Airplane Geeks Podcast

Identity management, seamless travel at the airport, the work of the SITA Lab. Also, rogue drones at airports, impacts on aviation of the government shutdown, Generation 2 of the Cirrus Vision Jet, and USAF acceptance of the first KC-46 aerial tanker.

Guest George Kalbfleisch is the Deputy Director of DC-8 Flight Operations for the Samaritan’s Purse emergency relief organization. In the news, we discuss the Twin Mustang Prototype unexpected flight, the Chinese soft landing on the back side of the moon, commercial flights that get diverted due to rocket launches, the worsening controller shortage, and paying tips to Frontier cabin crew. Samaritans Purse DC-8. Guest George Kalbfleisch George Kalbfleisch is Deputy Director of DC-8 Flight Operations for Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization. Samaritan’s Purse delivers critical emergency relief supplies to people in need around the world. Examples include the Saipan typhoon victims, Bangladesh refugees, Iraq during the battle for Mosul, the Caribbean following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and Ecuador following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. George tells us about the configuration of the CFM56-powered DC-8-72, it's range and payload capabilities, and the types of emergency relief missions it undertakes. We learn about the teams that fly and maintain the airplane, and how flight planning takes place, sometimes into devastated areas without electricity. George also treats us to a few of his most exciting and most unusual flights. Prior to Samaritan’s Purse, George flew DC-8s with an international freight company for twenty years as captain, line check airman, sim instructor, check airman, and the aircrew program designee to issue type ratings for the airplane. George earned his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management at Oklahoma State University and received his pilot’s license in 1980. He is a certified airline transport pilot with type ratings in the A320, B-777, DC-8, and SA-227. George is an active General Aviation pilot who enjoys flying tail wheel and aerobatics in his spare time. DC-8 cutaway illustration, showing the cargo and passenger compartments. Courtesy Samaritan's Purse. Aviation News XP-82 Takes Accidental First Flight Ray Fowler was conducting high-speed taxi tests of the XP-82 Twin Mustang Prototype. The plan was to lift the wheels for just a second, deploy the flaps, and roll out. Except it accelerated so fast that the plane couldn’t get back down in the remaining runway.  So up he went. See XP-82 Twin Mustang Restoration Project for more. China’s Chang’e-4 lands on moon’s far side China’s Chang’e-4 spacecraft made the first successful soft landing on the far side of the moon. The spacecraft combines a lander and a rover and utilizes a relay satellite Queqiao for communication. From China National Space Administration: China's Chang'e-4 probe makes historic landing on moon's far side. Gridlock in the sky The Feb 6, 2018 launch of the SpaceX Heavy Falcon closed the airspace over a 1,300-mile section the Atlantic for over three hours. Commercial flights had to fly significantly diverted routes, costing time and fuel. What happens when commercial space flight launches become frequent? ALPA says these closures “have led to extensive and expensive delays to commercial air traffic that are unsustainable.” Government Shutdown Worsens a Controller Shortage The National Air Traffic Controllers Association is not happy with the partial government shutdown because of its effect on members. But another consequence is the negative effect on training for new controllers. The FAA training academy in Oklahoma City is shut down, and classroom and simulator training at air traffic control facilities has stopped. That’s a First: I Was Asked for a Tip From a Flight Attendant PointsGuy.com writer JT Genter was on a Frontier Airlines flight. After ordering his beverage and providing his credit card, the flight attendant handed him a tablet which offered him the ability to select a tip. Herb Kelleher,

This is a Bits & Pieces episode with recorded segments from the hosts, contributors, and listeners.

Guest Isaac Alexander gives us a taste of aviation action in the Pacific Northwest. In the news: updates on the Boeing/Embraer deal, more WOW Air woes, Virgin Galactic test flight, MRJ engine final assembly in Japan, the Northrop Grumman Firebird MALE, an airline turnback to deliver a heart, and pet fish flying commercial. Plus David’s holiday story, Voyager spacecraft, and first flight comments.

Lockheed Martin and Airbus push A330 MRTT aerial tankers, air marshals, Brazilian court blocks Boeing-Embraer deal, airport biometrics, pilots and apps, AOPA STEM program, An-124 at Houston, Boeing 777X BBJ, Voyager 2 in interstellar space.

Airlines use the cloud for responsive customer service. Indigo Partners invests in Wow, airport micro-hotel rooms, B747 retirements, passengers pay for aircraft repairs, A320 engine cowling door problems, Piaggio insolvent, history segment on the TBF Avenger.

The upcoming Normandy Jump commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day, new standards for obtaining an Airline Transport Pilot certificate or an airplane type rating, a solid-state propulsion system from MIT, and a carbon offsetting and reduction scheme for international aviation.

Red Bull Air Race World Championship Finale report, Boeing Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, Lockheed Martin X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft, Aurora Flight Sciences pseudo-satellite, JAL pilots, TSA Automated Security Lanes.

Bombardier sells off major portions of its commercial aviation business, FAA issues an Emergency Airworthiness Directive for Boeing 737, an American Airlines executive flys United, an update on United’s Polaris business class, Japanese pilots and alcohol consumption, and some visitors allowed to the gate at Sea-Tac. Also, a talk with a Challenger Class Red Bull air race pilot and crosswind landings with the B-52.

Delta Air Lines celebrates 10th anniversary of the Delta/Northwest merger, new engine repair shop, first A220-100. American Airlines baggage handler, Lion Air crash, Boeing 737 MAX data servers, two Iceland airlines. Interviews with aviation Youtuber and Snowbird #1.

A new airline from the founder of Jetblue, a change to training regulations for experimental LSA, Tyndall AFB devastated by hurricane, Bombardier sues Mitsubishi, helicopter passenger saves the day, Lion Air fatal accident, air show and fly-in interviews.

The CEO of magniX talks about electric airplane propulsion. Also, FAA reauthorization, an initial NTSB report, why bad airline service is profitable, possible increase in the LSA weight limit, Air Force contracts for helicopters and the T-38 replacements.

The author of Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History looks at the true story of pioneering women aviators. Also, Air Canada’s near disaster, FAA approves ultralight VTOL, FAA reauthorization, F-35B crash, American Airlines podcast, Dorkfest 2018, Collings Foundation.

Dr. Patti Clark, Program Chair at ERAU on Aviation is Your Future course for youngsters aged 8-12. Also sustainability in the aviation industry, FAA reauthorization, A-10, misspelled airline name, falsifying FAA records, XP-82 Twin Mustang, Dorkfest.

Our Appareo Systems guest talks about ADS-B systems. United Airlines goal to cut greenhouse emissions by 50%, Airbus investing in synthetic spider silk, fatal Cessna 335 crash, bad behavior by emotional support animals, passing the Cirrus SF50 checkride.