Aviation News Talk – Pilot Stories, Safety Tips & General Aviation News

• 399 Crash Survival: How Pilots Can Be Found Faster with Cyriel Kronenberg + GA News

  Max talks with Cyriel Kronenberg, Vice President of Airports and Air Traffic Management at uAvionix and a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol’s National Radar Analysis Team (NRAT), about one of aviation’s most overlooked safety questions: if you survive a crash, how quickly will you be found? How Long Searches TakeCyriel explains that while ADS-B has shortened search times, the reality is sobering. Without a flight plan, overdue aircraft may not even be reported missing for hours. Average search times have historically stretched from 18 hours with a VFR flight plan to more than 60 hours with no plan at all. Even today, two to three hours is considered fast for locating a downed aircraft. ELTs: The Critical DifferenceCyriel stresses the enormous difference between old 121.5 MHz ELTs and modern 406 MHz beacons. The older units provide only a vague signal and are prone to false alarms, often ignored. A properly registered 406 beacon, by contrast, transmits GPS coordinates via satellite, dramatically reducing search times. But here’s the catch: as many as half are mis-registered, with outdated or missing phone numbers. That makes even the best ELT nearly useless until rescuers conduct a blind search. Flight Plans, Contacts, and ADS-BFiling a flight plan helps, but only if searchers can reach someone who knows your intended route. Cyriel urges pilots to list an emergency contact not on the aircraft in the remarks section—ideally a spouse, friend, or FBO. While apps like ForeFlight allow pilots to enter contact details, those aren’t passed to the FAA. ADS-B provides an even bigger safety net: an aircraft with ADS-B out can usually be pinpointed within yards, while non-equipped aircraft may take days to locate. Survival LessonsCyriel shares personal changes he’s made after years of analyzing accidents. He always keeps his cell phone in his pocket so it won’t be lost in a violent crash, carries a handheld transceiver tuned to 121.5 MHz, and wears or packs high-visibility gear. He emphasizes staying with the aircraft, since wreckage is easier to spot than a single person. Route planning also matters—flying near highways or populated areas at night increases survivability compared to wilderness routes. Behind the Scenes of NRATMax and Cyriel dive into how NRAT works with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC). Using radar, ADS-B, and even cell-phone forensics, the team helps determine whether an incident is a false alarm, an accident with no survivors, or a mission where lives can be saved. They coordinate directly with controllers and search crews, sometimes correcting errors in coordinate formats that would otherwise send helicopters to the wrong location. Success Stories and ScaleIn 2024, AFRCC handled nearly 500 aviation missions, with over 200 lives saved. Civil Air Patrol was involved in more than 300 of those missions, while NRAT contributed to 71 cases—directly responsible for dozens of finds and 10 documented saves. Cyriel recalls a dramatic case in Montana where local ADS-B receivers installed by uAvionix employees helped locate a couple who survived a crash into icy water; thanks to quick coordination, a helicopter pulled them out within 20 minutes. Key Takeaways for PilotsCyriel closes with a checklist: Make sure your ELT is registered correctly. Consider adding a personal locator beacon. Use ADS-B out whenever possible. File a flight plan and put a reachable emergency contact in remarks. Carry your cell phone and handheld radio on your person. Stay with the aircraft if you go down. Max underscores the theme: nobody takes off expecting to crash, but hundreds of missions each year prove it happens. With preparation, you can improve your odds not just of surviving the impact, but of being found in time. 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 $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 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 Duffy Takes ATC Privatization Off Table FAA opens bids for sweeping ATC overhaul EMAS Halts Two Runway Overruns in 24 Hours FAA reports 14% increase in wildlife strikes Pilot Killed in California Cessna Crash NTSB Prelim: Rockwell International 112 Savvy Aviation unveils AI-powered aircraft anomaly detection tool Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast Video of the Week: Arrival into AirVenture 406 MHz ELT Beacon Registration Civil Air Patrol  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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• 398 9/11 from the Air: NYPD Chief Pilot Ken Solosky Remembers + GA News

  Max 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 overloaded, and misinformation, including reports of enemy fighter jets, created unprecedented confusion. Ken recalls the surreal moment of watching the second plane hit the South Tower live on TV and initially being unable to process the reality. He explains why rooftop rescues weren’t feasible—smoke obscured visibility, doors were locked or inaccessible, and the risk of engine flameout in the intense heat made the mission too dangerous. Still, he and his team documented the scene extensively and continued daily aerial photography for nearly a year afterward. Ken describes how foreign and domestic aviation units offered immediate support, with helicopters arriving from other cities—even LAPD offering to send their fleet. Yet due to lack of coordination, many of these aircraft were unknown to NYPD at the time and went unused in the response. He speaks candidly about the emotional toll, having lost 10 close friends among the 23 NYPD officers killed, and how that pain continues with the rise in 9/11-related cancer deaths among first responders. Post-9/11, Ken was instrumental in implementing a “96-hour standalone” plan for the NYPD, designed to maintain operations without headquarters support. Staffing schedules were restructured to ensure long-term response capacity. He shares how the aviation unit has evolved over the years—growing from six helicopters to a modern fleet including Bell 429s, a Bell 407 trainer, and a fixed-wing Caravan used for radiation scanning of incoming ships to New York Harbor. Ken also offers a detailed look at what a typical day is like for an NYPD pilot—flying patrol missions, conducting surveillance, responding to foot and vehicle pursuits, and supporting SWAT teams. He explains how the aircraft are equipped with cutting-edge tools like high-def thermal imagers, tactical radios, moving maps, and address-targeting cameras that can zoom in on a license plate from miles away. These tools enable precise coordination with ground teams and real-time intelligence, greatly improving safety and effectiveness. The conversation also delves into pilot recruitment and training, safety management system (SMS) implementation, and Ken’s personal advice for those interested in joining a law enforcement aviation unit. He emphasizes that character and work ethic matter just as much as flight hours. In lighter moments, Ken shares stories of flying Barbara Bush to West Point when Marine One had mechanical issues, and being told by Yankees legend Derek Jeter that flying for the NYPD was cooler than being the Yankees’ shortstop. He also describes dramatic rescues, like locating a man stranded on a sandbar after his friend swam off—and later finding that friend safe on another island. Ken currently flies both a Bell 407 and an Augusta 109 for corporate clients and continues to teach and speak for the FAA and EAA. His legacy and continued contribution to aviation safety and training are evident throughout the episode. The interview is both a sobering reflection on 9/11 and a celebration of how aviation supports public safety in today’s complex world. 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 $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 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 Magnets cause complete AHRS failure Charges dropped against teen pilot detained in Antarctica Cessna 195 bent when pilot’s seat slides backwards during takeoff Pilot freezes when plane hit by downdraft New research warns of drone risks to aircraft Duffy Calls Alaska Aircraft Accident Rate ‘Unacceptable’ Plane Crash in North Pole, Alaska - Stinson 108 Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast Max's FLYING column: Deadly Doors: Distractions Still Posing Threats to Pilots Ken Solosky's "Solo Sky" YouTube Channel 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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• 397 APR Key Explained: GPS Approach & Autopilot Errors to Avoid with DPE Jim Pitman

  Max talks with airline pilot and Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) Jim Pitman to clear up a persistent avionics myth: that pressing the APR (Approach) key activates a GPS approach. In reality, APR is part of the automatic flight control system (AFCS)—not the GPS navigator. Its function is to arm the flight director’s lateral and vertical capture modes so the autopilot (if engaged) can follow the approach path. You can also view a video version of this episode. Just look on the page for August 15, 2025 video. And while you're on that page, please sign up to support the show. Jim’s “apples vs. oranges” analogy helps pilots keep the two systems straight: Apples = GPS navigator functions like activating an approach, sequencing waypoints, and CDI scaling. Oranges = AFCS/autopilot functions like heading, NAV, APR, and altitude hold modes. Max and Jim break down common scenarios in G1000 and Garmin Perspective+ cockpits, including: How to know an approach is active (look for magenta waypoint below the approach title). Why APR is often pressed at the wrong time—and how that can disarm modes. When to press NAV instead of APR (e.g., intercepting before clearance). How to interpret scaling modes (LPV, LNAV, terminal, en route) inside the HSI. Using OBS mode effectively and when to turn it off. They also discuss common checkride errors, such as failing to deselect OBS or mishandling the SUSP (suspend) key during a hold. Jim explains why the FAA expects private pilot applicants to demonstrate basic knowledge of installed automation—even without an instrument rating. You’ll hear practical techniques to avoid “automation surprise,” like keeping the active flight plan visible, always checking the flight mode annunciator (“scoreboard”) before and after pressing a button, and using the “look–press–look” habit. Finally, they clarify the confusion between loading and activating an approach: often, the best way to start is simply going direct to the IAF or IF rather than pressing “Activate Approach.” Pilots can download Jim’s free “G1000 Common Errors & Solutions” guide at flywithjim.com/G1000 and  Whether you fly glass-cockpit IFR regularly or are just starting instrument training, this episode will help you use the APR key correctly, fly more precise GPS approaches, and avoid costly autopilot errors. 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 $1299 NEW - Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 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. Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Win a Free Headset: Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast    NTSB News Talk on Apple Podcasts App    NTSB News Talk on Spotify App UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast Video Version of this Episode! Watch it for free on Patreon Jim Pitman's website and APR slides 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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• 396 How All Pilots Benefit from New MOSAIC Sport Pilot and LSA Rules with Sean Elliott + GA News

  In this episode of the Aviation News Talk podcast, Max Trescott talks with Sean Elliott, Vice President of Advocacy and Safety at the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), about the FAA’s groundbreaking MOSAIC final rule—and how it benefits all pilots, not just sport pilots or Light-Sport Aircraft owners. Sean explains that MOSAIC replaces the old, restrictive Light-Sport Aircraft definition with a performance-based standard, removing the long-standing 1,320-pound maximum takeoff weight limit and focusing instead on a clean stall speed (VS1) of no more than 59 knots CAS for sport pilot privileges and a landing configuration stall speed (VSO) of no more than 61 knots for LSA certification. This single change dramatically broadens the pool of aircraft that qualify, meaning many popular legacy models—like certain Cessna 172s and even Cirrus SR20s—can now be flown by sport pilots, and private pilots can operate them under sport pilot privileges with nothing more than a valid U.S. driver’s license in place of an FAA medical. For older pilots or those with long-term medical concerns, MOSAIC is a game-changer. A private pilot who no longer maintains a Third Class or BasicMed medical can still keep flying a wide variety of capable, familiar aircraft—often including the same ones they’ve flown for years—so long as they meet the new stall speed limits and carry no more than one passenger. Sean and Max discuss how this provision gives seasoned aviators a safe and legal way to extend their flying years without the administrative burden or risk of renewing a medical certificate. MOSAIC also expands sport pilot privileges beyond the original daytime, fair-weather limitations. With additional training and endorsements, sport pilots will be able to fly at night under VFR, operate aircraft with constant-speed propellers and retractable landing gear, and take advantage of higher cruise speeds—removing many of the practical barriers that once kept sport pilots from flying more capable airplanes. The rule even opens the door for certain limited commercial operations by sport pilots, including banner towing, glider towing, and pipeline or powerline patrol—tasks previously off-limits without at least a private pilot certificate. On the aircraft side, the MOSAIC framework allows manufacturers to certify a much wider range of designs as LSAs under ASTM consensus standards. This could lead to modernized versions of classic Part 23 trainers like the Cessna 172 becoming available in factory-new LSA configurations, as well as innovative new designs in the experimental, gyroplane, and electric aircraft categories. Sean notes that this flexibility benefits the industry by encouraging innovation while keeping costs lower than traditional FAA certification pathways. Flight schools stand to gain as well. Because many mainstream trainers now qualify as LSAs, schools can use them to train sport pilots without investing in specialized two-seat LSAs that may be less versatile for other types of training. This flexibility could help schools reach a new segment of students—especially older adults returning to flying or beginners looking for a faster, less expensive path to the cockpit. Max and Sean also cover how MOSAIC affects aircraft maintenance. Repairman certificates for LSAs will still exist, and MOSAIC provides expanded privileges for light-sport repairman-inspectors and mechanics working on these aircraft, supporting both owner-maintenance and professional servicing. Sean stresses that while MOSAIC dramatically broadens options, it doesn’t automatically change the certification status of existing aircraft—manufacturers or owners must still pursue LSA certification through the ASTM process. That means pilots should verify whether a particular aircraft is LSA-certified or qualifies for operation under sport pilot rules before assuming they can fly it without a medical. The conversation closes with EAA’s commitment to supporting pilots, flight schools, and manufacturers through MOSAIC’s rollout. EAA will work closely with ASTM to develop the updated industry standards needed to implement the new rules, while also providing education and advocacy to ensure pilots understand their new privileges and responsibilities. This episode is essential listening for any pilot curious about the future of general aviation under MOSAIC—whether you’re a sport pilot, a private pilot considering BasicMed alternatives, a CFI planning to expand your student base, or an aircraft owner wondering if your plane might now qualify as an LSA. With expert insights from one of the country’s leading aviation advocates, you’ll learn exactly how MOSAIC changes the game for who can fly what, and under what conditions, for years to come. 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 $1299 NEW – Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 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 FAA Unveils Rule to Expand Drone Flights into National Airspace System Bonus Depreciation for Aircraft is back Pilot’s attempt to break in new engine ends in crash Pilots run out of energy in electric airplane A new life for Cirrus parachutes In Alaska, CTAF frequencies are now regional Plane Stolen Twice In One Week Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast 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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• 395 NYPD Pilot Ken Solosky on 9/11 — Listen Now on the Rotary Wing Show

  Ken Solosky was the NYPD's Chief Pilot on 9/11, responsible for coordinating helicopter operations during the most devastating day in modern American history. In this short teaser, you'll hear a preview of our in-depth interview with Ken, including why rooftop rescues at the World Trade Center weren't attempted and how the team coped with confusion, misinformation, and tragic loss. The full episode is available now on our new podcast: Rotary Wing Show. Listen and subscribe in your favorite podcast app, by clicking on the link above, and then click the Follow button in the upper right. Or, you can get to the show directly if you're using the Apple Podcast app or the Spotify app. If you enjoy this show, please use the Share button in your app, and share the episode with a friend. Thank you so much for listening, and I’ll talk with you again soon.     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 $1299 NEW - Lightspeed Zulu 4 Headset $1099 Lightspeed Zulu 3 Headset $949Lightspeed Sierra Headset $749 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. Mentioned on the Show Buy Max Trescott's G3000 Book Call 800-247-6553 Lightspeed Delta Zulu Headset Giveaway NTSB News Talk Podcast UAV News Talk Podcast Rotary Wing Show Podcast 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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