AvTalk Episode 144: Our favorite conversations from 2021

On this final episode of AvTalk for 2021, we look back on some of our favorite conversations from the past year. Thank you to all our listeners, we truly appreciate the support. Running an airport in Antarctica We first hear from Sven Lidström of the Norwegian Polar Institute to learn about Troll Research Station in Antarctica and the station’s blue ice runway. | Listen to the original episode Breaking open the black boxes NTSB investigator Sean Payne walks us through the steps of an accident investigation and how data from the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder are used.| Listen to the original episode Making sure it all works Finally, we talk with Airbus’ Chief test pilot to learn more about what exactly a test pilot does besides wearing those sweet orange flight suits. We talk with Malcolm Ridley about his career path, some highlights of his time at Airbus, and his favorite part of the job.| Listen to the original episode Further listening We also hosted  episodes that focused on the future of flight and where the aviation industry is headed in the next few years and next few decades. In episode 115, ‘Is BOOM all noise?’, Aerospace journalists John Walton and Jon Ostrower joined the show to discuss United Airlines’ order for Boom’s Supersonic Overture jet, and the likelihood of the aircraft ever entering service. Our discussion of United’s order for Boom’s proposed supersonic jet covers the challenges Boom and any airline seeking to fly the supersonic jet will encounter. For episode 122, we spoke with Elan Head, then editorial director of eVTOL.com to get a primer on the world of electric vertical take off and landing aircraft. Episode 130 took us to Toulouse for the Airbus Summit, where Ian and Gabriel heard Airbus’ vision for the future, including sustainable aviation fuel and electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft. And in our last new episode of the year, we wrapped up our two-part conversation with John Pitts and Richard Whitwell, who explained the challenges that Sustainable aviation fuel faces as the industry seeks to make it the dominant source of fuel.