Phil Derner
@philderner.substack.com
Gravity Fighter, Aviation Advocate, AvGeek, born in Queens, NY. Former @NYCAviation owner/Operations Mgmt/Dispatcher/Loadmaster. Opinions are my own.
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.
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.
Reposted by Phil Derner
Newsletter just went out to subscribers. It's Part 1 because I only made it thru the '80s in looking at how politicians have been involved in DCA airspace rules.
It's so easy to blame the FAA, but we can not ignore Congress. /1 colleenmondor.substack.com/p/41-dca-air...
It's so easy to blame the FAA, but we can not ignore Congress. /1 colleenmondor.substack.com/p/41-dca-air...
#41: DCA Airspace, the NTSB & Congress: Part 1 in a series
In its recent meeting on the January 2025 midair, the NTSB failed to evaluate how congressional interference over DCA airspace has impacted its flight safety.
colleenmondor.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Newsletter just went out to subscribers. It's Part 1 because I only made it thru the '80s in looking at how politicians have been involved in DCA airspace rules.
It's so easy to blame the FAA, but we can not ignore Congress. /1 colleenmondor.substack.com/p/41-dca-air...
It's so easy to blame the FAA, but we can not ignore Congress. /1 colleenmondor.substack.com/p/41-dca-air...
I’ve owned this for years.
December 28, 2025 at 2:58 AM
I’ve owned this for years.
Reposted by Phil Derner
Need a last minute gift for the aviation pro and/or avgeek in your life? Give the gift of deep industry insight with a subscription to The Air Current! theaircurrent.memberful.com/gift?plan=41...
The Air Current
theaircurrent.memberful.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Need a last minute gift for the aviation pro and/or avgeek in your life? Give the gift of deep industry insight with a subscription to The Air Current! theaircurrent.memberful.com/gift?plan=41...
Thank you, Christina!
December 7, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Thank you, Christina!
Recent calls for passengers to dress better on airplanes often lean on a mythical era of glamorous air travel, but you’ve been lied to.
My latest article...
My latest article...
The “Golden Age of Air Travel” was Cheap Costume Jewelry
Those vintage airline posters make it seem like we all missed out on something incredible, but you’ve been lied to.
open.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Recent calls for passengers to dress better on airplanes often lean on a mythical era of glamorous air travel, but you’ve been lied to.
My latest article...
My latest article...
Cargo pilots fly through the same skies, and face the same risks, but when one crashes, not every tragedy trends.
This article revisits 3 UPS crashes that changed lives and quietly influenced safety for everyone who flies today.
Read or listen here:
open.substack.com/pub/phildern...
This article revisits 3 UPS crashes that changed lives and quietly influenced safety for everyone who flies today.
Read or listen here:
open.substack.com/pub/phildern...
Forgotten Freight: The UPS Crashes That Should Haunt Aviation
Three accidents that faded from public memory, but whose lessons still echo.
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Cargo pilots fly through the same skies, and face the same risks, but when one crashes, not every tragedy trends.
This article revisits 3 UPS crashes that changed lives and quietly influenced safety for everyone who flies today.
Read or listen here:
open.substack.com/pub/phildern...
This article revisits 3 UPS crashes that changed lives and quietly influenced safety for everyone who flies today.
Read or listen here:
open.substack.com/pub/phildern...
The most uninformed and the least well-intended will be the first to politicize tragedy.
Keep that in mind over the coming hours and days.
RIP #UPS2976
Keep that in mind over the coming hours and days.
RIP #UPS2976
November 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The most uninformed and the least well-intended will be the first to politicize tragedy.
Keep that in mind over the coming hours and days.
RIP #UPS2976
Keep that in mind over the coming hours and days.
RIP #UPS2976
We SHOULD have seen it coming...15 years ago. What took them so long? (Don't answer that ha)
September 30, 2025 at 2:45 PM
We SHOULD have seen it coming...15 years ago. What took them so long? (Don't answer that ha)
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.
September 17, 2025 at 11:36 PM
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.
Great seeing you! I’m not good at BlueSky…so many of them I hadn’t been following here!
September 16, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Great seeing you! I’m not good at BlueSky…so many of them I hadn’t been following here!
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
Or like I had to do, change my hair color from brown to bald. No option for shaved. :p
September 6, 2025 at 3:07 PM
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
Or like I had to do, change my hair color from brown to bald. No option for shaved. :p
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
September 2, 2025 at 11:58 AM
The 3 events that tell of how MD-80s and Runway 13 were not BFFs.
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.
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.
September 1, 2025 at 3:33 PM
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.
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.
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.
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
August 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
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.
With radio chatter between ATC, pilots, and ARFF, we see the event unfold and learn how things have changed over the last 3 decades.
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.
If you admit you’re injecting your opinion, then we can’t trust your news.
news: MSNBC is renaming itself MS NOW (My Source News Opinion World)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/b...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/b...
Goodbye, MSNBC. Hello, MS NOW.
www.nytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
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.
If you admit you’re injecting your opinion, then we can’t trust your news.
Ah, Ken, I'd have loved to see you! I hope our paths cross soon.
August 17, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Ah, Ken, I'd have loved to see you! I hope our paths cross soon.
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.
It's not as mainstream as implied, but if Ken affirms, I'd be more than happy to stand down.
August 16, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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.
It's not as mainstream as implied, but if Ken affirms, I'd be more than happy to stand down.
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?
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?
August 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
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?
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?
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.
I think someone overstated this to the writer.
Still, the reasons are correct. A good read on an underrated aircraft.
Here's Why The Boeing 757 Got The Nickname 'Atari Ferrari'
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
August 16, 2025 at 7:30 PM
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.
I think someone overstated this to the writer.
Still, the reasons are correct. A good read on an underrated aircraft.
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.
August 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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.
Ha if only RIV had airline service.
SAN today.
SAN today.
August 12, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Ha if only RIV had airline service.
SAN today.
SAN today.
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?
If we are, why are check in counter and TSA not open 2 hour prior?
August 12, 2025 at 11:11 AM
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?
If we are, why are check in counter and TSA not open 2 hour prior?
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
"The only injured person was John Marbury, 32, of 134 Parsons Blvd, Bayside, N.Y.,..."
Why was this a thing? haha
August 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
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
"The only injured person was John Marbury, 32, of 134 Parsons Blvd, Bayside, N.Y.,..."
Why was this a thing? haha