Alpha Tango Papa

Simon Atack

2012-02-29T06:29:00.004Z

This week on Across The Pond we talk to the talented and prolific aviation artist Simon Atack. Simon has been drawing since he was a baby and as soon as he could put pen to paper he was drawing aeroplanes. A career in the RAF followed where his art was spotted and he started to become well known for his original and accurate style.

Simon explains to us why he is so passionate about aviation art and what motivates his work. Listen in and hear how he became an artist and now has his work hanging in such prestigious locations such as the National Maritime Museum.

You can find Simon Atack on Twitter @SimonWAtack http://www.simonatack.com and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SimonAtack

The Blades

2012-02-22T04:16:00.003Z

Display aerobatics can sometimes be seen as 'normal' for any airshow and we have been a little accustomed to the variety and entertainment some teams provide.

Well then go and see The Blades!

All of the pilots are ex RAF and amazingly all ex Red Arrow display team pilots. Now you can see that this is going to be a little different and something special.

But if you thought that you can only watch from afar, then you are wrong, because The Blades are a commercial flying team that also carries passengers!

I really want to keep selling The Blades to you, but why not listen to the Airplane Geeks podcast this week and hear Pieter talk to James Cliff, PR Executive and The Blades official commentator. Once you have listened, like me you'll know what will be on your next 'wish list'.

You can find them on Twitter by searching for ‘thebladesteam’ and on the web at www.theblades.biz

There is also a fabulous Facebook page. This is the official fan page and has some great photos and information.

Both Facebook and Twitter are updated daily and all the teams news about display times, display venues, competitions are on there.

The website is being re-launched at the end of February and will have a fresh new look, with new team information, photos and videos.

Airclaims

2012-02-15T03:37:00.003Z

Airclaims was founded in 1964 to provide the aviation industry with loss adjusting services. They have subsequently expanded to become one of the world’s leading providers of claims management and handling services.

Today Airclaims assists all aviation sectors, from aircraft operators to individual owners, from the insurance market to financiers and banks. Handling over 2,600 assignments a year, Airclaims has handled assignments such as the recovery of a China Airlines Boeing 747 from Hong Kong harbour in 1993 and more recently was instructed to handle British Airways Boeing 777 crash at London Heathrow Airport.

Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks this week, we get to talk to Director, David Bickerton about his aviation career and what services Airclaims delivers to the aviation sector. Its a fascinating insight into a part of the aviation industry rarely seen by the public.

Airclaims can be found on Twitter and at www.airclaims.com

Southampton Airport

2012-02-08T05:00:00.002Z

This week on Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks Podcast we get the chance to talk to Dave Lees, Managing Director of Southampton Airport in the UK. Southampton is one of the best performing regional airports in Europe and its no surprise when you use the airport to travel. Last year it won an award for being the cleanest airport in the UK and regularly tops the customer service awards.

Dave is passionate about the customer experience through his airport and shares his vision on making further improvements with us. With over 1.7million passengers a year to satisfy that's no mean feat.

With a single 1.7km runway, Southampton is steeped in history. The very first aircraft to take off from the Southampton Airport site was in 1910 and belonged to local man Eric Rowland Moon. Eric made and tested the Moonbeam 2 aircraft and no one is entirely sure where Moonbeam landed!

But it will remain more famous for its pre and ongoing war efforts from where the Spitfire made its maiden flight.

Carolyn Grace flying her Spitfire at Southampton Airport to mark the 75th Anniversary of the first flight of the plane

We also saw some of their new firefighting equipment worth a lot more than double the price of a large family house, fully controlled from within the cab by a single operator. Now that's impressive.

Find out more by listening in www.airplanegeeks.com

You can find Southampton Airport on Twitter and www.southamptonairport.com

EuroAvChat Foxtrot

2012-02-01T05:00:00.001Z

Neuron UCAV - Courtesy Dassault Aviation

Tim and Gareth return to the segment to share in a look back at the months aviation news in Europe. There has been a lot to talk about including the Airbus A380 wing problems amongst many high profile aviation stories.

We look at some interesting developments in the European UCAV market, why the Royal Air Force chose to go back and buy second hand aircraft, what the European Emissions Trading System means to the world and why London Mayor Boris Johnson thinks a new runway on the River Thames would solve the runway congestion issue in the UK.

Hang around for the outtakes when we hear some interesting names for the London Mayor.

You can find the segment at www.airplanegeeks.com

Tim Robinson and Gareth Stringer can be found at www.globalaviationresource.com and www.aerosociety.com

Enstone Flying Club

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001Z

Sometimes airspace to fly in can be a little dull if you are a private pilot, the same old landmarks and an unexciting airfield. On Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks this week, we talk to Paul Fowler at Enstone Flying Club about flying in the Cotswolds, how to work with the local community and some interesting visitors.

Enstone Flying Club can be found at Enstone http://www.enstoneflyingclub.co.uk/

You can find Enstone on Facebook and YouTube and you can find Paul Fowler on Twitter and LinkedIn

Across The Pond First Class

2012-01-18T02:31:00.004Z

Picture Courtesy of The Guardian

This week we talk to Pele Johnson, a frequent business traveller across the Atlantic. His job means that he has to travel quickly and efficiently, arriving fresh and ready to do business at either end of the journey.

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 between the two major British carriers who he prefers to fly with.

I have travelled Virgin Atlantic Upper Class many times across to the USA and Business Class with British Airways on the same routes many times as well. I managed to fly BA First Class once from Phoenix to London Heathrow sitting (or lounging) in seat 2A in the nose of the Boeing 744. It was an experience that I was always remember but I really do love travelling VA Upper Class. Alas not so frequently these days.

See what a 'regular' business traveller thinks and listen in to this weeks show.
http://www.airplanegeeks.com/2012/01/17/episode-181-craig-fuller-from-aopa/

Outside of his day job, Pele is a published fashion photographer and a talented guitar player. In fact you will have heard him play the guitar parts we use in the segment many times.

You can find Pele on Twitter @denhelderstudio and on the web at http://www.denhelderphotography.com/ and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/denhelderphotography

Picture Courtesy of Denhelderphotography.com

We would like to ensure our guests get something in return for appearing on the show, so please follow them on Twitter and/or LIKE their facebook pages. Many thanks, Pieter

The Aerobatic Project

2012-01-11T01:00:00.003Z

Starting the journey of learning to fly is one challenge but then immediately starting to learn how to be an aerobatic pilot without the comfort of a few hundred hours in the air is another. Lauren Richardson is that person who you look at and say "Are you crazy"?

Well I can tell you that she's not and she not only flies a Pitts Special in her spare time but also mountaineers amongst other activities and assists with mountain rescues.

That tells you that Lauren is made of tough stuff and we talk to her this week on Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks podcast about her journey from low hour pilot to winning an aerobatic competition in her first year.

Having featured on Karlene Pettit's blog Flight To Success last week as the Fabulous Friday Flier, I think we can see that if Karlene rates Lauren then she's one to watch. So, listen in to what Lauren has to say about The Aerobatic Project, The Flight of the Bumblie and what its like to fly a Pitts Special. A real star in the making here and you heard it first on Across The Pond.

You can find Lauren on Twitter @Groovy_nut

2012 and what might be

2012-01-04T06:00:00.004Z

This week on Across The Pond, Tim and Gareth discuss with me the things we might look to see happening in aviation in Europe in 2012. Will the economic downturn cripple aviation, airline and the airport operators or will we see a rash on even more orders for Airbus's. What will the Olympics and Queens Jubilee mean to aviation events in the UK and will we ever see the Vulcan back saluting the Royal Family with a fly past?

2012 promises to be an eventful year for XTPMedia so keep an eye on developments at www.xtpmedia.co.uk

You can find Tim on Twitter @RaesTimR and at www.aerosociety.com.
You can find Gareth on Twitter @Gareth_Stringer and at www.global aviationresource.com

The 'Maiden' Flight

2011-12-21T00:01:00.001Z

This week we talk to Mark Maiden the presenter of The Maiden Flight Podcast. Mark is a student pilot in Dublin, Ireland and explains what is required to gain a private license in Ireland.

We hear about some lessons learnt in finding a flying school, airsickness and having the throttle on the left hand side of the pilot. You can follow Mark's journey on his podcast where he very easily and fluently guides the listener through the process he is undertaking.

Its one of the better aviation podcasts around if you are learning to fly regardless of which nation or continent you are learning on, there's something for everyone. You can find it on iTunes. We look forward to seeing Mark's progress and I believe in the next episode (#4) we will hear some exciting news.

www.maidenflightpodcast.blogspot.com/
www.leinsteraeroclub.com

EuroAvChat Delta

2011-12-14T01:11:00.000Z

Mr Al Bakar President of Qatar Airways has a blow out at the Dubai Air Show and Tim Robinson tells us all about it. We also learn about the Dassault Rafale and its failure to lure any export orders.

Gareth tells us what's in the new edition of Global Aviation Resources Third Monthly Magazine and we debate the best photo's on The Hangar in 2011.

My favourite so far is this shot of Miss Demeanour the Hawker Hunter owned by Jonathon Whaley.

Photo Credit - Gareth Stringer and GAR

-You can find Tim on Twitter @RaesTimR and at www.aerosociety.com. You can find Gareth on Twitter @Gareth_Stringer and at www.global aviationresource.com

Show the thanks guys!

2011-12-07T09:49:00.000Z

This week I am showing support for the Flight Time Limitations campaign by BALPA (British Airpline Pilots Association) and also a little show of gratitude to the Airplane Geeks and PCDU team.

Please show support for British Airline Pilots by going to their website http://www.balpa.org/Campaigns/Flight-Time-Limitations-%281%29.aspx and more improtantly signing the online petition that can be found at www.flightsafetypetition.co.uk

Thank you. Pieter

Oh and show some support and thanks to the Airplane Geeks and PCDU team by leaving a comment here: AirplaneGeeks

What's the favourite plane you have flown on?

2011-11-28T15:59:00.000Z

The following is a list of aeroplanes I have travelled on. Memory has failed me a little and of course some of these I have flown on many many times but appear in the list only once. There was a time (AvGeek territory) when I kept a record of every single aircraft, flight number, registration and to/from for all the flights I had taken but that ran out of steam when career and commuting simply became too onerous. So, not definitive but an interesting discussion point. They are not in any order!

What's the favourite aircraft you have ever flown on, what's the best looking aircraft you have flown on and what's the most unusual. Listen to this weks Bits & Pieces Episode 175 of the Airplane Geeks and find out what I think.

Airplanes flown

Boeing 707 British Airways
HS748 LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport)
Auster
BAC1-11 DanAir
Fokker F100 NLM
Boeing 757 Air Europe
Boeing 727 Air France
Boeing 737 British Airways
Boeing 757 British airways
Boeing 747 200 British Airways
Boeing 747 40 British Airways
Shorts SD360 Skyvan British Midlands Airways
DC 9 (Several Models) BMA
Boeing 757 American
MD 11 American
DC 9 American
MD 80, MD 88
Boeing 737 US Airways
L1011 Tristar TWA
Airbus A318 British airways
Airbus A320 British airways
Airbus A321 British airways
Airbus A300 Air France
Airbus A340 Virgin Atlantic
Boeing 747 400 Virgin Atlantic
MD80 Delta
DHC2 Beaver Floatplane
Kingair 190 American Express
Saab 190 Eastern Airways
BAE Jetstream 41 Eastern Airways
DHC Dash 8 Flybe
Embreaer 190 Flybe
Beech 1900 Continental
B737 Continental
Kingair Executive
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner
Bell 206 Longranger
BAE 146 Executive

Piloted:

C150
C152
C172
PA 28
PA 38
AA 5 Tiger
Glider - Type unknown
Royal Navy Hovercraft - Type unknown

Update from Spain

2011-11-23T01:55:00.016Z

When we last spoke to Diego López-Salazar about the news from Spain, the Air Traffic Controllers were on strike. We wanted to find out a little more about the airline business in Spain and how Airports are responding to the current economic challenges. Diego talks to us this time about public subsidies for Airports, the selling off of Control Towers and the competition for low cost and main line feeder traffic.

Diego López-Salazar is Socio - Director of www.mirayvuela.com and can also be found on Twitter @dlopezsalazar

EuroAvChat Bravo & Charlie

2011-11-09T01:09:00.012Z

Welcoming back Gareth Stringer and Tim Robinson, this month we couldn't squeeze the discussion into a single segment so decided to run it in two parts. So this week we run the first part (Bravo) and talk about Global Aviation Resources recent journalism award success, Tim's visit to Kazakhstan and the run down of services following the campaign in Libya.

In the second segment next week we talk about the new proposed Register in the Channel Islands and our good friends at Ryanair.

Tim Robinson can be found at www.aerosociety.com and @RAeSTimR
Gareth Stringer can be found at www.globalaviationresource.com and @Gareth_Stringer

Airport Spotting Guide USA

2011-11-03T09:15:00.000Z

This week its time to talk to Matt about Airport Spotting in the USA. We discuss the options for photography and where the best hotel room for watching aircraft is located. At the end of the segment Dan gives us his feedback on the Guides. So, listen in to Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks and find out more.

Episode 171 – A Playground for Pilots

Matt can be found on Twitter @Airportspotting and at www.destinworld.com and www.airportspotting.com.

Anthony Kenneth Johnson RN PO TAG

2011-10-23T17:44:00.001+01:00

On Monday 17th October 2011 at 6am Anthony K Johnson, left us to join his family, friends and comrades who have already left this plain. As a mark of respect, I decided not to run a segment in the show this week and to repost the Blog Post and re run the Audio Segment we recorded on my Dad's flying career.

First posted in May this year, I talked to Dad about his early entry into his beloved Royal Navy and the stories then just flowed. He was a courageous man and will be missed by his family and friends. He leaves us with happy memories as well as these stories of exploits and endeavours playing his part in fighting for his country. He was my Dad, my friend and above all his passion for flying now lives in me and his latest Grand Daughter Beatrice who at One Year old points out the aeroplanes in the sky.

We all miss you already, enjoy flying with the angels.

Pieter

To listen to the Segment click on this link Anthony K Johnson on the Airplane Geeks - His Flying Story (It should play in your browser. If you have any problems, email me and I'll send you a copy). You can also right click on the link and 'save as' to save the MP3 file to play on your mobile, iPod or PC.

Also there will be no flowers at the ceremony for my Father as he wished that any monies spent would be better donated to Help 4 Heroes. Please support them if you feel you with to show your respects.

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/donations.html

Anthony Kenneth Johnson RN PO TAG (First posted 25th May 2011)

Its taken a long time to get around to making this happen. The influencers in our lives sometimes get forgotten because we always had them around and it seemed too normal to have to think about doing something to demonstrate their influence on us.

I've loved aviation for a very long time, some would say its in my bones, others would say its because someone close influenced me and others would just say its something you just catch like a bug or virus!

I know where my love for flying comes from.....it comes mainly from my Dad.

Stories of his war time exploits and training are very familiar to me, even though I have not really heard them many times or really that often. My Dad, my younger brother and me would spend hours and hours parked at airports, airfields or sometimes just in a place where you could the sky and watch aeroplanes fly by.

From this I got the bug!


The Fairey Swordfish

This weeks interview on Across The Pond is the story of a young 18 year old, who had already been credited with heroics during the blitz, working for the ARP helping to get trapped people out of bombed buildings, join the Royal Navy.

With an education that was not matched to the roles he undertook, he had to work hard to get in the top half of his training group to be sent to Canada to finalise his training as a Telegraphist Air Gunner, flying mainly Fairey Swordfish and Barracuda's.

Fairey Barracuda 'Those trailing aerials'

His stories of his training are both interesting and exciting and some of those that didn't make the edit were quite frankly horrifying. Through all of this, Anthony Johnson and many of his comrades prepared and then went to war.

His story is just one of those hundreds and thousands who gave service to their country for whatever side they fought.

There are not many left to tell their stories so in some way we are doing our little bit to preserve some more history using new media.

This is a short insight into the training of a TAG operator and we hope you enjoy it.

Avro Anson - 'The Autopilot Story'

I enjoyed doing this segment more than most because its so close to me. There is a fuller version which may get aired one day.

I am very grate to my Dad for doing this interview so that we could share his story with our listeners. I am also grateful to Paul Fiddian of Global Aviation Resource (www.globalaviationresource.com) for allowing us to use his beautiful shot of the Fairey Swordfish. This aircraft is based at RNAS Yeovilton and my Dad and I have seen it fly many times and will always have a warm spot in out hearts for the Old String Bag.

Flying in Holland

2011-10-19T01:17:00.001+01:00

With limited land mass The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Its also not a very large country so finding space for General Aviation activities could be tough. This week we bring back an old friend of Across The Pond, Jelle Hieminga who recorded one of our most popular segments on the VC10.

Jelle is a Qualified Flight Instructor with a frozen ATPL License and talks to us about the general aviation scene in Holland and what its like to fly in Dutch airspace. We explore the potential for pilot training, flying in controlled zones and what's in the future for Dutch GA.


Amsterdam - Wow! Flying Lessons with a view!

Is there any room for GA in the Dutch skies, then find out by listening to the Airplane Geeks and about two thirds in you will find the segment.

Have a good day now, or as they say in Holland "Een goede dag verder"!

Jell can be found at www.vc10.net

UK Student Pilot - Alpha

2011-10-12T01:16:00.001+01:00

This week we talk to Neil Bradon a Student Pilot from the UK, who started his flying training some years ago and like many of us was unable to complete the process. Reinvigorated he is now doing his initial flying training in Ireland whilst he is working there. Neil has taken some time to get the first major stage in his flying training under his belt but has really taken to the skies with a vengeance this time and we are going to track his progress with regular updates on the segment.

But Neil has a challenge in the coming months and faces a real decision on how he carries on his training. Find out more by listening to Across The Pond on the Airplane Geeks this week.

He regularly tweets updates on his flying so follow his progress....

Neil can be found on Twitter @pilot_ngb and at www.getmyppl.blogspot.com

EuroAvChat - Alpha

2011-10-05T02:44:00.001+01:00

This week I get the chance to talk through some news items with Gareth Stringer and Tim Robinson. We look at the recent conference that focused on UAV use in civilian airspace. (Lucky the outtakes didn't make it as you would have heard my nervousness around this). Tim told us that there was scope for this to work and some of the applications being considered.

Gareth watched the recent Channel 4 programme which showed the real life stories of flying an Apache in Afghanistan in the current troubles..... Sobering stuff!

We end up looking at Stelios and his idea of starting a new airline. Is he serious or is it just a website?

Tim Robinson can be found on Twitter @RAeSTimR (www.aerosociety.com)
Gareth Stringer can be found on Twitter @Gareth_Stringer (www.globalaviationresource.com)

Airport Spotting Guides:Europe

2011-09-20T23:59:00.003+01:00

If you want to find the best places to watch aircraft, photograph from the best angles, understand the local laws and customs and generally find the best places for aircraft spotting then Matt Falcuss's guides are the first place to start.

Matt first talks to us about the guides and how hey are structured but then goes on to describe his favourite Airport in Europe, some of the pitfalls in local laws and how to get around some of the challenges aircraft photographers face.

This is the first of two segments on Airport Spotting Guides, with a second segment coming up on spotting in the USA, so watch out for that one and listen in this week as we talk to Matt on Across The Pond.

The Guides can be purchased from Matt's website http://www.airportspotting.com/ (or Amazon) and he can be found on Twitter http://twitter.com/airportspotting

The Vickers Viscount Network

2011-09-14T12:32:00.001+01:00


N7406 Seen here in the sixties operating for United.

The Vickers Viscount had many firsts! On 29 July 1950 the prototype Viscount G-AHRF became the first Jet Powered aircraft ever to carry fare paying passengers on a scheduled service. In February 1953 the prototype V.700 Viscount G-AMAV was the first turboprop aircraft to cross the Atlantic, and on 18 April 1955 TCA - Trans-Canada Air Lines Viscount CF-TGI operated the first turbine powered scheduled service in North America from Toronto, Canada to New York, USA.

These successes lead to the Viscount being one of Britain's best aircraft exports and one of the most successful post war aircraft.

Sadly the Viscount is no longer flying, but there are many examples being cared for and left for us to see. However Brian Burridge and Geoff Blampied started the Vickers Viscount Network which has a virtual museum at http://www.vickersviscount.net dedicated to keeping the story of the Viscount alive.

Rolls Royce Dart Engines on a Viscount

This week on Across The Pond we talk to Brian, who is also an Engineer qualified to work on the Viscount power plant the mighty Rolls Royce Dart.

Photos Credit: Brian Burridge Collection and The Vickers Viscount Network

Jon Norris - Ink and APEX

2011-09-06T12:00:00.001+01:00

This week on Across The Pond we are joined by a previous Airplane Geeks guest Jon Norris.

Jon has changed his role since we last talked to him and on the segment we will learn about APEX and the APEX EXPO.

Jon is now Executive Director for Ink and Editor-in-Chief of the new APEX media platforms. Ink were selected by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) to produce the association’s quarterly magazine and other APEX media. Ink publishes a wide range of airline inflight magazines including those for: easyJet, bmi, Brussels Airlines, Germanwings, ‘Hemispheres’ for United and Continental and many more.

APEX is a non-profit industry association that brings together over 400 of the world’s leading airlines and suppliers committed to providing a world-class airline experience for passengers around the globe.

The APEX EXPO can be found at http://www.apex.aero/ and Jon can be found online at the APEX Editor’s blog at http://www.blog.apex.aero/ or alternatively on Twitter @APEXeditor and @nonnyjorris.

You can download an Iphone App for APEX:
itms-apps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/airline-passenger-experience/id460082751?mt=8

XS422 Returning to the air with the AALO

2011-08-30T21:18:00.000+01:00

This week we talk to Phil Wallis Rtd. Royal Air Force (RAF) Engineer with over 30yrs concurrent Lightning experience on how he plans to return an ex RAF Boscombe Down Lightning to the air.

XS422 is at Stennis International Airport in Mississippi, USA, where it lives and is being rebuilt by an international team of volunteers.

The Lightning is one of the UK's most powerful interceptors even to this day and if you have never seen one do its take off run then watch this video on You Tube. Its an amazing aircraft that is no longer in service but this project run by the Anglo American Lightning Organisation plans to bring XS422 back to life and we will get to see and hear those Rolls Royce Avons delivering that beautiful sound as it fires the plane into the sky to its maximum speed of 1300mph.

Listen in to hear all about the project and how you might be able to help play a part.

Anglo American Lightning Organisation
www.XS422.com
on Twitter EELightning and on Facebook

Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging - Red 4

2011-08-21T08:23:00.000+01:00

In Europe but in particular the UK, we are all stunned by the tragic loss of Red 4, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging and his Red Arrow Hawk at the Bournemouth Air Show yesterday.

We send our condolences and thoughts to Jon Eggings family and particularly his very brave wife Emma who saw his last display along with all those associated with the Red Arrows and those enthusiasts who loved them so much.

The son of an airline pilot, Flt Lt Egging joined the Royal Air Force in 2000 and flew Harrier jump jets before joining the Red Arrows. During his time on the front line, he flew operational missions in Afghanistan in support of ground forces. So he really is one of the hero's we all admire and of course go to watch perform at airshows.

I have seen the Red Arrows perform maybe 30 or 40 times and they are one of the best (if not the best) in the world. As someone said yesterday, its not until events like this that we realise that displays we have all become accustomed to seeing still carry significant risk to those who deliver them.

He died whilst steering his aircraft away from houses. This selfless act of bravery bringing his faulty aircraft down in a field away from a populated area demonstrates the courage of Fl Lt Egging. He was only 33, he will remain in our memories.

The Red Arrows perform their heart shaped manoeuvre