The Good the Bad and the Ugly: The Aviation Maintenance Industry - Raw!

Thanks for tuning into 2023's first Bonus episode pulled "from the archives". This was recorded back in 2021 in Season 1. It was put on the back burner as other content took priority & forgotten about until this year.

I've received a lot of questions about mine & other mechanics experiences during the first few weeks COVID 19 hit the U.S. I've been hesitant to release this old recording from "the archive" Why?

Well, -> !WARNING! This episode is contentious. I expect folks with differing opinions to chime in. I speak for myself, my thoughts & my nerves only. I will NOT respond or comment to any political or bureaucratic B.S. outside of aviation & how COVID affected mechanics, cabin crews & flight crews.

It was an unnerving time trying to navigate the best way to maintain aircraft on the line while also trying to avoid contracting COVID. Little was known these first few weeks about the virus. Management had no clue, we had no clue, but we knew the virus was swiftly entering the U.S onboard aircraft & we were the 'boots on the ground', EXPOSED to this deadly virus with ZERO clue on how to protect ourselves AND maintain the aircraft.

If you think it was a walk in the park... it wasn't.

Big shout out to Matt, the shows producer for returning this year to help keep the podcast on track! Please subscribe & share!

Email:  apmechanicpodcast@aol.com , or Twitter @goodbadugly_ap   

Hello everyone and thank you so much for supporting the show all these years and sticking by throughout! No, this isn't goodbye but in the upcoming months I will be taking another hiatus to take care of some personal 'stuff' which means I will be less active after October 2023. Still a few months away and there theres still new episodes incoming :) That means I will be needing someone to take over hosting 'duties' during my hiatus.

If you're seriously interested and committed to take on such a venture, reach out to me at apmechanicpodcast@aol.com or contact me on my social media pages and we'll chat about it. Again, this isn't goodbye forever but sometimes life throws you a curveball...

Remember YOU make a difference. YOUR VOICE counts! The aviation industry is continuing to spiral out of control where profit is prioritized over safety and you need to demand that the industry change, that it become transparent to those who deserve it... YOU and YOURS.

Please review the podcast on your favorite listening app, your reviews help the podcast grow :)

Email:  apmechanicpodcast@aol.com , or Twitter @goodbadugly_ap   

The long awaited 'Aircraft Tech Talk' is back. Tune in for 2023s first Aircraft Tech Talk where I answer your aircraft "technical questions" and boy have I received a lot over the past winter!

So, sit back and relax as we dive into the technical side of how aircraft "work" and "why." Embraer's, Airbus A300's, 767's and I put the 'kabosh' to an angry listeners "Chemical Contrail" conspiracy theory!

Tune in!  Subscribe & share! New episode second Wednesday of each month.

Please review the podcast on your favorite listening app, your reviews help the podcast grow :)

Email:  apmechanicpodcast@aol.com , or Twitter @goodbadugly_ap   

Hey there everyone and thanks for tuning in! We're talking about how to be a good manager and how to avoid being a bad one in addition to talking about the traits of bad leadership and why they are... the way they are. And if you're a bad member of leadership listening to this, maybe you will learn something too!

Hello everyone and WELCOME BACK!!

This is 2023's FIRST episode of the show in season 3 and I answer the big question, "Where in the hell have you been Wheelz?!?"

Also, I'll be answering your questions in addition to letting you know what to expect ahead this year! So, consider this episode as dual purpose in a sense: What's been going on with me, answering your questions AND what lies ahead this season!

I'm excited to "Get the ball rolling" this season so sit back and enjoy!

Tune in!  Subscribe & share!

New episode second Wednesday of each month.

Email:  apmechanicpodcast@aol.com , or Twitter @goodbadugly_ap   

Hello and welcome !   No, did not expect to be talking to you fine folks so soon BUT trolls need to be schooled sometimes and hell, waiting for THE CORRECT parts to arrive for an aircraft can be boring.  

Recorded in the hangar, edited and uploaded for your entertainment! Join me will you as I go one-on-one with today's local twitter troll, talk some 'hangar talk' and ask you, the listener some questions.  

Always informing. Always fighting the good fight. AND ALWAYS doing the right things ... for the right reasons.  Tune in!  Subscribe & share!

Hello everyone and welcome! Update on, “where you been?”, what’s expected, AND I get cut off in traffic. In addition you’ll hear my rant about the FAAs decision to bastardize Part 147 A/P schools, SouthWest is getting better, Alaska Airlines on the, “up and up”, mechanics who love certain brands of tools, my .02$ dealing with bad passengers AND a Merry Christmas message! Wow! Quite a lot for 40 mins of driving eh?! Not the best audio (apologies) as I was driving while recording.. but you’ll get the “gist”. Happy holidays!!

Thanks for tuning in everybody!   This episode comes from the 'old archives' and was not previously released but here it is!  In this episode, I'm talking about the increase in flight delays and cancellations being blamed on maintenance and why its happening.   Its not all what it appears...   

Hey there everyone!  Thank you for tuning in.  In this TGTBTU Special; I've got the distinct pleasure of being a guest on the, 'Xtended Aviation Podcast'. In this episode I am speaking to Pieter Johnson about the podcast, why I do it and what the premise of TGTBTU is all about!. 

What a great time I had speaking with Pieter and I hope to do it again soon!  

Hello everyone and welcome!   This podcast was supposed to be a bonus podcast but instead I thought it needed to be said sooner rather than later..  

Why does social media and the ignorant make false claims, spread bad information and hate on those of us who dare tell the TRUTH?  Why do Anti-Boeing trolls hesitate or deflect when told facts and why do they get so upset when those living in reality put them in their place?  What do they have to gain and what do they have to loose?  After the 777 Air France flight AF11 'incident' overseas, it got worse. ** And BTW, turns out the preliminary investigation shows NOTHING WRONG with the aircraft making the Anti-Boeing trolls ever more sour! ** 

There is so much bad aviation information out there.  Who can you trust and who can you not?  Well, I break it down for you in another one of my famous, 'passionate' explanations.  Tune in! 

Hello everyone and welcome!   In this pretty much, off-the-cuff episode; I am dispelling some ridiculous statements, rumors and B.S information about the China Eastern Airlines B737-800 that crashed today carrying 132 people in southern China.  A very tragic and saddening event that's becoming overshadowed by anti-Boeing propaganda, false narratives and asinine aircraft 'tech' information.  Yours truly is debunking this garbage.  Tune in!

Subscribe & share!  

Hello and welcome everyone! 

In this kind of-sorta bonus, 'explanation' podcast I'm talking about how some of my social media postings recently were taken out of context when referring to Cpt. Sullenberger.  

Sully is an amazing person, an American hero, no doubt!  I have NOTHING 'against' him.  But his focus as US. Aviation Ambassador seems to me focused solely on the safety of flight, for the flight crew (and of course the PAX)   I would just like to see his focus on aviation safety beyond that of the flight crew as there is far more safety issues facing the industry.  

So I'm putting it back into context with this episode.  

*Note at the beginning I said "Sullenberg" instead of Sullenberger. Apologies Cpt.

Hello and welcome to the podcast!  Talking about bad GENFAM instructors in todays episode and correcting some bad information some instructors have shared with their students!  We rely on GENFAM to be an experience where we take away fundamental, systematic knowledge of the aircraft for which we're in the class for. (DUH) NOT to be fed a line of B.S!  

Hello everyone and welcome to this last minuet bonus podcast!.  I've been asked quite a lot recently why we're seeing all these aircraft tire blow out incidents on commercial flights and whether re-treaded or 're-capped' aircraft tires are really safe. I'll answer these questions and put your mind at ease while an additional bonus, you get to hear my not so great COVID voice (yes I still have the effects of that nasty COVID crap) so I am using another microphone, the Shure MV7X to mask some of the unpleasantries of my still crappy voice.  Enjoy!  Also, new website is up! https://aviationmxtruth.com/

If you have questions, thoughts, concerns or want to share YOUR stories and experiences live on the podcast?

Reach out to me at: apmechanicpodcast@aol.com, https://anchor.fm/bryan-wheelz/messageor Twitter @goodbadugly_ap

Hello everyone and WELCOME to the second episode of 2022!.  Please forgive me for my "COVID voice" - I'm still getting over having COVID but the show's got to continue.   In this short podcast, I answer a listener's question(s) about MELs.  Do airlines skimp on them? And are MELs safe?  In this very short episode I explain!  ALSO dont miss the new website is up! https://aviationmxtruth.com/

Do you have questions, thoughts, concerns or want to share YOUR stories and experiences live on the podcast? 

Reach out to me at: apmechanicpodcast@aol.com, https://anchor.fm/bryan-wheelz/messageor Twitter @goodbadugly_ap

 Hello and welcome!  In this podcast, I once again do my due diligence, and spoke to three aviation lawyers about an aircraft mechanics' liability and the consequences according to the LAW.  

You'll be surprised how easy it is to be held criminally culpable of negligence as an aircraft mechanic EVEN if you followed the tech pubs!    I walk you through the process of how and why as explained to me by aviation lawyers.   

 You won't want to miss this very special podcast! Tune in! 

Hey there and welcome to the SECOND, NEW podcast segment, "Aircraft Tech Talk" where I answer your aircraft tech questions and give you a quiz at the end!  I'll answer the quiz question during the NEXT Aircraft Tech Talk podcast and if you answer correctly,  I'll send you some 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly' SWAG! Tune in! 

We have several really good questions in this podcast!  - MD-80 question  - B737 questions x2  - EMB 175 Question  - Airbus Question   - B777 Question  

Hey every one and thanks for tuning into the podcast! This is an end of the year, unscripted update with a twist... What's the twist? Well, its a new mic. Introducing the Shure SM7B microphone!  I talk about what's been happening on the Homefront, I recap some of my favorite episodes, talk about things to come in the future, a planned collaboration podcast with "Cancelled for Maintenance" , a future guest host, some 'expected' rants and more! Tune in.

**Also please drop me a line and let me know how this new microphone sounds, greatly appreciated!* 

In May of 2021 I submitted an Freedom Of Information act to the FAA for 16 cases (investigations).  Tune in to find out what happened. 

*You may notice some subtle differences in the audio of these newer podcasts as I tweak and adjust the new software and mic in the renovated studio.*

Hello everyone and welcome to another short update.  YES, this is the new and (hopefully improved) sound-  Would really appreciate it if you wouldn't mind sending a quick email or message to me, letting me know how you like it (or don't) Also in this short update podcast, a correction on tomorrows (17th) BONUS podcast and some info on October 13ths, "Allegiant Airlines, Shenanigan's at its finest" - As always, appreciate you tuning in, take care and be safe!  * Awesome Fanart by: Aircraft Arts By Dima @AircraftBy

Hey everyone and thank you for tuning in.  This is the FIRST podcast TEST session with the new equipment and I am asking for YOUR input.  Simply put- Does it sound good.  Or - does it sound bad.  

Twitter Link for poll here: https://twitter.com/goodbadugly_ap/status/1432524002459803652?s=20

Well,  I knew one day a tweet of mine would piss someone off  Today it did. This bonus podcast is just a clarification of what I meant.  Tweet link right here: https://twitter.com/goodbadugly_ap/status/1427998651813666827?s=20

Hey there and welcome to the first, NEW podcast segment, "Aircraft Tech Talk" where I answer your aircraft tech questions and give you a quiz at the end!  I'll answer the quiz question during the NEXT Aircraft Tech Talk podcast and if you answer correctly,  I'll send you a little 'The Good the Bad and the Ugly' SWAG! 

We have four good questions in this podcast! Tune in!  

- Boeing 747 question x 2 

- Boeing 737NG questions x2 

Hello and welcome!  

With all the Unruly PAX issues within the past week (and longer) I had to take a break from my normal routine of informing about the many 'fails' within the aviation maintenance industry and get this off my chest.  I empathize with persons who have a health issue or mental ailment that prevents them from wearing a mask-  I do! And if thats the case, it might behoove you to find another means of travel.  But I do not think it is those causing the many issues we are seeing reported. 

It's people who want 'to make their point known' that they disagree with masks on an aircraft and the vast majority are just ignorant people. 

And since this is 'aviation related' I thought, "What the hell.  IF they can speak out against masks and act unkindly, then Wheelz is going to give his $.02"     Thanks for tuning in, I don't usually go off topic but I think this once should be okay right? 

Do you agree or disagree? Let me know what your think!

In this quick, Bonus Podcast I am giving my .02$ and detailing the contradicting information of a new program released by the FAA.  

On June 21,2021 the FAA announced a new "Reform mandate" called 'The Voluntary Safety Reporting Program' - a confidential "non-punitive"  program that encourages open reporting of aviation safety issues and concerns.

This was pushed by congress to address the two B737 MAX aircraft which crashed within 5 months of each other.  BUT does this reporting program also include aircraft mechanics or is it simply a gimmick to protect themselves and aircraft manufactures? Any why does the information contradict itself?

Get my take on this new program, tune in! 

*Was a little under the weather when recording this FYI*

Just a quick PSA!  New podcasts the 2nd Wednesday of each month ! And the NEW 'Aircraft Tech Talk' starts August 11th! Remember to Check out Karlene Petitt's Blog at: https://karlenepetitt.blogspot.com/ 

United Airlines has been in the news the past couple of days, touting just "how good they are doing"-  But are they really?  Bad decisions being made left and right! And NOW they want to spend more money, YOUR money hard at work?  Tune in to hear about the B.S thats being pulled by Unites Airlines and my 'passionate' fix for their problem(s)!

**And yes- I said in my intro. " In this 'Podgast' instead of "Podcast"..  lol **

Welcome to another bonus podcast where I talk about some of my best,worst, challenging or even funny hate calls! As always thank you for listening. Enjoy! #2 

** Microphone was a little to amplified during this- apologies!**

Hey there and thanks for tuning in!  This is a special podcast covering the B787 Nose Gear collapse that occurred today at Heathrow airport. I received several emails this morning asking what I thought about the incident.  Although I've never wrenched on the B787 I still share my thoughts on this podcast. #787 heathrow

EDIT - TWO CORRECTIONS:

1.) I said in this podcast that the B787 system retract is done through a electrical motor-  I was wrong its still hydraulic, using electric motor pumps but doesn't use engine driven hydraulic pumps. BUT it uses electrical driven actuators on the landing gear locks.  ** Thank you Tim.S for correcting me :) 

 2.) So some clarification:  On the vast majority of aircraft, the NLG (nose landing gear) is more susceptible to collapse or 'fold' than the MLG  (main landing gear). On larger aircraft, the over-center mechanism on the NLG is not very effective because much of the aircraft weight is not on the nose gear.

 Once the main gears are down and locked, on the ground you need three things before you can retract the main gear:

1. Bypass the electric circuit protections preventing gear retraction on the ground;
2. Lift the aircraft weight off the landing gears by jacking up, and
3. Break the over-center mechanism using the hydraulic muscle of the landing gear retraction mechanism.

 As of what I can tell right now, the aircraft was parked and un powered.  Thus even though I mentioned the 'human' element in my podcast-  the aircraft was not powered up (from what I can tell) so theoretically the gear should not have folded- Even if the gear override switch was pressed in and the landing gear control lever were moved to up-  The gear should not have folded UNLESS it was powered up?? ...  hmmm

 So that leaves this: 

1.) Were the gear pins installed on the NLG?  

2.) Was the aircraft being towed and the brakes not released causing a failure of the NLG? 

3.) Was their a mechanical failure in the NLG?

4.) Was there a structural failure of the gear 'BOX' structure? 

5.) Or still, WAS it actually powered on and someone DID retract the gear on the ground?    

Ill definitely be following the investigation as it progresses. As always, thanks for listening and stay tuned for more up coming podcasts! 

Do YOU want to be on the podcast live?  

I've received some emails asking for bonus content to be added to my podcasts- So here it is, a BONUS podcast where I talk about some of my best and worst experiences on the line!    Enjoy!

I will be doing occasional BONUS podcasts featuring topics YOU, the listeners have asked to hear about and sharing YOUR stories and experiences! 

As always, thank you for tuning in!