The Black Box Aviation Podcast

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike talk aviation, travel, and the real-world experiences flyers and crews deal with every day—covering the things you need and WANT to know about flying.

This episode blends technical aviation insight, travel chaos, and classic road stories, with plenty of humor along the way.

• Heather joins us while navigating a difficult family loss—huge thanks for powering through
• Producer tracks in the studio failed to record
• A strong follow-up discussion on LVTO (Low Visibility Takeoff) and Heather’s technical feedback
• Why technical...

In this post-Christmas episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike recap the holidays, listener corrections, airline life on the road, and dive deep into recent aviation accidents and industry discussions.

The guys break down listener call-outs and corrections from the Christmas episode, talk airline schedules, training culture, and what it’s really like balancing family life with flying during the holidays. From childhood Christmas nostalgia to international travel prep, nothing is off the table.

The conversation turns serious as Tom and Mike revisit the Greg Biffle Citation 550 crash, analyzing what we currently kn...

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 dur...

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 gr...

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...

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 snow...

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 $10...

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...

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 fr...

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 m...

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...

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...

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-1...

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 Spooktac...

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 Airp...

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...

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 Sheb...

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 a...

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...

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 P...

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 mod...

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 tr...

This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike cover everything from music icons to major aviation headlines. Tom visits New York, takes in the USS Intrepid Air Museum, and maybe even spots Lady Gaga — but is he really a fan?

We break down the WestJet 2276 hard landing in St. Maarten that forced a passenger evacuation and shut down the airport, plus a discussion on jumpseat etiquette following news of the Alaska Airlines pilot who took mushrooms and tried to shut down the engines — now pleading guilty.

Other highlights include how a simple smile from...

In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike kick things off by answering listener hotline questions: What is ETOPS flying? And how do pilots use the Great Circle Route? Plus, an update on the tragic NYC helicopter crash.

From there, it’s stories from the road: Mike flies his family for the very first time — only to end up deplaning them after an APU failure 😬. We also cover an unexpected sidewalk emergency in Santa Monica, a flight from LAX to Newark with six horses onboard, Central Park runs, bagels on Venice Beach, and a stop at...

Even pro travelers make rookie mistakes — Tom forgot to pack underwear. 🧳✈️ Mike won’t let him live it down as the Black Box Aviation Podcast takes off with stories from the road.

This episode dives into the world of fuel dumping: why airlines do it, FAA rules, and what happened when Delta Flight 89 dumped thousands of gallons over Los Angeles, showering neighborhoods and schools below. Tom and Mike share their own experiences with emergency fuel dumps in the P-3 and MD-11, breaking down the regulations and real-world decision-making pilots face.

To lighten it up, we wrap with H...

In this Hot Topic Briefing episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive into the fascinating world of drones — past, present, and future.

We trace drone flight from its surprising beginnings in 1849 unmanned balloons to modern military UCAVs, kamikaze drones, and modified commercial UAVs. We also look at the civilian side: FAA regulations, Part 107 licensing, and how drone pilots can turn their skills into an $80K career.

But it’s not all smooth flying — we cover drone near-misses with commercial jets, wildfire collision incidents, and the mysterious New Jersey drone sightings that even reache...

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast with Tom & Mike — where we talk about aviation, travel, and the things you NEED (and want) to know about flying.

In this episode, we cover it all:
🌪️ Landing in San Juan with Hurricane Erin on the radar
🚨 A Southwest pilot arrested for DUI on the jetbridge
🌴 Hawaiian adventures — snorkeling with manta rays, golfing on lava fields, and the quirks of “island time”
✈️ Plus: lounge drama, tipping debates, and the sweaty palms of an MD-11 landing at SJU

If you’ve ever wondered what aviation looks like behin...

Ever had a lounge showdown over a dirty glass? Tom shares a hilarious (and slightly awkward) encounter at an airport lounge that you won’t believe. We also talk about pilot coffee obsessions, hotel breakfast rip-offs, and a flap/slat disagreement at cruise altitude—plus what really happens when a heavy MD-11 takes off from Anchorage.

Mike brings us along for his family trip to Boston, including Fenway Park magic, the Freedom Trail, and why hotel breakfasts are the biggest rip-off in aviation travel. And in the news: a Delta A330 hits severe turbulence over Wyoming, leaving pass...

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast! In this episode, Tom & Mike take you inside the cockpit to discuss layover fatigue, crazy stories from the road, and the latest aviation headlines you NEED to know about.

✈️ Topics We Cover:
✅ Layover Fatigue Reality Check:

Why fatigue is more dangerous than you think

OAK to ANC trip chaos and why timing matters

Navy SEAL breathing tips for staying sharp

✅ Stories from the Road:

Midnight street fight in NYC outside the crashpad

Return to gate for rudder t...

In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike take a deep dive into one of the most shocking tragedies in modern aviation: the Germanwings Flight 9525 crash. On March 24, 2015, an Airbus A320 was intentionally brought down by its first officer, killing all on board. We break down the timeline, the cockpit voice recordings, and the critical lessons learned from this heartbreaking event.

But that’s not all—we also explore:

✅ The State of Mental Health in Aviation

New research showing thousands of pilots may be hiding health conditions

Why fear o...

Buckle up for an Episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast as Tom & Mike take you behind the cockpit door for an action-packed discussion on the latest in aviation.

✈️ Main Topics:
✅ GPS Jamming & Aviation Safety – How modern warfare tech is now disrupting civilian aviation and what pilots do when GPS fails.
✅ Air Rage Epidemic – Why unruly passenger incidents are skyrocketing, shocking stories from real flights (including a Halloween flight gone completely off the rails), and the jaw-dropping stats you need to know.
✅ Delta Pilot Alcohol Scare – A U.S. pilot pulled from the cockpit in Sweden after...

What really happens after the jet parks at the gate? In Episode 29 of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, we bring back the “Day in the Life” series — but this time we go beyond the cockpit and deep into hotel layovers, crew routines, unexpected travel perks (like free bacon!), and the realities of life on the road as an airline pilot.

Tom & Mike open up about:
✈️ Navigating FAA Part 117 rest rules
🥓 Free bacon and late-night pizza
🏊 Swimming laps at Ala Moana in Hawaii
🏁 NASCAR’s ARCA Menards Series in Dover
🧑‍✈️ Layovers from Minot to Paris
💤 Pilot sleep stra...

In Hot Topic #9 of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive into the haunting story of Northwest Orient Flight 2501, a DC-4 lost over Lake Michigan in 1950 during a violent storm—becoming the deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history at the time. With chilling similarities to modern incidents, and a 75-year mystery that ends not with discovery, but with surrender, this episode explores low-level icing, microbursts, and the limitations of vintage aviation tech.

We’ll also touch on the emotional quest of a son searching for his mother’s cowbell, the role of Charles Lindbergh and the ai...

In Episode 28 of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike dive deep into the just-released preliminary report on Air India Flight 171, the tragic 787 crash out of Ahmedabad. What initially looked like a puzzle of flap settings, weather, and electrical theories now zeroes in on a chilling cockpit moment: both engines lost power after the fuel cutoff switches were mysteriously triggered just seconds after takeoff. Was it mechanical failure or human error? We break it all down.

We also hit:

🧳 Stories from the Road

TSA shenanigans, PreCheck weirdness, and the return of “swamp crotch”

El...

It’s a jam-packed episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast with Tom & Mike, where we talk aviation, airlines, travel chaos, grilling food, and the wild world of airline policy. This week we dig into everything from 4th of July cookout trends to TSA controversies, historic crashes, and whether Southwest Airlines is losing its soul.

Here’s what’s on the flight plan:

🌭 4th of July Food & Fireworks Mayhem
From baby back ribs to flying bratwurst — and a reminder that 14,700 people landed in the ER last year from fireworks injuries. Don’t be a stat.

🛫...

Welcome to another episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where we talk all things aviation, flying, travel — and the occasional wild conspiracy. Your hosts Tom & Mike are back with stories from the road, industry news, and an unsolved mystery from aviation history.

Here’s what we dive into this week:
🇺🇸 4th of July in the Airline World — Why holiday pay isn’t always guaranteed, contract frustrations, and how the system should work.
✈️ Stories from the Flight Deck — From Memphis to Anchorage to dodging thunderstorms in Memphis, hear how weather, windshear alerts, and good old-fashioned pilot instinct playe...

Welcome to Hot Topic #8 on the Black Box Aviation Podcast with your hosts Tom & Mike, where we break down the latest and most pressing events in aviation. Today’s episode takes a hard look at the tragic Air India crash involving a Boeing 787 that went down on June 12th shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London.

We examine:

The sequence of events captured on video, including the unusually high angle of attack, gear still down, and ultimate impact beyond the runway.

Possible causes ranging from flap/slat misconfiguration to mechanical failures, an...

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast with your hosts Tom & Mike, where we dive into all things aviation, travel, and the stories that come with life in the skies.

This week we kick things off with our review of the Netflix documentary “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds” — our takeaways, the behind-the-scenes reality of these elite aviators, and how this film stacks up to the Blue Angels docs we've seen before. Spoiler alert: the “ThunderChickens” nickname made the cut, and yes, we laughed.

We also swap airshow stories, including Tom’s wild experience at the Great State...

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast with Tom & Mike — where we break down the latest in aviation, travel, and everything you need to know about life in the skies.

This episode is a full plate! We start with the Hot Topic — the Air India incident — and we’re currently working to bring in a safety expert to go even further. We also dissect a JetBlue A220 landing incident at BOS in strong crosswinds, a dramatic heavy landing we recently had ourselves, and a few stories from our time on the ground, from custom suits with Rocky in...

Strap in for Hot Topic #7 on the Black Box Aviation Podcast with Tom & Mike! This week, we’re going back to basics with a beginner-friendly walkthrough of a standard traffic pattern—something every pilot in training will experience on their first flight toward earning a Private Pilot License (PPL).

With Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Mike sharing real-world insights from thousands of instructional hours, we break down the entire first flight experience—from taxiing out, taking off, and entering the pattern to nailing the landing. Learn about:

✈️ Pre-flight mindset & taxiing tips
✈️ Radio calls: who’s handling what Duration: 00:38:25

Welcome back to The Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom & Mike take you through everything from fighter jet flight plans to sushi near train stations in Tokyo.

In this episode, we kick things off with Navy sweatshirts and golf tournaments, touch on Greta Thunberg’s headline-making arrest, and revisit the mystery of D.B. Cooper. Listener Bentley (not the car, but close!) asks how pilots really get weather updates—prompting a full breakdown of flight planning in the digital age, the old-school Navy weather desks, and how today’s tech is transforming the cockpit.

Tom recaps...

In Hot Topic #7, we dive into the future of flight: Sustainable Aviation. From contrails and carbon to biofuels and bizarre theories, this episode explores what’s really going on up there.

We break down:
✈️ How much aviation contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions
🌫️ Why contrails matter more than you think
🛢️ What sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is—and who’s actually using it
💡 Airline efforts from United to Delta and FedEx to JetBlue
🚀 A shoutout to one of our buddies working on high-tech contrail research with a Challenger jet

And yes... we go there.
🔥 Chemtrai...

Tom’s back from a monster trip across the globe, and he’s got stories to prove it—Shanghai customs chaos, underground Rolex deals with a scooter locker twist, executive lounge mochi mishaps, and a VIP connection in the infamous Fake Market. Plus, Mike teases an upcoming guest who’ll give us the controller’s-eye view of air traffic misunderstandings (and BBQ complaints).

We answer listener Jameson’s question about the current status of the DC-10 in commercial service and spotlight ORBIS, the flying hospital still making a difference worldwide. Also up for discussion: JetBlue’s bold new Dunkin’ li...

In this week’s Hot Topic, we’re revisiting one of the most tragic and influential accidents in U.S. aviation history: American Airlines Flight 191, the catastrophic DC-10 crash just moments after takeoff from Chicago O’Hare on May 25, 1979.

This wasn’t just a terrible accident—it was a turning point. In this episode, we dive deep into:
✈️ Personal Memories – Flying the DC-10, the 727, and now the MD-11
🧰 The Maintenance Misstep – How a shortcut during engine removal led to catastrophic failure
📉 Aerodynamics Breakdown – Slat damage, wing stall, and why speed matters
🔧 The Disconnect Between Pilots & Mechanics –...

In this high-flying episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we’re diving into one of the most mysterious unsolved cases in aviation history—the legend of DB Cooper.

On November 24, 1971, a man in a modest suit boarded a Northwest Orient Airlines 727 in Portland, Oregon. He handed a note to a flight attendant, claimed he had a bomb, demanded $200,000 in cash, parachutes, and a flight to Mexico... and then disappeared—literally—into the night sky over the Pacific Northwest.

We’ll break down:
✈️ The Hijacking Timeline – From takeoff to mid-air jump
💼 DB’s Strange Demands – Gas...

In this weeks episode, we’re globe-trotting and diving deep! This week’s episode is packed with travel tales, listener scenarios, and the latest in aviation headlines. Buckle up—it’s a wild ride across continents and cruising altitudes.

✈️ Captain's Log: Asia Edition
Your host is heading off on a massive trip across Asia and shares how curiosity, ambition—and a little fatigue—can make or break your layover adventures. Hear about past escapades including:
🕰️ The infamous fake Rolex deal in Hong Kong
🧥 Getting measured for a suit in back-alley showrooms
🏊 Finding the best pools, running spots...

In this powerful Hot Topic Briefing #4, we mark the 29th anniversary of ValuJet Flight 592, which tragically crashed into the Florida Everglades on May 11, 1996, killing all 110 souls aboard. This episode dives deep into the accident, the systemic failures behind it, and how its legacy reshaped aviation safety forever.

We’ll explore:
✈️ The story of ValuJet, the ultra-low-cost airline that cut corners to stay profitable
🔥 How illegally loaded oxygen generators led to a catastrophic cargo fire
🌿 The unforgiving terrain of the Florida Everglades, which has seen several aviation disasters
📉 The brand collapse of ValuJet and its transformat...

This week on The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom is back from training with a flight bag full of stories. From shooting RNP .2 approaches to trying out the tricky Newark Stadium Visual Runway 29, it was anything but routine. After delays in Newark reroute his trip, Tom finds himself sprinting through DTW, dealing with valet bag failures, and navigating late-night hotel decisions—at a place that may or may not have had a dead flight attendant.

We break down the chaos at Newark Liberty Airport, including ongoing runway closures, staffing walkouts at PHL Center, and critical radar and co...

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we’re hitting turbulence from every angle—literally and figuratively. Broadcasting from a hotel room I paid for myself thanks to a contract that still doesn’t include training accommodations (because we’re "in base" 🙄), I dive into two stories that prove aviation never takes a day off.

First, I recap a Delta flight that was hotter than the surface of the sun thanks to a deferred climate control MEL. Add in Alabama Slammers, five lav runs, and a captain call that should’ve gone the other way, and you’ve go...

In Hot Topic Briefing #3, we take a somber but important look at the tragic accident that claimed the life of world-renowned aerobatic pilot Rob Holland during a practice session at Langley AFB in Virginia ahead of the Air Power Over Hampton Roads Airshow.

We explore Holland’s incredible legacy — from his championship career flying the high-performance MXS-RH aircraft to his leadership in pushing the boundaries of aerobatic flight. We also dive into the world of experimental aircraft, the unique risks they pose, and the passion aviators have for pushing aviation forward despite the dangers.

You’ll hea...

Buckle up for a hilarious and unforgettable ride in this week's episode of the BlackBox Aviation Podcast!

We kick off answering a fantastic listener question from our text line about how high school students can best prepare for aviation careers, including the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, discovery flights, and early steps toward a pilot license. Mike trained in both of these types of training. Whether you're just starting or guiding someone who dreams of flying, this is a must-listen!

Then Tom shares a wild weather story flying into Boston — complete with turbulence, cr...

In this Hot Topic Briefing of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we break down the dramatic incident involving Delta Flight 2276, which experienced a tailpipe fire at the gate in Orlando. What exactly caused this fiery event? What should pilots do in this scenario—and more importantly, what should they not do?

We dive into the mechanics of a tailpipe fire, the crucial role of checklist discipline, and the decision-making process that determines whether to evacuate an aircraft or keep passengers on board. Evacuations can save lives—but they also come with serious risks, including injuries to passengers. This...

This week on The BlackBox Aviation Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into the chaos, comedy, and close calls of spring break air travel—aviator style. I share stories from the road (and sky), including the saga of dragging golf clubs through JetBlue's SRQ route, how a sentimental pocket knife survived post-9/11 TSA... until it didn’t, and why TSA always finds my sunscreen but misses the good stuff.

Plus, we nerd out at the legendary Captain Cook Hotel in Anchorage, where volcano warnings double as desk decor and you can spot fellow pilots by their iPads. Oh, and wa...

Welcome to the very first episode of our new mini-series, Hot Topic Briefing, where we dive into one pressing issue in aviation in a quick, focused format.

This week, we're breaking down the tragic crash of the Mitsubishi MU-2 in upstate New York. We’ll examine what’s known so far, the aircraft's controversial safety record, and what this incident could mean for the industry.

Whether you're a pilot, enthusiast, or aviation safety advocate, this briefing delivers the essential takeaways you need to stay informed.

🔊 Stay tuned for expert insight and hard questions—because e...

Buckle up—it’s another wild ride in the jumpseat! This week on the BlackBox Aviation Podcast, we swap crazy cockpit stories, including a go-around that left more than just the passengers a little queasy (yes, a dog barfed). We also break down a walking red flag of a captain that had us all doing double-takes.

On the industry side, we dive into big moves in the regional world: the surprise Mesa-Republic merger announcement and what it could mean for pilots and passengers alike. Plus, what’s next for Air Wisconsin now that American’s giving them the cold...

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we're joined by a special guest who started his aviation journey as a P-3 sensor operator in the military, worked his way up through the ranks, and is now a major airline captain and airline interviewer. But before the stripes and interviews, the three of us were just broke pilots sharing a crashpad at the infamous Clarion Hotel in Detroit.

We share hilarious crashpad memories, including how the hotel's "free" breakfast became a lifeline—because when you're down to pocket change, even stale Froot Loops that chew like Sk...

In this episode, we tackle the dangers of mistaken runways for takeoff. We break down the Southwest Flight 3278 incident in Orlando, where the crew mistook a taxiway for a runway—leading to an aborted takeoff after a critical intervention from ATC. Then, we compare it to the tragic Comair Flight 5191 crash in Lexington, where a takeoff from a closed, unlit runway ended in disaster.

What causes these errors, and what safeguards can prevent them? We explore real-world lessons from these cases. Plus, we continue our pilot interview prep series, offering key insights into what to expect in yo...

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we break down the intense moment when Delta Flight 4814, a CRJ operated by Endeavor Air, experienced a wing strike at LaGuardia Airport. What went wrong, and what can pilots learn from this incident? Plus, for those looking to break into the cockpit, we dive into expert tips on securing a pilot interview—covering networking, resume strategies, and standout interview techniques. Tune in for insights, analysis, and aviation wisdom!

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠
✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠
🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_black_box01⁠ Duration: 00:57:03

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we break down the intense moment when Delta Flight 4814, a CRJ operated by Endeavor Air, experienced a wing strike at LaGuardia Airport. What went wrong, and what can pilots learn from this incident? Plus, for those looking to break into the cockpit, we dive into expert tips on securing a pilot interview—covering networking, resume strategies, and standout interview techniques. Tune in for insights, analysis, and aviation wisdom!

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠
✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠
🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_b...

Ever dreamed of becoming a pilot? In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we break down the path to the cockpit—what it takes to earn your wings and the challenges along the way. We also dive into a pilot’s worst nightmare: what actually happens when a door opens mid-flight? Plus, the ins and outs of jumpseating as a commuting pilot, and the ultimate debate—is it McDonald's or Mac Donald’s? Tune in for aviation insights, pilot stories, and some unexpected turbulence in the fast-food world!

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com
✉️ Em...

In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we dive into recent airline incidents, including multiple go-arounds and the near-miss involving a Southwest Airlines flight in Chicago. What causes these tense moments in aviation, and how do pilots handle them? Plus, we answer a listener’s question about the path to becoming a pilot—training, costs, and career expectations. Ever wondered how pilots get to their hotels and what kind of accommodations they expect? We break down the behind-the-scenes world of pilot layovers. Buckle up for a high-flying episode!

*Added show note- The accident at Tenerife invo...

Episode Description:
In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Mike and Tom reunite after three years apart, sharing stories from the skies and the terminals. The episode kicks off with how their paths finally crossed again on one of Mike’s trips before diving into some unforgettable experiences on the road.

Tom recounts a chaotic airport scene where passengers erupted in frustration after missing a connection, while Mike shares the eerie experience of flying through St. Elmo’s Fire. They also discuss a shocking in-flight incident where a windshield shattered mid-air, testing a crew’s abil...

Episode Description:
This episode is packed with wild aviation stories and the latest updates from the skies! We jump right into the incident involving Delta flight 4819, a CRJ operated by Endeavor Air, that flipped on landing in Toronto. Plus, we’ve got fresh details from the NTSB about American Airlines flight 5342 (operated by PSA), which collided with a Black Hawk helicopter at DCA.

We also talk about the challenges of flying in Alaska, including how the weather may have contributed to the recent caravan crash. And speaking of Alaska—could Mount Spurr be gearing up to erup...

What do pilots do in cruise flight? Have either one of us ever seen a UFO? What if we have to use the restroom? These are the questions we answer in our latest episode. We also share some pretty hilarious stories and memories.

Don't forget to comment and let us know what you'd like for us to touch on or talk about next.

Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com

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In this episode we dive into to what we know about the tragic accident at Washington National on January 29th between American Airline Flight 5342 operated by PSA, a CRJ 700, and PAT 25, a blackhawk helicopter. We give stories about flying into DCA but try to avoid making any assumptions about the accident.

Be sure to let us know what you think and comment or reach out with any questions or topics you'd like to see covered.

Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com

Instagram: the_black_box01

X: @the_black_box01

In this episode you will follow Tom and Mike along as we get to the airplane, push back, and take off. As usual there will be multiple stories about lessons learned and advice given a long the way.

Have a question or an idea for the show? Contact us below:

theblackbox01@yahoo.com

Instagram: THE_BLACK_BOX01

X: @the_black_box01

https://youtube.com/@theblackboxwithtomandmike?si=-sGEs7Oa2StSWPUR

In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom start off discussing the nuances of being new to higher levels of social media and podcast broadcast production. The show moves into some quick takes on some real life stories from last week's travels. Then we get into what its like to arrive at the airport, head to the gate, meet the crew, do the pre-flight and get ready to push the flight off the gate. We wrap-up with a discussion about a current even topic regarding a Southwest Airlines pilot who was arrested for suspicion of being intoxicated while attempting to...

In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom take you into the life of the typical airline pilots commute to work. Some by air, land and sea. A typical day isn't very typical. We explore a couple of humouros stories we've withnesed this week and breakdown a current events aviation media story.

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This is our introduction podcast discussing our backgrounds and where we want to take this show. We get ready to bring an audience closer to the world of professional aviation.