Episode 23 – Claire Hatton, Commercial and Instrument Rating Instructor with Ravenair

G-RVRB courtesy Paul Tomlin

G-RVRB courtesy Paul Tomlin

This episode of Flying Podcast features an interview with Claire Hatton, a Commercial and Instrument Rating Instructor with Ravenair, based mainly at Liverpool, John Lennon Airport. We discuss what’s involved in more advanced ratings and licenses such as the IMC, Multi engine, IR and CPL. So if you have any interest in improving your flying or want to get into commercial aviation, have a listen to what Claire has to say.

Listen to Episode 23

Continue reading

Episode 22 – Arthur Williams flies with the BDFA

Arthur Williams with the BDFA

Arthur Williams with the BDFA

Following on from my chat with Mike Miller-Smith of the BDFA, today I’m talking to one of the pilots that has trained with them.

Arthur Williams broke his back in a car accident in 2007 leaving him paralised from the waist down. At the time he was serving with the Royal Marines and as you could imagine, he lead a very active life.

Listen to Episode 22

Continue reading

Episode 20 – The British Disabled Flying Association

BDFA

BDFA

In today’s episode of Flying Podcast I’m talking to Mike Miller-Smith from the British Disabled Flying Association.
The BDFA is a registered charity which provides ‘experience of a lifetime’ trial flying lessons for as many terminally ill & disabled people as possible every year. They also offer subsidised flying days for other disability charities and `at cost’ instruction & qualification flight training to BDFA members.

Listen to Episode 20

Continue reading

Episode 19 – Flying Hang Gliders and Paragliders

Paragliding on Mam Tor

Paragliding on Mam Tor

In this episode of Flying Podcast I talk to Judith Mole and Geoff Minshull who fly hang gliders and paragliders for pleasure.
In this podcast they tell us about why they have chosen to fly these particular sorts of aircraft and what is involved in learning to fly. We also discuss the equipment required and where to fly from.

Listen to Episode 19

Continue reading

Episode 18 – Dr. Ian Donnan, Aviation Medical Examiner

Medicals for Aviation

Medicals for Aviation

An interview with my aviation medical examiner, Dr. Ian Donnan.
Following on from my own class 2 medical I asked Ian to give me a run through of what takes place during an aviation medical, what you need to bring along to the examination, what the doctor looks for, the frequencies of examination and the differences between a class 2 and a class 1 medical.

For more information on aviation medicals or a list of your nearest AMEs, see the CAA website:

CAA

Listen to Episode 18

Episode 17 – Gary Cooper of Helicopters Northwest on Helicopter Training

Helicopter's Northwest - Robinson R22 G-SLNW

Helicopter's Northwest - Robinson R22 G-SLNW

Gary Cooper of Helicopters Northwest explains about helicopter training giving a brief outline of the syllabus, post PPL(H) training options and the sort of problems you can encounter whilst learning to fly.

Listen to Episode 17

Continue reading

Episode 16 – Paul Lomatschinsky flies a DA42 across the Atlantic

DA42 over the AtlanticPaul Lomatschinsky takes part in a comemorative flight across the Atlantic in a Diamond DA42 Twin Star. The flight, which took place in Feb 2009, was to comemorate the 90th anniversary of Alcock and Brown’s first non-stop flight from Newfoundland to Ireland in 1919.

Listen to Episode 16

Continue reading

Episode 15 – Charter Airline Captain Guy Cowper

An interview with Guy Cowper, a captain with the UK’s largest charter airline. We hear how he got into flying commercially, what a typical flying day involves, what it’s like to work for a major airline and hear a couple of funny stories too.

Listen to Episode 15

Episode 13 – The Gyrocopter Experience

Gyrocopter

Gyrocopter

Ever wondered about gyrocopters? Well wonder no more. Phil Harwood of gyrocopterexperience.com gives us some background information about gyrocopters, their safety, how to get into flying gyrocopters and what’s involved in getting a licence.

Listen to Episode 13

Continue reading

Episode 10 – Wanafly Aviation, France

Wanafly's Quik Flexwing

Wanafly's Quik Flexwing

Wanafly Aviation are Dave and Amanda Lord. They operate a microlight flying school in France. Today we chat about their background in aviation and how they came to set up their school in France.

Listen to Episode 10

Continue reading