The Black Box Aviation Podcast

The major airlines are on a hiring spree in 2026, but are you prepared for the "scrub"?
In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike break down the current pilot hiring landscape. We go deep into the Southwest Airlines pilot application—from the initial screener to the high-stakes supplemental questionnaire.
Whether you’re a military pilot navigating "green folders" or a civilian pilot worried about a past checkride failure, we’re cracking the code on what recruiters are actually looking for in your logbooks. We also share unofficial hiring numbers for United, Delta, American, and Spirit for the rest of 2026.
What we discuss:
The Southwest Airlines pilot application walkthrough.

Why "Pushing the Button" is the only way to get hired.

Military vs. Civilian: Decoding 88/89 checkride codes.

How to handle checkride failures in an interview.

Phase 2: Letters of recommendation and reference forms.

Unofficial 2026 hiring stats for United, Delta, and American.

Resources Mentioned:
Official Site: theblackboxaviationpodcast.com

Connect with the Crew:Leave a message on the Black Box Hotline at 203-699-6792 or shoot us an email at [email protected].
#PilotHiring #SouthwestAirlines #AviationCareer #PilotPodcast #AirlinePilot #Aviation2026 #FlightTraining #BlackBoxAviation

Breaking down the KC-135 mid-air collision in Iraq and why jet fuel prices just spiked 50%. Tom and Mike analyze the technical and geopolitical fallout.
In this urgent Monday release, we dive into the high-stakes world of military tanker tracks and the "Broadway" line. We cover the miracle landing of a damaged Stratotanker in Tel Aviv and discuss how airline captains are battling record-high fuel costs through tankering and single-engine taxiing.
[In This Episode:]
KC-135 Analysis: Inside the mid-air collision on the Iraq-Iran border.

Jet Fuel Spike: Dealing with $6.84/gallon fuel and airline mitigation.

Strait of Hormuz: The Law of the Sea, transit passage, and P-3 Orion surveillance.

Aviation Safety: Insights from 40-year A&P mechanics and the history of the DC-10

Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.comEmail: [email protected]/X: @the_black_box_01Hotline: 203-699-6792

In this high-stakes episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike dive into the intensifying air power struggle in the Middle East. Tom reflects on his own harrowing experience flying a P-3 Orion in the Persian Gulf and what it’s like to be "lit up" by an Iranian Hawk missile site.
The guys break down the current "air power war," the role of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups, and the combat debut of the F-35. From GPS jamming in the South China Sea to the aging fleet of Iranian F-14s, we explore the tech and tactics defining modern aerial conflict.
Back on the civilian side, we tackle the "airline’s biggest fear": skyrocketing jet fuel prices. With oil production hits in Iran and fuel costs jumping 80% in a month, what does this mean for the survival of budget carriers and your future travel plans?
The Decision to Evacuate: We dissect the recent United Airlines 787 engine fire emergency at LAX. Why did the captain countermand an initial evacuation call? We discuss the "Shakespearean question" every pilot faces: Is it safer on the plane or off?

CFR and "Rolling the Trucks": A look at the vital communication between flight crews and Crash Fire Rescue.

The Tragedy of "Tennessee Fly Girl": Analyzing the final NTSB report on the Jenny Blalock crash—lessons learned from a heartbreaking loss in the GA community.

Also in this episode:

On July 25, 2000, the "flagship of the skies" met a catastrophic end. In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike break down the tragic crash of Air France Flight 4590, the fatal Concorde flight that eventually grounded supersonic air travel for decades.
We dive deep into the chain of errors and the freak mechanical failure involving a DC-10 titanium strip that triggered a massive fuel tank rupture and fireball. Was it just a piece of runway debris, or did an overweight aircraft and maintenance oversights seal the fate of the 109 people on board?
In this episode, we discuss:
The Anatomy of the Concorde: From its iconic "droop nose" and Delta wing to the powerful Rolls-Royce Olympus turbojets (and why the British call afterburners "reheat").

The Accident Sequence: A second-by-second look at the V1 decision speed, the tire explosion, and the desperate attempt to fly the aircraft at just 25 feet.

The Investigation Controversies: The role of the aft center of gravity, missing landing gear spacers, and the "conspiracy" involving the Russian Tu-144 "Concordski."

The Future of Supersonic Travel: After 23 years of silence, can companies like Boom Supersonic and their Overture airliner bring Mach speed back to commercial aviation by 2029?

Whether you're an aviation geek or a fan of disaster deep-dives, join us as we explore the legacy of the fastest passenger jet in history.
Keywords: Concorde crash, Air France 4590, Aviation Podcast, Supersonic travel, Black Box, Boom Overture, Flight safety, DC-10 debris, Air disaster investigation, Rolls-Royce Olympus.

Tom and Mike explore the "silent hazard" of aviation: Cosmic Radiation. We compare pilot exposure to nuclear workers and discuss the FAA's lack of protection for crews.In this episode:
Top 18 Ranking: We celebrate our Pod Ranker debut.

Space Weather: How solar flares impact your health and your GPS.

Flight School Truths: Should you pick a school based on their fleet?

Listener Mail: We answer your questions on Part 61 vs. 141.

To maximize your reach, make sure to include these at the bottom of whichever description you choose:
Connect with us:
YouTube: @TheBlackBoxAviationPodcast

Instagram: @_black_box01

Listener Hotline: 203-699-6792

Website: www.theblackboxaviationpodcast.com

Email: [email protected]