Hangar Talk - An Aviation News Podcast

David and Alicia share the latest ⁠⁠2026 AirVenture news⁠⁠ with an ⁠on-the-scene report⁠ from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, including the AOPA ⁠Sweeps Husky giveaway, a wearable HUD, the SkyFly eVTOL, a larger Zenith 750, wildfire smoke that kept some folks away, and the next AOPA Sweeps which has begun.

The EAA's Jack Pelton describes what it's like preparing for AirVenture 2026 with a behind the scenes look at how airshow performers are chosen, the more than 1,000 learning seminars that are vetted, and the thousands of volunteers who park airplanes, direct traffic, and keep portable restrooms ready for visitors. Plus, David and Alicia on Dynon's new IFR capability, the demise of RCOs, a CubCrafters turbine, and a Cirrus TRAC10 trainer.

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Arizona flight school director De Wuan Roberson shares insight on how a fleet of two-person, Textron Pipistrel Alpha Trainers can lower training costs for students and flight schools. Plus, David and Jay remind pilots that checking notams can avoid TFR interceptions, how a key phrase may help alleviate GPS jamming in critical stages of flight, and new AI-driven air traffic management systems in our future.

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JAARS CEO Steve Russell describes the jungle-specific instruction aviators need to rescue, relocate, and transport indigenous people to medical facilities worldwide. Plus, Alicia and Jay catch you up to the latest aviation news including landing fees in Phoenix, the fight for Burke Lakefront, a seized Stinson returned to its owner, and more.

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Catch up with AOPA scholarship winner, aerobatic glider and fixed wing pilot Mia Anderson who just entered the Southwest “Destination 225-degrees” pilot training pipeline. Plus David and Alicia discuss ATC staffing concerns, additional ADS-B billing pushback, fuel system practices, AirVenture preparation, and eVTOLs.

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Apply for a scholarship at aopa.org/training-and-safety/students/aopa-flight-training-scholarships