Niche Aviation Podcast: Recent Episodes
Nick Smith
Conversations with Niche Aviation Manufacturers, Airlines & Investors.
On this podcast, I'll share the stories behind these unique ventures.
Guests include founders, pilots & investors.
Electroflight have partnered with Rolls Royce to design, build & fly the world's fastest electric aircraft. This podcast is with the Managing Director of Electroflight, Stjohn Youngman.
In this episode we talk about:
- Stjohn’s background & his early interest in aviation.
- How Stjohn started working at Electroflight.
- Why Electroflight started
- How Electroflight partnered with Yasa Motors, Rolls Royce & the ATI
- Why Rolls Royce want to accelerate the electrification of aircraft
- Breaking the electric flight speed record?
- Why Electroflight use the Sharp Nemesis NXT airframe
- How Electroflight sourced the NXT airframe
- Why Electroflight partnered with Yasa Motors for their propulsion
- Electroflight’s energy storage system
- Why aircraft battery cells need to be different from car battery cells.
- Urban air mobilities battery challenges
- Electroflight’s final testing programme
- Electroflight’s growth as a business and innovation within energy storage systems.
- Partnering with Heart Aerospace
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Links:
Electroflight: https://www.electro-flight.com/
Simple Flying is the worlds’ largest aviation news platform. Founded by Arran Rice in 2018, Simple Flying now achieves up to 20 million page views per month. With the help of Managing Editor, Joanna Bailey, Simple Flying has grown the brand to include a website, multiple youtube channels & a leading aviation podcast.
In this episode we talk about:
- Arran’s Childhood Businesses
- Why Arran started Simple Flying
- How Simple Flying grew their audience
- What it’s like to work for Simple Flying
- Why Jo joined Simple Flying
- Niche Flight Destinations & Flying to St Helena
- In-flight connectivity & how artificial intelligence is changing aviation
- Biometrics in aviation
- Jo’s favourite airline - Flybe.
- The future of Simple Flying
Links:
Simple Flying
Latest Webinar: https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-webinar/
Website: https://simpleflying.com
Podcast: https://simpleflying.com/podcast/
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
PayCargo is an online payment platform for air cargo. Their platform is disrupting the air freight payment industry. This episode is with Lionel van der Walt, the Global Chief Commercial Officer of PayCargo.
PayCargo has processed over $10 billion and is used by over 12,000 shippers globally. Customers include American Airlines Cargo, DHL, Kuehne + Nagel & Delta Cargo.
In this episode we talk about:
- Lionel van der Walt's career
- Working for IATA in the Caribbean
- Why Lionel joined PayCargo
- Why Air Cargo payments needs disrupting
- How PayCargo is transforming global economies
- How the pandemic has changed the Air Cargo industry
- The US payment landscape
- How PayCargo has accelerated the movement of global cargo.
- The benefits of using PayCargo for shippers & carriers.
- Raising Venture Capital investment
- The challenges of air cargo payments
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
PayCargo
Website: https://web.paycargo.com/
Flylogix specialise in beyond the line of sight, unmanned aviation. The UK-based team use their drones to help Methane Detection, Oil Spill response & Surveillance. They are also currently in the early stages of using their drone for logistics work.
In this episode, I speak to Charles Tavner who is the founder & chairman of Flylogix.
In this episode we talk about:
- How Charles started Flylogix
- What work FlyLogix do?
- How Flylogix evolved.
- Flylogix & Methane Detection
- How Flylogix use Iridium & its satellite communication network to fly its drone
- Why FlyLogix use a traditional aircraft design for its drone
- FlyLogix’s work with BP
- The typical day of a Flylogix pilot & drone
- Using Drones to help with Oil Spill detection
- Using Drones for logistics
- Partnering with the Isle of Steam Ship Company.
- Working with the Civil Aviation to improve regulation & safety of drones.
- What’s the Future plans for flylogix.
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Flylogix
Website: https://www.flylogix.co.uk/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/centrik/
This podcast was produced & edited by House of Noise. House of Noise is a bespoke music production company, they provide full service music and audio production:
https://www.houseofnoise.co.uk/
David Hunkin is the Head of Unmanned Systems at Centrik. Centrik provides world-class operational management software to aviation businesses. Centrik’s software is used by Airlines, Airports & Maintenance businesses across the world, including as far as Antarctica.
In this episode we talk about:
- Using unmanned aircraft to clear danger areas in the Persian Gulf
- Unmanned aircraft in Oil & Gas industry
- How Centrik makes airlines safer & more efficient
- Safety & Quality within aviation & how Centrik helps
- Centrik's clients
- How the UK Police use drones and how Centrik help
- Airline safety management systems
- Operational safety in Antarctica
- Centrik's future plans
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Centrik
Website: https://getcentrik.net/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flylogix-limited
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GetCentrik
This podcast was produced & edited by House of Noise. House of Noise is a bespoke music production company, they provide full service music and audio production:
https://www.houseofnoise.co.uk/
Skyhook is a niche helicopter operator in Scotland. They specialise in underslung load lifting and use a Eurocopter Squirrel helicopter to lift heavy loads to remote regions of the UK.
In this episode we talk about:
- Who are Skyhook & how they started
- Using Helicopters for underslung load lifting
- How Skyhook help build paths in mountains
- What training is required to become an underslung load pilot?
- The Underslung load market in the UK & how Skyhook fit in.
- How Skyhook helped save the River Tay Reedbeds
- Skyhook’s future plans
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Skyhook
Website:https://www.skyhookhelicopters.co.uk/
The Mountains & the People: https://themountainsandthepeople.org.uk/
Firefighting in the river Tay: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/1293136/pictures-watch-as-brave-firefighters-battle-huge-wall-of-flames-along-river-tay/
This podcast was produced & edited by House of Noise. House of Noise is a bespoke music production company, they provide full-service music and audio production:
https://www.houseofnoise.co.uk/
Tyson & Cally work in Ag Aviation, also known as Crop Dusting or Aerial Application. Tyson is the pilot & Cally runs the ground operations.
If you want to learn more about Cropdusting or looking for a career in Ag aviation, then listen here. Tyson & Cally also run a Youtube channel, all the links are below.
In this episode we talk about:
- What is Aerial Application?
- Agricultural Aviation in the US
- Types of Crop-dusting Aircraft, Air Tractor & Thrush.
- The Day in the life of a Crop Dusting Pilot
- Why do farmers use Aerial Application?
- The Aerial Application Market in Minnesota
- How do you become an Ag pilot
- Drones in Agriculture
- Cropdusting Misconceptions
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Ag Aviation
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AgAviationAdventures
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agaviationadventures/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agaviationadventures/
This podcast was produced & edited by House of Noise. House of Noise is a bespoke music production company, they provide full service music and audio production:
https://www.houseofnoise.co.uk/
Austin Meyer founded X-plane in 1995, since then him & his team have developed a flight simulator that is used & loved by people & organisations across the world
In this episode we talk about:
- Why Austin started X-plane
- How X-plane became successful & drivers of its success.
- Ark-Funds: https://ark-invest.com/
- How Austin prioritises improving X-plane
- What Austin thinks about Microsoft Flight Simulator
- What impact technology has had on X-Plane's success
- Using X-Plane for certified flight training
- Testing aircraft on X-Plane
- The future of X-Plane
Links:
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/
Links:
X-Plane: https://www.x-plane.com/
Austin Meyer: https://austinmeyer.com/
Ark-Funds: https://ark-invest.com/
Astral Aviation is a Cargo airline based in Kenya. They operate a diverse fleet of aircraft which include 747s, 727s, DC9s and Fokker 27s. Despite, numerous challenges Sanjeev has successfully grown the airline over the last 20 years.
In this episode we talk about:
- How & why Sanjeev started a cargo airline
- The challenges of growing Astral Aviation
- The benefits of partnering with other airlines
- Astral Aviations future plans including drones in Africa.
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
Astral Aviation: https://www.astral-aviation.com/
Astral Drones: https://astral-aerial.com/
The Blades is a British aerobatics team. Their unique selling point is that their pilots are ex-Red Arrow pilots.
In this episode I talk to Kirsty Murphy. Kirsty is a pilot at The Blades.
Before joining The Blades, Kirsty flew the Tornado & Hawk in the RAF. Kirsty was also the first female Red Arrow pilot.
In this episode we talk about:
- Why Kirsty wanted to join the RAF
- What's it like to fly for the Red Arrows
- Flying Aerobatics in China & Dubai
- What's it like to fly with the Blades
- How you can fly with the Blades
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
The Blades: https://theblades.com/
The Blades Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBladesOfficial/
Kirsty Murphy: https://twitter.com/kirstymurphy18
Vertical Aerospace is a British aerospace manufacturer based in Bristol, England that designs and builds vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) electrically powered aircraft.
Vic Terry is the head of Digital Systems at Vertical Aerospace
In this episode we talk about:
- The history of Vertical Aerospace
- The type of aircraft they've built
- The difference between VTOL aircraft & helicopters
- The use case for their aircraft
- The future development & obstacles
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
Vertical Aerospace: https://www.vertical-aerospace.com/
Uber Elevate White Paper: https://www.uber.com/elevate.pdf
This week I speak to Ivo Boscarol, the founder of Pipistrel
Pipistrel are primarily focused on the ultralight aircraft market. Their aircraft are incredibly efficient and as a result are ideal for flight training schools.
Pipistrel are also the only aircraft manufacturer to build & fly a certified electric aircraft.
In this episode we talk about:
- How Ivo started Pipistrel?
- Why Pipistrel started producing aircraft instead of microlights?
- How Pipistrel have been able to grow without investment.
- Electric aircraft
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
https://www.pipistrel-aircraft.com/
This week I speak to Jonathan Clough
Jonathan is the UK Sales & Marketing Director of Jetfly. Jetfly specialise in the fractional ownership of Pilatus aircraft.
If you’re interested to learn more about Jetfly, Fractional Ownership or the Pilatus PC-12 then this show is for you.
In this episode we talk about:
- How Jetfly started?
- Who are Jetfly's Customers?
- How Fractional Ownership works
- Jetfly's growth
- Jetfly's future plans
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
https://jetfly.com/
Email: jonathan.clough@jetfly.com
Apache Aviation was the first civilian aerobatics team to fly fast jets. Flying ex-soviet military jets (Aero L-39 Albatros), Jacques Bothelin, the founder, performed air shows in 39 countries across Europe, North America, Asia & the Middle East.
From 2003, Breitling, the Swiss watch manufacturer, sponsored Jacques & seven of his jets to fly around the world to help them sell more watches.
Despite numerous setbacks, including an exchange with an Algerian fraudster, Jacques career is truly extraordinary.
In this discussion we talk about:
- How Jacques started an aerobatic team at 27 years old
- How Jacques persuaded Breitling to sponsor him for 17 years
- How Apache became the first civilian jet team
- What's next for the Apache Team
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com
Links:
https://www.apache-aviation.com/
contact@apache-aviation.com
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Dan Bolton has the dream job.
Flying 1940s Seaplanes out to remote Australian coastlines.
Dan is a pilot for Paspaley Pearls. Paspaley's main business is the farming of Pearls.
Based in North West Australia, Paspaley use Grumman Mallards to fly crew in and out of the farms.
In this discussion we talk about
- How Dan got into aviation?
- Why the Grumman Mallard exists & how it's still flying nearly 80 years later?
- What Paspaley do?
- How you can fly the Grumman Mallard & visit a pearl farm.
Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com (All feedback welcome!)
Links:
Dan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatmallardguy/
Paspaley Pearls: https://www.paspaley.com/
Paspaley Holidays: http://www.paspaleygroup.com/aviation/mallards
Hybrid Air Vehicles is a British Hybrid Airship Manufacturer.
In 2012, they built the world’s longest aircraft, also known the Airlander 10. Measuring over 100m long, the Airlander 10 is about 40% longer than an airbus A380.
I was fortunate enough to speak to the CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, Tom Grundy.
In this discussion we talk about:
- What makes Hybrid airships different from Hydrogen airships?
- How Hybrid Air Vehicles started?
- The Highs and Lows of building the Airlander 10.
- What use cases the Airlander is built for?
- The path to production
Links:
https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/
Fundraising Page: https://www.crowdcube.com/companies/hybrid-air-vehicles
Amazon Prime Documentary: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B088PG7H2C
Special thanks to House of Noise & The Podcast Collective. I couldn't have released this episode without your help!
- https://www.houseofnoise.co.uk/
- https://www.instagram.com/thepodcastcollective/?hl=en