-59 aircraft, and is assigned to Armstrong’s F/A-18, F-15, T-34 research and mission support aircraft, and DC-8 airborne science aircraft. Nils also serves as senior advisor for NASA aeronautical flight research. In this role, he is a strategic advisor to program directors for agency mission directorates concerning aeronautics flight research planning, execution, aircraft airworthiness, and risk management for future flight research projects.

Before joining NASA in 2007, Nils was on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. He has accumulated more than 7,000 hours of military and civilian flight experience in more than 100 fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft.

Photo of X-59 test pilot James "Clue" Less.
James “Clue” Less

James “Clue” Less is a research pilot and aerospace engineer at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. He is a project pilot for the X-59 aircraft.

Clue has worked at Armstrong since 2010 conducting flight research and airborne science missions as a pilot for the F-15, F-18, T-34, and King Air, as well as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA), a  modified 747SP jetliner, and various remotely piloted aircraft, including the MQ-9 Ikhana and aircraft from the center’s subscale research laboratory.

Before joining NASA, Clue served as an officer and pilot in the U.S. Air Force for nearly 21 years. Upon graduating from Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, he flew F-111 aircraft at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico and the F-117 Stealth Fighter at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.

Quesst

Commercial supersonic flight over land is prohibited because the noise of the sonic boom is objectionable. But NASA and Lockheed Martin believe they can turn the boom into a thud by designing the X-59 in a way that manages the shock waves. The NASA Quesst mission has two goals:

  1. To design and build NASA’s X-59 research aircraft which includes technology that will reduce the loudness of the sonic boom.
  2. Fly the X-59 over U.S. cities, collect data from the communities about the sound, and share the public reaction to the quieter sonic “thumps” with the FAA and international regulators. 

The regulators can then consider writing new sound-based rules to lift the ban on supersonic flight over land.

On January 12, 2024, NASA held a public unveiling ceremony for the X-59 supersonic research aircraft.

Video: Rollout of the X-59 Quesst Supersonic Plane (Official NASA Broadcast)

Graphic of expected X-59 sonic noise compared to other sound sources. Courtesy NASA.

Hosts this Episode

Rob Mark and our Main(e) Man Micah.

781 Astronaut

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

Guest

Astronaut Tom Jones standing in front of the Atlantis Space Shuttle

Thomas D. Jones is a veteran NASA astronaut, scientist, author, pilot, and speaker. He flew on four space shuttle missions to Earth orbit in more than eleven years with NASA. In 2001, Tom led three spacewalks to install the American Destiny laboratory, the centerpiece of the International Space Station. He has spent fifty-three days working and living in space. Tom has written seven space, aviation, and history books. 

Tom’s latest title is Space Shuttle Stories: Firsthand Astronaut Accounts from All 135 Missions from Smithsonian Books. This book is a comprehensive oral history of the thirty years of the Space Shuttle. Tom collected stories from astronauts across all 135 shuttle missions.

Book cover: Space Shuttle Stories

A Distinguished Graduate of the Air Force Academy, Tom piloted B-52D strategic bombers, earned a doctorate in planetary sciences from the University of Arizona, studied asteroids and robotic exploration missions for NASA, and engineered intelligence-gathering systems for the CIA.

Tom’s awards include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, four NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Exceptional Service Award, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the NASA Exceptional Public Service Award, Phi Beta Kappa, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and Distinguished Eagle Scout. Asteroid 1082 Tom Jones is named in his honor. In 2018, Tom was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Tom served on the NASA Advisory Council and the Association of Space Explorers and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation boards. He consults on the future direction of human space exploration, uses of asteroid and space resources, and planetary defense. A frequent public speaker, he is often seen on-air delivering expert commentary on science and space flight.

For more, see Tom’s website, follow him on Twitter/X at @AstroTomJones, and he’s also on Facebook.

Aviation News

FAA orders grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes after Alaska Airlines incident

FAA orders temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9s

A new Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 lost a plugged rear-aft door as it climbed out from Portland, Oregon. The plane depressurized and immediately returned to the airport. No injuries were reported. The FAA ordered maintenance and safety inspections.

Haneda accident outcome the sum of decades of integrated air safety lessons

What if the Haneda Accident Had Occurred in the US?

A landing Japan Airlines A350-900 collided with a Japan Coast Guard (JCG) Dash 8-300 resulting in the deaths of five members of the JCG and the total loss of the A350. All 368 passengers and 12 crew members of JAL plane evacuated safely.

Class ‘Inequity’ Fuels Air Rage

The “Physical and Situational Inequality on Airplanes Predicts Air Rage” study by Princeton University found that the chance of an air rage incident increased four times when the aircraft had a first-class section. The chance doubles again when boarding economy-class passengers pass through the first-class section.

Smart Gating: How American Airlines Is Using Machine Learning To Reduce Taxi Times By 20%

The American Airlines Smart Gating system is designed to streamline operations, reduce taxiing times, save jet fuel, reduce carbon emissions, and improve operational efficiency. The system uses real-time flight information and assigns aircraft to the closest gate. This can reduce taxiing time by up to 20%. Smart Gating has been deployed across American Airlines’ major hubs.

Video: American Airlines Smart Gating

JSX Plans To Add 300+ Hybrid-electric Aircraft to Fleet

Public charter operator JSX intends to purchase up to 332 hybrid-electric aircraft: 82 Electra nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft (32/50 firm/options), up to 150 Aura Aero 19-seat Era model (50/100), and up to 100 Heart Aerospace 30-seat ES-30 (50/50).

Mentioned

Ramrod to Munster by Stephen C. Ananian [PDF]

Aircraft Accident Investigation (AAI) course, University of Southern California.

The course is designed for individuals who have limited investigation experience. All aspects of the investigation process are addressed, starting with preparation for the investigation through writing the final report. It covers National Transportation Safety Board and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) procedures. Investigative techniques are examined with an emphasis on fixed-wing investigation. Data collection, wreckage reconstruction, and cause analysis are discussed in the classroom and applied in the lab.

Can you spot Max Trescott?

The Journey is the Reward podcast, Episode 60: A Conversation with Capt Jeff of the Airline Pilot Guy.

Hosts this Episode

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

769 Transonic Truss-braced Wing

A transonic truss-braced wing aircraft gets an X-Plane designation, some categories of air travel capacity have returned to pre-pandemic levels, detecting germs on airliners, and the Collings Foundation reaches a settlement.

Aviation News

Next Generation Experimental Aircraft Becomes NASA’s Newest X-Plane

The transonic truss-braced wing experimental aircraft has received the designator X-66A. This will be developed under the NASA Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) project and produced under a partnership between NASA and the Boeing Company. Recently, Boeing flew an MD-90 airplane from Victorville, California, to its facility in Palmdale, California, where the X-66A conversion will take place. The plane’s wings will be replaced with longer and thinner wings stabilized by diagonal struts.

Transonic Truss-braced Wing concept
Transonic Truss-braced Wing. NASA concept.

See the Wikipedia List of X-planes to learn more about past X-planes.

Air travel is back to pre-pandemic levels with new turbulence ahead

Based on data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, capacity (measured by scheduled available seat kilometers) has returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, IATA says industry profits will be more than 40% below 2019 levels. Airline analyst Helane Becker at TD Cowen says, “Industry revenues are back to 2019 levels but costs are over 2019 levels by about 18 or 19%.”

Just how germy are airplanes? We put one to the test.

Using a microbial detection test from Charm Sciences, the author swabbed 10 high-touch points on a recent flight. Nine tests failed. The worst spots were the lavatory sink handle and a tray table. The test that came back with zero contaminants might surprise you. Or maybe not.

Collings Foundation Reaches Settlement With Nine-0-Nine Crash Victims

The Collings Foundation has settled the remaining legal claims involving eight of the 10 passengers who were aboard the Nine-0-Nine B-17 when it crashed at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut on Oct. 2, 2019. Terms of the settlement will not be made public. In its final report, the NTSB found pilot error, lax maintenance practices,  and a dysfunctional safety management system had contributed to the crash. We interviewed pilot Mac McCauley under the wing of that plane one week prior to the crash in AirplaneGeeks.com/573.

Mentioned

FAPA.aero (Future and Active Pilot Advisors) offers “objective and independent advice for aspiring pilots of all levels.”

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight and Rob Mark.