Airplane Geeks - Episode 181 - Craig Fuller from AOPA [ 1:43:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4973)

Guest Craig Fuller is President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). We talk about the U.S. Government proposal to charge $100 per flight for flights in controlled airspace, Representative Mike Pompeo’s America Flies petition, NextGen Air Traffic Control, EU ETS, and other topics.

The week’s aviation news:

• White House: ‘Why we need aviation user fees’
• Pompeo unveils general aviation campaign
• US Chamber says NextGen ATC should be ‘top priority’

David’s Aircraft of the Week is the O2U Corsair.

In this week’s Australia Desk report: Reality TV pilot in trouble with CASA, Australian registered Beechcraft Debonaires & Bonanzas affected by a serious airworthiness directive, Miranda Kerr is the latest celebrity promoter for Qantas, ex Qantas bean counter suggests a “fat tax” for larger airline passengers.

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 Johnson talks to Pele Johnson, a frequent business traveller across the Atlantic. Pele often gets the chance to travel business or first class and so we ask him what its like (because not many of us get to do this) and which of the two major British carriers he prefers to fly with. He’s a photographer and a talented guitar player. Maybe you have heard him play. Listen in and find out.

You can find Pele on Twitter as @denhelderstudio, on the web at www.denhelderphotography.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/denhelderphotography. Pieter can be found on Twitter as @Nascothornet or at the XTP Media’s Facebook Page.

Mentioned in the episode:

America Flies
Geveral Aviation Serves America
No big changes in air show safety rules likely

Other listener submissions:

Transparent Pricing at Thromby Air
Airport Love: Passengers Get Christmas Surprise in Quebec
So Many Errors: The Runway Incursion of United 1448
Aircraft maker set to land elsewhere
Maine gov still hopeful of landing Kestrel, says ‘we’re ready to make this happen’

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 173 - Jamie Dodson Knows Nick Grant [ 1:35:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5931)

Guest Jamie Dodson, is author of the Nick Grant adventure novel series, including Flying Boats & Spies, and China Clipper. Jamie is a Technology Protection Officer for the Security and Intelligence Division, US Army, Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), Intelligence Division. He has over 30 years of experience in Intelligence Operations for the US Military. He’s served with Special Operations, Army Aviation, Airborne Infantry, and Military Police and has worked operations all over the world.

The week’s aviation news:

• Proposed Rules For Exports Protect Stealth
• Embraer Plans Engine Upgrades Over Building Bigger Jet to Take On Boeing
• United marks nation’s first biofuel-powered commercial flight
• Tarmac Delays An Image Problem For Conn. Airport
• Audio and Transcript: JetBlue Pilot Pleads for Help from Bradley Airport Control Tower

In this week’s Australia Desk report: Grant assumes high office, Virgin Australia introduces business class, Qantas announces A380s on the Sydney – Hong Kong route, Strategic Airlines re-brands as Air Australia, 3rd KC30A tanker enters RAAF service, they hijack Grill The Geeks!

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 as they continue their conversation from last week and talk about the new proposed Register in the Channel Islands and the good friends at Ryanair. Find Gareth at www.globalaviationresource.com and Tim at www.aerosociety.com.

Mentioned in the episode:

• The Middle Seat podcast with Scott McCartney
• DARPA Testing Global Hawk Drones As Aerial Tankers
• Refueling Gear Makes Navy’s Next Drone Even Deadlier
• FAR Sec. 121.317
• FAR Sec. 25.791

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 (6077)

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 135 - Gavin Again [ 1:34:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (9330)

Gavin Werbeloff, who can be found on Twitter as @travel_buddha, makes another appearance on the podcast. We talk about recent aviation news and events, and Steve and Grant from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast have their Australia Desk Report. Pieter Johnson comes in with another Across the Pond segment looking at European aviation. We discuss some listener mail and provide our suggestions for must-read aviation books.

The week’s aviation news:

• Boeing boss green-lights all-new next generation narrowbody
• WestJet opens throttle in Eastern Triangle
• TSA sets ‘framework’ for airport screeners to collectively bargain
• TSA administrator defends collective bargaining decision
• Premiere of Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental

Mentions:

• Green Growth Cascadia
• Plane Stupid
• Aviation Insurance Association
• Lost Johnnies: Away Mission To Rome – Day One
• U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Flight Wisdom Blog

Book recommendations by the Geeks:

Dan:

• From Worst to First: Behind the Scenes of Continental’s Remarkable Comeback by Gordon Bethune.
• Southwest Passage: The Inside Story of Southwest Airlines’ Formative Years by Lamar Muse.
• Boeing vs Airbus: The Inside Story of the Greatest International Competition in Business by John Newhouse.

Max:

• 747: Creating the World’s First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation by Joe Sutter and Jay Spenser.
• The Nick Grant Adventures by Jamie Dodson.
• Flying North South East and West: Arctic to the Sahara by Captain Terry Reece.

David:

• The Rise of American Air Power: the Creation of Armageddon by Michael S. Sherry
• Jimmy Stewart: Bomber Pilot by Starr Smith
• Jet Age: the Comet, the 707, and the Race to Shrink the World by Sam Howe Verhovek

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/.

Post photo of Westjet 737-700 landing at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport on a sunny Saturday afternoon by Brian from Toronto, Canada.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 78 - Rob's Jelly Beans [ 1:18:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4004)

In this very special episode, we learn the source for the noises Rob makes on the podcast, Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast come on for their Australia Desk Report and we don’t tell Rob it’s them live, and David Vanderhoof treats us to a little holiday cheer Airplane Geeks style. Dan rounds out a full cast and adds his own special charm.

• Business aviation group pulls ads from USA Today
• The future of US regional airlines: big changes imminent
• China picks CFM to power future aircraft -Les Echos
• Test Pilots Discuss Historic First Flight of Boeing’s 787
• Airlines announce deal to buy greener jet fuel
• BA Christmas strike blocked by high court
• You say “drone,” I say “remotely piloted”
• Reporter’s Notebook: NORAD to track Santa
• NORAD Tracks Santa

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

This episode’s opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. Visit his site at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Airplane Geeks - Episode 76 - Flight Testing With James [ 1:17:20 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3548)

Our guest this episode is life-long test pilot James Patton. He was the Chief Test Pilot & Head of Flight Ops at NASA Langley, a naval aviator, an FAA test pilot, and an expert at spin testing. Jim was just inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame.

David Vanderhoof has another This Week in Aviation, Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast have their Australia Desk report, and we have some listener mail.

• F.A.A. Clarifies What Can Be Stowed in Seat Back
• FAA won’t allow cockpit naps as part of plan to reduce pilot fatigue
• Two Years of Lost Growth – Slow Improvement Trend
• US Airways Pilots Ask Department of Justice to Investigate US Airways/Delta Transaction
• Bertrand Piccard’s Solar Impulse aircraft makes inaugural flight [Thanks, John!]
• Northrop Rejects Tanker Bid Under Draft RFP

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

This episode’s opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. Visit his site at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Standard Podcast [ 1:37:22 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3497)

Our guest this episode is Joshua Abramson, he’s the Airport Manager at Winchester Municipal Airport, and also an aviation advisor for the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) which carries out applied research on problems that are shared by airport operating agencies. We talk with Josh about issues of concern to regional airports. His website is Airport Solution, which is home of the Airport Executive blog.

The news:

• Airbus, Boeing wooing United Airlines for plane order
• Virgin America Sees Ownership Shift Over 10% With New Investors
• American Airlines ups the ante in battle with Delta over JAL
• Seeking FAA funds, airport hopes sale fares lure fliers
• Metro Airport Explores Wind Power
• American’s flight attendants stage mock strike

David Vanderhoof has another This Week in Aviation. His links this week are The Flying Clippers and Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats.

We also have Steve Visscher and Grant McHerron from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast with their Australia Desk report. The guys sent along a second bonus clip that we found very funny and think you’ll enjoy. We also have some listener mail.

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

This episode’s opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. Visit his site at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Episode 60 - Flying Green [ 1:28:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4348)

Guest Jim Hileman, an alternative fuels researcher from MIT, joins Dan, Rob, and Max to talk biofuels and reducing the carbon footprint of aviation.

In the news this week:

• Former Beijing airport boss executed in China
• House Pencils in Millions for Jets the Air Force Did Not Request

Also:

• Sirus boss quits
• Delta job cuts
• Save Frontier

And some news from the green aviation front:

• NASA To Hold Competition For 100% Biofueled Aircraft
• Harvesting algae to power sophisticated unmanned aircraft
• Boeing and Leading Airlines Announce New Members Added to Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group
• Algae: The next biofuel bet
• Bio-jet fuel plan takes off

And finally, some related resources:

• Partnership for AiR Transportation Noise and Emissions Reduction
• Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative

We also have a report from the Airplane Geeks Australia Desk.  Court returns with another Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot segment, we have a This Week in Aviation segment, listener mail, and more.

Follow the @AirplaneGeeks on Twitter, send us email at thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com, or leave us voice mail at (812) 757-4252.

This episode’s opening and closing music is provided by Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. Visit his site at http://www.brotherloverocks.com/.

Episode 7 - Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow [ 52:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (3191)

This week, Max and Court discuss the latest from Farnborough, and tackle the big story to come out of the USAirways East pilot union this week.

Latest News from Farnborough

US Airways pilots: We’re pressured to cut fuel

Max has his pick of the week especially for us hard-core airplane geeks at http://www.flightmemory.com.  Follow where you’ve been and how long you’ve been in the air, then show everyone else.  Court’s mad he didn’t think of it himself

The intro music is once again produced by Bruno Misonne.  Check out Bruno’s aviation music at http://www.brunomisonne.com.  After seven episodes, Court finally pronounces Bruno’s name correctly (sorry Bruno!)

If you have a question or a comment for the Airplane Geeks, you can send it to thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com.

You can also leave us voice mail at (812) 757-4252. If you have a question you’d like mentioned on the podcast, this is the best way to go about it.

Episode 5 - Cranky Flyin' [ 59:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (176726)

This week, Max and Court welcome Brett Snyder of the Cranky Flier blog.  Brett brings his insight to the industry, and discusses Allegiant and Frontier in detail.  If you’d like to fast forward to Brett’s interview, it begins at 15:30.

Several topics are discussed in the news section including:

• Re-regulation gets a push
• Jet fuel dumped over Lake Michigan likely will degrade within a week, experts say
• Continental ordered to trial in Concorde explosion
• Pentagon to outline new tanker strategy ‘very soon’

Max’s pic of the week:

http://www.solidworkspilot.com/
Paper Pilot: Battle of the air
This is just about the coolest paper airplane page you’ll find.  A true time sink for airplane geeks.

The intro music is once again produced by Bruno Misonne.  Check out Bruno’s aviation music at http://www.brunomisonne.com.

A special thanks to Chris and Jorge for their engaging emails about the Air Force tanker situation and the future of pilot hiring.  If you have a question or a comment for the Airplane Geeks, you can send it to thegeeks@airplanegeeks.com.

You can also leave us voice mail at (812) 757-4252. If you have a question you’d like mentioned on the podcast, this is the best way to go about it.