About this episode
The Founder and President of the Affordable Skies Coalition gives travelers a voice in the future of air travel. In the news, the Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau released its preliminary report on the Air India Flight AI171 crash, DARPA ended the cargo seaplane program, the boom on a KC-46 Tanker broke off while refueling an F-22, and releases of toxic firefighting foam remain a problem. Guest Jennifer C. Rykaczewski Jennifer C. Rykaczewski is the Founder and President of the Affordable Skies Coalition , a nonprofit founded in December 2024 to give travelers a voice in the future of air travel. It’s an advocacy group dedicated to promoting policies that encourage competition, reduce costs, and protect the right to safe, affordable air travel. The Coalition is a growing community that shares insights, strategies, and resources to empower the traveler. Their work centers on ensuring air travel remains safe and affordable, while giving Americans, especially those often overlooked in policy and industry conversations, a chance to weigh in on the decisions shaping the future of flying. Jennifer explains how the Affordable Skies Coalition is advocating on the Hill and getting agreement that there is a need for a consumer advocacy group. We look at legislation such as the Airport Gate Competition Act and the Fast Lane for Youths (FLY) Act . The Affordable Skies Coalition offers a free membership option that includes a newsletter featuring industry updates, air traveler information, and opportunities to participate in petitions, surveys, and focus groups. A paid premium membership option adds live webinars and exclusive data reports. Jennifer developed a passion for aviation after meeting her now-husband, who owned a Cessna 182. They flew across the country and all around the East Coast together. He’s an A-10 pilot in the Air Force. Over time, aviation has become an integral part of Jennifer’s life. Aviation News Air India Crash Investigation focuses on movement of fuel engine control switches The Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau published their Preliminary Report, Accident involving Air India’s B787-8 aircraft bearing registration VT-ANB at Ahmedabad on 12 June 2025 [PDF]. The aircraft achieved a maximum recorded airspeed of 180 Knots, and immediately thereafter, both engine fuel cutoff switches transitioned from Run to Cutoff. In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why he switched to cutoff. The other pilot responded that he did not do so. See: The Mystery Deepens Around Air India 171 Crash at Jetwhine . DARPA ends cargo seaplane program, eyes new uses for tech The Liberty Lifter was intended to be a long-range, low-cost, heavy cargo seaplane. The wing-in-ground-effect plane was planned with a capacity comparable to that of a C-17 Globemaster. It would have been capable of operating at mid-altitudes of up to 10,000 feet. Aurora Flight Sciences said, “Through the Liberty Lifter program, we were able to show the viability of the design and the feasibility of novel manufacturing techniques. Aurora is proud of the technical advancements we made through the preliminary design of Liberty Lifter, and we expect to apply these learnings to future programs.” DARPA awarded contracts in February 2023 to two contractors to develop their own plans. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) partnered with Maritime Applied Physics Corporation to design a twin-hull, mid-wing aircraft powered by twelve turboshaft engines. Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences partnered with Leidos subsidiary Gibbs & Cox and with Oregon shipyard ReconCraft and designed a high-wing monohull with eight turbine engines. The Aurora Flight Sciences Liberty Lifter concept. Boom On KC-46 Tanker Just Broke Off During F-22 Refueling Mission The KC-46 was based at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. The F-22s were launched from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. The tanker lost its boom off the coast of Virginia. In the audio via LiveATC.net , the crew of the KC-46 (callsign FELL 81) alerts the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility at Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES, callsign, Giant Killer) that the boom was lost. Video: ATC Audio: KC-46 FELL81 boom detached while on a F-22 refueling mission https://youtu.be/rC_xX9JwlSE?si=R-KvmCCqnaINZTwU American Airlines buys last of toxic firefighting foam at Brunswick airport After a fire suppression system accidentally discharged foam at the former Brunswick Naval Air Base, an area was contaminated with PFAS chemicals. American Airlines has agreed to purchase and remove the remaining AFFF concentrate from the former naval airbase – nearly 6,000 gallons – for $250,000. The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority will use the money to remove the residual concentrate from fire suppression systems. Spirit Airlines Grounds 5 Aircraft Amid Detroit Hangar Foam Incident A lightning strike during a severe storm is suspected to be the cause of the release of corrosive fire suppression foam inside a Spirit maintenance hangar at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) on July 4, 2025. The foam affected two aircraft inside the hangar and three more parked on the adjacent ramp area. The incident may have caused millions of dollars in potential damage. According to reports, even limited exposure to this type of foam can cost approximately $100,000 per aircraft to clean, with severe cases potentially reaching upwards of $10 million in damage. Mentioned Micah appeared on the WBZ Boston The World of Aviation radio program. Iconic Plane (P-2 Neptune) at Brunswick Landing (Former Brunswick Naval Air Station) Has Been Restored Hosts this Episode Max Flight, David Vanderhoof, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Rob Mark.