Episode 16: GippsAero GA-8 Airvan

Posted on April 20, 2011 by admin
Episode 16: GippsAero GA-8 Airvan [ 7:37 | 13.96 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (320)

GippsAero GA-8 Airvan

We recently sat in a GippsAero GA-8 Airvan with Dave Wheatland (their Chief Pilot) and discussed the aircraft. A strong, sturdy design, the GA-8 has been used in a wide range of roles including:

  • Sky diving
  • Scenic flights
  • Passenger transport
  • Cargo hauling
  • Humanitarian work
  • Aerial survey
  • Medivac

You can find these aircraft flying over cities, islands, big game ranges in Africa and at resorts around the world. With great STOL capability, the aircraft is often found flying into short airstrips in remote locations while the new turbo-charged version allows operations at high altitudes.

The GA-8 is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s great success stories and this chat really highlights why that is.

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Episode 15: The Australian Centre for Mission Aviation

Posted on April 16, 2011 by admin
Episode 15: The Australian Centre for Mission Aviation [ 6:45 | 12.37 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (274)

Cessna 206 in Action

Following on from the recent chat Milford & Charlie had with Mission Aviation Fellowship, we thought we’d play an interview we recorded a while ago with Dr Bruce Searle, the CEO of the Australian Centre for Mission Aviation. They’re based here in Melbourne at Coldstream airport and are part of the Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Bruce talks to us about the aircraft they’re using, including the Cessna 206 and GippsAero GA8 Airvan. They’ve also been evaluating the new Kodiak turboprop as it’s an aircraft that’s been designed specifically for the types of flying they do. Bruce also discusses the types of missions they fly and the history of MAF & ACMA here in Australia & surrounding countries.

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Episode 14: Buster Flies the Meteor

Posted on March 16, 2011 by admin
Episode 14: Buster Flies the Meteor [ 7:59 | 14.64 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (214)

Gloster Meteor

During the recent Avalon Airshow we chatted with Darren “Buster” Crabb, a Canadian who flew jets in the RCAF and then moved to Australia in 1996 where he flew F-18s with the RAAF. While these days his career involves flying business jets, he also volunteers at the Temora Aviation Museum where he flies, among other things, the only single seater Gloster Meteor still flying in the world. This particular aircraft dates from 1951 and is also the oldest flying jet aircraft in the world.

Buster talks to us about flying the Meteor and what’s involved in presenting a precious aircraft like this to the public. He also talks about the famous “Blue Note,” a distinctive sound the aircraft makes as it flies.

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Episode 13: A Quick Update from Avalon

Posted on March 5, 2011 by admin
Episode 13: A Quick Update from Avalon [ 2:39 | 3.63 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (222)

During March we were flat out working at the Avalon Airshow, recording lots of great content for our podcast that you can see & hear at our Avalon 2011 Coverage page. Despite this, we took a couple of minutes to quickly record an update for Milford & Charlie to play for their listeners at the FlightTime Radio show.

Avalon Airshow 2011 Promotional Images

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Episode 12: Sky Blazers

Posted on February 17, 2011 by admin
Episode 12: Sky Blazers [ 8:29 | 15.56 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (163)

The Sky Blazers in Action

Recently we were at an airshow where Chris Sperou & Warren Stewart were performing their SkyBlazers routine involving Chris flying a Pitts Super Stinker while Warren flies a Beech Debonair.

For many years Australians have been thrilled by Chris Sperou’s aerobatic routines and have enjoyed watching Chris & Warren fly together. Steve grew up watching Chris Sperou & refers to him as “The Master” so he was thrilled when we were fortunate enough to get some time chatting with Chris & Warren about their Sky Blazers routine.

For video of Chris & Warren flying at a recent airshow, you can watch them on this MetaCafe clip.

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