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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode, Max visits Skyryse, a Southern California-based startup. Its Skyryse One helicopter, has a revolutionary cockpit configuration that eliminates traditional controls such as the cyclic, collective, and pedals. Instead, it features a single centrally mounted control stick and two touchscreen displays, all powered by a triply redundant fly-by-wire flight control system and the company's proprietary SkyOS. The Skyryse One is half the cost of the cheapest IFR-certified...

In this episode, Max explores Loft Dynamics, a Swiss company transforming helicopter training with cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) simulators. During his visit to their Santa Monica demo center, Max flies the Airbus H125 training device, the only VR simulator approved by EASA. Loft Dynamics offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional full-motion simulators, which are bulky and expensive, ranging from $6 to $20 million. Their compact VR simulators, including the H125, H145, and...

Max discusses the critical role of human factors in aviation safety, prompted by the tragic crash of Yeti Airlines flight 691 in Nepal in 2023. The flight crashed during a visual approach due to pilot errors and high workload, resulting in the loss of all 72 people on board. Trescott explains how human factors like high workload, distractions, and ineffective Crew Resource Management (CRM) played a critical role in the accident. The crew's use of noise-canceling headsets and the...

Max talks with CFI Jim Simon, about an incident involving a Cirrus SR22T and a parachute deployment. During a routine flight, the engine of their aircraft suddenly seized, resulting in a complete loss of power. Jim, who was flying with a learner, took control and performed emergency procedures. He opted not to land on a congested highway or in water, instead aiming for a greenbelt area. At 1,500 feet MSL, he pulled the aircraft's parachute, experiencing a violent but controlled descent....

Max talks with Dr. Victor Vogel about mental health issues and what pilots need to know when getting a pilot medical certificate. He also talks about how somatogravic illusion nearly brought down Southwest flight 2786, which nearly crashed while flying the missed approach at Lihue, Hawaii. He also discusses two fatal twin engine accidents that occurred this week in Colorado and New York. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. ...

Max talks with John Fiscus discuss about strategies for flight instructors when teaching in the traffic pattern. These tips are also useful for pilots flying by themselves. John highlights a common issue among new CFIs: teaching based on qualitative feelings rather than quantitative data. He emphasizes the importance of providing concrete numerical guidance to students. John introduces the concept that "energy equals time," stressing that the amount of energy (airspeed, power, altitude)...

Max talks with Mark Kolber, an aviation lawyer and CFI, about the FAA's compliance program. Mark explains that the program, launched in 2015, shifted from a punitive approach to a more rehabilitative one, encouraging pilots to report mistakes and undergo retraining rather than facing severe penalties. He highlights the benefits of being proactive and transparent with the FAA to resolve issues through remedial training. Mark discusses the importance of filing a NASA form for protections if...