PCDU Episode 101: Avalon 2013 – Day One
It's been a good start to the Avalon 2013 Airshow with Team PCDU recording a few interviews and setting up their schedule for the rest of the week.
Feb 26, 2013•45 min
Plane Crazy Down Under
Looking at the world of aviation from an Australia / Pacific point of view
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Episodes
PCDU Episode 100: The Ton
We've finally made it to our 100th episode and had some amazing experiences along the way. We've learned lots, had aviation experiences we've never dreamed of and even spun off a few side-projects for other shows. For this episode we've resisted the temptation to do a retrospective or rehash earlier content (except for a bit at the start & the end of the episode :) ). Instead, we've put together some interviews with well known people about a couple of up-coming events and a discussion about ...
Feb 21, 2013•2 hr 27 min
PCDU Episode 99: RAAF C-130H – Into History
In November of 2012 the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) decommissioned their C-130H fleet, transitioning to the C-130J and reaching the end of an era for flight engineers & navigators in the Air Lift Group (ALG). We were fortunate enough to be invited to partake in some of the decommissioning events including a final media flight over Sydney Harbour, watching a formation flyby practice from RAAF Base Richmond's control tower and the delivery of C-130H A97-011 to the RAAF Museum at Point Co...
Jan 29, 2013•2 hr 2 min
PCDU Episode 98: Farewell 2012
As 2012 draws to a close come & spend a bit of time with Steve, Grant, Bas & ATC Ben as they wrap up the year with some new content, some discussions and a bit of fun. It’s another long episode but we think it’s a pretty good way to send out the year :) […]
Dec 30, 2012•2 hr
PCDU Episode 97: Journos & Aeros
We have a variety of content for you in this episode including: 0:03:50 – A great chat we recorded with Andrew McLaughlin, previously co-owner and deputy editor of Australian Aviation and now a freelance aviation writer 1:00:59 – Kathy Mexted went flying with Anatole Mills from Warbird Air Adventures and got to experience some aerobatics […]
Dec 09, 2012•2 hr 3 min
PCDU Episode 96: “Serge” – An Australian Top Gun
It takes a special breed to push an F18 out to the edge of the envelope, fly missions ranging from surface attack to dog fights and then blow off steam with your squadron mates. It’s certainly not Top Gun but it does make amazing fodder for a book that highlights the good, the bad and […]
Nov 17, 2012•1 hr 18 min
PCDU Episode 95: Northern Exposure
Steve & Grant go north of Melbourne thanks to the aid of some members of Team PCDU, both current & new. First up we tag along with ATC_Ben on his visit to Oshkosh 2012, discussing his journey there & listening to a few of the interviews he recorded (yes, we're still jealous we couldn't get there!). We then introduce long-time listener Damien Rose who's joining us as our Queensland correspondent & lives about 2,000km north of PCDU HQ. Finally, we play a few of the interviews Steve...
Nov 03, 2012•2 hr 9 min
PCDU Episode 94: AusFly “Together Under One Sky”
The Sport Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) held their inaugural AusFly event at Narromine, New South Wales on the 14th & 15th of September. As part of the show, Plane Crazy Down Under were invited to come & run the AusFly radio show and provide commentary for the air displays. From setting up the studio […]
Oct 06, 2012•1 hr 40 min
PCDU Episode 93: Positive Moves
After three years of lamenting the hassles involved in getting to the West Coast of Australia to report on aviation happenings wwwaaayyy over there on the other side of the big empty, we’ve finally done something about it: we’ve set up a PCDU-WestCoast office and found someone just as aviation-crazy as we are to run […]
Sep 07, 2012•1 hr 40 min
PCDU Episode 92: Helene Young – A Novel Approach to Flying
[Kathy Mexted joins Steve & Grant to interview Helene Young, a Dash-8 pilot who's written three great books based around pilots flying for Australia's border patrol in the far north of Queensland. In addition to being a captain with the regionals, Helene has managed to juggle her home & social life with work and writing, producing three great books in a relatively short period of time. We also have interviews with Peter Sobey (Chief Flying Instructor at Sharp Airlines) and Chris Dewhirst...
Aug 16, 2012•1 hr 21 min
PCDU Episode 91: New Horizons
After a number of years and the inevitable stumbling blocks that life throws at us, Grant has finally become a balloon pilot having completed his check flight up at Mildura just the other day. From how the final stages of solos & check flight unfolded to a comparison of "first solo" moments, Steve & Grant talk briefly about the realisation that a new license & $5 can now buy you a beer... Meanwhile, Bas & AntCB join Steve to talk iPad aviation apps, Pieter Johnson interviews Aust...
Jul 23, 2012•1 hr 48 min
PCDU Episode 90: Moments in Time
Steve's been considering buying an aircraft so he got together with Anthony Crichton-Browne and Ben Morgan to discuss the costs of owning an aircraft. After that we're joined by Kathy Mexted to interview Justin Sheedy about his book "Nor the years condemn" before heading off into a discussion of various items (including Grant getting on his soapbox about 'aircraft snobs'). It's worth sticking around to the very end for a huge, 5 minute mega-blooper reel at the end :)
Jul 03, 2012•1 hr 26 min
PCDU Episode 89: RA-Aus NatFly 2012
Way back in April, Steve & ATC_Ben flew "Ben Air" from Lilydale (YLIL) to Temora (YTEM) for the RA-Aus NatFly 2012 event, leaving Grant behind in Melbourne attempting to recover from bronchitis. While not as vibrant as 2011, there was still plenty of activity to keep Steve & Ben busy recording lots of great content. Join us to check out all the light aircraft fun.
Jun 16, 2012•1 hr 43 min
PCDU Episode 88: Dreamtime
Boeing have been taking their 787 Dreamliners on the DreamTour, a series of 7 multi-stop flights, or segments, that take one of the 787 test aircraft around the world. Each segment visits multiple countries, allowing airlines & invited guests to get up close to the advanced new airliner. Perhaps saving the best for last, the DreamTour came to the Dreamtime during it's 7th segment. Team PCDU were invited by Qantas & Jetstar to join the DreamTour in Melbourne. This "quick cast" episode fea...
May 29, 2012•29 min
PCDU Episode 87: Wings Over Illawarra 2012
The Great PCDU Road Trip of 2012 covered over 1,700km in the course of a single weekend. From late on Friday night to early on Monday morning, Steve, Grant & Allan drove from Melbourne up to Wollongong (just south of Sydney) to attend the Wings Over Illawarra 2012 air show. Firmly ensconced in the Southern Biplanes hangar with a great view of the show unfolding beyond "Lilly Warra" (their big red Boeing Stearman), the mobile studio was set up (thanks Allan! :) allowing Steve, Grant & Ant...
May 18, 2012
PCDU Episode 86: One Fine Day at Parafield
Thanks to OzRunways, Steve was able to get to Adelaide to cover the Parafield Airshow 2012. He & Bas recorded a number of interviews, including: Chris Sperou The Roulettes Tammy Augostin David Hales from 5DME And much more, including Pieter Johnson's next "From Up Here to Down There" segment and an update from the B24 Liberator Restoration Project.
Apr 26, 2012
PCDU Episode 85: Tyabb Air Show 2012 & ATC Ben Answers Your Questions
After a long break from the show, Ben Ippolito (aka ATC Ben) returns in this packed episode to tell us about getting current again, wrap up the Tyabb airshow and answer some of your ATC questions. Our Tyabb coverage includes: Matt Hall Mark Pracy talking about the Reno crash The formation & operation of the Southern Knights ATC Ben talks about re-gaining proficiency and ATC Q&A session We also introduce a new sponsor (OzRunways) and with lots of airshows coming up, we're looking for more...
Mar 31, 2012
PCDU Episode 84: Geoff Whitty: Pidgin Tales
This episode we're joined by Kathy Mexted & her brother Geoff Whitty to talk about his adventures running aviation operations & airports in Papua New Guinea. We then talk to Tammy Augostin, the Promotion & Marketing Manager of the Parafield Airshow before featuring Anthony Crichton-Browne's chat with a Blackhawk pilot and Anthony Simmons' latest View from the Lounge segment.
Mar 17, 2012
PCDU Episode 83: Replicate This!
This episode we dip into aviation's rich & storied history as we chat with a few replica builders who are working hard to preserve our access to our fledgling beginnings as we first pushed into the sphere of powered, heavier than air flight. (show title image supplied by Project 2014) This episode includes: Bristol Military Boxkite flying replica being built by Geoff Matthews & Ron Gretton AM BE2a static replica being built by Andrew Willox. Richard Gardner, Charman of the Trustees at th...
Feb 29, 2012
PCDU Episode 82: Keeping up with Owen Zupp
Our good friend Owen Zupp takes time out from his very busy schedule to hang out & chat with us about his new blog, flight testing the GA8 Airvan and much more. We also include chats with Ken Wright OAM from the RAAF 2OTU Museum and Noel Breetag at the RAAF Catalina Museum plus Pieter Johnson has a great chat with Paul Fowler about the Spitfire Project.
Feb 15, 2012
PCDU Episode 81: An Infrequent Flyer goes to Europe
There’s been a few delays in getting our first episode for 2012 out but what can you expect with the Summer heat to enjoy and games of Cricket to watch (or avoid :). It is with Cricket in mind that our very own Infrequent Flyer, Anthony Simmons, took some time out of his European adventures […]
Jan 29, 2012
PCDU Episode 80: Farewell 2011 (aka “Tom Cruise wraps my Dolmades” :)
All good things must come to an end and so too must the year 2011. It has been an amazing year of growth for PCDU as we’ve covered Avalon 2011, NatFly 2011 and Oshkosh 2011 along with a number of major events (eg: Qantas grounding) and added some new voices to the team. So as […]
Dec 30, 2011
PCDU Episode 79: Flying Low
Steve’s finally picked up his instructor’s rating although it’s in trains, not aircraft, but don’t worry, we’re not switching the show over to Train Crazy Down Under :) Once again we’re joined by Kathy Mexted and this time we’re discussing what’s involved in being an Ag Pilot and how the industry has developed here in […]
Dec 09, 2011
PCDU Episode 78: Tim Smith: Flying Saved My Life
Many people in Australia know of Tim Smith, a Melbourne comedian who’s worked on television and in radio for years. What many people don’t know is that Tim is a pilot who is working towards his goal of running charter operations taking people around Australia, visiting places many folks have never heard of let alone […]
Nov 16, 2011
PCDU Episode 77: Qantas Crisis: After the Grounding
Almost one year after the QF32 incident, Qantas is again in the news around the world and for a short time again appeared to be on the brink of a major disaster. At 5pm on Saturday the 29th of October, Alan Joyce (CEO of Qantas) announced that he & the board of directors had decided […]
Nov 03, 2011
PCDU Episode 76: Air Wilpena
A few episodes ago we introduced Kathy Mexted as a new member our group of occasional PCDU contributors and this episode she’s back with some great content. She recently took a few friends in a Bonanza out to Wilpena Pound in South Australia, a trip that would usually take many days to achieve by road […]
Oct 20, 2011
PCDU Episode 75: Talking Aerobatics with Anthony Crichton-Browne
Today we’re joined by Anthony Crichton-Browne, a commercial airline pilot who also likes to take his Pitts Special out for a spin (and a few other fun manoeuvres :) In addition to chatting with Anthony, we also run a chat with Grant Piper (President of the Australian Aerobatic Club) about Australia’s recent involvement in the […]
Oct 05, 2011
PCDU Episode 74: Kiwi User Fees … and other issues
We’re joined by our mate Dan Morris from New Zealand to discuss some news from the Land of the Long White Cloud. Topics include: Air Traffic Control in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake, especially the problems they encountered due to centralising all area controllers in one location How user fees in New Zealand have […]
Sep 05, 2011
PCDU Episode 73: Oshkosh: The Greatest Show on Earth
Today Steve & Grant are chatting with Bas Scheffers, reviewing their experiences at EAA‘s AirVenture Oshkosh 2011. We talk about the long haul across the Pacific via V Australia 777 and Qantas A380, arriving in Chicago on their hottest day in 10 years and then hanging out with Rob Mark, his family and his ever […]
Aug 20, 2011
PCDU Episode 72: Oshcast #3 – Hugging your Roo
As all good things must come to an end, so too must our time at Oshkosh 2011. It’s been an incredible event for us and an eye-opener to just how large this Mecca of all things aviation truly is. With our final day at the show, we’ve produced a chunky episode packed full of *some* […]
Jul 31, 2011
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