The Black Box Aviation Podcast

In this milestone episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike officially bring the show to video for the very first time.
This special episode goes behind the scenes into their home studio setups, aviation memorabilia, podcast gear, and how the show is evolving from a traditional audio podcast into a full video aviation podcast experience.
But it’s not just about the studios — the conversation dives deep into real-world aviation and airline industry topics, including:
✈️ Episode topics:
First-ever Black Box Aviation video episode

Podcast evolution from audio to video

Airline industry changes

Cargo aviation vs passenger airlines

Pilot career pathways

Airline retirement and 401k structures

Fleet modernization

MD-11 legacy aircraft discussion

Airline business models

Premium seating strategies

Real pilot lifestyle realities

Aviation industry economics

Behind-the-scenes airline operations

This episode blends aviation insight, pilot experience, and industry analysis in a way only airline professionals can deliver — real conversations, no corporate filters.
📩 Contact the show:
✉️ [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name)
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
🎧 Follow the Black Box Aviation Podcast for real aviation talk, airline industry breakdowns, pilot life stories, and behind-the-scenes perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where we talk aviation, travel, and the things you NEED and WANT to know about flying.
It’s a quick-hit episode today—covering breaking aviation news, airline hiring shifts, and some classic stories from the road.
A look at a Challenger 600 crash in Bangor, Maine

UPS officially retires the MD-11 and what it means for cargo aviation

Southwest Airlines ends open seating—a major culture shift

A car crashes into Delta’s baggage claim at DTW and the serious security implications

The Frank Abagnale “fake pilot” story and modern aviation security concerns

Avelo Airlines restructuring, recent hiring, and why major carriers are watching

How low-time 737 pilots can position themselves for legacy airline jobs

Why proving you can pass a Part 121 training program is everything

Brandon texts in saying he loves hearing about the path to becoming an airline pilot — we’ll keep sharing our stories and plan to bring on a guest currently in the process

Alex emails asking about Spirit Airlines furloughs — updates include reduced captain downgrades and canceled furloughs for hundreds of pilots

A simple grocery store moment that turned into a reminder of why small acts matter

📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
☎️ Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music
⭐ Smash that 5-STAR rating and leave a review — it helps push the show into more searches and supports the podcast!
✈️ In this episode:👨‍✈️ Pilot Path Talk & Listener Shoutouts:🛒 Stories From the Road:📩 Hit the Plugs:

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast with Tom & Mike—and this one is special. This episode marks our 1-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, celebrating one full year of conversations about aviation, travel, career paths, and the realities of life in and around the flight deck. Our very first show aired on January 12th, and this episode reflects on how far we’ve come and where the industry is headed.
We open the show talking about what the last year has meant, why these conversations matter, and how listener feedback has shaped the direction of the podcast. From technical deep dives to relatable travel stories, we discuss finding the right balance between education, experience, and accessibility for everyone who loves aviation—or wants to be part of it.
• A classic grocery store pennies story
• Listener feedback from Joe, Ed, and Jamie
• Teasing a future episode on a Guatemalan Air Force Hawker jet seized and flown out of a jungle dirt strip
• Why community engagement is becoming a core part of the show
We dive into the NTSB preliminary findings from the tragic UPS Flight 2976 MD-11 crash during takeoff on November 4th, 2025.
• Structural failures involving the left pylon aft mount lugs
• Maintenance history, inspections, and missed SDI tasks
• Aircraft cycles, total time, and CAMP oversight
• Historical parallels to American Airlines Flight 191 (DC-10)
• What this accident may mean for the entire MD-11 fleet
This segment becomes deeply personal as we discuss the emotional impact of seeing wreckage from an aircraft many of us have flown—and the uncomfortable question: Was this a ticking time bomb?
• High approach speeds and runway performance
• Crosswind technique, wing-down/top-rudder timing
• Pitch control, flare discipline, and bounce risks
• Swept wing inefficiency and aft CG challenges
• Why speed management directly equals runway distance
This is a raw, technical, and honest look at the jet—and what pilots carry with them long after stepping out of the cockpit.
We shift gears into pilot career decisions, flow-through agreements, and mentorship programs—especially within the American Eagle ecosystem (Envoy, Piedmont, PSA).
• What flow-through really means vs. past promises
• How cadet programs work today
• Incentives, mentorship, and the “single interview” model
• Why timing, passion, and realism matter more than ever
We discuss a powerful Flying Magazine article by Martha Lunken, examining the modern “pilot production pipeline,” fast-track promises, six-figure training costs, and whether the industry is confusing speed with readiness.
• Reflections on Colgan Air 3407 and hard lessons learned
• Why experience still matters
• Personal stories flying into Buffalo and the weight of history
We close with a fascinating and controversial chapter in aviation history—Martha Lunken’s FAA certificate revocation after flying under an Ohio bridge.
• Discipline vs. legacy
• Risk, judgment, and reputation
• Can passion ever cross the line?
This episode brings together reflection, tragedy, training, career guidance, and aviation philosophy—a fitting way to mark one full year of the Black Box Aviation Podcast.
📩 Contact the Show: [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (leave your name!)
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
⭐ Please rate and review us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music—it helps keep the show growing and these conversations alive.
Aviation isn’t just a job. It’s a responsibility—and a passion. ✈️
🎉 One Year Anniversary Reflections🗺️ Stories From the Road & Listener Shout-Outs📰 In the News: MD-11 NTSB Preliminary Report🛬 MD-11 Handling, Training, and Reality🧭 Career Paths, Flow-Through Programs & What’s Changed✍️ Pilot Shortage & The Passion of Aviation🛩️ A Twist: Martha Lunken’s Story

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom, Mike, and special guest Travis dive deep into aviation history, industry news, and the stories that shape the world of flying.
In this episode, we cover two very different but equally fascinating sides of aviation—modern airline consolidation and the brutal realities of World War II bomber operations.
We break down the reported Allegiant–Sun Country merger, what it means for the low-cost leisure market, and why consolidation may be unavoidable for airlines like Spirit and Frontier.
• Leisure airline business models explained
• Why fleet commonality (737 vs Airbus) matters
• Are mergers the only path to survival for ULCCs?
• How politics and regulation affect airline consolidation
The heart of this episode features Travis sharing the remarkable story of his grandfather, a WWII bomber crew member in the legendary 100th Bomb Group — “The Bloody 100th.”
• Discovering an original WWII flight logbook
• Missions flown over Europe in the B-17 Flying Fortress
• The brutal loss rates of daylight bombing missions
• Nine-month pilot training pipelines during wartime
• Pathfinder missions, early radar bombing, and the Norden bombsight
• Survivor’s guilt, crew camaraderie, and the human cost of air combat
We also connect these real stories to the Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air, explaining what the show gets right—and how close it hits to the real experiences of bomber crews flying unescorted over Germany.
This episode is a powerful reminder of how aviation evolves—from life-or-death combat missions in WWII to corporate strategy and survival in modern airline operations—and how the people behind the controls are always at the center of the story.
📩 Contact the Show: [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (leave your name!)
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
⭐ If you enjoy the show, please rate us 5 stars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music—it helps more aviation fans find the podcast.
Real pilots. Real stories. Real aviation history. ✈️
🛫 Airline Industry News: Allegiant & Sun Country🪖 Aviation History: A WWII Logbook Comes to Life

Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike talk aviation, travel, and the real-world experiences flyers and crews deal with every day—covering the things you need and WANT to know about flying.
This episode blends technical aviation insight, travel chaos, and classic road stories, with plenty of humor along the way.
• Heather joins us while navigating a difficult family loss—huge thanks for powering through
• Producer tracks in the studio failed to record
• A strong follow-up discussion on LVTO (Low Visibility Takeoff) and Heather’s technical feedback
• Why technical conversations matter—and how we sometimes lose listeners when things get too deep
• Our commitment to doing a better job bridging technical aviation topics for the entire audience
• Florida iguanas falling out of trees 🦎
• Olive Garden… with no salad dressing 🥗
• Tom’s daughter Anna flying JetBlue to Florida
• Mike’s England recap: MCO–HPN connections and Uber decisions
• A standby return from London that went so badly it cost $10,000 to get home
• Why we’d probably be great (or terrible) running a travel agency
• Mike’s story of getting stuck in Hawaii
• The Terminal 5 waiting game
• Uber to T5 or the TWA Hotel—the real debate
• Reaching out to Delta pilots for insight—surprisingly little clarity
• Flying pets in cargo: what actually happens
• A real-world example of a dog flying Hawaiian Airlines from Boston to Honolulu
• U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the resulting FAA no-fly zone
• Massive airline disruptions
• JetBlue cancellations (CNX 290 flights)
• Combined with winter weather, nearly 4,000 delays by early Saturday morning
• Why every airline was affected
• Managing anxiety during major travel disruptions
• How the family handled the chaos
• Airline support during the disruption
• Would she fly that airline again?
• Loyalty programs and reward considerations
• Choosing a hotel under pressure
• Transportation challenges
• Prepping the family for the next day’s travel
• Seat availability issues and how it worked out
• Full Turks and Caicos resort review
📩 Contact the Show: [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (Leave your name!)
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
⭐ Support the Podcast
Please head to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music and smash the 5-STAR rating. Reviews help push the show into more searches and bring new listeners into the cockpit.
Real aviation talk. Real travel chaos. No autopilot. ✈️
🎙️ Recap of Last Week’s Technical Mishap🧳 Stories From the Road🐾 Pet Transport Services🌍 Breaking News: Venezuela & Airspace Disruptions🌴 Heather’s Turks & Caicos Travel Story