Episodes

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 enter...

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 ...

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-...

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 flyi...

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...

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...

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 K...

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 fir...

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, i...

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 ...

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 uniqu...

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...

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 passenger...

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 a...

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...

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 ...

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—becau...

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. Plu...

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...

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 ...

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-s...

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. T...

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 r...

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 Instagram: the_black_box01 X: @the_black_box01