Airplane Geeks Podcast 883 Lockheed Constellation
We take a look at the Lockheed Constellation with one of the last pilots to have flown the L-1649A Starliner Constellation. In the news, the ROTOR Act and an ADS-B In mandate, GAMA’s annual Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, the Government’s partial shutdown impact on the TSA, Government luxury jets, and a plan to market an Embraer aerial tanker. Also, an interview from the Singapore Airshow with a Product Development VP from Textron Aviation.
Guest
Philip Kemp has been an Airline Transport Pilot for 17 years, and he has more than a little experience with the Lockheed Constellation. That connection came about in the 1980’s after meeting Maurice Roundy, a Lockheed Constellation fan and collector of the airplane. Philip is one of the last pilots to have flown the L-1649A Starliner Constellation.
Philip describes the development of the Lockheed Constellation and its variants, and how the airliner was obsoleted by jet transports. He tells us about his adventures ferrying Connies, the remaining examples that still exist, and the sale of Maurice’s Constellations, including an ultimately unsuccessful attempt by Lufthansa to make one of the aircraft flightworthy. Philip explains that N8083H is now at the TWA Hotel at JFK after a cosmetic restoration, N974R is with Kermit Weeks also for a cosmetic restoration, and that N7316C was shipped to Hamburg for the 100th Lufthansa anniversary.
Philip started his career with Continental Express, and then he flew Part 135 jet charter with Charter Ops for two years. He returned to the airlines with SkyWest, then back to Continental Express (ExpressJet). Philip spent nine years with North American Airlines flying troops all over the world, and his last six years were with JetBlue. He was the Manager of Crew Training at Waltzing Matilda Aviation/Connect Airlines, a new Part 121 airline, flying Dash 8 Q400’s. Philip is now looking for a good teaching opportunity in the aviation world.
See Ralph M. Pettersen’s Constellation Survivors Website.
Aviation News
After DCA crash, Congress acts to mandate decades-old aircraft tracking tech
Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) is an aviation system that uses GPS to determine aircraft position and also provides other flight information. ADS-B has two functions: ADS-B In and ADS-B Out. ADS-B Out broadcasts position and other identifying information, and has been required for many aircraft in the U.S. since 2020. ADS-B In receives transmissions from other aircraft and from ground stations.
The bi-partisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act (S.2503) would require ADS-B out aircraft to have ADS-B In to display information about nearby traffic in the cockpit. The ROTOR Act was unanimously passed by the Senate in December 2025, and at the time of recording, a vote in the House was scheduled.
House to vote Monday on ROTOR Act following deadly midair collision
After recording, the House voted on the bill, but it did not pass due to insufficient votes.
Under the ROTOR Act:
- FAA must issue final rules for ADS‑B In equipage not later than 2 years after enactment, effective within 60 days of publication.
- The final rule has a fleet-wide compliance deadline of December 31, 2031, for affected aircraft, with at most a 1‑year extension for certain operators.
- FAA must start regular briefings and public reports on the rulemaking status within 180 days after enactment and then every 90 days.
GAMA Reports Strong 2025 for OEMs
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its 2025 Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report:
Airplane shipments in 2025 compared to 2024:
- Piston airplanes flat (+0.6%)
- Turboprops declined by 5.1%
- Business jets increased 11.8% with 854 units.
- The value of airplane deliveries for 2025 was $31.0 billion, an increase of 16.1%.
Helicopter shipments in 2025 compared to 2024:
- Piston helicopters were down 2%
- Turbine helicopters down 2% (preliminary)
- The preliminary value of helicopter deliveries for 2025 was $4.7 billion, an increase of approximately 5.5%.
Homeland security reverses course on TSA PreCheck suspension
Citing staffing shortages caused by the partial government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially suspended the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport security programs. Soon thereafter, DHS revised the directive in a social media post saying, “TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public. As staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust operations accordingly.”
Chris Sununu, president and CEO of the trade association Airlines for America, said in a statement that the group “is deeply concerned that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended and that the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown”.
Geoff Freeman, head of the US Travel Association, accused Democratic and Republican lawmakers of putting politics first. “Air travel is essential for our economy and daily life, and it’s disgraceful for travel to be used as leverage in political disagreements,” he said in a statement.
No Expense Has Been Spared’: Inside a Luxury Jet DHS Wants to Buy for Deportations
DHS has been leasing a Boeing 737 Max 8 featuring bedrooms, showers, a kitchen, four large flat-screen TVs, and a bar. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is asking the OMB to approve its purchase of the jet for $70 million. ICE says that it would be used for deportations and travel for Cabinet officials. A DHS spokesperson said, “at least one of the bedrooms is currently being converted for seating to prepare the aircraft to meet the demands of its deportation mission set.”
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said, “This plane flies at 40% cheaper than what the military aircraft flies for ICE deportation flights—saving the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars. This is part of Secretary Noem’s broader efforts to clamp down on inefficiencies and save taxpayer dollars.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Spends $200 Million of Taxpayer Money on Pair of Gulfstream G700 Private Jets During Government Shutdown
House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Homeland Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lauren Underwood (IL-14) requested more information from the Secretary regarding the purchase, which does not align with earlier funding requests for the Department.
Northrop, Brazil’s Embraer partner on KC-390 to pitch US, others
Under a memorandum of understanding, Embraer and Northrop Grumman are looking at adding an autonomous boom refueling system to the KC-390 Millennium, which currently employs a hose and drogue system. A new boom would enable the tanker to refuel U.S. Air Force aircraft.
Singapore Airshow 2026
Brian Coleman brings us interviews from the Singapore Airshow. In this episode, he talks with Jimmy Beeson, Textron Aviation Inc. VP of Product Development.
Mentioned
Alaska Airlines’ 20-minute baggage guarantee
Hosts this Episode
Max Flight, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman