Shows
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityCounter-UAS Drone Defense: Capturing Drones with LiDAR, Nets, and ParachutesMax Trescott talks with David Hall, founder and CEO of Velodyne Space, about a new approach to counter-UAS defense that focuses on capturing drones using LiDAR, nets, and parachutes instead of destroying them.Hall begins by explaining LiDAR—Light Detection and Ranging—and how it measures distance by timing how long it takes for pulses of light to travel out and return. While LiDAR has existed for decades, Hall describes how his work during the DARPA Grand Challenge helped transform LiDAR from slow, single-beam mapping tools into spinning, multi-beam systems capable of real-time 3D perception. Those systems made...
2025-12-2635 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsGarmin Autoland Emergency Landing: First King Air Save (Max Heard It Live)Episode 20 of NTSB News Talk opens with an aviation milestone: the first confirmed in-service, real-world use of Garmin’s Autoland. A King Air B200, tail number N479BR, squawked 7700 and ultimately landed itself at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) in Broomfield, Colorado on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Garmin later confirmed the activation, and ATC audio captured the synthetic callouts declaring “pilot incapacitation” and the system’s intention to land. Max adds the kind of detail that makes this story feel real: he was flying in Colorado that day, monitoring Guard, and heard the automated messages as they occurred...
2025-12-2644 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsCitation 550 Crash in Statesville NC Kills NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle and FamilyMax talks with Rob Mark about the fatal crash of a Citation 550 in Statesville, North Carolina, that killed six people, including a NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his family. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff, making it one of the most closely watched aviation tragedies of the week and a focal point of this episode.Preliminary information indicates the Citation 550 departed Runway 10 at Statesville Airport and soon reported engine trouble. The crew attempted to return to land on Runway 28. ADS-B data shows the aircraft remained airborne for approximately seven minutes and came remarkably close to...
2025-12-1837 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsAir India 787 Crash Investigation: NTSB–India Standoff, Black Box Battle & Stunning Near MissesEpisode 18 begins with an extraordinary behind-the-scenes dispute surrounding the Air India Boeing 787 crash investigation. Max and Rob open with a Wall Street Journal report describing how U.S. technical experts arrived in Delhi last summer expecting to assist with the black-box analysis, only to be told they would need to board a late-night military flight to a remote facility. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed concerns about U.S. personnel and equipment being moved into an area under State Department terrorism advisories, especially given rising tensions in the region. The NTSB pushed instead for data extraction either in Delhi or...
2025-12-0144 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsTrim Runaways, CAPS Saves, and Why IFR Pilots Still Lose Control: Lessons from This Week’s NTSB ReportsEpisode 17 of NTSB News Talk brings together an unusually rich set of accidents and safety insights, all centered on pilot decision-making, trim system failures, swept-wing stall risks, and the ongoing challenge of hand-flying in IMC when automation misbehaves. In this week’s discussion, hosts Max Trescott and Rob Mark use recent NTSB reports to highlight the mistakes, mechanical failures, and chain-of-events that continue to trap even experienced pilots. For listeners who fly IFR, rely on autopilots, or operate aircraft with electric pitch trim, this episode offers lessons that are immediately relevant.The episode opens on an encouraging no...
2025-11-1740 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesMastering Auto-Rotations, Simulated Engine Failures, and Off-Airport Operations + Helicopter NewsSee Helicopter News headlines and link to listener survey below. In this episode, Max talks with helicopter instructor Jay Bunning to explore the maneuvers that most frequently injure or kill helicopter instructors—auto-rotations, simulated engine failures, and off-airport operations. Based on real accident cases, the newest Airman Certification Standards, and decades of training experience, this episode provides a deep masterclass in keeping both CFIs and students alive during the most unforgiving phases of helicopter training.Max opens by noting that a CFI’s primary goal is always survival—because if the instructor walks away, the studen...
2025-11-141h 16
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsFatal Pilot Errors: How Common Medications Led to Deadly CrashesMax Trescott and Rob Mark explore one of the most overlooked killers in aviation: common medications that quietly impair pilots and contribute to fatal crashes. While many aviators think over-the-counter or prescription drugs are safe if they “feel fine,” the NTSB’s recent accident reports tell a different story. In case after case, pilots who ignored FAA medication rules—or failed to understand them—lost control of their aircraft, sometimes within seconds of takeoff. Pilots should read the FAA's Over-the-counter (OTC) Medications Reference Guide before taking an OTC medication.The episode opens with a discussion of the NTSB’s rec...
2025-11-0539 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityUkraine to Build Drones for the U.S., and Hobby Drone Bans Threaten STEM EducationMax Trescott and David Vanderhoof tackle an unexpected reversal in global drone production and a growing crisis for the hobbyist drone community. The show opens with a headline few would have predicted a decade ago: Ukraine negotiating to produce drones for the U.S. military.David explains that after years of battlefield innovation, Ukrainian engineers have become world leaders in low-cost first-person-view (FPV) and kamikaze drone design. The proposal, reported by The War Zone, envisions a five-year, $50 billion program to produce up to 10 million drones annually. These aren’t large Predator-style aircraft but lightweight, single-use drones capable of...
2025-10-3023 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsADS-B In Mandate, Hawker Stall Test Crash, Erie LSA Wind Shear, and Four More Fatal AccidentsIn Episode 15 of NTSB News Talk, co-hosts Rob Mark and Max Trescott examine a week filled with new legislation and a series of tragic accidents that highlight recurring lessons in aviation safety and human factors.The show opens with the Senate Commerce Committee’s new bipartisan aviation safety bill, which—if passed—would close the ADS-B loophole that allows certain military aircraft to operate without transmitting position data. Rob explains that the legislation was sparked by the midair collision near Reagan National Airport (DCA) involving a military jet and a civilian aircraft, after which the NTSB identified over 1...
2025-10-2940 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesCHP Pilot Jan Sears: Wildfire Rescues in Hurricane-Force WindsIn this episode of the Rotary Wing Show, Max Trescott replays a powerful conversation from Aviation News Talk Episode 37, featuring California Highway Patrol pilot Jan Sears. Jan recounts the dramatic night of October 8, 2017, when he and fellow CHP aircrews helped rescue dozens of people trapped by the Atlas Peak Fire, one of the catastrophic Northern California wildfires that claimed 41 lives and destroyed more than 5,700 structures.Sears, based at Napa County Airport, was on a routine patrol in CHP’s GippsAero GA8 Airvan when he first noticed a strange flicker of light on a hillside north of the ai...
2025-10-2858 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityGermany’s Drone Crackdown, Sikorsky’s Autonomous Black Hawk, and FAA Shutdown FalloutEpisode 436 of UAV News Talk dives into global security, emerging automation, and the effects of Washington’s budget stalemate on the future of flight. Hosts Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof examine how nations, defense contractors, and innovators are redefining drone policy and autonomy at the same moment that the FAA’s own progress is slowed by the ongoing government shutdown.Germany authorizes police to counter rogue dronesThe show opens with the news that Germany has approved new counter-UAS authority allowing police to neutralize unmanned aircraft threatening airports and public safety. Max and David debate whet...
2025-10-2529 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesR66 Crash Analysis: Jay Bunning on Low-G Mast Bumping and Turbulence TrapsMax talks with Jay Bunning about the crash of a Robinson R66, VH-KFT, in Australia that claimed the life of its pilot on October 26, 2023. In addition to the final report, ATSB created a video about the crash. The accident offers vital lessons for all pilots flying teetering-rotor systems such as the R22, R44, R66, Bell 206, 505, and others.Mentioned on the ShowPlease take our listener survey to help guide the showHelicopterTrainingVideos.comJay explains that the R66 in this case was nearly new with fewer than 120 hours. The private pilot departed Cessnock Airport for...
2025-10-2152 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsWeather, Airspeed, and Avoidable Tragedies: NTSB Lessons from LAX to Lake PlacidIn Episode 14 of NTSB News Talk, hosts Max Trescott and Rob Mark analyze a series of recent NTSB preliminary and final reports that reveal how weather, fatigue, distraction, and airspeed management continue to play major roles in both near misses and fatal crashes. With their characteristic mix of insight and practicality, the two veteran aviation journalists connect the dots between accidents that could have been avoided — from runway confusion at LAX to a tragic Cessna 210 in-flight breakup in a thunderstorm.The episode begins with a dramatic runway incursion at Los Angeles International Airport. An American Airlines A320 wa...
2025-10-1650 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesHelicopter Training Safety: Preventing Student Errors with Jay Bunning – Part 2Max talks with Jay Bunning, CFI and creator of helicoptertrainingvideos.com, for Part 2 of their series on Helicopter Training Safety: Preventing Student Errors. Following up from Part 1, Jay brings real-world accident examples and practical strategies for instructors to manage common mistakes during training flights.We need your help to improve the show! To do that, we need you to take our Rotary Wing Show Listener Survey. We have a new host and the show may change in some ways, and to guide those changes we need your feedback. So please take a few minutes and fill in...
2025-10-041h 04
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsNTSB Board Member Michael Graham on Safety Culture, SMS, and GA RisksIn this episode of NTSB News Talk, hosts Max Trescott and Rob Mark welcome Michael Graham, a current member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), for a deep discussion on the agency’s work and the broader state of aviation safetyGraham begins by clarifying the role of NTSB board members, often misunderstood as investigators. While trained in accident investigation, board members function more like the “Supreme Court of Transportation Safety,” deliberating on reports and voting on recommendations that flow from investigative teams. They also serve as media spokespeople at accident sites, coordinate with local authorities, and me...
2025-10-0152 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsNTSB Lessons: Electrical Failures, Go-Around Traps, and the Murrieta Citation CrashEpisode 12 of NTSB News Talk with hosts Max Trescott and Rob Mark delivers a comprehensive discussion of recent accidents, preliminary findings, and final NTSB reports, highlighting recurring safety themes for GA pilots.The episode begins with the White House nomination of American Airlines captain John DeLouv to the NTSB board, and an invitation for listeners to suggest questions for an upcoming interview with a board member.The first accident examined is a Lancair Super ES crash near San Jose on September 12, 2025. ADS-B data showed unusual behavior, with a temporary TIS-B hex code indicating the aircraft...
2025-09-2349 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityFAA eVTOL Approvals, Drone-in-a-Box Tech, HALE Solar UAVs, and EHang’s African DebutMax talks with David Vanderhoof in Episode 435 of UAV News Talk about an especially busy week in drone, eVTOL, and military UAV news. The episode covers new FAA certifications, autonomous launch systems, solar-powered endurance flights, Chinese technology in Africa, U.S. counter-drone readiness, and even a domestic security case involving explosives and drones. Together, these stories paint a vivid picture of how fast the unmanned aviation sector is evolving — and where the biggest opportunities and threats lie.AIR eVTOL gains FAA Experimental CertificateThe first headline is the Israeli company AIR receiving an FAA experimental ai...
2025-09-1330 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesHelicopter Training Safety: Preventing Student Errors with Jay Bunning – Part 1Max welcomes Jay Bunning, flight instructor, FAA Safety Team representative, and founder of HelicopterTrainingVideos.com, for Part 1 of a two-part discussion on helicopter training safety and preventing dangerous student errors.Mentioned on the ShowPlease Take our Listener Survey to help guide the future of the showEnter a giveaway to win a copy of Keep Your RPM in the GreenBuilding a Safer Training ProgramJay describes how accident reports, maintenance events, and safety management systems (SMS) have shaped the “Dangerous Student Errors” training program at his flight school...
2025-09-091h 06
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsB-52 Close Call at Minot, Midair in Colorado, and Jammed Flight ControlsMax talks with Rob Mark about the latest NTSB cases and safety lessons for pilots. They begin with new details on the B-52 near miss at Minot, North Dakota, where the bomber nearly collided with both a regional jet and a Piper Archer. The tower controller, working alone without radar support, became overwhelmed and failed to advise the B-52 crew of conflicting traffic. At one point, he even issued incorrect altitude and heading clearances. Though everyone avoided contact, the case illustrates that controllers can—and do—make mistakes, making pilot vigilance essential.Attention then turns to a fata...
2025-09-0849 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesHelicopter Human Factors & Safety Lessons for All Pilots with Richard Mornington-Sanford Helicopter Human Factors & Safety Lessons for All Pilots takes a deep dive into the psychology, stress responses, and decision-making processes that shape helicopter safety. Host Max Trescott interviews Richard Mornington-Sanford, a world-renowned instructor, consultant for Robinson Helicopter Company, and author of Keep Your RPM in the Green. Listeners can also enter a giveaway to win a copy of Richard's book, by listening to the show for the link to enter to win. Richard brings decades of experience training pilots on the Robinson R22, R44, and R66, the most widely flown light helicopters in the world. While the...
2025-08-271h 02
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityJoby Buys Blade, China’s 2-Ton eVTOL, FAA Powered-Lift Rules & Drone RescuesMax and David reunite for UAV News Talk episode 434, bringing listeners a wide-ranging discussion on the latest UAV, eVTOL, and rotorcraft developments.FAA Advisory Circular on Powered-LiftThey start with the FAA’s release of AC 21-17-4, the long-awaited certification guidance for powered-lift aircraft. Max explains how this 64-page document emphasizes performance-based outcomes rather than prescriptive design rules. Much of the content resides in Appendix A, covering equipment from cockpit voice recorders to flight data recorders. The standout requirement: aircraft must withstand impacts from a four-pound bird—a test historically performed with frozen chickens fire...
2025-08-2525 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsNTSB Accident Reports: TBM & King Air Loss of ControlIn Episode 10 of NTSB News Talk, aviation safety experts Max Trescott and Rob Mark examine recent accident reports that reinforce why loss of control in flight continues to be the number one cause of fatalities in general aviation. Drawing from official NTSB accident reports and preliminary findings, they analyze crashes involving a TBM turboprop in Montana, a Beechcraft King Air in Arizona, and other cases where night flying illusions and equipment failures played a decisive role.TBM Crash in Kalispell, MontanaRob begins with an August accident in Kalispell, Montana, where a TBM turboprop attempted...
2025-08-2537 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityBVLOS Rules, School Safety Drones, Mars Helicopters & Michigan Drone Skyway – UAV News TalkBVLOS rules, school safety drones, NASA’s Mars helicopters, and Michigan’s 40-mile drone research skyway take center stage in UAV News Talk episode 433, hosted by Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof. The discussion begins with the newly introduced LIFT Act—short for Leading Innovation in Flight Technology Act—proposed by Representative Jen Kiggans of Virginia on July 24, 2025. The bill would compel the Department of Transportation to accelerate FAA rulemaking for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The hosts explore how AI could be used to speed approvals, contrasting deterministic AI rule-checking with generative AI’s potential for errors, an...
2025-08-1128 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot Stories9/11 from the Air: NYPD Chief Pilot Ken Solosky RemembersMax Trescott talks with Ken Solosky, the NYPD's Chief Pilot on 9/11, about his experiences managing helicopter operations on one of the most catastrophic days in American history. Though Ken wasn’t flying at the moment of the attacks, he was on the ground coordinating the NYPD’s aviation response. He recounts how what began as a seemingly routine aircraft accident quickly escalated into a full-blown national emergency. The aviation unit scrambled a standard rescue package—Bell 412s with divers and crew chiefs, and patrol helicopters—only to face total communication breakdowns. Cell service and landlines failed, radio channels were overload...
2025-08-0751 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsReagan National Midair NTSB Hearing Day 3: Collision Avoidance & Safety CultureOn this episode of NTSB News Talk, Max Trescott covers the third and final day of the NTSB’s investigative hearing into the January 2024 midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport between a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 and a U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk. Day 3 featured Panel 4: Collision Avoidance Technology and Panel 5: Safety Data and Safety Management Systems.The hearing opened with spatial disorientation testimony and interviews with Army pilots about Route 4 altitude protections they incorrectly believed would keep them clear of Runway 33 arrivals. NASA’s Dr. Stephen Casner explained that cockpit traffic displays can help p...
2025-08-061h 38
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsReagan National Midair NTSB Hearing Day 2: Army Black Hawk & CRJ-700 TestimonyMax Trescott plays audio clips from Day 2 of the NTSB investigative hearing on the midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport between a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 and a U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk. This day focused exclusively on Panel 3: Training, Guidance, and Procedures Applicable to DCA Air Traffic Control, revealing systemic issues that shaped the events leading to the accident.A major theme was visual separation. Testimony explored the difference between pilot-applied and tower-applied visual separation in Class B airspace and the operational norm at DCA where helicopter pilots almost reflexively request pilot-applied visual se...
2025-08-021h 37
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsReagan National Midair NTSB Hearing Day 1: Army Black Hawk & Regional Jet Crash TestimonyMax Trescott takes listeners deep inside Day 1 of the NTSB’s investigative hearing into the tragic midair collision near Washington’s Reagan National Airport between a PSA Airlines CRJ-700 and a U.S. Army UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter. The accident claimed the lives of 67 people, including the crew of both aircraft, and has become one of the most scrutinized airspace safety failures in recent history. In this episode of NTSB News Talk, Max distills over ten hours of testimony into 18 critical clips, delivering more than an hour of compelling audio that reveals surprising findings, heated exchanges, and systemic safe...
2025-07-301h 11
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsNTSB: Delta B-52 Close Call and Runway Incursion at Mexico CityMax and Rob bring listeners a packed episode of aviation safety lessons anchored by the NTSB. They begin with the Board’s announcement of a three-day investigative hearing into the Reagan National midair between a regional jet and a U.S. Army helicopter. Rob dives into a dramatic close call in North Dakota, where a Delta Regional Jet on final narrowly avoided a B-52 bomber crossing its flight path near Minot. The incident exposes communication gaps, contract tower limitations, and the critical need for radar and coordination between military and civilian traffic.In Mexico City, a Delta A3...
2025-07-2858 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone Fireworks, Police UAVs, and a Black Hawk Crash in TexasIn Episode 432 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof explore the evolving role of drones in public events, law enforcement, and emergency response—highlighting both their growing utility and the risks of poor coordination. Titled "Drone Fireworks, Police UAVs, and a Black Hawk Crash in Texas," this episode covers breaking drone news from California and Texas, trends in UAV policing, and innovations in helicopter autonomy from Sikorsky and Skyryse.The episode opens with Max sharing a personal story about diving back into ham radio and noting the crossover with FPV drone pilots who use amateur ra...
2025-07-2529 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesBenadryl, Zyrtec, and Other OTC medicine Wait Time Rules for PilotsThis episode originally ran on the Aviation News Talk podcast. In it, Max Trescott interviews Dr. John Trowbridge, a physician and former senior Aviation Medical Examiner, to tackle a hidden yet critical safety topic: how over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications contribute to general aviation accidents. Studies have found that up to 40% of fatal accidents involve pilots with impairing substances in their system—ranging from allergy medications to sleep aids to alcohol. The problem? Many of these substances are legal and even commonplace, yet can significantly degrade judgment, memory, attention, and coordination.Dr. Trowbridge emphasizes that many pilots—and...
2025-07-2151 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsSR22 Electrical Failure Crash; Air India Fuel Switches, Cessna 240 Crashes into PacificMax Trescott and Rob Mark return for episode five of NTSB News Talk with a full slate of recent accidents and preliminary reports that highlight critical lessons in decision-making, mechanical failure, and situational awareness.They start with the tragic crash of a Cirrus SR22 in North Carolina that killed a family of four. The aircraft had experienced electrical issues early in the flight, and despite indications of ongoing problems, the pilot chose to continue to the destination rather than land. Max emphasizes how what may seem like a minor issue—such as an alternator failure—can escalate, espe...
2025-07-1635 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsShould You Learn to Fly in a Bonanza? Max Trescott and Tom Turner Talk Training Options + GA NewsMax Trescott teams up with Tom Turner—executive director of the American Bonanza Society's Air Safety Foundation—to help listener Marc Brodecki weigh options for earning his private pilot certificate. Marc, a 39-year-old aerospace engineer in Los Angeles with glider experience, is evaluating three flight training options: a nearby tailwheel-focused school (that includes a Stearman), a larger flight school at Torrance using Sling aircraft, or buying and learning in the Beechcraft Bonanza he eventually wants to own. Tom provides extensive guidance on Bonanza ownership. He discusses which Bonanza models (S-35 or early V-35) fit...
2025-07-041h 09
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesHelicopter Private Pilot Mock Oral: Max Trescott’s Checkride with Matt JohnsonMax Trescott is joined by DPE Matt Johnson for a comprehensive and engaging mock oral checkride focused on the private helicopter pilot certification. This episode, one of the most popular styles in the Rotary Wing Show and Aviation News Talk history, simulates the real-world experience of sitting for an FAA practical test, complete with detailed discussions of eligibility, regulations, systems knowledge, and scenario-based questions.Matt begins by describing his pre-checkride procedures, including document verification, aircraft records review, and setting a comfortable environment for the applicant. He emphasizes the three-legged stool concept: the examiner must be qualified, the...
2025-07-041h 13
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsAir India 787 Crash, 737 MAX Engine Smoke, and Recent NTSB ReportsMax Trescott and Rob Mark return for Episode 4 of NTSB News Talk with critical analysis and commentary on recent aviation accidents and safety investigations. The show kicks off with an update on the fatal Air India Flight 171 crash involving a Boeing 787, which resulted in 241 onboard deaths and 19 fatalities on the ground. A single survivor remains, and while early speculation surrounds the Ram Air Turbine deployment and potential engine failure, official conclusions await India's preliminary report, expected in three months.The discussion then shifts to the LEAP-1B engine bird strike incidents involving Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX jets...
2025-07-0237 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone Delivery Test: Max Trescott Reviews Matternet’s BVLOS UAV DropMax Trescott and David Vanderhoof dive into the future of drone delivery in Episode 431 of UAV News Talk. Max shares his firsthand experience receiving multiple packages via drone as part of a pilot program from Matternet, a Mountain View, California-based drone logistics company. After visiting Matternet’s headquarters and observing the behind-the-scenes operations, Max witnessed the packaging, pre-flight procedures, and live flight operations, including the dispatch and precise delivery of chocolate bars and snacks.Matternet’s program currently serves residents in Mountain View and Sunnyvale, delivering small items such as chocolates and drinks for free as part of a...
2025-07-0245 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsElectric Airplane Test Flight: Max Trescott Reviews the Bristell B23 EnergicMax Trescott takes listeners inside the cockpit of the future in episode 390, as he shares his firsthand experience flying the fully electric Bristell B23 Energic trainer and talks with executives from H55, the Swiss company behind its electric propulsion system. This in-depth episode explores the technical, operational, and strategic aspects of electric flight training aircraft. The B23 Energic is a joint project between Czech aircraft manufacturer BRM Aero and H55, the latter founded by the team behind the Solar Impulse aircraft that flew around the world on solar power. Max discusses how H55...
2025-06-281h 09
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsAir India crash, Miracle in Toronto, N414BA San Diego crash and more accidentsIn this densely packed episode of NTSB News Talk, Max Trescott and Rob Mark discuss several major aviation accidents—ranging from high-profile international crashes to domestic general aviation incidents—emphasizing a recurring theme: loss of control due to distraction, poor decision-making, or misinterpretation of situational cues.The show opens with breaking news: a catastrophic crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner shortly after takeoff, killing 240 of the 241 people on board. Notably, this is the first fatal accident involving the Dreamliner since its certification. Speculation online points to configuration errors—photos show the gear was down and the flaps...
2025-06-1839 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDJI Drone Ban, Battery Fires, and Beta Alia’s Transatlantic FlightIn episode 430 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof return from vacation with urgent news and safety concerns in the drone industry. The episode opens with a major headline: the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is not available in the United States. Although the drone boasts high-end specs—including a 6K camera and improved flight performance—it’s currently unavailable in the U.S. due to concerns about data security and alleged ties between DJI and the Chinese government.The ban stems from a long-standing effort by U.S. government agencies to restrict the use of DJI drones...
2025-06-1629 min
Rotary Wing Show – Helicopter News, Safety, Training & Pilot StoriesTop 10 Helicopter Stories + Helicopter NewsIn this special episode of The Rotary Wing Show, titled Top 10 Helicopter Stories + Helicopter News, aviation podcaster Max Trescott officially takes the reins from longtime host Mick Cullen. The episode celebrates the legacy of the podcast while looking forward to its new direction—with Max blending classic storytelling and timely helicopter news.Mick kicks things off by sharing how he created the show in Australia to connect helicopter pilots working in isolated environments. With a passion for online marketing and storytelling, he built a platform where rotorcraft professionals could share their experiences with a global audience....
2025-06-1634 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsFly the Plane: Distractions, Doors, and DarknessIn this episode of NTSB News Talk, hosts Max Trescott and Rob Mark explore a series of recent general aviation accidents that underscore persistent issues around loss of control, distraction, weather misjudgment, and pilot training. The discussion is framed around several preliminary NTSB reports, each presenting scenarios where pilots encountered challenging situations and, in many cases, failed to maintain control of their aircraft.They begin with the crash of a Rockwell Commander 114A in Hankamer, Texas. The pilot had taken his grandson on a pleasure flight from Baytown. ADS-B data showed casual maneuvering followed by a rapid...
2025-06-1231 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityThe UAV Digest Relaunch: eVTOLs, Drones, and the Future of FlightEpisode 429 marks a major milestone for the podcast formerly known as The UAV Digest, soon to be relaunched as UAV News Talk. Max Flight and David Vanderhoof return to the mic after a long hiatus to introduce new co-host Max Trescott, known for his work on the Aviation News Talk podcast and expertise in both fixed-wing and helicopter flying.The episode opens with a nostalgic look back to 2013, when Max Flight and David launched the show to cover the then-emerging drone landscape without overwhelming their other podcast, Airplane Geeks. They describe how the show evolved as they educat...
2025-05-3029 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityThe UAV Digest Relaunch: eVTOLs, Drones, and the Future of FlightEpisode 429 marks a major milestone for the podcast formerly known as The UAV Digest, soon to be relaunched as UAV News Talk. Max Flight and David Vanderhoof return to the mic after a long hiatus to introduce new co-host Max Trescott, known for his work on the Aviation News Talk podcast and expertise in both fixed-wing and helicopter flying.
The episode opens with a nostalgic look back to 2013, when Max Flight and David launched the show to cover the then-emerging drone landscape without overwhelming their other podcast, Airplane Geeks. They describe how the show evolved as they...
2025-05-2129 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsN611VG Unpacking the Fatal Citation Jet Crash Caused by Cabin DecompressionMax Trescott and Rob Mark launch the first episode of NTSB News Talk, diving into NTSB agency news, recent accidents and newly published NTSB reports to help pilots better understand accident causes and improve decision-making in the cockpit.They begin with a surprising administrative shake-up: the unexplained termination of NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown. Rob questions the lack of transparency, pointing out how an independent agency like the NTSB should not be subject to political scapegoating without clear justification. Max brings up that the NTSB is hiring. Next, they turn to cockpit video recorders—a lo...
2025-05-2035 min
NTSB News Talk – Aviation Accidents, Safety Investigations & Pilot LessonsNTSB News Talk TrailerNTSB News Talk is your go-to podcast for in-depth discussions of aircraft accidents, investigations, and the lessons pilots can’t afford to ignore. Hosted by award-winning aviation journalist Rob Mark and Max Trescott, a CFI who has trained as an accident investigator, this show breaks down recent NTSB reports, analyzes accident causes, and explores what every pilot, instructor, and aviation enthusiast can learn from these events.Whether you’re a student pilot, airline captain, or simply fascinated by aviation safety, NTSB News Talk brings you facts, context, and expert commentary—without sensationalism. Rob and Max balance serious safety...
2025-05-1301 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsMax Trescott on Aviation Safety, Judgment, and Human Performance on Dr. Tony Kern's podcast + ForeFlight News In this special crossover episode, Max Trescott, host of the Aviation News Talk podcast, appears as a guest on Dr. Tony Kern's Only Human podcast. The two aviation safety advocates engage in a candid, insightful conversation that bridges their shared backgrounds in aviation, safety culture, and leadership. The episode begins with a segment called "This Week in Safety Land," spotlighting a tragic helicopter crash involving tourists over the Hudson River. The Director of Operations (DO) at the company involved chose to cease operations pending investigation, only to be overruled and fired by the...
2025-04-2346 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News366 Midair Collision at Reagan National - Tragedy Over the Potomac Max discusses the tragic midair collision at Reagan National Airport between a PSA Airlines CRJ700 regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. The midair crash over the Potomac River was captured by a Kennedy Center webcam. ATC instructed the Army helicopter to follow the airliner to Runway 33, but it did not comply. The helicopter was not transmitting ADS-B Out, though its position was tracked using Mode S transponders. TCAS alerts are disabled below 400 feet, meaning the pilots had no automated warning. Nighttime perception challenges likely contributed to the...
2025-01-3116 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsFlySto: Bringing Airline-like Flight Analysis to General Aviation Note: There is a video version of this episode for Patreon.com supporters at the $20/month level, which also gives you access to over 90 other videos. Max Trescott talks with Patrick Lienhart about FlySto.net, a platform bringing Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) to general aviation (GA). FOQA, widely used by airlines, collects and analyzes flight data to enhance safety by identifying trends before they lead to incidents. FlySto applies similar principles, allowing GA pilots to review their flights, compare data, and track performance improvements. FlySto offers multiple perspectives...
2025-01-2457 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsJeju flight 2216 Mystery: Why Aircraft Didn't Slow During Slide on the Runway In this Aviation News Talk episode, Max Trescott analyzes the recent crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216, a Boeing 737-800, in South Korea. The aircraft landed gear-up on runway 19 at Muan International Airport, slid down the runway, hit a concrete berm, and burst into flames, leaving only two survivors among the crew. He performed a video analysis of the aircraft's speed along the runway and concluded that the aircraft didn't slow until after it left the runway, suggesting the engines were still at high power during the slide. The incident unfolded rapidly...
2025-01-0327 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsACP398 Stay Safe While Building Flight Time With Max Trescott In this replay of episode #398 of the Aviation Careers Podcast, guest Max Trescott discusses strategies for pilots to stay safe while building flight time toward the 1,500-hour requirement for airline positions. Emphasizing the higher risk associated with general aviation compared to commercial airline flying, Trescott highlights key factors such as the "killing zone" for low-time pilots and the importance of accumulating time in type rather than just total flight hours. He underscores the necessity of a professional attitude, akin to that expected in airline operations, and adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Trescott...
2024-08-0753 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsFlying a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet with Max on a long Cross country trip + GA News 316 Flying a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet with Max on a long Cross country trip + GA News 316 Flying a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet with Max on a long Cross country trip + GA ... Host Max Trescott recounts his recent trip in the Vision Jet, a G1 version, with a Patreon supporter who is working towards his type rating. He also talks about the VNAV Direct vertical navigation feature that he rarely uses, but found helpful during the trip. The journey involved flying from Oakland, California to Ann Arbor, Michigan and back, with several considerations such as runway lengths, weather patterns, and fuel efficiency. The decision to fly into Ypsilanti Airport instead of Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is made due to runway length and width concerns, as...
2024-02-2458 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsDiamond DA50RG Demo Flight - 300 hp FADEC Jet Fuel Engine Max Trescott test flies the new single engine DA50RG aircraft that was recently certified in the U.S. by Diamond. Diamond has been working on different configurations of the DA50 for over ten years, and the 5-seat DA50RG with retractable landing gear is the first version to be certified and delivered in the U.S. It uses a 300 hp, FADEC controlled engine that runs on Jet A fuel. Base price for theDA50RG is $1,150,000 and options include air conditioning, FIKI, and oxygen. Mentioned on the ShowLifeStyle Aviation Diamond DA50RG POH...
2023-09-281h 11
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsFAA Administrator nominee Mike Whitaker interview Max Trescott talked with FAA Administrator nominee Mike Whitaker in 2019 about his former job as FAA Deputy Administrator. Mike talked about that job, about his activity as a Private pilot and his thoughts on NexGen and the future of General Aviation. Mike talked about factors that led to the decline of GA after the 1970s, and his optimism for further growth due to demand for more pilots, the Part 23 rewrite, and new technologies like electric aircraft. He also talked about NextGen, ADS-B, and his prop strike. This is a replay of that 2019 interview. ...
2023-09-0839 min
UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone Safety Day 2023Drone Safety Day is April 29, a drone that changes shape, jump-starting your car with a drone, Florida bans DJI from government agencies, decision-making for small UAVs, drones that work together without colliding, adding VTOL to a fixed-wing drone, agave farmers saving water, land a drone in Red Square.UAV NewsDrone Safety DayDrone Safety Day is Saturday, April 29, 2023. The annual campaign is dedicated to educating the drone community on the importance of flying safely. You can download the 2023 Drone Safety Day Playbook and 2023 Drone Safety Day Flyer. You can also visit the D...
2023-04-1535 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsIFR Safety – What your CFII Didn't Teach You for the Instrument Rating 249 IFR Safety – What your CFII Didn't Teach You for the Instrument Rating Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on...
2022-10-0727 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsCFII Mock Checkride – Interview with DPE Jason Blair 242 CFII Mock Checkride – Interview with DPE Jason Blair Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let li...
2022-08-091h 10
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsWhy Instrument Pilots Don't File IFR and Crash in IMC + GA News 229 Why Instrument Pilots Don't File IFR and Crash in IMC + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered...
2022-04-271h 10
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsCFI Mock Checkride, Flight Portion – Interview with DPE Jason Blair226 CFI Mock Checkride, Flight Portion – Interview with DPE Jason Blair Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let li...
2022-03-281h 18
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsUnleaded Fuel G100UL Update - with George Braly + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using...
2022-02-281h 13
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsPilatus PC-12 Crashes in Ocean by North Carolina Killing 8 People + GA News221 Pilatus PC-12 Crashes in Ocean by North Carolina Killing 8 People + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let...
2022-02-231h 09
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsCan I Fly Through that Cloud? Types and Turbulence with Dr. Scott Dennstaedt + GA News218 Can I Fly Through that Cloud? Cloud Types and Turbulence with Dr. Scott Dennstaedt + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Join now as a member to support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered...
2022-01-311h 05
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsWhy You Should Join a Type Club - Interview Catherine Cavagnaro 213 Why You Should Join a Type Club - Interview Catherine Cavagnaro Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners...
2021-12-2750 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsRisk Management with Seth Lake 211 Risk Management with Seth Lake Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by re...
2021-12-1840 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsNew Honeywell Anthem Glass Cockpit - Interview Jason Bialek 209 New Honeywell Anthem Glass Cockpit - Interview Jason Bialek Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you a...
2021-11-2235 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsCommercial Flight Training, Fly Like a Pro, It's the Little Things that Count with Catherine Cavagnaro 208 Commercial Flight Training, Fly Like a Pro, It's the Little Things that Count with Catherine Cavagnaro Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered...
2021-11-151h 05
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsCessna and Cirrus Seat Rail Incidents and Accidents + GA News 205 Cessna and Cirrus Seat Rail Incidents and Accidents + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear...
2021-10-181h 04
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News13 Recent General Aviation Accidents + GA News 204 13 Recent General Aviation Accidents + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question...
2021-10-1159 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsHurricane Ida Relief Efforts: Aerobridge and GA Pilots Helping 201 Hurricane Ida Relief Efforts: Aerobridge and GA Pilots Helping Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Just select a contribution level, and enter your credit card number. Send us an email If you have a...
2021-09-0328 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsPilot Induced Oscillations with Catherine Cavagnaro + GA News with Rob Mark 198 Pilot Induced Oscillations with Catherine Cavagnaro + GA News with Rob Mark Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners...
2021-08-051h 03
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsHow to Lean for Takeoff with High Density Altitude + Recent Accidents 197 How to Lean for Takeoff with High Density Altitude + Recent Accidents Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question...
2021-07-3138 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsDensity Altitude and Mountain Flying – Interview Colin Aro 196 Density Altitude and Mountain Flying – Interview Colin Aro Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask th...
2021-07-2653 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsHero Pilot Avoids Houses in Fatal Plane Crash – Brad Launchpad Marzari 194 Hero Pilot Avoids Houses in Fatal Plane Crash – Brad Launchpad Marzari Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, le...
2021-07-0735 min
Opposing Bases: Air Traffic TalkOB179: PIC Talk with Max TrescottEpisode 179 Show Notes Topic of the show: Special guest co-host Max Trescott joins us today! Pilot in command (PIC) skills development begins with primary training and never ends. What tips do AG, RH, and Max share to help pilots become better decision makers and safer aviators? We also discuss runway changes, noise abatement responsibilities, and some ATC phraseology. Sad news: Pik-n-Pig restaurant at BQ1 airport burned down. If you'd like to help them out, please consider donating using this Go Fund Me link and thank you! https://www.gofundme.com/f...
2021-05-3101 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsNine Lessons from Cirrus Midair Collision over Denver 188 Nine Lessons from Cirrus Midair Collision over Denver Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask...
2021-05-1850 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone SoccerGet ready for drone soccer! Also, a heavy lift unmanned rotorcraft, David get’s to say “attritable” again, making a drone invisible, a drone ground station for the military, the sound of the Mars helicopter, drones and avigation easements, flinging drones off an aircraft carrier, and Chicago’s secret drone program.UAV NewsColorado to host nation’s first ‘drone soccer’ tournamentsIn this educational “e-sport” from United States Drone Soccer, participants learn to build, program, fly, and repair drones. The racing drones are surrounded by plastic exoskeletons and the game is played in a netted arena. Ea...
2021-05-1539 min
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsWhat Pilots Need to Know about Hearing Loss – Dr. Greg Van + GA News 187 What Pilots Need to Know about Hearing Loss – Dr. Greg Van + GA News Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, le...
2021-05-111h 11
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsAviation News of the Weird with Flying Magazine's Rob Mark Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let listeners hear you ask the question, by recording your listener question using your phone.
2021-05-031h 05
Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation NewsBoeing Test Pilot Has IFR Engine Out Emergency in a Beech Bonanza 184 Boeing Test Pilot Has IFR Engine Out Emergency in a Beech Bonanza Your Cirrus Specialist. Call me if you're thinking of buying a new Cirrus SR20 or SR22. Call 1-650-967-2500 for Cirrus purchase and training assistance, or to take my online seminar: So You Want to Fly or Buy a Cirrus. Please help support the show with a donation via PayPal or Patreon. Send us an email If you have a question you'd like answered on the show, let l...
2021-04-1956 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityOptionally PilotedOptionally piloted firefighting helicopters, was it a jetpack or a manikin on a drone, the Amazon Prime Air exemption with conditions, Japan Airlines interest in drones, UAS RF spectrum news, and using a drone to deliver a spare part to a drilling platform.UAV NewsTaking the Fight to the NightFighting wildfires is dangerous at night and typically aerial firefighting is suspended. However, optionally piloted aircraft could be a solution. Kaman Corp. is converting its conventionally piloted K-MAX heavy-lift helicopter to be optionally piloted. Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky Aviation company is developing th...
2020-09-0435 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrawing with DronesPhotographs drawn with a drone, a General Atomics SkyGuardian demonstration flight, an electric flying car racing series, a proposal for a drone emoji, 5G drones and networks, using drones while on quarantine, and autonomous resupply for the military.UAV NewsDrawing With Drones Over the Salt Flats of BoliviaProfessional photographer Reubin Wu is using LED-equipped drones to make amazing photographs at the salt flats in Bolivia. For some images, Wu uses light from the drone to illuminate the subject. For others, he “draws” shapes in a time exposure. He calls them aeroglyphs.
2020-04-1131 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityProposal to Type Certify UASThe FAA proposal to type-certify UAS, autonomous EA-18G Growlers, surveillance with drones in China, no Remote ID NPRM extension, DoD counter-UAS contract, an unmanned kit for the K-Max, delivering ice cream, and an arrest for busting the Super Bowl TFR.UAV NewsHow Does the FAA Aircraft Certification Process Affect UAVs?The FAA proposes to type certify unmanned aircraft the same way they certify manned aircraft. Criticism has arisen because of the long, complicated, and expensive process can only be met by large companies. Type Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems is the ru...
2020-02-0833 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityKashmir World FoundationPrincess Aliyah Pandolfi from the Kashmir World Foundation is our guest. We spoke with her at the Innovations in Flight Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display, held June 15, 2019, at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.This annual event is held the Saturday before Father’s Day. Besides the museum exhibits, a number of commercial, military, and general aviation aircraft fly in for the day. There are also special exhibitors throughout the museum providing information and activities.The Kashmir World Foundation promotes wildlife education and conservation, often utilizing drones...
2019-06-2127 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityFixed-Wing Drone SwarmFAA approves a fixed-wing drone swarm, firefighting drones under development, young girls trained to fly drones, costs of Gatwick incursions, mimicking a bat, and drones blamed for airliner problems.UAV NewsOSU receives first FAA authorization to fly unmanned aircraft in groupsOklahoma State University received FAA approval to fly drone swarms in the national airspace. Up to twenty drones can be operated by one pilot with visual observers. The Unmanned Systems Research Institute at OSU has been conducting research on this for four years using fixed-wing aircraft.UAE aims to...
2019-03-2930 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityGiving ThanksDavid and Max take the week off due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. We want to say “thank you!” to all our listeners around the world, as well as to our sponsors. Special thanks to @dronemama for working so hard to produce quality show notes each week.All the best,David and Max
2017-11-2402 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilitySmith College Drone ClassMax and @dronemama visit Smith College and talk to the summer drone class, 3DR and DJI join resources, drones assist with invasive snakes, Farmers Insurance expands the use of UAS, and a drone privacy spat on Twitter.Drone Class at Smith CollegeMax spoke to the SSEP Drone Class at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. The class is part of the College’s Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP), a four-week residential program for exceptional young women with strong interests in science, engineering, and medicine. High school students from across the United States and abroad do hands...
2017-08-0529 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityLooking Back and Looking AheadA look back at the first 200 episodes and a peek into topics that might get our attention in the future, including regulatory actions that result from FAA reauthorization.To celebrate the 200th episode, David and Max take a step back from the usual format and reminisce about the issues that were important when the podcast started in 2013. The main topic then was whether or not to call them “drones.” We look at how the unmanned aircraft landscape has changed since the first episode, and speculate about the topics we’ll be talking about in the future. One of tho...
2017-07-0138 min
The Nicnac PodcastFSRideAlong SE 3 EP 13 Max Trescott and GA Flying in Glass CockpitsIn this episode I talk with Max Trescott of Airplane Geeks fame about General Aviation, Glass Cockpits and using simulation for training About Max Trescott Max Trescott is a full time flight instructor. He’s a Cirrus Platinum CSIP instructor, and specializes in teaching in Cirrus Aircraft. He started flying at age 15 and finished his pilot certificate in college. He has degrees in Electrical Engineering, Psychology, and a MBA. He spent 25 years working in sales and marketing for Hewlett-Packard. He lives in Mountain View, California in Silicon Valley. Twelve years ago he...
2017-05-1744 minThe Nicnac PodcastFSRideAlong SE 3 EP 13 Max Trescott and GA Flying in Glass CockpitsIn this episode I talk with Max Trescott of Airplane Geeks fame about General Aviation, Glass Cockpits and using simulation for training About Max Trescott Max Trescott is a full time flight instructor. He’s a Cirrus Platinum CSIP instructor, and specializes in teaching in Cirrus Aircraft. He started flying at age 15 and finished his pilot certificate in college. He has degrees in Electrical Engineering, Psychology, and a MBA. He spent 25 years working in sales and marketing for Hewlett-Packard. He lives in Mountain View, California in Silicon Valley. Twelve years ago he...
2017-05-1744 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone World Expo 2016 ReviewA report on Drone World Expo, held November 15-16, 2016, in San Jose, California.GuestMax Trescott attended Drone World Expo 2016 and brings us his observations from the show.Max tells us about the makeup of the attendees and the keynote panel. We hear a clip from the keynote where moderator Gretchen West of Hogan Lovells asks Ingo Piroth (IBM North America GTM Lead Partner, IBM Innovation & Emerging Tech, IBM Global Business Services) to offer some examples of the more forward thinking use cases and what people need to be looking out for. Ingo beli...
2016-11-2634 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityTaking the FAA Online UAS Training CourseWe talk with a Part 61 pilot who has successfully completed the FAA UAS online training course. We also look at consumer drone vulnerabilities, the threats that drones represent to aviation, using big data to develop a contextual route-plan for autonomous drones, a globe-trotting drone racer, and flying drones in public parks.Part 107The new small drone rule for non-hobbyists (also known as Part 107) becomes effective August 29, 2016. The person flying a drone must have a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating, or be directly supervised by someone with that certificate.To qualify...
2016-08-2035 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityA Proposed “Micro UAS” Drone CategoryDavid, Max, and guest Tim Trott (“The Drone Professor”) try their hand at broadcasting a live episode. We discuss the Micro UAS amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill, another lawsuit challenging the FAA right to require drone registration, and the results of two UAV criminal cases.NewsA Giant Step for Micro DronesOn February 11, 2016, Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis introduced a micro UAS operations amendment [PDF] to H.R. 4441, the Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act of 2016. The amendment would add a new “Micro UAS operations” section to Chapter 455 of title 49, United States Code, and p...
2016-02-2024 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityDrone Defense SystemsAnti-drone systems and shooting down drones, more legislation from California, the authority to control the airspace, the FAA clamps down on R/C and drone clubs in Washington, D.C., formation flying, drones in television and film, stealth UAVs, and the B4UFLY app.And now, for something completely different…Instead of recording this episode over Skype for an audio program, we tried a bit of an experiment and recorded a video show live on Blab.im with an audience participating.Blab is a service where you schedule a video show on the topi...
2016-01-1650 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityUAS Industry Days 2015A first report on UAS Industry Days 2015 with the keynote by Lisa Ellman and an interview with Lawrence Brinker.NUAIR Alliance and Empire State Chapter of AUVSI Second Annual UAS Industry Days: Collaboration for InnovationHeld September 22-23, 2015 at the NUAIR Alliance Hangar and at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino Events Center in New York, this conference offered speakers, exhibits, flight demonstrations, and networking opportunities.David, Max, @dronemama, and @ProfVanderhoof attended the event, conducted a number of interviews, and recorded the presentations. This episode we bring you the conference keynote presentation and also...
2015-09-261h 06UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityUAS Traffic ManagementObservations from the NASA Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Traffic Management Convention, including the Amazon Prime Air proposal for drone traffic management.GuestMax Trescott attended the NASA Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Traffic Management Convention (or UTM) and gives us his impressions of the event. Max is a general aviation pilot, a certified flight instructor, an aviation author, and a glass cockpit expert. He also flies quadcopters.DiscussionThe UTM convention was an opportunity for NASA and others to share their visions for managing low altitude commercial drone traffic. Presentations were given by...
2015-08-0331 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityGuns on DronesA weaponized quadcopter, shooting down drones, legislation that would permit disabling drones, and nine ways to not be an idiot.GuestMax Trescott joins the conversation. Max is a GA pilot, a certified flight instructor, aviation author, a glass cockpit expert, and a budding drone pilot.NewsHandgun-firing drone appears legal in video, but FAA, police probe furtherFather Says ‘Flying Gun’ Drone Video Broke No LawsAbout that handgun-firing droneViral Video Of Gun-Firing Drone Renews Interest In Legal RestrictionsAn 18-year old C...
2015-08-0131 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityLooking Back and Looking AheadWe look back at the first 100 episodes, and ahead to the next 100. We also talk with Curator Roger Connor from the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum.The First 100 EpisodesThe UAV Digest was started as a spinoff of the Airplane Geeks podcast, with Episode #1 published on August 16, 2013. David and Max wanted to explore the exploding unmanned aircraft industry and communicate the positive uses for “drones.”Early conversation topics included the desire of many to begin commercial operations in areas such as real estate, precision agriculture, search and rescue, disasters and humanitarian relief, package...
2015-06-2732 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityEvan Ulrich and his RoboSeed UAVWhile at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Become a Pilot Day, David and Max were fortunate to have a conversation with Dr. Evan Ulrich about his “RoboSeed,” a monocopter UAV.We talked with Evan about the design, how it works, the control method, and future applications. Open up his RoboSeed website or visit the RoboSeed YouTube channel, have a look, then listen to this episode.
2014-07-0124 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityRoger Connor Curates UAVs at the SmithsonianWhile at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Become a Pilot Day, David and Max spoke with Roger Connor, who curates the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.In this recorded conversation with Roger, we talk about the history of UAV’s and how the Museum selects aircraft for display. The Museum exhibits include a number of Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, including the QH-50 Dash, MQ-1L, and Dark Star.We also learn about planned future exhibits, and Roger is beginning to explore the possibility of adding a DJI Phantom or Phantom 2 to the National Collection. He would l...
2014-06-2421 minUAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air MobilityIt used to be UFOs, now it’s UAVsAUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2014 conference and trade show, a drone narrowly misses a commercial flight, and hack-proof UAS software from DARPA.Guest: Bob Schmidt, President, UAV Propulsion Tech.AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems 2014 conference and trade show was held in Orlando, Florida May 12-15, 2014. Bob attended and he offers his perspectives on the event. Follow Bob on Twitter as @Schmidtproducts.The News:Drone just missed turbo-prop over Perth military airspaceA De Havilland Dash 8-300 turbo-prop on approach to Perth Airport encountered a strobe light coming towards them. After taking evasive act...
2014-05-3031 min