We recently had a conversation about our favorite aviation podcasts—what’s good, not so good … the typical hangar-flying you might expect. As we worked out plans to bring you a comprehensive list of the ones we like best, we realized that wasn’t so helpful. Search your favorite podcast app for a term like “aviation,” and you get a long list from which to pick and choose. So we took a step back and concluded that what you might really like is a glimpse into some unconventional aviation podcasts that might not show up in your search results.
We’ll kick things off with three shows that keep percolating to the top for us. This isn’t to say that you should blindly subscribe. Rather, have a listen … and let these suggestions inspire you to seek out some oddball aviation-related podcasts yourself. And let us know what you find!
We plan to offer more of these suggestions in the future. Some might be off-beat or unpredictable. Others might be mainstream but grouped in ways that you’ll find appealing or different. Whatever the case, here’s our first stab at some podcasts you might not know about otherwise.
Omega Tau
This is primarily an engineering podcast. The hosts, Markus Voelter and Nora Ludewig, advertise that they are explaining the world of science and engineering. As such, aviation plays an important role in their content. But you’ll also find episodes about such things as modeling socio-technical systems, the Wendelstein 7-X Fusion Experiment (ok, some pretty hard-core physics sort of stuff), and steam locomotives. If you are of the sci-engineering bent … or if you just like trains … this is a great podcast. But if you like aviation (and we know you do), and in particular unconventional aviation, then this is a podcast you really might want to keep up with.
Here are a few episodes we liked. But in all honestly, with a catalog that exceeds 300 episodes, it will take us a while to provide you with a definitive list of their best shows.
Episode 235 – “A Walk in the Woods with Miami Rick and the Big Boeings”
Flying cargo in the 747 and 777 … among other things. This episode is particularly fascinating not just for the content of the conversation, but because it happened entirely while walking through the forest near Ramstein AFB in Germany. You really get the feeling that you’re walking and hiking with Markus and Rick. The nearly two-hour talk goes by quickly.
Episode 306 – “Flying the RC-135S Cobra Ball”
Flying the RC-135 Cobra Ball/Eye out of Shemya, Alaska to monitor Soviet/Russian ICBM missile launches and warhead reentries. Cameras, sensors, the cold war, and more!
Episode 297 – “Flying the AH-64 Apache”
An episode about the systems, the cockpit, and the experience of flying Boeing’s lethal twin-turboshaft attack helicopter. What we really found interesting though was the discussion about the missions it’s flown.
Episode 291 – “Flying in the Papauan Bush”
This one’s right in the Oddball Pilot’s wheelhouse, for obvious reasons!
You might also like the episodes about the Long Haul Glider (Markus is a glider pilot), the U-2 spy plane, the Perlan Project, and carbon fiber wings. Check out their archive for a list of past episodes. In true engineer style, there’s a Python script if you’re brave (and tech savvy) enough to download ALL 300+ episodes at once. The Omega Tau website is available in a variety of languages, so be sure to click the translation links in the right rail. Episodes typically run about an hour.
English: http://omegataupodcast.net/category/podcast-en/
German: http://omegataupodcast.net/
Opposing Bases
Your hosts are both air traffic controllers AND pilots. Cleverly disguised behind their ATC operating initials Alpha Golf and Romeo Hotel, this rather laid-back duo brain dumps with the sort of humor that insiders use with other insiders. Their experience flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft, as well as working ATC in an up/down tower/radar facility provides them the legitimate experience to offer insights from both sides of the pilot/controller relationship. They have a really cool feature that lets you record a message for them, or a question that they’ll answer in a future show. The episodes are both informative and entertaining, and they banter through some pretty interesting scenarios and topics. Great stuff, especially if you’re interested in what goes on in a tower, in a TRACON, or in a controller’s head.
It’s hard to offer a list of favorites, so scan the list of shows and listen to what sounds interesting. We liked:
Episode 77: Everyone Is Cleared to Land
We really liked hearing about differences in flying approached in helicopters versus fix-wing aircraft. And especially about how flying an approach in a helicopter might change your approach category … during the approach!
Episode 76: Help Wanted
Tips on getting hired as a controller. Sounds like it takes some patience.
Episode 73: Fun Checkrides and Fat Airplanes
Ever take a check ride where your examiner was also getting a check ride? You’ll also hear some interesting comments on hypoxia, including its unique symptoms for each person, and how training and long-term memory can help you remember how to recognize your symptoms.
One other thing: what’s up with the name, “Opposing Bases?” Think about parallel runways and how two aircraft can find themselves staring at each other as they fly their own respective base legs in the pattern. Very clever. Give it a go. Episodes typically run a little over an hour.
https://www.opposingbases.com/
The Rocketeer Minute
Billed as, “Disney’s Greatest Adventure Film, One minute at a Time,” your first impression of this podcast might be … why do I want a review of this movie one minute at a time? But give it a try. Because there’s more, and so much of it involves aviation. In fact, the film certainly has a great deal of flying and aviation. If you watch the film (and we suggest that you do), you’ll see some fancy flying performed by Steven Hinton Senior, Craig Hosking, and the late Jimmy Franklin (among other great airshow pilots). And they fly some interesting airplanes, such as the Bee Gee Model Z Super Sportster, Travel Air Model-R Mystery Ship, Hughes H-1 Racer, Ryan ST-A, Great Lakes 2T-1A, Standard J-1, Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor … okay, you get the picture. There are some very cool, vintage airplanes that you’ll see as they really are (were?), and not as CGI.
So why this podcast? Well, to be fair and transparent, we know one of the hosts, Hal Bryan, rather well. But that’s not our motivation. What we like about The Rocketeer Minute is that while Hal and Jim O’Kane focus first on the movie, their conversation inevitably takes them down one interesting aviation tangent after another. Another reason is that they have guests on the show who reveal some fantastic aviation insights. You’ll hear from folks like the aforementioned Craig Hosking (a remarkable pilot and coordinator of the flying sequences), Jack Pelton (Chairman and CEO of EAA), Erik Lindbergh (grandson of, yes, that Lindbergh), and Jonathan Bach (named for the seagull in the classic book penned by his father, Richard Bach). That’s just a small sampling.
It’s hard to pick favorite episodes, but more memorable stories include how pilots basically “wear” the Bee Gee, and also how the “crash siren” has made its way into our associative psyche as the common sound all airplanes make in a steep-dive crash. So, watch the movie, enjoy the story, marvel at the flying, and then tune in to The Rocketeer Minute for some interesting content, anecdotes, and insights from a cast of interesting actors and aviators. We encourage you to listen to several shows. They’ll just get better and better, and they’ll leave you wanting more. Episodes typically run between 30 and 60 minutes.
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