AvTalk Episode 198: Organ Transplant Logistics

What this episode covers

On this episode of AvTalk, we walk through what we know (so far) about the FAA’s NOTAM system outage. And Casey Humphries from the United Network for Organ Sharing and Chris Curran of New England Donor Services join us to explain how transplant organs get from donor to recipient and the critical role played by the aviation industry. The great NOTAM outage of 2023 On Tuesday afternoon the FAA system that provides air crews and dispatchers with NOTAMs (NOtice to Air Missions) stopped working. By Wednesday morning, the FAA took the decision to ground flights across the US while the system was rebooted and tested. We discuss what we know (so far) and what the practical effects of the outage have been. 🎧 Listen to our episode all about NOTAMs — what they are, what they do, and why most pilots hate them. Raising regional pilot pay proves problem, possibly We discuss a recent article by friend of the show Ned Russell, quoting comments by a financial analyst that American Airlines’ move to raise regional pilot pay is a bet that has backfired. Airbus and Boeing 2022 Deliveries Airbus and Boeing delivered over 1000 aircraft combined, but the number fell short of expectations. Organ Transplant Logistics Casey Humphries is the Logistical Products Service Line Leader for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Chris Curran is SVP of Organ Utilization for New England Donor Services. They join the show to explain the logistics involved in getting an organ for transplant from donor to recipient. We discuss how organ transportation has changed over the past 25 years and the many challenges to getting it right each and every time in literal matters of life and death. Quick takes China Southern may put the 737 MAX back into service this weekend, the last 747 is painted, Alaska Airlines retired its A320 fleet, FedEx retired its DC-10 fleet, and a Delta 767 diversion to Madrid gets the avgeek detective agency up and running. Thank you for listening! Thank you so much for listening to AvTalk! Like the podcast? Have suggestions for future shows? Let us know by leaving a review on iTunes. Reviews on iTunes not only help us make a better show, they help more people find the podcast! Want to send us additional feedback, just email us. And tell that friend who asked you for a podcast recommendation that AvTalk is the one they want to listen to next. Please click here for a transcript of this episode.