894 E/A-18G Growler
The episode covers several aviation news items, including a mid‑air collision of two U.S. Navy EA‑18G Growler jets at an air show, Boeing's under‑whelming China order that sent its stock lower, the FAA's new air‑traffic‑controller hiring goal, United Flight Attendants' contract win, and a jury award in a Boeing civil suit. Guests provide expert context: aviation historian David Vanderhoof explains the Growler’s role and the rarity of such accidents, while attorney Erin Applebaum discusses the legal and regulatory implications of the Boeing China deal. The hosts also share personal anecdotes, such as a tribute to a flight instructor and a surprise co‑host appearance.
892 Spirit Airlines Ceases Operations
The episode covers the abrupt shutdown of Spirit Airlines, detailing the financial pressures from soaring jet fuel costs and the Department of Transportation’s coordinated effort to rebook affected passengers and assist displaced employees. It then shifts to a broader industry...
891 Airline Ticket Pricing
In this episode the hosts discuss the controversy over airline dynamic pricing and the alleged use of personal data, highlighting a JetBlue lawsuit and broader privacy concerns. They examine the NTSB preliminary report on the fatal LaGuardia Black Hawk‑jet collision,...
889 The Lost Joy of Flying
In this episode of Airplane Geeks, hosts Max Flight, Rob Mark, and Micah discuss the mounting challenges facing commercial aviation, from a strained air‑traffic‑control system and staffing shortages to soaring fuel costs and longer TSA lines. They examine recent news...
886 Electric Aircraft
The episode covers several aviation news items, highlighted by Surf Air Mobility’s partnership with Beta Technologies to acquire 25 electric CETOL aircraft for inter‑island service in Hawaii and a planned maintenance hub, and Beta’s participation in a U.S. DOT fast‑track...
885 Aircraft Dispatcher
In this episode, Airplane Geeks sit down with airline dispatcher Mike Carrolls to explore how dispatchers manage disruptions—from weather and geopolitical events to space launches—that can scatter crews and aircraft across the network. Carrolls shares real‑world examples of chaos and...
882 Air Accident Updates
The episode reviews recent aviation safety incidents, including the preventable DCA mid‑air collision highlighted by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, a JetBlue A320 software glitch lawsuit against Airbus, and investigations into an Air India 787 fuel‑control switch issue, a United 777...
881 On-Condition Maintenance for GA
In this episode, Mike Busch, founder and CEO of Savvy Aviation, makes the case that general aviation is over‑maintained and advocates a shift to on‑condition, reliability‑centered maintenance to save owners time and money while easing mechanic workload. He outlines the...