Airplane Geeks - Episode 237 - Alan Klapmeier and the Kestrel [ 1:44:57 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (8912)

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 200 - One Geek Moves On [ 1:40:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5833)

As we celebrate our 200th episode, we also bid farewell to Dan Webb who has graduated from college and is starting his career. All of us are sad to see Dan go, but happy to send him off with a little reminiscing and more than a little roasting. Benet Wilson joins us and is particularly distraught.

The week’s aviation news:

• Parolee sneaks on San Diego plane before arrest
• 747 cargo plane clips commuter jet while taxiing in Chicago
• United Airlines to cut 1,300 Houston jobs after Southwest wins right to international flights
• Full text: United memo to workers on Houston job cuts

In this week’s Australia Desk report:

Happy 200! We are joined this week by PCDU team member ATC Ben as we access the archives and go back to the first couple of Australia News Desks from 2009 (oh dear…cringe worthy stuff). In the news, Air India’s 787 flights to Sydney may be delayed by legal wrangling between the company and Boeing over production delays, United decided not to operate 787s to New Zealand, Qantas announces a new design for uniforms. We chat about what being part of the Airplane Geeks has meant for us, and wrap up with a big farewell for Dan.

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.

In this week’s Across the Pond segment:

Pieter Johnson brings us news of the new aviation Xtended podcast he has started with Tim Robinson from the Royal Aeronautical Society, and Gareth Stringer from Global Aviation Resource.

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

Mentioned this episode:

• Louis Smith, President, FAPA.aero, formerly FltOps.com.
• Pilots Without Pants: The AACGNY Calendar for 2013 from the Antique Aeroplane Club of Greater New York.

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

Post cartoon courtesy the art department at Thromby Air, the lowest of the low. Remember, at Thromby Air, they take low cost air travel to it’s logical extreme!

Be sure to follow them on Twitter as @Thromby!

Airplane Geeks - Episode 173 - Jamie Dodson Knows Nick Grant [ 1:35:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6645)

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 118 - The Return of Runway Girl [ 1:34:45 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5806)

Mary Kirby, the “Runway Girl” returns as our guest to talk about airlines using social media to generate revenue, the future for inflight connectivity, Aircell’s business aviation strategy, and more. Mary blogs on FlightGlobal as RunwayGirl, follow her on Twitter, and be sure to visit RunwayGirlMaryKirby’s Channel on YouTube.

The week’s aviation news:

• Air Canada forges deal with United
• U.S., Japanese Airlines Win Approval for Alliance
• Southwest Wants Into Washington National
• Commercial rocketplane takes first gliding flight test
• Israel to pay $2.7B for F-35I jets

Mentions:

• SimpliFlying
• MySkyStatus by Lufthansa
• The official Frontier Airlines customer service assist Twitter account, FrontierCare
• Aircell for BizAv on Twitter
• Dragons of Thin Air: The Less Concise Fear of Flying Course

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 117 - Something Fishy Here [ 1:29:53 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6080)

Guest Steven Frischling, who goes by “Fish,” writes the Flying with Fish blog and is the founder of The Travel Strategist which helps businesses use travel effectively and efficiently. David has a few more field interviews from the Oceana Airshow and Steve and Grant from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast have their Australia Desk report.

The week’s aviation news:

• Bombardier to launch new large business jet
• EADS To Rule On Airbus A320 Neo Decision
• Iraq offered new F-16s with older missiles
• Eurocopter X3 begins testing; company calls it a turboprop-helicopter hybrid

On airline consolidations:

• United is merged: CEO Smisek is ready to take on the world
• Southwest to buy AirTran for $1.42 billion
• Rival mergers put new pressure on American Airlines
• Avoiding the Reset Button

Mentions:

• Spirit of Wenatchee, Home of Miss Veedol
• Airspeed Podcast

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 115 - More Manno [ 1:32:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (6615)

Airline Captain Chris Manno makes a return visit to tell us how many pilots it takes to fly an airliner. He also gives us his insight into things going on in the industry. Chris blogs at JetHead and you can find his collection of aviation themed cartoons at FlightcrewZoo.com.

Gavin Werbeloff, travel_buddha on Twitter, helps out as a guest co-host. Jon Ostrower, the FlightBlogger, steps in for a bit to contribute to the conversation and give us a Boeing 787 update.

The week’s aviation news:

• UAL and Continental Shareholders Approve Merger
• Pilots call for changes to proposed fatigue rules
• Boeing assails European characterization of WTO ruling
• Do We Dare Raise Hope for a Meigs Revival?

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 112 - Airline Security [ 1:39:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7077)

Our guest this episode is Fred Gevalt, founder of The Air Charter Guide and a bit of a political activist, having successfully sued the FAA in 1998 on behalf of his air charter constituency. Fred’s a pilot, he’s built airplanes himself, and he flies aircraft for business and recreation. Fred is also the executive producer of a new documentary film titled “Please Remove Your Shoes” which takes a critical look at airport and airline security, both pre and post September 11.

The week’s aviation news:

• 787 first delivery delayed to mid-Q1 2011
• Boeing May Risk More Penalties After Sixth Delay on Dreamliner
• U.S. Approves Merger of United and Continental
• Mexicana to Suspend All Flights by Tomorrow After Last Week’s Acquisition
• Aeromexico offers discounts for Mexicana customers
• Future of Aviation Advisory Committee

Mentions:

• Bruce Schneier – Schneier on Security, a blog covering security and security technology.
• Desert Pilot Podcast

Thanks to special guest Steve Frischling from http://www.flyingwithfish.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 103 - Live ATC [ 1:37:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (7194)

Guest Dave Pascoe from LiveATC.net explains how he provides real-time Air Traffic Control feeds directly to your browser, mp3 player, and mobile device. LiveATC will be streaming ATC communications live from EAA Airventure at Oshkosh (in a joint partnership with EAA) – including both Tower frequencies and some other goodies. Look for Dave during the first few days of the show.

The week’s aviation news:

• United, Continental pilots say early talks falter
• Sexy Spirit Airlines ad that mocks BP oil disaster sparks outrage
• Spirit Airlines Loves That You Hate Their Ads (and They Should)
• ATC’s crisis night: Back-up does not work as radar fails
• US Air Force, industry prepare for T-38 replacement
• FAA To Change Age Retirement Rules For Air Traffic Controllers
• Comment extension grants time to act on avgas
• Boeing to bring 787 to Farnborough, happy with flight testing progress

David returns with his This Week in Aviation history segment. Steve and Grant from the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast have another great Australia Desk report.

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 99 - Bits and Pieces [ 1:32:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5406)

In this episode, Rob, Max, and David discuss aviation news, with a focus on odd stories. Then Dan brings in Tom from The Airline Blog to talk about some additional stories. David has six interviews from the 2010 Joint Service Open House, as well as his usual This Week in Aviation segment. Finally, Steve and Grant have this week’s Australia Desk report.

The news:

• The Future of Airliners?
• Boeing apologizes for curt rejection letter sent to young boy
• SkyWest Airlines Flight Diverted after Alien Claim
• A viewing deck built right into your private jet
• New Lufthansa Bathrooms Made for Banging?
• Get Angry and TSA May Tag You
• More pilots needed, AOPA president tells Aero Club
• “Continited” Announces First 787 Route
• The end of Virgin Atlantic’s ‘splendid isolation’?
• Report: Air France-KLM to restart talks for big plane order
• Ryanair Announces 42nd Base at Barcelona El Prat

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.

Australia Desk Report music is Journey of the Sorcerer by The Eagles, used in the British TV version of the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy.

Post photo courtesy listener Seb Spencer.

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 97 - Darryl Jenkins on Airlines [ 1:41:35 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (5085)

This week airline analyst Darryl Jenkins joins the guys to add his considerable industry knowledge to the conversation. Darryl is Managing Director at Aviation Consulting Group and author of the Handbook of Airline Economics. He’s worked for many of the world’s airlines, he’s consulted for the FAA, DOT, NTSB and other government agencies as well as many foreign countries. Among other places, you can find Darryl at The Airline Zone (http://www.theairlinezone.com/) which contains a series on the future of the airline industry.

David’s got a short interview with Sean D. Tucker, the Australia Desk sent an interview with Owen Zupp during his arould Australia flight, this time in person at the RAAF Museum at the RAAF Point Cook airbase, and we have This Week in Aviation.

• International Learn to Fly Day
• DOT Secretary LaHood names aviation future panel
• Ben Baldanza, Spirit Airlines
• Flight cancellations come in light of new tarmac rules
• New Union-Friendly Rules Could Affect Delta
• Boeing Unveils Unmanned Phantom Ray Demonstrator

See also the 1940 Air Terminal Museum Airplane site at http://www.1940airterminal.org/ for their fundraising raffle of a vintage 1958 Cessna 172.

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/.