MD-11 Grounding, ETOPS Reality, Skylab 4, U-2 “Dragon Lady” Stories & Taxiing Giant Jets

MD-11 Grounding, ETOPS Reality, Skylab 4, U-2 “Dragon Lady” Stories & Taxiing Giant Jets

Author: The Black Box November 19, 2025 Duration: 48:49

Welcome back to The Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom & Mike dive into aviation, travel, and everything you need and WANT to know about the world of flying.

This week is PACKED:

✈️ Breaking News — MD-11 Grounding

  • FAA Air Directive grounding the MD-11, DC-10 & MD-10 fleet

  • No inspection or repair guidance released yet

  • NTSB briefing findings — CVR captured final 2 hours of audio

  • What this means for pilots currently flying the MD-11

  • Simulator concerns, schedule cancellations & pilot readiness

🚀 This Day in Aviation History — Skylab 4

  • The final mission to Skylab launched November 16

  • Chrysler’s surprising impact on the space race

  • From Saturn rockets… to the 1990 Chrysler Lebaron (yes, really)

🛩 Stories From the Road

  • Teaching kids to drive vs teaching pilots to fly

  • Taxiing everything from a T-1A trainer to a C-5 Galaxy

  • The stress of right-seat 180° turns in a jet with a 223-ft wingspan

  • Real-world perspective on spatial awareness after recent CRJ-900 mishaps

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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: 91

The Black Box Aviation Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Cleared for the Go-Around: Airline Close Calls & Pilot Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:34
In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, we dive into recent airline incidents, including multiple go-arounds and the near-miss involving a Southwest Airlines flight in Chicago. What causes these tense moments…
Turbulence, Chaos, and a CRJ Upside Down: A Pilot’s Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
Episode Description:In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast, Mike and Tom reunite after three years apart, sharing stories from the skies and the terminals. The episode kicks off with how their paths finally cr…
AA5342 Crash at Washington National Discussion DCA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:33
In this episode we dive into to what we know about the tragic accident at Washington National on January 29th between American Airline Flight 5342 operated by PSA, a CRJ 700, and PAT 25, a blackhawk helicopter. We give s…
Day In the Life part 3 - Let's Go Fly! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:54
In this episode you will follow Tom and Mike along as we get to the airplane, push back, and take off. As usual there will be multiple stories about lessons learned and advice given a long the way. Have a question or an…
A Day In The Life Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom start off discussing the nuances of being new to higher levels of social media and podcast broadcast production. The show moves into some quick takes on some real life stories from…
A Day In The Life Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
In this episode Captain's Mike and Tom take you into the life of the typical airline pilots commute to work. Some by air, land and sea. A typical day isn't very typical. We explore a couple of humouros stories we've with…
Intro With Mike and Tom [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:21
This is our introduction podcast discussing our backgrounds and where we want to take this show. We get ready to bring an audience closer to the world of professional aviation.