<p>We talk about Lithium-ion batteries on aircraft with the president and chief executive officer of UL Standards & Engagement. In the news this episode, we have some recent Lithium-ion battery issues on commercial flights, the A320-family corruption of flight data due to solar activity, and network-based location trackers for checked bags.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Guest</strong></h2>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full"><a href="https://ulse.org/" target="_blank"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="250" height="250" src="https://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11053" srcset="http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250.jpg 250w, http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></a></figure>
</div>
<p><a href="https://ulse.org/expert/jeff-marootian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Jeff Marootian</strong></a> is the president and chief executive officer of <a href="https://ulse.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UL Standards & Engagement</a> (ULSE), a nonprofit safety advocacy organization. Jeff leads global efforts to advance safety and sustainability through standards development and advocacy. He is also a leading authority on rechargeable batteries and travel safety.</p>
<p>ULSE has developed a new campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with rechargeable devices in aviation at <em><a href="https://SaferBatteryTravel.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Simple Step for a Safer Flight</a></em>. It provides good information for people planning to travel.</p>
<p>Jeff explains that Lithium-ion battery incidents are rare, but their frequency is increasing in airports and in the air. ULSE advocates for keeping rechargeable devices within arm’s reach, and certainly not in checked baggage. We look at Lithium-ion thermal runaway, and Jeff tells us that it often results from batteries that are damaged, poorly constructed, or lack certification to a safety standard. </p>
<p>Other topics we cover include the use of containment devices on airplanes, the need for a consensus process to deal with devices that are smoking or on fire, and how a coalition of stakeholders is working to address these concerns. Jeff also tells us what to look for when making a decision to purchase a rechargeable device.</p>
<p>For more, see: <a href="https://ulse.org/insight/li-ion-incidents-aviation-2024-data-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents in Aviation: 2024 Data Review</a>.</p>
<p>Previously, Jeff led the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, following roles as Senior Advisor to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and as a Special Assistant to the President in the Biden-Harris White House.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aviation News</strong></h2>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/11/20/eight-people-rushed-to-hospital-after-smoking-battery-pack-fills-airplane-cabin-with-toxic-fumes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Eight People Rushed To Hospital After Smoking Battery Pack Fills Airplane Cabin With Toxic Fumes</strong></a></h3>
<p>While passengers were boarding a Scandinavian airline SAS A320 at Norway’s Oslo Airport, smoke started pouring out of a portable battery pack in a passenger’s bag, filling the cabin with toxic smoke. The crew used a Halon fire extinguisher on the bag and removed it from the plane, then transferred it to the tarmac, where the airport fire brigade took over. The battery pack did relight before it was contained. Eight people were taken to the hospital with suspected toxic smoke inhalation, and all were discharged within 48 hours.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-flight-diverts-dublin-another-133032102.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>United Flight Diverts to Dublin After Another Laptop Falls Into Business Class Seat</strong></a></h3>
<p>A passenger’s laptop computer became trapped in the business class seat on United Airlines Flight UA925 flight from London to Washington. The plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Dublin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatches/solar-flare-vulnerability-airbus-a320-software-forces-emergency-action-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Solar flare vulnerability in A320 software forces emergency action by airlines</strong></a></h3>
<p>In a recent press release, (<a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action">Airbus update on A320 Famil</a><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">y</a><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action"> precautionary fleet action</a>), Airbus said, “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” Airbus consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service that may be impacted. The “recent event” was the uncommanded drop in altitude by a JetBlue A320 on October 30, 2025 that resulted in injuries and an emergency landing.</p>
<p>Airbus says that “The subsequent investigation [After the incident] identified a vulnerability with the ELAC B hardware fitted with software L104 in case of exposure to solar flares. This identified vulnerability could lead in the worst case scenario to an uncommanded elevator movement that may result in exceeding the aircraft structural capability.”</p>
<p>Airlines are instructed, according to <em>The Air Current, </em>“to either roll back to an earlier version of the software or replace the affected elevator aileron computer (ELAC) hardware with one containing the older software version. The maintenance action is expected to take three hours, according to the Airbus advisory.”</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/25/airtags-newest-feature-could-work-even-better-now-for-many-travelers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>AirTag’s newest feature could work even better now for many travelers</strong></a></h3>
<p>The Apple AirTag is useful for tracking the location of objects. There are other Bluetooth and network-based trackers available from Tile, Samsung, Chipolo, and other manufacturers. Air travelers use these trackers to locate their lost luggage. Last year, Apple introduced a “Share Item Location” feature. With the latest upgrade, you can share an AirTag’s location with select airlines, allowing them to locate your luggage quickly. The AirTag API enables the seamless flow of detailed location information directly into an airline’s backend. Apple and Delta have developed a tool that airlines can use. </p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mentioned</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://theonion.com/airlines-hiring-anyone-who-looks-good-in-crisp-uniform-1849094258/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Airlines Hiring Anyone Who Looks Good In Crisp Uniform To Offset Pilot Shortage</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/business/boeing-737-max-factory.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Boeing Tackles Quality With a “War on Defects”</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/HostRailroadReports/mythbusters-enforcing-amtraks-legal-right-to-preference.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Mythbusters: The Truth About Amtrak’s Legal Right to Preference</strong></a> [PDF]</p>
<p><strong>Video:</strong> <a href="https://youtu.be/n7uJyvvdiRk?si=n7r0_k5QEsVM74Di" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USS Forrestal Survivor/ Cliff Ashley</a></p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio">
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/n7uJyvvdiRk?si=n7r0_k5QEsVM74Di
</div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hosts this Episode</strong></h2>
<p>Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman. David Vanderhoof jumped in for a bit to say hello and give us an update on his kidney transplant.</p>
![<description><p>We talk about Lithium-ion batteries on aircraft with the president and chief executive officer of UL Standards &amp; Engagement. In the news this episode, we have some recent Lithium-ion battery issues on commercial flights, the A320-family corruption of flight data due to solar activity, and network-based location trackers for checked bags.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Guest</strong></h2>
<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignleft size-full"><a href="https://ulse.org/" target="_blank"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="250" height="250" src="https://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11053" srcset="http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250.jpg 250w, http://www.airplanegeeks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Jeff-square-headshot_250-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" /></a></figure>
</div>
<p><a href="https://ulse.org/expert/jeff-marootian/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Jeff Marootian</strong></a> is the president and chief executive officer of <a href="https://ulse.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UL Standards &amp; Engagement</a> (ULSE), a nonprofit safety advocacy organization. Jeff leads global efforts to advance safety and sustainability through standards development and advocacy. He is also a leading authority on rechargeable batteries and travel safety.</p>
<p>ULSE has developed a new campaign to raise awareness of the fire risks associated with rechargeable devices in aviation at <em><a href="https://SaferBatteryTravel.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Simple Step for a Safer Flight</a></em>. It provides good information for people planning to travel.</p>
<p>Jeff explains that Lithium-ion battery incidents are rare, but their frequency is increasing in airports and in the air. ULSE advocates for keeping rechargeable devices within arm’s reach, and certainly not in checked baggage. We look at Lithium-ion thermal runaway, and Jeff tells us that it often results from batteries that are damaged, poorly constructed, or lack certification to a safety standard.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Other topics we cover include the use of containment devices on airplanes, the need for a consensus process to deal with devices that are smoking or on fire, and how a coalition of stakeholders is working to address these concerns. Jeff also tells us what to look for when making a decision to purchase a rechargeable device.</p>
<p>For more, see: <a href="https://ulse.org/insight/li-ion-incidents-aviation-2024-data-review/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lithium-Ion Battery Incidents in Aviation: 2024 Data Review</a>.</p>
<p>Previously, Jeff led the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, following roles as Senior Advisor to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and as a Special Assistant to the President in the Biden-Harris White House.</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Aviation News</strong></h2>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.paddleyourownkanoo.com/2025/11/20/eight-people-rushed-to-hospital-after-smoking-battery-pack-fills-airplane-cabin-with-toxic-fumes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Eight People Rushed To Hospital After Smoking Battery Pack Fills Airplane Cabin With Toxic Fumes</strong></a></h3>
<p>While passengers were boarding a Scandinavian airline SAS A320 at Norway’s Oslo Airport, smoke started pouring out of a portable battery pack in a passenger’s bag, filling the cabin with toxic smoke. The crew used a Halon fire extinguisher on the bag and removed it from the plane, then transferred it to the tarmac, where the airport fire brigade took over. The battery pack did relight before it was contained. Eight people were taken to the hospital with suspected toxic smoke inhalation, and all were discharged within 48 hours.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/united-flight-diverts-dublin-another-133032102.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>United Flight Diverts to Dublin After Another Laptop Falls Into Business Class Seat</strong></a></h3>
<p>A passenger&#8217;s laptop computer became trapped in the business class seat on United Airlines Flight UA925 flight from London to Washington. The plane was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Dublin.</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatches/solar-flare-vulnerability-airbus-a320-software-forces-emergency-action-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Solar flare vulnerability in A320 software forces emergency action by airlines</strong></a></h3>
<p>In a recent press release, (<a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action">Airbus update on A320 Famil</a><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">y</a><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-airbus-update-on-a320-family-precautionary-fleet-action"> precautionary fleet action</a>), Airbus said, “Analysis of a recent event involving an A320 Family aircraft has revealed that intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls.” Airbus consequently identified a significant number of A320 Family aircraft currently in service that may be impacted. The “recent event” was the uncommanded drop in altitude by a JetBlue A320 on October 30, 2025 that resulted in injuries and an emergency landing.</p>
<p>Airbus says that “The subsequent investigation [After the incident] identified a vulnerability with the ELAC B hardware fitted with software L104 in case of exposure to solar flares. This identified vulnerability could lead in the worst case scenario to an uncommanded elevator movement that may result in exceeding the aircraft structural capability.”</p>
<p>Airlines are instructed, according to <em>The Air Current, </em>“to either roll back to an earlier version of the software or replace the affected elevator aileron computer (ELAC) hardware with one containing the older software version. The maintenance action is expected to take three hours, according to the Airbus advisory.”</p>
<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://9to5mac.com/2025/11/25/airtags-newest-feature-could-work-even-better-now-for-many-travelers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>AirTag’s newest feature could work even better now for many travelers</strong></a></h3>
<p>The Apple AirTag is useful for tracking the location of objects. There are other Bluetooth and network-based trackers available from Tile, Samsung, Chipolo, and other manufacturers. Air travelers use these trackers to locate their lost luggage. Last year, Apple introduced a “Share Item Location” feature. With the latest upgrade, you can share an AirTag’s location with select airlines, allowing them to locate your luggage quickly. The AirTag API enables the seamless flow of detailed location information directly into an airline’s backend. Apple and Delta have developed a tool that airlines can use.&nbsp;</p>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mentioned</strong></h2>
<p><a href="https://theonion.com/airlines-hiring-anyone-who-looks-good-in-crisp-uniform-1849094258/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Airlines Hiring Anyone Who Looks Good In Crisp Uniform To Offset Pilot Shortage</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/business/boeing-737-max-factory.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Boeing Tackles Quality With a “War on Defects”</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.amtrak.com/content/dam/projects/dotcom/english/public/documents/corporate/HostRailroadReports/mythbusters-enforcing-amtraks-legal-right-to-preference.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Mythbusters: The Truth About Amtrak’s Legal Right to Preference</strong></a> [PDF]</p>
<p><strong>Video:</strong> <a href="https://youtu.be/n7uJyvvdiRk?si=n7r0_k5QEsVM74Di" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USS Forrestal Survivor/ Cliff Ashley</a></p>
<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio">
<div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/n7uJyvvdiRk?si=n7r0_k5QEsVM74Di
</div>
</figure>
<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Hosts this Episode</strong></h2>
<p>Max Flight, Rob Mark, our Main(e) Man Micah, and Brian Coleman. David Vanderhoof jumped in for a bit to say hello and give us an update on his kidney transplant.</p>
</description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/b0/b8/ca/b0b8ca12-debc-3a03-b021-4a4193fd3bb8/mza_7799086304592164397.jpg/600x600bb.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)