Welcome back to The Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom & Mike dive into aviation, travel, and everything you need and WANT to know about the world of flying.

This week is PACKED:

✈️ Breaking News — MD-11 Grounding

• FAA Air Directive grounding the MD-11, DC-10 & MD-10 fleet

• No inspection or repair guidance released yet

• NTSB briefing findings — CVR captured final 2 hours of audio

• What this means for pilots currently flying the MD-11

• Simulator concerns, schedule cancellations & pilot readiness

🚀 This Day in Aviation History — Skylab 4

• The final mission to Skylab launched November 16

• Chrysler’s surprising impact on the space race

• From Saturn rockets… to the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron (yes, really)

🛩 Stories From the Road

• Teaching kids to drive vs teaching pilots to fly

• Taxiing everything from a T-1A trainer to a C-5 Galaxy

• The stress of right-seat 180° turns in a jet with a 223-ft wingspan

• Real-world perspective on spatial awareness after recent CRJ-900 mishaps

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In this chilling episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike take listeners back to one of the most haunting winter aviation disasters in U.S. history — Air Florida Flight 90, the Boeing 737 that crashed into the icy Potomac River moments after takeoff from Washington National Airport in 1982.

This episode explores how improper de-icing, pilot error, and misjudged procedures led to tragedy — and how brave civilians and first responders turned a day of horror into a story of heroism and sacrifice.

Tom, an active airline pilot, also revisits key winter operations procedures from last week’s episode — including de-icing fluids, taxi operations in snow, and engine anti-ice techniques — breaking down what went wrong that fateful day and what modern crews do differently now.

🧊 Inside This Episode:

• The deadly chain of errors behind Flight 90’s failed takeoff

• Why winter ops training is critical for every airline pilot

• Heroic rescues from the frozen Potomac that inspired the nation

• How Air Florida’s mistakes reshaped cold-weather flight protocols

✈️ Hosted by Tom & Mike, your go-to aviation duo for real talk about flight, safety, and the stories that changed the skies.

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#AviationPodcast #AirFloridaFlight90 #WinterOps #AviationHistory #Deicing #PlaneCrash #PilotTalk #AviationSafety #BlackBoxPodcast #AviationAnalysis #ColdWeatherFlying

The skies are turbulent this week — literally and politically. 🛫
In this action-packed episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike welcome Heather back in studio to unpack major breaking aviation news and real-world travel chaos.

✈️ Here’s what we’re covering:

• UPS Flight 2976 Update: Inside the investigation of the Louisville MD-11 crash and what the NTSB found in the recovered black box.

• MD-11 Fleet Grounding: Why UPS and FedEx grounded all MD-11 aircraft — and what it means for global cargo operations.

• Government Shutdown Fallout: Flight cancellations, ATC shortages, and how the DOT’s emergency 10% flight reduction plan could ruin your holiday travel.

• Heather’s Travel Anxiety: Between Hurricane Melissa and shutdown delays, vacation planning has never been more stressful.

• Plus: A heartfelt Veterans Day tribute, Nate Ehlers’ exclusive 15% discount code (“BLACKBOX”) at thebackseatpilot.com, and some wild stories from the road.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music!
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In this special breaking news edition of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike dive deep into the tragic crash of UPS Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 that went down shortly after takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky.

This episode hits close to home — Tom is currently qualified and flies the same aircraft type involved in the accident. With that insider knowledge, the hosts break down what’s known so far about the takeoff fire, engine failure, and possible uncontained engine event that led to the crash.

They analyze early footage from multiple angles, discuss the MD-11’s complex handling characteristics, and explain how its unique aerodynamic design can turn small errors into catastrophic outcomes. They also review official UPS statements, early NTSB details, and the impact this tragedy has had on Worldport operations and the cargo industry as a whole.

You’ll also hear expert insights on:
✈️ The MD-11’s history and accident record
🔥 How an “uncontained engine failure” unfolds
🧭 Normal vs. emergency takeoff procedures
📦 The operational impact at UPS’s Louisville hub

This is a must-listen for aviators, aviation professionals, and anyone seeking clear, technical analysis — not speculation — on one of the most significant air freight accidents in recent memory.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music
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Tom & Mike are back in the cockpit for Episode 44 of the Black Box Aviation Podcast! We kick things off with a spooky recap of last week’s Halloween Spooktacular, featuring eerie listener stories — including one from a haunted hospital that’ll send chills down your spine.

Then, we shift gears from ghosts to gusts, diving into the realities of winter flying. From the frosty ramps of Anchorage to de-icing disasters in Brunswick, we’ll break down how pilots handle snow, ice, and holdover times when the weather turns wicked.

Plus, we talk about next year’s Spooktacular ideas (Haunted Hotels, anyone?), listener shoutouts, and some behind-the-scenes outtakes from the show.

✈️ Pilot Perks:
Use code BLACKBOX at checkout for 15% off at TheBackseatPilot.com — the ultimate aviation gear and gift site for pilots and avgeeks alike.

📬 Connect with Us:
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#AviationPodcast #PilotTalk #AviationStories #Deicing #WinterFlying #AviationLife #AirlinePilot #AvGeek #BlackBoxPodcast #HauntedAviation

Tom & Mike are joined by special guest Travis — an Air Force Guard pilot and major airline aviator — for a chilling flight through the paranormal side of aviation.

In this spooky, story-packed episode, we share personal ghost encounters, eerie aviation legends, and real-life hauntings from the skies to the tarmac. Buckle up — this one’s got turbulence of the supernatural kind!

✈️ In this episode:

• Pilot Travis’s spine-tingling stories from the cockpit and beyond 👀

• Personal paranormal moments from East Granby — footsteps, alarms, and a haunted doll from the 1940s 😱

• The ghosts of Kai Tak Airport, where lost souls still roam Runway 13

• The haunted runway at Savannah Airport, built over two visible graves

• The tragic and eerie legend of Eastern Flight 401, where the crew may still be keeping watch…

• Plus: A real “spooky run” at the Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage 👻

💸 Special Offer for Listeners:
Don’t forget — our friend Nate Ehlers at TheBackseatPilot.com is giving 15% off with code BLACKBOX at checkout. Tons of free pilot resources available too!

📩 Connect with Us:

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This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive deep into aviation emergencies, strange skies, and one of the eeriest stories in airline history — the haunting of Eastern Air Lines Flight 401.

We start off with a quick recap of last week’s interview with Nate Ehlers, founder of TheBackseatPilot.com. Don’t forget — you can still grab 15% off your order with code BLACKBOX at checkout!

Then, it’s time for:
✈️ Shoutouts from listeners — including Will’s question about the origins of “Mayday” and “Pan-Pan” distress calls, and Alex’s TSA line guilt confession.
🧳 New Segment: Things Left at TSA — from brass knuckles to bizarre confiscations, the guys talk about what really gets flagged at the checkpoint.
🛫 The Haunting of Flight 401 — a chilling look back at the 1972 Eastern Air Lines crash in the Florida Everglades, the tragic chain of cockpit distractions that caused it, and the ghost stories that followed. Did the spirits of Captain Loft and Engineer Repo really return to keep future flights safe?
🧠 CRM Lessons — how this crash reshaped Crew Resource Management and changed cockpit communication forever.

📩 Connect with Us:
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☎️ Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your

In this special episode, Tom & Mike welcome Nate Ehlers, founder of The Backseat Pilot (thebackseatpilot.com), to get behind the scenes of how a small reference-card idea turned into one of the most trusted training platforms for flight instructors and pilots alike.

Nate walks us through:

• His origin story: how a simple IFR/VFR reference card spawned what’s now a full suite of products and lesson plans dedicated to helping CFIs and students succeed.

• What The Backseat Pilot offers today: CFI lesson plans, ACS reviews, reference cards, package bundles like “The Whole Shebang,” and how he keeps them updated. buzzsprout.com+3Backseat Pilot+3Behind the Prop+3

• His aviation path: from flight instructing to regional airlines, Air Force Reserve service, and now work in the major airlines — all while maintaining The Backseat Pilot as a living resource. buzzsprout.com+3Behind the Prop+3Backseat Pilot+3

• The challenges of keeping content current: when FAA handbooks, regulations, or links change, how he ensures his users don’t get left behind. Behind the Prop+1

• His vision for the future: ideas for apps, expanding the product line (helicopter lessons?), and how customer feedback fuels his innovation. Behind the Prop+1

• Tips for students and instructor-hopefuls: what to look for in training materials, how to maximize your study time, and how to choose resources that truly support your flight training journey.

Whether you're a student pilot, a CFI, or just curious about aviation entrepreneurship, this episode offers raw insight into building a brand that supports pilots every day.

🎧 Exclusive Listener Deal:
Nate is offering Black Box Aviation Podcast listeners 15% off all products at TheBackseatPilot.com.
Just use code BLACKBOX at checkout!

📩 Get in Touch:
Email: [email protected]
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⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating & review on Spotify & Apple Podcasts — it helps more pilots find us in search.

#AviationPodcast #CFILessonPlans #FlightTraining #BackseatPilot #PilotResources #AviationEntrepreneur #PilotLife #FlightInstructing #AviationEducation

This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike sit down with special guest Heather, a passenger on Southwest Flight 2169 — the flight that suffered a wing strike on landing in Hartford back in 2019. Heather relives that terrifying day: the violent touchdown, passengers getting sick as the plane attempted two more landings, and the final emergency diversion to Providence. It’s a firsthand story of fear, confusion, and what it’s like when a routine flight goes very wrong.

We talk about how that moment still affects her today and how it’s changed the way she thinks about flying. From last-minute hurricane travel to booking under stress, Heather opens up about the anxiety and logistics behind making big travel decisions when the weather — and your nerves — are unpredictable.

Then, we break down the science behind the Fujiwhara Effect, where two hurricanes “dance” around each other, and cover breaking news on the Delta CRJ collision at LaGuardia.

✈️ In This Episode:

• Heather’s firsthand account of the Southwest 2169 wing strike

• The psychological side of surviving an in-flight emergency

• How pilots plan around hurricanes & what the Fujiwhara Effect means

• Why last-minute travel decisions can turn risky fast

• Delta’s CRJ collision at LGA and what happens next

📩 Connect with Us:
Email: [email protected]
Instagram/X: @the_black_box01
Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)

⭐ Tap 5 Stars on Spotify & Apple Podcasts — your reviews help the show climb the charts and reach more aviation fans!

#AviationPodcast #SouthwestAirlines #WingStrike #AviationStories #HurricaneTravel #DeltaAirlines #FujiwharaEffect #PilotStories #AviationSafety #TravelPodcast

This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike share real stories from the cockpit and the road:

• FedEx substitution vs. industry standards

• Riding Delta to Anchorage, hitting Diamond Status, and getting reprimanded for recording inflight 🎥

• FAA landing currency rules and what happens when your trip gets dropped

• McDonald’s new “value” meals vs. $18 airport Big Macs 🍔

• Breaking news: The Pilot Mental Health Bill (H.R.2591) passes the House — what it means for pilots & controllers

• What are aircraft fume events and why are airlines like Delta finally taking action?

We’ll also touch on aviation safety, passenger rights, and some behind-the-scenes frustrations pilots face every day.

🎧 Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an aviation buff, or a fellow pilot, this episode has a little bit of everything—insight, humor, and hard truths about flying today.

📩 Connect with Us:
Email: [email protected]
nstagram/X: @the_black_box01
Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)

#AviationPodcast #PilotLife #DeltaAirlines #FAANews #AirlineStories #AviationSafety #TravelPodcast #FlightDeck