The Black Box Aviation Podcast

This week on The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom is back from training with a flight bag full of stories. From shooting RNP .2 approaches to trying out the tricky Newark Stadium Visual Runway 29, it was anything but routine. After delays in Newark reroute his trip, Tom finds himself sprinting through DTW, dealing with valet bag failures, and navigating late-night hotel decisions—at a place that may or may not have had a dead flight attendant.We break down the chaos at Newark Liberty Airport, including ongoing runway closures, staffing walkouts at PHL Center, and critical radar and communication losses. Is this a one-off or a symptom of a deeper issue in U.S. airspace management?Also in this episode:Dangerous gas station encounters near the airportRolling delays and pilot fatigue realitiesThe NYC helicopter in-flight breakup investigationTrump gets offered a used 747—should he take it?And why the airplane lav may be the most overrated amenity in aviation📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_black_box01⁠📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we’re hitting turbulence from every angle—literally and figuratively. Broadcasting from a hotel room I paid for myself thanks to a contract that still doesn’t include training accommodations (because we’re "in base" 🙄), I dive into two stories that prove aviation never takes a day off.First, I recap a Delta flight that was hotter than the surface of the sun thanks to a deferred climate control MEL. Add in Alabama Slammers, five lav runs, and a captain call that should’ve gone the other way, and you’ve got a cabin experience that makes Spirit look luxurious.Then it’s training travel drama—Known Crewmember inconsistencies, TSA power trips, and the slow death of standardization. Sound familiar? Thought so.We also unpack the massive ATC meltdown at Newark: from equipment outages and walkouts to United slashing flights and Secretary Duffy throwing hiring bonuses around like confetti. Plus, I’ll tie in a low-altitude P-3 Hurricane Hunter transmission that reminded me just how wild this airspace really gets.And if that’s not enough:⚠️ DCA's back in the headlines after a Blackhawk disrupted arrivals—again—sending two airliners into go-arounds. This follows the recent flyby fiasco. Is it staffing? Is it airspace complexity? Is it both? We break it down.Oh—and it’s my 10-year wedding anniversary. I missed my son’s baseball game… but at least I flew over it.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

In Hot Topic Briefing #3, we take a somber but important look at the tragic accident that claimed the life of world-renowned aerobatic pilot Rob Holland during a practice session at Langley AFB in Virginia ahead of the Air Power Over Hampton Roads Airshow.We explore Holland’s incredible legacy — from his championship career flying the high-performance MXS-RH aircraft to his leadership in pushing the boundaries of aerobatic flight. We also dive into the world of experimental aircraft, the unique risks they pose, and the passion aviators have for pushing aviation forward despite the dangers.You’ll hear about how experimental aircraft differ from certified planes, famous accidents involving experimental builds (including the LongEZ flown by John Denver), and a closer-to-home story of a fellow aviator, Lance Hooley, and his JetEZ tragedy.This episode reflects on the balance between innovation and safety, the spirit of aviators who challenge limits, and why their pursuit leaves a lasting impact on the future of flight. It’s a powerful reminder of both the rewards and realities of aviation’s cutting edge.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_black_box01⁠📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

Buckle up for a hilarious and unforgettable ride in this week's episode of the BlackBox Aviation Podcast!We kick off answering a fantastic listener question from our text line about how high school students can best prepare for aviation careers, including the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, discovery flights, and early steps toward a pilot license. Mike trained in both of these types of training. Whether you're just starting or guiding someone who dreams of flying, this is a must-listen!Then Tom shares a wild weather story flying into Boston — complete with turbulence, crying passengers, and hilarious misunderstandings and finishes by telling his jaw-dropping Navy story about a low approach around the Statue of Liberty...with live sonobuoys onboard — and the "hot water" that followed!Plus, funny travel tales from the Dominican Republic, a deep dive into military airspace, and the unforgettable chaos (and lessons) from late-night missions.Don't miss this episode packed with funny, jaw-dropping, and inspiring stories from the skies and beyond!📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_black_box01⁠📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

In this Hot Topic Briefing of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we break down the dramatic incident involving Delta Flight 2276, which experienced a tailpipe fire at the gate in Orlando. What exactly caused this fiery event? What should pilots do in this scenario—and more importantly, what should they not do?We dive into the mechanics of a tailpipe fire, the crucial role of checklist discipline, and the decision-making process that determines whether to evacuate an aircraft or keep passengers on board. Evacuations can save lives—but they also come with serious risks, including injuries to passengers. This episode unpacks how crews weigh these life-and-death choices in real-time.Whether you're an aviator, enthusiast, or just curious about what goes on behind the flight deck door, this is a must-listen.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

This week on The BlackBox Aviation Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos, comedy, and close calls of spring break air travel—aviator style. I share stories from the road (and sky), including the saga of dragging golf clubs through JetBlue's SRQ route, how a sentimental pocket knife survived post-9/11 TSA... until it didn’t, and why TSA always finds my sunscreen but misses the good stuff.Plus, we nerd out at the legendary Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, where volcano warnings double as desk decor and you can spot fellow pilots by their iPads. Oh, and wait ‘til you hear about the group heading straight into the volcano. No joke.Then we shift gears to talk about a tragic helicopter crash in the NYC VFR corridor—what the corridor is, why it matters, and how airspace classes work (yes, there’s a pop quiz). From Sully’s miracle on the Hudson to a Yankees pitcher’s fatal SR20 crash, we revisit New York’s infamous aviation incidents and the evolving safety landscape.Whether you’re hauling sunscreen to Hawaii or skimming the East River in a P-3 Orion, this episode’s packed with laughs, lessons, and love for aviation.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

Welcome to the very first episode of our new mini-series, Hot Topic Briefing, where we dive into one pressing issue in aviation in a quick, focused format.This week, we're breaking down the tragic crash of the Mitsubishi MU-2 in upstate New York. We’ll examine what’s known so far, the aircraft's controversial safety record, and what this incident could mean for the industry.Whether you're a pilot, enthusiast, or aviation safety advocate, this briefing delivers the essential takeaways you need to stay informed.🔊 Stay tuned for expert insight and hard questions—because every black box has a story.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

Buckle up—it’s another wild ride in the jumpseat! This week on the BlackBox Aviation Podcast, we swap crazy cockpit stories, including a go-around that left more than just the passengers a little queasy (yes, a dog barfed). We also break down a walking red flag of a captain that had us all doing double-takes.On the industry side, we dive into big moves in the regional world: the surprise Mesa-Republic merger announcement and what it could mean for pilots and passengers alike. Plus, what’s next for Air Wisconsin now that American’s giving them the cold shoulder?Grab your headset, hit play, and don’t forget to check your six—things are getting turbulent.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we're joined by a special guest who started his aviation journey as a P-3 sensor operator in the military, worked his way up through the ranks, and is now a major airline captain and airline interviewer. But before the stripes and interviews, the three of us were just broke pilots sharing a crashpad at the infamous Clarion Hotel in Detroit.We share hilarious crashpad memories, including how the hotel's "free" breakfast became a lifeline—because when you're down to pocket change, even stale Froot Loops that chew like Skittles can taste like gold.We also dive into some wild aviation stories, including:✈️ A near-miss at DCA involving a Delta flight and a military flyover at Arlington National Cemetery🗣️ An unbelievable fist fight between air traffic controllers (yes, you read that right)From crashpad comedy to real talk about airline interviews—what works, what flops, and why confidence (not cockiness) is key—this episode has it all.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792

In this episode, we tackle the dangers of mistaken runways for takeoff. We break down the Southwest Flight 3278 incident in Orlando, where the crew mistook a taxiway for a runway—leading to an aborted takeoff after a critical intervention from ATC. Then, we compare it to the tragic Comair Flight 5191 crash in Lexington, where a takeoff from a closed, unlit runway ended in disaster.What causes these errors, and what safeguards can prevent them? We explore real-world lessons from these cases. Plus, we continue our pilot interview prep series, offering key insights into what to expect in your interview, the most common questions, and how to stand out in the hiring process.📩 Connect with Us:🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram: @the_black_box01🐦 X (Twitter): @the_black_box01📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792