Search
AvTalk Logo

AvTalk Episode 188: Harassed by a Drone

On this episode of AvTalk, Ian is harassed by a mystery drone, Cathay Pacific resumes flying over Russia, and pilot Mark Vanhoenacker joins us to discuss his new book, Imagine a City.

Ian gets harassed by a mystery drone

While grocery shopping, Ian gets harassed by a DJI Mavic 3.

Boeing hosts its first investor day in 4 years

Boeing tried to reassure its investors with the first investor day since 2018. What did we learn?

China Southern’s MAX-imum confusion

It’s in the schedule, it’s canceled. Was it actually going to fly or is this phantom filings? And keep an eye on flight CZ3690.

American Airlines drops code share on Cathay’s flight to New York

Because Cathay Pacific is back to flying over Russia on its flight between New York and Hong Kong, American Airlines has dropped its code share. Cathay Pacific is also taking a very liberal view on “far-eastern Russia.” Read more about Cathay Pacific’s route adjustment here.

Qantas celebrates 100th anniversary of first flight

Qantas made its first flight on 2 November 1922, carrying mail from Charleville to Cloncurry via Longreach.

Pilot Paul McGinness (third from L) prepares to depart from Charleville for Longreach on 2 November 1922. The mailbag containing 106 letters is proudly displayed in front of the Qantas FK8 aircraft.
Pilot Paul McGinness (third from L) prepares to depart from Charleville for Longreach on 2 November 1922. The mailbag containing 106 letters is proudly displayed in front of the Qantas FK8 aircraft.

Mexico looks to cabotage to fill its route gap

Mexico is considering letting foreign airlines fly domestic routes.

Passenger start lavatory fire on El Al flight

A passenger attempting to put out a cigarette instead lit the trash bin on fire in the lavatory.

Imagine a City with Mark Vanhoenacker

Pilot Mark Vanhoenacker is a 787 pilot with a major European airline and an accomplished author. He joins us to discuss his latest book, Imagine a City, about experiencing urban environments as a pilot and how that perspective changes how you approach a city.

Night drones are for bananas

Drones will be used for the first time at night to spray banana crops in Costa Rica.

Strike authorization

Delta and United pilots move to strike, but your Thanksgiving plans are safe.

Viva’s nearly dry tanks

A Viva aircraft dealt with storms at multiple airports as it attempted to land, arriving its its second choice diversion airport with just over 200kg of fuel remaining.

Ural’s bad brakes

A Ural Airlines A320 landed with the main landing gear brakes locked. This isn’t the first time this has happened.

Let us know what you think (and let your friends know too!)

Thank you so much for listening! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving 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. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next.


Things we got wrong

    • It is a DJI Mavic 3, not a Maverick as mispronounced by Ian
    • This was Boeing first investor day in four (4) years, not three.
    • Cathay Pacific story first reported by Bloomberg (Ian was right, before he was wrong. Jamie Freed first reported China Southern Airlines’ scheduled return of the 737 MAX.)

Please click here for a transcript of this episode.

Share this podcast
Subscribe now
On The Radar Logo
Get weekly updates on Flightradar24 and have the latest aviation news land in your inbox.
Recent episodes

AvTalk Episode 349: How do you forget about a 737?

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian and Jason return from their respective travels to survey this week’s news. We return to India where IndiGo’s meltdown last week left the government none-too-pleased with the airline. In the US, Peraton gets the nod as the FAA’s prime integrator for ATC modernization. Boeing completes its acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems (with Airbus picking up some pieces

AvTalk Episode 348: Consider the airspace closed in its entirety

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by new Flightradar24 crew member Daniel Gustafsson in the Flightradar24 offices in Stockholm, while Jason finishes his journey through Japan’s cat cafes. We walk through the current NOTAMs affecting flights in and around Venezuela, as well as some of the unofficial pronouncements made with regard to Venezuelan airspace. We also discuss new reporting on

AvTalk Episode 347: Fatigue cracks, thrust levers, and sand ballast

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, Ian is joined by aviation journalist Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren to discuss a trio of recently released preliminary accident reports. UPS flight 2976 — MD-11F crash on take off in Louisville Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding MD-11s Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding DC-10s United Airlines flight 1093 — impact with object at 36,000 feet airACT 747-400F runway excursion in Hong Kong

AvTalk Episode 346: The A340-600 episode

On this episode of AvTalk, the Dubai Airshow wraps up with a long list of major orders and other announcements. The FAA cancels its cancellation order and air traffic in the US returns to pre-government shutdown levels. Plus, anti-GPS jamming technology is coming from Fokker Services in early 2026. We’re also joined by The Up Front editor-in-chief and Airbus A340-600 aficionado/historian John Walton

AvTalk Episode 345: Reasonable people

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, US airspace held together—barely—with hastily announced cuts to flights at major airports going into effect and air traffic controller staffing triggers peaking on Sunday. We also discuss comments from President Trump (09:23-15:28) on controller staffing during the shutdown and what effect that sentiment might have on controllers in the future. Updates on the crash of UPS 2976,

AvTalk Episode 344: UPS flight 2976

On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we discuss what we know so far about the crash of UPS Airlines flight 2976 in Louisville. To manage some of the burden on air traffic controllers during the government shutdown, the US is telling airlines to cancel up to 10% of their flights in major markets. Embraer says it is working on new ideas, but who
On The Radar Logo

Flightradar24 aviation newsletter

Every week we’ll bring you some of the stories you may have missed, new or special flights to track, the best aviation photography, and tips for getting the most out of Flightradar24.