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Aviation News Talk podcast

Aviation News Talk podcast

By: Max Trescott | Glass Cockpit Publishing
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 40 yrs of experience - GA News, safety tips, IFR & technology Aviation News Talk is a podcast focused on General Aviation news, general tips for pilots, technical details on glass cockpits and flying GPS approaches, and an occasional interview. I bring over 40 years of piloting experience to the show to teach pilots and future pilots to fly safely and to answer listener questions.Glass Cockpit Publishing 2023 Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 384 NTSB News Talk podcast - Unpacking the Fatal Crash of a Citation Jet, N611VG Caused by Cabin Decompression

    384 NTSB News Talk podcast - Unpacking the Fatal Crash of a Citation Jet, N611VG Caused by Cabin Decompression
    May 22 2025
    Max 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. Please help us improve the show by sending us your feedback here. To hear future episodes of NTSB News Talk, Follow or Subscribe to the show in your podcast app. 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 long-recommended safety item by the NTSB. While commercial pilots and unions resist them on privacy grounds, Max and Rob argue that video can play a vital role in understanding pilot behavior and causes of crashes, especially in general aviation where data is often limited. Rob references Matt Thurber’s editorial advocating for video recorders and highlights tools like CloudAhoy that already allow post-flight review. The hosts then discuss several accidents. One involved a Cessna 207 in Alaska that crashed during a go-around, possibly due to a dog on the runway. They examine when it’s safer to land versus abort, and why go-around procedures—rarely practiced—are often poorly executed, even by experienced pilots. Two Citabria crashes raise density altitude concerns. One near Big Creek, Idaho , ended with no survivors; the other, in Wyoming, occurred during a flight to spread ashes . A partial engine power loss, high terrain, and low climb capability proved fatal. Both hosts emphasize how critical it is for instructors to teach performance limitations in high-elevation operations, especially in underpowered aircraft. Max talked about a Fireboss firefighting seaplane that ditched in the Atlantic, killing the pilot, while on a ferry flight to the Azores. He mentioned that experience ferry pilot Sarah Rovner talked in detail about ferry piloting issues in episode 379 of the Aviation News Talk podcast. Another incident highlights poor weather decision-making. A Piper PA-28 crashed near Mount Equinox, Vermont after entering icing conditions in IMC. The non-instrument-rated pilot, traveling with family on a ski trip, stalled and crash-landed. The hosts explain how "get-there-itis" and poor weather avoidance can prove fatal, and caution against pressing on in marginal conditions—especially with passengers aboard. The episode's deep dive analyzes the fatal accident of N611VG, a Citation 560 over Virginia. The pilot lost cabin pressure at high altitude and became incapacitated due to insufficient supplemental oxygen. The aircraft, operating Part 91, had numerous maintenance discrepancies—including an empty oxygen bottle and neglected pressurization issues. The pilot and passengers perished. Rob emphasizes that maintenance negligence is a silent killer, and guests aboard privately owned aircraft may have no idea about their true safety risks. Max and Rob conclude with a discussion on high-altitude emergency procedures, including explosive decompression response. They urge pilots to practice rapid descents to VMO and recognize the signs of hypoxia before it’s too late. Finally, they encourage all pilots—regardless of experience—to schedule a flight review with an instructor to refresh skills like go-arounds and emergency descents. This debut episode delivers clear, actionable safety lessons and insider insight into real-world aviation accidents. It’s a must-listen for pilots, CFIs, aircraft owners, and anyone serious about flight safety and learning from the NTSB’s findings. Mentioned on the Show Please help us improve the show by sending us your feedback here.
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    37 mins
  • 383 Why Your RNAV Glide Path Won’t Capture—and How to Fix It + GA News

    383 Why Your RNAV Glide Path Won’t Capture—and How to Fix It + GA News
    May 17 2025
    Max tackles a common frustration among pilots: why RNAV (GPS) glide paths sometimes fail to couple with the autopilot. A recent Facebook post from a pilot flying a Cirrus SR22T triggered the discussion, as the poster encountered exactly this problem during an LPV approach, mistakenly attributing it to an expired database. Max explains that the real culprit was a fundamental misunderstanding of RNAV approach procedures. Unlike an ILS glide slope, which is a physical radio beam transmitted from ground equipment, an RNAV glide path is a computed construct generated by the aircraft’s GPS navigator. It only becomes “real” for the autopilot to couple to when flown properly, following all step-down altitudes as published. A key indicator is the glide path diamond: it remains hollow and white until the aircraft crosses the fix before the Final Approach Fix (FAF), at which point it turns solid magenta, signaling that the autopilot can engage. Max emphasizes that this behavior contrasts with ILS approaches, where pilots sometimes get away with intercepting the glide slope from above. Doing so on RNAV approaches, however, won’t work because the computed glide path isn’t extended infinitely; it’s activated only within a defined segment of the approach. To verify this, Max conducted simulator flights on multiple RNAV approaches. He discovered a consistent pattern: the glide path diamond always turned magenta while crossing the fix immediately before the FAF—not at a set distance before or after a particular waypoint. This nuance is crucial for ensuring autopilot capture and a stabilized approach. Drawing a parallel to AIM 5-4-5b, Max reinforces that both ILS and RNAV approaches are designed to be intercepted at specific altitudes. Deviating from these procedures risks automation surprises, or worse, capturing false glide slopes in the case of ILS. He recalls the Air India Express Flight 812 crash as a tragic example of why proper interception altitudes matter. The key takeaway is a simple formula for reliably flying RNAV approaches: descend to each step-down fix altitude, and ensure you’re at the target altitude when crossing the fix before the FAF. When done correctly, the glide path diamond will turn magenta, allowing the autopilot to capture it and guide the descent. Max’s detailed breakdown underscores why relying on social media for technical advice can be misleading. Instead, pilots should seek information from authoritative sources and understand the underlying principles behind automation behavior. By following published procedures and recognizing cues like the hollow versus solid glide path diamond, pilots can avoid surprises and maintain safe, stable approaches. If you're getting value from this show, please support the show via PayPal, Venmo, Zelle or Patreon. Support the Show by buying a Lightspeed ANR Headsets Max has been using only Lightspeed headsets for nearly 25 years! I love their tradeup program that let's you trade in an older Lightspeed headset for a newer model. Start with one of the links below, and Lightspeed will pay a referral fee to support Aviation News Talk. Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset $1199 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $899Lightspeed Sierra Headset $699 My Review on the Lightspeed Delta Zulu Send us your feedback or comments via 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. News Stories ForeFlight integrates FAA weather cameras FAA Lifts Some Restrictions on Experimental Aircraft Duffy Will Allow Air Traffic Controllers to Work Past 56 ATC ‘hotline’ between Pentagon and Reagan Washington National Airport broken since 2022 Pilot seriously injured when he forgets to remove wheel chocks Overrun Accident Traced to Pilot Fatigue, Other Factors Pilot Sentenced Over Threat to Kill Prospective Employer Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway Video of the Week: Garmin AutoLand in SR22/G7 Tom Turner's Flying Lessons Weekly Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do. Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android. Check out Max’s Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/ Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium "Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive ...
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    51 mins
  • 382 Best Garmin G1000, G3000, G5000 and Cirrus Perspective Settings to Fly Safer and Smarter

    382 Best Garmin G1000, G3000, G5000 and Cirrus Perspective Settings to Fly Safer and Smarter
    May 10 2025
    Max Trescott shares his top recommended settings for Garmin avionics systems, specifically the G1000, G1000 NXi, G3000, G5000, and the Cirrus Perspective and Perspective+ systems. These configuration tips enhance situational awareness, flight safety, and pilot efficiency—and many also apply to Garmin standalone navigators like the GTN 650 and 750. The episode begins with a critical safety upgrade: switching the Traffic Page vectors from Absolute to Relative. Unlike absolute vectors (which only show heading), relative vectors display a target aircraft’s flight path in relation to your own—allowing you to detect potential collision courses earlier and take evasive action sooner. Max also explains Pilot Profiles, which store individual settings for different pilots or flight types. These profiles auto-save any inflight changes, even if made by other users, which can unintentionally overwrite your setup. He offers a clever workaround: naming your profile something like “Maintenance Only” to discourage accidental use. For Cirrus Perspective, Perspective+, and other G1000-based systems, Max outlines his strong preference for Track Up or Heading Up map orientations and why North Up is ergonomically flawed. North Up can disorient pilots in high-workload situations and may even contribute to midair conflicts, as it forces mental rotation of traffic and terrain. Airline pilots overwhelmingly avoid it—and you should too. Other key settings include: Auto Zoom: Turn off to avoid erratic map scaling.Track Vector: Set to 60 seconds to better judge turns and approach timing.Wind Vector: Display wind components (headwind/tailwind and crosswind) clearly for better landing decisions.Fuel Range Rings: Display fuel reserves and total endurance graphically to enhance fuel planning.Altitude Arc ("Banana Bar"): Visually predict level-off points—critical for IFR approaches.Obstacle & Terrain Awareness: Enable obstacle data and use Relative Terrain (especially at night) to avoid controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). For Cirrus Perspective pilots, Max also emphasizes enabling Runway Extensions to help identify the extended centerline in complex or night conditions, and TFR overlays to stay compliant with airspace restrictions. Soft key setup tips include: Enabling Traffic every flight.Using the Inset Map (Vertical Situation Display) to monitor terrain clearance, especially during nighttime descents or cruise-level wind shifts.Declutter Levels: Adjust map detail to balance visibility and clarity; Max prefers the “Detail –3” setting to retain Class B/C airspace while reducing screen clutter.Disabling Pathways and flashing cursors, which can cause visual overload. Through these curated settings, Max demonstrates how pilots flying with Garmin or Cirrus Perspective avionics can custom-tailor their displays for clarity, efficiency, and most importantly—safety. Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway Hudson Helicopter Crash Preliminary Report RV-10 Crash in Simi Valley Free Index to the first 282 episodes of Aviation New Talk So You Want To Learn to Fly or Buy a Cirrus seminars Online Version of the Seminar Coming Soon – Register for Notification Check out our recommended ADS-B receivers, and order one for yourself. Yes, we’ll make a couple of dollars if you do. Get the Free Aviation News Talk app for iOS or Android. Check out Max’s Online Courses: G1000 VFR, G1000 IFR, and Flying WAAS & GPS Approaches. Find them all at: https://www.pilotlearning.com/ Social Media Like Aviation News Talk podcast on Facebook Follow Max on Instagram Follow Max on Twitter Listen to all Aviation News Talk podcasts on YouTube or YouTube Premium "Go Around" song used by permission of Ken Dravis; you can buy his music at kendravis.com If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.
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    44 mins

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