AvTalk Episode 374: 17 years without a license

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1. 

   E379 · 17 Jul 2026 · 48 min

   AvTalk Episode 379: This feels eerily similar

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Ryanair (Malta Air) 737-800 suffers an uncontained engine failure after departing Thessaloniki, Greece, resulting in a shattered cabin window and a passenger partially sucked out of the cabin. We discuss the specifics on this accident and its similarities with Southwest 1380. German investigators release their preliminary report on the Lufthansa 787 that suffered a gear retraction last month in Frankfurt. In a first on Flightradar24, nine 7700 squawks happen near-simultaneously—we dig into what happened at Gatwick airport on Tuesday. And the bidding for…

2. 

   E378 · 10 Jul 2026 · 58 min

   AvTalk Episode 378: How the Farnborough Airshow comes together

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re headed to Farnborough for an inside look at how the airshow comes together. From state of the art aircraft tracking technology to making sure all of the toilets are working, Farnborough International director of operations Ben Gleenson explains what it takes to make sure the biannual airshow goes off without a hitch. Also on this week’s episode, what we know so far about the crash of a K2 Airways Cargo 737 off the coast of Pakistan. Castlelake and easyJet agree in principle to an acquisition. A new report highlights long-term issues with French air…

3. 

   E377 · 3 Jul 2026 · 52 min

   AvTalk Episode 377: About that low, low pass by the 777

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a pair of powerful earthquakes cause widespread damage and significant loss of life in Venezuela. We look at how aid is reaching the country and the impacts on commercial aviation. A low pass at Horseshoe Bay by a 777 is under investigation by the FAA. After a small aircraft crashed into the tallest tower in Beijing late last week, Chinese authorities are implementing further restrictions on general aviation flights in the country. An Electra Airways A320 operating from Warsaw to Tel Aviv on behalf of LOT accidentally squawked 7500 — signaling unlawful…

4. 

   E376 · 26 Jun 2026 · 52 min

   AvTalk Episode 376: Transferring that risk elsewhere

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, airspace safety and efficiency take center stage as the NTSB begins an investigation into a close call in Boston. The US Coast Guard says changes to DC’s airspace have actually made helicopter operations in the region less safe. US congressional leaders remain at odds over competing aviation safety bills, but the real sticking point seems to be money. And the FAA announced this week its choice for developing AI-enabled airspace modernization tools. Plus, there are more problems with Airbus A380 wings, one airline is lowering fees (really), and World Cup…

5. 

   E375 · 19 Jun 2026 · 46 min

   AvTalk Episode 375: Progress, but to what end?

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Indian investigators issue a progress note, but don’t necessarily note their progress. After more than a decade of negotiations the European Parliament keeps its signature airline compensation legislation much the same. Qantas announces the first Project Sunrise route for its forthcoming Airbus A350-1000ULRs. And Spirt gets the go-ahead to auction off its assets, including its coveted slots at La Guardia Airport in New York. Helpful links for this week’s episode * Read the AAIB progress report * IATA’s Save a life, not a bag campaign * Reuters reporting on…

6. 

   E373 · 5 Jun 2026 · 53 min

   AvTalk Episode 373: Eight hours to nowhere

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, SAS’s India relaunch doesn’t quite make it to India. The first Airbus A350-100ULR for Qantas’ Project Sunrise takes to the skies. Boeing is advancing the 737 MAX monthly production rate as it says it anticipates MAX 7 and MAX 10 certification by the end of the year. Violence flares in the Middle East with fresh strikes, including one that hit Kuwait Airport, killing one person and injuring dozens in the terminal. Swiss is parting out a pair of A220-100s and parking the rest to support its A220-300 fleet. Want to buy an MD-83? A former Far Eastern Air…

7. 

   E372 · 29 May 2026 · 31 min

   AvTalk Episode 372: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should

   We’re in Stockholm for a our semi-annual Flightradar24 crew meetup this week. Ian is joined by Gabe Leigh to discuss what’s it like behind the scenes capturing the stories of aviation professionals around the world. We review the recent incident where NTSB cockpit voice recorder data from UPS flight 2976 was used to recreate simulated audio. The NTSB removed the public docket system in order to prevent further such efforts. The preliminary investigation into the China Eastern A350 jet bridge collision in Shanghai finds a total brake failure on the aircraft. Qantas says its Project Sunrise…

8. 

   E371 · 22 May 2026 · 51 min

   AvTalk Episode 371: “So that started this on the wrong trajectory to begin with”

   On this episode of AvTalk, we follow the NTSB’s thread as the agency holds two days of investigative hearings on the crash of UPS flight 2976 , the MD-11 that crashed in Louisville after one of its engines separated from the wing. The FAA issues its first official response to the NTSB’S safety recommendations following the 2025 DCA mid-air collisions. And the NTSB calls for more realistic training of smoke in the cockpit scenarios after a 2023 incident. A Croatia Airlines A220 suffers a runway excursion during a rejected takeoff in Split. Indian investigators will travel to Seattle in June…

9. 

   E370 · 15 May 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

   AvTalk Episode 370: The man collecting Spirit’s pieces

   On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we’re joined by Nomadic Aviation Group co-founder Steve Giordano to talk about what happens when you suddenly need to move dozens of aircraft in a very short amount of time. Steve and his crew have spent the past two weeks bringing former Spirit Airlines aircraft to the desert for storage following the collapse of the airline on May 2nd. What does it take to make sure those aircraft can be legally, safely, and efficiently moved from wherever they ended up when the airline shut down? Also on this week’s episode, a tragedy in Denver as a man intentionally…

10. 

    E369 · 8 May 2026 · 55 min

    AvTalk Episode 369: Extra exits, bread trucks, and bankruptcies

    This week’s episode of AvTalk takes us from the highest highs to the lowest lows of the aviation industry. We begin with a major announcement mere minutes before our recording as AirAsia orders 150 A220s in a new, denser cabin configuration . Spirit Airlines succumbs to its long running financial difficulties and ceases operations. Newly released documents provide insight into the crash of a China Eastern 737 in 2022. And video from this week’s incident involving a China Eastern A350 in Shanghai raises more questions than it answers. Back in the US, a United Airlines 767 struck a light pole…