Channel 9 on United Airlines inflight entertainment system has always been patched through to the pilots conversation with air traffic control.  In this episode of Hangar Flying our pilots discuss their ATC communication while taxing to and from the gate. They explain runway and taxiway naming and their first experiences talking with ATC. 

Taxiway Alpha sign:

Taxiway Bravo to the right

In this piloting podcast we discuss the commercial flight plan including routes, way points, and the process the crew reviews before taking off. In addition we discuss:

• Some old news including the commuter flight hit by the A380 and air traffic controllers falling asleep
• The differences in flight plans between private flights and commercial flights
• The Captain's responsibility in signing off on his flight plan
• and more

If you're a pilot, ATC controller, ground crew or other airline employee and would like to join us on a future episode, please email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Disclaimer: The views expressed are the personal opinions of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers.

I recently had some meetings near DC finish up early, and I was staying near Dulles, so I wanted to take advantage of an opportunity I've been interested in a while.  I finally went to the Udvar-Hazy Center near the airport.  For those that are not aware, this is a companion facility to the Air and Space Museum on the Capitol Mall, with lots more space for artifact display.  It is free to enter, but a bit difficult to access.  They have lockers for baggage storage if ...

The Times-Picayune, has posted the audio and transcripts of yesterdays emergency landing of UNITED 497 at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans. The flight had just departed on its way from New Orleans to San Francisco.

The audio is an example of how professional the crew handled this situation. The plane was reportedly rocking back and forth and returned to the airport within minutes of taking off. You can hear the crew report "smoke" and when the plane ...

In this week's pilot podcast we are joined by an air traffic controller to discuss the job, the communication with pilots, and what life is like in the control tower. We discuss:

• Interviewing and training for the air traffic control position
• How stressful is the air traffic control job?
• Who is easier to work with.. general aviation or airline folks?
• and more...

If you're a pilot, ATC controller, ground crew or other airline employee and would like to join us on a future episode, please email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Disclaimer: The views expressed are the personal opinions of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of their employers.

Did any of our JFK-area readers catcher Junior on Channel 9 recently?

Washington (CNN) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after an air traffic controller at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport brought his young child to work and allowed the child to communicate with planes, a source with knowledge of the investigation told CNN.

"Pending the outcome of our investigation, the employees involved in this incident are not controlling air ...