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Episode 87: Testing Air Cargo Containers With Fire | Inside IATA episode artwork

Sep 21, 2026 40 min

Episode 87: Testing Air Cargo Containers With Fire | Inside IATA

from Aero Exploration Hosted by Flying Midwest Media

What happens when something catches fire inside an aircraft's cargo compartment? And how do you know that the equipment designed to contain that fire will actually work? In Episode 87 of the Flying Midwest Podcast, Jim continues his conversation with Tom Brodowski, this time exploring his work with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the complex world of air cargo safety. We take a deep dive into the testing, standards, and technology used to make air cargo safer—including live-fire testing of cargo containers and equipment. These tests aren't theoretical. Products are put through real-world conditions designed to determine how they perform when exposed to fire and other hazards. Tom explains what goes into developing and testing these systems, what the aviation industry is looking for during a live burn test, and how the results can influence the equipment and procedures used throughout the global air cargo system. And while most passengers never see the cargo operation happening below them, the work being done behind the scenes has a direct connection to aviation safety and the safety of the traveling public. We'll also discuss Tom's work with IATA, the role of industry standards and collaboration, and the people working around the world to make sure air cargo can move safely through the aviation system. If you haven't heard Episode 86 yet, start there for the first part of our conversation with Tom, where we explore the massive operation required to move baggage and cargo around the world every day. ▶️ Listen to Episode 86: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o4gCKTmcUvbZKWEGif5v6?si=QNrE5OQURzWMfZVUHqRrvQ From the baggage we check at the ticket counter to the cargo loaded deep inside an aircraft, there's an enormous system working behind the scenes to keep aviation moving—and keep it safe. This is AeroExploration. Go beyond the cockpit and explore the people, technology, and systems that make aviation possible. ✈️ FOLLOW AEROEXPLORATION Check out the YouTube Channel. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AeroExploration⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sponsor Information: Support our sponsors and affiliates who help make this podcast possible! Affiliate Links: Lightspeed Headsets: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.lightspeedaviation.com/?campaign=flyingmidwest23&ref=101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Flying Eyes Sunglasses: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://flyingeyesoptics.com/?ref=Flyingmidwest23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AeroExploration Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flyingmidwest.com/merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact Information: Do you have questions or comments about the show? Do you have an idea for a future episode? Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? Reach out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or connect with Jim through social media or the website. 🔊 Listen now on:✅ Apple Podcasts | ✅ Spotify | ✅ Google Podcasts | 🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pilot. We're just getting started—there's a lot more exciting aviation content coming soon on AeroExploration! #Aviation #Sarahnautics #SarahDaniels #GeneralAviation #Pilot #WomenInAviation #AviationContentCreator #AeroExploration

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Episode 87: Testing Air Cargo Containers With Fire | Inside IATA

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This episode was published on September 21, 2026.

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