We welcome back Brain Harvey to talk us through the history and evolution of JAXA and the Japanese Space Programme. Recorded 23rd Jan 2024 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Get a copy of Japan In Space: Past, Present and Future by Brian Havey at our Bookshop Brian Harvey Web - https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-45573-5 Amazon - Japan In Space: Past, Present and Future by Brian Havey https://www.amazon.co.uk/Japan-Space-Present-Future-Springer/dp/3031455711/ Wiki - http...
Jan 28, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 191
This updated edition of Paul Crickmore's classic Lockheed Blackbird: Beyond the Secret Missions is based on 850 pages of documentation and images declassified by the CIA covering the A-12 Oxcart programme. Paul joins us to talk about the A-12 and SR-71, the missions and their challenges, but also to discuss the changes in this new edition which includes a 40% increase in words, three new chapters and an additional 60 new photos. Recorded 14th Nov 2023 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co....
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 190
In 2000 a team of retired pensioners set about building Scotland’s only World War One aircraft, the Sopwith Strutter. That airframe is now ready to fly and Ellie is in the prime position to test fly it. Find out why they built the aircraft, the challenges they faced and how the team now go about taking her to the air. Please support the Kickstarter programme if you can, even a small donation will help. Recorded 15th Nov 2023 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Kickstarter APSS and The...
Nov 19, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 189
Legendary battle of Britain fighter ace Stanford Tuck is the subject of a new book by Helen Doe. ‘Stanford Tuck Hero of the Battle of Britain, the life of the great fighter ace’, is published by Grub Street and is available now. Recorded 24th October 2023 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Helen Doe Web https://www.helendoe.uk/ Twitter https://twitter.com/DrHelenDoe Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HelenDoehistorian/ Grubstreet https://grubstreet.co.uk/product/stanford-tuck/ Please ...
Oct 29, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 188
Rowland White joins us to discuss his new book ‘Mosquito: The RAF's Legendary Wooden Wonder and its Most Extraordinary Mission’. Rowland amazes us with his knowledge and detail behind the aircraft and focus of the book. Enjoy the stories, the heroes and villains and of course the de Havilland Mosquito! Recorded 17th October 2023 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Rowland White Web http://www.rowlandwhite.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/RowlandWhite Publisher https://www.penguin.co.u...
Oct 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 187
Tomislav Lang, Managing Director of FlyVbird joins us to talk about the pioneering tech airline model that will revolutionise airline travel in the future. The methodology is based upon a low cost, on demand air service, driven by proprietary algorithm and software architecture. In this exclusive discussion we hear the exciting news of FlyVBird and its plans for launching the service. Recorded 9th October 2023 Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk FlyV · Web https://www.flyvbird.com/ · ...
Oct 15, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 186
This episode we start a new focus on how data has, and continues to change, the aerospace and aviation sector. We will have a few episodes that will come out over the next month or two that specifically challenges our guests to talk about how data, the cloud, AI and machine learning are changing the aerospace sector. We actually started with our last episode where we talked to Xwing about their autonomous Cargo Cessna caravan flights. This episode comes from the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire whe...
Oct 08, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 185
In 2021, Xwing made history by completing the world’s first autonomous cargo flight. During the demonstration — Xwing’s CESSNA 208 Caravan backed out of its gate, taxied onto the runway, took off, flew a predetermined mission, landed, and returned to its gate. All entirely on its own. The flight was supervised by Xwing’s remote crew on the ground, along with a safety pilot. We are joined by Max Gariel the Co-Founder, President and Chief Technology Officer for Xwing. Recorded 25th September 2023 ...
Oct 01, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 184
What happens when you put three authors and publishers around a table to discuss the challenges of writing historical aviation content? Find out in this fascinating insight on what it is like to research, write and publish accurate and compelling historical aviation books and magazines. Mick Oakey is a familiar voice to many and is of course Managing Editor at The Aviation Historian. Mick was the editor at Aeroplane magazine and is a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society's Historical Group Co...
Sep 10, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 183
We continue our Test Pilot series with Commander Nathan Gray, who joins us to talk about his book ‘Hazard Spectrum’. With over 140 combat missions to his name, he is among the most decorated pilots in the British armed forces and we share Nathan’s journey to the top of the Fleet Air Arm, from student to F-35 Test Pilot. But, the episode starts with the sobering account of how he walked away from an ‘unsurvivable’ crash at RAF Wittering, which sadly killed his instructor. Nathan is one of the hum...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 182
Mark Lardas joins us to talk about the ‘The Kamikaze Campaign 1944–45 - Imperial Japan's last throw of the dice’ his book published by Osprey. Mark of course was a major part of our Coastal Command series, nominated for an International Aerospace Media Award. Mark has been fascinated by all things related to the sea and sky his entire life; from building models of ships and aircraft as a teen to studying Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at college. He worked as a navigation engineer on ...
Aug 13, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 175
Dave Homewood from the Wings Over New Zealand podcast took on the almighty task of a 35-day tour of as many UK aviation heritage locations as he could squeeze in. All in the spirit of recording a new podcast series called the Wings Over Britain! The first few episodes are already out, and they bring a fresh view of the sector from an avid enthusiast but also from an advocate (in Dave) for keeping alive the stories and memories of those who operated and flew these aircraft. Hear Dave’s view of ho...
Jul 30, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 180
The true story of the largest polar rescue mission in history is pretty much unknown in most aviation circles. Until now! Mark Piesing author of the book N4 Down joins us to discuss this almost unbelievable story of human suffering and tragedy, political drama, incompetence and heroism. This story has everything! Recorded 18th July 2023 Buy ‘N4 Down’ at the Xtended Bookshop https://uk.bookshop.org/a/11161/9780062851536 (At time of publication the paperback is on sale) Link Tree https://linktr.ee...
Jul 23, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 179
In the book 'Royal Navy Cold War Buccaneer Pilot', author Simon Kershaw helps us relive the story of his father Steve Kershaw flying the mighty Buccaneer in Fleet Air Arm service. Much of the tale comes from Steve’s own notes and memoirs, then picked up by Simon’s analysis of his final flight. In the sobering finale we discuss Steve’s final flight and how Simon was able to piece together the hours, minutes and seconds both before and after the accident. Simon Kershaw joins us to help rekindle th...
Jul 16, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 177
As we continue our focus on features across aerospace, let’s take a look at the hovercraft, which brings up the question of ‘where exactly does it fit in?’ To help us answer that question we are joined by Ben Avery. Ben is the Chief Pilot at Griffon Hoverwork and a Trustee and Head of Operations at The Hovercraft Museum. Recorded 13th June 2023 Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtended Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Ben Avery LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-gt-bennet...
Jul 09, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 177
Find out in this episode with Kerry Bennett why the sky is NOT the limit. Dream big, work hard and take risks and you can achieve your dreams and goals. Kerry Bennett is a mother, pilot and STEM Ambassador. With a career that already spans the RAF with over 100 missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, through to flying Airbus airliners for British Airway, Kerry is also an ESA astronaut candidate. Donating her time and energy to over 100 school visits and Kerry has presented to over 20,000 children as a...
Jun 25, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 176
Artyom Liss is a UK qualified general aviation pilot and was host of the fabulous aviation podcast 'Two Thousand Feet'. In this episode we find out what it is like to deliver Piper PA32 Saratoga SP N505WC from the UK to Lithuania, the challenges, adventures, and experiences of this fabulous cross-country flight. Recorded 5th June 2023 Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtended Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Artyom Liss Instagram https://www.instagram.com/artyomliss/ LinkedIn htt...
Jun 11, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 175
Rachel Ramsay is a UK qualified private pilot, with licences to fly helicopters, small planes and motor gliders. Rachel has a fabulous flying and travel blog and we wanted to find out about; multi-licence flying, writing for both a blog and an aviation publication and issues like…. favourite hotel to fly to and what does it take to fly down the River Thames in Central London? Recorded 15th May 2023 Link Tree https://linktr.ee/aviationxtended Contact Us: GetInvolved@aviation-Xtended.co.uk Rachel ...
May 28, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 174
Graeme Rendall has appeared several times on Xtended to talk about such diverse topics as Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon and the history of RAF Morpeth. On both occasions these episodes proved popular and we teased you with mention of a plane spotting trip Graeme made to Russia in 1992, just six months after the fall of the iron curtain; a trip that even until today has never been repeated. Graeme is back to tell us all about the journey recorded in his book “To The Ends Of The Earth: A Snapshot...
May 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 173
Only 54 examples of the iconic and much-adored Vickers VC10 were built, yet it went on to become an innovator and market changer for international long-haul travel. Great British technology and its suitability for multiple roles lead it to have an extended life with the RAF as an airlifter and tanker. In this feature we talk to Jelle Hieminga, an expert on the VC10, and webmaster for the highly entertaining and detailed web portal and encyclopedia for the VC10 – VC10.net Recorded 25th April 2023...
May 07, 2023•48 min•Season 1Ep. 172
With the UK leading aerospace company Reaction Engines now leading the way in technology application from space rockets to Formula 1 and into today’s market for sustainable flight, we have an exclusive opportunity to speak to Mark Thomas, Reaction Engines Chief Executive Officer, about the company, its products and it’s exciting future innovations. Reaction Engines are a privately held technology Company pioneering space access and sustainable technologies. For over 30 years they have been at th...
Apr 23, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 171
Chris Taylor has had a successful career as a Royal Navy officer, helicopter pilot, test pilot, instructor and as an internationally acclaimed civil certification test pilot. His latest book ‘Experimental Test Pilot: Military Aircraft Research Flying’ (published on April 29th 2023) is his account of his ten years’ service as an experimental test pilot, at MoD Boscombe Down, the UK’s tri-Service home of military aircraft testing and evaluation. Also known as the Empire Test Pilot School. You can ...
Apr 16, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 170
‘Confessions of a Flying Instructor: Teaching the RAF’s Fighter Pilots’ is Tug Wilson’s second book and he joins us to discuss the time in his career teaching new fighter pilots. As always, Tug is great company with Gareth in this sometimes hilarious, and at other times frightening, story of his time as a flight instructor. Tug Wilson grew up in North Yorkshire and in 1985, his dream came true when he joined the RAF. He was selected to fly the mighty Phantom for his first tour. After raging arou...
Apr 02, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 169
On our Journalist’s Roundtable discussion in Ep.161 (Trust Me I’m an Aviation Journalist) , Rich Cooper mentioned the visit to a North Korea Airshow. We wanted to find out more and Rich introduced us to author and photographer, Gerry Manning, who was there. Gerry joins us to share the experience and we talk airliners and fighter jets as well as helicopters, cargo lifters and microlights. All sourced from behind the ‘iron curtain’! We also explore the food, culture and history of North Korea, as ...
Mar 05, 2023•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 168
In the second part of our feature Sree (KS Nair) talks to us about IAF Training, aircraft types and ground attack tactics. We expose some of the challenges around motivation as well as culture and work through the quote from many at the time that “The Indian Air Force was an experiment that was never meant to succeed”. K.S. NAIR is the son and son-in-law of Indian Air Force officers. He is a graduate of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, and a former director and CEO of multinational consulting firms....
Feb 19, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 167
The air war in India and Burma (World War Two) has not received the focus it deserves. In this episode we talk to author K.S. Nair (Sree) to look at this area of conflict, the contribution made to the allied efforts in both WW1 and WW2, as well as the evolution and early operations of the Indian Air Force. K.S. Nair is the son and son-in-law of Indian Air Force officers. He is a graduate of IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore, and a former director and CEO of multinational consulting firms. But, beyond ...
Feb 12, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 166
The story of China is space is not one widely known nor properly understood in Western corridors, although China of course has been launching rockets for almost a thousand years. In this episode we welcome back author and Chinese space expert Brian Harvey to help us address that. In 2019, China astonished the world by landing a spacecraft and rover on the far side of the Moon, something never achieved by any country before. China had already become a leading spacefaring nation alongside the Unit...
Feb 05, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 165
Cranfield Aerospace Solutions’ (CAeS) is an established aerospace business of over 33 years, with 100+ staff and is one of very few aerospace SMEs globally to have both whole aircraft concept design capability and to hold a range of regulatory approvals for the design and manufacture of modifications to existing aircraft. CAeS is based at Cranfield Airport, Bedfordshire, UK where the company has access to some of the UK’s most advanced aviation test and research facilities. Phase 1 of their road...
Jan 29, 2023•45 min•Season 1Ep. 164
Few aircraft encompass as many contradictions as the Fairey Swordfish – the legendary ‘Stringbag’ naval torpedo bomber which was approaching antiquation at the start of the second world war yet struck mortal blows against some of the most powerful battleships in the Axis fleets. We are joined by Naval Air Historian Matt Willis to discuss many of the lesser known aspects of the aircraft and its real impact on World War Two Fleet Air Arm operations. Matt’s book is available through our bookstore: ...
Jan 22, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 163
Mike Bannister joins us to talk about Concorde and his career flying the supersonic airliner. He became the youngest pilot on the Concorde fleet in 1977, was appointed the airline’s Chief Concorde Pilot in 1995 and regularly flew as Captain on all of the aircraft’s routes worldwide. He was at the controls when the British Airways’ Supersonic Flagship returned to service in November 2001, and commanded and flew the final Concorde commercial flight from New York to London on October 24th 2004. By ...
Jan 01, 2023•1 hr 18 min
