Aviation News Talk Podcast

In this special crossover episode, Max Trescott, host of the Aviation News Talk podcast, appears as a guest on Dr. Tony Kern’s Only Human podcast. The two aviation safety advocates engage in a candid, insightful conversation that bridges their shared backgrounds in aviation, safety culture, and leadership. The episode begins with a segment called “This Week in Safety Land,” spotlighting a tragic helicopter crash involving tourists over the Hudson River. The Director of Operations (DO) at the company involved chose to cease operations pending investigation, only to be overruled and fired by the CEO—prompting FAA intervention. Max and Tony reflect on this as a textbook example of the ongoing conflict between operational production and safety protection, a dynamic familiar in aviation, military, and corporate environments alike. They explore how profit-driven decisions often undermine safety, and how organizations with high-risk operations must prioritize a culture that empowers safety-conscious leadership.