Airplane Geeks Podcast

Aviation social media and freelance writing for aviation publications.

Interviews recorded at the 2017 International Paris Air Show, FAA reauthorization bills, ATC privatization, and airline security.

Jeanette Remak and Joe Ventolo Jr. from Phoenix Aviation Research tell the story behind the Lockheed A-12 Blackbird at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in Manhattan.

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s 2017 Innovations in Flight Family Day and Outdoor Aviation Display.

Five things to watch for at the 2017 International Paris Air Show. Also, a ruling that allows the Commerce Department to proceed with its investigation of claims by Boeing that Bombardier is engaging in unfair pricing, the European Union proposes rules for complaints of alleged discriminatory practices, a temporarily grounding of F-35 fighters, certification of the Diesel Cessna Skyhawk JT-A, and the Director General’s Report to the IATA Annual General Meeting. Paris Air Show Preview Anand Parameswaran, Sr. Vice President - Aerospace & Defence, at Cyient authored What to watch out for at the 2017 International Paris Air Show. The report details five areas that warrant our attention: The OEM migration from manufacturer to service provider The impact of global politics on the defense industry Building the future aircraft with additive manufacturing Automating the A&D lifecycle The rise of the East and Chinese influence in aerospace Cyient is a global leader in engineering design services, design-led manufacturing, networks and operations, data transformation and analytics. Anand Parameswaran heads up global Aerospace and Defence at Cyient and leverages Cyient's capability across product design, manufacturing, and aftermarket solutions. He works around the world with OEMs and tier 1 suppliers. Aviation News US allowed to investigate prices of Canada’s Bombardier jets The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that the Commerce Department can proceed with its investigation of claims by Boeing that Bombardier is selling jets in the U.S. at below fair price. Boeing says the CSeries planes benefit from illegal government subsidies. Canada warned it could cancel a planned $2 billion purchase of 18 Boeing military jets over the dispute. USITC Votes to Continue Investigations on 100- to 150-Seat Large Civil Aircraft from Canada News Release 17-087, June 9, 2017: “The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is threatened with material injury by reason of imports of 100- to 150-seat large civil aircraft from Canada that are allegedly subsidized and sold in the United States at less than fair value.” “As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue to conduct its antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of this product from Canada, with its preliminary countervailing duty determination due on or about July 21, 2017, and its antidumping duty determination due on or about October 4, 2017.” EU to tackle unfair airline competition with new rules Air France KLM and Lufthansa have been complaining that Gulf carriers receive illegal government subsidies. Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad all deny the charge. Now the European Union has proposed rules to allow EU governments and airlines to submit complaints of alleged discriminatory practices to the European Commission. F-35 flights halted at 1 base after hypoxia-like incidents The U.S. Air Force temporarily grounded F-35 fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona because of five incidents where pilots reported hypoxia symptoms. In each case, the airplane’s backup oxygen system worked as designed and the pilot was able to land the plane safely. Diesel Cessna Skyhawk JT-A Awarded FAA Certification The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified the Cessna Turbo Skyhawk JT-A with next-generation Garmin G1000 NXi avionics. IATA AGM: Defending the Business of Freedom The Director General’s Report on the Global Air Transport Industry was delivered at the IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Cancun, Mexico. Overall the air transport industry is generating profits above its cost of capital. In 2017 the global airline industry is expected to generate a $31.4 billion profit on $743 billion in revenues.

We talk with Kitfox Aircraft about kit-built airplanes. Also, a digital co-pilot for GA, the Stratolaunch airplane, Middle Eastern airlines shun Qatar, an aviation-themed playground, the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force wants mandatory budget caps removed, and President Trump wants the U.S. air traffic control system privatized. We also have a very informative listener recording about pulling through and hand propping radial engines. Guests Kitfox Aircraft is owned and operated by John and Debra McBean from the Homedale Municipal Airport (S66) in southwest Idaho. The McBean’s were builders before they owned the company and they often helped other builders with their projects. John McBean holds commercial and instructor ratings and we welcome him to the Airplane Geeks podcast. Also joining us from Kitfox is Brandon Petersen who joined the team in 2012 as the wing builder. His role has evolved over time. You can find his fingerprints on the company social media posts, videos, wings, and fiberglass products that are shipped to builders around the world. The original Kitfox Model I was introduced at Oshkosh AirVenture in 1984 by Denney Aerocraft. The modern Kitfox has stayed true to the concept of the original design - it’s a fun, comfortable, and affordable airplane that can be easily built without any special tools or training. Kitfox Aircraft is introducing the Kitfox Speedster at EAA Airventure Oshkosh 2017. Based on the Series 7 platform, it offers a bigger fuselage, higher gross weight capability, a shortened wing, and a cleaned up and faired airframe. This allows the builder to get up and go fast without giving up a whole lot of the STOL characteristics of the airplane. The plane going to Air Venture will display a new brightly colored paint scheme designed by Jason Noll of Dream Scheme Designs. It pays homage to the original Speedster with a modern twist. Kitfox has arranged with Kyle Franklin to perform with the Speedster in the air show. Kyle’s late father Jimmy flew the original Speedster. Find Kitfox Aircraft on Facebook, and YouTube. Aviation News Could General Aviation Use a Digital Co-Pilot? Researchers from Mitre Corp.’s Center for Advanced Aviation System Development have developed a "Digital Copilot." The concept is that general aviation single-pilot flight operations would benefit from a tablet app that monitors and communicates safety-critical flight information to the pilot. The Gigantic Stratolaunch Aircraft Emerges From Its Hangar in the California Desert The Stratolaunch is a twin fuselage, 385-foot wingspan aircraft designed to carry a launch vehicle as part of an air launch to orbit system. What is not called Stratolaunch Systems Corporation was officially announced in December 2011 by Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen and Scaled Composites founder Burt Rutan. Mideast airlines halt Qatar flights as Gulf crisis escalates Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Egypt have accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, and have broken off relations with that country. As a result, Etihad, Emirates, Fly Dubai, and Gulf Air are discontinuing flights in and out of the capital of Qatar, Doha. The Qatari government called this "unjustified and based on baseless allegations." Aviation-themed playground coming to Stafford airport Stafford Regional Airport in Virginia is building a playground around an aviation theme. Two nonprofits are making this happen: EAA Chapter 1099 and Rappahannock Aviation Outreach, a non-profit organization based in Stafford, Virginia focused on community outreach programs and initiatives that educate and inspire youth in aviation. New Air Force head calls for end to defense budget caps Dr. Heather Wilson was the first female military veteran elected to a full term in Congress. More recently, the US Senate confirmed her nomination as U.S. Secretary of the Air Force on May 8, 2017. Wilson has now asked Congress to remove the mandatory budget...

We have a collection of aviation topics this episode: A flight in a Robinson R-44, a look at residential airparks, the General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS, imaging instruments for aviation maintenance, US Air Force F-35A avionics and a walk around the aircraft, the Commemorative Air Force, honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and using a portable ADS-B receiver. Bits & Pieces As long-time listeners know, when our recording day falls on a major U.S. holiday, we forgo our usual format and instead bring you a collection of pre-recorded segments from the co-hosts, and from our listeners and contributors. That’s the case this episode. Segments The segments that make up this episode [with start times]: Our Main(e) man Micah talks with helicopter pilot and Airplane Geeks listener Ernie Eaton at the Hampton Airfield Cafe after their flight in Ernie's Robinson R44. [2:27] Bill Armstrong, developer and partner at Big South Fork Airpark, explains what it is like to live in a residential airpark community, and what to consider when you are looking for that lifestyle. [13:14] Airplane Geeks reporter-at-large Launchpad Marzari speaks with Captain Richards, Company Commander, F company 227 Aviation Battalion, and Sergeant Elbert about the General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS. [24:27] Max recorded a call with Liam Hanna, a product specialist with Olympus Europe in Germany. Olympus Europe provides test, measurement, and imaging instruments for the aviation industry. Liam explains the different types of borescopes, how they are used and inspector training requirements, technology advancements that have been made, and dealing with a shortage of inspectors using live inspections and remote experts. Be sure to see the Olympus Application Photo Gallery for a great selection of videoscope and borescope images and videos. Max's favorite is the High Pressure Turbine Movie, where the laser-drilled cooling holes are clearly visible. [38:12] At the Chino Air Show, Brian talked with listener Matt Haines about the 60th Anniversary of the Planes of Fame Airshow [1:04:23]; with Staff Sgt Alexandra Dougherty, an avionics specialist for the US Air Force F-35A [1:06:30]; and with Colonel Eddie Bentley of the Commemorative Air Force in front of the beautifully restored C-53. The Commemorative Air Force operates the world’s largest collection of Flying WWII Airplanes. [1:11:47] Launchpad Marzari spoke with Allison Hoyt about the Commemorative Air Force’s Rise Above: WASP program. The CAF Rise Above program provides young people with real-world examples of how courage, self-confidence, and perseverance can allow them to triumph over the adversity they face in their own lives. The WASP program looks to encourage young women to become involved in aviation. [1:15:15] Using a portable ADS-B receiver, often connected to an iPad, is a low-cost way for pilots to display nearby traffic. However, the displays can be misleading, as they often don’t show the most important traffic, which is the traffic closest to the plane with the portable ADS-B receiver. Max Trescott talked about the limitations of these devices in a recent episode of his Aviation News Talk podcast, and we have that segment for you here. [1:19:42] Our Main(e) man introduces an interview with F-35 pilot Captain Roar conducted by Brian, Carlos, and Micah at Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017. In the interview, they discuss the transition from the F-15E Strike Eagle and low military flying in the UK. Capt. Roar mentions the Mach Loop we talked about a few episodes ago and describes the 3 different F-35 versions. We also hear about high G flight. Following that, Capt. Roar takes Brian, Carlos, and Micah on a walk around the F-35. [1:30:31] Video Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017 Carlos and Matt from the Plane Talking UK Podcast pulled together a video presenting many of the faces at the Wings Over Pittsburgh air show.

Zunum Aero founder Matt Knapp seeks to democratize access to high speed travel through hybrid-electric regional airplanes.

This episode, we bring you interviews from the 2017 Wings Over Pittsburgh air show, hosted by the 911th Airlift Wing. We talked with some of the performers, with others from with static displays, with the 911th Airlift Wing, and with a few AvGeeks for good measure. Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017 The Wings Over Pittsburgh air show held May 13 and 14, 2017 was a huge success. The show was hosted by the 911th Airlift Wing at the Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station. During the event, we recorded a number of interviews for this episode. Next week when we’re all together again, we’ll tell you more about the event. Also attending were Capt. Jeff and the crew from the Airline Pilot Guy Show, as well as the guys from the Plane Talking UK Podcast. We also had a pretty strong contingent of aviation podcast listeners - some we’ve met before, and others we enjoyed meeting for the first time. Interviews Opening ceremony. [0:03:13] Carlos, Brian, Micah, Captain Al, and Matt spoke with Captain Tim about the iconic Douglas C-54 Spirit of Freedom, used in the Berlin airlift. [0:08:41] David talks with Lieutenant Jacob “Bacon” Riggs with the F-18F Super Hornet VFA-122 Flying Eagles. [0:25:12] Max speaks with Colonel Jeffrey A. Van Dooltingh, Commander of the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh International Airport Air Reserve Station, Coraopolis, PA. [0:31;29] Carlos from the Plane Talking UK podcast and Brian interviewed Captain Randy Ball and talked about his MiG-17. See the Randy W. Ball Facebook fan page. [0:36:20] Max spoke briefly with F-35 pilot Matt Gardner. Brian and Micah have a longer conversation at the F-35 static display, which we’ll bring you in an upcoming episode. [0:47:25] The air show mainly featured military aircraft but there were a few commercial aircraft on static display, including a Republic Embraer E-175. Micah and Brian interviewed First Officer Mike Schrader. [0:51:51] David talks with Lt CDr Andy Patterson about the P-8A Poseidon on static display. [1:02:34] Max spoke with Airshow Director Major Charlie Baker. [1:09:58] Some AvGeeks tell us their favorite airplane from the show. [1:20:52] ...and as a bonus: Audio of the F-22 demonstration flight. [1:27:38] Mentioned Airline Pilot Guy Show episode 271 was recorded live Friday evening at the hotel, and all three podcasts recorded a live show Saturday evening. Look for those videos on the Airline Pilot Guy YouTube channel, or you can watch them right here: Airline Pilot Guy - Aviation Podcast Episode 271 https://youtu.be/aiAHt447F6c Wings Over Pittsburgh APG 2017 Extravaganza Live! https://youtu.be/H4trlY2Gbio Credit Intro music courtesy Brother Love from his Album Of The Year CD.    

Carl Stebbings, the host of the Plane Talking UK podcast, helps us discuss the Chinese Comac C919 first flight, an F-35B assembled in Italy, a UK airline trade group manifesto, a vintage de Havilland Vampire literally tears up a runway, Boeing accuses Bombardier of dumping the CSeries in the U.S., a report on the May 2016 crash of EgyptAir MS804, and the first fatal crash of the Icon A-5 amphibious LSA. Guest Carlos (Carl) Stebbings is the host of the Plane Talking UK Podcast. He joins in our conversation of recent aviation news, and he also tells us about some of his memorable flights including a Tupolev Tu-134 and riding in the jump seat of a B757. Carl’s favorite remains the L-1011 Tristar, but he also talks about the DC-10. The Plane Talking UK Podcast started in 2013 as an audio show, but it’s now a live program with a chat room and PTUK YouTube channel. We hear how Carl got started with podcasting and about the exciting plans for his 200th episode. Like many AvGeeks, Carl’s love of aviation started at a young age as he was able to do a lot of traveling. He has flown on more aircraft types than most people can mention and Carl is an avid plane spotter, as well as a private pilot in training. Carl the owner of a mobile disco business and when he isn’t spinning CDs or podcasting, he works for the largest book printer in England. In addition, his very understanding, long-suffering wife, Gemma, has grown to accept that most holidays will involve losing her husband at the airport while he goes off plane spotting! Aviation News China’s New Jetliner, the Comac C919, Takes Flight for First Time The Chinese Comac C919 airliner made its first public flight May 5, 2017. The C919 is a single-aisle twin in the same class as the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A320neo, and powered by the CFM56 LEAP-1C. First F-35B Assembled Internationally Rolled Out of Cameri FACO Production Facility David Cenciotti writes in The Aviationist that “the first F-35B, the Short Take-Off Vertical Landing variant of the the F-35 Lightning II, destined to the Italian Navy, rolled out of the Final Assembly and Check Out (FACO) facility at Cameri, in northwestern Italy.” This is the first F-35B assembled internationally. First flight is planned for late August, with delivery to the Italian MoD in November 2017. This Cool Footage Shows U.S. F-35A Lightning II Combat Planes Flying Through The Famous Mach Loop For The First Time https://youtu.be/DrnkmjxiEdY UK airlines set out manifesto asks for new Parliament Airlines UK, the industry association that represents UK-registered carriers, published a manifesto of policy actions for the next Parliament. The association believes these would result in stronger, more competitive UK airlines. Vintage plane rips up runway during take-off in Wolverhampton This video from a vintage air show at Wolverhampton’s Halfpenny Green Airport shows how the jet blast from a de Havilland Vampire ripped up the runway as it took off. OPINION: Boeing's CSeries trade complaint lacks credibility Boeing says Bombardier is selling CSeries jets in the U.S. at “absurdly low” prices and as a result, the company has suffered an injury to its business. Boeing wants the Commerce Department to impose duties on Bombardier. Reports: French investigators suspect fire caused EgyptAir crash Reportedly, French air accident investigation agency BEA found no trace of explosives on the bodies of the victims of the crash of EgyptAir MS804 which disappeared over the Mediterranean in May 2016. The A320’s Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS), indicated smoke in an avionics bay under the flight deck and in a lavatory. Two Killed In Icon A5 Crash An Icon A-5 amphibious LSA crashed in California May 8, 2017, killing two people on board. Both were Icon employees. This is the first fatal crash of the airplane. Mentioned Listener Luke sent us the link to a video interview with Captain John Hutchinson,