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 passengers and crew injured—what went wrong? We break it down.

✈️ Inside This Episode:

• Airport lounge etiquette gone wrong

• The ultimate coffee snob hacks for pilots

• $32 hotel breakfasts & why Mike hates them

• Real-world flap/slat malfunction in flight

• Delta turbulence scare: lessons learned

📩 Connect with Us:
✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📲 Call/Text Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)

🎧 Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast or just love a good behind-the-scenes travel story, this episode has laughs, lessons, and real-world aviation insights. Hit play and join us!

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 trim fail and the surprise St. Lucia layover

✅ IN THE NEWS:

• Southwest Near Miss at Burbank – What happens when TCAS Resolution Advisories kick in

• SkyWest vs. B-52 Bomber over North Dakota – How close is too close?

• American Airlines Evacuation Gone Wrong – Blown tire, fire, and passengers grabbing their bags

• Alaska Airlines Kodiak Incident – Deer on the runway, bloodbath aftermath

🔥 If you’ve ever wondered what REALLY happens behind the scenes when things go wrong in aviation, this episode is for you!

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name and best aviation story!

🎧 Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen!

#AviationPodcast #PilotStories #LayoverFatigue #NearMiss #TCAS #AirlineSafety #BlackBoxPodcast #PilotLife

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 of reporting still dominates pilot culture

• FAA and airline responses to mental health challenges

• Peer-to-Peer support and the role of ALPA advocacy

✅ Key Questions We Answer:

• Could a similar tragedy happen again?

• How do pilots balance transparency with career security?

• What changes are being proposed by legislation like the Mental Health in Aviation Act (H.R. 2591)?

🔥 Real-World Perspective:
Tom shares personal insight into how airlines handle these sensitive issues today, the gaps in policy, and why many pilots still distrust the system.

🎯 If you’re a pilot, an aviation professional, or just passionate about safety, this episode will open your eyes to a topic that impacts every single flight.

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
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📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop us your name & your best aviation story!

🚨 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms!

#AviationPodcast #Germanwings9525 #PilotMentalHealth #AirlineSafety #BlackBoxPodcast #AviationNews #PilotLife

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 a failed breathalyzer test—but cleared by a blood test. We break down what happened, breathalyzer accuracy, and FAA rules for alcohol in aviation.

🔥 Stories from the Flight Line:

• Layover chaos: MEM-OAK flight drama and system failures

• Wild Air Rage encounter mid-flight that ends with police on the jetbridge

• GPS sensor failures, transponder issues, and real-world emergency procedures

• Upcoming vacations, hotel life hacks, and free bacon on layovers

🎯 If you’ve ever wondered how pilots handle technology disruptions, out-of-control passengers, and media-fueled airline scandals, this episode is a must-listen!

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop us your name & your best aviation story!

🚨 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms!

#AviationPodcast #AirlineStories #PilotLife #AirRage #AviationSafety #DeltaPilot #GPSJamming #FlyingTips #BlackBoxAviationPodcast

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 strategies & workout routines
😳 The Air India flight where the captain shut down both engines
📊 Airline passenger disturbances and rage — are they increasing?
📆 Involuntary trip extensions up to 84 hours and how to mentally prepare

Plus, stories of:

• 🍕 Pizza buffets in Buffalo

• 🍺 $2 Labatt drafts

• 📱 Convincing a crew member to call in sick for safety’s sake

• 👟 Ironman training and marathon runs while on layovers

We explore how lifestyle, fitness, and mental wellness intersect with the job — and how good crews look out for one another on the road.

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📲 Hotline/Text Line: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name and a story or question!

🔍 #PilotLife #AirlinePodcast #LayoverLife #AviationLifestyle #FreeBacon #PilotFitness #AirIndia #HotelLayovers #AirRage #PodcastClips #BlackBoxAviation #AviationHumor #TravelStories

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 airline’s great circle legacy, and why this story still matters today.

📬 Got thoughts or stories? Reach out!
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 IG & X: @the_black_box01
📞 Call or text: (203) 699-6792 — Leave your name, and you might hear yourself in a future episode!

📰 Based on the New York Times article:
“75 Years After a Deadly Plane Crash, the Search for Its Wreckage Ends” by Ashivarya Kavi

#aviationmystery #nw2501 #blackboxaviation #lakeMichiganCrash #aviationhistory #airdisaster #aviationpodcast #trueaviationcrime #charleslindbergh #microburst #aircrash

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”

• Elevator etiquette and breakfast missions in Anchorage

• Hotel crew discounts getting shady – who’s pretending to be a pilot?

📉 Air India 171 Full Breakdown

• Engine and MEL history

• Weather, flap settings, and failed theories

• A haunting cockpit exchange: “Why did you cut off the fuel?”

• The unexpected deployment of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)

• A similar story from a T-1 student pilot who cut off fuel… on the ramp. A rare mistake, but not unheard of.

🛫 In The News

• TSA considers ending the shoe removal rule (Finally.)

• Why you’ll still need to take out your charger but might get to keep your shoes

• Southwest’s pricing changes and customer identity crisis

• Hotel charging setups – why does every room seem built for 2003?

This one’s full of insight, stories, and those moments in aviation that make you go: Wait, what just happened?

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop us your name & story!

✈️ The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Real pilots. Real stories. What really happens when someone accidentally shuts down both engines? Let’s talk about it.

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.

🛫 Vacation Plans & Evermore Resort Orlando
Hear what’s on deck for our next trip and whether it's worth checking out for your next family adventure.

📉 Delta Flight 1141 Crash Breakdown
A cautionary tale from 1988: flaps not set, TOWS system failed, cockpit distraction, and a deadly crash just 22 seconds after liftoff. We draw eerie parallels to the recent Air India 787 incident.

👞 TSA Might Finally End the Shoe Rule
A potential end to the smelly foot parade? ABC reports TSA may ditch the outdated policy tied to 2001’s Richard Reid “Shoe Bomber” — plus a look at PETN explosives and how close flights came to tragedy.

📦 Southwest Airlines’ New Direction
Will they abandon free bags and open seating? We talk CEO Bob Jordan’s moves, Wall Street pressure, and whether the new strategy will alienate their famously loyal flyers.

📻 Stories from the Road
Anchorage storms, flight deck dynamics, and why you never assume clear weather means an easy approach. Oh, and that spicy sausage story from Uncle G...

📦 In The News

• TSA bans high-proof alcohol

• Revisiting lithium battery dangers

• And the latest buzz from the terminal floor

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave us your name and your story!

Black Box Aviation Podcast
Real pilots. Real stories. And no, we don’t miss the shoe scanner either.

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 played out.
🚫 TSA’s Latest Ban — High-proof alcohol is now off-limits on flights. We discuss the reason (hint: it involves an infamous Guam crash and duty-free booze).
💣 The National Airlines Flight 967 Mystery — A vanished airliner, a convicted con-man, a briefcase, life insurance, and one of aviation’s eeriest unsolved disasters. Was it an accident — or a faked death?
🔌 Travel Gear Review — Mike shares his take on the Tessan Universal Travel Adapter and how to avoid international power problems with your devices.

We’ve got true crime, travel tips, pilot rants, and aviation history all packed into one episode.

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Leave us a message with your name and you might make the next episode!

Black Box Aviation Podcast — Honest flying stories. Real travel advice. A little conspiracy on the side.

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, and even a misstep in gear vs. flap retraction during the critical “positive rate” phase.

• New, unconfirmed technical details including a dual engine rollback possibly linked to monsoon-induced electrical failure via the Ground Power Unit (GPU) housing — and the implications of RAT deployment in such a scenario.

• We explore Air India’s history, from its Tata family roots and bureaucratic past to its recent privatization struggles, safety record, and operational culture.

Plus:
✈️ A quick primer on flaps, slats, takeoff calculations, and how high-stakes decisions get made in just seconds at rotation.

🚨 This is an evolving investigation — we’ll continue to report as more verifiable information becomes available.

📬 Connect with Us:
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📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop your name and thoughts; we might feature you in a future episode!

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 of Maine Airshow where a C-5, a windsock, and some questionable airfield design nearly spelled disaster. You’ll hear:
✈️ What it’s like flying the massive C-5 Galaxy into tight spaces
🌬️ How a windsock almost cost an aircraft commander their qualifications
🎪 Insider airshow life — VIP tours, meeting legends, and dodging the unexpected

As always, we wrap with humor, lessons learned, and a preview of next week’s Air India Hot Topic and another accessory review for those of you always looking to upgrade your travel game.

📬 Connect with Us:
📧 theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — Drop your name and thoughts, you might make the next episode!

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 Hong Kong to a faulty Rolex wristband made by Suzy in Shanghai.

Other highlights include:

• The chaos and character you find at air shows — and the stories you wish you’d captured at the time.

• The ins-and-outs of Category I, II, and III ILS approaches.

• What happens when your brakes overheat after a heavy, high-energy landing — and why a heavy aircraft with weak brakes is a recipe for careful ground operations.

• The controversy over whether or not to equip aircraft with brake fans (with a funny Air Jamaica story).

• Our Travel Accessory Review: the Buddew Electric Lunch Box — the perfect way to warm up your meal while you’re on the go.

📬 Connect with us:
📧 theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram & X: @the_black_box01
📱 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 — leave your name and a message, we might feature it on a future episode!

✨ Black Box Aviation — Where stories from the flight deck come alive!

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
✈️ P-Factor, rudder, and initial climb
✈️ Downwind leg, spacing, and situational awareness
✈️ Final approach, flare, and smooth landings
✈️ And yes—checklists!

Plus, we share two must-have resources for any aspiring aviator:
📘 FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
📕 The ASA Complete Private Pilot by Bob Gardner

📬 Questions or feedback? Reach us at:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📱 Instagram/X: @the_black_box01
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name—we might play your question on the show!)

Whether you're just getting curious about flying or you're already deep into your training, this episode will give you a clear picture of what to expect—and how to stay safe and sharp in the sky.

Black Box Aviation: Where aviation meets adventure.

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 his epic Tokyo pool adventure—yes, the actual Olympic pool—and all the chaos, trains, gadgets, and misfired Mentos along the way. Plus, we launch a new segment: Travel Accessories, starting with Tom's neck pillow tirade that might just save your next red-eye.

As always, we love your listener questions and feedback!

📧 Email us at: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📞 Call the Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)
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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.
🔥 Chemtrails? Weather control? COVID fog? Mind manipulation?
We unpack the wild conspiracies and separate fact from fuel-grade fiction—with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com
✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📸 Instagram/X: @the_black_box01
📲 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name, we might feature your question!)

Whether you’re into science, sustainability, or just here for the jet fuel and jokes—this one’s worth the cruise at altitude.

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’ livery—orange you curious?

Packed with laughs, insight, and international jetlag, this episode brings you sky-high stories and real talk from the flight deck to the fish tunnels of the Shanghai Aquarium.

Got a question or want to share your own travel tale? Hit us up:
📧 Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)
📱 Insta/X: @the_black_box01

✈️ Subscribe, review, and share the pod with your favorite co-pilot!

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 – And why that relationship should be stronger
📼 Cockpit Voice Recorder Fail – Why it stopped recording mid-event
🛫 What Changed After – From slat redesigns to V2+10 climb speeds now practiced worldwide

This isn’t just about a single flight—it's about how pilots, engineers, and maintainers continue to learn and adapt, so the skies stay safer for everyone. You’ll also hear how the Air Force had already adopted practices that could’ve prevented this tragedy—and how those ideas eventually made their way into civilian operations.

🔗 Contact Us & Stay Connected:
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✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
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📺 YouTube: The Black Box Aviation Podcast

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, cash, food... and flaps at 15°
🪂 The Parachute Mystery – Military training? Skilled jumper?
🚬 The Cigarettes & Tie Clues – The only real evidence he left behind
🗺️ The Search Areas – From grid sweeps to the shocking discovery of $5,800 in a Washington riverbed
🛫 Why the 727 Was the Perfect Plane – Including those famous aft stairs and the clever flight plan

We also explore how this case influenced aviation security, pop culture, and even inspired military-style hijacking protocols. Plus, how Josh Gates' Expedition Unknown helped reignite public curiosity and inspired this Hot Topic.

Was Cooper a rogue hero or a highly trained ghost? Did he die in the jump or live out his days in quiet anonymity? We’re not DB Cooper experts—but we sure have thoughts.

🔗 Contact Us & Stay Connected:
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✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
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📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792
📺 YouTube: The Black Box Aviation Podcast

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, and food in new cities
🏟️ Catching a Giants game in San Francisco
…and yes, the ongoing saga with “Rocky” the watch guy.

📍 Mike chimes in with his favorite U.S. and international overnights and tips for making the most out of layovers (excluding SDQ, of course).

🎧 Listener Question of the Week:
What should you do when your in-flight neighbors are throwing a party in the row behind you? We break down in-flight crew authority, FAA policies, and how to de-escalate a sky-high frat party.

📰 Industry News Briefing:

• ATC Systems Are Still Outdated: Radar and radio blackouts, bureaucratic delays, and a system older than Apollo 13.

• Swiss International Cancels Flights: Pilot shortages, post-COVID travel pressures, and EASA licensing hurdles.

• Pratt & Whitney Engine Woes: Cracks in the NEO engine are causing havoc across Airbus fleets, delaying deliveries, and complicating airline growth.

🔥 From air traffic nightmares to Rolex alley deals, it’s another week of unfiltered aviation insight and storytelling.

📩 Stay in the loop and reach out to us:
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✉️ Email: theblackbox01@yahoo.com
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📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792
📺 YouTube: Search The Black Box Aviation Podcast

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 transformation into AirTran
🧯 The broader implications for hazardous materials handling, cargo safety, and lessons learned from similar fires, including UPS Flight 6

We also reflect on Eastern Flight 401, another Everglades tragedy, and how these incidents forced the industry to face difficult truths about complacency, cost-cutting, and oversight.

Have you ever flown on ValuJet or AirTran? Ever thought about how you’d handle a cargo fire mid-flight? We unpack these hard questions with aviation insight and real-world experience.

📩 Connect with Us:
🌐 Website: ⁠www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com⁠
✉️ Email: ⁠theblackbox01@yahoo.com⁠
📸 Instagram: ⁠@the_black_box01⁠
🐦 X (Twitter): ⁠@the_black_box01⁠
📲 Text Line: 203-699-6792