Aviation
Aircraft, flight, aerospace, and aviation technology
#239: High-Altitude Spies: Why Planes and Balloons Beat Satellites
Why do we still use planes and balloons in the age of satellites? Herman and Corn explore the physics and politics of high-altitude spying.
#195: The Hidden Economy in Your Plane's Belly
Discover the hidden world of belly cargo and how passenger planes keep the global supply chain moving beneath your feet.
#194: Why Slow Drones Beat Fast Missiles
Why is a $5,000 drone harder to stop than a Mach 4 missile? Explore the physics and economics of the modern drone warfare paradox.
#192: Why Your Flight Path Disappears Every Twelve Hours
Discover how the jet stream and invisible "highways" shape every flight across the Atlantic in this deep dive into the world of oceanic tracks.
#191: Why Airlines Guess Your Weight
Why is your suitcase weighed while you aren't? Explore the fascinating physics and "standard weights" behind aviation safety.
#178: The Skywave Secret: Why Aviation Can’t Quit HF Radio
Why do pilots still use scratchy 1940s radio in the age of Starlink? Explore the resilient world of oceanic communication and skywave physics.
#165: The Dual-Signature System That Runs Every Flight
Who’s really running the show? Go inside the high-stakes world of flight operations centers and the "ground-based co-pilots" managing the chaos.
#159: Are Airlines Already Bankrupt?
Is flying at odds with a livable planet? Explore the physics of aviation, the limits of green fuel, and the true cost of impact accounting.