This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike sit down with special guest Heather, a passenger on Southwest Flight 2169 — the flight that suffered a wing strike on landing in Hartford back in 2019. Heather relives that terrifying day: the violent touchdown, passengers getting sick as the plane attempted two more landings, and the final emergency diversion to Providence. It’s a firsthand story of fear, confusion, and what it’s like when a routine flight goes very wrong.

We talk about how that moment still affects her today and how it’s changed the way she thinks about flying. From last-minute hurricane travel to booking under stress, Heather opens up about the anxiety and logistics behind making big travel decisions when the weather — and your nerves — are unpredictable.

Then, we break down the science behind the Fujiwhara Effect, where two hurricanes “dance” around each other, and cover breaking news on the Delta CRJ collision at LaGuardia.

✈️ In This Episode:

• Heather’s firsthand account of the Southwest 2169 wing strike

• The psychological side of surviving an in-flight emergency

• How pilots plan around hurricanes & what the Fujiwhara Effect means

• Why last-minute travel decisions can turn risky fast

• Delta’s CRJ collision at LGA and what happens next

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#AviationPodcast #SouthwestAirlines #WingStrike #AviationStories #HurricaneTravel #DeltaAirlines #FujiwharaEffect #PilotStories #AviationSafety #TravelPodcast

This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike share real stories from the cockpit and the road:

• FedEx substitution vs. industry standards

• Riding Delta to Anchorage, hitting Diamond Status, and getting reprimanded for recording inflight 🎥

• FAA landing currency rules and what happens when your trip gets dropped

• McDonald’s new “value” meals vs. $18 airport Big Macs 🍔

• Breaking news: The Pilot Mental Health Bill (H.R.2591) passes the House — what it means for pilots & controllers

• What are aircraft fume events and why are airlines like Delta finally taking action?

We’ll also touch on aviation safety, passenger rights, and some behind-the-scenes frustrations pilots face every day.

🎧 Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an aviation buff, or a fellow pilot, this episode has a little bit of everything—insight, humor, and hard truths about flying today.

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Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name for a shoutout!)

#AviationPodcast #PilotLife #DeltaAirlines #FAANews #AirlineStories #AviationSafety #TravelPodcast #FlightDeck

On this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike break down one of the most shocking aviation stories ever—FedEx Flight 705. In 1994, Auburn Calloway, an off-duty FedEx pilot, attempted to hijack a DC-10 using hammers, mallets, and even a speargun. His plan: crash into FedEx headquarters in Memphis. What followed was a brutal cockpit battle, a desperate fight for survival, and aerobatic maneuvers in a jumbo jet that were never meant to be possible.

We also discuss the book Touching History by Lynn Spencer, which gives raw insights from pilots and controllers on 9/11, plus the “5th Plane” conspiracy that still stirs debate.

✈️ Hear how three FedEx crew members fought back against impossible odds, saved the aircraft, and changed aviation security forever.

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#Aviation #FedExFlight705 #AviationPodcast #AirlineHistory #TrueCrime #BlackBoxPodcast #9/11Stories #PlaneHijacking

In this powerful episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike reflect on September 11, 2001—walking through the timeline, sharing where they were in their own pilot training, and discussing how 9/11 reshaped aviation forever. We cover the hijackers’ path from Portland to Boston, the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the heroic stand of United Flight 93.

We also discuss the long-term impact on flight training, passenger vigilance, and how “Let’s Roll” became a symbol of courage in the skies. Plus, hear real stories of passengers intervening on flights post-9/11 and how those moments shaped modern security culture.

And stick around—next week we dive into one of the wildest hijacking stories in aviation history: FedEx Flight 705, where the hijacker was a pilot himself.

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This week the Black Box Aviation Podcast brings you something special — our first live guest, Air Traffic Controller Ian! Tom & Mike sit down with Ian for a candid look behind the mic at the people who keep airplanes moving safely through the skies.

Ian shares his path to ATC, from school and training timelines to life inside the radar room. We talk about the stress myths vs. reality, favorite movie scenes about controllers, how clearances work over voice vs. CPDLC, and what pilots say that secretly drives controllers crazy.

We also cover real-world stories: guiding traffic during emergencies, handling student pilots on frequency, and why 9/11 remains an important case study for controllers everywhere. Whether you’re a pilot, avgeek, or just curious about what happens on the other side of the radio, this episode gives you an insider’s perspective on one of aviation’s most critical jobs.

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#Aviation #AirTrafficControl #PilotLife #BlackBoxAviationPodcast #ATC #Flying

This week on the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike cover everything from music icons to major aviation headlines. Tom visits New York, takes in the USS Intrepid Air Museum, and maybe even spots Lady Gaga — but is he really a fan?

We break down the WestJet 2276 hard landing in St. Maarten that forced a passenger evacuation and shut down the airport, plus a discussion on jumpseat etiquette following news of the Alaska Airlines pilot who took mushrooms and tried to shut down the engines — now pleading guilty.

Other highlights include how a simple smile from a hotel worker can change your whole trip, the preliminary report on aerobatic legend Rob Holland’s crash, and a preview of next week’s special guest — an air traffic controller giving us inside details on national airspace chaos.

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📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)

#Aviation #PilotLife #BlackBoxAviationPodcast #LadyGaga #WestJet #Jumpseat #RobHolland

In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom & Mike kick things off by answering listener hotline questions: What is ETOPS flying? And how do pilots use the Great Circle Route? Plus, an update on the tragic NYC helicopter crash.

From there, it’s stories from the road: Mike flies his family for the very first time — only to end up deplaning them after an APU failure 😬. We also cover an unexpected sidewalk emergency in Santa Monica, a flight from LAX to Newark with six horses onboard, Central Park runs, bagels on Venice Beach, and a stop at the USS Intrepid in NYC.

In the news — Delta settles the infamous Fuel Dump case, paying out $78.75 million to victims.

Whether it’s aviation insights, cockpit stories, or travel mishaps, this one’s packed with laughs and lessons.

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#Aviation #PilotLife #ETOPS #FlyingFamily #BlackBoxAviationPodcast #Delta

Even pro travelers make rookie mistakes — Tom forgot to pack underwear. 🧳✈️ Mike won’t let him live it down as the Black Box Aviation Podcast takes off with stories from the road.

This episode dives into the world of fuel dumping: why airlines do it, FAA rules, and what happened when Delta Flight 89 dumped thousands of gallons over Los Angeles, showering neighborhoods and schools below. Tom and Mike share their own experiences with emergency fuel dumps in the P-3 and MD-11, breaking down the regulations and real-world decision-making pilots face.

To lighten it up, we wrap with Hawaiian vacation stories — from tarmac strolls in tropical air to oddball encounters with locals, surfboards, and beach chairs.

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#Aviation #FuelDumping #DeltaFlight89 #PilotLife #Travel