Aviation Week's Check 6 Podcast

Aviation Week has been the paper of record for the aerospace industry for decades, and their Check 6 podcast brings that same editorial weight to audio form. The show rotates between editors including Robert Wall, Steve Trimble, Brian Everstine, Guy Norris, and Jens Flottau, each bringing deep specialization in their respective beats -- defense, commercial aviation, space, and propulsion. With 100 episodes since 2014 and a weekly cadence, Check 6 tackles the big-picture stories that shape aerospace and defense. Recent episodes have covered the Singapore Airshow, Pentagon acquisition strategy, NASA leadership transitions, and major defense program updates. Episodes run a tight 18 to 42 minutes, which is refreshing in a podcasting world where everyone seems to think longer is better. The editors get in, make their points with authority, and get out. The panel format means you're hearing multiple expert perspectives on each topic, and the discussions often include analysis that goes beyond what's published in the magazine. These are journalists who attend the industry events, talk to the executives, and read the procurement documents. A segment on a new fighter jet program will include context about manufacturing capacity, international partnerships, and budget politics that you won't find in a press release. At 4.2 stars from 395 reviews, it's the most critically assessed show on this list, with some listeners wanting more depth on certain topics. But for anyone following the business and policy side of aviation and aerospace, Check 6 delivers credible industry journalism in a convenient format.