An Air Traffic Controller Tells All: Overtime Rules, Flight Delays, and the Beijing Skyscraper Crash

An Air Traffic Controller Tells All: Overtime Rules, Flight Delays, and the Beijing Skyscraper Crash

From The Black Box Aviation Podcast by The Black Box

July 1, 2026 · 51 min

About this episode

This episode provides an in-depth look at air traffic control, flight delays, and aviation safety with insights from an FAA Air Traffic Controller.

Can you handle the truth behind flight delays? ✈️ In this episode of the Black Box Aviation Podcast , co-hosts Tom and Momo Mike welcome back resident FAA Air Traffic Controller and former Air Force C-5 flight engineer, Ian! Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how air traffic control (ATC) really manages the skies, how pilots handle simulator check rides, and what's changing with aviation safety technology. Tom, Mike, and Ian dive deep into the daily high-stress world of aviation training, the real reasons behind airline congestion, and a breakdown of major international aviation news. The ATC Staffing Crisis: Ian responds to airline CEOs blaming controllers for delays and shares the strict reality of ATC overtime caps and work limits. Pilot Training & Check Rides: Mike and Tom discuss the grueling maneuvers validation process in the simulator, from engine failures to hand-flown single-engine approaches. The ADS-B In Debate: A look into the NTSB's recommendations following the DCA Potomac crash and whether giving pilots more situational awareness data helps or hurts the system. Weather Bottlenecks: How controllers track precipitation on their scopes and attempt to safely…

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