
Gamers to Air Traffic Control & The Hidden Truth of Aviation Insider Threats
From The Black Box Aviation Podcast by The Black Box
April 29, 2026 · 47 min
About this episode
The episode explores aviation safety, recruitment of gamers for air traffic control, and insider threats in the industry.
In this episode of The Black Box Aviation Podcast , Tom and Mike dive into the evolving landscape of aviation safety and the unique ways the industry is recruiting the next generation of professionals. From high-stakes security concerns to the future of air traffic management, we pull back the curtain on what it’s really like behind the scenes for pilots and controllers. In this episode, we discuss: Life on the Road: A deep dive into the daily routines of pilots when they are away from base, including handling early morning weather shifts and crew dynamics. The "Insider Threat" & Aviation Security: Revisiting the Sky King episode to explore the difficult reality of internal security risks, including a look at the 2015 Metrojet tragedy and the challenges of securing airport operations. FAA Recruiting Gamers: Why the FAA is actively targeting gamers aged 18–30 for 8,000 Air Traffic Control (ATC) positions, focusing on high-level aptitude and multitasking skills developed through gaming. The "Spirit" of Bailouts: A brief look at the financial climate of airlines and the lasting impacts of the COVID-era bailouts on today’s industry. Close Calls & RAs: Analyzing recent evasive…
People in this episode
Hosts: Tom, Mike
Topics covered
- aviation safety
- air traffic control recruitment
- insider threats
- aviation security
- financial impacts on airlines
- pilot routines
- gaming and aviation careers
Keywords
- aviation
- air traffic control
- insider threat
- FAA
- gaming
- pilot routines
- aviation security
- financial impacts
- Southwest Airlines
- Metrojet tragedy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: FAA, Southwest Airlines
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