263 episodes

An aviation podcast by aviation geeks for anyone who looks up when they hear an airplane fly overhead. Listen in as Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz bring you aviation news, views, and special guests every Friday. If you're a new avgeek or just can't get enough aviation in your life, get your avgeek fix with us.

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast Flightradar24

    • Leisure
    • 4.8 • 552 Ratings

An aviation podcast by aviation geeks for anyone who looks up when they hear an airplane fly overhead. Listen in as Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz bring you aviation news, views, and special guests every Friday. If you're a new avgeek or just can't get enough aviation in your life, get your avgeek fix with us.

    Beware the chair

    Beware the chair

    On this episode of AvTalk, an update on the inflight upset experienced by a LATAM 787, the problem with popular media’s hyper focus on aviation incidents, and we dig in to the report detailing what actually happened when an errant flight plan shut down UK airspace last August. Plus, we discuss Flightradar24’s new GPS jamming map.

    Helpful links and reading for this week’s episode



    * The Air Current: Pilot seat movement at center of LATAM 787-9 dive investigation

    * Are flights squawking 7700 more often?

    * NATS flight plan processing failure report



    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Please check back soon for a transcript of this episode.

    • 42 min
    Asleep at the sidestick

    Asleep at the sidestick

    On this episode of AvTalk, Batik Air pilots asleep on the flight deck, a LATAM flight experiences an inflight upset, and Boeing’s problems only seem to be getting bigger.

    Batik Air pilots were asleep for nearly 30 minutes during their flight to Jakarta. Over the sea between Australia and New Zealand, a LATAM flight experienced an inflight upset that injured 50 people, including 13 who required hospitalization. Boeing’s problems continue to compound with the US Department of Justice, the FAA, and the NTSB all displeased with the plane maker for new reasons this week, while airlines begin making adjustments to their order books to account for delivery delays.

    Elsewhere, improperly installed wiring bundles could cause uncommanded spoiler deployment on the 737 MAX, a rudder issue from the 737NG surfaces in the MAX as well, and United Airlines has had a rough week.

    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

    • 51 min
    With respect to documentation

    With respect to documentation

    On this week’s episode of AvTalk, JetBlue and Spirit walk away, American Airlines adds to its order book, and the NTSB isn’t pleased with Boeing.

    JetBlue and Spirit call it quits

    JetBlue and Spirit agreed to terminate their merger agreement, deciding that it would be impossible to meet regulatory conditions by the time their agreement ended in June.

    American Airlines expands its order book, but there’s a catch

    American Airlines order 260 narrowbody aircraft this week. Lots of attention was given to the airline’s order for the 737-10 MAX, but our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff points out when the airline plans to take delivery of all the aircraft it has ordered is a much more interesting story.

    NTSB chair criticizes Boeing’s lack of assistance in door plug probe

    Testifying in front of the US Senate this week, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy criticized Boeing for a lack of transparency during the Alaska Airlines door plug investigation. And Boeing’s response isn’t encouraging.

    FAA audit finds Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems quality control failures

    The FAA said this week that it has completed a six week audit of Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems, finding “multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.”

    Boeing thinking about bringing Spirit back in house

    In the midst of multiple investigations and an effort to right the ship, Boeing is considering buying Spirit and re-making the once-Boeing division part of Boeing-proper again.

    Ethiopian Airlines orders the 777X

    In an order that came seemingly out of thin air, Ethiopian Airlines ordered up to 20 777-9s this week.

    Wizz Air has 20% of its fleet on the ground

    Because of the issues affecting Pratt and Whitney GTF engines, Wizz Air has more than 20% of its fleet parked. They’ve even wet leased aircraft, including a Go2Sky 737-800 registered OM-GTF.

    Delivery times for aircraft are… fluid

    Seemingly no one can delivery an aircraft on time. In 2024, United Airlines says it expects to take 102 fewer aircraft than it originally forecast from Airbus and Boeing. Ryanair plans on taking only 40 of its 57 expected 737 MAX on order through June. And the Russian aircraft programs, they’re also years behind schedule.

    Airbus working on software update for CFM thrust reversers

    Following last week’s discussion on the incident involving a TAP A320, we come with an update as Airbus completes work on a software update for the CFM thrust reverser.

    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

    • 38 min
    30 minutes of bad decisions

    30 minutes of bad decisions

    On this week’s episode of AvTalk, following a highly critical report by a panel of aviation safety experts, the FAA gives Boeing 90 days to explain how its going to get its act together. We review a collection of aviation safety reports, including the final report on PK8303. And a TCAS incident between Qatar and Ethiopian highlights the need for extra vigilance when flying over Somalia. Plus, one airline now has its own barbecue sauce.

    Section 103 Organization Designation Authorizations (ODA) for Transport Airplanes Expert Panel Review Report

    That’s a long title for a long report. But the short of it is that Boeing needs to enhance its safety culture. We break down the report and talk about the gauntlet the FAA has thrown down.

    Aviation safety reports

    We begin with the final report on the crash of Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303 in Karachi in 2020. The report points to an incredible string of poor decisions by the flight crew leading to the crash of the A320 after an initial gear up touchdown and go around.

    Danish investigators have published their final report on the curious incident involving a TAP A320, which conducted a go around after activating reverse thrust, while one of the engine’s thrust reversers remained open.

    And Serbian investigators have released their preliminary report on the Marathon Airlines E195 that struck equipment at the end of the runway following an intersection take off with just 1300 metres of runway.

    TCAS!

    Another win for TCAS this week, this time over Somalia as a traffic advisory kept a Qatar Airways 787 from climbing airspace occupied by an Ethiopian Airlines A350.

    Elsewhere this week

    IATA says 2023 was an incredibly safe year for aviation. Canadian ULCC Lynx Air has ceased operations. VietJet has signed an MoU for 20 A330neos. British Airways is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Austin with its own special barbecue sauce. Qantas put the A380 into domestic service for a day. United has expanded its already giant training center in Denver. Asiana will retire its last 747-400 at the end of March. And finally, a Delta Air Lines pilot chose a different way to mark his retirement.

    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

    • 43 min
    A bad day in Belgrade

    A bad day in Belgrade

    On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Marathon Airlines E195 operating for Air Serbia strikes the ILS array on departure, rogue ATC on the radio over Somalia, Air Canada fire its chatbot, and updates from this year’s Singapore Airshow.

    Marathon Airlines E195 hits ILS antennas on departure

    A Marathon Airlines E195 operating for AirSerbia struck the ILS array for runway 12R while departing Belgrade’s runway 30L. The aircraft returned safely to Belgrade shortly after departure.

    Somaliland pirate radio

    Flights passing through Somali airspace have been subject to rogue ATC instructions, with fake controllers issuing climb and descent clearances.

    Air Canada liable for chatbot who made up policies

    A tribunal ruled Air Canada is liable for a refund based on a policy invented by the airline’s customer service chatbot.

    Updates from the Singapore Airshow

    Thai Airways finally places its order for additional 787s, COMAC gets its first orders for the “plateau” version of the C919 from Tibet Airlines, and Starlux is starting a dedicated cargo division with the A350F.

    Boeing fires head of 737 MAX program

    Ed Clark is out after 18 years at Boeing, including the last three as head of the 737 MAX program in Renton. Katie Ringgold will take over.

    American Airlines says no more hang gliders

    In addition to raising the prices for checked bags and changing how and when customers can earn loyalty points on their bookings, the airline will also stop accepting javelin, pole vault, and hang gliders onboard.

    United flight diverts to Denver with damage to slats

    A United 757 en route from San Francisco to Boston suffered damage to the leading edge slats on the right wing and safely diverted to Denver.

    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

     

    • 41 min
    Grounded for the dumbest of reasons

    Grounded for the dumbest of reasons

    On this week’s episode of AvTalk, United Airlines’ fleet of A321neos is temporarily grounded for the dumbest of reasons. Plus the NTSB comes out swinging at the FAA demanding new rules requiring 25 hour cockpit voice recorders apply to existing aircraft as well. And the preliminary report on the Atlas Air 747 engine fire points to a missing plug (no, not a door plug) and fire coming out the wrong hole.

    You must comply with all lighted signs and placards

    The small fleet of five United Airlines A321neos spent some extra time on the ground this week because of a paperwork snafu of the dumbest kind. We wade into 14 CFR § 25.791(a), 14 CFR § 121.371(a) and more as we untangle a morass of red tape.

    Boeing building 737s more slowly than it says

    Boeing is committed to a rate of building 38 737s per month, but an analysis of their production finds that only 20-25 are coming out of the factory each month. This could have implications for how soon Boeing can increase its production rates and how quickly customers can take delivery of their aircraft.

    Public comments come in on the FAA’s 25 hour cockpit voice recorder rules

    The NTSB is among those weighing in on the FAA’s proposed 25 hour cockpit voice recorder rules. The safety agency says the 25 hour rule should apply to all aircraft, not just new aircraft. And manufacturers of smaller aircraft say they have concerns.

    Improperly installed plug leads to fire through the wrong hole

    The preliminary NTSB report on the Atlas Air 747 engine fire in Miami points to a missing borescope inspection port plug as the cause for the flames where they shouldn’t have been.

    PW geared turbofan supply chain slowing fixes

    Pratt and Whitney says the supply chain continues to be the limiting factor in getting engines back on the wing, with time off the wing for affected engines averaging 300 days.

    Venezuelan 747-300 seized in Argentina flown to US

    A former Mahan Air 747-300 acquired by Venezuelan airline EMTRASUR was seized in Buenos Aires in 2022 after the US alleged it was transferred in violation on sanctions. This week it was flown to the US, reportedly to be used as a fire trainer.

    Nolinor bringing back the 737-200 for gravel runways

    Airlines usually make a big deal about their new aircraft. Nolinor is proudly calling attention to one of its oldest. The airline is reintroducing the 737-200 for gravel runway operations in far-northern Canada.

    Flamingos in flight

    When their incubator broke on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle, an Alaska Airlines flight attendant jumped in to keep six Chilean flamingo eggs nice and toasty. The flight attendant recently caught up with the now-hatched flamingos at their new home at the Woodland Park Zoo.

    Thank you for listening!

    Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.



    Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

     

    • 39 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
552 Ratings

552 Ratings

defljjplolmMpkkMlplnnop ,

Great! Great!

Great podcast! Both great hosts. Nothing more to say than this is a perfect pod-cast along with the Simple flying Podcast!

Cartpauj ,

A very fun and informative podcast

I’m not a pilot, I don’t work in aviation. All I know, I’ve learned from this podcast. I started listening when the Max 8 MCAS-related crashes peaked my interest in what was going on. I’ve listened to every single episode since. These guys have very different but unique personalities that makes the show fun, entertaining and highly informative. I highly recommend!!! As a result of listening, I also was inspired to start feeding 1090Mhz ADSB data as well. I’ve had a lot of fun with that too :)

BX Commuter ,

Always a great listen

There are lots of Avgeek podcasts and most are a bit dry. This is a bit like “Car Talk” of the airline world, where the rapport and passion combine to make the show really stand out.

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