Welcome to The Black Box Aviation Podcast!

Episodes

June 3, 2025

Customs Kiosks, Fake Markets, the Dunkin’ Jet, & a Human Traffic Cone

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 infamo...
May 27, 2025

Hot Topic #6 – AA Flight 191: The DC-10 Disaster That Changed Everything

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 ...
May 22, 2025

Hot Topic #5 – DB Cooper: Skyjacker, Smoke Breaks, and the Jump That Sparked a Legend

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 ...
May 21, 2025

Layovers, Fake Rolexes, and Rowdy Rows

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...
May 15, 2025

Hot Topic Briefing #4: The Tragic Legacy of ValuJet 592 & the Everglades – 29 Years Later

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 t...
May 13, 2025

Newark Chaos, Missed Flights, and Visual Approaches: A Pilot’s Wild Week

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....
May 6, 2025

Hot Cabin, Cold Contracts & Air Traffic Chaos

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 trainin...
May 1, 2025

Hot Topic Briefing #3: Aerobatic Legend Rob Holland, Experimental Aircraft, and the Risk-Reward of Aviation

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 P...
April 29, 2025

Flight School Paths: Part 61 vs 141, Wild Weather Flights, and Statue of Liberty Trouble

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...
April 24, 2025

Hot Topic Briefing #2 – Delta Flight 2276 Tailpipe Fire in Orlando: What Happened and Why It Matters

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?...
April 23, 2025

TSA Takedowns, Volcano Warnings & the VFR Maze: Spring Break in the Sky

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 gol...
April 16, 2025

Hot Topic Briefing #1: The Mitsubishi MU-2 Crash in Upstate New York

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...
April 9, 2025

Red Flag Captains, Go-Arounds & Dog Barf: Regional Turbulence in the Skies | BlackBox Aviation Podcast

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). W...
April 1, 2025

Special Guest! From P-3 Sensor Operator to Major Airline Captain and Airline Interviewer. Including Funny Crashpad Stories and Interview Fails

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 ca...
March 25, 2025

🚨 Mistaken Runways & Pilot Interview Prep: Lessons from Southwest 3278 & Comair 5191

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...
March 25, 2025

Delta 4814’s Close Call & Landing Your Pilot Interview

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...
March 11, 2025

How to become an Airline Pilot + Door Emergencies, Jumpseating, and… McDonald's or Mac Donald’s?

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 ...
March 4, 2025

Cleared for the Go-Around: Airline Close Calls & Pilot Life

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 a...
Feb. 25, 2025

Turbulence, Chaos, and a CRJ Upside Down: A Pilot’s Perspective

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 cross...
Feb. 18, 2025

Volcanic Eruption? Flipped in Toronto, Helicopter Collision at DCA, and Alaska’s Wild Skies

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 landin...
Feb. 11, 2025

Day In The Life Part 4 - What do Pilots do in Cruise? Have we seen UFOs?

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 memori...
Feb. 4, 2025

AA5342 Crash at Washington National Discussion DCA

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 storie...
Jan. 28, 2025

Day In the Life part 3 - Let's Go Fly!

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 ...
Jan. 21, 2025

A Day In The Life Part 2

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 ...