Airplane Geeks Podcast

Bombardier and global aerospace manufacturing, air traffic controller criticism of the FAA, boom refueling for RAF tankers, airport gate access for people without tickets, restricting beverage service after pushback, and an OzDesk report.

Aviation News

Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition

In a social media post, the President threatened to ban Bombardier’s business jet sales in the United States. Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier Aviation is a subsidiary of Bombardier Inc. and produces the Challenger 3500 and 650, and the Global 5500, 6500, and 8000. The company reportedly delivered 157 aircraft in 2025 and is expecting the same in 2026.

Global 6500, courtesy Bombardier.

Bombardier performs final assembly in Canada. Wings are manufactured in Red Oak, Texas, and flight control components come from the Los Angeles/Van Nuys, California area. A newer component-manufacturing plant is located in Moorpark, California. Wichita, Kansas, is Bombardier’s U.S. headquarters and houses Bombardier’s flight test center plus a large service and Bombardier Defense operation.

Bombardier says they currently employ 3,500 people in the U.S., spread across more than 20 states. They are currently actively recruiting to fill 500 open U.S. positions. According to Bombardier, the company has engineering, supply chain, defense, and support roles in states including Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and New Jersey. The company recently said it has about 2,800 U.S. suppliers across 47 states and $2.5B in annual American purchasing.

See also: A U.S. ban on Bombardier sales could ‘massively’ disrupt American aerospace

Air traffic controllers turn on FAA chief as tensions boil over

In August, the Washington Examiner published an interview with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford titled, Trump administration races to overhaul America’s air traffic control system by 2028. After the article was published, more than 400 air traffic controllers “have privately reached out to the publication… and warned that the nation’s aviation system has reached a breaking point.” Controllers said the FAA was being treated “like a corporate balance sheet by trying to squeeze out every ounce of productivity from controllers.” Congress previously approved and funded a compensation package, but Bedford admitted that the FAA is withholding a 2.8% retroactive raise.

See also: FAA leaves air traffic controller raises in limbo amid mounting strain on system.

UK Government Commits To Boom Refueling For RAF Tankers

Aerial refueling is performed by one of two methods: flying-boom (used by the U.S. Air Force) and probe-and-drogue (used by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and many allied air forces). The future Tempest combat jet being developed under the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) initiative is planned to be a flying-boom aircraft. The U.K. tankers use probe-and-drogue refueling, but Defense Minister Luke Pollard said the RAF’s existing aerial refueling capability will eventually be complemented by a boom system.

TSA brings back gate access for some people without plane tickets 25 years after 9/11

As a consequence of the 9/11 attacks, those without tickets have been unable to pass through security checkpoints. However, at some airports, under the program called “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” the TSA is allowing eligible TSA PreCheck® members without tickets to pass through security and enter gate areas.

The program is free and TSA PreCheck members and those with Known Traveler Numbers (KTNs) are eligible. Children are eligible to visit but must be entered on their parent/guardian’s reservation. The program is currently available at 13 airports and will roll out to more airports in the coming months. Apply at the Gateside by TSA PreCheck webpage.

See also: From the Lockerbie bombing to 9/11: How attacks on flights defined US air travel and A major TSA rule may be changing for some travelers.

Drink Up: Delta Crews Will Collect Pre-Departure Drinks Earlier, In “FAA-Driven” Change

Delta sent a memo to flight attendants explaining that effective September 1, 2026, “Flight attendants will be required to collect all Delta-provided service items, including both disposable and non-disposable service items, before pushback. This FAA-driven change applies across the industry and requires airlines to collect and stow service items before pushback. On flights that offer pre-departure beverages in disposable serviceware, customers may have less time with their beverages before collection, so consider opportunities to begin service earlier in the boarding process when possible.”

This requirement has been in place since 1992, with FAR 121.577 (a) stating: “No certificate holder may move an airplane on the surface, take off, or land when any food, beverage, or tableware furnished by the certificate holder is located at any passenger seat.” Ben Schlappig writes, “The thing is, there was no enforcement mechanism in place, and there was also an exception for disposable service items. That has finally changed as of 2026…”

Delta’s Regional Airline Says Passengers Must Put Complimentary Water Bottles in Their Carry-Ons Because Then It Belongs to Them

Endeavor Air, a Delta-owned regional subsidiary, wants to follow the requirement to collect service items before pushback. To comply with the rule for complimentary water bottles, Endeavor says passengers must place the bottles in carry-on bags for taxi and takeoff, rather than in the seatback pocket. That shifts responsibility from the airline to the passenger.

Australia News Desk

Grant, Steve, and Brian deliver local aviation news from Australia. Find Grant and Steve at Plane Crazy Down Under.

See: Qantas captain’s shock after he landed his final flight.

Video: 2026 River Fire C-17 Rehearsal

Video: 2026 River Fire F-18 Practice

Mentioned

Capetown’s DHL Stadium

Hosts this Episode

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

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.

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.

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.

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.