Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike talk aviation, travel, pilot life, and the things you NEED—and WANT—to know about flying, with a special Christmas edition of the show.This episode blends holiday traditions, aviation culture, travel memories, and real-world news,...
Welcome back to the Black Box Aviation Podcast, where Tom and Mike talk aviation, travel, pilot life, and the things you NEED—and WANT—to know about flying, with a special Christmas edition of the show.
This episode blends holiday traditions, aviation culture, travel memories, and real-world news, with plenty of laughs and meaningful moments along the way.
🎶 Holiday Talk & Traditions
• Elvis and Christmas music debates
• Favorite Christmas songs (Bing Crosby, Billy Idol, and a few hard passes 👀)
• Wrapping presents: neat vs messy—and why TSA doesn’t love wrapped gifts
• Traveling as a kid during Christmas
• Classic holiday movies through an aviation lens
– Home Alone aircraft discrepancies
– Die Hard (Is it a Christmas movie? 🎄✈️)
– Airport scenes, travel tips, jet lag, and stretches
😂 Funny Stories
• A superfan encounter at Big Y that ends with a holiday cookie pyramid collapse
• Grocery store chaos, laughter, and small-town moments
📣 Shout-Outs
• Dan and Craig (more Elvis—delivered)
• Jim the contractor in Djibouti
• Dedicated listeners and longtime supporters of the show
🌍 Christmas Stories From the Road
• Tom shares a powerful story about spending Christmas and New Year’s on deployment in Africa
• Life at Camp Lemonnier: plywood bases, crew camaraderie, homesickness, church, ice cream, and base generals serving Christmas dinner
• Watching A Christmas Story overseas and finding holiday meaning far from home
📰 In the News – Aviation Safety
• Citation II (Cessna 550) crash near Charlotte
• Discussion of aircraft performance, accident statistics, and pilot factors
• Broader context on Citation safety history and recent tragic accidents
🔮 Looking Ahead to 2026
• Show anniversary approaching
• Returning guests, meaningful aviation stories, and what’s next for the podcast
• A heartfelt holiday message to listeners
📩 Contact the Show: [email protected]
📞 Hotline: (203) 699-6792 (leave your name!)
📱 Instagram / X: @the_black_box01
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From all of us at The Black Box, Merry Christmas, safe travels, and clear skies—no matter how or where you celebrate the holidays. 🎅✈️