Episode 379: Steve’s turn to Visit Fiji

Posted on December 2, 2015 by admin


Steve’s relaxing in Fiji but still takes a moment to chat with Grant & record some content for the OzDesk before going back to his strenuous relaxation program.

Virgin Australia were the most punctual airline in October but Steve’s aborted take off in one of their aircraft heading to Fiji won’t be helping them achieve the same result in November’s results. Ooops.

Meanwhile, following on from our story last month about Alliance Airlines getting their Fokkers serviced in Austria, it seems that Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines (that’s AUSTRIAN not AUSTRALIAN :) ) are taking a 12% stake in Alliance in return for giving them Austrian’s old Fokkers. Let the “Old Fokker” jokes commence!

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Episode 378: Ice ice baby!

Posted on November 25, 2015 by admin


Big news this week as the RAAF lands one of their C17s on the Wilkins ice runway in Antarctica.

The RAAF may also be looking at a new, bigger VIP aircraft as our Prime Minister needs a bigger executive jet to take his entourage with him on longer summit missions.

Despite the PM considering a bigger jet, mining magnate & politician Clive Palmer is trying to offload his lovely Citation X as well as his MD80s that have been sitting around for a while. Ooops, guess the mining boom is indeed coming to an end.

Meanwhile, shifting over to Steve’s favourite airline: TigerAir’s first 737 has been seen in the wild (as opposed to their usual A320s). These aircraft will be operated to Bali by Virgin Australia tech crew (TigerAir’s owner) but with TigerAir cabin crew & a 1-class seating layout (some might say “no class” but we digress…).

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Episode 377: All Air Showed Out

Posted on November 18, 2015 by admin

No segment for this episode as Steve’s busy with his day job and Grant’s recovering from doing commentary at the Armidale Air Show (well, OK, so he’s really recovering from the post air show partying, but the result is the same :) ).

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Episode 376: It’s all Back in Black

Posted on November 11, 2015 by admin


Grant’s not letting his birthday get in the way of recording an OzDesk but Steve’s been loading up the articles so this could be a long one!

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Episode 375: Angels Passing Gas

Posted on November 4, 2015 by admin


Steve’s had a good time being Em-Cee at the OzRunways fundraiser for Angel Flight with Matt Hall in the Regal Air hangar at Bankstown in Sydney but now it’s back to work and producing the OzDesk.

In the news today, CASA says it’ll listen to industry yet also says that it’s losing money which is rather odd for a government department.

Over in the Military world, a RAAF KC30A has refuelled a RAAF E7A Wedgetail during operations over the Middle East Region. This is the same E7A that has been given some rather interesting WW2 style nose art with Simpsons references.

Finally, Tracey Curtis-Taylor is on her way from the UK to Sydney, Australia in a Boeing Stearman. She’s currently transiting the Middle East and you can track her progress on her Bird in a Biplane website.

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Episode 374: Tiger Enters the Comedy Market, Who Knew?

Posted on October 28, 2015 by admin


The boys are back and the comedy flows as they report on Tiger Airways apparently improving their customer experience and even getting a new call center. Steve is less than enthused!

He is, however, rather excited about the next Retro Roo colour scheme from Qantas. As we record an existing 737-800 is in the paintshop at Townsville getting one of the old Qantas paint schemes applied. We’re hoping for the V-Jet look.

Meanwhile, Grant gets to run his Big Motor Fokker vs Little Motor Fokker joke as Virgin are selling off all their Fokker 50s.

Finally, Steve’s going to be Em-Cee for the Angel Flight charity dinner at Bankstown in Sydney on Saturday 31st. Get on down & support the cause if you’re in the area!

PS: We also have bloopers for this episode which you can play via the player below:

Steve's going to be Em Cee at the event

Steve’s going to be Em Cee at the event

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Episode 373: Up n Away from the Oz Desk

Posted on October 21, 2015 by admin

Grant’s up in the Hunter Valley flying hot air balloons and couldn’t join the recording so we’ve had to skip the OzDesk this week, sorry.

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Episode 372: Grant’s Back on Deck

Posted on October 14, 2015 by admin


Grant’s back on deck (& so is Nykolai :) ) but he’s struggling to remember how to do the AusDesk. Not to worry, Steve helps him get back in the groove and the guys report on:

PS: We also have bloopers for this episode which you can play via the player below:

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Episode 371: Calling Karratha, come in ATC Ben

Posted on October 7, 2015 by admin


Finally back after a bit of a break although Grant has subbed out due to family reasons, being ably replaced by ATC Ben.

ATC Ben on the ramp at Karratha, Western Australia

ATC Ben on the ramp at Karratha, Western Australia

Ben tells us about his recent slight change of job, and location, having moved from the world of en-route controller in Melbourne to tower controller in the remote Western Australian town of Karratha. He tells about the aircraft movement this predominantly mining based town hosts each day, including scheduled airline services through to multiple helicopter flights going out to the oil and gas rigs off the coast.

In the news, the RAAF has used a KC-30A tanker to successfully conduct air to air refuelling sorties with a USAF F-35A in the skies over California recently. Using the boom system, the Lighting II make 59 contacts, taking on 23,000lbs of fuel in total. A busy day for all involved.

Ben then talks about his participation in the annual World Flight event, the Australian version of which raises funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Ben is a regular participant in this virtual around the world flight, using a fixed based 737 simulator in Hobart, Tasmania. More details can be found at http://worldflight.com.au/.

PS: We also have bloopers for this episode which you can play via the player below:

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Episode 370: Exhausted from Flying?

Posted on September 30, 2015 by admin

Grant’s been in the country flying hot air balloons and is recovering from early morning starts and long drives getting back home again. He passed out early & wasn’t around to record with Steve and it was too late to arrange a backup. Thus, it’s all Grant’s fault that we have no episode, sorry :(

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