Episode 11: Bernie’s Beauties

Posted on January 28, 2011 by admin
Flying Down Under Episode 011: Bernie's Beauties [ 7:56 | 10.89 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (232)

While at a recent airshow we met Bernie Ferrie sitting under the wing of his American Champion Citabria. He talks with us about flying the Citabria and his 1946 Bellanca Cruisair 14-13-2 that’s currently undergoing a complete rebuild.

American Champion Citabria (image from Wikipedia)

Bernie’s Cruisair was flown to Australia in 1978 as part of the World Vintage Air Rally and its pilot experienced a number of storms as well as getting off course due to the different behaviour of the magnetic compass in the southern hemisphere.

Bellanca Cruisair 14-13-2 (image from Wikipedia)

We also hear some stories about the F/A-18 Super Hornet and how it can “only” manage Mach 1.3 when carrying external tanks & munitions instead of the Mach 2 it can reach when flying “clean.”

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Episode 10: Ho Ho Ho, it’s Big Red 1

Posted on January 8, 2011 by admin
Flying Down Under Episode 010: Ho Ho Ho, it's Big Red 1 [ 7:55 | 10.88 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (223)

We talk with Matt Wardell from AirServices Australia about Santa’s use of Australian airspace as he goes about his deliveries on Christmas Eve. We cover the annual Santa NOTAM, his visits to Air Services to prepare for the big night, his advanced onboard systems (like ADSB, RNP, iPhone & glass cockpits), the Santa Tracker and much more.

You can find all the AirServices coverage on their Santa page but you’ll need to listen to this episode of Flying Down Under to find out why Steve & Grant found only coal in their stockings on Christmas morning.

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Episode 9: Rosemary Arnold: Whirly Girl 99

Posted on December 18, 2010 by admin
Flying Down Under Episode 009: Rosemary Arnold: Whirly Girl 99 [ 6:58 | 12.77 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (272)

Rosemary Arnold learned to fly fixed wing in the early 60s then converted helicopters in the mid-60′s, becoming the first woman in Australia to receive a helicopter pilot’s license. From operating her own helicopter business in Australia to flying in locations around the world, Rosemary has had an extensive career in aviation. She has also written a number of books, lectures on aviation history and join the public speaking circuit. As a registered celebrant, she also runs “Chapel in the Sky” performing weddings in a helicopter above Sydney harbour.

We chat with Rosemary about her early career and her helicopter wedding service. You can hear more about Rosemary and her latest book in PCDU Episode 49: Hovering Matilda.

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Episode 8: Wing Commander Terrance Deeth and the F111

Posted on November 27, 2010 by admin
Flying Down Under Episode 008: Wing Commander Terrance Deeth and the F111 [ 8:10 | 11.21 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (281)

With the pending retirement of the F111 from RAAF service, Steve & Grant visited RAAF Amberley to interview a number of F111 aircrew, maintainers and other staff from 6SQN. This episode of Flying Down Under features our interview with Wing Commander Terrance Deeth who, in addition to his many years with F111s in the RAAF, spent some years with F111Fs in the USAF.

You can hear all our interviews & discussions in PCDU’s F111 tribute episode.

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Episode 7: Qantas A380 Catastrophic Engine Failure

Posted on November 13, 2010 by admin
Flying Down Under Episode 006: Qantas A380 Catastrophic Engine Failure [ 7:27 | 10.25 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (260)

VH-OQA was flying QF32On November 4th, 2010 Qantas A380 VH-OQA (“Nancy Bird Walton”) was operating flight QF32 from Singapore to Sydney. During the climb out from Singapore, the number 2 Rolls Royce Trent 900 engine’s Intermediate Pressure Turbine appears to have failed and flown apart, sending bits through the aircraft’s wing in multiple locations and raining debris down on Batam island, Indonesia. After assessing the problem, determining their options and burning off fuel, the crew were able to return the aircraft to Singapore for a safe landing.

This was the engine that explodedIn this episode of Flying Down Under, we play excerpts from our chat with Captain Richard Woodward, a Qantas A380 Check Captain who tells us what it’s like to fly the A380, what systems it has on board and what the crew would have been going through when faced with such a catastrophic failure. You can hear the full interview in Episode 46 of the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast.

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