It feels like every other week there's a near-miss or tragic accident involving airplanes — bringing fear and anxiety to the hundreds of millions who fly every year. The devastating LaGuardia Airport runway collision on March 22nd, where an Air Canada Express jet struck a fire truck on landing and killed both pilots, is only the latest example. So why is this keep happening? And are we actually seeing an increase?

This week, I'm joined by Margaret Wallace, Assistant Professor of Air Traffic Control at the Florida Institute of Technology, to dive into the inadequate air traffic system at the heart of so many of these mishaps — from the chronic air traffic controller shortage leaving our busiest airports understaffed, to the outdated aviation technology, and what actually needs to be done to make flying feel safe again.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Aviation Safety Concerns

02:24 Understanding Air Traffic Control Shortages

04:50 The Challenges of Air Traffic Control Training

07:03 The Role of Technology in Aviation Safety

09:40 Current State of Aircraft Safety

12:07 Legislative Action for Aviation Improvements

14:14 Future of Air Traffic Control Hiring