Aviation News Talk Podcast

Max talks with Dr. Quay Snyder, an expert in aerospace medicine, about the critical role of sleep and fatigue management, especially in aviation. Dr. Snyder delves into the structure of sleep, emphasizing the importance of REM sleep for emotional recovery and memory consolidation, and deep sleep for physical restoration. He provides practical advice, such as maintaining a cool, dark, and quiet sleep environment, avoiding heavy meals and screen exposure before bed, and adopting consistent pre-sleep routines. Writing down worries and using relaxation techniques like box breathing can further improve sleep quality. https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/product/zulu-3-anr-headset/?campaign=Zulu%203&ref=63 Caffeine and alcohol disrupt sleep cycles, and while melatonin supplements may help with circadian misalignment, they should be used cautiously. Dr. Snyder also discusses the accuracy of wearable sleep trackers and emerging fatigue-monitoring technologies. Concluding, Dr. Snyder highlights his work wit

Max talks with Dr. Catherine Cavagnaro about the dangers of "timid turns" in traffic patterns, where overly shallow bank angles can lead to overshoots and potentially dangerous skidding turns. Catherine recounts a case where a pilot overshot final approach due to excessive speed and timid turns, underscoring how these habits can increase the risk of stall-spin accidents. They explore the physics of turns, emphasizing that speed impacts turn radius far more than bank angle. A 30-degree bank is both safe and effective, increasing stall speed by only 7% while significantly reducing turn radius compared to a 20-degree bank. Dr. Cavagnaro criticizes overcautious instruction by some CFIs, which perpetuates unsafe patterns. The conversation also addresses circling approaches, where incorrect visual references at lower altitudes often cause overshoots. Both Max and Catherine cite fatal accidents caused by such errors and stress the importance of proper airspeed, situational awareness, and wind evaluation. They

Max talks about the tragic crash of a Robinson R44 helicopter (N881KE) in Houston on October 20, 2024, which claimed four lives. The accident occurred during an air tour when the helicopter collided with a radio tower at night. While the immediate cause—the helicopter hitting the tower—is clear, the episode delves into the broader contributing factors, offering lessons for all pilots. The tower struck was lit and operational despite a recent NOTAM suggesting otherwise, but a significant factor was the operator’s recent move to a new location. This change introduced risks as pilots flew new routes they were less familiar with, potentially increasing workload and reducing situational awareness. Distractions, a leading cause of aviation accidents, likely played a role. The pilot, engaged in radio communications, may have lost focus on obstacle avoidance. Limited night vision, reflections from the helicopter canopy, and passenger interaction may have compounded the challenge. Key takeaways include heighten

Max talks about discuss the tragic crash of a Beechcraft B55 Baron, N73WA, that departed from Catalina Island in Southern California on October 8th. The flight, taken in dark night conditions, sadly resulted in the loss of all five onboard, including two Certified Flight Instructors and two student pilots. Somatogravic illusion—an effect where acceleration feels like a climb—likely played a role in this incident. This sensation can mislead pilots into pushing the nose down, risking a controlled descent into terrain, especially dangerous during night departures over unlit areas. Coincidentally, I flew over Catalina Island the next day in a Cirrus Vision Jet and observed the crash site. ADS-B data showed a gradual descent and accelerating airspeed. The episode underscores the importance of using instruments, especially at night, to avoid reliance on physical sensations alone. Remember to consider all available options in challenging situations and prioritize safety above convenience. If you're getting valu

Max talks first about the fatal crash of N57HP, a HondaJet, which crashed earlier this week during takeoff from Falcon Field in Mesa, AZ. The aircraft reached 133 knots on the runway, well above the rotation speed of 115 knots, before rejecting its takeoff. Max also talked with Rob Mark about a near-miss incident at Chicago O'Hare involving Envoy Flight 3936, an Embraer 170. The incident took place on September 25th, when the aircraft was cleared to land on Runway 10 Center but mistakenly landed on Runway 10 Left instead. This misalignment was the result of multiple small errors—a classic "Swiss cheese" moment where various lapses align to create a potentially dangerous situation If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start wit

Max talks with Eric Peterson, Director of Santa Clara County Airports, discussed the landmark arrival of G100UL, an unleaded 100-octane aviation gasoline, at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, making it the first airport in the U.S. to offer GAMI’s G100UL fuel. Santa Clara County, motivated by studies linking lead exposure to nearby airports, decided to phase out leaded fuels in 2022, initially adopting Swift’s UL94 fuel. However, the new G100UL caters to aircraft needing higher-octane fuel, expanding lead-free options for pilots. To encourage adoption, GAMI is offering incentives: aircraft based at Reid-Hillview and San Martin Airports can receive the required Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for free by following certain steps, while Bay Area pilots who buy an STC by November 1 can get 25 gallons of free G100UL. Peterson highlighted challenges in sourcing G100UL due to limited distribution channels, which required direct contracting with the manufacturer Vitol Aviation. Currently priced at $6.99 per g

Max talks about how to respond to system failures, including those not covered in the POH. The process starts with assessing the severity of the failure—whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a threat to safety. Pilots should determine if they can substitute other instruments or indicators for the failed system and assess if the issue could lead to cascading failures, such as an engine fire after a turbocharger malfunction. Choosing the right place to land is also crucial. Not all failures require an immediate landing, so if time permits, pilots should consider airports with better repair facilities. The episode compares the redundancy in the Cirrus SR22, with its dual alternators and batteries, to the Diamond DA40NG, which has less backup, making electrical failures more critical. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding your aircraft's systems and being prepared for emergencies. A real-life example of a failure involving engine sensors in a Cirrus highlights the importance of redundan

Max talks with John Kinard of AeroLuxe Aviation, based in Nashville, which operates a fleet of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, including R44 and R22 helicopters. Following Hurricane Helene, the company became involved in relief efforts after seeing the devastation in North Carolina. John contacted the Ashville, NC EOC, and was told that help wasn’t needed. Nonetheless, AeroLux decided to fly three R44 helicopters to the disaster area to see how them might assist. The helicopters operated out of a base at a Harley-Davidson dealership in Asheville, which had been converted into a command center. Immediately after arriving, the team began delivering supplies to isolated communities cut off by flooding and landslides. They navigated challenging mountainous terrain, landing directly in confined areas to deliver food, water, and medical supplies. The team also saw firsthand the extensive damage, including multimillion-dollar homes washed away by floods. Despite hot, difficult conditions, AeroLuxe flew dai

Max talks about the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, which resulted in at least 200 deaths, mostly in North Carolina, and brought unprecedented rainfall to the Southeast. Towns like Hendersonville and Spruce Pine received over 20 inches of rain, causing widespread flooding and isolating mountain communities. Relief efforts have been extensive, involving the National Guard, Coast Guard, and various aviation groups. Helicopters have played a crucial role in reaching remote areas, while general aviation pilots have been delivering supplies. Listeners who participated talk about their experiences transporting essential goods, such as water and food, and detailed their experiences flying into affected areas. Organizations like Operation Airdrop and Aerobridge coordinated hundreds of flights, delivering supplies to impacted communities. The podcast highlighted the importance of working through relief organizations to ensure supplies reach those in need efficiently, and that the need for volunteer pilots

Max discusses the crash of N831AZ, a Cirrus SR22 at Provo, Utah. The aircraft was following a slower light sport aircraft in the traffic pattern for runway 13. The Cirrus pilot was instructed to go around after getting too close to the preceding aircraft. During both traffic patterns, the pilot struggled with airspeed management, flying with a constantly decreasing airspeed instead of maintaining a stable approach. On the second attempt, the aircraft stalled during the base-to-final turn and crashed into Utah Lake, possibly entering a spin before impact. He emphasizes the importance of stabilized approaches, maintaining consistent airspeeds, and using proper trim when adding flaps to prevent the nose from rising. He also highlights issues with situational awareness, including managing separation in traffic patterns and avoiding distractions like non-essential conversations in the cockpit. He believes that older Cirrus models have higher accident rates, possibly due to a lack of training rather than the air

Max talks with Nicholas about his recent experience buying a Cirrus SR22 and flying it from California to Missouri. After Nicholas arrived in San Jose, they drove to Santa Maria, where the plane had been relocated for a pre-purchase inspection. Nicholas discussed how he arranged for a local pilot to ferry the plane to the inspection site and his use of the Cirrus Owners Pilots Association (COPA) to find an independent shop. The journey itself was full of challenges and learning opportunities. Departing under overcast skies, they flew through mountainous terrain in California, dealt with downdrafts and updrafts, and navigated around weather in Arizona and New Mexico. Their first stop was at the Grand Canyon Airport, where they met a friendly Twin Otter pilot who lent them his truck for lunch. Fatigue and weather influenced their decision to stop in Albuquerque for the night. The next morning, they flew to Wichita, where they made a fast refueling stop before heading to Missouri. Along the way, they had to

In this episode of the Aviation News Talk podcast, Max discusses the crash of N629AG, a Piper PA-46-350P Malibu Mirage, which occurred on a visual approach to Anderson, Indiana (KAID) on a Friday morning. The aircraft, arriving too high and fast, attempted a go-around but stalled shortly after, killing the pilot and three passengers. The flight had departed from Fort Dodge, Iowa (KFOD) under IFR, leveling off at FL210 before beginning its descent. The pilot likely lost situational awareness, as the aircraft descended too slowly to correct for the high altitude and fast speed on final approach. Despite having tools like the Garmin G1000, which could have alerted the pilot to the impending danger, the descent planning was inadequate. The episode emphasizes the importance of proper descent planning and the use of avionics tools to prevent accidents, especially in situations where an aircraft is too high and fast for a safe landing. Max also highlights the potential distractions in the cockpit that could lead

Max talks with Patrick Carter of NflightCam about his journey from running an aerobatic flight school to creating specialized camera systems for aviation. His interest in video recording began nearly 20 years ago when he used a basic camera setup to help a student improve his loops. This experience highlighted the value of video for flight instruction, as it allowed students to debrief and learn more effectively by reviewing their performance on the ground, free from the stress of flying. Patrick has also offered a Promo code for Aviation News Talk listeners. To get 10% off all purchases from nflightcam.com, use the promo code: MAX Carter emphasizes that while video is a powerful tool for instruction and safety, it should never become a distraction during flight. He stresses the importance of easy-to-use, non-intrusive camera systems that allow pilots to "set and forget" during flight, ensuring that the primary focus remains on safe flying. He also discusses the legality of mounting cameras on aircraft, ex

Max talks with CFI Jim Hopp, who shares insights about tailwheel flying. He explains that tailwheel planes offer a more hands-on flying experience, with fewer instruments and a stick for better control. The primary challenge in tailwheel flying is ground handling due to the center of gravity being behind the main gear, which increases the risk of swerving and ground loops during takeoff and landing. Hopp discusses gyroscopic precession, a factor that causes tailwheel planes to yaw left during takeoff, requiring more right rudder input. He also highlights the importance of precise rudder control, particularly in crosswinds, and explains the different landing techniques used in tailwheel planes: the three-point landing and the more advanced wheel landing. In the air, tailwheel planes demand more rudder usage due to their older, draggy designs, which make adverse yaw more noticeable. Hopp also talks about the requirements for a tailwheel endorsement, including extensive ground training and practice in handl

Max interviews listener Jim about a prop strike incident that occurred while landing his Cessna 182. The conversation covers Jim's flying background, the details of the incident, and the lessons learned. Jim, who began flying in 2012, purchased his Cessna 182 in 2022 and upgraded it with a Garmin G3X system. During a return flight from New Mexico, Jim experienced challenging weather but expected a routine landing. However, a sudden yaw and bank just before touchdown resulted in a prop strike. Using the Garmin G3X data and Flysto.net, Max and Jim analyzed the incident, identifying unstable flight conditions and incorrect control inputs that led to the strike. Jim discusses the repairs, additional training, and surprising insurance implications that followed. Despite the setback, Jim remains committed to improving his piloting skills and encourages others to share their experiences for the benefit of the aviation community. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo,

In this episode, Max talks with Jeff Menasco, the Director of Aviation at Truckee Tahoe Airport, who describes the unique challenges and beauty of the airfield. Situated at a high elevation of 5,901 feet, the airport experiences high-density altitudes, often exceeding 9,000 feet, which can surprise pilots unaccustomed to such conditions. The surrounding mountainous terrain further complicates approaches, creating high minimums and orthographic wind effects, particularly in the afternoons with gusts up to 35 knots. Winter weather adds another layer of complexity, with heavy snowfall requiring extensive snow removal efforts. The area’s scenic appeal and proximity to the Bay Area draw significant air traffic, with 65% originating from there. Jeff highlights accident trends, noting that 24 accidents over 28 years were primarily due to high-density altitude, gusty winds, and IFR conditions with visual obscurations. The airport’s FLY SAFE program incentivizes pilot proficiency through the FAA WINGS program, of

In this replay of episode #398 of the Aviation Careers Podcast, guest Max Trescott discusses strategies for pilots to stay safe while building flight time toward the 1,500-hour requirement for airline positions. Emphasizing the higher risk associated with general aviation compared to commercial airline flying, Trescott highlights key factors such as the "killing zone" for low-time pilots and the importance of accumulating time in type rather than just total flight hours. He underscores the necessity of a professional attitude, akin to that expected in airline operations, and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Trescott warns against complacency and overconfidence, stressing continuous learning and thorough understanding of aircraft limitations. He advises maintaining safe margins, avoiding risky behaviors, and being aware of the heightened dangers of night flying, particularly the somatogravic illusion and black hole approaches. Trescott also touches on the hazards of fatigue, the importan

In this episode, Max discusses the recent fatal crash involving of N990PT, a Cirrus SR22, at Bar Harbor Airport in Maine. The aircraft lost control after an IFR approach in low visibility conditions. He emphasizes the importance of proper decision-making, especially in challenging weather. Max also discusses the risks associated with low weather conditions, such as the need for a reliable alternate airport and the potential dangers of widespread low ceilings. The episode aims to educate pilots on avoiding small mistakes that can lead to major accidents and underscores the importance of always having a safe alternative landing strategy. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will

In this special episode of Aviation News Talk, Max discusses a recent fatal crash involving N1089W, a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, at MacArthur Airport in Long Island. The aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff, leading the pilot to attempt a 180-degree turn back to the runway, a maneuver often referred to as the "impossible turn." The plane crashed short of Runway 6, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and passenger. Max explains the dangers of the "impossible turn," especially for faster aircraft like the Bonanza, due to their larger turn radius. He suggests that using the full length of the runway, rather than an intersection departure, might have provided the pilot with more options for an emergency landing. He emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, including identifying suitable landing spots and conducting pre-takeoff briefings. He also advises pilots to use the full runway length whenever possible and to be cautious and prepared for emergencies. If you're getting value from this sh

Max talks with career coach Carl Valeri about current trends in the aviation industry regarding pilot hiring. Major issues include supply chain problems affecting both Boeing and Airbus, with specific concerns about engine inspections and manufacturing delays. Additionally, the premium leisure travel market is thriving, while low-cost travel faces challenges due to economic conditions. The conversation also highlights the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers, especially in the East Coast corridor, leading to reduced flights and pilot demand. Valeri emphasizes the importance of pilots gaining flight experience despite market downturns and advises aspiring pilots to aim for a thousand hours of PIC turbine time. He also touches on the varying hiring practices among major airlines, noting pauses and conditional job offers. The episode provides insights into the aviation career landscape, urging perseverance and continued skill development despite industry fluctuations. If you're getting value from thi