Aviation’s deep freeze shows no sign of thawing – but this week Alan Joyce broke cover to reassure staff stand-downs will be avoided. For now. In this week’s episode, Phil and Adam discuss the latest situation with borders and lockdowns, and ask how quickly domestic aviation can recover. Plus, Australian Aviation talks through its story aiming to track down all the Qantas 747s in boneyards. How did we do it… and what happens when an aircraft reaches the Pearly Gates? Finally, Air New Zealand is now Australia’s biggest international airline. What does this mean for bragging rights across the Tasman? 

As domestic aviation’s latest COVID slumber continues, host Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn try to find some reasons to be positive. Because amid the gloom, there’s been some great stories of late, not least that of hero pilot Gerry Geltch, who saved his trainee co-pilot by repeatedly re-entering the wreckage of his Cessna after it crashed into the sea. The team also discusses the space race between Sir Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, and what it means for the future of aviation. Finally, as Talisman Sabre continues, what is its significance to the RAAF?

Amy Shira Teitel is a woman of many talents – she’s a space historian, YouTuber, TV host, and now, a biographical author. On this episode of Sky’s The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling are joined by Amy to discuss her latest biographical novel, titled Fighting for Space, which tells the story of the women vying to become NASA’s first female astronauts, and the Mercury 13. Amy tells us the story of Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb, two distinguished pilots who dreamed of flying to space, and the rivalry between them that contributed to the downfall of the Mercury 13 program. Finally, Amy shares details of how she pieced together this incredible story, her creative process, as well as her own experience as a woman operating in the male-dominated spaces of science, history and academia.

Leaving any job in aviation can be hard. Particularly if you’re a pilot, and even more so if you’re an RAAF fighter pilot. How do you deal with giving up a lifetime’s work? There’s probably no person in Australia who has managed the transition better than Jim Whalley, who co-founded Nova after a hugely successful career flying Hornets. In this interview, Adam and Jim discuss his career, what possessed him to take the gamble of moving into business, and what the future holds for one of our industry’s most influential companies. Plus, the pair chat about why it’s so important to get the next generation of young Australians interested in STEM subjects, as aviation faces years of huge disruption and growth.  

Last week, it was back to the future as half of Australia went into lockdown and state borders slammed shut.

On this week’s episode, host Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn talk through the sobering events and ask how long airlines can hold their nerve and not stand down workers.

Plus, the pair chat about the effect of Australia reducing its overseas arrival caps. How much harder will it make it for the country to remain open, and for stranded Aussies to get home?

Finally, we celebrate the ingenious targeting abilities of Army’s super smart Shadow drones, and a new era of space and aviation collaboration. 

In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, Defence Connect news editor Charbel Kadib joins Adam and Phil to discuss the latest developments in military aviation.

The team begins by addressing the latest COVID-19 outbreak in NSW and its potential consequences, before reflecting on the evolution in air power, including the recent integration of the fifth-generation F-35A fleet.

The trio also touch upon the recent testing of RAAF capability across a number of major military exercises, including Exercise Arnhem Thunder and Exercise Rogue Ambush.

Finally, they chat about the impact of suspending the MRH-90 Taipan fleet and the greenlighting of Defence’s purchase of 29 Boeing-built Apache aircraft.

Last week, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advised citizens not to travel to NSW – but stopped short to shutting her borders.

It meant many businesses were in limbo, denied insurance payments but also unable to travel or put on events.

In this week’s episode, Phil and Adam discuss where Australia’s state border chaos goes. Should there be a national plan, and has the country surrendered its advantage with its slow vaccine rollout?

Finally, the pair talk about the ongoing capacity wars: does Virgin have a chance of knocking Qantas off its pedestal as airlines scramble to reclaim lost market share?

Deborah Lawrie is undoubtedly a name you have heard before – She was Australia’s first female pilot for a major commercial airline, following a years-long battle with Ansett Airlines that made it all the way to the High Court. On this episode of Sky’s The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling are joined by the pioneering female aviator to discuss the details of her early career in aviation, and how her passion for flight began to develop in her teens. Deb also shares the story of fighting against Reg Ansett himself for her right to fly, how she never thought her discrimination case would end up reaching the High Court of Australia, and the barriers that still permeate through the aviation industry to this day for women. Finally, Deb reveals her own plans and solutions to getting girls interested and engaged with the aviation industry from a younger age, a feat she believes will see female participation in the industry skyrocket.

How’s this for a life story: Matt Hall was an ex-Hornet pilot, combat instructor and Wing Commander who transitioned into becoming an air race pilot.

In 2019, he become the Red Bull Air Race World Champion.

In this episode of the Australian Aviation podcast, Matt talks to hosts Boo and Phil on his 2010 crash, dealing with risk, flying in the RAAF and how he navigated COVID.

Matt also talks about his love of flight, getting into the Air Force, believing in himself and why it’s important to take your chances in life. 

Last week, Rex released a newspaper advert featuring supposed complaints from Qantas customers struggling to get their refund. It marked a new low in the very public fallout between the two airlines.

On this week’s episode, host Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn discuss the fallout. Is all fair in love and war, or will Rex rue the day it hit below the belt?

Plus, as Melbourne’s lockdown shuffles along, has the Victorian government made the right call?

Finally, it’s snakes – quite literally – on a plane as the critters shelter under Qantas A380 wheels.