MD-11 Grounding, ETOPS Reality, Skylab 4, U-2 “Dragon Lady” Stories & Taxiing Giant Jets

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

💰 SPONSOR
Check 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 show

Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
Instagram / 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