Best Nervous Flyer Podcasts (2025)

1
S4 E5 Al interviews Shorty Part 2 45:43

10h ago45:43

45:43

Send us a text Hi Fearless Flyers, welcome to my new series on the Fearless Flyer Podcast, "There I was... with Al." In this episode, part 2 of talking to Shorty about his aviation career, his brushes with the poison, tree branches and what he has experienced throughout his career, the lessons he had learnt and finally asking Shorty, "what makes a …

1
Lord of the Wings: Return of the King 46:24

1d ago46:24

46:24

She’s back – after Labor secured a thumping majority in this month’s federal election, Catherine King has been reappointed to her portfolio as minister for transport and infrastructure. In her first term, the minister released an Aviation White Paper, pushed ahead with reforms to Sydney slots, backed the new Western Sydney Airport, ended the war ov…

1
When America sneezes… 46:01

8d ago46:01

46:01

As tariffs and border crackdowns continue stateside, the number of Australians taking trips to the US has slumped, with travel to Asia surging instead – a trend noticed by Flight Centre, which is taking a hit to its bottom line. It’s not just passengers that are causing a headache for aviation amid the US uncertainty, however: if the trade war caus…

1
Is pay-on-delay a ‘win-win’? 41:39

14d ago41:39

41:39

It’s one of the biggest political bunfights in Australia’s aviation sector – should the government force airlines to compensate passengers for delays within their control, above and beyond the usual refunds or flight credits? If you listen to the airlines, the answer is a resounding no, with representatives at the Senate committee hearings on propo…

1
S3 E21 Cargo door looks good? Part 1 40:41

14d ago40:41

40:41

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we welcome Stefan onto this episode to discuss what happens when a new aircraft design is pushed too fast by an aircraft manufacturer. As per usual, you can contact us on email or social media at: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FearlessFlyPod Facebook: The Fearless Flyer Instagram: FearlessFlyP…

1
Trade war clips Boeing’s wings 42:39

22d ago42:39

42:39

As if Boeing needed more bad news, the US-China trade war has delivered another body blow to the planemaker with Beijing ordering a halt on new Boeing plane deliveries to Chinese airlines. As China’s aviation industry is upended by the news, what does it mean for one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world – not to mention Boeing’s com…

1
ASIC closes the book on Bonza 40:11

29d ago40:11

40:11

Almost a year after the swift and sudden demise of Bonza, some relief for its directors came this month with ASIC confirming it would take no further action against them. Absent any further evidence, the decision effectively draws a line under the collapse of a carrier that started with dreams of uniting “Allstralia” and ended in a storm of tears, …

1
S4 E4 Al interviews Shorty Part 1 49:59

1M ago49:59

49:59

Send us a text Hi Fearless Flyers, welcome to, "There I was... with Al." In this episode I talk to Shorty about his aviation career, initial flying experiences and what he has experienced throughout his career, this will be part one of a two-part episode talking to Shorty. So join me, Allan, in the middle of every month for a new journey into the f…

1
Fool us once… 44:48

1M ago44:48

44:48

Another April Fool’s Day is behind us, and unfortunately for everyone excited about driving in a 737 from Sydney to Melbourne, it turns out “Wombat Groundways” isn’t actually real – sorry. Between Virgin Australia allowing you to check your “emotional baggage” and Mad Mex’s move into in-flight catering, aviation April Fool’s fans ate well this mont…

1
On location at Avalon Airshow 21:24

1M ago21:24

21:24

It’s the biggest event in Australian aviation: the biennial Avalon Airshow, which this year ran over six days at the end of March. Featuring static and aerial displays, as well as trade exhibitors and networking events, the 2025 show attracted more than 200,000 people in total across the six days, including 60,000 industry visitors. Around 350 airc…

1
S3 E20 Non-precision approaches no more 34:17

1M ago34:17

34:17

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we welcome Charlie onto this episode to discuss what was going to be done about all those non-precision approaches that were the cause of many accidents that categorised as controlled flight into terrain. As per usual, you can contact us on email or social media at: Email: [email protected] Twitter…

1
How Mission Aviation Fellowship is helping remote communities 25:48

2M ago25:48

25:48

Mission Aviation Fellowship uses its aircraft and volunteers to help people living in the most isolated communities in Australia and around the world. In this episode, the charity’s new local CEO, Chris Barnes, talks about their vital work, and what you can do to support them. The pair also discuss the organisation’s history, its fleet and stories …

1
Infrastructure Week for Australia’s airports 50:07

2M ago50:07

50:07

As the “big four” airports – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – bring in record revenues for their aeronautical operations, they’re starting to splash a lot of that cash on future-proofing their infrastructure. Between third runways, terminal renovations, new safety technologies, and of course the ongoing construction of a second Sydney intern…

1
S4 E3 Al interviews Hennie 1:05:39

2M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Send us a text Hi Fearless Flyers, welcome to my new series on the Fearless Flyer Podcast, "There I was... with Al." In this episode I talk to Hennie about his aviation career, initial flying experiences and what he has experienced throughout their career, the lessons he had learnt and finally asking Hennie, "what makes a good pilot?" So join me, A…

1
A bad week to be a nervous flyer 42:38

2M ago42:38

42:38

Between tropical cyclones, cockpit medical episodes, and airport security breaches – and all of those just in Australia – one could perhaps be forgiven this week for having a sudden bout of aerophobia. There’s been a harsher spotlight on aviation safety stateside, too, with staffing cuts threatening the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as S…

1
Qantas threads the needle 45:20

2M ago45:20

45:20

Since the departure of Alan Joyce in late 2023, new Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson has largely eschewed her predecessor’s bombastic camera-friendly style, instead keeping her head down and focused on rebuilding Australia’s trust in the Flying Kangaroo. Passenger experience has become the watchword, with the recent announcement of another solid half-year…

1
S3 E19 EGPWS saves the day Part 5 24:53

3M ago24:53

24:53

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we finish our discussion with Adrian about the GPWS with how the Enhanced GPWS saved a flight from disaster. As per usual, you can contact us on email or social media at: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @FearlessFlyPod Facebook: The Fearless Flyer Instagram: FearlessFlyPod A request for help from…

1
Is it third time lucky for MH370 searchers? 55:53

3M ago55:53

55:53

More than 10 years after the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370 in the Indian Ocean, the plane has yet to be found despite two search efforts – and the families of those who lost their lives still have no answers. But a new search effort, led by Ocean Infinity, has once again raised hopes that the wreckage may yet be uncovered…

1
How GE Aerospace is innovating towards a sustainable future 37:06

3M ago37:06

37:06

In this special episode of the Australian Aviation Podcast, host Adam Thorn speaks with Jeff Shaknaitis, the customer sustainability leader at GE Aerospace, about the industry's push toward net-zero emissions by 2050. Jeff shares his career journey and how his passion for sustainability led him to play a key role in GE’s efforts to help airlines de…

1
Is Rex on the road to nationalisation? 1:02:13

3M ago1:02:13

1:02:13

As Rex has limped on in administration over the past half-year, with prospects for a sale dimming, the question has occasionally been asked: might the government step in more forcefully to keep its essential services in the air? Now we have our answer: if the administrators can’t find a buyer, the government is looking at the option to buy Rex itse…

1
S4 E2 Grant interviews Al.... payback! 41:56

3M ago41:56

41:56

Send us a text Hi Fearless Flyers, welcome to Al's new series on the Fearless Flyer Podcast, "There I was... with Al." Grant will be interviewing Al about his aviation career, his flying experiences and what he has experienced throughout his career, the lessons he has learnt and finally asking Al, "what makes a good pilot." Then episode 3 onwards, …

1
Who will win Virgin’s ‘game of planes’? 31:26

3M ago31:26

31:26

The news came like an assassin in the night: Paul Jones, the long-rumoured frontrunner to replace Jayne Hrdlicka as CEO of Virgin Australia, was out of contention following pushback by the powerful TWU. With no further word on who might be under consideration for the top job – and with Hrdlicka still saying she intends to leave the airline – when m…

1
Is the wait almost over on Virgin’s Qatar deal? 59:24

3M ago59:24

59:24

It’s been a few months since the announcement of one of the biggest deals in recent Australian commercial aviation history: the purchase of 25 per cent of Virgin Australia by Qatar Airways, and with it, the return of Virgin international wide-body services through a wet-lease agreement for flights to Doha. Approval for those services currently rest…

1
S3 E18 Situational Awareness on an island Part 4 31:24

3M ago31:24

31:24

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we continue our discussion with Adrian about the disastrous effects of when flight crew lose their situational awareness, this time the aircraft had GPWS installed but it was still using the basic GPWS, new technology that was available had not yet been mandated into the industry to save this particular flight.…

1
The Boomerang’s comeback 22:28

4M ago22:28

22:28

The Spitfire, the Hurricane, the Kittyhawk – when asked to name the fighter planes that won World War II, most people would place these legendary machines high on the list. Yet largely absent from these lofty histories is the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation’s CA-13 Boomerang – Australia’s home-grown fighter plane, adapted from a training aircraft…

1
Has Koala already fallen out of the tree? 45:27

4M ago45:27

45:27

In the wake of Bonza’s collapse and Rex’s administration last year, another prospective domestic carrier – Koala Airlines – was suddenly garnering media attention despite not yet having aircraft or a clear business plan. While its website, filled with glossy renders of 737 MAX 8s, promised to “carve out a unique niche” in Australia’s aviation secto…

1
Are we ready for the next Black Summer? 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

As water bombers try to contain the dramatic wildfires besieging Los Angeles, there are fresh warnings that longer fire seasons overseas may prevent other countries from sending their firefighting aircraft to help Australia in future. Though the bushfire seasons since 2019–20’s Black Summer have been comparatively mild, it’s likely only a matter of…

1
S4 E1 Al interviews Grant 43:57

4M ago43:57

43:57

Send us a text Hi Fearless Flyers, welcome to my new series on the Fearless Flyer Podcast, "There I was... with Al." I will be interviewing pilots about their aviation careers, their initial flying experiences and what they have experienced throughout their career, the lessons they have learnt and finally asking them what makes a good pilot. So joi…

1
South Korea crash puts safety back in the spotlight 41:07

4M ago41:07

41:07

Last year ended in another aviation tragedy, with the horror crash of Jeju Air flight 7C2216 in Muan, South Korea, killing all but two people on board. As investigators sift through the plane’s wreckage and the black boxes to figure out what went wrong, light aircraft crashes closer to home are raising questions about whether our own transport safe…

1
S3 E17 Situational Awareness around mountains Part 3 29:11

4M ago29:11

29:11

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we continue our discussion with Adrian about the disastrous effects of when flight crew lose their situational awareness, this time the aircraft had GPWS installed but it was still using basic GPWS, new technology that was available had not yet been mandated into the industry to save this particular flight. Let…

1
How Cyclone Tracy produced Australia’s greatest airlift 27:34

5M ago27:34

27:34

It’s been five decades since the year “Santa never made it into Darwin”, when Cyclone Tracy devastated the Northern Territory capital in the wee hours of Christmas morning 1974. In the wake of the disaster, the city – and all of Australia – pulled together to make sure its 40,000 people could safely rebuild. This included the nation’s aviation indu…

1
Australian Aviation’s 2024 year in review 54:53

5M ago54:53

54:53

Twelve months is a long time in aviation, and 2024 has been longer than most – not least because of the ignominious collapse of two domestic airlines, Rex and Bonza, which a year ago had seemed in far better shape than they actually were. Of course, these weren’t the only major developments, with Qatar and Virgin announcing a big new tie-up, the go…

1
The fight for disability rights on flights 43:14

5M ago43:14

43:14

A few months after the government’s Aviation White Paper promised action on disability access in airports and planes, a new advocacy campaign is calling for faster change in the industry. Led by disability rights spokesperson Shane Hryhorec, the campaign says there are significant systemic problems around access that are leaving disabled passengers…

1
Virgin rolls ahead on Qatar deal 34:34

5M ago34:34

34:34

Virgin Australia’s tie-up with Qatar Airways is gathering steam, with the ACCC giving interim approval to sell tickets on 28 weekly wet-leased services to Doha, while the airline has officially applied to the IASC for all the available capacity. There may be turbulence ahead, however, with the influential Transport Workers’ Union hinting it might t…

1
S3 E16 Situational Awareness CFIT part 2 29:51

6M ago29:51

29:51

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, we continue our discussion with Adrian about the disastrous effects of when flight crew lose their situational awareness, the good news however was that the regulators had sat up and mandated that new technology be applied to reduce this ongoing issue. And a brilliant avionics engineer Don Bateman and his team …

1
Top dollar in the Top End 34:54

6M ago34:54

34:54

Think your airfares are bad? Spare a thought for the people of Darwin, who according to a recent ABC Stateline report, are having to pay thousands of dollars – even months in advance – for an interstate flight. Both Qantas Group and Virgin have denied any accusations of price gouging, with Qantas blaming various regional and seasonal factors while …

1
Series 4 is coming, "There I was... with Al" 2:07

6M ago2:07

2:07

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, We have a new host joining the Fearless Flyer, bringing his own series to the podcast, "Series 4, There I was.... with Al." Al is a Boeing 777 Captain and also a Crew Resource Management (CRM) instructor. In his series he will be chatting to experienced pilot's about their careers, interesting events that had o…

1
Splitsville for Virgin and Etihad 47:52

6M ago47:52

47:52

It’s official – after more than 10 years codesharing with Virgin Australia, Etihad has called it quits, announcing the tie-up will end next June irrespective (it seems) of whether the exclusivity arrangement between Virgin and Qatar Airways is approved. With codesharing on Singapore Airlines services beyond Asia also looking likely to get the chop …

1
Rex’s $80m life raft 45:04

6M ago45:04

45:04

It’s been three-and-a-half months since Rex went into administration, and while the planes are still flying, so far the administrators have yet to find a buyer for its regional turboprop operations despite securing a deal to sell off the profitable aeromedical wing Pel-Air. Enter the federal government, which has extended its support for the airlin…

1
Inside the “Chairman’s Lounge” 49:27

6M ago49:27

49:27

It’s the book that’s sent shockwaves through the aviation world: The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out, a deep dive into the Alan Joyce era and how Qantas went from one of the most trusted brands in the country to one of the least. Covering the decisions made during COVID-19 – including the illegal outsourcing of ground …

1
S3 E15 Situational Awareness CFIT part 1 25:08

7M ago25:08

25:08

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, in this and the next four episodes we are going to be discussing the disastrous effects of when flight crew lose their situational awareness, the good news however was that a brilliant avionics engineer would ultimately come to the rescue. We are fortunate enough to have Adrian back with us for these episodes, …

1
Alan Joyce – hero or villain? 48:20

7M ago48:20

48:20

Alan Joyce may be gone, but his ghost continues to haunt the halls of Qantas HQ at Mascot, with new chairman John Mullen saying at last week’s AGM that the Flying Kangaroo “might well have not survived” COVID-19 without the colourful former CEO and ex-chairman Richard Goyder. His remarks came, however, as a new book from former columnist for The Au…

1
And the Huey goes to… 52:19

7M ago52:19

52:19

It’s BITRE season again, and while domestic aviation still lags the long-term averages, there’s one figure where the industry is unexpectedly ahead: in a rare showing, cancellations for September were below the long-term average even as on-time performance continued to struggle. Meanwhile, in another mixed-bag month for the major airlines, which wa…

1
Angela Garvey talks her GA mental health survey 15:24

7M ago15:24

15:24

Angela Garvey recently won the Excellence Award at our Australian Aviation Summit, the title we grant to the overall winner from our nine individual categories. However, she is best known for ‘Navigating Aviation’, a confidential counselling and support service she started following a fatal plane crash in her skydiving business in 2006. More recent…

1
Slots, Soot and saving Rex 43:48

7M ago43:48

43:48

Following the publication of the Aviation White Paper, Transport Minister Catherine King has introduced Sydney slot reform legislation to Parliament. The amendments make up a number of changes to procedures at Australia’s most important airport, but how much of a difference will they make? This week, Adam and Jake discuss the latest developments, w…

1
Virgin and Qantas and Rex – oh my! 43:51

8M ago43:51

43:51

It’s been a big news week for the two major domestic airlines, with Virgin confirming long-held speculation that Qatar Airways is looking to take a 25 per cent stake (and announcing wet-leased flights to Doha), while Qantas tries to resolve engineering strikes as it increases its international capacity and launches a slick new North American ad cam…

1
S3 E14 Zero Flight Controls 50:46

8M ago50:46

50:46

Send us a text Hello Fearless Flyers, in this episode we welcome Al as a guest host, Al has a special interest in CRM and in this particular episode, the pilots used those skills to land an aircraft with absolutely no flight controls. Click here to watch a short video on testing a jet engine and see what happens when a fan blade is intentionally se…

1
Is it time to break up Qantas and Jetstar? 46:31

8M ago46:31

46:31

Between Qantas and Jetstar, Qantas Group is undoubtedly the biggest name in Australia’s skies, with Virgin Australia a fairly distant second – which has led some, including opposition transport spokesperson Bridget McKenzie, to call for its break-up. In a recent poll, almost half of those surveyed thought Qantas should be made to sell its low-cost …

1
Has Rex’s exit pushed up airfares? 46:17

8M ago46:17

46:17

It’s been almost two months since Rex collapsed into administration and scrapped its domestic jet services, and the latest BITRE data shows that airfares – both sale prices and standard economy seats – have seen a sharp increase. With the Qantas-Virgin duopoly once again ruling Australia’s skies, how much of this increase can be attributed to loss …

1
Recreating a Moth flight from the UK to Australia 28:52

8M ago28:52

28:52

Amanda Harrison attempted to recreate the first solo flight by a woman from England to Australia in 1930. That original journey was undertaken by the pioneering Amy Johnson in a Gipsy Moth, so Harrison, attempting to be as true to the challenge as possible, undertook hers in a 1942 Tiger Moth. Unfortunately, she had to abandon her mission due to ai…

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Nervous Flyer Podcasts

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