AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
AvTalk Episode 314: World Champion Gas Ballooning
On this episode of AvTalk, we learning all about long endurance gas balloons with a world record holder. We learn more about the erroneous TCAS alerts that plagued aircraft near DCA at the beginning of March and what the FAA is doing following a fist fight in the DCA air traffic control tower. Heathrow’s chief continues to defend the airport’s handling of the power outage two weeks ago. And Russian investigators release their final report on Aeroflot flight 1492, which suffered a hard landing and subsequent fire during a diversion back to Moscow in 2019. What does it take to fly a gas balloon from Germany to Scotland? We climb into the basket with Kolja Packard and Wuzi Wagner of the Austria 2 Gas Balloon Team to learn all about long endurance gas ballooning, what makes it challenging, and how you keep busy for days at a time a few thousand feet in the air. Helpful links for this week’s episode * FAA statement on changes at DCA air traffic control * Final report on Aeroflot 1492 * Timelapse of Kolja and Wuzi’s flight from Germany to Scotland Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode .
4 apr. 2025 - 49 min 16 sec
AvTalk Episode 313: Turn off the airport, and turn it on again
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the lights are back on at Heathrow and investigation into what happened is in full swing. We discuss the Transport Safety Board of Canada’s preliminary report on the Endeavor Air accident in Toronto, including the sequence of events leading up the landing and some the challenges faced during the evacuation. En route to Shanghai, a pilot discovers he’s forgotten his passport; and a Southwest Airlines crew forgets what a runway looks like and attempts to depart on a taxiway. It looks like Boeing is going to trial and Airbus is pushing ahead with hydrogen. And one restaurant gives Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary a taste of his own medicine. Helpful links for this week’s episode * TSB report on Endeavor Air accident * Michael O’Leary’s restaurant bill Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode .
28 mrt. 2025 - 55 min 28 sec
AvTalk Episode 312: It’s good to have balloon insurance
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Chris Lomas fills in for a vacationing Jason. The FAA acts on the NTSB’s urgent safety recommendations in DC and reconfigures helicopter routes near DCA. An American Airlines 737 catches fire at the gate in Denver, leading to questions about evacuations when passengers are already deplaning. The NTSB issues its preliminary report on the runway incursion at Chicago-Midway. And Jazeera Airways finds out the hard way how important balloon insurance is. Helpful links for this week’s episode * FAA’s airspace changes in DC area * American Airlines flight 1006 playback * Chicago-Midway runway incursion preliminary report Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode .
21 mrt. 2025 - 28 min 50 sec
AvTalk Episode 311: No LUV for a broken Heart
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the mid-air collision over the Potomac River. In addition to the report, the NTSB also issued a pair of urgent safety recommendations to the FAA regarding the helicopter routes in the Washington DC area. We also discuss the preliminary report from the NTSB on the crash of the Medevac Learjet 55 in Philadelphia. Southwest Airlines this week announced a seismic shift in its strategy and culture as it will begin charging for checked bags in May. We discuss this and the other major changes coming to the airline. And Korean Air unveiled its new corporate identity included a revised livery. Major airlines are banning lithium ion power banks, an Air India flight made a 10 hour flight to nowhere thanks to someone ruining the plumbing system, and there’s a man with a turtle in his pants. Helpful links for this week’s episode * NTSB preliminary report and urgent safety recommendations regarding Washington DC mid-air collision * Learjet 55 preliminary report * Photos of the NTSB extracting Learjet 55 CVR tape * Southwest’s presentation to investors elaborating on upcoming changes * Korean Air’s new livery in the air * Video of Korean Air new corporate identity design * Air India’s clogged toilets * Mr Turtle Pants Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode .
14 mrt. 2025 - 43 min 59 sec
AvTalk Episode 310: “Engulfed in flames”
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, another round of tabloid journalism meets aviation incident as a FedEx bird strike and resulting engine fire lead to breathless headlines. Also this week, the FAA issues a set of Airworthiness directives aimed at the CFM56 engine nacelle, Boeing finishes rework on its 787 backlog, and Aer Lingus finally wins a 28 year old court case. Helpful links for this week’s episode * FedEx 767 diversion playback * FAA Airworthiness directive regarding CFM56 nacelle * Canada TSB preliminary report on Air France A350 tail strike * German lasers for smoother flight * It’s-a me! Mario! (and friends) Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode .
7 mrt. 2025 - 28 min 57 sec
AvTalk Episode 309: Tower, how’d that happen?
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a tale of 3 go arounds. We first visit Chicago, where a Southwest pilot made the quick decision to go around as an unauthorized aircraft crossed the runway. Then we visit San Francisco where an Asiana Airlines A350 descended too low as it approached SFO and went around. And then we end up in Washington DC, where sometimes a go around is just a go around. Also on this week’s episode, more than two dozen aviation industry groups are banding together to call for increased and regular funding of the FAA. ANA makes a surprise and surprising aircraft order. Russia’s government is passing a law to legalize the production of counterfeit aircraft parts. And it might be possible to spend 11 hours in a 737 MAX this summer thanks to Iberojet. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Midway go around ADS-B data + ATC audio * Asiana low altitude alert and go around * Industry group letter on FAA funding * BBC article regarding a death on board Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode .
28 feb. 2025 - 49 min 31 sec
AvTalk Episode 308: Upside down, but alive
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 ends up upside down in Toronto, but everyone on board makes it out safely. The NTSB provides a detailed update on the mid-air collision in Washington, including the agency’s focus on the helicopter’s altitude and the altitude the pilots believed they were at. We discuss the recent firings of probationary employees at the FAA and what effects this might have on the agency now and in the long term. And for the first time in the airline’s history (sort of), Southwest Airlines is conducting layoffs, with 15% of its corporate workforce being let go. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Endeavor Air crash in Toronto * NTSB updates on DCA crash * The Air Current article on FAA firings * Crankyflier post on Southwest Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode .
21 feb. 2025 - 46 min 15 sec
AvTalk Episode 307: Everything is delayed 5-10 years
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Bering Air Cessna 208 crashes near Nome, Alaska. Updates on the mid-air collision in Washington DC and what airspace changes may become permanent. New propulsion technology projects from major manufacturers are being pushed back 5-10 years. And we share the recipe for the ultimate inflight desert. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Bering Air C208 flight path * Alaskan aviation safety expert Colleen Mondor * GOL 737 and pick up truck damage * Nolinor blended wing design Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode .
14 feb. 2025 - 41 min 50 sec
AvTalk Episode 306: The facts from Washington DC, Philadelphia, and Aktau
On this episode of AvTalk, we review what we know so far about the mid-air collision between a US Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 in Washington DC, what we don’t know, and some of the avenues of inquiry investigators and authorities are following. We also discuss the crash of a Learjet 55 air ambulance shortly after takeoff near Philadelphia. And finally, we sort through the preliminary report on the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 near Aktau, Kazakhstan to begin to understand just what an incredible effort it was by the pilots to limp the E190 across the Caspian Sea. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Flight data and other helpful information regarding the crash in Washington DC * Flight data regarding the crash near Philadelphia * Flight data and the preliminary investigative report regarding Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Click here for a transcript of this episode .
7 feb. 2025 - 46 min 54 sec
AvTalk Episode 305: Boom booms for the first time
Note: this episode of AvTalk was recorded prior to the crash in Washington DC involving a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 and US military H-60 helicopter. We will have complete coverage of the accident and where the investigation stands on next week’s episode. For regular updates, please visit our blog post on the accident here . On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Boom makes a boom for the first time, taking its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft beyond the speed of sound for the first time. The NTSB is investigating a United Airlines flight that experienced “unexpected aircraft movement” over the Ivory Coast. The aircraft diverted to Lagos where a handful of passengers and crew received medical attention. South Korean investigators have released their preliminary report. We discuss the report and which questions the it raises rather than answers. And elsewhere in South Korea an Air Busan A321 was severely damaged by a fire that broke out prior to the aircraft’s departure for Hong Kong. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Boom’s first supersonic flight * United Airlines flight 613 * Jeju Air flight 2216 preliminary report * Judgement in Air Canada gold heist case Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this week’s episode .
31 jan. 2025 - 53 min 02 sec