Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast, your weekly dose of real aviation talk. No PR polish. No corporate spin. Just pilots breaking down the stories shaping the skies: airline chaos, crew culture, decision-making, flight deck leadership, and the conversations you only hear at 38,000 ft.

The pilot hiring market just shifted from emergency mode to sustainable growth—if you've been waiting for your shot, this is it. Meanwhile, the EU Parliament just voted to keep your flight delay compensation at three hours (airlines wanted four), and United's about to take delivery of more wide bodies than any US carrier since 1988. Plus: a nose wheel departure in Orlando, a wifi hotspot bomb hoax, and the fake pilot who perfected the art of the jump seat con. Are you positioned for what's coming next?

00:00 Last Week's Misstep: The ATNS Apology That Needed to Be Made

00:54 Pilot Hiring 2026: From Post-COVID Chaos to Sustainable Growth

03:51 EU Flight Delay Compensation: Why Three Hours Still Matters

05:57 5G vs. Radio Altimeters: Who Pays the $4.5 Billion Bill?

08:05 United's 20 Boeing 787s: The Biggest Wide-Body Delivery Since 1988

10:03 A321 Neo Loses Nose Wheel at Orlando—Hard Landing or Structural Failure?

12:24 "I Have a Bomb" WiFi Hotspot Forces Emergency Landing in Barcelona

13:19 ForeFlight Layoffs: What Pilot Job Cuts Mean for App Quality

15:27 Indonesian ATR 42 Crash: First Fatal Accident of 2026

17:26 Elon vs. Mark O'Leary: The Ryanair Starlink Standoff Gets Personal

20:02 Ryanair's Marketing Team Fires Back—Social Media Gold

20:25 Kaizen and the Art of Command: Decision-Making Systems They Never Taught You

21:39 US Seizes Anti-Submarine Trainers Bound from South Africa to China

23:41 Riyadh Cargo's Bold Move: 122 Wide-Bodies to Challenge the Gulf Giants

24:52 The Fake Pilot Who Perfected Jump-Seating—Lessons from Frank Abagnale Jr.

27:45 AI Video Production: Why McDonald's Experiment Took Longer Than Just Filming

29:28 Changi Airport Hits 70 Million Passengers—China's the Fastest-Growing Market

31:03 Cargo vs. Passengers: Why Flying Freight Might Be the Better Gig

32:03 UFC at the White House and Formula One Super Bru Returns

35:02 Leave a Review, Help the Algorithm, Support the Show

✈️ Kaizen and the Art of Command & The Kaizen Command AI Mentor

Leadership under pressure. Clear thinking. Calm execution. A practical framework for pilots and professionals who want to sharpen judgment and improve their command presence. The full product suite includes the Kaizen and the Art of Command course, micro-lessons, downloadable briefings, and the Kaizen Command AI Mentor.

👉 Get All Products Here (Course, AI Mentor, and more) → https://stan.store/bryanair

Your support genuinely keeps this show airborne. Every contribution helps us improve the podcast, upgrade our gear, and create more value for the aviation community. Thank you—we're incredibly grateful for every single supporter.

👉 Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🌐 Bryan's Website → https://www.bryanroseveare.com/

⭐ All Digital Products (Courses & AI Mentor) → https://stan.store/bryanair

✈️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

❤️ Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast your weekly dose of real aviation talk. No PR polish. No corporate spin. Just pilots breaking down the stories shaping the skies: airline chaos, crew culture, decision-making, sport banter, and the conversations you only hear at 38 000 ft.

We're closing the hangar doors on 2025 with the ultimate cockpit debate: If the pay is the same, do you fly Boeing or Airbus? While the media hates on Seattle, we're taking a hard look at the A320's recent "solar radiation" nose-dive, toxic fume lawsuits, and why real pilots might still prefer the old-school metal. Plus, we breakdown the new $70M "no find, no fee" bounty on MH370, a $120k parking ticket for a "lost" 737, and why South African visa rules are a total dog show for business aviation.

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast

00:20 Season Finale Reflections

02:15 Boeing vs. Airbus Debate

04:04 Airbus A320 Issues

13:57 Tourism Challenges in South Africa

21:06 Emirates' New Airbus A350

23:20 FAA Investigations and Airline Fines

25:10 Forgotten Boeing 737 Found

26:18 The Beast: MI-26 Helicopter

26:49 MH370: The Search Continues

29:08 Amazon Drones in Waco, Texas

35:21 Cirrus Aircraft Trade-In Program

37:01 US-India Tensions Over 787 Crash

38:16 Springboks' Rugby Success

43:18 F1 Championship Showdown

45:28 Thank You to Our Supporters

💼 FEATURED DIGITAL PRODUCT

✈️ Kaizen and the Art of Command

Leadership under pressure. Clear thinking. Calm execution.
A practical framework for pilots and professionals who want to sharpen judgment and improve their command presence.

Includes micro-lessons, downloadable briefings, and the Kaizen Command AI Mentor.

👉 Enroll for $147 at https://www.kaizencommand.com/

❤️ A NOTE TO OUR PATREON COMMUNITY

Your support genuinely keeps this show airborne.
Every contribution helps us improve the podcast, upgrade our gear, and create more value for the aviation community.
Thank you for backing us we're incredibly grateful for every single supporter.

👉 Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎧 LINKS

🚀 Digital Products → [https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ Watch on YouTube → [https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

❤️ Join the Patreon Crew → [https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

Bryan and Ryan dissect the massive aircraft orders from the Dubai Air Show and the looming talent drain to the Gulf. We analyze the controversial claim that the global "pilot shortage" is a farce, debating why lifestyle stability and rosters are becoming more valuable than a paycheck. Plus, we cover why expats are returning to South Africa despite the pay cut, the final days of the MD-11 fleet, and why crew strikes are threatening to grind global carriers to a halt.

Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast your weekly dose of real aviation talk. No PR polish. No corporate spin. Just pilots breaking down the stories shaping the skies: airline chaos, crew culture, decision-making, sport banter, and the conversations you only hear at 38 000 ft.

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 – Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast

00:10 – McLaren China Controversy

01:14 – Dubai Air Show Highlights

02:33 – Pilot Shortages and Career Opportunities

05:45 – Returning Home: Pilots' Perspectives

07:49 – MD-11 Grounding and Aviation Updates

09:05 – Volcanic Eruption

11:22 – Upcoming Air Shows and Events

14:12 – Strikes and Working Conditions in Aviation

22:46 – Holiday Plans and Weather Woes

24:25 – F1 and Rugby Updates

25:51 – Closing Remarks

💼 FEATURED DIGITAL PRODUCT

✈️ Kaizen and the Art of Command

Leadership under pressure. Clear thinking. Calm execution.

A practical framework for pilots and professionals who want to sharpen judgment and improve their command presence.

Includes micro-lessons, downloadable briefings, and the Kaizen Command AI Mentor.

👉 Enroll for $147 at KaizenCommand.com

❤️ A NOTE TO OUR PATREON COMMUNITY

Your support genuinely keeps this show airborne.

Every contribution helps us improve the podcast, upgrade our gear, and create more value for the aviation community.

Thank you for backing us we're incredibly grateful for every single supporter.

👉 Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎧 LINKS

🚀 Digital Products → https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

❤️ Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast your weekly dose of real aviation talk. No PR polish. No corporate spin. Just pilots breaking down the stories shaping the skies: airline chaos, crew culture, decision-making, sport banter, and the conversations you only hear at 38 000 ft.

The Dubai Air Show just triggered a global talent drain with a massive $38 billion Emirates order for new aircraft, and we're breaking down the direct impact on your cockpit and paycheck. Bryan analyzes the 10,300 new pilot demand in the Middle East and asks the critical question: is your airline prepared to compete, or are you about to see a mass exodus of talent?

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 – Welcome

02:30 – Major Aviation News and Orders

02:47 – Impact on Pilot Market

06:10 – Airline Industry Trends

06:41 – Starlink and In-Flight Connectivity

09:16 – Alaska Airlines Incident and Mental Health

09:50 – TSA Bonuses and Ryanair's Digital Passes

12:49 – Financial News and Investments

14:12 – Captain's Announcement: Speed and Safety

18:49 – Sports and Upcoming Events

💼 FEATURED DIGITAL PRODUCT

✈️ Kaizen and the Art of Command

Leadership under pressure. Clear thinking. Calm execution.

A practical framework for pilots and professionals who want to sharpen judgment and improve their command presence.

Includes micro-lessons, downloadable briefings, and the Kaizen Command AI Mentor.

👉 Enroll for $147 at KaizenCommand.com

❤️ A NOTE TO OUR PATREON COMMUNITY

Your support genuinely keeps this show airborne.

Every contribution helps us improve the podcast, upgrade our gear, and create more value for the aviation community.

Thank you for backing us we're incredibly grateful for every single supporter.

👉 Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🎧 LINKS

🚀 Digital Products → https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

❤️ Join the Patreon Crew → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

Download The Bryan Air Paceometer - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u1KIG3nQhJFOdjwdYyCdIP5Dq2cz9qQ4/view?usp=drive_link

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast come for the cockpit chatter, stay for the galley banter… and as always, we're holding short of Taxiway Serious.

In Episode 250, Bryan and Ryan unpack the biggest stories shaking aviation right now: the fallout from the 12-year engine rule in South Africa, the MD-11 cargo crisis, SAA's regional push, FlySafair labour tension, and the never-ending ATC chaos.

Plus: a hard-hitting Captain's Announcement with real travel hacks, and a full round of rugby, F1 and UFC cockpit chatter.

Straight talk, sharp insight, and a little turbulence where necessary.

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 Welcome

00:30 Celebrating Episode 250

02:46 Aviation News: 12-Year Engine Rule

08:17 South African Aviation Updates

12:22 Global Aviation Incidents

14:14 Air Traffic Control Issues in the US

16:03 Regional Airline Developments

18:06 Podcasting and Conversations

20:49 Elon Musk and the Future of Transportation

26:03 Emirates' Biometric Innovations

27:15 Boeing's Jepp deal

29:30 The Captains Announcement

36:34 Sports Banter

43:04 Conclusion and Farewell

❤️ THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SUPPORTERS

Craig Wood, Bradley Stephenson, Alan Macaulay, Catharine, Gavin Hitzeroth, George Bramley, ACE Evans, Greg Hart, Caroline Koll, Iain Findlay, Martin Lockyer, William Barwise, Mike Mason, Jaco Bester, Franziska, Dale Williams, Duncan Gillespie, Imre Kurucz, David Costas

❤️ Support Bryan Air on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🚀 Digital Products → https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

In Episode 248, Bryan and Ryan break down the viral rumors of the "3I Atlas" alien mothership, exposing how AI-generated deepfakes fuel panic online. They link the hype to bigger risks of misinformation while delivering crucial aviation updates: Lufthansa's job cuts, Boeing's certification changes, new E-Jets in South Africa, and Emirates' power bank ban. The hosts also weigh in on SA Express legacy battles, Airlink's expansion, and the latest on global sports from Springboks rugby dominance to UFC fireworks.

This is your weekly flight plan for cutting through the noise with sharp aviation insight, industry commentary, and a reality check on the wild news cycle.

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 - Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast (Episode 248 milestone)

00:34 - Housekeeping and October Break Plans

01:04 - Alien Mothership Rumors (Three I Atlas)

03:41 - AI Deepfakes & Brand Advisory Warning

06:15 - Aviation Updates and Listener Feedback (E2 Jets, Engines, Training Growth)

12:43 - Airline Industry News (Lufthansa cuts, Boeing certification, Emirates ban)

21:03 - Sport Highlights (Rugby, Formula 1, UFC preview)

26:41 - Conclusion and Thank You

❤️ THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SUPPORTERS

Craig Wood, Bradley Stephenson, Alan Macaulay, Catharine, Gavin Hitzeroth, George Bramley, ACE Evans, Greg Hart, Caroline Koll, Iain Findlay, Martin Lockyer, William Barwise, Mike Mason, Jaco Bester, Franziska, Dale Williams, Duncan Gillespie, Imre Kurucz

❤️ Support Bryan Air on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🚀 Digital Products → https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast

#BryanAirPodcast #AviationNews #AlienMothership #ThreeIAtlas #Deepfakes #AIinAviation #Lufthansa #Boeing #Airlink #SouthAfricanAviation #Airlines #EmbraerE2 #RugbyChampionship #Springboks #Formula1 #UFC #AviationPodcast #PilotLife #AvGeek

🎙️ EPISODE SNAPSHOT

This week we break down Airlink's fleet upgrade as the Embraer E195-E2 makes its South African debut. Bryan and Ryan unpack why the E2 is such a strong fit for Africa's operating reality, how it stacks up against the Airbus A220, and what it means for Airlink's future. Plus, we cover major global aviation stories, from cyberattacks on European airports to drone disruptions and regulatory chaos.

⏱️ TIME-STAMPED FLIGHT PLAN

00:00 - Welcome to the Bryan Air Podcast
00:49 - Discussing Airlink's New E2 Aircraft
01:34 - Embraer's Impact on the African Market
02:51 - Comparing Aircraft: E2 vs. A220
06:30 - Challenges with GTF Engines
07:51 - Advantages of Embraer Aircraft
14:18 - South African Aviation News
14:55 - Cyber Attacks on European Airports
16:50 - Geopolitical Tensions Affecting Air Travel
17:36 - Afghan Boy's Dangerous Stowaway Journey
18:17 - Drone Disruptions in Copenhagen
18:59 - Ryanair's Move to Digital Boarding Passes
19:37 - Battery Pack Regulations on Emirates Flights
20:53 - Near Collision at Nice Airport
21:37 - China's Boeing Aircraft Deal
23:09 - Chaos Over New US Visa Fees
25:05 - Wizz Air Tail Strike Incident
25:36 - Rugby and Sports Updates
29:18 - Trump's UFC Event at the White House
30:32 - Conclusion and Farewell

❤️ THANK YOU TO OUR PATREON SUPPORTERS

Craig Wood, Bradley Stephenson, Alan Macaulay, Catharine, Gavin Hitzeroth, George Bramley, ACE Evans, Greg Hart, Caroline Koll, Iain Findlay, Martin Lockyer, William Barwise, Mike Mason, Jaco Bester, Franziska, Dale Williams, Duncan Gillespie, Imre Kurucz

❤️ Support Bryan Air on Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/bryanair

🚀 Digital Products → https://www.kaizencommand.com/

✈️ YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@BryanAirPodcast