Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike break down aviation news, airline operations, pilot life, and the stories you don’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics—from critical MD-11 fleet updates to big career news, unexpected travel chaos, and a JetBlue flight that narrowly avoided a military tanker near Venezuela.

✈️ What’s in this episode:

• MD-11 Update – New insight into bearing recommendations, inspection differences between FedEx and UPS fleets, Boeing’s role, FAA certification timelines, and the logistical nightmare of repositioning grounded aircraft across international airspace
• Instructor & Pilot Currency Issues – Simulator waivers, FAA considerations, and operational challenges during extended groundings
• BIG NEWS – Mike is officially heading to the Boeing 777
• 777 Stats Breakdown – Payload, range, GE90 engines, and why the “Big Whamma Jamma” earns its name
• Stories From the Road –
– Blue hydraulic failure discussion
– Golf in Aguadilla
– A 21-hour training commute with lounge hopping, upgrades, delays, and inflight chaos
– Escalator near-disaster and bad-luck travel moments
– TSA comments on a Labubu backpack
– Cutting a finger on a sim flap lever
• JetBlue Close Call – Flight 1112 narrowly avoids a U.S. military tanker flying co-altitude with no transponder near Venezuela
• Listener Shout-Out – Thanks to Michael in Kentucky for supporting the show

🎄 Next week: the Christmas Episode!

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Whether you’re a pilot, aviation professional, or just obsessed with flying, this episode delivers real insight from inside the cockpit.