AvTalk - Aviation Podcast

On this episode of AvTalk, we see what the initial data tells us about the crash of Pakistan International Airlines flight 8303. And we sit down for a roundtable discussion about the state of the industry and where aviation is headed as the normally busy summer travel season begins.
PK8303 crash in Karachi
Pakistan International Airlines flight PK8303 crashed while attempting to landing in Karachi on 22 May. Flight 8303 was en route from Lahore when it crashed near the airport after conducting a go around and during its second landing attempt. We walk through the initial ADS-B data and the progress of the investigation so far.
Sichuan Airlines flight 8633 final report
Chinese investigators issued a final report on Sichuan Airlines flight 8633 this week. The Airbus A319’s right main windscreen ruptured and separated from the aircraft, partially pulling the first officer out of the aircraft. The aircraft diverted safely to Chengdu. The investigators found that the likely cause of incident was a damaged windscreen seal leading to water damage to the anti-ice heating wire near the windscreen, which in turn led to electrical discharge and the eventual rupture of the entire windscreen.
ICAO releases CART framework for restarting flights
ICAO’s Council’s Aviation Recovery Task Force (CART) released guidelines this week designed to help airlines and airports restart flights in safe manner. We discuss some of the basics of the guidelines and where we think there might be room for improvement.
Roundtable: what’s next for aviation?
Journalists Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, Seth Miller, Edward Russell, and pilot Joseph Tar Schmidt join Ian and Jason for a roundtable discussion to share various perspectives on the state of the aviation industry and what might come next.
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On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the extremely rare incident where a Southwest Airlines 737 struck and killed someone on the runway while landing in Austin. We also see which airlines are continuing to shrink their fleets. And we take a look at the traffic numbers to see where flights are starting to creep up.
Southwest Airlines 737 strikes person on the runway
A person was struck and killed by a landing Southwest Airlines 737 at Austin Airport on 7 May. The person was on Runway 17R as flight WN1392 touched down in Austin from Dallas. Authorities have since identified the person who was struck and determined they were not supposed to be on the airfield.
Fleet retirements
Delta is retiring its 777s by the end of the year, Singapore Airlines has retired their 777-200ERs, and other airlines are making similar moves.
Bankruptcy, reorganization, and for sale signs
We run down the list of airlines working on raising capital, reorganizing their operations, and trying to find buyers. Anyone want to buy Jet Airways?
Watch out for sheep on the runway
An incident where an An-124 had to divert due to a closed runway leads Ian deep into the FAA’s new NOTAM retrieval service.
Garmin Autoland certified on first aircraft
The Garmin Autoland system has been certified for use on the Piper M600 SLS.
Let us know what you think
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On this episode of AvTalk, more airlines say goodbye to sizable portions of their fleets while one airline will press an A380 into cargo service. And pilot Jon Weiswasser joins us to talk about his trifecta—landing at Newark, La Guardia, and JFK during the same flight in a Vans RV-8.
Fleet retirements spreading far and wide
Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, American Airlines, and others took big steps this week to reduce their fleet sizes, with some of our favorite aircraft now slated for desert retirement communities.
Qantas puts Project Sunrise on hold
Lacking both passenger demand and the cash to buy the planes from Airbus, Qantas has put its ultra-long haul ambitions on hold.
Lufthansa Technik’s A380 cargo conversion
Lufthansa Technik announced it will convert a passenger A380 to carry cargo only by removing the the seats and making other interior modifications for an undisclosed airlines. We not-so-wildly speculate which airline that may be.
Norwegian lives to fly another day
Always down, but seemingly never out, Norwegian will live to fly another day thanks to an agreement with bondholders.
Bomb threat closes Anchorage Airport, diverts the An-225
A bomb threat to a China Airlines Cargo flight caused it to divert to Anchorage last week, which closed the airport during the investigation. The closure forced the An-225, the world’s largest cargo aircraft, to divert to Fairbanks and then ferry back.
Jon Weiswasser completes the trifecta
Jon Weiswasser is a doctor, the drummer for Eagles tribute band Eaglemania, and a pilot with an engrossing YouTube channel called Life in the Fast Lane and he joins us to talk about completing the trifecta—landing at Newark, La Guardia, and JFK during the same flight in a Vans RV-8.
Generally good news
We close the show with a few bits of mostly good news because we could all use a little good news these days.

On this episode of AvTalk, we look at some COVID-19 related aviation innovation, Seth Miller returns to help us understand how airlines are navigating the CARES Act, and we talk with Karan Singh from the Lufthansa Group to learn more about managing hundreds of repatriation flights.
Airlines over the brink
Airlines around the world are in trouble as people stay home and planes are parked. We walk through which airlines are fighting for their financial lives.
How do you show you CARES?
Seth Miller returns to help us understand how airlines are navigating the CARES act and what it means for airlines, passengers, and airports in the US.
Links we discussed with Seth
Spirit Airlines ‘milk run’ idea
Which airlines got CARES Act exemptions
How the DOT initially explained their CARES Act requirements
Updated DOT requirements for CARES Act funding
What else is changing?
We take a look at some of the areas of the aviation industry that are changing due to COVID-19, from aircraft deliveries to seating innovation.
And here’s the link to the Titan Airways A318 landing on St Helena.
Getting home
We talk with Karan Singh of the Lufthansa Group to find out what it takes to operate over 400 repatriation flights across 7 airlines and 106 airports and some of the challenges along the way.
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

On this episode of AvTalk, we see how far air traffic fell in March and what we’re likely to see in April. We also take a look at some of the more interesting flights that airlines have operated in the past few weeks. And Georgios Hatzimanolis from Marine Traffic joins us to compare notes on what their data can tell us about how COVID-19 is affecting the global economy.
And the bottom falls out
The first week of March saw global traffic still up 4.5%, but the final week of the month traffic was down 55% from 2019 levels and traffic overall was 21.6% lower than 2019 in March. Airlines have reacted in different ways, but the number of flights continues to fall and the number of stored aircraft continues to rise.

Comparing notes with Marine Traffic
Georgios Hatzimanolis from Marine Traffic joins us to compare notes on what their ship tracking data can tell us about the state of the global economy.
Strange routes because of COVID-19
SAS flying to South America, Ethiopian Airlines flying between Chicago and New Orleans, and Lufthansa in New Zealand, among others. We discuss some of the most interesting flights we’ve seen in the past few weeks.

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On this episode of AvTalk, we review which airlines and countries have now canceled all flights. And journalist Ethan Klapper joins us to discuss the impact COVID-19 is having on some air traffic control facilities around the United States.
Airlines 0
Nearly 100 airlines have canceled all or nearly all of their operations. We walk through which airlines are down to zero and which are still flying a reduced schedule.
Countries 0
Some countries have completed closed to passenger traffic to help stop the spread of COVID-19. India became the largest country to halt all passenger traffic this week.
ATC 0
We talk with journalist and aeronautics graduate student Ethan Klapper about the effects positive COVID-19 diagnoses have had on various air traffic control facilities around the United States and what the future may hold in the face of a spreading pandemic.
Repatriation and rerouting
We’re following the repatriation flights airlines are operating to bring people home, including one that didn’t quite go as planned.
 

On this special episode of AvTalk, Jason and Ian take stock of how the aviation industry has reacted to plummeting demand and ever changing government restrictions as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll.
Jason and a few others are maintaining a useful list of airline operations as some airlines reduce their planned schedule by more than half and some halt all flying entirely. In addition to cutting flights, airlines are putting aircraft in storage, moving forward fleet retirement dates, and deferring delivery of new aircraft.
The number of operated flights began falling precipitously this week as restrictions were put in place. Commercial air traffic is now 10% below where it was in March 2019 and falling.
Meanwhile, the pandemic is taking a toll on the people who make the airline industry work, as airlines cut staff, some upwards of 90%. And the actual virus has also impacted air traffic controllers in places like Chicago-Midway and Las Vegas, where the control towers are closed for deep cleaning and flights at those airports operate on a reduced schedule.
This episode unfortunately doesn’t have answers to the questions we’re all asking, but we did want to provide some tools to help see what may come next.

On this episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current editor-in-chief John Ostrower for a wide-ranging conversation as we try to understand the effects of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 on the aviation industry. We also look at the state of the 737 MAX and the prospects for the aircraft’s return to service one year after the crash of Ethiopian flight 302 and one year into its worldwide grounding.
What’s next for aviation?
In our in-depth conversation with Jon Ostrower, we try to add context to the crisis facing the aviation industry and see how COVID-19 is fundamentally changing—or not—aviation as we know it. Although we recorded this episode on 10 March, prior to the restrictions put in place on Schengen area citizens traveling to the US, our conversation about possible risks and responses took the possibility of these additional measures into account.
What’s next for Boeing
Recording one year after the crash of Ethiopian flight 302 and the grounding of the 737 MAX, we also look at where Boeing stands in their quest to the airplane back in the air and what the future might hold for the company.
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

On this episode of AvTalk, air traffic in China is down over 80% from the beginning of the year, the first Air France A380 enters retirement, and Air New Zealand’s Skynest may be a way to make ultra-long-haul economy a little less terrible.
COVID19-related cancellations continue to grow
Cancellations and reductions in service continue to expand as COVID19 cases reach beyond China. Following outbreaks in South Korea, Iran, and Italy, airlines are reevaluating their schedules or cancelling outright. Air traffic in China is down over 80%, while global traffic is down 4.4% in February compared to 2019.
FOD bad
Boeing is inspecting all of the undelivered 737 MAX for foreign object debris after things like tools and rags were found in the wing fuel tanks of some aircraft.
Kazakhstan releases Bek Air update
Kazakhstan released an animated video with data from the crashed Bek Air Fokker in Almaty this week, showing the aircraft only barely made it off the ground and suffered multiple tail strikes in an effort to gain altitude.
Air Canada A319 loses a wheel
An Air Canada A319 lost one of its right main gear wheels on its way from New York to Toronto last week. The flight performed a flypast in Toronto for visual confirmation of the missing wheel before making a safe landing. The NTSB and FAA have subsequently retrieved the wheel.
Air Baltic A220 suffers engine failure
An Air Baltic A220 en route from Riga to Malaga diverted safely to Bordeaux after one of its engines failed. The aircraft had just climbed from 37,000 feet to 39,000. We discuss how this incident fits with the previous Swiss A220 engine failures.
Air New Zealand builds a Skynest
In an effort to help economy cabin travelers get a little rest on ultra-long haul flights, Air New Zealand has come up with the Skynest concept. As we discuss, the general idea isn’t new, but implementation on an actual aircraft would be a first.
Air France’s first A380 retired
Air France’s first A380 made its final flight last week, retiring to Knock in Ireland. We discuss which airlines are planning to discard their A380s and what the secondary market looks like for the superjumbo.
From new airlines to zombies
We wade through a variety of airline finances, from start up airlines to those that just won’t die.
A sandstorm from the Sahara covers the Canaries
A sandstorm blown over the Canary Islands from the Sahara desert brought delays and cancellations over the weekend. Satellite imagery shows the extend of the storm.
NATS releases colorized images of first control tower
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the world’s first air traffic control tower, NATS released a beautiful collection of colorized photos from the time. Worth a look for any aviation history buff.
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

On this episode of AvTalk, a Pegasus Airlines 737 overruns the runway in Istanbul, traffic to China grinds to a halt, Air Italy calls it quits, and the jet stream helps British Airways set a new record.
Pegasus Airlines flight 2193
On 5 February Pegasus Airlines flight 2193 overran the runway on landing in Istanbul. The aircraft slid down an embankment and broke in to three pieces. Three people onboard died as a result of their injuries. We discuss some of the factors investigators will be looking at as they begin their work.

Air traffic in China cut by more than two-thirds
Traffic in China has fallen by more than two-thirds since mid-January as impacts from Coronavirus travel restrictions and falling demand are felt throughout the aviation industry. We discuss some of the specific impacts on airlines and what some airlines are doing to mitigate the situation.

Air Italy declares bankruptcy
Air Italy announced it will cease operations on 25 February. Air Italy’s fleet has been grounded and all flights from 11 to 25 February will be operated by other carriers on behalf of the airline. We discuss our surprise—or lack thereof.

British Airways sets a new record
Thanks to a strong jet stream British Airways set a new speed record between New York and London. But the record was not without a bit of controversy. And plenty of misunderstandings about ground speed and ground speed. We break it all down and Jason gets to work on finding an appropriate trophy.

High winds and snow banks
And Icelandair 757 and a UTair 737 are going to need some heavy repair work after the 757’s right main gear collapsed after landing in strong winds in Reykjavik and the 737 hit a snowbank on final approach. Thankfully, no major injuries were reported.
Investigative updates
United Arab Emirates investigators released their final report on the failed go around and subsequent crash of Emirates 521 in Dubai. And the probe into an Avianca flight that suddenly lost 2,500 feet of altitude continues.
Sippy cups required
Following two instances where liquid spilled on the center console of the A350 flight caused engine shut downs, Airbus and EASA have determined that the A350 flight decks need liquid-free zones. Sippy cups all around!
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.
 

On this episode of AvTalk, we discuss the Coronavirus response, as authorities and airlines try to stop its spread. Kobe Bryant and his daughter are among those killed in a helicopter crash in California this past weekend. And Boeing’s 777X takes flight for the first time.
Coronavirus repsonse
Travel to and from China is being sharply curtailed as authorities and airlines work to stop the spread of the Coronavirus that originated in Wuhan in December. We discuss what airlines are doing thus far and what kind of impact an extensive reduction in flights in China could have.
Note: this episode was recorded on Tuesday, 28 January, before many airlines announced their suspension of flights to cities in China.
Kobe Bryant among those killed in helicopter crash
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter were among those killed in a helicopter crash in California this past weekend. We discuss what data we have and what we don’t know.
Boeing’s 777X makes first flight
In a turn of good news for Boeing, the 777X successfully completed its first flight on 25 January. We talk about what the 777X means for Boeing right now and which airlines are keen to see it enter service.
Money, money, money
Air India is trying to sell itself, LOT Polish Airlines parent company PGL purchased Condor, South African Airways is parking A340s to save money, and Airbus agreed to a settlement in the investigation into major fraud committed by the company.
 

On this episode of AvTalk, we begin the year on a somber note to discuss the downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 in Tehran and the effects of prohibitions by certain countries on flights in Iran and Iraq. We also dig in to some of the new documents released by Boeing regarding the 737 MAX and things do not look good.
How we got here
We discuss the chain of events that led to restrictions on operations in Iran and Iraq and the downing of PS752 by a surface to air missile just after take off from Iran. And we take a step back to look at larger airspace changes over the last 10 years.
Boeing’s ‘damning’ new documents
Documents released to Congress and FAA ‘paint a deeply disturbing picture’ of Boeing’s actions, regarding the certification of the 737 MAX, said the chair of the House committee investigating the 737 MAX. We walk through some of the documents and take a wider look at the role of company culture.


The document release, which confirms that ‘Boeing rejected a proposed system safety upgrade to the MAX on the grounds that doing so would add cost by triggering a need for all pilots to have flight-simulator training to qualify to fly the MAX’ came just days after the manufacturer announced it would recommend simulator training for all pilots before the 737 MAX returns to service.

2019 orders and deliveries
We run the numbers on Airbus and Boeing 2019 orders and deliveries and find Airbus well ahead for the year, but not without challenges of its own.
Hunting mystery drones in Colorado
A fleet of drones has been spotted in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming and residents and authorities have no idea who is flying them. The military says it isn’t them, the FAA says they have no idea. Now federal, state, and local authorities are trying to track down the operators.
Delta flight 89 dumps fuel on Los Angeles neighborhood
The Delta 777 suffered an engine issue shortly after takeoff and returned to LAX for safe landing. In the process, the aircraft dumped fuel at a surprisingly low altitude over a neighborhood in Los Angeles County.
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

Happy New Year! On this episode of AvTalk we look back at some of our favorite conversations from 2019. We’ll be back with the first new episode of 2020 on 17 January.
Mark Vanhoenacker
We start by revisiting episode 56 and our conversation with Mark Vanhoenaker, a first officer with British Airways and a recent convert from the 747 to 787. Vanhoenaker is also the author of multiple books and we discuss his latest, How to Land a Plane.
Maria Langer
Next, in episode 62, we spoke with Maria Langer, who has a very specialized piloting job: she dries cherries using a helicopter.
Joseph Tar Schmidt
In episode 63 we chatted with Joseph Tar Schmidt, a regional airline pilot and accomplished violinist. On a recent Christmas flight, Tar Schmidt not only flew the plane, he serenaded his passengers too.
Mark Zee
NOTAMs are extremely important for flight safety as they make crews aware of any hazards or special operating instructions at an airport. They can also be long-winded, confusing, and sometimes downright silly. In episode 65, we talked with Mark Zee, the founder of OpsGroup, a professional aviation organization trying to reform the NOTAM.
Lisa Norman
And finally in episode 67, Qantas 787 fleet captain Lisa Norman joined us to talk about Qantas’ Project Sunrise and what it’s like to fly with a brain wave monitor attached to your head.
Who would you like to hear from in 2020?
As we plan our episodes for the year, we’d like to hear from you. Who should we talk to, what should we learn? Email us your thoughts. Thank you for listening!
 

On this episode of AvTalk, Boeing halts production of the 737 MAX, Harbour Air’s electric Beaver takes flight, and we run down the list of airlines that didn’t make it through 2019 and a few that could join that list very soon.
Boeing halts production of the 737 MAX from January
Boeing announced this week it will suspend production of the 737 MAX beginning in January. We discuss what that means for the company, the workers in Renton, and the 737 supply chain.
Harbour Air’s electric Beaver
Harbour Air debuted its all-electric DHC-2 Beaver last week, the first all-electric commercial aircraft.
Qantas picks A350-1000 for Project Sunrise
Qantas announced a modified version of the Airbus A350-1000 as its preferred aircraft for Project Sunrise flights. The airline is still in negotiations with Airbus for an order and still needs crew union approvals for the ultra-long haul flights to operate.
Airlines that didn’t make it through 2019
We walk through the airlines that ceased operations in 2019 and some that might still join the list.
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

On this episode of AvTalk, our reaction to United Airlines’ surprise order for 50 Airbus A321XLRs, an escape slide escapes mid-air, and the list of airlines to not survive 2019 grows longer.
Escaping escape slides
A Delta 767 lost one of its over-wing escape slides on approach to Boston last week. The slide landed in Milton, south of Boston. Thankfully it didn’t hit anyone or anything on the ground.
Delta 757 N543US back in service
After a hard landing in Ponta Delgada back in August, Delta Air Lines 757 N543US has been repaired and returned to revenue service. Photos of the aircraft after landing showed large buckles in the fuselage. The aircraft was initially flown to Atlanta, then to Jacksonville where the complete repair was performed.
Trouble for Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines is facing financial difficulties that could lead to the revocation of the airline’s operating certificate if additional funding isn’t raised soon. We discuss the ongoing situation.
AtlasGlobal ‘temporarily’ suspends operations
Turkish airline AtlasGlobal ‘temporarily’ suspended operations last week, citing financial restructuring. We discuss the likely temporal reality of this suspension.
Revving the engines
Changes to how Indian carrier IndiGo is operating its A320neo aircraft could help solve its engine problems.
United Airlines orders 50 Airbus A321XLRs
Breaking news during our recording — United Airlines ordered 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, the longest range A321neo. We discuss the implications of the order and where United will use the new planes.
New Berlin Airport to open October 2020
The long-delayed Brandenburg Airport designed to serve Berlin is now scheduled to open in October 2020.
Norwegian lands slots at Heathrow
Norwegian has had a busy week, including gaining 6 slots at Heathrow Airport in London. We check in on the airline to see what other changes they’re making.
SAS retires its 737-600 fleet
SAS retired its 737-600 fleet this week with send off flight that visited all three Scandinavian hubs and drew a 600 in the sky.
New weather layers available now
New high resolution weather layers are now available on Flightradar24. All thanks to Jason bothering Ian for a very long time.

On this week’s episode, our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff joins us to make sense of the orders from this year’s Dubai Airshow. We also say goodbye the first A380 to be dismantled and take a look at a few of the more ridiculous ideas to enter the world this week.
Southwest 1380
The NTSB held its board meeting on Southwest flight 1380 on 19 November, 2019, discussing the probable cause of the accident. We discuss their findings and what Boeing is doing to mitigate the problem.
Flying barefoot in the mind
Concept art is certainly just that, a concept. But this concept is… well, we tell you how we feel about it.
Dubai Airshow orders
Our resident numbers expert Gavin Werbeloff joins us to make sense of the Dubai Airshow orders and what it might mean for a few major carrier’s strategies. Plus, we look at a few surprises from the show.
The first A380 is dismantled
TarmacAerosave dismantled its first A380 this week with 90% of the aircraft recycled. Lessons learned from this first aircraft will inform further work as the oldest A380s exit service.
Avatar Airlines
Flying 747-400s on domestic routes with every ticket less than $99 sounds too good to be true. Is it? Spoiler: probably, but we take a look at Avatar Airlines just for fun.
 

On this episode of AvTalk, we chat with Ian Matthews—a Flight Maintenance Engineer for a US-based cargo airline. Plus, a pilot makes a big mistake in Amsterdam, more pickle fork cracks, and we may see another Icelandic airline flying soon.
Fat fingers in Amsterdam
Sitting at the gate prior to departure from Amsterdam, the pilot of Air Europa flight 1094 was demonstrating the various special ‘squawk codes’, including 7500—which indicates unlawful interference aboard the aircraft—when he accidentally broadcast the code from the aircraft’s transponder setting off an hours long security situation as authorities followed protocols for such an event. The flight eventually departed with a 4.5 hour delay.
IAG buying Air Europa
IAG announced it is buying Air Europa and strengthening its position in Madrid.
What is a flight maintenance engineer?
we talk with Ian Matthews, a flight maintenance engineer for a US-based cargo airline, to find out exactly what that is and why it’s a critical role in cargo operations.
More cracked pickle forks
Inspections have revealed additional cracked pickle forks on 737NGs, adding to Boeing’s headaches.
Swiss A220 engine parts found
Parts from the first Swiss A220 engine failure over France were recovered this week. The search continues for additional debris as the BEA seeks to determine the cause of the failure.
SmartLynx A320 report
The Estonian Safety Investigation Bureau issued its final report into the loss of control incident involving SmartLynx A320 ES-SAN this week. During a training flight the aircraft suffered a loss of control incident, which resulted in a runway strike on takeoff damaging both engines severely and causing both to shut down. The aircraft was able to turn back to the airport, touching down 150m before the runway threshold and coming to rest at the side of the runway. Read the full report here.
Garmin autoland
We discuss Garmin’s recently unveiled autoland feature and what it might mean for the future of commercial aviation.
El Al retires its 747 fleet with a special tribute
To commemorate the retirement of its 747 fleet after 48 years of service, El Al drew a 747 over the Mediterranean Sea during a special charter flight to Tel Aviv.
PLAY is the new WOW
Former members of the WOW Air team have a new plan: PLAY. They hope to launch flights late this year from Iceland to Europe with North American flights following next year.

Return to service — if? when? On this special episode of AvTalk, we welcome back The Air Current editor-in-chief Jon Ostrower for a discussion on the state of the 737 MAX’s return to service and what we’ve learned this month with the release of numerous reports, including the Joint Authorities Technical Review and the final report from Indonesian investigators on Lion Air flight 610. We also discuss Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg’s testimony to Congress this week.
Documents in the discussion
In this episode we discuss a number of important documents and reports recently issued by various authorities. You can read the full documents or find links to the testimony discussed below.
Joint Authorities Technical Review
Download the JATR report
Lion Air flight 610
Read the Lion Air 610 final report and see associated data
Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg’s testimony in Congress
Testimony in the Senate
Testimony in the House of Representatives
Let us know what you think
Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving us a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us.

We unfortunately won’t have a new episode for you this week, but we will be back with a special episode next week that covers a lot of what has happened in the past few weeks, including an analysis of the just released final report on the crash of Lion Air flight 610. We’ll also have at least one special guest joining us to put everything in context.
We’ll be back to our regular schedule after next week. Thanks everyone!