All our episodes

On this episode we have the Editorial Team from the Royal Aeronautical Society talking about events over the summer and return of airshows.

Whilst we take an Xtended break we mine the archives for some great content many of you may have never heard before. In this episode Gareth talks to Dave Gledhill about flying and fighting the F-4 Phantom FGR2, what the Tornado F-3 was really like and the Cold War realities of a nuclear outcome!

While we take an Xtended break we mine the archives for some great content many of you may have never heard before. In this episode Tim talks to Tony Blackman about test flying the V-Bombers, how he got in to flying and what it is like to have Howard Hughes in the cockpit.

Kim Gough is an Approach Air Traffic Control Officer, has a popular social media profile and is a trustee of the new charitable organisation – AiR Aviation in Reach.

Entering the aviation scene with his PPL at 17, Chris Taylor went on to have an amazing career flying over 400 aircraft types, a Royal Navy career flying Wasp and Lynx, leading to becoming a Test Pilot at the Empire Test Pilot School at Boscombe Down, later going on to become a Tutor at the ETPS. He later joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an aeroplane and rotary craft test pilot.

Gene Mikulka is the producer and a presenter on Talking Space the leading podcast on space and space exploration topics. Gene has been our ‘go to’ expert for space exploration updates having appeared five times on Xtended over the past 10 years. In this episode we look at the current plans for the ISS, how Boeing’s Starliner has faired on its LEO flight to the ISS. We also discuss SpaceX, Mars exploration and deep space exploration.

Bryan Wheelz is an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanic who has worked across multiple aircraft types. He has worked in aviation maintenance supervisory and management positions and is passionate about aircraft safety. He is also the host of the podcast ‘The Good the Bad and the Ugly: The Aviation Maintenance Industry – Raw’!

Michael Napier is an experienced author with multiple published titles to his name. An ex-RAF Tornado pilot with combat experience over Iraq, he is thorough in his research and, because of his knowledge of air warfare, is highly qualified to write on the subject. His latest book Flash Points – Air Warfare in the Cold War is the focus for discussion in this episode.

Graeme Rendall is an aviation and unidentified aerial phenomena historian, researcher and author who is a frequent guest on UAP-related podcasts. He has written books on Northumberland aviation history, a trip around north-east Siberian airfields and two titles dealing with UAP (UFOs) – one on the “Foo Fighters” of World War 2 and another concentrating on pilot and aircrew sightings between 1950 and 1952.

Gerry Humphreys is a former RAF Wing Commander with over 2500 hrs on the Harrier. With over 10,000 total flying hours on everything from fast jets, general aviation, aerobatic, sport, land, sea, utility and training aircraft, he is now an organic beef farmer living in Limerick.

With limited funding available to the South Africa Air Force, we talk to Darren Olivier from African Defence Review about why their Saab Gripens are all grounded and what impact this is having on both flying training and operational readiness. On a wider front we discuss rotary wing and heavily lift capability and how this too is hindering SAAF operations.

Michael Napier is normally associated with fast jets and he is also a recognised author specialising in aviation history. Most notable for his book ‘Tornado Over the Tigris’, Mike’s military career spanned almost two decades but what is less known is that for 21 years Michael Napier was a pilot and captain at British Airways. We discuss how he migrated from military fast jet flying to the life of an airline pilot; flying the DC10, Boeing 777, the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 787.

John ‘Rain’ Waters is a former USAF F-16 combat pilot and demo pilot. Now flying in the civilian world, John is the creator and host of the highly acclaimed and hugely popular ‘The Afterburn Podcast’.

We discuss the current news and analyse what can be taken from the early weeks of the conflict; the tactics, losses and impacts. Airliner issues are also on the agenda along with their impact on the supply chain and we finally move on to look at the space sector and some of the issues faced by the ISS team, ESA, NASA and the UK Space Agency.

Nothing seems to be more popular than Cold War aircraft and today’s guest Ian Sanders is the presenter and producer of one of the best historical and military podcasts out there…..Cold War Conversations.

‘Confessions of a Phantom Pilot: Memories of Flying the Phantom FGR2’ is Tug Wilson’s first book and he joins us to discuss his career and flying the mighty Phantom FGR2.

In the 40th anniversary year of the Falklands Conflict, we are joined by John Shields, author of ‘Air Power in The Falklands Conflict – An Operational Level Insight into Air Warfare in the South Atlantic’.

We are joined by Bill Yenne to talk about his book ‘America’s Few – Marine Aces of the South Pacific’, published by Osprey.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 9 – RAF Thorney Island. In this chapter we look at the role of the RAF Coastal Command airfield at Thorney Island.  

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 8 – The Fleet Air Arm.In this chapter we look at the role of the Fleet Air Arm as it supported RAF Coastal Command in World War Two.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 7 – Australian & Allied Aircrews. In this chapter we hear the reports and stories of aircrews from Australia, Jamaica, Canada and Morocco. Their commitment, heroism, and ultimate sacrifice.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 6 – The Adversaries. In this chapter we look at the adversaries for RAF Coastal Command.

Welcome once again to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 5 – Kiwi Crews. In this chapter we look at the role and involvement of aircrews from New Zealand in RAF Coastal Command.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 4 – Strike Wings. In this chapter we discuss the thinking behind the strike wings of RAF Coastal Command and focus on the North Coates and Banff squadrons, how they were structured and their successes and failures.

We are joined by Robert Forsyth to talk about his book ‘Luftwaffe Special Weapons 1942-1945’, published by Osprey.

In this brand new episode we talk exclusively to Major Renaud ‘Grat’ Thys, a CF-18 Hornet pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 3 – Battle of the Atlantic. In this chapter we discuss the role of RAF Coastal Command in the Battle of the Atlantic, with Mark Lardas.

In this chapter we talk to Ian Thirsk about the various aircraft types and their roles across the campaign. We have an interesting view of the Avro Anson thanks to an interview with Bill Reid who has the only airworthy Anson Mk1 and we also catch up with Andrew Bird to discuss the Blenheim’s Coastal Command service in detail.

Welcome to our Coastal Command series. This is Chapter 1 – Constant Endeavour (The Overview).

Tim is joined by John Nichol. During 15 years’ service in the Royal Air Force John Nichol flew Tornadoes in both the Air Defence and Ground Attack roles. On active duty during the first Gulf War in 1991 he was shot down on the first low-level, daylight raid of the conflict.

We are joined by author and Area 51 expert TD Barnes.We hear from TD on secret aviation developments, spy planes and how security was managed in such a highly sensitive environment.

With International Women In Engineering day on June 23rd we are absolutely delighted to welcome Kathy Morten to the show. Kathy is a Royal Air Force officer with a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering and shares her experience on military engineering careers and her pathway to her current role working with the mighty #TeamChinook.

Seaplanes and floatplanes, what is the difference? We talk to Dan Bolton, otherwise known as That Mallard Guy, who has arguably one of the best flying jobs in the world, flying seaplanes into one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

We talk to James C Goodall (USAF Retired) about his latest book ’75 Years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’. Jim relates his source for the book from Area 51 and the Skunk Works and brings fascinating stories to life.

We talk to Gavin Hoffen about his new book ‘Restoration Force’ which features the often unseen and sometimes secretive world of cockpit restoration projects. We find out why and how these are accomplished, along with the outcomes these enthusiasts hope to achieve.

Ellie, Tim and Pieter discuss the latest UK defence review and its impact on air assets. There is a fascinating discussion around the strategic direction of air power and where it will evolve to using manned flight and unmanned technologies like combat drones.

We are joined by retired fast jet and airline pilot and internationally acclaimed author Michael Napier to talk about his latest book ‘Korean Air War – Sabres, Migs and Meteors 1950-1953’.

We are joined by airline pilot Katy Lee who takes us through her career from training to flying the Boeing 737NG. The current pandemic has affected the sector more than many others and Katy tells us about the fantastic work being done by the charity Pilots Together.

We are joined by Major Brian ‘Casmo’, Harris who has over 22 years service as an US Army Officer and Warrant Officer. After five years as an Armor / Cavalry officer as an M1 Tank and 120mm Mortar Platoon Leader, Brian has spent over 18 years as an Aviation officer with over 2,200 hours flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and AH-64D/E Apache.

We are joined by space journalist, international TV host and award-winning author Sarah Cruddas to talk about the Mars Orbiters and her new book, ‘Look Up’.

We are joined by Dr Bryce Evans. Bryce is an author, historian and Associate Professor in History and Politics at Liverpool Hope University. Ellie and Pieter learn about the history of how airline food came to be such a gastronomic challenge and how this evolved in the marketplace.

Tim and Pieter are joined by pilot and STEM ambassador Ellie Carter to look at the news and take a reflective view on 2020, looking for both the positive and less positive changes that affected the aviation and aerospace industry.

The Xtended team round off 2020 by taking a look back at the tenth anniversary of the Harrier’s UK retirement with Air Vice Marshal Gary Waterfall CBE, Joint Force Harrier’s last Commander.

After a short break the whole team is back to talk about the latest aviation books from 2020 and the new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo) is a family owned business that specialises in aircraft maintenance, restoration and operational services, especially ‘warbirds’. They have restored over 40 different aircraft types from Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters to the Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star and the F-86 Sabre. Tim travelled to Duxford in Cambridgeshire to talk to John Romain from ARCo about their recent project to recognise the National Health Service efforts during the recent pandemic – the NHS Spitfire. 

Naval Air Historian Matt Willis joins us to talk about the the Supermarine Seafire – a navalised version of the famous Spitfire, adapted for use on aircraft carriers. A total of 2646 were built and saw action with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm from November 1942 until after the Korean War in the early 1950s.

Our guest for this episode is Lt Cdr Ian Sloan who has accumulated vast experience, including day and night, VSTOL embarked operations in the Sea Harrier and operational missions in Afghanistan in the Harrier GR9. As an instructor, he has delivered Advanced Flying Training to RAF, RN and Indian AF students in the Hawk, and has provided aviation assurance as the Hawk ‘Trapper’ on Naval Flying Standards Flight (Fixed Wing). He is also one of few people to have flown both Sea Harrier and Super Etendard.

We welcome Alexander Mladenov back to talk about the KA-52 Alligator (Nato codename – Hokum). We talk all variants from the early development of the V-80 single seat attack helicopter which materialised in to the KA-50 Black Shark through to the two-seat KA-52K Naval Variant.

Ellie Carter is Britain’s youngest licensed pilot, notably hitting the headlines on her 16th birthday after she became the youngest person in the country to fly solo in a powered aircraft. At 14 she was also the Britain’s youngest solo glider pilot.

We were delighted to be joined by Major Michelle Curran of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team.

Major Curran, callsign ‘Mace’ is just the fifth female Thunderbirds pilot and chatted to us from Las Vegas, discussing her route to becoming a fighter pilot and the challenges she met along the way.