AvTalk Episode 359: Reading them the ROTOR Act

AvTalk Episode 359: Reading them the ROTOR Act

Author: Flightradar24 February 27, 2026 Duration: 42:48
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, after passing unanimously in the Senate, the US House of Representatives votes down the aviation safety-focused ROTOR Act, which was championed by the NTSB, pilots’ unions, and families of the victims of last year’s mid-air collision in Washington DC. The House will now turn to an alternate bill, the ALERT Act. We break down the differences between the bills and reaction to Tuesday’s vote.
Elsewhere, Spirit Airlines says it has a plan to emerge from bankruptcy, cartel violence paralyzes a pair of Mexican airports early in the week, a big news from Really Cool Airlines (yes, that is their actual name).
Helpful links for this week’s episode

* Flights return to New York and Boston after the snow
* NTSB fact sheet on differences between the ROTOR Act and the ALERT Act
* Spirit’s plan to exit bankruptcy
* Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary livery A380
* Aireon data now available on Flightradar24

Thank you for listening!
Whether this is your first episode of AvTalk or you’ve listened to every single episode, we appreciate you spending your time with us. If you’d like to help other people find AvTalk, please consider leaving a rating and review on the the platform of your choice. Happy tracking and thanks for listening!

Click here for a transcript of this week’s episode.

Every Friday, the team at Flightradar24 opens the hangar doors for a conversation that goes far beyond just tracking flights. AvTalk-Aviation Podcast is hosted by Ian Petchenik and Jason Rabinowitz, two genuine enthusiasts whose curiosity is as vast as the skies they discuss. This isn't a technical manual, but a weekly gathering for anyone who feels that familiar pull to look up at the sound of a jet engine. You'll hear the latest news shaping the industry, from new aircraft developments to airline culture, alongside deeper explorations into the history, places, and societal impact of flight. The discussions are grounded in expertise yet remain completely accessible, whether you're just discovering your inner avgeek or you live and breathe all things aviation. With regular special guests adding their perspectives, each episode feels like sitting in on a fascinating conversation among friends who love to share what they know. Tune in for your regular dose of everything that makes aviation endlessly compelling.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

AvTalk - Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
AvTalk Episode 316: The helicopter in the Hudson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what’s known so far about the crash of a Bell 206 in the Hudson River last week. We also break down the sequence of events after the crash that led to the FAA issuing an emerg…
AvTalk Episode 315: Growth has “largely stalled” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Jason joins Ian in Chicago for a face to face conversation, which also means it’s a self-edited show this week. The preliminary report on the Swiftair 737 crash in Vilnius looks to human…
AvTalk Episode 314: World Champion Gas Ballooning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:16
On this episode of AvTalk, we learning all about long endurance gas balloons with a world record holder. We learn more about the erroneous TCAS alerts that plagued aircraft near DCA at the beginning of March and what the…
AvTalk Episode 313: Turn off the airport, and turn it on again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:29
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the lights are back on at Heathrow and investigation into what happened is in full swing. We discuss the Transport Safety Board of Canada’s preliminary report on the Endeavor Air acciden…
AvTalk Episode 312: It’s good to have balloon insurance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:51
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Chris Lomas fills in for a vacationing Jason. The FAA acts on the NTSB’s urgent safety recommendations in DC and reconfigures helicopter routes near DCA. An American Airlines 737 catches…
AvTalk Episode 311: No LUV for a broken Heart [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:59
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, the NTSB releases its preliminary report on the mid-air collision over the Potomac River. In addition to the report, the NTSB also issued a pair of urgent safety recommendations to the F…
AvTalk Episode 310: “Engulfed in flames” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:57
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, another round of tabloid journalism meets aviation incident as a FedEx bird strike and resulting engine fire lead to breathless headlines. Also this week, the FAA issues a set of Airwort…
AvTalk Episode 309: Tower, how’d that happen? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:32
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a tale of 3 go arounds. We first visit Chicago, where a Southwest pilot made the quick decision to go around as an unauthorized aircraft crossed the runway. Then we visit San Francisco w…
AvTalk Episode 308: Upside down, but alive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:16
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, an Endeavor Air CRJ-900 ends up upside down in Toronto, but everyone on board makes it out safely. The NTSB provides a detailed update on the mid-air collision in Washington, including t…
AvTalk Episode 307: Everything is delayed 5-10 years [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:50
On this week’s episode of AvTalk, a Bering Air Cessna 208 crashes near Nome, Alaska. Updates on the mid-air collision in Washington DC and what airspace changes may become permanent. New propulsion technology projects fr…