The Black Box Aviation Podcast

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike talk aviation, travel, pilot life, and the things you NEED—and WANT—to know about flying, with a special Christmas edition of the show.This episode blends holiday traditions, aviation culture, travel memories, and real-world news, with plenty of laughs and meaningful moments along the way.🎶 Holiday Talk & Traditions• Elvis and Christmas music debates• Favorite Christmas songs (Bing Crosby, Billy Idol, and a few hard passes 👀)• Wrapping presents: neat vs messy—and why TSA doesn’t love wrapped gifts• Traveling as a kid during Christmas• Classic holiday movies through an aviation lens– Home Alone aircraft discrepancies– Die Hard (Is it a Christmas movie? 🎄✈️)– Airport scenes, travel tips, jet lag, and stretches😂 Funny Stories• A superfan encounter at Big Y that ends with a holiday cookie pyramid collapse• Grocery store chaos, laughter, and small-town moments📣 Shout-Outs• Dan and Craig (more Elvis—delivered)• Jim the contractor in Djibouti• Dedicated listeners and longtime supporters of the show🌍 Christmas Stories From the Road• Tom shares a powerful story about spending Christmas and New Year’s on deployment in Africa• Life at Camp Lemonnier: plywood bases, crew camaraderie, homesickness, church, ice cream, and base generals serving Christmas dinner• Watching A Christmas Story overseas and finding holiday meaning far from home📰 In the News – Aviation Safety• Citation II (Cessna 550) crash near Charlotte• Discussion of aircraft performance, accident statistics, and pilot factors• Broader context on Citation safety history and recent tragic accidents🔮 Looking Ahead to 2026• Show anniversary approaching• Returning guests, meaningful aviation stories, and what’s next for the podcast• A heartfelt holiday message to listeners📩 Contact the Show: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (leave your name!)📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01⭐ Support the PodcastPlease smash the 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music—it helps more aviation fans discover the show.From all of us at The Black Box, Merry Christmas, safe travels, and clear skies—no matter how or where you celebrate the holidays. 🎅✈️

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!📩 Contact the Show: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your message!)📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01⭐ Support the PodcastPlease take a moment to smash that 5-star review on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon — it helps the show reach more aviation fans every week.Whether you’re a pilot, aviation professional, or just obsessed with flying, this episode delivers real insight from inside the cockpit.

Welcome to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike break down the latest in aviation news, airline industry updates, pilot stories, air travel trends, and real-world flying experiences.This episode is packed with surprises, industry drama, and jaw-dropping aviation stories — including a live FedEx delivery surprise that shows up during the recording!✈️ What we cover in this episode:• A surprise gift delivered by FedEx LIVE during the show• Flying with dogs on seats — a real JetBlue passenger story• MD-11 cargo aircraft lawsuits and the growing safety concerns• FAA grounding of MD-11 jets and what it means for cargo airlines• NTSB investigations and maintenance controversy• The recent U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 crash and pilot ejection• Thoughts on the Netflix aviation documentary “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds”• Global Airlines and the push to revive the “Golden Age of Air Travel”• Deep dive on the Airbus A380 — the world’s largest passenger aircraft• Delta Air Lines revenue losses tied to government shutdown impacts• Honest pilot talk about career progression, the Boeing 777, and real-world airline lifePlus, shout-outs to new listeners and swim meet teammates helping grow the show!⭐ Smash that 5-Star Review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon to help us grow📩 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (leave your message!)aviation podcast, airline news, pilot stories, FedEx delivery, MD11 grounding, cargo plane crash, Thunderbirds crash, air travel news, Airbus A380, aviation documentary, flight crew stories, aviation safety, FAA NTSB, airline industry updates, airline careers, cockpit stories, aviation YouTube podcast

Buckle up — this week in aviation has been absolute turbulence.From major software recalls to a global cargo fleet grounding, winter runway scares, and wild stories from the road, Aviation Chaos Week breaks down everything shaking the industry.✈️ This Episode Covers:🔹 Airbus A320 global software recall impacting airlines worldwide — what caused it, who’s hit hardest, and how long disruptions may last🔹 UPS MD-11 inspection crisis — why the fleet grounding now appears to be months, not weeks, and how cargo operations will be affected🔹 Delta Connection runway slide-off in Des Moines — how fast winter weather can snowball into an incident🔹 Stories From the Road — Bananas at Big Y 🤦‍♂️🔹 Stories From Home — The Garbage Man episode🔹 How airplanes get their names — from Pan Am Clippers to FedEx’s Purple Eagle aircraft honoring St. Jude patientsWe look behind the headlines and share the pilot perspective — what’s real, what’s assumed, and what passengers never hear about.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music!📩 Contact the show: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📞 Black Box Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name & message📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01🛫 Help Boost the PodcastIf you enjoy the show, please smash the 5-star rating and leave a review — it massively helps the podcast reach more listeners.#AviationNews #AirbusRecall #PilotPodcast #AviationPodcast #BlackBoxAviation #AviationChaos #AirlineIndustry #UPSMD11 #WinterOperations

It's Thanksgiving — aviation style. 🦃✈️On this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive into the emotional, hilarious, and downright chaotic reality of spending the holidays as a pilot.We cover:🍽 Childhood Thanksgiving traditions (and the family chaos that came with them)🌨 New England vs Florida — the wildest Thanksgiving weather events ever recorded⚠️ The Portland Gale tragedy: the 1898 storm that reshaped New England history🚢 The grounded Venezuelan freighter and Palm Beach flooding of 1984🛄 Life on the road during Thanksgiving — loneliness, travel disasters, and unexpected moments of joy💰 The rookie pilot who thought his $100 steak dinner was company-paid… until payday🦃 Spotting wild turkeys on layovers and finding makeshift holiday meals across the world🌴 Thanksgiving in Hawaii — sushi, coconut water, and Chinese food instead of turkeyThis episode blends aviation, weather history, travel, comedy, and real pilot life — perfect for anyone who’s flown over the holidays or wondered what it’s really like behind the cockpit door.✉️ theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — leave your name & a message!🎧 Also on Apple & Amazon — and don’t forget to smash the 5-star rating and leave a review! It helps the show reach more aviation fans.📩 CONTACT THE SHOW

Ladies and gentlemen — welcome aboard another adrenaline-charged episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where aviation gets real.In today’s episode, Tom and Mike break down the chilling story of Swissair Flight 111, an MD-11 that departed New York for Geneva in September 1998… and never arrived. What began as a routine transatlantic flight quickly turned into one of the deadliest and most defining aviation emergencies in Canadian history.We walk step-by-step through:✈️ The mysterious smoke in the cockpit✈️ The crew’s decision-making under pressure✈️ The rarely practiced “smoke and fumes” checklist✈️ The catastrophic role of the in-flight entertainment system✈️ How this disaster reshaped aviation safety foreverFrom crew resource management to electrical fire procedures, this episode exposes the unsettling complexity of in-flight emergencies and the razor-thin line between control and chaos at 35,000 feet.Whether you're a pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or someone fascinated by real cockpit drama, this episode is a must-listen.📩 Contact the Show:✉️ theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name and message!)📺 Find our YouTube Shorts: The Black Box Aviation Podcast — clips from every episode.air disaster, swissair flight 111, aviation podcast, MD-11, cockpit audio, airline safety, crew resource management, flight investigation, aviation history, air crash analysis, flying stories, pilot podcast, black box podcast#AviationPodcast #Swissair111 #MD11 #AirDisaster #PilotLife #AviationHistory #AirCrashInvestigation #AviationEnthusiast #FlightSafety #BlackBoxAviationPodcast

Welcome back to The Black Box Aviation Podcast — where we dive into aviation, travel, and the wild, unbelievable stories from the world of flying that you need and want to know. Hosted by Tom & Mike, two pilots who love airplanes and aren't afraid to get technical.On March 31st, 1992, a 28-year-old Boeing 707-321C departed Luxembourg carrying 70,000 lbs of freight. What should have been a routine climb turned into one of the most incredible saves in aviation history.⚠️ At 32,000 feet, the crew encountered severe turbulence and a double bang.💥 Not one — but two engines detached from the right wing mid-air.🔥 A fire warning blared.🛑 Systems failed.👨‍✈️ Control of the aircraft became almost impossible.With no engines on one wing, limited flight controls, and an unfamiliar runway ahead, Captain Berglund, First Officer Emery, and Flight Engineer Boone pulled off a textbook demonstration in crew resource management, airmanship, and problem solving under extreme pressure.They landed the aircraft in flames — and every person on board survived without injury.We break down:The technical factors that caused the catastrophic engine separationThe exact decision-making that saved the flightWhat investigators discovered about metal fatigue and pylon integrityHow aviation inspections changed after this accidentIf you enjoy the episode, it helps us tremendously if you:➡️ Rate 5 Stars on Apple, Spotify & Amazon Music➡️ Leave a review — it boosts the show in search!✉️ Email: Theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01📞 HOTLINE: (203) 699-6792 — leave your name and message for the show!Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music✈️ Today’s Episode: Trans-Air-Service Flight 671⭐ Support the Show📩 Contact the Show🎧 Listen now on:

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 GroundingFAA Air Directive grounding the MD-11, DC-10 & MD-10 fleetNo inspection or repair guidance released yetNTSB briefing findings — CVR captured final 2 hours of audioWhat this means for pilots currently flying the MD-11Simulator concerns, schedule cancellations & pilot readiness🚀 This Day in Aviation History — Skylab 4The final mission to Skylab launched November 16Chrysler’s surprising impact on the space raceFrom Saturn rockets… to the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron (yes, really)🛩 Stories From the RoadTeaching kids to drive vs teaching pilots to flyTaxiing everything from a T-1A trainer to a C-5 GalaxyThe stress of right-seat 180° turns in a jet with a 223-ft wingspanReal-world perspective on spatial awareness after recent CRJ-900 mishaps💰 SPONSORCheck out Nate Ehlers — The Backseat Pilot🔗 thebackseatpilot.com🎟 Exclusive Podcast Discount: BLACKBOX (15% off)⭐ Smash the 5-Star Review on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music💬 Leave a written review — it helps aviation fans find the showEmail: theblackbox01@yahoo.comInstagram / X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name and your story to be featured on the show!📣 HELP THE SHOW GROW📩 CONNECT WITH US

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 takeoffWhy winter ops training is critical for every airline pilotHeroic rescues from the frozen Potomac that inspired the nationHow 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.📬 theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your message for the show🎥 YouTube: @TheBlackBoxAviationPodcast⭐ Be sure to rate and review us on Spotify, Apple, or Amazon — your support helps Black Box reach more aviation fans around the world.#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!📩 Contact the show:✉️ theblackbox01@yahoo.com📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01If you love aviation, real travel talk, and behind-the-scenes airline insight — smash that 5⭐ review and help boost The Black Box Aviation Podcast into more searches!#BlackBoxAviationPodcast #AviationNews #UPSFlight2976 #MD11 #AirCargo #GovernmentShutdown #ATC #AviationPodcast #TravelDelays #PilotTalk #AirlineNews #AviationCommunity #AviationSafety #NTSB #FedEx #UPS #AviationUpdates #FlightDelays #AviationLife #HeatherReturns #VeteransDay

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 hubThis 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📬 Contact: TheBlackBox01@yahoo.com📱 Follow: @the_black_box01 on Instagram & X📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name and message!🎥 YouTube: @TheBlackBoxAviationPodcast#AviationPodcast #BreakingNews #UPSFlight2976 #MD11Crash #AviationSafety #PilotTalk #FlightAnalysis #AirCargo #BlackBoxPodcast #AviationNews #NTSB #PlaneCrashAnalysis

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:Email: TheBlackBox01@yahoo.comInsta/X: @the_black_box01Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — leave us a message!YouTube: @TheBlackBoxAviationPodcast⭐ Don’t forget to smash that 5-star rating on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon to keep us flying high in the rankings!#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 13The haunted runway at Savannah Airport, built over two visible gravesThe 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:✉️ Email: Theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01☎️ Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name for a shoutout!⭐ Rate & Review: Smash that 5⭐ button on Apple, Spotify, or Amazon! It helps keep the podcast flying high.#HalloweenPodcast #AviationGhostStories #HauntedFlights #PilotLife #ParanormalAviation #TheBackseatPilot #Flight401 #KaiTakAirport #SavannahAirport #AviationPodcast #BlackBoxAviationPodcast

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:✉️ Email: Theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01☎️ 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+3His 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+3The 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+1His vision for the future: ideas for apps, expanding the product line (helicopter lessons?), and how customer feedback fuels his innovation. Behind the Prop+1Tips 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: Theblackbox01@yahoo.comInstagram / X: @the_black_box01Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)⭐ 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 strikeThe psychological side of surviving an in-flight emergencyHow pilots plan around hurricanes & what the Fujiwhara Effect meansWhy last-minute travel decisions can turn risky fastDelta’s CRJ collision at LGA and what happens next📩 Connect with Us:Email: Theblackbox01@yahoo.comInstagram/X: @the_black_box01Hotline: (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 standardsRiding Delta to Anchorage, hitting Diamond Status, and getting reprimanded for recording inflight 🎥FAA landing currency rules and what happens when your trip gets droppedMcDonald’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 & controllersWhat 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: Theblackbox01@yahoo.comnstagram/X: @the_black_box01Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)#AviationPodcast #PilotLife #DeltaAirlines #FAANews #AirlineStories #AviationSafety #TravelPodcast #FlightDeck

On this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike break down one of the most shocking aviation stories ever—FedEx Flight 705. In 1994, Auburn Calloway, an off-duty FedEx pilot, attempted to hijack a DC-10 using hammers, mallets, and even a speargun. His plan: crash into FedEx headquarters in Memphis. What followed was a brutal cockpit battle, a desperate fight for survival, and aerobatic maneuvers in a jumbo jet that were never meant to be possible.We also discuss the book Touching History by Lynn Spencer, which gives raw insights from pilots and controllers on 9/11, plus the “5th Plane” conspiracy that still stirs debate.✈️ Hear how three FedEx crew members fought back against impossible odds, saved the aircraft, and changed aviation security forever.📩 Connect with Us:Email: Theblackbox01@yahoo.comInstagram/X: @the_black_box01Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)#Aviation #FedExFlight705 #AviationPodcast #AirlineHistory #TrueCrime #BlackBoxPodcast #9/11Stories #PlaneHijacking

In this powerful episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike reflect on September 11, 2001—walking through the timeline, sharing where they were in their own pilot training, and discussing how 9/11 reshaped aviation forever. We cover the hijackers’ path from Portland to Boston, the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the heroic stand of United Flight 93.We also discuss the long-term impact on flight training, passenger vigilance, and how “Let’s Roll” became a symbol of courage in the skies. Plus, hear real stories of passengers intervening on flights post-9/11 and how those moments shaped modern security culture.And stick around—next week we dive into one of the wildest hijacking stories in aviation history: FedEx Flight 705, where the hijacker was a pilot himself.📩 Connect with Us:✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com📱 Instagram/X: @the_black_box01☎️ HOTLINE: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)

This week the Black Box Aviation Podcast brings you something special — our first live guest, Air Traffic Controller Ian! Tom & Mike sit down with Ian for a candid look behind the mic at the people who keep airplanes moving safely through the skies.Ian shares his path to ATC, from school and training timelines to life inside the radar room. We talk about the stress myths vs. reality, favorite movie scenes about controllers, how clearances work over voice vs. CPDLC, and what pilots say that secretly drives controllers crazy.We also cover real-world stories: guiding traffic during emergencies, handling student pilots on frequency, and why 9/11 remains an important case study for controllers everywhere. Whether you’re a pilot, avgeek, or just curious about what happens on the other side of the radio, this episode gives you an insider’s perspective on one of aviation’s most critical jobs.📩 Connect with Us✉️ theblackbox01@yahoo.com📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)#Aviation #AirTrafficControl #PilotLife #BlackBoxAviationPodcast #ATC #Flying