Episode 240: Otto Aerospace CEO Paul Touw talks teardrop, laminar flow, and Phantom 3500

Otto Aerospace CEO Paul Touw talks about the teardrop shape, laminar flow technology, and lack of windows in the Phantom 3500 business jet. Plus a MOSAIC Minute update, an urgent safety issue for LearJets, uAvionix's new APRT tower systems, the ROTOR bill, and how the funding squabble affects ATC's academy, upgrades, and controllers.

This week's ⁠MOSAIC Minute⁠ is a review of sport pilot rule changes implemented October 22, and learn about aviation thriller author, CFI, A&P, and Cessna 172 owner Nate Van Coops. Plus, David and Alicia discuss the ⁠⁠⁠⁠latest aviation news⁠⁠⁠⁠ including drone right-of-way rules, a new notam system, a DJI lawsuit loss, and strong bizjet demand.

This week's MOSAIC Minute explains who can provide instruction for sport pilots, hear from 'Miss Montana' DC-3 pilot Bryan Douglass about flying an historical warbird, and David and Alicia comment on the ⁠⁠⁠latest aviation news⁠⁠⁠ including the ATC Archie Awards, an FAA funding stability act, and a proposed ADS-B bill to protect pilots.

This week's ⁠⁠MOSAIC Minute⁠⁠ explains the frequently asked sport pilot question, "How does MOSAIC benefit pilots with a PPL or higher?" And hear from Spirit single seat SE-1 founder Steve Wood, whose crew flew four of the $69,500 single-seat aircraft to from Colorado to AirVenture; plus David and Alicia comment on the ⁠⁠latest aviation news⁠⁠.

This week's ⁠MOSAIC Minute⁠ explains the frequently asked sport pilot question, "Why will stall speed limits be different for sport pilots and light sport category aircraft?" Guest Grant Hoover describes how Sentinel by Aileronics shows visual traffic and collision avoidance (V-TCAS) for under $1,000; and stick around for David and Alicia to comment on the ⁠latest aviation news⁠.

This week's MOSAIC Minute explains the frequently asked Sport Pilot question, “Can I really use my driver’s license instead of a medical certificate?” Professional Instrument Courses flight instructor Donn Heikkila discusses how CFIs flying to your airport may help pilots tackle their instrument flight rules rating; and stick around for David and Jay to comment on the latest aviation news. @dtulis

ForeFlight's new Dynamic Procedures explained, the Spirit one-place aircraft wows AirVenture attendees, LyondellBasell says 'no Imminent drop-in for 100LL, An ADS-B bill sparks confusion, an appropriations bill could permanently block ATC privatization, and MOSAIC—the new rules for sport pilots and light sport aircraft—arrives.

David and Alicia share the latest ⁠2025 AirVenture news⁠ with an on-the-scene report from Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, including long-awaited MOSAIC rules, the AOPA Sweeps 182 winner, Van's RV-15 wing kits ready to order, ForeFlight's Dynamic Procedures, a record-setting Piper order, and a Valkyrie aircraft that wows onlookers.

Purdue announces new expedition to locate Amelia Earhart’s aircraft, Congress passes a $12.5 billion airspace upgrade but there are other ‘costs,’ a done collides with rescue helicopter during Texas flood response, a bill limits ADS-B data access, a court rules an FAA medical denial for antidepressant was ‘arbitrary,’ and Quintin Smith of the ERP.ngo Aviation Wing explains how you could fly in Namibia. ⁠@dtulis⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@loubelle⁠⁠

David and Alicia comment on a new hybrid-electric motorcycle engine inspired powerplant, pilot mental health legislation, NASA safety report input, AOPA President Pleasance’s congressional appearance, and Air Race Classic winners. Plus, hear from “Hollywood Bomber” aircraft restoration project leader Bill Goebel, with plans to display the historic Jackie Cochran Beech-18S during AirVenture. ⁠@dtulis⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@loubelle⁠⁠