Niche Aviation Podcast

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 startedHow Electroflight partnered with Yasa Motors, Rolls Royce & the ATIWhy Rolls Royce want to accelerate the electrification of aircraftBreaking the electric flight speed record?Why Electroflight use the Sharp Nemesis NXT airframeHow Electroflight sourced the NXT airframeWhy Electroflight partnered with Yasa Motors for their propulsionElectroflight’s energy storage system Why aircraft battery cells need to be different from car battery cells. Urban air mobilities battery challengesElectroflight’s final testing programmeElectroflight’s growth as a business and innovation within energy storage systems. Partnering with Heart AerospaceLinks: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 BusinessesWhy Arran started Simple FlyingHow Simple Flying grew their audienceWhat it’s like to work for Simple FlyingWhy Jo joined Simple FlyingNiche Flight Destinations & Flying to St HelenaIn-flight connectivity & how artificial intelligence is changing aviationBiometrics in aviation Jo’s favourite airline - Flybe. The future of Simple FlyingLinks:Simple FlyingLatest Webinar: https://simpleflying.com/qatar-airways-webinar/  Website: https://simpleflying.comPodcast: https://simpleflying.com/podcast/Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.comLinkedin: 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 careerWorking for IATA in the CaribbeanWhy Lionel joined PayCargoWhy Air Cargo payments needs disruptingHow PayCargo is transforming global economiesHow the pandemic has changed the Air Cargo industryThe US payment landscapeHow 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 paymentsLinks:Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.comLinkedin: 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 FlylogixWhat work FlyLogix do?How Flylogix evolved. Flylogix & Methane DetectionHow Flylogix use Iridium & its satellite communication network to fly its droneWhy FlyLogix use a traditional aircraft design for its droneFlyLogix’s work with BPThe typical day of a Flylogix pilot & droneUsing Drones to help with Oil Spill detectionUsing 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/FlylogixWebsite: 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 GulfUnmanned aircraft in Oil & Gas industryHow Centrik makes airlines safer & more efficientSafety & Quality within aviation & how Centrik helpsCentrik's clientsHow the UK Police use drones and how Centrik helpAirline safety management systemsOperational safety in AntarcticaCentrik's future plansLinks:Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/CentrikWebsite: https://getcentrik.net/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flylogix-limitedTwitter: https://twitter.com/GetCentrikThis 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 startedUsing Helicopters for underslung load liftingHow 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 ReedbedsSkyhook’s future plansLinks:Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/SkyhookWebsite: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 USTypes of Crop-dusting Aircraft, Air Tractor & Thrush. The Day in the life of a Crop Dusting PilotWhy do farmers use Aerial Application?The Aerial Application Market in MinnesotaHow do you become an Ag pilotDrones in AgricultureCropdusting MisconceptionsLinks:Email: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-smith01/Ag AviationYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AgAviationAdventuresInstagram: 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-planeHow X-plane became successful & drivers of its success. Ark-Funds: https://ark-invest.com/How Austin prioritises improving X-planeWhat Austin thinks about Microsoft Flight SimulatorWhat impact technology has had on X-Plane's successUsing X-Plane for certified flight trainingTesting aircraft on X-PlaneThe future of X-PlaneLinks: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 airlineThe challenges of growing Astral AviationThe benefits of partnering with other airlinesAstral 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 BladesEmail: 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 AerospaceIn 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 PipistrelPipistrel 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 aircraftEmail: 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 plansEmail: 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 TeamEmail: nicheaviationpodcast@gmail.com  Links:https://www.apache-aviation.com/  contact@apache-aviation.com OlZVcJHCy1DcJVuSIEKY

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 productionLinks:https://www.hybridairvehicles.com/Fundraising Page: https://www.crowdcube.com/companies/hybrid-air-vehiclesAmazon 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