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Ian Petchenik

@petchmo.bsky.social
1.9K followers 61 following 431 posts

Communications @flightradar24.com, co-host AvTalk podcast.

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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary livery 747-8I
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I see someone at United has a sense of humor. And based on a search of the fares, someone in revenue management also has a sense of humor.
United’s new flight to Toulouse uses flight number 222, a play on the well-known (to giant nerds like me) Lufthansa flight 2222 to Toulouse.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Some more from the neighborhood yesterday and today. The last two are just what was directly in front of our house. Kudos to the Chicago forestry folks who made roads mostly passable by morning.
A Jeep Cherokee crushed by an uprooted treeA large collection of branches blocking a residential street in Chicago. One car has had its windshield smashed by the falling limb. A pile of Locust and Maple logs approximately 3 feet high and 4 feet long after being bucked up by your humble writer. A pile of Locust and Maple branches approximately 6 feet tall on the parkway.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Well that was quite the weekend.
The view of OSH26 from the World’s Busiest Air Traffic Control TowerRed Arrows performingAirborne inside the Goodyear Blimp en route from Oshkosh to DuPage Downed trees and damaged cars on my block after a severe storm passed through earlier today.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 07/06/2026
If you’re referencing A0821/26, the revised NOTAM just clarifies the required routings for operating flights. The companion NOTAM A0820/26 provides further guidance. Flights are not restricted from operating in the DOHA FIR.
Flights operating in the DOHA FIR as of 7 June 18:05 UTC.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Here's a better representation just in case. www.jetphotos.com/photo/12063911
A photo of United’s first Airbus A321XLR in Hamburg still wearing its D-reg and prior to receiving the special paint that acts as a cloaking device, turning the aircraft into a TWA 727.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Have they called Idaho for ideas on how to do it? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaver_...
A beaver emerges from a box after being parachuted into the Idaho wilderness some time in the 1950s.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
And then there's this guy: www.flightradar24.com/CYHM/3fb1aeb0 Assume its heading to KF for TLC before its next assignment.
N626NK en route to Hamilton, Ontario from Orlando.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
It’ll buff out.
A large Maple tree branch sits atop a car, partially crushing the roof on the left, rear.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
You are not the only one.
Screenshot of Ian’s Flightradar24 airline filter titled “We’ve got Spirit, yes we do!” showing Spirit Airlines aircraft.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
If you like Yaks, how about two glued together with a jet engine between them? Meet the Yak-110. yak110.com
Yak-110 in action. Photo by Rodrigo Ehnis Borja.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Lufthansa says ⛽️📈⏩✈️📉 Lufthansa CityLine: done A340-600s: done at the end of the summer season A pair of 747-400s: grounded at the end of the summer season
A Lufthansa A340-600
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
“Folks, they’re having a little trouble getting the jet bridge into position, but we hope to have you off the aircraft shortly. Thank you for your patience.”
The Orion capsule floating in the ocean waiting for the stabilization collar and “Front porch” to be attached to the astronauts can exit.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Went plumbing the depths of my email for some photos and came across this email from American Airlines from July 2010.
An email from American Airlines announcing their then-new iPhone app. 

Body copy of the email reads: "Swipe And Tap Your Way Through Our New App For The iPhone®.

Dear Ian Petchenik,

Introducing the travel app that understands who you are and where you're going. From where you're departing and from what gate. Where you'll sit and even where you are on the standby list. Use it to change seats, access your mobile boarding pass, check your AAdvantage® miles, set a parking reminder and much more. It's perfect for flying through airports.


Download now, free from the App Store." The email also a photo of the app main screen with five menu items for reservations, schedules, status, booking, and Sudoku.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
“Experts are dubious.”
New York Times post about FEMA official’s claim he teleported to a Waffle House. The full headline reads, “A FEMA official says he teleported to Waffle House. Experts are dubious.”
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Yes, yes I have.
Order confirmation from LEGO that reads "You've made some great choices" 

Then, "Hi Ian,"
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
You call that a knife? This is a knife.
A Virgin Atlantic A340-600 landing in Chicago way back when. Decidedly not a knife.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
God Bless America.
A screenshot of a Menards promo email offering a Cary French Fry Holder that fits easily into standard automotive cupholders and a Car Sauce Cup Holder than clips into the air vents in your car. Each offered for $3.36 and an 11% rebate for $2.99 after rebate.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
I’m sure there’s a well-thought-out plan to deal with this easily foreseen consequence of a protracted regional war in the Middle East. Right?
A 5 year chart of the price of Brent Crude showing an asymptotic climb in the past few days.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Early this month, CBP borrowed the DOD’s anti-drone laser to shoot down a party balloon. Now the DOD mistakenly used the weapon on a CBP drone. www.reuters.com/business/aer...
Classic dual spider man meme with one spider man labeled CBP and one labeled DOD
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Gentlemen my time has come! Here’s Burke’s original diagram for O’Hare’s runways. The initial runways were set to match MDW and keep traffic separated. Older aircraft didn’t handle crosswinds as well. The advent of jet engines and more advanced tech made it easier to operate with crosswinds.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Right?
Star Wars "Right?" meme in four panels questioning the basic "100" sticker on the back of an A321neo spotted yesterday. 1. "We've unveiled our United 100 livery" 2. This is just a sticker you're putting on all the planes, you have a proper special livery coming, right?" 3. Blank stare. 4. Right?
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
We had a photo on JetPhotos on 14 Dec. But interestingly, none since. www.jetphotos.com/photo/keywor...
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Hello from elsewhere in Europe!
A not quite as exciting as the ones posted by Christina cup of coffee being held by Ian at Copenhagen Airport.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Planespotting yes. Shipspotting, also yes.
Crude oil tanker RYMO seen from the Copenhagen Airport terminal.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
This evening continuing to prove my belief that any and all work completed in an airline lounge is the best work. Such productivity, many aviations.
An Etihad A350 getting a Type IV anti-ice bath before departure, seen out the window of the lounge.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
It's the punctuation that gets me.
Truth social post from Donald Trump, in which he appears to direct the attorney general of the United States to begin an investigation into long-dead financier JP Morgan and cartoon character Chase from Paw Patrol. Or at least that's what I assume is happening since he wrote "J.P. Morgan, Chase"Photo of JP MorganImage of Chase from Paw Patrol.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
This is quite the statement from Orlando Airport. “Not received official notification from the FAA...”
The greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has not received official notification from the Federal Aviation Administration regarding a decrease of flight activity in response to the federal government shut down. Based on various reports, MCO as identified as one of the 40 U.S. airports that will have flight reductions beginning Friday, November 7; however, this has not been confirmed by the FAA. We encourage travelers to contact their airlines directly for questions and flight status. The airport will remain fully staffed to assist in any way possible.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 05/11/2025
What could possibly go wrong?
Four panel, right... right? Meme: 

First panel: We’re going to cancel 10% of flights in the 40 busiest markets in the US starting the day after tomorrow.

Second panel: You have a clear plan for which markets and you’ve coordinated with the airlines before announcing this, right?

Third panel: "smirking man"

Fourth panel: Right?
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
N262MH, Metro Life Flight.
Flightradar24 data page for N262MH
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Here you go.
Chart showing the altitude and vertical speed of JetBlue 1230, which experienced an altitude loss on 30 October.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
Let’s hope the the 49ers can run through the gap against the Texans as well as this United crew, amirite? *I don’t actually care who wins, I just felt morally obligated as a dad to make this joke.
A United Airlines 777 carrying the San Francisco 49ers to Houston for this weekend’s game against the Texans flying in between two lines of severe thunderstorms over Texas.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Some are being flown to MZJ this week. And one hasn't flown since last February, but fortunately it is already at GYR.
"Active" Spirit Airlines aircraft actually in storage. 7 aircraft registrations: N919NK, N921NK, N926NK, N944NK, N964NK, N972NK, N973NK
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
Here you go Lufthansa, fixed it for you.
A modified version of Lufthansa’s recently publicized wide-body fleet reduction chart. In the original there are 13 existing aircraft types and 9 types in 2030, including the 777X. In this version, a question mark has been added to the 777-9 entry and the 9 types changed to 8.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
Listened to the audio. Controller getting aggravated with Spirit 1300 after telling them to turn right 20° multiple times. More consternation than yelling, but not great. Spirit was descending from FL370 to 330. ATC told them four times before they responded. Lots of static on their radio, fwiw.
Image showing the flight paths of Spirit 1300 and Air Force 1 at about 14:20-14:35 UTC on 16 September 2025.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
I think I’m done driving this car now.
The odometer reads 074747.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
You do a podcast together long enough and apparently you just become one aviation brain.
Nearly identical posts one second apart from Ian and Jason using the pull quote, "The two black boxes were found within days of the crash, but were only flown to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau in New Delhi on Tuesday." to comment on the AFP article that Indian investigators have begun processing data from Air India flight 171’s data recorders.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
We’re going to have him properly mic’d for next week’s show. He has some thoughts on the A350F he wants to share.
Ian’s bum of a cat sits on his desk, comfortable in his transgressions.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Well @radarcornflakes.com nailed that turn.
A Kalitta Air 747 on approach to Chicago-O’Hare shown on Flightradar24.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 08/06/2025
It's a heavy metal morning over the house. This is @radarcornflakes.com’s doing somehow. ✈️
Flight paths of multiple 777s, a 787, and a 747 over Ian’s house on approach for Runway 27C at O'Hare Airport in Chicago.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
The President also said he’s dumped all of the mix tapes in the trash and he'll leave Musk’s hoodie in the front hall.
Tweet from CNN with the text: President Trump tells CNN he's "not even thinking about" Musk and won't speak to him "for a while"
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This Swiss A330 was loud enough that I went outside to see the air and water show had started a few months early.
Flight path of Swiss A330 on approach to ORD
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
Air France 137K Heavy, Runway 28 Right, cleared for take off, stay with me for a turn.
Air France departing ORD with an unusual flight path due to storms in the area.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Back in a minute, starting an airline.
A shopping cart filled with 33 64oz tomato juice cans.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 16/03/2025
Big money saved! Even without the 11% rebate (which you can bet your ass I’m going to redeem), this was about $75 cheaper than going to HD or Lowe’s.
The back of a small SUV filled with cedar 2x4s and fence pickets as well as 300 quarts of soil.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The comments are also something... Gonna have to open up a new dropbox for Southwest. IYKYK.
A Comment and reply by Southwest on Southwest Airlines’ instagram post “It's not like we traded Luka... 👀" 

The comment reads: At least the Mavs got AD, we get nothing

Southwest’s reply reads: We'll give you free ginger ale!
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
We're about 25 years from a single livery across all airlines.
A KLM 787, La Compagnie A321neo, and a Korean Air 787 in the company's new livery stacked on top of each other.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
This week’s uncredited co-host.
Snacks, an all black house cat, sits silently judging Ian for daring to take his photograph.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
United’s aircraft identification bug strikes again. Here I was getting all excited for a second...
United Airlines’ website listing a flight on Aerolineas Argentinas between Ushuaia and Buenos Aires as operated by a 737-200 Combi.
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Ian Petchenik @petchmo.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
Hell of a notification Google Earth.
A pop up notification in Google Earth that says "The feature being edited has been destroyed."
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