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Airplane Geeks Podcast

Airplane Geeks
Airplane Geeks Podcast
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358 episodes

  • Airplane Geeks Podcast

    907 Airshow Photography

    02/09/2026 | 1h 36 mins.
    We learn about airshow photography as we talk with a private pilot and UAV operator. In the news: Textron’s new president and CEO, controllers and the fatal Air Canada Express crash, Marine One communications with DCA tower, Boeing’s new F-15 contract, the TSA’s Gold+ privatized airport screening program, and the Airlink low pass over a Cape Town stadium.

    Thunderbird F-16 in flight. All photographs courtesy Logan Lynch.

    Guest

    Logan Lynch is a lifelong avgeek who loves photographing aircraft. He’s attended AirVenture since 2018, where he can usually be found on the flight line with a camera glued to his face. Be sure to look through Logan’s 2026 EAA Airventure photo gallery for a sample of his work. As we talk about airshow photography, we learn that Logan owns very little photo gear and prefers to rent long zoom lenses from Lensrentals.com. We talk about good focal lengths, using a monopod (especially for fast jets), and a tripod for night shows.

    Logan spends the entire day shooting at a show, and he explains the accessories he carries, like lots of batteries, memory cards, and a cleaning kit. We talk about shooting RAW vs. JPG and editing images in Lightroom. Logan addresses the challenge of getting the right amount of prop blur and the importance of panning. We also explore tips for shooters who might only have the camera in their phone.

    An example of prop blur and panning on the Skip Stewart PITTS S-2S.

    Logan is a part owner of a 1966 Cessna 150F nicknamed Graham Cracker, and also a full-time UAV Operator and LDAR Technician for a major oil and gas producer out of North Dakota. He started Lynch Drone Photography in 2021 as an idea to generate a little extra income, but plans to expand it. Logan earned a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management from Utah Valley University and serves as board treasurer for his local airport.

    The F-22 Raptor.

    The night show at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024.

    Aviation News

    After Eight Years as President and CEO, Ron Draper Announces Retirement; Brian Rohloff to Lead Textron Aviation Forward

    Effective August 31, 2026, Ron Draper retired as president and CEO of Textron, with Brian Rohloff replacing him. Rohloff most recently served as senior vice president of Customer Support, overseeing global customer support operations, including service center capacity, parts availability, and AOG (aircraft-on-ground) response.

    Rohloff joined Cessna Aircraft Co. in 2009 as a production manager, and held positions including vice president of quality, vice president of sales, senior product director for the Citation XLS and Citation X lines, and director of paint operations.

    FAA seeks to fire two controllers who left early before fatal Air Canada crash

    On March 22, 2026, an Air Canada Express CRJ-900 collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, killing both pilots. That night, two controllers left about an hour before the end of their shift, leaving two controllers to cover the tower. They remained recorded as working, in a practice known as “early shove.” ABC News reported that the two departing controllers were not needed to provide the normal minimum staffing for that time of night.

    The FAA has not said that the absence of the two controllers contributed to the accident. NATCA said it was discussing the allegations with FAA management. The NTSB has not determined the probable cause of the accident.

    New tech at Portland Jetport aims to boost safety

    New grant money will help Portland [Maine] International Jetport pay for location transponders in 57 airfield vehicles. The FAA is providing $200,000 while the state and the airport are contributing smaller amounts. Portland Jetport Director Paul Bradbury said, “…the tragedy in LaGuardia happened at midnight, right? It’s dark; it’s hard for controllers to see. This will make it another opportunity for them to see exactly where every vehicle is on the airfield.” 

    White House construction contributed to radio problems that let Trump copter come close to jet

    Several times controllers at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport failed to hear the standard three-minute warning call that Marine One was getting ready to take off. Marine One is using the Ellipse while the new helipad is being constructed behind the White House. This caused the radio receiver to be moved to a different location. Now the FAA has adjusted the antenna “to improve communications” between Marine One and the airport.

    Boeing nabs whopping $131 billion F-15 deal

    The U.S. Department of War, in its Contracts for Aug. 24, 2026, says that it has awarded Boeing “a $131,230,000,000 ceiling, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the F-15 Eagle Crest in support of the F-15 Program Office. This contract provides for aircraft production, systems integration, modernization, upgrades, retrofits, sustainment, and the establishment of organic depot maintenance capabilities to deliver and maintain critical F-15 Eagle Weapon System capabilities for the Air Force, Air National Guard, and other Department of War customers. Work will be performed at St. Louis, Missouri, and is expected to be completed by August 2037.”

    TSA Scraps Gold+ Privatized Airport Screening Program After 3 Months

    The Gold+ private airport screening program, which would privatize TSA screening, has been scrapped. In a previous web page (now taken down), the TSA explained Gold+:

    “TSA Gold+ is a new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the United States. TSA Gold+ will pair the Screening Partnership Program with TSA’s innovation authorities to enable cutting-edge aviation security solutions.

    “Under TSA Gold+, TSA will continue to set the standards for aviation security using outcome-based measures that both drive performance and security. Long-term Screening Partnership Program (currently a TSA private screener contract model) contracts will redirect funds into the investable partnerships where leading industry operators can manage both technology and screening workforce.”

    Reasons cited for dropping the program:

    Only three airports (Tampa, Charleston, and Des Moines) were interested in the Gold+ protocols.

    Tampa International Airport performed “an extensive review and evaluation over several months” and announced it would not adopt Gold+.

    The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), representing TSA screening officers, sued the TSA to force it to turn over records about TSA Gold+.

    The TSA announced it will replace the Gold+ program with an “evolved” version of the existing public-private Screening Partnership Program (SPP). It was launched in 2002, where private companies hire and manage screening personnel while the TSA oversees operations. The SPP currently includes 20 U.S. airports.

    Airlink pilots caught on video flying dangerously close to South African sports stadium

    Two Airlink Embraer E190 passenger jets executed a flyover before a match at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium filled with some 60,000 fans. Airlink is a regional airline based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Flightradar24 calculated that the aircraft flew as low as 41–46 ft (12.5–14 m) above the top of the stadium. This generated widespread reaction about the safety of the spectacle. Some were appalled; others argued this was entirely in line with South African values.

    Airlink says the South African Civil Aviation Authority approved the flyover and has offered to provide the black box data showing they complied with the waiver’s altitude and speed requirements. The airline said, “The two aircraft were flown by highly-experienced crew, with each comprised of three senior captains operating in the roles of commander, co-pilot and safety/technical officer. The flight data recorded by both aircraft confirms that the flights were performed within the SACAA’s approved and rehearsed safety altitude and speed limits for the flypast.”

    See also:

    VIDEOS: Airlink responds to concern planes got ‘too close’ to CT Stadium

    Airlink Flyover Sparks Global Outrage, But What Actually Happened Above DHL Stadium?

    Airlink hands over black-box data after low flypast over DHL Stadium

    Hosts this Episode

    Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
  • Airplane Geeks Podcast

    906 Aircraft Carrier Catapult Technology

    26/08/2026 | 1h 24 mins.
    Aircraft carrier catapult systems, Peraton’s performance as the Prime Integrator for the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System, the Department of Homeland Security’s luxury jets, Google’s purchase of Spirit Airlines’ data for AI training, American Airlines economy seatback screens, and a Li-ion laptop battery that caught fire in flight. Also, Micah’s first flight, Delta’s requirements for portable chargers, and the real reason they are called bear straps.

    Aviation News

    Trump orders Pentagon to redesign US aircraft carrier to use steam catapults to launch jets

    President Trump signed a national security memorandum directing the defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the acting Navy secretary, Hung Cao, to come up with a plan to replace the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Weapons Elevators with steam and hydraulic systems for the construction of the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller. Critics of the change point to the major redesign and expense required.

    Aircraft Carrier Catapult Technology by Era:

    Era
    Technology
    Key navies

    1910s–30s
    Compressed-air/flywheel catapults (mostly floatplanes)
    US, UK

    WWII
    Hydraulic catapults
    US, UK

    1950s–2010s
    Steam catapults
    UK (pioneer), US, France

    2010s–present
    Electromagnetic (EMALS)
    US, China

    Throughout
    No catapults (ski-jump/STOVL)
    USSR/Russia, Italy, Spain, India, UK (post-1978), current China (Liaoning/Shandong), US Navy Amphibious Assault Ships

    Arrangement of a hydro-pneumatic catapult in an aircraft carrier. Naval Marine Archive.

    See also: Why The Ford Class Carrier’s Island Superstructure Is Located So Far Back and Navy considers major aircraft carrier revamp to better suit Trump’s aesthetic.

    Trump’s FAA picked an unlikely contractor to lead its air traffic overhaul. The agency is having second thoughts.

    In December 2025, DOT/FAA selected Peraton as Prime Integrator for the FAA’s Brand New Air Traffic Control System (BNATCS), a $1.5 billion contract. Peraton, which had little direct experience working with the FAA, was chosen over Parsons Corp., which has extensive experience with FAA contracts.

    Peraton is a national-security and government-services contractor owned by Veritas Capital, and is known for its defense, intelligence, and IT/communications work. (Veritas also owns Peraton Labs, the former Bell Labs).

    Some reports indicate that the FAA is frustrated with Peraton. A source notes that “Peraton has basically not done any work since they got in” and admits that the FAA was partially at fault because it “stonewalled Peraton’s efforts to work seamlessly with FAA counterparts.” The FAA has micromanaged the project, and Peraton has failed to manage the project.

    An In-House Private Jet Service, Senators Say

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) purchased two Gulfstream G650s, two G700s, and eight Boeing 737s to be used by the Trump Administration. U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee vice chair Patty Murray (D-Washington) and ranking homeland security subcommittee member Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) are calling for an investigation. In a letter to both DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and the DHS inspector general requesting the investigation, the purchases are characterized as a “gross misuse” of tax dollars.

    Spirit Data Sale to Google Prompts Flight Attendants’ Objection

    After 34 years of operations, Spirit Airlines ceased all flight operations on May 2, 2026. Spirit’s Chapter 11 reorganization failed, and the airline went into full liquidation. The bankruptcy court entered a Wind-Down Order covering the sale of LaGuardia slots, the corporate campus, the loyalty program, and operating equipment. For $10 million, Google won the auction for Spirit’s approximately 100 million emails, calendar data, 500 million Microsoft Teams chats, documents, spreadsheets, and software code. Google will use them to improve its products and AI models.

    The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO, voiced a limited objection to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, raising privacy concerns. The union is concerned about the confidentiality of disciplinary records, payroll history, and internal communications, noting that the deal’s privacy provisions are designed to protect consumers, not employees.

    The union also raised concerns about links between payroll, timekeeping, and communications data; whether there will be an independent screen for employee confidentiality; and provisions on later transfers to third parties.

    The AFA asked the court to reject the sale unless changes are made to exclude all flight attendant information, including training records, time cards, and payroll, as well as any Microsoft 365 content containing flight attendant data. Alternatively, the court should require a review protocol for labor or disciplinary records and communications, and prohibit using the data to profile any identifiable group of flight attendants, the AFA said.

    See also: Flight attendants freaked out that Google is buying tons of Spirit employee data

    American Airlines U-turn: Seatback screens coming to all classes in 2028

    American Airlines plans to start rolling out personal inflight entertainment displays on its narrowbody fleet in 2028, and complete the upgrade by the early 2030s. American will begin offering Starlink inflight connectivity on 500 planes beginning in 2027. 

    The lack of screens in economy cabins dates back to the US Airways merger in 2014. Doug Parker argued that the cost of screens was not worth the investment since most fliers brought their own portable device. United and Delta followed a different path.

    Laptop catches fire on American Airlines flight, passenger suffers minor burns

    Injuries occurred on American Airlines flight 2398 between Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) on August 21, 2026, after a laptop battery caught fire. The pilots reported smoke in the cabin to ATC. The cabin crew extinguished the fire (reportedly using a thermal containment bag). The A321 landed without further incident.

    Mentioned

    Airplanes and Water Can Mix in the Stories about Flying podcast.

    The Wreck of the U. S. S. “Memphis”

    Up Against the Rocks: The Wreck of the Memphis

    Lynch Drone Photography LLC, 2026 EAA AirVenture. Photos by Logan Lynch.

    Hosts this Episode

    Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and David Vanderhoof.
  • Airplane Geeks Podcast

    905 Li-ion Thermal Runaway

    19/08/2026 | 1h 8 mins.
    Li-ion thermal runaways in aircraft cabins, Ryanair engine blade-out accident, two planes with the same flight number at the same airport at the same time, Marine One and commercial operations at DCA, Air India crash report update, Boeing 737 Max crack inspections, hiring gamers to become air traffic controllers, and the Heart Aerospace X1 battery-electric demonstrator first flight.

    Aviation News

    Li-ion Thermal Runaways on the Rise in Aircraft Cabins

    UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) issued a 2025 Data Review, Lithium-ion Battery Incidents in Aviation [PDF, 13 pages]. The study reports a 15% increase in Lithium-ion battery thermal runaway incidents on passenger flights in 2025, compared to the year prior. Portable charger incidents increased 42%, ahead of e-cigarettes, with cell phones the third most common device involved in thermal runaways.

    The data comes from the voluntary ULSE Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP). More than 40 passenger and cargo airlines participate in the program. These incidents cost the industry an average of $1.8 million a year, or $96,000 per incident, “in damage, disruption, and associated losses.”

    To mitigate the risk of thermal runaway incidents, ULSE recommends cabin crew training, standards for onboard safety equipment to help manage thermal runaways, and more passenger education.

    Bird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accident

    In July, a Malta Air Boeing 737-800, doing business as Ryanair flight 1879, experienced a No 2 fan-blade-out failure as it climbed out of Thessaloniki International Airport in Greece. Engine fragments breached the fuselage and the cabin depressurized. A passenger was partially sucked out through a window that blew out.

    In its Aviation Investigation Preliminary Report [PDF, 13 pages], the NTSB reports:

    “Examination of the airplane revealed that the No. 2 engine, an CFM International (a joint company between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace) model CFM56-7B26, experienced a fan blade separation that resulted in engine fragments striking the fuselage and the right horizontal stabilizer. The pressurized section of the fuselage was penetrated 1) through the passenger cabin window located at row 11, as well as 2) lower lobe fuselage skin behind the right wing-to-body fairing… Additional impact damage was found on the right wing-to-body fairing, a dent with paint smearing on the fuselage window belt skin, a dent on a stringer common to the dented fuselage window belt skin, a gouge on the right horizontal stabilizer upper skin and a dent on the right horizontal stabilizer leading edge.”

    View of the No.2 (right) engine inlet. View is looking aft..Courtesy NTSB.

    “Examination of the engine and nacelle revealed that one fan blade (No.10) had fractured and separated below the blade platform. The outer blade tips were fractured and separated on two additional fan blades (Nos. 16 and 21). All remaining blades were full length but exhibited varying levels of impact deformation. Three loose fan blade fragments were recovered from the engine. A visual examination of the core was performed and there was no evidence of radial uncontainment though the engine cases, or any undercowl fire. The engine inlet cowl, which is forward of the fan case, exhibited evidence of punctures…”

    Bird remains were recovered and hand-carried to the Smithsonian Institution Feather Identification Lab in Washington. The Greece Hellenic Air and Railway Safety Investigation Authority (HARSIA) delegated the investigation in full to the NTSB.

    See: Ryanair Uncontained Engine Failure followed by Cabin Depressurization and Passenger Window Injury), 

    2 planes with the same flight number avoid possible disaster thanks to quick-thinking controller

    Recently, American Airlines flight 2482 was departing Phoenix International Airport (PHX) while another American Airlines flight 2482 was arriving at the same airport from Chicago. A Phoenix air traffic controller with 25 years on the job quickly recognized the problem and referred to the flights as “American 2482 on the arrival” and “American 2482 on the departure.”

    See: ‘It Could Have Been Disastrous’: Air Traffic Controller Carefully Handles Two American Airlines Planes With the Same Callsign as They Flew Towards One Another

    Passenger plane taking off got too close to Trump’s Marine One helicopter, NTSB and FAA to investigate

    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is located about three miles from the White House. When the president departs the Ellipse in Marine One, airport traffic is typically halted. This time, airport traffic continued for a few minutes. The FAA said, “…there was momentary loss of separation after which the aircraft continued to move away from one another.”

    Ahmedabad tragedy: Supreme Court accepts pilot dad’s plea not to make Air India crash report public

    The Supreme Court of India granted a request from the 91-year-old father of one of the pilots killed in the June 2025 Air India Ahmedabad crash (Flight AI171, 260 dead) that the final crash investigation report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) be submitted to the court in a sealed cover rather than made public. 

    The AAIB had told the court its final report would be ready by October, and the government agreed to submit it in a sealed cover out of respect for the father’s wishes, even though the Solicitor General had initially opposed keeping it confidential, citing international investigation norms under ICAO.

    FAA orders crack inspections for hundreds of Boeing 737 Max jets

    The final rule applies to certain Boeing 737-8, -9, and -8200 Max models, estimated to be 471 planes. While no cracks have been found in these Max models, the FAA received reports of cracks in a forward “bear strap” for several older 737 NG planes.

    Mentioned

    Video: Heart Aerospace – X1 First Flight – World’s Largest Electric Aircraft – Electric Airliner

    https://youtu.be/fEudbAjschs?si=fp2Bwkq-qE2Xzb74

    Cathay Pacific Lounge at San Francisco International Airport.

    Hosts this Episode

    Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, and Erin Applebaum.
  • Airplane Geeks Podcast

    904 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Debrief

    12/08/2026 | 2h 38 mins.
    From EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026: interviews with Cirrus, Joby, the Seaplane Pilots Association, Skyfly, Factory Direct Models, SarahNautics, Samaritan Aviation, and Goodyear.

    EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 Interviews

    Hillel and Brian attended AirVenture this year. It was Brian’s first time, while Hillel has returned many times. Both recorded the following interviews:

    Ivy McIver, Executive Director, SR Series Product on the Cirrus Aircraft TRAC10.

    Lydon Sleeper, Head of U.S. Strategic Policy, Joby Aviation, 

    Steve McCaughey, Executive Director, Seaplane Pilots Association.

    Michael Thompson, CEO, Skyfly.

    Mike Gibson, Managing Director, Factory Direct Models.

    Sarah Daniels, Commercial Pilot, Cirrus owner, creator, aviation storyteller.

    Mark Palm, founder, Samaritan Aviation.

    Capt Adam, Pilot, Goodyear Wingfoot 1.

    Hosts this Episode

    Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, Rob Mark, Hillel Glazer, and Brian Coleman.
  • Airplane Geeks Podcast

    903 oneworld Alliance

    05/08/2026 | 1h 42 mins.
    We speak with a oneworld Alliance VP about airline alliances in general, and oneworld in particular. In the news: a mid-air near miss at Atlanta, NTSB and families call on Congress to act on the DCA accident recommendations, a civilian plane crash and military GPS jamming, adaptive-cycle jet engines and sixth-generation combat aircraft, and the unleaded avgas transition plan.

    Guest

    Roger Blackburn, Vice President – Commercial and Loyalty, oneworld Alliance.

    Roger Blackburn serves as the Vice President – Commercial and Loyalty for the oneworld Alliance. He leads the commercial team and oversees corporate revenue, events, and alliance fare products, as well as the development of oneworld’s loyalty proposition. A member of oneworld’s leadership team for the past six years, Roger has led several key alliance initiatives, including the creation of oneworld’s first two branded lounges.

    In our conversation with Roger, we learn about the value that airline alliances provide to the member airlines, and what value accrues to the flying public. We look at criteria for membership in an alliance, network fit, commercial value, and alliance governance, as well as loyalty programs and lounges.

    For reference, here are the three major global airline alliances:

    Star Alliance, founded in 1997 by Air Canada, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways, and United.

    oneworld, founded in 1999 by American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas.

    SkyTeam, founded in 2000 by Delta, Air France, Aeroméxico, and Korean Air.

    Aviation News

    Two Delta Air Lines Jets in Mid-Air Near Miss at Atlanta Hartsfield as Air Traffic Control Direct Departing Aircraft into Path of Other Plane

    This was a mid-air near-miss at ATL with two Delta Air Lines flights: Flight DL-1568 from Pittsburgh to Atlanta operated by a Boeing 737-900, and Flight DL-2472 from Atlanta to Rochester, New York, an Airbus A321.

    The airport was experiencing weather delays, and controllers were working at full capacity to clear the backlog. Departures and arrivals were taking place on parallel runways. DL-1568 had been scheduled to land three hours earlier and was diverted to Chattanooga to wait out a storm.

    The arriving flight 1568 elected to make a go-around after seeing a Frontier flight taking a long time to clear the runway. At the same time, departing flight 2472 was directed to turn and climb to the same altitude as the other Delta flight. A TCAS Resolution Advisory alarm sounded, and the aircraft came within 1,800 feet of each other.

    NTSB Chair, Victim’s Families Call Upon Congress toTake Action on 50 Safety Recommendations After DC midair

    It’s been a year and a half since American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near DCA, killing 67 people. Six months ago, the NTSB issued safety recommendations. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and families of the victims want Congress to take action on the 50 open recommendations.

    So far, Congress has failed to pass either the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act or the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act.

    Statement from NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy on the open recommendations for the investigation of the January 2025 midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

    In part: “Six months ago, we concluded our investigation and adopted our final report, issuing 75 findings and 50 safety recommendations, all of which must be implemented to prevent reoccurrence, yet we are no closer today to addressing many of the serious safety gaps that contributed to this terrible tragedy.

    “Every day that passes without implementation of all 50 NTSB recommendations represents a continued and unacceptable risk to public safety.

    “The National Transportation Safety Board provided a clear roadmap to improve aviation safety and reduce the risk of another catastrophic midair collision. Now it’s time for action that was promised months ago; we owe it to the victims, to the families who continue to grieve their loss, and to the millions of people who rely on the safety of our aviation system every day.”

    A Civilian Plane Crashed in New Mexico. Was Military GPS Jamming To Blame?

    On May 14, 2026, a Trans Aero MedEvac Beechcraft King Air 90 crashed in the New Mexico Capitan Mountains, killing four people. The NTSB’s preliminary report [PDF] stated that routine military GPS jamming exercises from White Sands Missile Range were active at the flight’s altitude and location. ADS-B was also degraded. The crew’s ForeFlight pre-flight package briefed the pilots on the jamming threat.

    Air Force eyes next-gen engine ‘integration’ by 2030

    Although no decision has been made, the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) system could go into the F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform. Both Pratt & Whitney and GE Aerospace are developing NGAP prototypes which the Air Force intends to compete for future production. NGAP is designed to be platform agnostic and is a multi-billion-dollar program using adaptive-cycle jet engines for sixth-generation combat aircraft that change jet engine characteristics in flight, allowing more fuel-efficient cruising or increased thrust.

    GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney (RTX) are the two competitors, building prototypes designated GE’s XA102 and P&W’s XA103. As of late July 2026, the program completed a pre-prototyping readiness review, with both contractors having met the Air Force’s design requirements, clearing the way to begin building and testing hardware.

    ‘Final’ Unleaded Avgas Transition Plan Released

    The so-called “Version 1.0” of the 72-page FAA transition plan was released, updating a draft plan released earlier this year. The FAA says it’s keeping the 2030 target date for replacing 100LL with unleaded fuel.

    Unleaded fuel takes center stage at AirVenture

    The FAA took some of the comments received to heart, including communication and transparency. AOPA reports, “the FAA plans to release new versions of the transition plan after each phase. The agency also plans to publish two additional documents soon: an FAQ on unleaded fuel and a summary of the input received during the public comment period in early 2026.”

    Four transition phases make up the plan:

    Authorizing fuels and doing comparison testing.

    Focus on unleaded fuels gaining market experience for the benefit of fuel producers, aircraft owners, fuel retailers, and others.

    Wide-scale transition, first in the Lower 48 by 2030.

    Followed by Alaska two years later.

    Mentioned

    Air Traffic Control: 45 Years After the PATCO Strike

    Video: Spurwink Farm International Fly-In 2026

    https://youtu.be/H6uUaq1R7Kk?si=ln-5YizGViSbEznH

    Two Australian helicopters in deadly midair collision fighting fires in Greece

    Hiller Aviation Museum

    Hosts this Episode

    Max Flight, Rob Mark, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman.
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