Airplane Geeks - Episode 180 - Mary Kirby from APEX [ 1:37:54 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4827)

Guest Mary Kirby is is Editor-in-Chief of the Airline Passenger Experience magazine and the APEX media platform. We talk about the current state of inflight internet connectivity, what passengers expect aboard the flight, the GoGo IPO, and why we’re going to see more announcements. Also, pressure on interior suppliers as a result of the huge numbers of narrow body orders going on the books, and how that’s delaying aircraft deliveries. We touch on airline alliance interior commonality, and the outlook for embedded IFE.

Find Mary at the APEX Editor’s Blog and on Twitter as @APEXmary. The Airline Passenger Experience Association is at apex.aero.

The week’s aviation news:

• Boeing to Shut Plant With 2,160 Workers as U.S. Cuts Defense
• Delta, Lufthansa among first airlines raising fares to cover new European emissions rules
• New Rules Mean Full Disclosure For Airfares
• Delta Adding LaGuardia Flights in Bid to Dominate NYC Travel
• US Airways unveils Washington Reagan expansion

David’s Aircraft of the Week is the Cessna A-37 Dragonfly, also known as the Super Tweet.

In this week’s Australia Desk report: 12th A380 arrives for Qantas, more A380s coming to Melbourne as Emirates signals their intentions, cracks appearing in some A380s including one QF aircraft, 150 Qantas pilots now working for Gulf based airlines during their down time, tragic balloon crash in New Zealand kills 11 people.

Find more from Grant and Steve at the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter talks to new aerobatic pilot and author of The Aerobatic Project, Lauren Richardson. Lauren explains what’s its like to transition from a 152 to a Pitts Special and what it was like in her first aerobatic competition. Lauren can be found on Twitter @Groovy_Nut, while Pieter can be found on Twitter as @Nascothornet or XTP Media’s Facebook Page.oba

Mentioned in the episode:

• Flight of the Bumblie
• Kevin Garrison’s CEO of the Cockpit
• Owen Zupp’s Blog
• UAV delivers cargo in first warzone run

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 176 - Greg Morris Flys Warbirds [ 1:41:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11918)

Greg Morris is Chief Pilot at Gauntlet Warbirds, a warbird, aerobatic, and tailwheel training center with headquarters at Aurora Airport, just west of downtown Chicago. They are on the web at http://www.gauntletwarbirds.com/.

He has been flying for fifteen years, and instructing in warbirds and aerobatic aircraft for the past ten. He holds a current low level aerobatic waiver in the L-39 and T-6 and is a FAST rated formation pilot.

Greg has flown the FM-2 Wildcat, Extra 300, Su-29, Pitts S-2B and S-2C, Lazer Z-200, Cap-10B, Great Lakes, T-34, T-6, T-28, Ju-52, and is rated in the L-29 Delfin and L-39 Albatros.

A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in aerospace engineering, Greg was designated a Master CFI-Aerobatic by the National Association of Flight Instructors and the IAC in September 2005. Greg has been published in the International Aerobatic Club’s Sport Aerobatics magazine and Warbirds of America’s Warbirds magazine writing about maneuver technique, how to get started flying warbirds and safety and risk management. He is a regular presenter at Oshkosh.

The week’s aviation news:

• American Airlines Parent Files for Bankruptcy
• USAF Air Combat Command reduces Demo Teams to F-22 and T-Birds
• Union members scrutinize wording of historic Boeing contract
• JetBlue joins WestJet in seizing LaGuardia slots, gains more at National

In this week’s Australia Desk report: Steve gets his instructor rating…for trains, doubts raised over new Qantas Asian airline, PCDU code share activated!….David gets serious with the light saber, RAAF KC-30A aerial refuelling trials begin, a little air to air refuelling history lesson, Army MRH90 helicopter contract comes under scrutiny. Find more from Grant and Steve at the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on his Across the Pond segment, Pieter Johnson highlights the change in European Air Law which will make pilots work longer hours and he gives thanks for their so far excellent flying safety record. He also says thanks for a few other things too! Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet.

The Grill the Geeks questions this week are both great and goofy, and both Dan and David have Grill the Listeners questions.

Mentioned in the episode:

• American Airlines Court Documents and Claims Register
• Commemorative Air Force
• Me 262 photos from Ryan Hothersal: myaviation.net/?pid=02041781 and myaviation.net/?pid=02041782
• Aviation photographer Manny Gonzalez
• TF39 engine photo showing the “stage and a half” fan.
• Motherboard TV: Flying Around The World In A Solar Powered Plane
• Airbus sees 2012 A380 deliveries on par with 2011

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 167 - Kevin Still Creates [ 1:31:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6035)

Author, writer, and pilot Kevin Garrison returns to discuss aviation news and offer the benefit of his years of experience and wisdom. Kevin tells us about the Kentucky Institute for Aerospace Education that seeks to improve student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and create career pathways in aerospace. Kevin’s books, including Kindle editions, can be found on Amazon.com. His new ebook Fly Like You Mean It will be released soon for the Kindle.

The week’s aviation news:

• Cargolux 747-8F delivery impasse ended, delivery on October 12
• Ruling Favors US Airways
• iPhone App Can Fly Unmanned Aircraft
• F-16 Sale approved for Iraq Lockheed production until 2015

In this week’s Australia Desk Report, Steve and Grant talk about an LSA that crashed into a ferris wheel, three ex-RAAF tankers purchased by Omega Tanker, and Grant gets a carried away explaining the Albuquerque Box Effect. Find them on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

The Grill the Geeks segment returns and our listeners have little trouble stumping us. Send easier questions!

Mentions:

• Wikipedia: Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

The US Airways A319 post photo taken at Anchorage International (PANC) is from amazing photographer Paul Filmer. Find his work at Skipyscage Photography.

Listener Micah sent along some photos from the Grand Opening of the new terminal at Portland International Jertport PWM in Portland, Maine. The tour by Airport Director Paul Bradbury went behind the scenes through the baggage handling and screening facilities, and the HVAC system, which is geothermal! Paul is a great supporter of plane spotting and set up a free parking area with signs and pictures illustrating the kind of commercial aircraft that fly in and out of PWM.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 166 - Delta Knows Social Media [ 1:20:58 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5758)

Guest Susan Elliott is a senior member of the Delta Air Lines cross-divisional social media team. She has primary responsibility for leading strategy and implementation efforts surrounding issue management within emerging media. Susan also acts as company spokesperson and maintains day-to-day relationships with top-tier media and digital influencers. Like us!

Delta maintains a strong Twitter presence at @Delta, (for promotions and availability) @DeltaAssist (for customer service issues), and @DeltaNewsroom (issues management primarily for the news media). You can also find Delta on Facebook and YouTube, and at the Delta Blog. Susan’s own Twitter handle is @SusanCElliott.

The week’s aviation news:

• Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Announces 2011 Pilots Choice $10,000 Award Recipients at AOPA Summit
• FAA Hits Cessna with $2.5 Million Fine
• Boeing Loses Part of Atlas Air 747-8 Order in Jumbo-Jet Freighter Setback
• Airline groups oppose fees in Obama’s deficit plan

In this week’s Australia Desk Report, Steve and Grant talk about the RAAF order for the 6th C-17, Tiger Airways, Delta and Virgin Codeshare, Boeing pilot forecast for that region, and even a supprise cameo appearance by another Visscher. Find them on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

In our first Grill the Geeks segment, Dan get’s stumped by listener Jeremy, who asked, “Who has the Boeing customer number G1? H5? JH?” We also had no idea how to answer, “What is the Albuquerque box effect on hot air balloons?” Better luck next time.

Max played his interview from the AOPA Aviation Summit with Alan Klapmeier, CEO of Kestrel Aircraft Company.

Mentions:

• The Airline Codes Web Site
• NTSB Training Center
• FAA Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook Aircraft Handbooks & Manuals

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 164 - Henry Harteveldt [ 1:25:19 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5720)

Our guest this episode is industry researcher and analyst Henry Harteveldt. He’s a Co-founder of Atmosphere Research Group where he will head up the airlline and travel practice of this research and advisory firm that will look at ecommerce, distribution, marketing and operations planning for airlines, hotel companies, travel agencies, GDS companies, and marketing agencies. Henry is also Chairman of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives and can be found on Twitter at @hharteveldt.

The week’s aviation news:

• How 9/11 really changed flying for consumers
• 737 MAX Was No Surprise, Airbus Says
• Southwest not one of the carriers that have Boeing 737 MAX on order
• Low-Cost Carriers Jockey For Position On National, LaGuardia Slot Auction
• US Airways takes preliminary look at A321neo
• Fliers’ saggy pants, skimpy garb test airlines

Steve and Grant recorded the Australia Desk Report on location at Coldstream Aerodrome (YCEM) where they had their mobile studio set up for the Australia Centre for Mission Aviation Discovery Day. Find them on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter Johnson talks to Brian Burrage, co-founder of the Vickers Viscount Network and an ex Rolls Royce Dart Engineer. Brian tells us about the success of the Viscount as Britain’s best post war selling turboprop airliner, being sold world-wide with over 400 being produced. None are left flying but the Viscount Network aims to keep the aircraft awareness high through a fabulous website, talks and visits to the remaining airframes. You can find Pieter Johnson on Twitter at @Nascothornet.

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Post photo: N7406 c/n 104 built for Capita Airlines and seen here in June 1962 operating for United. Credit Brian Burridge.

Post photo: The Plane Crazy crew live on location. Can you name them?

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 162 - Voices From The DC-3 [ 1:32:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7979)

Guest Julie Filucci manages the Cessna Pilot Centers program for Cessna, but she’s also written the book, Together We Fly: Voices From The DC-3. Published by Aviation Supplies & Academics, the book tells the story of the Douglas DC-3 through the voices of the people involved with it, from its design and production to the present day. Julie had completed her type rating in the airplane several years ago, and did an article for AOPA Pilot on the airplane for its 70th anniversary in 2005. “The feedback from that article was the most I’d ever received for a piece during my time at AOPA. And not just pilots wrote to tell their stories, but also engineers, mechanics, stewardesses, soldiers, and regular folks who had taken their first airline trip in the airplane. Capturing their voices became a quest for me, as so many of the people from the airplane’s early days have passed on.”

Learn more at the book’s Facebook Fan Page, and at Julie’s blog. Follow her on Twitter as @julieinthesky.

The week’s aviation news:

• Some F-22s cleared to fly, to escape Irene
• Bases in Irene’s path scramble to move aircraft
• New rules for airlines kick in this week to protect fliers
• New Rules Aim For More Passenger-Friendly Skies
• Delta Said to Plan Order of 100 Boeing Jets in Airbus Rebuff
• Emirates’ Clark still unsure about A350-1000
• New Mexico Governor Sells the State’s Biz Jet

Steve and Grant discuss a variety of aviation topics in the Australia Desk Report. Find them on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter Johnson talks to Phil Wallis, Chief Engineer for the Anglo American Lightning Organisation who has the task of getting English Electric Lightning XS422 back into the air. Its a rivetting insight into how to get a 1300 mph interceptor aircraft capable of 20,000 fpm climb airworthy after sitting around in a container for many years. The AALO Team can be found at www.XS422.com, on Twitter Twitter as @EELightning, and on Facebook. You can find Pieter Johnson on Twitter at
@Nascothornet.

XS442 in flight during her RAF service with the ETPS in the 1980′s. Photo credit: AALO / Crown.

Mentions:

• American Airlines C.R. Smith Museum
• Enrique’s Mexican Restaurant in Ponca City, Oklahoma
• Benet Wilson is the Aviation Queen
• David Neeleman Profiled: Bloomberg Risk Takers

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 161 - When You Fly [ 1:30:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6564)

Our guest this episode is Ansel Brown, the award winning country music recording artist who co-wrote (with wife Lisa) and sang the song When You Fly at the final launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, when it returned to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and at AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh at the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators banquet, and the Women in Aviation breakfast. This moving song was written to honor Lisa’s grandfather Richard Wixom who was inducted into the Wisconson Aviation Hall of Fame in 2010.

Find more about Ansel and his music on Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. He also has a home page at AnselBrown.com and you can follow him on twitter at @AnselBrown.

The week’s aviation news:

• Sukhoi Eyes Production Ramp Up As Superjet Orders Mount
• Bombardier inks C Series deal in Russia
• The iPad Is The Pilot’s Best Friend
• Delta begins tablet EFB test; eyes communication transformation
• Boeing, Airbus Can’t Replace the 757
• Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging – Red 4

In this week’s Australia Desk report, Steve and Grant discuss the QANTAS restructure with Will Horton from the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation. Find Steve and Grant on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter Johnson covers airport design considerations with information from @plansairports, and provides additional content from last week’s conversation with Steve, an A320 pilot. You can find Steve on Twitter @Thermalhound and Pieter @Nascothornet.

Mentions:

• Richard Wixom
• Air Disasters: Mixed Signals

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 157 - Geeks at AirVenture 2011 [ 1:28:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5895)

While Max stays home at Airplane Geeks World Headquarters, David, Dan, Rob, Grant, and Steve call in from AirVenture 2011 in Oshkosh, Wisconson. Peter Moll, the director of Wittman Regional Airport (@wittmanairport on Twitter), joins the guys as the guest for this episode. If you put those six airplane geeks in one room, you can be pretty sure to generate some level of chaos, which is exactly what we have for you this week.

The week’s aviation news:

• AMR Corporation Reports Second Quarter 2011 Net Loss Of $286 Million
• Wittman Airport Ready for Community Engagement
• Wittman Regional Prepares Stage for EAA AirVenture
• Don’t fund bureaucracy on the backs of GA, groups urge
• Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Urges Swift Action by Congress on FAA Bill

We have an extra special Australia Desk report, not from Steve and Grant, but instead from Anthony Simmons! You can catch Steve and Grant on the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter Johnson talks with Etienne Maillard who is in training to become an Air Traffic Controller. He explains how ATC operates in Switzerland and what its like to be a Sector Controller. Etienne can be found on Twitter as @flightlevel150.

Sponsors for the Plane Crazy Down Under crew:

• JetRide Australia and Pracy Racing
• GippsAero, makers of the GA8 AirVan
• Aviation Advertiser
• Thromby Airlines, lowest of the low
• Plus, of course, “Donations from our wonderful listeners”

Mentions:

• User (as in you pay) Fees (as in you pay more)
• Max Trescott from Trends Aloft with San Francisco area suggestions:
  • Hiller Museum
  • Castle Air Force Base Museum
  • Oakland Aviation Museum
  • Santa Rosa Airport museum
  • NASA Ames Research Center
  • Airship Ventures Zepplin rides
• Listener Enrique Alvarez
• AeroPodcast Spanish language aviation podcast
• Listener Ryan Hothersall photos

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 153 - Sun 'N Fun Radio [ 1:58:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7069)

Dave Shallbetter from Sun ‘N Fun Radio talks to the Geeks about the annual “spring celebration of flight” in Florida. They stream great aviation content year-round at LiveATC.net. You can follow Dave on Twitter as @snfRadioDave.

The week’s aviation news:

• Boeing Projects About $300 Million Overrun on Tanker Contract
• Paris Orders Recast Airliner Battlefield
• Customer’s pact for C-Series competitor hits Bombardier
• Ryanair China deal hogs spotlight at Paris Air Show
• Pilot or Panic?
• Big Labor Captures TSA Screeners

Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron don’t provide their 100th Australia Desk report, just yet. Be sure to listen to the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

This week on Across the Pond, Pieter Johnson has a fascinating conversation with Petter Hovland, the lead Pilot and Instructor for the Virtual Red Arrows display team, @vredarrows on Twitter.

Mentions:

• Uncontrolled Airspace podcast
• Boeing Challenges Industry to Meet Unprecedented Demand for Aviation Personnel

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 146 - Ice Pilots [ 1:44:59 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7575)

Our guest this episode is Mikey McBryan from Buffalo Airways and the TV show Ice Pilots (known as Ice Pilots NWT in Canada). In the U.S., thie show airs Fridays at 10pm ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. You can follow them on Twitter at @IcePilotsNWT.

The week’s aviation news:

• Bin Laden Raid May Have Exposed Stealth Helo
• Boeing Completes First Test Flight of Phantom Ray Stealth UAV
• USAirways Merger Rumors Continue
• Republic narrows loss but struggles continue at Frontier
• Republic alludes to A320neo place holder deposit
• Another Black Eye for FAA when an ATC computer goes down

Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast provide their Australia Desk Report. Follow their show on Twitter at @pcdu, Steve at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

In this weeks Across the Pond segment, Pieter Johnson talks with Peter Vojinovic from the Tango Six Blog.

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter and on Facebook, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave a message on our listener line: (361) GEEKS01.

Opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.