Airplane Geeks - Episode 238 - Harriat Baskas, Stuck at the Airport [ 1:35:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8510)

F-22 at Australian International Airshow 2013 (Avalon) by Mick

Harriet Baskas writes the monthly At the Airport column for USA Today, as well as occasional features at NBCnrews.com and MSN Travel. She also manages the collection of online Airport Guides at USA Today.

We talk about the recent Travel Goods Show in Las Vegas and some of the products of interest to air travelers. Also, things airports have been doing to increase the experience like better restraurants and bars with broader appeal, a liquor store in baggage claim, and even free land lines that are advertiser supported. Rob even learns something interesting he didn’t know about Chicago’s O’Hare Airport! Rob even learns something interesting he didn’t know about Chicago’s O’Hare Airport!

Find Harriet’s blog at Stuck at the Airport and follow her on Twitter at @hbaskas and @stuckatairport.

The week’s aviation news:

• JetBlue unveils first A320 with sharklets
• JetBlue Airways and Airbus Reach Agreement to Retrofit the Airline’s Airbus A320 Fleet with Sharklets
• JetBlue entry to Google Glass contest suggests airport usage
• Pentagon says to resume F-35 flights

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Recorded at the end of the final day of Avalon 2013 – The Australian International Air Show. We talk to Eamon Hamilton, Public Affairs Officer for Air Lift Group, Royal Australian Air Force, about the Air Show from the RAAF perspective. We also include a brief discussion about the F-22 Raptor display over Avalon, the first time this aircraft has been displayed in Australia skies, and include a clip from our interview with the display pilot, Major Henry Schantz.

Find full Avalon 2013 daily video and audio coverage at www.planecrazydownunder.com.

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. Australia Desk archives can be found at www.australiadesk.net.

Southampton Airport Fire & Rescue

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

On the Southampton Airport miniseries this week we talk to the airport Fire Service. What are their capabilities, strength and how do they stay alert for the 1.7 million passengers that travel safely through the airport every year.

Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast.

Westland WS51 Dragonfly at the Helicopter Museum by Bob

Mentions:

• Flashback Fridays: Farewell to a Friend, the post on Nuts About Southwest about the loss of Brian Lusk.
• Excerpt from the interview with Brian Lusk on the Airplane Geeks Episode 156, originally published July 19, 2011.
• Lauda Air Flight 004
• Glory Hole: When You Lose Everything You Love, Your Final Flight May Be Your Best, by Captain Terry Reece
• Sopwith Triplane at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary
• Air France Flight 296 | Airbus A320 Crash
• Piaggio Reveals Unmanned Avanti
• Singapore’s leap into the space industry

LOT 787 parked at ORD by Scott

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 237 - Alan Klapmeier and the Kestrel [ 1:44:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8896)

Guest Alan Klapmeier, the CEO of the Kestrel Aircraft Company talks with us about his single-engine turboprop Kestrel. We discuss the Kestrel’s capabilities, features and design objectives, and choice of the Honeywell TPE331-14GR engine. Also, the status of the program and when first flight is expected. We have an interesting conversation about form versus function in airplane design and what composite construction allows designers to do.

This aircraft features a glass cockpit with side-stick that creates an unusual amout of room. Attention was given to
how the pilot and the plane interact together – presenting information rather than data so pilots can be decision makers instead of processors of data. That has an impact on safety, but also comfort.

Alan also collects diecast model airplanes and has a collection that could easily be called giant. Follow @KestrelAircraft on Twitter.

The week’s aviation news:

• Small plane crashes in eastern Georgia, killing 5
• United Airlines grounds Dreamliners through June 5
• F-35s grounded as precaution after crack found in engine blade

David’s Aircraft of the Week is a bit of a surprise. It’s the Sopwith Triplane!

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

We continue with the Southampton Airport mini-series this week and look at what’s required to keep the airport terminal clean and tidy by talking to Operations Manager Karren Pattar from Amey. Southampton achieved platinum in the 2012 Loo of the Year Awards (LOYA).

Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast.

Rob talks with David Parker Brown about Aviation Geek Fest 2013.

Mentions:

• Spoof of American’s new ad about the Merger
• Feb 2013 El Centro Photocall Clip by Stephen Tornblom
• Japan Identifies Oil Leak, Cockpit Cracks in 787 Dreamliner
• 50 Tales of Flight: From Biplanes to Boeings, an eBook by Owen Zupp
• A Yank in the Luftwaffe – A World War 2 suspenseful thriller in France, an eBook by Robert V. Ricard, illustrated by Stephen Ricard

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 230 - Kicking off 2013 with Richard Aboulafia [ 1:37:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (14573)

Trevor Smith from Desertpilot.com with the 1942 Champ

Guest Richard Aboulafia is Vice President, Analysis at Teal Group. We look at some of the major aviation developments from 2012 and look ahead to what we can expect in 2013.

We discuss narrowbody orders and the need for efficient aircraft in order to compete. With narrowbody technology on a plateau, it’s the efficiency of the engines that drive the economics.

China and Russian commercial aircraft prospects are covered as is Chinese military aviation. Also, prospects for general aviation in the U.S., the retirement of the Space Shuttles, the growth of commercial launch capability, and what that means for aerospace.

As for Boeing, Richard says watch the promptness of the 787-10 launch, and the 777X. Meanwhile Airbus is physically establishing itself on U.S. soil to mitigate exchange rate vulnerability, maybe put pressure on the unions, and help their prospects for the next military competition.

F-35 partner country concerns with price and delivery, airframer reluctance to take on commercial risk, and program vulnerability in times of budget crunch. Also watch the Korean FX3 fighter competition between the F-35 and the F-15. Even the USAF tanker resurfaces with issues getting the new hangars for them.

See Richard’s personal site at RichardAboulafia.com.

The week’s aviation news:

• APA Pilots Opposing USAir Merger
• AMR Sees US Airways Merger Review Concluded Within Weeks
• Delta to own Memphis-based Pinnacle

David’s Aircraft of the Week is the Aeronca 7AC Champion.

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Looking forward to upcoming issues for 2013, the Qantas/Emirates tie up is going ahead as the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission gives its approval, while Virgin faces an uphill battle to get it’s buy out of Tiger Airways & Sky West approved. ADS-B will factor in the news in 2013 as Australian carriers who operate above FL290 are required to use install equipment and use it by mid December, and the LSA (RA-Aus) sector is facing an interesting period as CASA exercises its oversight powers and grounds up to 1,000 aircraft.

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. Australia Desk archives can be found at www.australiadesk.net.

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

This week on Across The Pond we return to Southampton Airport in the UK to continue with a new mini series focusing on behind the scenes. Last year we spoke to Dave Lees, Managing Director who gave us his strategy for growth and customer service at the airport and who has now kindly allowed us a behind the scenes look at some of the areas we don’t normally see. This week we talk to Dan Townsend, Airport Assurance Manager who tells us all about their innovative and world leading technology used for avian control.

Find more about Southampton Airport at SouthamptonAirport.com and their blog, and follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Must attend events:

• AirPigz National Air And Space Museum MeetUp January 25-27, 2013 (Washington DC)
• Aviation Geek Fest 2013

Mentions:

• Desert Pilot: I got My Tailwheel endorsement!
• Desert Pilot: Some pics of Flying the Champ
• Deaf Pilots Association
• Gulfstream reveals new supersonic aircraft, inlet designs in patent filings
• Airplane Geeks The missing Episodes
• TheSRQPilot on YouTube

A Skycrane dipping at the Fern Lake Fire, Colorado by Paul Filmer

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 229 - Bits and Pieces IX [ 2:00:34 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11131)

Engine Alliance GP7200, center cut sketch

This week we bring you a collection of segments:

Max has a conversation with Mary Ellen Jones, President of the Engine Alliance, a 50/50 joint venture of General Electric and Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. EA produces the GP7200 engine for the Airbus A380. Max talks to Mary Ellen about the formation of EA and how two fierce competitors can come together in a joint venture. We look at who manufactures which parts of the engine, how they are integrated, and how the engine is maintained. We also touch on Mary Ellen’s involvement with the Connecticut Airport Authority, and how she is trying to improve the experience at Connecticut’s airports. [Starts 3:24]

Find Engine Alliance on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

First Operational F-35B Joint Strike Fighter

David, Rob, and Max had the opportunity to speak with Major Aric Liberman, an F-35B pilot with Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Arizona. We talk about the F-35, being part of the future, and engine performance. The Major compares the F-35B to previous generation tactical fighters like the F-18, and touches on the level of automation, and F-35 stick and throttle controls. [Starts 24:46]

See First F-35B Delivery to MCAS Yuma on YouTube, and Pratt & Whitney Congratulates U.S. Marine Corps for World’s First F-35B Lightning II Operational Squadron.

The segment from our commercial pilot and flight instructor teammate Rob Mark is about the realm of flight instruction. It’s actually about not learning to fly, to be more precise. In this piece, Rob tells us about how two different people influenced his life in aviation. One man nearly convinced him to stop flying forever, while the other saw a spark that convinced Rob not to give up on a dream. This is an Airplane Geek’s tale called … “The Day I Quit Flying.” [Starts 52:17]

In this week’s Australia Desk Report, Grant attempts to recover from his New Years celebrations as the boys present an abridged version of their interview with Mac “Serge” Tucker, a former RAAF F/A18 pilot and Fight Combat Instructor who has recently publish a book talking about his experiences. They cover the importance of USAF exchange postings for RAAF pilots, his concerns about the introduction of the F-35 into Australian service, and his thoughts on the increasing use of un-manned aerial vehicles. [Starts 1:07:40]

Mac’s book is called “Fighter Pilot – mis-adventures beyond the sound barrier with an Australian Top Gun.” The full interview is featured in episode 96 of Plane Crazy Down Under.

Farnborough Air Sciences Trust

In his Across the Pond segment, Pieter visits the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST). Described in the Sunday Times as one of the Top Ten Geeky Holiday Spots on the Planet, FAST is dedicated to maintaining the memory of all of the fabulous aviation and aerospace innovations and developments throughout Farnborough’s history. [Starts 1:21:35]

Listener Ian Kershaw provides a brief review of the book “Vulcan 607″ by Rowland White. [Starts 1:45:29]

Amber Nolan

Finally, Max interviews Amber Nolan, a travel writer who is trying to visit all 50 U.S. states by hitch hiking rides on General Aviation aircraft. [Starts 1:47:59] Support her adventure on Facebook, Twitter, or her website.

Rio’s famous Copacabana beach (and Sugarloaf mountain) taken on departure from Santos Dumont by Dima from Dima’s Corner

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 227 - Advancing the Pilot Community [ 1:36:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (12595)

Guest Adam Smith is Senior Vice President of the AOPA Center to Advance the Pilot Community, through which AOPA will consolidate all its efforts to expand the pilot community. That’s a two part task: first to stop the decline in the pilot population, and second to try and grow the pilot community.

We talk to Adam about the pilot shortage: Is it real? Is it here now? Also, what does the declining pilot population do to the critical mass necessary to support the aviation infrastructure?

Adam also talks about how the “mental state of depression” over the decline in the number of pilots may not be warranted, and it certainly isn’t healthy. He notes that we are all marketers for aviation and this isn’t something that AOPA is going to solve for all of us. Also that the role of government advocacy is to keep from adding burdens, like user fees.

Part of the plan for the Center includes the launch of a flying clubs initiative to improve the flight training experiece, and grow a national network of flying clubs. AOPA’s Benét Wilson has a new regular feature on flying clubs and if you’d like to have your flying club profiled, please email Benét at Benet.Wilson@aopa.org. Also be sure to visit the AOPA Flying Clubs page.

The week’s aviation news:

• American Airlines pilots approve new labor contract
• Longer hours, shorter pay, but demand for pilots is high
• F-35s scrapped by Conservatives as audit puts true cost past $30-billion
• Tories misled Canadians on F-35, opposition MPs charge
• Lockheed relocating 560 jobs from Georgia to Fort Worth
• Branson Airport Hopes for $23 million in Loans
• A.I.G. Agrees to Sell Most of Leasing Unit to Chinese Investors

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Following last week’s geographic confusion on the show, we provide a correction, then its on to the news…. The RAAF’s 5th and final KC30A tanker has been delivered although its still not on home soil yet, Tiger Airways loses its CEO to Jetstar, and local companies are urging the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to allow expanded usage of un-manned aerial systems in Australian skies.

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. Australia Desk archives can be found at www.australiadesk.net.

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

We go down to South Africa with Editor of Aircraft.co.za, Danie Heath to find out who are the main airline players and where they operate from. Danie tells us about the capacity for new low cost carriers and how the South African aircraft manufacturing industry is still very active.

Look for Aircraft.co.za on Facebook and Twitter. Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on his blog Alpha Tango Papa, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast.

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 210 - Flight Planning [ 1:36:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6915)

John Burnside and Andy Matthews, two of the four co-founders from iFlightPlanner, join us to talk about flight planning and the software they supply.

John is the Director of Technology and brings computer engineering and custom web application development experience. Andy is a pilot, Director of Business Development at iFlightPlanner, and also happens to be a professional golfer.

iFlightPlanner was formed in 2009 by Andy, John, and their fathers after Andy earned his private pilot’s license. In the process of planning for a flight to do some sight-seeing with his dad Jerry, Andy found it necessary to visit multiple aviation-related websites to gather weather information, plan their route, retrieve a certified weather brief, compute weight and balance, and file their flight plan with the FAA. Jerry noticed the amount of time Andy spent to plan for their flight and suggested there needed to be a simpler and more intuitive way for pilots to complete these critical pre-flight tasks. Andy contacted his college roommate John, founder of Huron One Solutions, and together they laid the foundation for what is now iFlightPlanner.com, mobile.iFlightPlanner.com, and iFlightPlanner for iPad. Find them on Twitter as @iFlightPlanner.

Gavin Werbeloff, the Travel­_Buddha is guest co-host.

If you haven’t yet, consider taking our straw poll on the EU Emissions Trading Scheme at http://strawpoll.me/2169.

Gavin Werbeloff and the GE90

The week’s aviation news:

• American Airlines Contract Vote Results Are in
• American pilots’ union president resigns
• Israel, U.S. Agree To $450 Million In F-35 EW Work
• NTSB: fan shaft fracture caused 787 engine failure

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Air New Zealand subsidiary TAE opens engine maintenance shops in Adelaide & Brisbane, Qantas reports a statutory financial loss but Allan Joyce says the reduction in staff numbers by 2,800 will help return the airline to profit, Qantas also going head to head with the Australian Taxation Office over goods & services tax issues, University of Sydney research shows that big is not always better for airline operations, Qantas A380 flight delayed at LAX after two first class passengers are offloaded over a dispute involving pyjamas….yes, you heard right!….RAAF KC30A tankers operational in Exercise Pitch Black, billionaire businessman Clive Palmer wants A380 services operating to the Gold Coast in Queensland so he can bring more tourists to his resorts and other attractions there.

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. Australia Desk archives can be found at www.australiadesk.net.

From the recent Test Pilot Reunion at Popham Airfield where they had a Hawker Hurrican visit. Photo Courtesy Peter Holman.

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

We return to Popham Airfield in the beautiful Hampshire Countryside to talk to Dick Richardson two years on. We wanted to find out how this GA airfield had done in the past few years and what effect the dreadful UK summer has had on business as well as the nearby Olympics exclusion zone. Dick tells us his thoughts about general aviation and gives an insight into where the airfield might go next. With his retirement due next year, when he will be 76 years old, who will take on the challenge of keeping this great little airfield operating and available all year round. Please support the airfield (or your local airfield) by visiting if you can, preferably by air.

Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on his blog Alpha Tango Papa, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast.

Mentions:

• AOPA Aviation Summit, 11-13 October 2012 in Palm Springs, California. On Twitter: @AOPAsummit

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 187 - Ducky Does Airplanes [ 1:52:26 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5673)

Guest David Allen produces the great video podcast Other People’s Airplanes, where he takes you with him on flights in, well, other people’s airplanes. He also co-hosts the popular Pilot’s Flight PodLog, a hangar flying podcast. Follow David on Twitter as @DaveFlys.

We talk about how David uses multiple GoPro cameras mounted on the airplane to capture an immersive in-cockpit video experience, and some exciting changes coming to the Pilot’s Flight PodLog. David has also seen the first rough cut of the documentary film, A Pilot’s Story and he gives us a little taste of that. This will be a DVD that we’ll all want to own when it becomes available. David tells us what it takes to do what he does, and how you can too. Also, if you stick with the show, you’ll hear where the handle Ducky came from.

The week’s aviation news:

• Air Traffic Controllers Caught Sleeping In The Tower At Westchester Airport
• FAA: Ditch The 3rd Class Medical Petition, Denied
• NTSB calls for safety upgrades for Boeing 737 cabin, pilot seats
• National Transportation Safety Board – Safety Recommendation
• F-35 Plane Falls Short on Goals Costing Lockheed $32 Million

In this week’s Australia Desk report: In this week’s Australia Desk report: Grant has been to an air show without Steve! Air New Zealand announces job cuts following low profit figures, Air New Zealand confirms the purchase of two additional 787-9s, Virgin Australia announces profit increase of 118% on same time last year, RAAF may reconsider purchase of C27J Spartans – Airbus Military keen to sell them C295s instead.

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 the Across The Pond segment, Pieter Johnson talks to Simon Atack, one of the world’s greatest aviation artists. We find out how Simon starting drawing and painting aeroplanes and what inspires him to keep producing his amazing pictures.

You can find Simon Atack on Twitter at @SimonWAtack on the Web at www.simonatack.com, and on Facebook. Pieter can be found on Twitter as @Nascothornet or XTP Media’s Facebook Page.

Mentioned in the episode:

• A Pilot’s Story

Links from listeners:

• Conquistadors del Cielo
• Bob Crandall’s return to American Airlines
• AA Bankruptcy Song
• Bye Bye American Pride
• West Coast DHC-6-100 C-FGQH Twin Otter at Vancouver Harbour Seaplane Terminal
• A fantasy camp for airline nerds

Isaac’s Seattle links:

• Aviation Geek Fest
• The Museum of Flight
• 2012 NorthWest Scale Modelers Show
• Future of Flight
• The Flying Heritage Collection
• Historic Flight at KILO-7
• Legend Flyers – Me 262 Project
• Museum of Flight Restoration Center
• Visit Seattle
• Sea-Tac International Airport

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 185 - Richard Aboulafia Returns [ 1:30:14 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6260)

Richard Aboulafia, Vice President, Analysis from Teal Group joins the Geeks to talk aviation. Benet Wilson, Director of Media Relations for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, is back as guest co-host.

We talk about the A380 and B787, program breakeven vs. recurrent breakeven, lessons the airframers can apply to the 737MAX and A320neo, and why the A380 doesn’t have swimming pools, bowling alleys, and fast food restraunts. Richard opines on the poor state of the business jet market and the impact on Wichita. We talk about the Chinese aviation market and why Richard isn’t worried about the Comac 919. Shades of the IPTN N-250! Richard also talks about what Bombardier needs to do to gouge out CSeries market share. We touch on the EU Carbon Trading Scheme, the American Airlines bankruptcy, the Boeing 747-8, the Heli Expo in Dallas and the Singapore Airshow.

The week’s aviation news:

• European Agency Orders Global Check On A380 Wings
• Richard Aboulafia’s January 2012 Letter
• Hawker Beechcraft Chief Vows Turnaround
• China’s Role In JSF’s Spiraling Costs

In this week’s Australia Desk report: Qantas inspects another A380 for wing cracks, Etihad very happy with pax numbers after aligning with Virgin Australia, Virgin Aus pilot sues company over use of a heavy flight bag, Taser found on board a Virgin 737, full body scanners to be rolled out in Australian airports, Qantas CEO Allan Joyce claims in a Senate hearing that changes to the Qantas Sale Act would potentially force the sale of Jetstar.

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.

On Across The Pond this week, Pieter talks to David Bickerton, Director at Airclaims. He tells us about his aviation career and what services Airclaims delivers to the aviation sector., which includes insurance claims, aviation risk management and aviation consulting among other activities. Its a part of the aviation industry rarely seen by the public.

You can find Airclaims on Twitter at @Airclaims and at www.airclaims.com. Pieter can be found on Twitter as @Nascothornet or XTP Media’s Facebook Page.

Mentioned in the episode:

• Heli Expo in Dallas
• Singapore Airshow
• Vancouver Harbour Control Tower

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 172 - Girls With Wings [ 1:34:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6858)

Guest Lynda Meeks is Executive Director of Girls With Wings, Inc. a non-profit organization which introduces young girls to aviation. Lynda began her flying career in the military where she learned to fly helicopters. She’s flown twins and the Citation X as a professional pilot. Lynda also offers flight and ground instruction from Medina Municipal Airport in Medina, Ohio. Learn more at LyndaMeeks.com.

The week’s aviation news:

• Aero 2075: An Engineer’s Crystal Ball
• Pratt Sees Future For Larger GTF Engines
• FAA to ban Plane Crashes
• EU sticks to airline carbon rules despite UN opposition
• India to open bids for $11 bln fighter jets deal

In this week’s Australia Desk report: Qantas wins return to work order, Qantas A380 makes precautionary landing in Abu Dhabi, Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti offers his thoughts on the opportunities the Qantas grounding created them, Grant talks about his L39 ride.

Find the boys down under 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 welcomes back Gareth Stringer and Tim Robinson to talk about UK and European aviation, including the Global Aviation Resources recent journalism award success, Tim’s visit to Kazakhstan and the run down of services following the campaign in Libya. Find Gareth at www.globalaviationresource.com and Tim at www.aerosociety.com.

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 162 - Voices From The DC-3 [ 1:32:13 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8281)

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/.