Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Phil Derner

@philderner.substack.com

520 followers 92 following 330 posts

Gravity Fighter, Aviation Advocate, AvGeek, born in Queens, NY. Former @NYCAviation owner/Operations Mgmt/Dispatcher/Loadmaster. Opinions are my own.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Apr 12

Who am I?

I’ve spent 20+ years in aviation: dispatch, ops, safety, news media, writing, public speaking, gov affairs, and advocacy. I connect people, amplify voices, and bridge the gap between flight, the public, and the boardroom. I serve this industry with heart, hustle, and New Yorker honesty.

1 10

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · 11d

We SHOULD have seen it coming...15 years ago. What took them so long? (Don't answer that ha)

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · 24d

I don’t think this is a close call at all. This is just clearing airspace because they demand a wide birth for Air Force One.

1 1

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · 26d

Great seeing you! I’m not good at BlueSky…so many of them I hadn’t been following here!

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Sep 6

Reminder to people, especially dispatchers, to keep your FAA certificate updated with your current address!

Or like I had to do, change my hair color from brown to bald. No option for shaved. :p

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Sep 2

The 3 events that tell of how MD-80s and Runway 13 were not BFFs.

LaGuardia’s Runway 13: The MD-80 Slip N’ Slide

Of the seven accidents at LGA during my lifetime, three involved MD-80s. Thankfully, none were fatal, but they were far from smooth rides.

open.substack.com

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Sep 1

While conducting research, I am amazed how much information I come across on plane crashes that never even happened.

Generated by both AI and passionate enthusiasts, I worry that crawlers or unknowing researchers will lump these into real crash stats, altering industry and public perception.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 23

My good friend Andrew, who has over 20 years in airport ops and management, sat down with me to discuss a video of a Delta 767 engine fire that took place in 1996.

With radio chatter between ATC, pilots, and ARFF, we see the event unfold and learn how things have changed over the last 3 decades.

Delta 767 Engine Fire: Airport Ops Breakdown

YouTube video by Phil Derner

www.youtube.com

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 18

I’m confused. News or Opinion? You literally can’t be both.

If you admit you’re injecting your opinion, then we can’t trust your news.

Ben Mullin @benmullin.bsky.social · Aug 18

news: MSNBC is renaming itself MS NOW (My Source News Opinion World)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/b...

Goodbye, MSNBC. Hello, MS NOW.

www.nytimes.com

1 1

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 17

Ah, Ken, I'd have loved to see you! I hope our paths cross soon.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 16

Ken wrote for NYCAviation and I never noticed this. He's OG, and one of the best pilot experts the internet has ever seen.

It's not as mainstream as implied, but if Ken affirms, I'd be more than happy to stand down.

2 6

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 16

I'm writing a long article, likely around 9,000-11,000 words.

I'm planning on publishing on my Substack as a 5-10 part series, but curious your thoughts.

Do you enjoy super long form, or digestible parts with strong standalone stories?

2 2

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 16

I was a 757 loadmaster/dispatcher, know hundreds of pilots, have read everything on my favorite, active airliner. I never heard "Atari Ferrari." A search only shows this article.

I think someone overstated this to the writer.

Still, the reasons are correct. A good read on an underrated aircraft.

Jalopnik @jalopnik.bsky.social · Aug 12

Here's Why The Boeing 757 Got The Nickname 'Atari Ferrari'

The Boeing 757 was a favorite among pilots, who dubbed it the "Atari Ferrari." Learn the specs behind this aircraft and how it got its nickname.

www.jalopnik.com

4 1 7

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 12

I’m sorry! Ha

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 12

Every single airline seems to be bringing in a military charter flight there this week. If it gets delayed, I’d bet they are overwhelmed.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 12

Ha if only RIV had airline service.

SAN today.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 12

Are we not asked to arrive at the airport two hours early anymore?

If we are, why are check in counter and TSA not open 2 hour prior?

1 1

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 10

I've always been blown away how old-time journalism meant adding someone's home address every time you mention them.

"The only injured person was John Marbury, 32, of 134 Parsons Blvd, Bayside, N.Y.,..."

Why was this a thing? haha

1 2

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Aug 5

I don’t understand why that would be ridiculous.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 24

Air India Flight 171: Let’s Pump the Brakes

There’s a lot of noise out there. Before jumping to conclusions, let’s take a moment to understand a few things about the Air India investigation. #AI171

Air India Flight 171: Let’s Pump the Brakes

There’s a lot of noise out there. Before jumping to conclusions, let’s take a moment to understand a few things about the Air India investigation.

open.substack.com

2 4

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 20

And I'm super jealous of everyone at #OSH25 who will get to see this 747SP.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 20

I always love the #OSH25 arrivals conga line.

1 2 9

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 19

YouTube is about to see my VHS-converted NYC planespotting tapes from the early 2000s.

Part 1 has the final BA Concorde, MD-80 powerback, LGA Expressway Visual s-turns, go arounds, and more.

Not even remotely HD. ;)

Vintage Planespotting at JFK & LGA Part 1 (2003–2004): Final Concorde, MD-80 Powerback, and more

YouTube video by Phil Derner

www.youtube.com

2 1 19

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 17

Thanks. This one is far from me but having a shiny, dark gray Chinook buzz my house was kinda exciting.

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 17

The #DaleFire, 15 miles east of Temecula, is the first wildfire of the season in my region that brought such a wide range of aircraft types: DC-10, C-130s, BAe-146, MD-87, S-2, OV-10, S-61L, C-47, S-60/70, Bell 429, and I'm surely missing some.

I hate NEEDING to see them, but glad they're here.

1 1

Phil Derner @philderner.substack.com · Jul 13

Totally unrelated to anything going on out there, but...

"Suicide by pilot" can only be applied where the pilot in question is alone.

Any other associated fatality is straight murder.

Do not conflate or confuse heartbreaking suicide with those who chose to take others with them.

2 5