Lithium Battery Fires in Flight, Summer Delays & Airline Ground Stops

Lithium Battery Fires in Flight, Summer Delays & Airline Ground Stops

Author: The Black Box July 22, 2026 Duration: 42:44

Tom is checking in live from Guangzhou, China as he kicks off his B777 Initial Operating Experience (IOE) trip! ✈️🌏


In this episode, Tom and Mike dive into the growing industry-wide concern over lithium-ion battery fires onboard aircraft—highlighting recent WSJ reports, real-world cargo flight safety protocols (including EVAS and automated fire suppression systems), and what pilots do when thermal runaway occurs.


Plus, the guys break down:

• The summer weather chaos causing massive Northeast ground stops, air traffic control (ATC) staffing limits, and pilot duty-time logjams.

• Funny moments on the road: Navigating 5-bag limits, calling the Director of Operations to rescue golf clubs, and Uber drivers losing Taco Bell to thieves in Alaska.

• Airline tail strikes on go-arounds and the unique challenges of flying longer airframes like the B777-300 and A321.

• Listener voicemails, Midway crash memories, and growing up as an aviation enthusiast.


Got a question, story, or feedback for the crew?

📞 Call/Text our line: (203) 699-6792

📧 Email us: blackbox01@yahoo.com


Don't forget to follow, rate 5 stars, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast!


#AviationPodcast #PilotLife #Boeing777 #LithiumBatteryFire #AirTrafficControl #AviationSafety #AirlineDelays #FlightCrew #PilotTraining #AvGeek


Ever wondered what it’s really like to sit in the cockpit, not just during a smooth flight but through the challenging moments that define a career in the sky? The Black Box Aviation Podcast pulls back the curtain, offering a rare seat at the table with the people who live and breathe flight. Hosted by The Black Box, each conversation features airline pilots, military aviators, and seasoned industry experts sharing unfiltered stories from their professional journeys. You’ll hear more than just technical discussions; this podcast delves into the human side of aviation-the daily realities, the tough decisions, and the unique culture that comes with a life spent above the clouds. It’s about the airline industry’s inner workings, the transition from military to civilian flying, and the sheer curiosity that drives a passion for aviation. Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, an aviation enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the stories behind the controls, these discussions provide a genuine, grounded perspective you won’t find in a manual. Tune in for honest reflections and personal experiences that capture the true essence of flying.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Is Your Flight Path Giving You Radiation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:16
Tom and Mike explore the "silent hazard" of aviation: Cosmic Radiation. We compare pilot exposure to nuclear workers and discuss the FAA's lack of protection for crews.In this episode:Top 18 Ranking: We celebrate our Pod…
The Ghost Plane: Payne Stewart and the Silent Killer at 39,000 Feet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:08
On October 25, 1999, a luxury Learjet 35 departed Orlando with PGA legend Payne Stewart on board. Minutes later, the cockpit went silent. What followed was a four-hour "ghost flight" across America, pursued by F-16s as t…
Flight Sim Mastery, Navy Checkrides, and the Pilot Stripe Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:52
Can virtual flying prepare you for a real-world Navy checkride? This week, Tom and Mike sit down with Wide-body Captain and simulation pro Jovan J. to explore the high-stakes world of online flight simulation. From the t…
Air France 447: The Pilot Errors that Caused a High-Altitude Stall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:34
The "unstallable" plane fell from 35,000 feet in just 4 minutes. On June 1, 2009, Air France Flight 447 vanished over the South Atlantic. In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike analyze the offici…
ExecJet 901: Citation Latitude vs. 4 Deer (ATC Breakdown) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:21
What happens when a mid-sized business jet hits a herd of deer at 100 MPH? 🎧In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, Tom and Mike analyze the recent emergency involving ExecJet Flight 901 out of North Palm Beac…
Pilot Career Tips & Flight Training with Ava Almquist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:10
How do you balance an airline career, a social media brand, and a healthy lifestyle? In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast, we sit down with Ava Almquist (@pilot.avabelle) to discuss the modern path to the fl…
DCA Mid-Air Collision: The 2025 Potomac River Tragedy & NTSB Report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:57
Why did a commercial jet and a military Black Hawk collide over the Potomac River? In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we analyze the NTSB final report on the 2025 DCA mid-air collision. We dive into the s…
The MD-11 Mystery & Winter Ops Chaos: Pilot Stories from the Blizzard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
Why do airplanes hate the cold? In this episode, we’re breaking down the high-stakes world of Winter Aviation Operations. From Mike’s "sketchy" blizzard departure in Providence to the "cockpit gremlins" that appear when…