Airplane Geeks Podcast

Airplane Geeks

The weekly podcast that explores and expands your passion for aviation. read less
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Episodes

804 Triphibian
3d ago
804 Triphibian
Boeing CEO testifies before Congress and prosecutors ask for criminal charges, investigators look into a low-altitude Southwest flight and an activist investor wants Southwest CEO out, NTSB released a close-call preliminary report, and Cirrus won’t approve a certain 100LL fuel. Also, an Australia Desk report, the E-3 AWACS jet, and a Triphibian. Aviation News Boeing CEO grilled at Senate hearing: ‘The problem’s with you’ Boeing CEO David Calhoun testified at a two-hour Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing. Calhoun admitted that whistleblowers were retaliated against. Subcommittee chair Sen. Richard Blumenthal stated “After whistleblower John Barnett raised his concerns about missing parts, he reported that his supervisor called him 19 times in one day and 21 times another day. And when Barnett asked his supervisor about those calls, he was told, ‘I’m going to push you until you break.’” Blumenthal said that in his opinion, the Department of Justice should criminally prosecute Boeing for violating its 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. The DOJ has until July 7, 2024, to decide how it will act. Video: Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun testifies before Senate committee on safety issues — 6/18/2024 https://www.youtube.com/live/2LNgce5vLLk?si=baqPzBhFJf8kOZCt Victims’ Attorney Asks DOJ To Fine Boeing; Prosecute Executives In his 32-page letter to the DOJ, Professor Paul Cassell of the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City asks for $24 billion in fines, that part of the $24 billion fine should be used for “corporate compliance and new safety measures,” that a corporate monitor is appointed to review the safety measures and “to direct improvement as appropriate.” Also that the DOJ prosecutes former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg and other “responsible corporate executives.” Exclusive: US prosecutors recommend Justice Dept. criminally charge Boeing U.S. prosecutors asked Justice Department officials to bring criminal charges against Boeing for violation of the deferred prosecution agreement. Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines low flight over Oklahoma City suburbs A Southwest Airlines plane triggered an automated low-altitude alert nine miles out from the Oklahoma City airport. Flightradar24 shows the plane descending to about 525 feet AGL over Oklahoma City suburbs. Air traffic control asked, “Southwest 4069, low altitude alert. You doing OK?” The pilot responded, “Yeah, we’re going around.” The air traffic controller responded telling the pilot to maintain 3000 feet. Federal officials are investigating. Southwest’s Diehard Fans Don’t Want Airline to Change Activist hedge fund company Elliott Investment Management has taken a $1.9 billion stake in Southwest Airlines and wants to oust the airline’s CEO Robert Jordan. Elliott says Jordan “has delivered unacceptable financial and operational performance quarter after quarter and Jordan and former CEO Gary Kelly (currently the executive chairman) “are not up to the task of modernizing Southwest.” Elliott wants to replace Jordan and Kelly with outsiders and make “significant” changes to the board of directors with others who bring airline experience. NTSB Releases Preliminary Reports On Two Airline Close Calls In April 2024, a Swiss Air A330 aborted its takeoff from Runway 4L at JFK after they saw taxiing traffic on the runway. One controller cleared the Swiss flight for takeoff, and a ground controller cleared four other airplanes to cross the same runway. In February 2023, TCAS (traffic/collision alert system) issued “resolution advisories” over an inbound Mesa Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 and a SkyWest Embraer EMB-170 at  Hollywood-Burbank Airport. The two aircraft came within 1,700 feet of each other. Cirrus: G100UL Use May Void Warranties GAMI Responds To Cirrus G100UL Service Advisory General Aviation Modifications Inc. has invested in developing an unleaded,
803 Innovations in Flight
19-06-2024
803 Innovations in Flight
Innovations in Flight at the National Air & Space Museum, FAA preparing to address the public charter loophole, titanium components manufactured with improper paperwork, Southwest 737 MAX experienced a “Dutch Roll,” Lockheed Martin team receives Collier Trophy, and business jet found after 53 years. Innovations in Flight The annual Innovations in Flight was held June 15, 2024, at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, adjacent to Dulles International Airport. The outdoor fly-in features over 50 unique aircraft, flown in for one day only. Visitors explored the engineering and design innovations that have taken place during the last century of flight and talk with the pilots of vintage and modern aircraft on display. Again this year, Hillel Glazer flew his 1972 Piper Cherokee 180 to Innovations in Flight. He describes how aircraft are selected to participate, the process of arriving and departing from Dulles Airport, and the taxiway through the woods that connects the two facilities. Perhaps most notably, Hillel recorded conversations with some younger visitors, ages 7 to 13. In this episode, you can hear Johnny (Age 7), Alexandra (Age 8), Phoebe (Age 12), Luka (Age 12), and Jackson (Age 9). Jackson even has his own YouTube channel: Flight Pattern Talk with Jax. LIstener JD Gold (left) 777 Pilot for FedEx with Hillel (right). Reflections on the museum’s architectural feature above the side door. Waiting in the conga line to depart behind the NOAA “P-3” Aviation News FAA Cracks Down On “Public Charter” Loophole, Bad News For JSX The so-called “public charter loophole” allows charter companies to operate from private terminals without some of the requirements that larger carriers are subject to, such as TSA screening and pilots with more than 1,500 flight hours. The FAA says they are now going to address this situation by issuing an NPRM that would amend the definitions of “scheduled,” “on demand,” and “supplemental” operations. Titanium in Boeing, Airbus jets lacks proper documentation, companies say Spirit AeroSystems used titanium that had counterfeit documentation and which found its way into both Airbus and Boeing aircraft. U.S. and European safety regulators are investigating, while the companies involved say the titanium is not a safety issue, only the documentation is deficient. US NTSB investigating 'Dutch roll' by Southwest Boeing 737 MAX The Dutch roll occurred at 34,000 feet on a flight from Phoenix, Arizona to Oakland, California. The lateral asymmetric movements of the roll were named after a Dutch ice skating technique. Pilots regained control of the plane which proceeded without additional incident, however, Southwest found damage to structural components and the NTSB and FAA are investigating. See: Yaw Dampers and video: What is a Dutch Roll? https://youtu.be/9Gt-IcCBiQ4?si=KgbVtTW57zTTswBc The National Aeronautic Association Recognizes Lockheed Martin with Prestigious Collier Trophy The 2023 Robert J. Collier Trophy was awarded by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) to Lockheed Martin for the team’s work on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx sample return mission which collected an asteroid sample in 2020 and returned it to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023. The OSIRIS-Rex team includes Lockheed Martin, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Johnson Space Center, the University of Arizona, and KinetX, among many others. A jet disappeared in Vermont over 53 years ago. Experts believe they’ve found it in Lake Champlain Air controllers lost contact with the Aero Commander Jet Commander 1121A ( N400CP) shortly after takeoff in 1971 over Lake Champlain in Vermont. It was only found after an underwater searcher located it recently at a depth of 200 feet. The NTSB will verify that this is the plane from 1971. Small plane crash-lands in Androscoggin River in Topsham
802 Boeing Safety and Quality Plan
12-06-2024
802 Boeing Safety and Quality Plan
We take a look at the Boeing Safety and Quality Plan, the NTSB recommendations after the Southwest/FedEx near miss, the suspension of some ATC staff in India, Essential Air Service contracts, BARK Air’s lawsuit over airport-use restrictions, the sale of a B-17, and the NTSB inspection of the USAirways flight 1549 engines. Aviation News Boeing Safety & Quality Plan Boeing had 90 days to deliver a comprehensive plan to the FAA to improve the company’s safety management and quality assurance, including in the supply chain. We look at The Boeing Product Safety and Quality Plan Executive Summary [PDF, 11 pages.] The Plan includes the containment and mitigation actions Boeing took immediately after the accident. It also introduces Boeing’s new Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of production system health and associated control limits for each KPI. Boeing intends that these metrics will provide “a continuous assessment of factory health and provide early warning of emerging quality and safety risks. They also will facilitate tracking of Boeing’s improvement under the Product Safety and Quality Plan and guide decisions about system readiness for rate increases.” Boeing's Immediate Containment and Mitigation Improvements directed at the Boeing production system: Admiral Kirkland Donald Revised the build plans, training, maintenance planning, aircraft manual documentation, removal requirements and inspection criteria for the Mid-Exit Door (MED) plug; Instituted additional controls to prevent defects in the MED plug and similar structures and assemblies; Added conformance inspections to nine critical build points; Processed fleet and production inspection findings through Boeing’s SMS and Quality Management System (QMS); Published alerts on removals and rework, signed by all factory employees; Hosted representatives from 737 airline customers to review Boeing’s production and quality procedures, and to provide feedback; Appointed a recognized safety and quality leader, Admiral Kirkland Donald, to independently assess Boeing’s production system; and Implemented a revised management and salaried compensation model focused on quality and safety, with aligned key performance indicators across all programs. Improvements directed at the Boeing supply chain: Instituted additional controls at Spirit to prevent defects in the MED plug and similar structures and assemblies; Added new inspections at Spirit, as well as pre-shipment approval requirements on fuselages prior to shipment to Boeing; Added competency assessments for all supplier mechanics doing structural work at Boeing sites; and Issued supplier bulletins to strengthen focus on conformance and reduce the risks of defects being shipped. Key Performance Indicators A significant component of the Product Safety and Quality Plan is the identification of six critical, safety-focused production health KPIs: Employee Proficiency (measures share of employees currently staffed to commercial programs who are proficient); Notice of Escape (NoE) Rework Hours (measures rework due to Fabrication and supplier-provided escapes to Final Assembly); Supplier Shortages (measures Fabrication and supplier shortages/day); Rework Hours per airplane (measures total rework hours per airplane in Final Assembly); Travelers at Factory Rollout (measures jobs traveling from Final Assembly); and Ticketing Performance (measures average escapes per ticketed airplane). Each KPI also has associated control limits and defined criteria that will trigger corrective action and SMS risk monitoring. Product Safety and Quality Plan Attention Areas Safety Management System three main initiatives:  Streamlining employee reporting channels; [Submissions are up 500%] Addressing traveled work risk; [implemented a “move ready” process—737 airplanes may not move to the next factory position until identified build milestones are co...
801 Sullenberger Aviation Museum
05-06-2024
801 Sullenberger Aviation Museum
Interviews and a tour of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. In the news, Boeing delivers its quality improvement plan to the FAA, and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby calls for more competition in the airline industry. Sullenberger Aviation Museum The museum at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina has been reimagined with new interactive experiences for visitors. The centerpiece is the “Miracle on the Hudson” exhibition featuring the jet that landed safely in New York’s Hudson River in 2009 - US Airways Flight 1549. The Sullenberger Aviation Museum (an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution) tells stories of innovation, hope, and heroism throughout the history of aviation, It seeks to inspire visitors of all ages to pursue their dreams and goals. Sully Sullenberger next to Flight 1549 We spoke with: Katie Swaringen, Vice President of Collections, took us on a walking tour of the museum and explained some of the interactive experiences. Stephen Saucier, President and CEO of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum, describes the museum’s vision, the master planning process, and experience design with Freeman Ryan Design. The result meets the needs of the community (STEM education, access to careers, workforce development), the many sponsors and contributors. Todd Giles, the CTO at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, describes the company’s motivations for sponsoring the museum and the Maker Space. We talk about the Honeywell APU in Flight 1549 and touch on the SmartRunway and SmartLanding traffic awareness offerings to come, as well as new bizjet and eVTOL cockpits. Inspire, educate, and elevate: The Miracle on the Hudson – The Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes flight in Charlotte Video: The Sullenberger Aviation Museum takes flight in Charlotte https://youtu.be/FTPUgdipMi0?si=pXCW5NPmKpPlN-Ju Aviation News Boeing Gives F.A.A. Plan to Address Systemic Quality-Control Issues In response to an FAA order, Boeing delivered a “comprehensive action plan” to address the airframer's systemic issues. Boeing did not set a timeline to make changes. Boeing developed six metrics for tracking the plan’s progress. Video: FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker holds a briefing to discuss Boeing's safety issues — 5/30/2024 https://www.youtube.com/live/_DmZrP50paI?si=br5w-tIMGzeOo3iv Scott Kirby Says It’s Time to End the Big Jet Airline Duopoly United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says it’s time for more competition. From The Air Current. Mentioned Whirlwind - Wikipedia Bristol Helicopters - Wikipedia Iran President’s Crash Highlights Struggle to Upgrade an Aging Fleet - WSJ paywall Japan Air Lines Flight 123 - Wikipedia Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, and our Main(e) Man Micah.
800 Tail Strike
22-05-2024
800 Tail Strike
Airplane tail strike, miracle flights, 737 MAX Deferred Prosecution Agreement, the FAA Reauthorization Act, airport name changes, and fatal helicopter crash in Iran. Also, a report on the Valdez Fly-In and Airshow, and a scenic flight around Denali Mountain. Aviation News NTSB Releases Final Report Of United Airlines Boeing 737 Tail Strike In Houston The NTSB report of the January 2024 tail strike says the 737-900ER touched down three times while landing. The aircraft's aft fuselage "impacted the runway as a result of a delayed flare and subsequent nose-high pitch inputs." The initial touchdown force was 1.87G and the second touchdown was 2.87G. An article in SKYbrary states that “various studies by several of the major aircraft manufacturers have arrived at similar conclusions regarding the primary cause of tail strike. The most significant common factor is the amount of flight crew experience with the specific model of aircraft being flown.” Studies identified eight specific Causal Factors that greatly increase the risk of a tail strike: During take-off: Improperly Set Elevator Trim or Mis-Trimmed Stabiliser  Rotation at Incorrect Speed Excessive Rotation Rate Improper Use of the Flight Director During landing: Unstabilized Approach Excessive Hold-Off in the Flare  Crosswinds Over-Rotation During Go-Around Over 65% of tail strikes occur during landings, while only 25% happen during takeoffs. With One Simple Change, Southwest Airlines Will Deal Blow To Wheelchair Scammers, Unruly Passengers And Seat Savers Southwest Airlines is considering implementing assigned seating, eliminating the need for passengers to board early to get a good seat. The change would address “the phenomenon of passengers faking disabilities to board early, end the practice of seat saving, and make it easier to identify unruly passengers on board.” Currently, Southwest is the only airline that doesn’t have passenger names and seat assignments on the flight’s manifest. DOJ Takes Key Step to Hold Boeing Accountable for 737 MAX8 Crash Deaths The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has determined that Boeing breached the January 2021 Deferred Prosecution Agreement. The Clifford law firm (which represents families of the Boeing 787 MAX8 crash victims) says that Boeing could now face a criminal trial, although more action is needed from the DOJ. Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act Signed Into Law Senate passes sweeping FAA bill focused on safety and consumer protections Unions Notch Congress Win to Keep Pilots’ Retirement Age at 65 H.R.3935 - Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act American Airlines Bus Service Connecting Wilmington Delaware Airport (ILG) to PHL to Start This Fall The Delaware River & Bay Authority announced that American Airlines and its partner Landline Co. plan to launch a bus service between Wilmington Airport (ILG) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Passengers flying out of Philly can park, check bags, and pass through security at the Wilmington Airport. Chicago-Bound United Airlines Boeing 767 Diverts to Ireland After Passenger Gets Laptop Wedged Stuck in Business Class Seat United Airlines flight 12 from Zurich to Chicago O’Hare was forced to make an emergency diversion to Shannon, Ireland after a passenger got their laptop stuck in a Business Class seat aboard the Boeing 767-300. Two More Airports Are Fighting Over Using a City Name, This Time in Canada Where a Lawsuit Is Already Underway Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is suing Saint-Hubert Airport after the smaller airport decided to rebrand itself as Montreal Metropolitan Airport. Valdez Fly-In and Airshow Listener Brian and Cora attended the 2024 Valdez Fly-In and Airshow in Alaska and provided a trip report. The couple also took a scenic flight around Denali Mountain and the report highlights the unique experiences and stunning views. ...
799 Doomsday Planes
15-05-2024
799 Doomsday Planes
Korean Air 747s will become the new doomsday planes, the new ATC rest rules have been delayed by the FAA, Breeze flight attendants voted to join the union, a United jumpseat pilot has upset some Southwest pilots, the GA flyover in DC was a success, Boeing employees were found to have falsified 787 Dreamliner inspection records, Airbus hasn’t leveraged an advantage in light of Boeing’s woes, and airlines sue the DOT over a new rule requiring the disclosure of fees. Aviation News Former Korean Air 747s Slated To Become USAF Doomsday Planes Korean Air has confirmed the sale of five of its 747-8s to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), which is building the new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) aircraft, also referred to as “doomsday planes.” The USAF states:  The E-4B "Nightwatch" serves as the National Airborne Operations Center and is a component of the National Military Command System for the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  In case of national emergency or destruction of ground command and control centers, the aircraft provides a highly survivable command, control, and communications center to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders, and coordinate actions by civil authorities. SNC acquired five Boeing 747-8s from Korean Air. The current E-4B aircraft are based on the 747-200. SNC specializes in aircraft modification and integration as well as space technologies. FAA Delaying the Start of ATC Rest Rules The new FAA ATC rest requirements require controllers to have at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. The rule was to have taken effect by mid-July. However, the FAA has delayed those requirements while it talks to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) union. FAA Air Traffic Organization Chief Operating Officer Timothy Arel hopes to reach a joint rest period agreement for the 2025 schedule "or sooner where feasible." Flight attendants at this Utah airline just voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to unionize More than 76% of the roughly 600 Breeze Airways flight attendants voted to join the Association of Flight Attendants. AFA international president Sara Nelson said “We are inspired by their solidarity and thrilled to welcome them to our AFA family. Our labor movement is growing. Everywhere.” See: Breeze Flight Attendants Vote Overwhelmingly to Join the Flight Attendant Union. “Breeze Flight Attendants organized for a union and a contract due to ongoing issues with constantly-changing work rules, substandard pay for time on the job, inadequate hotel accommodations, insufficient work hours, and inconsistent and disrespectful treatment from management.” American Airlines is Issuing ‘Poverty Verification Letters’ For New-Hire Flight Attendants Because Their Wages Are So Low Nearly One in Ten Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Have Experienced Homelessness in the Past Year and Over a Third Have Been Forced to Use a Food Bank Poverty verification letters are being sent to some new-hire flight attendants based in expensive areas. Airline Feud Escalates: United Pilots Barred From Southwest Airlines Jump Seats After Controversial Incident This stems from an incident where a “relatively new” United pilot reported some “inadequacies” to the FAA after jumpseating on a Southwest flight. AOPA’s General Aviation Flyover in DC Video: LIVE DC Flyover - AOPA's National Celebration of General Aviation https://www.youtube.com/live/vpSaYYcljIk?si=7eb13EFMVeUZUx4o FAA is investigating Boeing for apparent missed inspections on 787 Dreamliner Boeing voluntarily disclosed to the FAA that some B787 Dreamliner inspections may not have been performed, but were signed off as completed. The inspections are intended to verify adequate bonding and grounding at the wing-fuselage joint. In a statement to NPR, the FAA said it's also investigating "whether Boeing completed the inspections and whe...