Australian Aviation Podcast Network

No sooner have the Network Aviation strikes in WA ended than Airservices Australia becomes the next big name in the sector to face industrial action, as aviation rescue firefighters plan a work stoppage for 15 April and air traffic controllers apply for a strike vote. Amid arguments over "leaked documents", pay rises, and passenger safety, what impact will the industrial action have on the Easter school holidays? Adam and Jake take a look at both sides of the stoush and what might happen next. Plus, dodgy used plane dealers, paid armrest reservations, luxury towers with their own airports, and on-board dating apps – did you get tricked this April Fool's Day?

Heads are continuing to roll at Boeing, with the CEO and chairman both announcing their retirement by the end of the year.

It's the latest fallout in the ongoing turmoil stemming from the mid-air blowout on board an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January – but will even these senior figures falling on their swords prove to be too little, too late?

Adam, Jake and Ben talk about how the crisis at Boeing came about and how the venerable planemaker might pull out of its dive.

Plus, an engine failure leads to a nervous descent for passengers on Qantas' oldest A330, the UK's defence minister takes a joyride courtesy of the RAAF, and will Jetstar's 20th-anniversary ad campaign win hearts or scorn?

In a bid to boost Air Force recruitment, Defence has launched a cinematic new advertising campaign spruiking all the different roles available in the RAAF.

Featuring footage of (and shot in) actual RAAF aircraft, the ad blitz aims to get more young people interested in an Air Force career – but will it work?

Adam and Jake discuss whether the "Up There" campaign could help turn around the RAAF's ongoing talent shortage.

Plus, Boeing's ongoing travails give a nasty knock to Virgin's fleet renewal schedule – and should Bonza consider investing in smaller planes?

Pet-loving passengers rejoice – Virgin Australia is allowing literal 'sky kittens' on its planes, with small dogs and cats soon to be allowed in the cabin on select domestic flights. Naturally, there are caveats, of course: pets will need to be confined to approved carriers stored under the seat in front, and will be limited to certain rows, so your beloved pooch or pussycat won't be running around the cabin or nestling in your lap. Adam and Jake discuss whether this is a good idea – or whether the airline will soon be dogged by catastrophe. Plus, after a terrifying plunge for LATAM passengers over the Tasman Sea, will Boeing's popular 787 Dreamliner join the beleaguered 737 MAX in the sin bin?

This week, Bonza quietly revealed its Canadian aircraft would be gaining their Australian passports, switching from a wet to dry lease agreement.

Adam and Jake discuss what this means for the airline's future, and whether it could eventually fly from Sydney to Melbourne.

Plus, Jetstar staff have got a fashion makeover in time for the new season. But is the orange blazer tasteful or tactless?

Last week, Qantas released another set of impressive financial results that showed the airline is continuing its historic performance post-pandemic. But buried deep down was the news that the first A350 set to fly Project Sunrise direct flights from New York to Sydney was set to be delayed by six months. This episode, Jake and Adam discuss what it means for the Flying Kangaroo and whether this is just the start of more delays to badly needed new aircraft. Plus, are new reports that Jayne Hrdlicka was forced out of Virgin true? And if so, did owner Bain Capital make the right call?

This week, Virgin Australia's CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka, shocked the industry by stepping down as the airline's CEO. But has she left on a high, or is there more to the departure than meets the eye? This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest and speculate on who could take the top job. Plus, the pair discuss never-ending strikes at Qantas and the return of the ACCC's quarterly reports on aviation.

Babcock Australasia and Ambulance Victoria perform vital work in the state, serving 5.5 million people and retrieving or treating 6,000 patients a year – many of them in critical condition. This week, we speak to two of Babcock's aviation personnel working on the front line, senior base pilot Heath Mastin and senior aircrew officer Ryan Hurrell. The pair discuss how the team in the air works together in pressurised situations, the types of missions they respond to and where their passion for aviation came from.

Former fighter pilot Christian "Boo" Boucousis was one of the original hosts of the Australian Aviation Podcast when it launched in 2020.

Now he's back from his new home of Miami, Florida, to talk about how the industry has changed from the dark days of the pandemic.

He tells host Adam Thorn why the enhanced opportunities to fly in the US don't compare to the perfect Aussie lifestyle and what air forces worldwide need to do to retain their pilots.

Plus, the pair discuss Boeing's unending nightmare with its MAX – and what they can do to fix it.

This week, Qantas unveiled a flash new safety video that took in destinations as varied as Litchfield National Park and Lapland. The problem is not one bit of it was filmed in an aircraft. This week, the team discuss whether it's too smart for its own good, endangering safety, or whether the Flying Kangaroo's critics are more interested in holding a grudge. Plus, will Western Sydney Airport finally break the monopoly of monopoly airports and bring competition to the country's domestic aviation sector?