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We talk with Ace Abbott about flying the F-4 Phantom, Learjet, and B727. Also, tracking airliners, the Gulfstream IV crash, pilots in the back being called to duty. We talk about the Ford Tri-motor, FAA pressure for commercial UAS operations, aviation in the Middle East, and news from down under.
Guest Ace Abbott Morris entered the U.S. Air Force after graduating from college and became an F-4 Phantom pilot based in the Far East. After the Air Force, Ace became a Learjet corporate and charter pilot, and during the last 22 years of his career, he flew Boeing 727s, accumulating 11,000 hours in the captain’s chair with several different airlines.
Ace blogs at The Rogue Aviator, tweets at @aceabbott, and hosts book presentations with aviation organizations throughout the country. His second book, Dead Tired: Pilot Fatigue – Aviation’s Insidious Killer, looks at the implications of pilot fatigue.
We talk about flying the 727, with occasional #2 engine compressor stalls and the #3 engine coming off the plane from blue ice strikes. Also, flying the F-4 Phantom in Korea, and the future of remotely piloted aircraft, probably first with cargo airplanes.
On the high performance Learjet, Ace encountered a variety of celebrity passengers, as well as in the 727. He comments on what airline pilots say about flying these days, and the contributions made by ALPA for pilots and for aviation safety.
The week’s aviation news
Airlines want tracking technology to prevent another MH370
Like most all of us, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) doesn’t want to see a repeat of MH370. So IATA has created a taskforce that includes airlines, pilots, flight safety organizations, and flight tracking and navigation service providers. This tracking task force (not a data streaming task force) should report their recommendations in September, 2014.
NTSB: Plane never took off from ground, black box data shows
We get an update on the Gulfstream G-4 accident, and learn that the plane was traveling at 165 knots on the runway, and the black boxes point to brake pressure and thrust reversers before the crash.
Local USAF pilot helps in airline emergency
Any pilot in the back of the plane has daydreamed about what they would do if the assistance of another pilot was needed. Capt. Mark Gongol (who normally flies a B-1B Lancer) had the opportunity to actually live out that scenario on a commercial B737 flight.
The Aircraft of the Week
Jamie Dodson tells us about the Tri-motor.
The Australia Desk
Grant’s sulking because Max forgot his name last week and it takes all Steve’s producer skills (and a few beers) to get him back into the groove. Once that’s achieved, it’s on with the show.
CASA acknowledges that the new Wellcamp airport near Toowoomba is likely to have airspace issues once it’s up and running.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek will take up to a year just to get through discussions and negotiations.
The recently released Aviation Safety Regulation Review is recommending some major changes in CASA’s approach to industry
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.
Rob Mark’s Aviation Minute
At the risk of droning on, Rob has something to say about industry pressure on the FAA to allow commercial use of unmanned aerial systems.
Across the Pond
Pieter Johnson continues his discussion with Oussama Salah this week, focussing on the Middle East and recent developments including Apartment Suites on aircraft through to the new Doha Hub.
Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast.
Mentioned
Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast from the National Business Aviation Association.
Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.
Geeks!
Another great podcast. I was dying laughing during the Aus Desk, those guys are way to funny. What were their names again?
I spent a few weeks next to Ace Abbot at the EAA AirVenture Author’s Corner over the years. He’s even more of a hoot in person. Thanks for the Ten Craziest Airplane Stunts Ever Caught On Video. I almost got busted at work …
Cheers! Jamie from Rocket City, Alabama