Airplane Geeks Podcast

We look at Spirit Airlines exiting bankruptcy, fundamental changes at Southwest Airlines, the non-functional CVR in the Philadelphia Learjet crash, helicopter route restrictions around DCA, a bill permitting property owners to shoot down drones, the JetZero blended wing body (BWB), Sikorsky’s “blown wing” VTOL, and countries looking beyond the F-35 for 5th-generation fighters.

Aviation News

Spirit Airlines exits bankruptcy 4 months after filing for Chapter 11 protection

Spirit Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024. The airline continued operations through the proceedings. Spirit has reorganized its corporate structure, converted $795 million of debt into equity, and received $350 million in new equity from existing investors. Spirit changed its fare product structure with several tiers of premium seating.

Southwest Airlines Threw Away Its Biggest Selling Point—And That’s Exactly Why It Had To Start Charging For Bags

Gary Leff writes, “Southwest is going to charge for checked bags, start expiring flight credits, and introduce no seat assignment basic economy.” Gary says this will end Southwest's product differentiation. Also that people are going to be bringing on a lot more carry-on bags, slowing down boarding. More carry-on bags means full overhead bins and customers having to gate-check bags.

NTSB - Black Box from Plane in Deadly Philly Crash Never Recorded Audio

On January 31, 2025, at 1807 eastern standard time, a Learjet 55 airplane, Mexican registration XA-UCI (call sign MTS056) was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The two pilots, two medical crewmembers, and two passengers were fatally injured. One person on the ground was fatally injured, 4 people were seriously injured, and 20 people incurred minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 129 air ambulance flight.

The airplane was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder (CVR). The CVR was recovered from the initial impact crater under 8 ft of soil and debris and was sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory, Washington, DC, for processing and readout. The recorder displayed significant impact-related damage as well as liquid ingress. After extensive repair and cleaning, the 30-minute-long tape-based recording medium was auditioned to determine its contents. The CVR did not record the accident flight and during the audition it was determined that the CVR had likely not been recording audio for several years.

NTSB: Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report, Learjet 55, Philadelphia, PA

Helicopter Route Permanently Closed After Deadly Black Hawk Collision with Plane

After the NTSB highlighted the number of close calls in the DCA area, the FAA has permanently restricted helicopter flights. Excluded from the helicopter restriction are presidential flights, law enforcement flights, and lifesaving missions. The FAA is looking at other airports where different aircraft types share the same air space, including Boston, New York, Baltimore-Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles.

NTSB urges ban on some helicopter flights at Washington airport where 67 people died in midair crash

The NTSB recommended a ban on some helicopter flights in the DCA area. Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said in just over three years, there were 85 close calls when a few feet (meters) in the wrong direction could have resulted in the same kind of accident.

Tennessee congressman proposes allowing property owners to shotgun low-flying drones

Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett has sponsored HR1907, the Defense Against Drones Act [PDF] that would allow a property owner to use a shotgun to shoot down drones flying 200 feet or lower over their property. The bill also requires the property owner to report the aircraft and its registration number to the FAA within 60 days of the drone shooting.

Related: S.F. police shoot man who purportedly shot at SFPD drone, officers

Allegedly, a man fired a gun at a San Francisco police drone, then, when officers approached him, he fired at them. The police returned fire and the man was taken to the hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Texas Bill Would Allow Property Owners to Shoot Down Trespassing Drones

Note: The US law that prohibits shooting aircraft is 18 U.S. Code § 32. This law makes it a felony to willfully damage, destroy, or disable any aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States or any civil aircraft used in interstate, overseas, or foreign air commerce. Violations can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment for up to 20 years.

And:  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines drones, or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as aircraft under 14 CFR Part 107. This regulation, also known as the Small UAS Rule, outlines the requirements for the operation of drones weighing less than 55 pounds.

JetZero picks Pratt & Whitney for propulsion

The JetZero start-up is developing a blended wing body (BWB) demonstrator aircraft. The company has selected Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace to supply the engine, auxiliary power unit, and nacelle. JetZero has been flight-testing the Pathfinder 1:8 scale model with the US Air Force. They plan to fly the full-scale demonstrator in 2027. EIS for the Z4 commercial passenger and a military transport BWB aircraft is targeted for 2030.

See: JetZero teams with Delta to take the first blended-wing body commercial jetliner closer to reality

Sikorsky unveils ‘rotor blown wing’ UAS

Sikorsky Aircraft, a Lockheed Martin company since 2015, is developing a “rotor blown wing” uncrewed aerial system (UAS). The flying wing VTOL sits tail-down, lifts vertically, and transitions to horizontal flight. Sikorsky says the design “can fly faster and farther than traditional helicopters.” 

“Rotor blown wing” is a term coined by Sikorsky to describe a UAS that combines the flight characteristics of both helicopters and airplanes. Rotors generate lift and propulsion with constant airflow from the proprotor across the wing.

Press release: Sikorsky Looks to Future Family of VTOL Systems

Video: Sikorsky Successfully Flies Rotor Blown Wing UAS in Helicopter and Airplane Modes

https://youtu.be/cDnN1BcUDBU?si=dAZG5T0Qa-UJJbGo

Portugal Drops Plans for F-35 Citing U.S. Political Uncertainty

European nations are viewing their defense procurement strategies in light of recent remarks about NATO by President Trump, as well as some actions by the administration. Trump has questioned NATO member contributions, suggested that U.S. might renege on its defense commitments, and halted deliveries of weapons and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. These things have, as Cenciotti puts it, “raised alarms across Europe.”

Canada Reconsidering $13.2 Billion F-35 Purchase Amid Growing Tensions With The U.S.

One day after Portugal rejected the idea of an F-35 buy, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair said “Canada is actively looking at potential alternatives to the U.S.-built F-35 stealth fighter and will hold conversations with rival aircraft makers.” See: Canada Reconsidering F-35 Purchase a Tensions with Washington.

Mentioned

100 Best Aviation Podcasts

Massey Air Museum

Good Day Uncut: American Helicopter Museum

Pulitzer winner Gates retiring from Seattle Times

Video: UPDATE on Boom's historic supersonic flight w/ Blake Scholl | Bring It Home

https://youtu.be/LRWUdlxKtg4

Hosts this Episode

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

The aerospace supply chain with the co-founder and CEO of a manufacturing startup, the Airbus A350 production outlook, GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop certification, a Senate bill to boost the ATC workforce, a call for retired controllers to return to the job, and KC-46 tanker cracks.

Guest

Vishal R. Sanghavi has been a leader in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry for nearly two decades. He co-founded Jeh Aerospace in 2022 with his long-time colleague Venkatesh Mudragalla. This US-based company manufactures aerospace and defense components.

Vishal describes the reasons for the current aerospace supply chain problems and the demand/supply gap. He notes structural issues such as the difficulty obtaining and retaining workers, inflation, and lack of supply chain transparency. Easing these problems can partly be addressed by viewing supply relationships strategically rather than transactionally. Vishal tells us why OEMs don’t vertically integrate more than they do, and how quality is assured throughout the supply chain.

Vishal is on a mission to build Jeh Aerospace into a technology-driven manufacturing company that will deliver quality parts 10x faster, better, and cheaper. Jeh looks to transform the field with talent and technology creating a digitally native organization that provides data for advanced analytics. Vishal explains factors that influence geographic locations for manufacturing facilities, such as access to talent, cost efficiencies, where the large markets are.

Vishal’s entrepreneurial journey began at the Indian business conglomerate Tata Group, where he built and led large multimillion-dollar businesses and became one of the youngest Chief Experience Officers for the group. He spearheaded numerous aerospace businesses during his tenure, including the Tata Boeing Joint Venture (JV), Tata Sikorsky JV, and Tata Lockheed JV, which manufactures large and complex aerospace systems. Before that, Vishal honed his skills at TCS, where he consulted Fortune 100 companies on business processes and technology. 

Vishal is an electronics and telecommunication engineer educated at RAIT, Mumbai University, and is currently pursuing the Smart Manufacturing Program at MIT. Vishal was selected for the TAS program, Tata Group’s premium leadership cadre, and nominated by Boeing for its Organizational Leadership Program at the Boeing Leadership Center (BLC) in St. Louis. He is a certified Gold Assessor of the Tata Business Excellence Model, based on the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award.

Aviation News

Supply Chain Challenges Limit A350 Production to Six Aircraft Per Month, A350F Deliveries Delayed to 2027

Airbus had originally intended to produce about nine A350s per month in 2025. Now it looks like six per month is the most that can be expected. Also, the A350F launch is pushed out to 2027. Supply chain disruptions, including those from component supplier Spirit Aerosystems, are cited as the problem. Airbus reports that the A350 family has 1,363 firm orders from 60 customers, with 644 aircraft delivered as of January 2025. Firm orders for the A350F stood at 63.

GE Aerospace Catalyst Turboprop Engine Gains FAA Certification

The new GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop engine was announced in 2015 and is planned to power the Beechcraft Denali. The Catalyst Data Sheet [PDF] says the engine family is aimed at the 1200-1400 SHP range; includes integrated digital engine and propeller control; and automatically optimizes fuel flow, prop pitch and speed, bleed valves, and variable stators. As much as 18 percent lower fuel burn and 10 percent higher cruise power compared to competitors in the same size class is claimed.

60-second promotional video: The Catalyst engine for Beechcraft Denali

https://youtu.be/1NUVXdeihCE?si=YaAXIIUIFAZUbH86

Transportation Secretary supercharges hiring, Senate bill to bolster workforce

Senators proposed the The Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025 [PDF] with provisions that include:

FAA Enhanced-Collegiate Training Initiative Program Improvements

FAA Facility Training Equipment Improvements

Air Traffic Controller Qualification & Retention Enhancements

Air Traffic Controller Mental Health Improvements

A report on the Airport Non-Cooperative Surveillance Radar Program (ANSR)

Elon Musk urges retired air traffic controllers to come back

Musk said on X, “There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so.” Previous FAA workforce cuts did not include air traffic controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said he planned to offer controllers an option to work past the mandatory retirement age of 56. President Trump has made statements saying he favors a new computerized ATC system, rather than improving the current system.

MH370: Search resumes to find missing plane 11 years on and MH370 Search Resumes After a Decade of Silence

MH370 disappeared March 8, 2014. Now, the Malaysian government has approved a resumption of the search by maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity under a “no find, no fee” arrangement. Using the Armanda 7806 surface vessel and autonomous underwater vehicles, about 15,000 square kilometers will be searched off the coast of Perth in Western Australia.

Cracks In KC-46 Tankers Halt All Deliveries

Boeing discovered cracks on two of four recently delivered planes. The Air Force stated that Boeing “is taking measures to temporarily halt deliveries until we fully understand the root cause and implement an effective corrective action plan.” Also, “The cracks were not found on any flight surfaces or hinges, but rather on the primary or secondary structures.”

Mentioned

Does Airline Safety Correlate with a Diverse Pilot Population?

Goodbye Skype, hello Teams: How Microsoft is making the switch easy. The old, Airplane Geeks Skype-based recording studio, circa 2009:

Podcasting in the days of Skype and low-bandwidth internet.

Hosts this Episode

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

Southwest Airlines and the pressure from Elliott Investment Management, the Asiana Airbus A350 that triggered a Low Altitude Alert at SFO, the Turkish KAAN fighter jet export opportunities, and the possibility that India may become an F-35 customer. Also, boomless cruise, the Philadelphia Learjet crash, and aircraft mechanic classifications.

Aviation News

Image courtesy Southwest Airlines

Southwest caves further to Elliott as chief transformation officer steps down

Southwest Airlines has amended its agreement with Elliott Investment Management that allows Elliott to increase their ownership of the airline to 19.9%. Previously the cap was 14.9%. Elliott wants to make strategic and operational changes, as well as changes at the airline’s executive level and board of directors. Chief financial officer Tammy Romo is retiring April 1, 2025 and Southwest named former Breeze Airways president Tom Doxey as Romo’s replacement. Southwest announced that chief transformation officer Ryan Green would be leaving the company. Other executive positions are said to be at risk.

2 Southwest Airlines Board Members Stepping Down Due To Elliott Investment Management

The airline is shrinking its board from 15 members to 13 as part of an agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management. Two more Southwest board members will step down in April.

Southwest Airlines Announces Reduction in Corporate Overhead Workforce

Recently, Southwest announced a 15% layoff (1,750 positions), the company’s first-ever layoff, “focused almost entirely on corporate overhead and leadership positions.” Southwest said the move is expected to save the company $300 million annually.

Asiana Airbus A350 Triggers Low Altitude Alert at San Francisco Airport After Dropping to 275 Feet With 3 Miles Still To Go

The alert was triggered in the control tower after the Asiana plane dropped as low as 275 feet while flying at 174 knots. The pilots were notified and then performed a go-around.

UAE Plans to Develop New Fighter Jet Based on Turkey's KAAN

The Turkish Aerospace Industries KAAN fighter is being developed with sub-contractor BAE Systems. The stealthy, twin-engine jet is planned to replace the Turkish F-16s and be exported to others. UAE has expressed interest and Saudi Arabia has a deal for 100 fighters.

Video: KAAN İLK UÇUŞUNU GERÇEKLEŞTİRDİ [KAAN trailer]

https://youtu.be/ZhgCXY1E5vs?si=UV-SzFyKCLD_LMCz

India Could Be America’s Next F-35 Customer

President Donald Trump offered to sell Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Russia has offered to build the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter in India with locally sourced components. The Russians have only produced a small number of the aircraft and have not yet demonstrated the ability to fully support them. Over 1,000 F-35s have been produced and sales have been made to 20 different countries.

Mentioned

Video: The Incredible Sounds of the Falcon Heavy Launch (BINAURAL AUDIO IMMERSION) - Smarter Every Day 189. (Binaural recording. Must use good quality over-the-ear headphones for proper effect.)

https://youtu.be/ImoQqNyRL8Y?si=7UnvVuWvJguGiv1f

Sonic Boom: Six Decades of Research - NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) recommended by listener Andy.

Aircraft maintenance licence (Part-66) in Finland.

Hosts this Episode

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

We discuss recent aviation accidents, explore potential litigation, and consider changes to the U.S. Air Traffic Control system.

Guest

Erin Applebaum returns as our guest for this episode. Erin is a Partner in the aviation practice of Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, a New York law firm. She specializes in litigation for passengers who were injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters. Erin previously joined us in Episode 831 Advocating for 737 MAX Crash Victims and Episode 777 Aviation Accident Litigation.

We discuss the Delta Air Lines CRJ-900 regional jet crash at Toronto's Pearson Airport. Because this occurred the same day the episode was recorded, few verified facts were available. Erin also helps us consider the Washington National midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army Blackhawk helicopter. We look at the U.S. air traffic control system, including staffing needs, outdated systems, and alternatives such as privatization such as that used by other countries.

Along the way, Erin explains litigation under the Montreal Convention and how aviation attorneys obtain clients. We look at the quality of communications between controllers and pilots, the types of altimeter types and implications for safety, traffic screens, the current status of the B737 MAX litigation, and the Federal Tort Claims Act. We also have thoughts on how to respond when people outside the industry ask, “Is it safe to fly?”

Erin has devoted her career to advocating for justice and fighting for the advancement of aviation safety. She serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX litigation. Erin is part of the legal team representing the 737 MAX crash victims in the federal criminal case against Boeing.

Aviation News

We used the following sources for our conversation. Note that some are behind a paywall and others require free registration.

Black Hawk crew might not have heard crucial tower instruction, NTSB says

Pilots got 100 collision warning at DCA

From 1920s Thinking to Digital Autonomy: After 100 Years, It’s Time To Rethink How Air Traffic Control Works

US senators call for increased funding, staffing for air traffic control

How Elon Musk Will Bring ATC Under Control, By Robert Poole, Reason Foundation.

Victims’ Families of Boeing Crash Ask New US Attorney General for Meeting on Criminal Plea Agreement

Elon Musk Vows To Cut FAA's "Senseless" Supersonic Boom Noise Regulation

Mentioned

Hosts this Episode

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

UAP safety risks with Todd Curtis, a troubling wave of US Army aviation accidents, the impact of aviation accidents on public perception of safety, the Flexjet order for Embraer jets, and Boeing’s worries about the future of the Space Launch System.

Guest

Todd Curtis

Todd Curtis is a risk consultant who systematically uses data to understand and reduce aviation incidents. He is also a co-host of the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, which evaluates accidents, incidents, and risks from all areas of aviation.

Todd explains that UAP safety risks are not separate and distinct from other safety issues, and lessons learned from UAP encounters may carry over to one or more other aviation risks. The recent interview with the Flight Safety Detectives about the UAP's close encounter with a sailplane (Hair-Raising UAP Encounter Shared by Pilot – Episode 252) illustrates a key crossover between UAP and other aviation risks. Todd argues that the key challenge is to develop a fundamental understanding of UAP and a set of shared goals and definitions that will serve to support processes that will identify, reduce, or eliminate UAP-related aviation risks.

Todd has spent most of his aviation career focusing on aviation safety. After earning electrical engineering degrees at Princeton University and the University of Texas, he served as a flight test engineer in the U.S. Air Force. After earning master's degrees from MIT, one in policy and another in management, he was a safety engineer at Boeing, where he supported accident investigations and conducted safety analyses during the development of the 777. His 2000 book, "Understanding Aviation Safety Data," described his approach to analyzing aviation risk and evaluating accident and incident trends.

See:

AIAA UAP Integration and Outreach Committee

767 Encounters UAP – Episode 256

Flight Safety Detectives on Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube.  

Aviation News

For The Army, the D.C. Crash Is the Latest In A Wave Of Troubling Accidents

[Paywall] The Army had 15 Class A flight accidents in fiscal 2024 that claimed 11 lives. In 2023 there were 9 Class A flight accidents that killed 14. Army crash investigators say 82% of the accidents over the past five years were primarily caused by human error. The Army has acknowledged that inexperienced aircrews are a problem.

Recent aviation disasters cause fears about the safety of flying

Public concern about air safety is growing with news of the fatal crashes in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and Alaska, as well as other incidents such as the wing of a Japan Airlines 787 striking the tail of a stationary Delta Airlines 737, and a United A319 with an engine fire during takeoff. Experts point out the overall safety of the system, but is it enough to influence perception?

Flexjet signs $7bn order for 182 aircraft with Embraer

Global fractional ownership provider Flexjet announced the order for 182 Praetor 600, Praetor 500, and Phenom 300E models to be delivered over the next five years. The deal includes 30 options and an enhanced services and support agreement. 

Boeing has informed its employees that NASA may cancel SLS contracts

Boeing's vice president and program manager for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket announced to employees at an all-hands meeting that Boeing's contracts for the rocket could end in March. Boeing was planning for layoffs of about 400 in case the cost-plus contracts were not renewed. Boeing is the primary contractor for the Space Launch System rocket. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (or WARN) Act requires US employers with 100 or more full-time employees to provide a 60-day notice in advance of mass layoffs or plant closings.

Memorable Flybys

Listener Tom describes a low-level flyover by a pair of F-84 jets.

Mentioned

Asking Why After an Accident? Consider the Source

Boom or No Boom could determine overland operations

Boomless Cruise: How Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 breaks the sound barrier quietly

Hosts this Episode

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

A look at aviation ground operations technology, recent fatal aviation accidents, fire aboard an A321, the successful XB-1 supersonic flight, the sentencing of a drone operator, and the threatened readiness of the US Air Force.

Guest

Loren Mathis is the Chief Strategy Officer of INFORM GmbH’s Aviation division. INFORM is a worldwide aviation ground operations resource management technology provider that leverages AI and advanced optimization to increase efficiency and improve operations.

Loren describes three general use case categories for AI in aviation: creating value from very large amounts of data, digital decision support, and proactive rather than reactive action.

We look at real-world examples of aviation applications, including predictive maintenance, service recovery after disruptions, and management of airport gates, baggage belts, and check-in counters. Also, ground equipment and staff planning, scheduling, allocation, and analysis.

Loren is a thought leader and passionate advocate for ground operations. During his 15 years in aviation, Loren has led workforce planning teams responsible for budgeting over $2 billion of annual headcount expenses and $1 billion of GSE-related expenses. He most recently helped define airport operations technology strategy for one of the world’s largest airlines.

For over 50 years, INFORM has been engaging in the art of solving complex business problems with mathematical models. The company is committed to ethically responsible AI and sustainable business practices.

Aviation News

AA Regional Jet Collides with Army Blackhawk Helicopter

Helicopter routes in the Washington DC area. Courtesy SkyVector.

Video: DC Mid Air Update 2/3/25

https://youtu.be/n9mAUks0krI?si=f37mdgvVKmpaDT2z

NTSB forces reporters to get plane crash updates on X

‘Open the Door, Open the Door!’: How Dozens Fled an Inferno on a Plane

Air Busan Flight ABL391 was waiting to take off from Busan Airport (PUS) in South Korea, bound for Hong Kong. Passengers spotted flames in a rear overhead bin of the A321. The captain declared an emergency evacuation and shut off hydraulic and fuel systems. Flight attendants and passengers opened exit doors, but there was no evacuation announcement.

Video: XB-1 First Supersonic Flight

https://www.youtube.com/live/-qisIViAHwI?si=3qg_QuNVRWv-W5E2

Ex Skydance Exec Was Piloting Drone During Palasides Fire

The man who crashed his DJI Mini3 Pro drone into the wing of a CL-415 Super Scooper waterbomber (reportedly costing $65,169 to repair) has been identified. The man pleaded guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft (a misdemeanor) and agreed to 150 hrs of community service for wildfire relief and paying restitution. The charge carried a possible sentence of up to one year in federal prison.

Fighter Pilot Shortage Threatening Readiness

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies says the shortage of Air Force fighter pilots, declining pilot experience, and a shortage of airplanes threaten combat readiness. "The Air Force's pilot corps is now too small and poorly structured to sustain a healthy combat force that can prevail in a peer conflict and meet the nation's other national security requirements."

Listen to Episode 218 of the Aerospace Advantage podcast, Air Force Readiness Crisis: Time for a Reset.

Mentioned

FlySafair Statement on Flight FA711

Hosts this Episode

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

Boom Supersonic’s first supersonic flight with the XB-1, the Jeju Air crash in Korea, final NTSB report on United Airlines hard landing, and a hydrogen-steam hybrid cycle engine for single aisle aircraft. Also, small DJI drones, the upcoming FlightSimExpo, personal flying devices, SAF for supersonic aircraft, a mid-air collision final report, and a waterbomber damaged by a drone.

Aviation News

Boom Supersonic XB-1 first supersonic test flight

The first supersonic flight of the XB-1 demonstrator occurred January 28, 2025. The Boom XB-1 is the first independently developed supersonic jet, and the first civil supersonic jet built in America. The XB-1 first flew in March of 2024 and has been through a rigorous program of 11 test flights at steadily increasing speeds.

Video: XB-1 First Supersonic Flight

https://www.youtube.com/live/-qisIViAHwI?si=MZlE45Otsf0X81Z4

The Starlink Connection: XB-1 Flight Tests Harness Satellite Internet Streaming

The XB-1 team used a Starlink Mini to live stream XB-1 flight tests from the Northrop T-38 chase plane. Boom worked with SpaceX to pair the Mini with an aviation data plan. The Mini fits into the T-38’s rear cockpit, allows for an occupant of that seat, and does not impede the safe operation of the aircraft or the ejection seat.

Korean Airport Exec Dead Of Suicide After Jeju Air Crash

The executive was president of the Korea Airports Corporation from 2018 to 2022 and in charge of the 2020 renovation of Muan International Airport in South Korea. He was found dead at his home of an apparent suicide. Last December, a Jeju Air Boeing 737 ran off the runway and into a concrete support surrounding the localizer antenna, killing 179 of the 181 on board. South Korea has mandated the removal of concrete barriers at seven airports. 

NTSB Faults United Airlines Pilot For Hard Boeing 767-300ER Landing That Cracked Fuselage

United Airlines flight 702, a Boeing 767-300ER (registered N641UA) flying from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Texas, experienced a hard landing. The First Officer had control of the plane as the mains touched down but the nosewheel hit hard and bounced a total of three times. The fuselage skin was buckled and fractured, and the underlying stringers and frames were damaged. The aircraft was repaired and eventually returned to operational service.

In its report [PDF], the NTSB found that the FO made nose-down inputs, contributing to the nosewheel abnormally impacting the runway, and were contrary to United Airlines' procedures and training. In addition, the NTSB believes that deployment of the speed brakes and thrust reversers while the nosewheel was still in the air likely contributed to the second runway contact of the nosewheel and the subsequent damage to the airplane.

Simple Flying Video: NTSB: United Airlines Pilot At Fault For Boeing 767 Hard Landing That Cracked Fuselage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3_m7hBmrk

Pratt & Whitney Unveils Details Of Hydrogen-Steam Hybrid Engine Cycle

Pratt & Whitney has unveiled details of their Hydrogen Steam Injected Intercooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) concept. Although much more work remains to be done, the concept could lead to commercial geared turbofans with zero carbon emissions and vastly reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Image courtesy of Pratt & Whitney

Neil Terwilliger, technical fellow for advanced concepts at Pratt, said “HySIITE is about us imagining if there were going to be hydrogen and that it was a viable decarbonization pathway, what kind of engine would take the best advantage of it? Should it look like engines do today, or should we do something different?” The steam injection increases mass flow, improves efficiency, and—Pratt says—dramatically lowers NOx emissions.

Pratt & Whitney Hydrogen Steam and Inter-Cooled Turbine Engine (HySITE)

HySIITE was studied under a two-year $3.8 million U.S. Energy Department Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) project that concluded in December 2024. HySIITE innovation could disrupt the aviation industry and represents an opportunity to preserve U.S. primacy in commercial aviation with novel fuels. The HySIITE concept aims to eliminate carbon emissions associated with aviation, make flying more efficient and significantly reduce NOx inflight emissions for commercial single-aisle aircraft. HySIITE could save the U.S. single aisle fleet an estimated $90B annually relative to SAF.

Cat mistakenly left on plane, makes three trips between New Zealand and Australia in 24 hours

A Maine Coon cat named Mittens traveled freight on Air New Zealand as her family flew from Christchurch, New Zealand to Melbourne, Australia. After arriving and waiting three hours, Mittens didn’t show up. That was because Mittens was still in the cargo hold, on the way back to New Zealand, a 7.5-hour flight. Back in New Zealand, the pet moving company met Mittens and made sure she was on a flight to Melbourne where she was reunited with her family.

This World War II-Era Airport in Central California Needs a New Owner

Eckert Field Airport (1Q1) in Strathmore, California is for sale. The airport was first used by the U.S. Army Air Force for training during World War II.

Mentioned

FlightSimExpo 2025 takes place June 27-29 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence.

Apply for FlightSimExpo’s Weekend Community Seminars.

30 Coolest Machines That Makes you Fly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7V76B1RTY0

Pilot’s errors, other issues cited as probable causes in fatal NLV midair plane crash

Little Drone, Big Damage

Alberta Wildland Firefighters posted images of the damage on their facebook page.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Max Trescott.

The SpaceX Starship explosion causes airline flight diversions, DJI changes its geofencing feature for drone flights, synthetic aviation fuel eyed for military aircraft, Boeing resumes 777X certification flight tests.

Aviation News

SpaceX Starship Explosion Causes Flight Diversions

The January 16 launch of the SpaceX Starship was successful, and the launch tower caught the returning booster with its “chopsticks,” but the spacecraft was lost about 8 minutes into the flight. According to data from FlightRadar24, multiple aircraft, including those flying routes for American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, were placed in holding patterns or landed prior to reaching their final destination.

SpaceX Starship booster returning to the launch pad. (Screen grab courtesy SpaceX.)

The impact of space launches on airline operations and the FAA notification process:

FAA: Airspace Integration

FAA Safely Keeps More Airspace Open During Most Florida Space Launches

Impacts of Space Launch Operations on Florida East Coast Airspace Users

Impact of Commercial Space Launch Activities on Aviation [PDF]

Video: Safe Integration of Space Launches

https://youtu.be/bTfEykjnbek?si=RiIaUCqefR6SwCbi

DJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires, and the White House and DJI Updates GEO System in U.S. Consumer & Enterprise Drones

DJI drone control software includes a geofencing feature called Geospatial Environment Online (GEO). It’s designed to preventing drones from flying in restricted or sensitive areas. DJI’s geofencing will now use FAA data instead of DJI datasets. What was previously defined as a Restricted Zone (also known as No-Fly Zone) will be called Enhanced Warning Zones with a warning that the operator can dismiss.

DJI says “this shift puts more responsibility on drone operators to comply with airspace regulations and avoid restricted areas.” The company also notes that Remote ID solutions make detection and enforcement “much easier.”

Lockheed Martin Approves Use of Synthetic Aviation Turbine Fuels for F-35 Fleet

See:

Sustainable aviation fuel approved for Boeing-built military aircraft

The Air Force partners with Twelve, proves it’s possible to make jet fuel out of thin air

Twelve Announces $645 Million in Funding Led by TPG to Transform CO2 into Jet Fuel and Electrochemicals at Scale

Twelve to produce 50,000 gallons of SAF annually at pilot plant, CEO says

From Twelve: “E-Jet® SAF jet fuel made from air with up to 90% lower emissions than conventional fuel. It's a Power-to-Liquid e-fuel made from CO2, water, and renewable energy.” $645M in funding was announced in September 2024 to support the development of future AirPlants, which will supply Twelve's E-Jet fuel to customers like Alaska Airlines and International Aviation Group (IAG).

Boeing Set To Resume 777X Certification Flight Tests

During flight testing, technicians discovered cracks and failures in the engine thrust links of the 777X test aircraft. This issue was first detected in mid-August 2024 on the aircraft registered as N779XY, after a five-hour test flight in Hawaii. The problem led to the grounding of the entire 777X test fleet, halting the certification campaign. The thrust link is a critical component that connects the engine to the aircraft's wing, and its failure posed a significant safety risk. Boeing engineers replaced the faulty thrust links and conducted thorough inspections of the other test aircraft. The issue was resolved, and certification flights resumed in January 2025.

Mentioned

On Jetwhine: Flying Aero: One Passenger’s Experience

Video: CES 2025 Keynote with CEO of Delta, Ed Bastian

https://youtu.be/CV8V6oqP4pw?si=wCmRL4RucL8eqD2D

Remos

Crop Duster’s Wings Collapse During Flight

Jeppesen FliteDeck Advisor and FliteDeck Pro

From the Flight Safety Detectives podcast, Video: Hair-Raising UAP Encounter Shared by Pilot - Episode 252

https://youtu.be/nM0Q-hR6vGY?si=-aYTDIb2f4rK78Oq

Hosts this Episode

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

We speak with a Partner at an aviation practice who advocates for 737 MAX crash victims. In the news, we look at the Azerbaijan and Jeju crashes, Boeing’s safety and quality-control plan update, Delta’s plan for an AI-rich future, and V-22 Osprey catastrophic failure risks. Also, favorite flybys from listeners.

Guest

Erin Applebaum is a partner in the aviation practice at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP, specializing in high-stakes litigation for passengers injured or killed in general aviation accidents and commercial airline disasters. 

Erin has devoted her career to advocating for justice and fighting for the advancement of aviation safety. She serves on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee for the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Boeing 737 MAX litigation. Erin is part of the legal team representing the 737 MAX crash victims in the federal criminal case against Boeing.

Erin updates us on the status of the 737 MAX crash civil litigation. The criminal case is ongoing but likely nearing an end. Boeing was found in violation of the deferred prosecution agreement but the judge rejected the negotiated plea deal. The families of the victims are unhappy because the criminal case focuses on the single charge of defrauding the FAA, and not on those who lost their lives.

Erin maintains a robust practice of litigating tort claims governed by the Montreal Convention, the global treaty governing international commercial flights. She teaches a popular aviation CLE course for other attorneys on how to litigate personal injury claims for international airline passengers. Erin has published a comprehensive update on the law governing international aviation claims in the highly respected legal journal of McGill University, “Annals of Air and Space Law.” 

Erin serves as Co-Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Aeronautics Committee, Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Aviation and Space Law Committee, and is an active member of the American Association for Justice and the International Aviation Women’s Association.

Aviation News

Russian Air Defence System Caused Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crash

On December 25, 2024, an Azerbaijan Airlines ERJ-190 flying from Baku Azerbaijan to Grozny in Russia’s Chechnya crashed in Aktau Kazakhstan leaving 38 people dead. The plane diverted from Grozny due to dense fog and ultimately made an emergency landing an hour later in Grozny. On final approach, the Embraer lost altitude and impacted the ground off the runway. Twenty-nine people, including the cabin crew, survived. Thirty-eight, including the flight crew, did not

IATA Statement on Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 says, in part:

"Civil aircraft must never be the intended or accidental target of military operations. The strong potential that Azerbaijan Airlines flight 8243 could have been the victim of military operations, as indicated by several governments including Russia and Azerbaijan, places the highest priority on conducting a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation. The world eagerly awaits the required publication of the interim report within 30 days, in line with international obligations agreed in the Chicago Convention. And should the conclusion be that this tragedy was the responsibility of combatants, the perpetrators must be held accountable and brought to justice."

See also:

Accident: Azerbaijan E190 near Aktau on Dec 25th 2024, lost height and impacted ground after being shot at

EU issues new alert for planes flying in Russian airspace

Boeing Shares Details of Safety Plan One Year After Door Plug Incident

Boeing provided an update of its plan to address systemic safety and quality-control issues, which included:

Reducing 737 fuselage assembly defects at Spirit AeroSystems through increased inspection and a customer quality approval process; 

Addressing more than 70% of the action items from employee feedback

Managing traveled work at final assembly with "move ready" criteria

Adding hundreds of hours to employee quality and safety training programs

Performing random quality audits of documented removals

Mapping thousands of governance documents and work instructions for revision.

Strengthening the Speak Up program to ensure whistleblower confidentiality and keep employees informed about the status and resolution of their reports.

US FAA will maintain enhanced oversight of Boeing after door panel incident

In One Year after Boeing Door Plug Incident, FAA Administrator Whitaker says "We have conducted an unprecedented number of unannounced audits; and we conduct monthly status reviews with Boeing executives to monitor progress. Our enhanced oversight is here to stay," 

Delta hypes GenAI, new content partners in 2025 CES keynote

By Seth Miller (@wandrme.paxex.aero on Bluesky.) Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian described the airline's future in his keynote presentation at CES in Las Vegas: A system powered by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) will predict where it can help travelers and provide assistance. Bastian described it as “A thread across your experience, a GenAI-powered assistant that anticipates your needs and provides recommendations.”

Delta also announced some major IFE content partnerships, including:

YouTube will provide “highly curated” ad-free content on personal devices and seatbacks that will include music, podcasts, and regular videos.

Retired quarterback Tom Brady will host a video series called “Well Traveled.” 

DraftKings will provide “gaming” offerings on the in-seat IFE.

Video: CES 2025 Keynote with CEO of Delta, Ed Bastian

https://youtu.be/CV8V6oqP4pw?si=wCmRL4RucL8eqD2D

V-22 Ospreys will face ‘serious’ risks from flawed gears for the foreseeable future

A Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) system safety risk assessment found that the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey fleet will continue to face a “serious” risk of catastrophic failure. This is despite actions to mitigate the failure of transmission gears due to an impurity in the X-53 steel used to make the gears, creating a weak point. The inclusions were estimated to result in a catastrophic failure frequency of seven per million flight hours. Serious risk is considered to be one failure per million flight hours.

True V-22 geeks will enjoy the technical details in the United States Air Force, Aircraft Investigation Board Report, CV-22B, T/N 10-0054.

Crash: Jeju B738 at Muan on Dec 29th 2024, gear up landing and overrun

The Jeju Boeing 737-800 was performing a flight from Bangkok to Muan in South Korea. The plane attempted to land with all gear up, slid down the runway, and impacted a concrete embankment about 300 meters (1000 feet) past the runway. The 737 burst into a fireball. Of the 175 passengers and six crew, two people were rescued alive, both cabin crew. The investigation is considering the possibilities of bird strikes and landing gear problems.

Black boxes’ from crashed South Korean plane stopped recording about four minutes before disaster, officials say

Video: Jeju Air back boxes stopped recording before flight crash

https://youtu.be/ZqPavpjJhV0?si=D_DjvJyA-md6OTPR

Mentioned

Mark Your Calendars: Cranky Dorkfest 2025 is September 13

In-N-Out at LAX

Meet the Quokka

The story behind the experimental collar worn by Luke Kuechly

From Brian’s most interesting flybys:

Video: Toyota Tundra Commercial Super Bowl XLVII 2013 HD

Video: Toyota Presents: The Tundra Endeavour - The Mission

Video: Toyota Tundra tows space shuttle Endeavour

Video: Toyota Tundra Heaviest Towing of Space Shuttle Endeavour

Air Traffic Controller Accidentally Sends Plane Close to Mountains: FAA

Video: TIME TO BUZZ THE TOWER – Edwards AFB Tower Flyby at USAF Test Pilot School

Hosts this Episode

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

A flight review of the luxury airline Aero, and a product review of the Bose A30 Aviation Headset.

Aero

Brian Coleman took a media flight on the luxury airline Aero from Van Nuys, California, to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Brian discussed the airline with Liz Mazzei, Aero's Head of Marketing, and Mikael Pelet, Aero's COO. He then shared his experiences with our Main(e) Man Micah.

Aero Embraer Legacy 600

Aero is a luxury airline based at Van Nuys airport in Southern California. The airline operates a fleet of 16-seat Embraer ERJ135 jets and Legacy 600 jets that accommodate 10 passengers. The company offers a seamless booking process and a concierge service. Cabins are spacious and comfortable with gourmet food and drink offerings. Aero provides an alternative for discerning travelers looking for a premium flying experience. Service started in 2021 with flights from Van Nuys, CA to select destinations, including Aspen, Sun Valley, Palm Springs, Las Vegas, Napa Valley, and Cabo San Lucas.

Bose A30 Aviation Headset

At EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2024, Bose Corporation provided an A30 Aviation Headset to Hillel Glazer, our Innovation and Entrepreneurship Correspondent. Hillel is a pilot who owns and uses an A20 headset, so he was eager to try the new model as he flew home from Oshkosh.

The Bose A30 is a high-performance, comfortable around-ear aviation headset for pilots. It combines comfort, audio clarity, and active noise cancellation. In his report, Hillel describes the headset and its new features. He comments on the lighter clamping force, the easy mic side change, and the now-standard Bluetooth. Hillel has many positive things to say about the A30, and he also offers a few opportunities for improvement.

The Bose A30 kit.

Bose A30 battery compartment and switches.

Hosts this Episode

Max Flight, Brian Coleman, and Hillel Glazer.