Plane Crazy Down Under

The Australian Beechcraft Society is holding their Pilot Proficiency Program for 2026 at Cowra from the 19th to 22nd of March, so if you own, fly or maintain Bonanzas and/or Barons, you're going to want to be there. There will be a comprehensive flying program, detailed maintenance reviews, and two days of presentations from specialists on the Bonanza and Baron, plus other speakers including Airservices, CASA, and Stralis Engineering.
We caught up with representatives from the Australian Beechcraft Society along with two very experienced members of the American Bonanza Society who will be coming to Australia for the event. It's a great chat with something to learn even if you don't fly a Beechcraft.
0:01:07 - We kick off the episode and oh wow, it's 2026 already. How did that happen?
0:04:25 - We chat with Dave Porter and David Young from the Australian Beechcraft Society about their flying experience and how they became part of the Beechcraft world. The conversation includes how Textron Aviation now owns both Cessna and Beechcraft, an overview of the Society, and the importance of aircraft type clubs for operational and maintenance knowledge, plus lobbying with regulators on your behalf. We also touch on the range of Beechcraft types, including the aerobatic Bonanzas and T-34 Mentor, then discuss what to expect from the 2026 Pilot Proficiency Program, the importance of attending, and how to sign up for it.
0:47:32 - We present a promotion for our latest podcast production: A History of the Future, then tell you a little about it.
0:51:20 - We're joined by Bob Ripley & Tom Turner from the American Bonanza Society and, after the inevitable discussion about the weather, we talk about their backgrounds and aviation experience, the number of Bonanzas and Barons still flying, and the benefits the Society provides to members. We also talk about some of the things pilots and maintainers should be aware of with these aircraft and that there are specific items for not only different models, but also specific to serial number ranges. We wrap our chat by learning the specifics of what they're bringing to the Australian event, including a detailed walk-around specific to your aircraft's model and serial number, and what unique aspects they've identified about flying and maintaining these aircraft in Australia.
1:30:26 - We talk briefly about Grant's trip to Singapore and introduce the next segment.
1:32:24 - Grant talks with Jimmy Beeson, Textron's Vice President for Product Development, about identifying opportunities for updates and new developments, working with customers to assess their needs and obtain feedback on new ideas, the latest developments, and the use of Virtual and Augmented Reality when working with customers. The conversation also touches on Textron's recent closure of the Bonanza and Baron production lines, plus what to expect from the new Denali aircraft and when it's going to be in production.
1:43:42 - We wrap up with summary of the Singapore Air Show, catching up with Brian Coleman while there, and then close out the episode.
Links:
Australian Beechcraft Society: abs.org.au
ABS PPP 2026: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAFZSLrpE44
American Bonanza Society: www.bonanza.org
Textron Aviation: txtav.com
Beechcraft: beechcraft.txtav.com
Cessna: cessna.txtav.com
A History of the Future: www.australiandefence.com.au/history-of-the-future
Australian Defence Magazine: www.australiandefence.com.au
Singapore Air Show: www.singaporeairshow.com

Credits:
Introduction voice over - Kevin Hillier
Closing credits - Terry Daniel

Contact us via [email protected]

Many in Australia will have flown the Embraer E190 as there are a few flying here with Airnorth, Alliance Airlines (as QantasLink) and National Jet, plus the ones Virgin Australia used to operate back prior to COVID. The E190 and E195 include such wonderful features as large, well positioned windows (no bending down to look out horizontally), no middle seats, and good economics for the operators.
The E190 and E195 are already impressive aircraft but Embraer have made them even better with their E2 versions, providing even more comfort and improved economics. It seems only fitting that Virgin Australia, in the form of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA), are the first to operate the new E2s in Australian skies.
This episode we talk to Embraer to learn more about the E2 and to VARA to learn why they selected it and how they're bringing the new airframe into operations.
0:01:25 - We introduce the episode.
0:03:49 - Raul Villaron, Vice President of Asia Pacific for Embraer Commercial Aviation joins us from Singapore to discuss all things E2. He explains the external differences between the original series and the E2s, the new technologies incorporated in their design, their improved passenger experience, and their operating economics that are allowing them to even replace older turboprops while also opening up routes that otherwise couldn't support a larger aircraft. Raul also provides a comparison of the E2s vs the Airbus A220 models, gives us an overview of the other E2 operators in the Asia/Pacific region, and talks about the support network already in place.
0:32:31 - We introduce the next segment
0:34:00 - Nathan Miller, Executive General Manager of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines in Western Australia steps us through VARA's need to replace its Fokker 100s, their assessment of available aircraft, and selection of the E190-E2. He also steps us through the unique aspects of operating Fly In Fly Out (FIFO) operations to the resources companies in Western Australia while also needing to cover airline operations, and the demands they place on aircraft in the region. We also get an insight to Nathan's love of aviation and his experiences when being on the delivery flight of the first aircraft, VH-E2A (how fitting is that rego? :) ).
0:59:42 - We wrap up the episode and hint at what may be coming next.
Links:
Maikha's video channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Rheilffordd
Ben Jones' minature railway locomotive project https://www.facebook.com/buildingminiaturelocomotives

Credits:
Introduction voice over and closing credits by Terry Daniel: http://yourvoiceover.com.au
Episode artwork photo supplied by Embraer
Music tracks are "What You Wanted" and "Event Vibe" from Infraction via #InAudio https://inaudio.org/

Contact us via [email protected]

It was a baking hot 42 Celsius (108 Fahrenheit) under the scorching Australian sun when the Sport Aircraft Association of Australia held its AusFly 2025 event at Wentworth, New South Wales, during the middle of March. Grant was on the commentary team but Steve couldn't make it due to a scheduling conflict, so Grant recorded a stack of interviews at the event to give those who missed it a chance to catch up with the vendors and people who were there. There was camaraderie and enthusiasm despite the heat with the celebration of flying and the aviation community on display for everyone to enjoy.
The interviews in this episode give a remarkable glimpse into the heart of Australia’s aviation scene, filled with lessons, laughter, and a shared love for the skies:
0:04:33 - Matilda Mendham from the Freedom Formation talks about being the newest lady on the team, how she was introduced to flying, and her experiences so far in obtaining her license and subsequent ratings. She also covers her progression with the team from Smokey to now flying as Number Two on lead's right wing, along with the all important mantra: Fly good, don't suck!
0:11:06 - Josh Larven from OzRunways' Customer Support team talks about new features, working with users, and the insights gained from watching people use the system. He also talks about the importance of developers learning to fly to help them appreciate how the system is used.
0:18:22 - Every team needs a manager and Eddie Sieve holds down that role for the Freedom Formation while also flying as number three in the team's aerobatic element. He talks about how he got into flying, building his first aircraft, and discovering the Vans RV series of kit built aircraft. The discussion also includes how he obtained his aerobatic endorsement plus being with the Freedom Formation since it was just four them and they called themselves the Four Stooges (Grant did commentary for them at a number of their events). Eddie also tells us how the Freedom Formation wound up flying at the Pacific Air Show Gold Coast event in 2023, the fun they had at last year's event (pilot briefings were a favourite), what the team manager actually does, the importance of promoting the SAAA, and the team's sponsors who help make it all possible.
0:35:59 - Paul McVitty from Flyleds talks us about the incredible landing light kits his company provides for home builders, especially those making RV series aircraft. His products are certainly bright, making Grant think he was back on a dance floor, while even air traffic controllers have commented on how far away they can see aircraft using his lights. Paul also explains how his products generate such intense light beams without wasting light, and the special versions designed for tailwheel configurations.
0:47:11 - FLTLT Larissa "Laz" Stephens originally thought that RAAF pilots were really smart, like astronauts, then she met one and immediately applied to join. Laz opens up about her career, her motivations behind pursuing aviation, and her experiences instructing on the PC-21. Larissa reflects on her journey from her first trial flight to now having flown multiple platforms, and what it's like teaching the next generation of pilots. She also talks about the aerobatic aircraft she owns with her husband and how much she enjoys the very different style of civilian flying as well as the military.
0:58:29 - Ever thought about flying the P-51 Mustang? Chris Tulk and Frank Deeth get to do that and they were taking turns operating joy flights in VH-BOB, a Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation variant of the P-51D made in Melbourne back in 1947. The two share their extensive experiences with warbirds, military, airlines and general aviation. Chris recounts his diverse background in aviation, from his career flying military aircraft with the RAAF to the commercial airline sector and the beauty of flying historical planes. Frank reminisces about his early inspiration from his father who flew for the airlines, his passion for constructing home-built aircraft, and the unique opportunities he’s had flying various vintage airplanes, including the iconic Mustang and Spitfire.
1:19:43 - It wouldn't be an airshow episode without chatting to Andrew Temby and Grant managed to grab a few minutes with him as he waited to refill his Extra 300 before flying home.
Links:
Sport Aircraft Association of Australia: saaa.asn.au
AusFly: ausfly.com.au
Freedom Formation: www.freedomformation.com.au
OzRunways: www.ozrunways.com
Pacific Airshows Gold Coast: pacificairshowaus.com
FlyLeds: flyleds.com
Royal Australian Air Force: www.airforce.gov.au
Mustang Joyflights in VH-BOB: mustangjoyflights.com.au

Credits:
Introduction voice over and closing credits by Terry Daniel: http://yourvoiceover.com.au
Post-production: Chris Visscher
Episode artwork photos were taken by Grant

Contact us via [email protected]

It's our first episode for 2025 so we're allowed to say Happy New Year, right? Even though it's February, right? We may be Australia's longest running aviation podcast but we're taking a very long time to get to episode 200 :)
This episode we follow our dreams into the stratosphere and beyond, featuring a great chat with the Monash High Powered Rocketry team from Monash University. These amazing students are building and fuelling rockets that get up well above the cruising altitudes of airliners and even most corporate jets. We also get even higher beyond 100,000 feet with High Altitude Balloons. It's heady, rarified stuff in this one, so strap in and get ready to go sky high as the episode starts with Steve & Grant catching you up on what's new in their worlds before it unfolds as:
0:06:05 - We chat with Megan Robinson, Oliver Lancaster and Redmond Henry from the Monash HPR team about the program, their rockets, recent results, future directions and even a hint of more content to come during 2025. These folks are amazing and its no wonder that many of the HPR alumni wind up working with Rocket Lab, Gilmour Space, Space X and other legendary aerospace companies. Thanks to Rachelle Patturajan from the team for helping to coordinate everyone's schedules.
0:26:53 - We play some promos for other shows and organisations that we like and want to help spread the word about.
0:29:01 - When Grant flies a hot air balloon, he thinks 10,000' is sky high, but Robert Brand and the team from Flight Design go well over ten times higher than that. We chat with Robert about High Altitude Balloons in general, the company's experiences to date working with the Australian Defence Force and local universities, plus some of the payloads they're working with and how these balloons could be used to provide services like a satellite at greatly reduced time and cost.
1:01:28 - Steve and Grant wrap up the show with a reminder that you can drop us a line via [email protected] to say Hi, tell us about your latest adventures, or even suggest a potential guest we should chat with. We also shout out to:
The number of aviation podcasts that have sprung up while we were taking time off the airwaves.
Stefan Drury's challenges in getting back flying again (if you're not following Stefan's YouTube channel, you should be!)
Steve's Clear Signal radio show.
Grant's work with Australian Defence Magazine including hosting their podcast and even writing articles.

Links:
Monash HPR: www.monashhpr.com
Flight Design: flightdesign.com.au
Stefan Drury on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@StefanDrury
Steve's Clear Signal: www.clearsignal.com.au
Australian Defence Magazine: www.australiandefence.com.au
Dave Homewood's Wings Over New Zealand show: cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ_Show.html
The Journey is the Reward show: thejourneyisthereward.org

Credits:
Introduction voice over and closing credits by Terry Daniel: http://yourvoiceover.com.au
Episode artwork photos thanks to Monash HPR and Flight Design

Contact us via [email protected]

We've been a little busy lately and it's been a while since our last episode, so to make up for it we've released this rather chunky episode of aviation goodness covering the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2024 event. It's just like the old days when our episodes were long and the pause button was your friend...
The episode unfolds as per the details below. Enjoy!
0:01:11 - Steve & Grant chat about what's been happening, why it's taken so long to get this episode produced, Steve's new radio show (yes, radio!) called The Clear Signal, our fun at the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast with Brian Coleman (from the Journey is the Reward show and the Airplane Geeks) who joined us from California, despite immigration's best efforts, and what to expect from the interviews we collected. Oh yes, did we mention the beers?
0:06:15 - Jeff Boerboon updates us about what's been happening since last year, the Yak-110's appearance at Shellharbour, and how air shows can inspire the next generation of pilots.
0:12:17 - Air Commodore Micka Gray talks to Grant about his career since Pitch Black 2014 when he was last on the show, the RAAF's approach to air shows (both their own as well others they display at), and the benefits RAAF receives from their displays at last year's Gold Coast show in particular as well as their other appearances in general.
0:19:05 - Gary Cooper, a former RAAF pilot who has been awarded the USAF's Air Force Cross twice, and the Australian Defence Force's ground combat medal, talks to us on Vietnam Veterans' Day about his career and the situations he was in that lead to those three medals. From flying Norsemans and Junkers 52s in Papua New Guinea to joining the RAAF, the multitude of aircraft he flew and then becoming a Forward Air Controller until he left the RAAF after Vietnam and returned to flying with various airlines around the world. Gary's story is amazing and it was an honour and privilege to talk with him.
0:31:37 - Steve introduces the next block of interviews.
0:32:16 - We talk with Craig Hobart, the President of the Southport Flying Club, about the history of the club and the airport, the club's structure, the types of operations conducted at the airport (including medivac and rescue services), its importance to the area, and its involvement with the Pacific Airshows Gold Coast event. He also gives us a look at what the future holds for the airport and the club.
0:47:20 - Steve catches up with Mark Newton and Angela Garvey from the Freedom Formation Display Team about their displays at this year's and last year's air show, the changes that have happened since last year, Angela's career and how she joined the team, women in aviation, the team's sponsors & supporters, and how the team trains and conducts their display.
1:04:54 - Grant introduces the final block of interviews.
1:05:51 - Mandy Henschel from the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service returns to the show and gives us an update on the amazing developments in their community service and taking on the Police Air contract.
1:10:30 - Scott Andrews is one of the rescue crew members in the back of the Westpac helicopter who talks to us about his career, the efforts involved in becoming a crew member, the training they undertake, and what it's like to be on the end of the hoist when performing a rescue.
1:17:21 - Kurt and Matt from SydSquad, who provide a livestream of aircraft movements at Sydney's Kingsford Smith international airport (YSSY). The guys talk about their show, how it came to be, spotting at Sydney, their audience engagement, and their fund raising for the Little Wings charity.
1:21:34 - Steve & Grant wrap up the episode chatting about SydSquad, the amazing Gary Cooper and how he and the other Vietnam veterans were poorly treated by the government, and what to expect from our next show, some of which we've already recorded.
Links:
Pacific Airshow Gold Coast: https://pacificairshowaus.com
Steve's new radio show called The Clear Signal: https://www.clearsignal.com.au
The Journey is the Reward show: https://thejourneyisthereward.org
The Airplane Geeks show: https://www.airplanegeeks.com
Southport Flying Club: https://southportflyingclub.com.au
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service: https://lifesaver.org.au
SydSquad: https://www.sydsquad.com.au
Little Wings Charity: https://www.littlewings.org.au

Credits:
Introduction voice over by Kevin Hillier: http://howdypartnersmedia.com.au
Closing credits by Terry Daniel: http://yourvoiceover.com.au
Episode artwork photos by Steve Visscher

Contact us via [email protected]