Ever wondered how your iPhone got from China to your hand, or what truly keeps the world's supply chains moving? 🌍✈️

In this episode of Plane and Simple, we connect with Prithviraj Chug, a "Cargoman" whose family has been in the Air Cargo business for many decades.

Discover the fascinating, often-overlooked world of Air Cargo operations, from the massive thuds of cargo being loaded onto planes to how everyday items like your Mac and even your T-shirt might have travelled by air.

Prithviraj reveals:

• The complex journey of goods like iPhones from manufacturing hubs to your doorstep, often via passenger plane bellies or dedicated freighters.

• The surprising economic contribution of cargo to airlines, sometimes rivaling economy class revenue on long-haul flights.

• Life in the cargo business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The unique and sometimes bizarre items transported, including aircraft engines, cars, and even hatching eggs!

• Unusual cargo routes that passenger planes would never dream of, like Hanoi to Honolulu or Bangkok to Sao Paulo

Learn about the hidden heroes of aviation working behind the scenes and gain a whole new perspective on how things show up, usually- on time, when we expect them to and where we expect them to.

Did you know that every commercial flight in India needs to be certified by an engineer before it can take off?

Often seen roaming with papers before a flight, these aircraft engineers are the "unsung heroes”. They are an important cog in the wheel of flight safety through meticulous line and major maintenance checks.

This episode of Plane and Simple takes a deep dive into the fascinating world of aircraft maintenance with veteran engineer, Atul Patil. Prepare to have your mind blown by what goes on behind the scenes to keep us safe in the sky!

In this episode, Atul shares with us:

• Aircraft Maintenance 101: What happens to your aircraft once the flight lands?

• Process of becoming an aircraft engineer and what does it take?

• Reasons for delays & how maintenance plays a role.
• How aircraft were maintained during COVID & Vande Bharat flights.
• Amazing Aircraft Tech: From fly-by-wire systems telling engineers the exact issue to trash compactors managing waste on 16-hour flights, the technology is incredible.
• Queen of the Skies: How was it working on & maintaining the Boeing 747. Fun fact: it carries fuel weighing as much as an entire Boeing 707 aircraft!
• The Secret World of VVIP Flights & the fascinating story of dosa batter causing a delay at Moscow airport.
• Hear a touching personal story about meeting the legendary JRD Tata , whose stickler for punctuality left a lasting legacy at Air India.

Next time you fly, take a moment to appreciate the people in aprons – they're literally holding it all together!

Believe it or not, it was not until the 1930's that closed lavatories debuted on passenger aircraft. They form an important part of the passenger experience and a severe malfunctioning can be a reason behind the aircraft being on ground longer than you want.

Just ask Air India about their recent incident.

This episode of Plain and Simple goes beyond the call button with aerospace engineer Faiqa Anbreen from Safran, revealing the hidden engineering marvels and design challenges behind those confined spaces in the sky.

We dive deep into design decision making, development of monuments and learn some interesting observations for the next flight.

Get your answers to questions like:

• why the taps are so… temperamental? 🤔 Or where all the waste actually goes? 🤫
• Faiqa describes her experience working on the A380 stairways to the vacuum generators on the B787.
• We go deeper into some of the design and safety considerations taken during lavatory design.

• Faiqa discusses everything from crashworthiness and vacuum waste systems to the delicate balance between standardisation and customisation for airlines.
• Some surprising features inside lavatories and other storage units across an aircraft
• You might be shocked to learn that what you flush (or shouldn't flush!) can even ground a plane! 😱

Plus, hear about Faiqa's favourite aircraft (the mighty A380!) and her best (and worst?) lavatory experiences.

Prepare to never look at an aeroplane toilet the same way again!

You can learn more about Faiqa here.

For any feedback, please write to us at [email protected]

What happens when the fearlessness of the Indian Air Force meets on-point knowledge of Aviation?

In this episode of Plane & Simple, we delve into the often unspoken world of flight anxiety with a truly unique guest: Wing Commander Dinesh Nair, a retired Air Force Officer & Founder of Cockpit Vista.

In this episode, we speak about:

• Wing Commander Dinesh's inspiring journey from a childhood immersed in military life to a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force, including his role in aircraft maintenance (MRO) and even acting as a presiding officer in court maritals.
• Incredible, never-before-told stories from his time at the Air Force, including a risky war-time takeoff during the Kargil War, an engine malfunction of a MIG-21 and a daring rescue attempt on an active runway at Delhi Airport.
• How Wing Commander Dinesh transitioned his aviation expertise to help people overcome their fear of flying through Cockpit Vista
• The psychology behind flight anxiety and the impact of Social media on fliers.
• Learn about the unique approach used by Cockpit Vista to help anxious fliers.
• How Wing Commander uses his own flying experience to enhance the program.

If you have ever suffered with anxiety while flying or know someone who does, you can visit Cockpit Vista.

You can also find Wing Commander Dinesh on LinkedIn & Twitter (now X).

For any feedback for us at Plane and Simple, please write to us at [email protected]

The Boeing 737 is an aviation icon and one of the most successful commercial aircraft ever built. However, recent news surrounding one of its variants, the 737 MAX, has raised questions, particularly regarding safety.

In this episode, we speak with Neelakshi, a technical ground instructor on the Boeing 737 family and directly address the primary concern: the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX.

The episode also covers the following:

• The fascinating world of special aviation operations like PBN (Performance-Based Navigation), EDTO (Extended Diversion Time Operations), and low visibility procedures.
• A detailed, yet accessible, explanation of the MCAS (Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System) in the 737 MAX
• Difference in aircraft design and automation philosophy between Boeing and Airbus.
• Insight into the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Emergency Exit Door incident
• The experiences and apprehensions of pilots transitioning between Airbus and Boeing aircraft during training
• Why the Boeing 737 continues to be a vital, relevant, and appreciated aircraft in today's skies

Plus, don't miss our rapid-fire section where we get Neelakshi's take on being a passenger, her favourite aircraft (spoiler: it's not the 737!), and her nerdiest aviation moment.

The life of an airline pilot isn't just takeoffs and landings. They get on-ground support in the form of Ground Instructors who work closely with them ensuring flight safety and efficiency.

In this episode of Plane and Simple, we talk to Archana Choudhary, who is a Ground Instructor for an India based airline.

In addition to personal experiences & insights from a Ground Instructor's perspective, we cover the following aspects

• Introduction to ground instruction and its importance in aviation.
• Factors influencing takeoff and landing.
• Explanation of key terms and concepts related to flight phases, such as various V speeds and TOGA.
• Differences between Boeing and Airbus philosophies in flight operations.
• How airlines optimize flight paths for cost and time efficiency.
• Considerations for climb and cruise phases, including cost index and optimum altitude.
• The importance of understanding aircraft performance for decision-making.
• Landing procedures and factors affecting landing distance.

Discover the essential link that bridges classroom expertise and in-flight excellence, ensuring that every pilot is fully prepared to tackle the skies.

Every AvGeek knows the thrill of diving deep into air crash investigations—those gripping reconstructions that break down the science and human factors behind aviation incidents. But when it comes to homegrown content on air safety, India has always had a void. That is, until Vikram Vetrivel stepped in.

A filmmaker, cinematographer, and director with a passion for aviation, Vikram has revolutionized aviation storytelling in India through his YouTube channel,WyngX (⁠WyngX on YouTube⁠). His cinematic recreations of aviation events, deep dives into safety protocols, and expert breakdowns of incidents have made his channel thego-to destination for aviation enthusiasts.

In this episode, we sit down with Vikram to talk about his journey—from a childhood fascination with planes to earning hisPrivate Pilot License (PPL), a credential that gives him unique insights into the incidents he investigates. We explore how his filmmaking expertise allows him to craft immersive aviation narratives that are both educational and visually stunning.

Whether you're a hardcore AvGeek, a nervous flyer, or just someone who loves a well-told aviation story, this episode is for you. So, sit back, put your seatbelt on, and enjoy as Vikram takes us behind the scenes ofIndia’s most popular aviation content channel.

To the outside world, Vinamra Longani has a dream life. He loves planes; gets to fly them all the time (often to some very exotic places); and works in the aviation industry. But it's not as Plane & Simple.

From being on the front line as a crew member to working with some of the biggest names in the aviation industry across aircraft leasing and finance, Vinamra has a career trajectory like none other.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes into Vinamra's life to learn what it takes to make a career out of what you truly love.

PS: Even if you are not an aviation geek, this talk is sure to inspire and motivate you on how to VIN in life.

Edited by Sankalp.

In this episode, we take to the skies with a former Jet Airways pilot, delving into what it was like to work for one of India’s most iconic airlines. From life in the cockpit to the highs and lows of the aviation industry, join us for an insider’s perspective on the legacy of Jet Airways.

Special thanks to Sankalp Luthra for the editing.