Australian Aviation Podcast Network

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.

Weren't things going so well? Domestic aviation had seen record low prices, record high planes in the air and almost all employees back to work.

However, Victoria's latest lockdown has sent the industry back into crisis mode. This week, Adam and Phil discuss what it means – and how big the damage could be.

The team also discusses last week's big interview with Rex deputy chairman John Sharp, who talked about the long-running disagreement between the regional airline and Qantas.

Finally, the podcast investigates whether coffee by drone is a good thing, or not.

What a year Rex has had: from COVID-induced oblivion to fighting for the Golden Triangle via a high-profile falling out with Qantas.

In this episode, we talk to the man in charge, deputy chairman John Sharp, to find out first-hand how it all played out.

We dig deep into the rights and wrongs of Qantas launching flights on previously exclusive Rex routes, how he coped with having to stand down staff and why the pandemic presented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to expand.

Finally, Sharp talks about his passion for aviation and why he loves the industry so much.

In this inaugural episode of Sky's The Limit, hosts Anna Grbas and Hannah Dowling are joined by guest Kirsty Ferguson, Australian Aviation's own careers and training columnist and aviation recruitment extraordinaire. This week, Kirsty discusses the current state of career opportunities in Australia in the post-pandemic environment, and the shift in managers' views towards gender and diversity in light of COVID. She also speaks out on the individual and important differences that women bring to today's aviation sector, and how she's using education as the most important tool to encourage more women into the industry. Finally, she touches on how an entrepreneurial spirit could be key to excelling in the post-COVID aviation working environment.

The ACCC has revealed it's proposing to deny authorisation for Qantas and Japan Airlines to collaborate when international travel – finally – resumes.

On this week's episode, Adam and Phil discuss what this means and why the airline has also opted to remain in its current bases.

Plus, the pair discuss the latest developments at Soar Aviation – the once biggest flight school in Australia that sunk into administration.

Finally, they examine the fallout from the latest COVID scare, caused by the now infamous 'BBQ Man'.

In this week's episode, Australian Aviation's chief pilot-cum-prodigal son, Boo, returns to join Phil and Adam to discuss the latest issues in the industry.

And chief among them is how the vaccine debate has changed, as worries shift from supply to demand.

Aussies' reluctance to get the jab is making many worry whether the country will ever open up, with Canberra Airport's CEO arguing the inoculated should be spared from observing lockdowns.

Finally, the team discusses Anzac Day flypasts, Jetstar's eye-catching campaign and a mix-up with Brisbane's green zone.

Domestic aviation is roaring back with aircraft back in the air and most staff now stood up. Surely, it's a time for celebration in the industry, right? Qantas and Rex have other ideas.

In this episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Phil Tarrant and guest Adam Thorn discuss why Qantas' Alan Joyce and Rex's John Sharp traded withering insults in newspaper columns last week, from 'broken propellers' to 'desperate' balance sheets.

Who is right and what's the motive for such personal attacks? And, who actually gains from this unpleasantness, or is it entirely about bruised egos?

Finally, we touch on the stunning recreation of the 737's upstairs cocktail lounge, hiccups with the trans-Tasman bubble and the latest on the sheep farmer taking the RAAF to court.