Episode #45. The Fighter Factory at Biplanes and Triplanes - **Explicit Language!**

The Fighter Factory - VA Beach

In this episode, The Hangardeck Podcast interviews the Fighter Factory Maintenance Leadership team in the Navy Hangar at the Military Aviation Museum at the Biplanes and Triplanes airshow 2016.   Standby and Hold On as TK and the boys tell us how it is with Warbird Maintenance.  This episode is tagged explicit for language.

Episode #44. The F-14 Tomcat and Topgun with US Navy Veteran Dave "BIO" Baranek.

In this Podcast episode, Pitchlock Pete and Whitey are on location for an interview with former F-14 Skipper and Topgun Instructor Dave "Bio" Baranek.  He is an accomplished author of his first hand accounts in the US Navy and the books are Topgun Days and Before TopGun Days respectively.  Check out Bio at http://www.topgunbio.com/   You can find his books on Amazon.com.

Episode #41. The WWII Messerschmitt Me 262 with Test Pilot Wolfgang Czaia.

Wolfgang with the Fighter Factory Manager "TK" with the Military Aviation Museum's ME-262.

In this Episode of the Hangardeck Podcast, the team has the privilege to interview aviation and aerospace expert Test Pilot Wolfgang Czaia.  Wolfgang discusses the first production jet fighter, the ME-262, and the history, flying characteristics and how many reproduction aircraft are flying today.  It’s an amazing discussion that we guarantee to satisfy your itch for unique aviation discussions. 

We have been working on this episode and are very proud to bring our audience this special interview with Wolfgang.   Wolfgang flies the aircraft once a year at the Military Aviation Museum – “Warbirds over the Beach” so if you are an aviation enthusiast, you MUST see this first hand.    

The Hangardeck Podcast would like to thank our audience for the continued support on our venture. We reached a milestone of over 12,000 downloads and continue to grow our audience.

The Hangardeck Podcast Team continues to strive and bring great interviews for the aviation enthusiast.  Tell us how we are doing by dropping Pitchlock Pete a direct comment at info@thehangardeck.com.

Video Credit:  Fight To fly - This is a compilation of video and a few photographs I was able to capture and compile for video. I had originally attempted this a year ago, shortly after its delivery to Jerry Yagen, however, technical issues crept up, preventing me from finishing it until now.

Episode #40. WWII Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 Pilot Hans Meyer.

WWII Luftwaffe Pilot Mr. Hans Meyer back in the seat of the BF-109G

In this Episode of The Hangardeck Podcast, we have the privilege of talking with WWII Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Bf 109 Pilot Hans Meyer.

Hans Meyer was born in 1927 and grew up in Brandenburg, Germany. Ever since his youth he was interested in aviation, so at the age of 14, Hans joined the Flieger-HJ and learned to fly the Schneider SG-38 (Flying Glider). When he was 16, he earned himself the Glider Pilot Proficiency Badge ‘C’ level and signed up for the Luftwaffe a year later in 1944 to become a fighter pilot.

After Hans completed his flight training in Werneuchen with the Messerschmitt Bf 109, he was transferred to Jagdgeschwader 54 “Grünherz” and was stationed on the Eastern Front. There he distinguished himself as a fighter pilot and was credited with a total of 5 air victories.

Look for his Book "One Soldier From The Other Side" by Hans Meyer and Lar Stampe.

Tune in to more great Episodes at The Hangardeck Podcast.

Episode #39. Antarctic Aviation Down Under with Special Guest Matthew McArthur.

Matthew McArthur in the harshest aviation environment on the Planet Earth.

Matthew McArthur in the harshest aviation environment on the Planet Earth.

Aviation Enthusiast Matthew McArthur from Melbourne, Australia Skype's into The Hangardeck Podcast to discuss Antarctic Aviation and the History of flying in this unforgiving environment.  Matthew's expert commentary is quite fascinating and enthusiastic as he describes the history and his experiences while working there.

Matthew also is the host and creator of the Ice Coffee Podcast and discusses his passion about Antarctic exploration and base his content on my his extensive research on the topic and his own experiences working as a diver at Scott Base. 

During Matthew's time on the ice he flew in a range of types not normally a transport option to Australian civilians and found himself spending time at the sea ice runway and local helipads as much as he could where he could combine his passion for Aviation and the Antarctic.

Tune into Matthew at his podcast -  The Ice Coffee Podcast.

Episode #37. The NASA Super Guppy with Program Manager Dave Elliott.

Our first Podcast from the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum with our Special Guest Mr. Dave Elliott.  Dave is the Program Manager for the NASA Super Guppy Transport Aircraft.  This episode The Hangardeck Podcast team continue the discussion with Dave on the specifics of the aircraft, history and unique cargo that the aircraft is designed to transport.

The Patuxent River Naval Air Museum staff was extremely hospitable and welcoming to the team.  We look forward to monthly Podcast Recordings with a unique guests supporting diverse aviation topics. 

 

Episode #36. Warbirds over the Beach with SNJ Pilots "Jackie" and "Cooler".

The Hangardeck Podcast Team Traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Warbirds Over the Beach 2016 Airshow.  We were fortunate to witness the first flight of Jerry Yagen's Messerschmitt Bf-109G.  First, we have to say, Jerry is an amazing host and provided us with the opportunity to record some amazing people he has flying and working with these unique aircraft. 

This episode we recorded on Saturday May 21, 2016 with SNJ Pilots "Jackie" and "Cooler" who were flying the photography shoot aircraft this weekend in formation to help capture rare Warbird formation footage for the Military Aviation Museum.

Episode #35. The Fighter Factory - Tom "TK" Kurtz III - General Manager.

Warbirds over the Beach with Fighter Factory General Manager "TK" and THE HANGARDECK PODCAST Team.

The Hangardeck Podcast Team Traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Warbirds Over the Beach 2016 Airshow.  We were fortunate to witness the first flight of Jerry Yagen's Messerschmitt Bf-109G.  First, we have to say, Jerry is an amazing host and provided us with the opportunity to record some amazing people he has flying and working with these unique aircraft. 

This episode we recorded Saturday May 21, 2016 with Fighter Factory General Manager "TK" and talk about the Fighter Factory and his maintenance team. 

The Fighter Factory is the restoration & maintenance facility of the Military Aviation Museum, a recently built hangar located on the grounds of the Virginia Beach Airport located in Pungo, VA.  The Team maintains and restores WW2 & WW1 military aircraft.

With a large inventory of flying vintage aircraft from both the First World War and the Second World War and also other vintage aircraft from from the Korean war . Military warbirds, fighters, bombers, training aircraft and liaison planes. Go and see all these warbirds restored to their former glory on show at the Military Aviation Museum.

What a great interview with "TK" and tune in for more episodes and great interviews on The Hangardeck Podcast.

 

Episode #34. Warbirds over the Beach with Spitire Pilot Big John and his son Little John.

The Hangardeck Podcast Team Traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Warbirds Over the Beach 2016 Airshow.  We were fortunate to witness the first flight of Jerry Yagen's Messerschmitt Bf-109G.  First, we have to say, Jerry is an amazing host and provided us with the opportunity to record some amazing people he has flying and working with these unique aircraft.  This episode we recorded on Saturday May 21, 2016 with Pilot John "Pappy" Mazza.  Pappy discusses his time at the Military Aviation Museum.

John, "Pappy" Mazza has been flying his entire life; as a matter of fact he took his first plane ride at the age of 1 Month.  When Pappy was nine years old he was given a check ride by an FAA flight examiner and passed the check ride for a private pilot's license due to Pappy being only nine years old.

On his 16th birthday, he soloed and went on to et his commercial license, single engine land, multi-engine land and instrument rating.  Today, Pappy has over 4,500 hours in over 40 different aircraft, flying everything from a J-3 to an F-16.  He has flown in aerobatic competitions and raed in both the formula "V" and formula one class of air racing.  Today, he flies the museum's PT-17, SNJ, P-40, B-25, PBY Catalina, and of course the Spitfire.

What a great interview with Big John and his son Little John and Stay Tuned for more episodes and great interviews on The Hangardeck Podcast.

 

 

Episode #33. Warbirds Over the Beach - Military Aviation Museum owner Jerry Yagen.

The Hangardeck Podcast Team Traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Warbirds Over the Beach 2016 Airshow.  We were fortunate to witness the first flight of Jerry Yagen's Messerschmitt Bf-109G.  First, we have to say, Jerry is an amazing host and provided us with the opportunity to record some amazing people he has flying and working with these unique aircraft.  This exclusive interview took place with Mr. Jerry Yagen on Sunday, May 22, 2016.

The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is home to one of the world's largest collections of Warbirds in flying condition.  It includes examples from Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, from both World War I and World War II, although the complete collection ranges from the 1910s to the early 1950s.

Jerry's mission is to "preserve, restore and fly these historic aircraft and to allow a new generation to experience and learn from what their pilots might have endured ... in the skies so very far from home."

Unlike most other collections, which are displayed in a static museum environment, almost all of the historic aircraft at the Museum have been restored to flying condition. In twice-yearly major airshows (one in the spring for WWII planes, and one in the fall for WWI), as well as other special events, the aircraft fly again for the public to view and experience.

The Museum was founded by Jerry Yagen in 2005, and the museum's hangars were opened to the public in 2008.  He had been collecting and restoring Warbirds since the mid-1990s, starting with the Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk, so the creation of a museum to share the collection with the public was the logical next step. 

There are a variety of sponsorship opportunities available at the museum. Sponsorship levels vary and may include benefits such as complementary admission to the museum, annual memberships, tickets to special events, promotion on the museum website, signage in the museum, and or other related sponsorship incentives depending on the sponsorship level agreed to.  Check them out at www.militaryaviationmuseum.org.

The Hangardeck Podcast team is privileged to bring this episode to our subscribers.  Leave us a comment and let us know how we are doing.  Stay Tuned!

 

 

 

Episode #32. Warbirds Over the Beach with BF-109G Pilot Rick Volker

The Hangardeck Podcast Team Traveled to Virginia Beach to participate in the Warbirds Over the Beach 2016 Airshow.  We were fortunate to witness the first flight of Jerry Yagen's Messerschmitt Bf-109G.  First, we have to say, Jerry is an amazing host and provided us with the opportunity to record some amazing people he has flying and working with these unique aircraft.  This episode we recorded on Sunday, May 22, 2016 with Pilot Rick Volker.  Rick explains the flight characteristics of the BF-109G on it's first flight on May 20, 2016.

Rick Volker entered the competition aerobatic world by storm, winning numerous regional Unlimited contests, such as the Can-Am, Henry Haigh, and Kathy Jaffe Challenges. Rick is a former competitor in athletic events such as swimming, speed skating, bicycle racing, cross-country skiing and body building. Such is the type of conditioning required to fly at this level, as it tests the limits of human endurance. While flying Unlimited aircraft, Rick alternates between plus-11 and minus-9 Gs often in the same maneuver. Unlimited pilots train for this type of extreme flying with the same intensity as any other fitness sport.

He has competed in aerobatic competitions for many years in high performance aircraft such as the Pitts Biplanes and Sukhoi monoplanes. Rick is known for flying the WWII Supermarine Spitfire MK IX in a spectacular display of surface level aerobatics. He is one of a few pilots in the world qualified to fly the rare Messerschmitt Bf109E, and has flown the same serial number Bf109 as Hans-Joachim Marseilles in an air show dogfight routine vs. the Hawker Hurricane. His other qualifications include brilliant displays of the Hawker Hurricane MK XII and the Harvard Mk. IV. He was a member of the exclusive Canadian Heritage Flight team where he flew the Spitfire Mk.IX in close formation with the CF-18 fighter. He is a piston warbird, high performance, and formation aerobatic ACE (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator).

There is a common theme in all of Rick’s displays: complete mastery of the aircraft’s possible flight envelope, pushing the boundaries of both low and high speed limits, and artfully utilizing the smallest 3 D space to create a masterpiece of entertainment.

Rick is featured on the PBS series “The Aviators” Season 1, Episode 8.

Enjoy this Episode of our first on-site interview series of The Hangardeck Podcast from the Warbirds over the Beach 2016 Airshow.

Episode #31. The Helicopter Pilot with CDR Sam Maroon (ret.)

In this Episode of the Hangar Deck Podcast, the team discusses Flying US Navy Helicopters with Helicopter PIlot, CDR Sam Maroon (ret.).  Sam discusses dynamics of flying as a Helicopter Pilot, large carrier based helicopters to include water landings.  Sam talks candid about landing and flying this awesome cold war carrier based anti submarine helicopter.  Listen to this great Episode on being a Helicopter Pilot and thanks for supporting our Podcast.

Episode #30. Turkish Air Force F-16 shoots down Russian SU-24 Fencer.

In this Episode of the Hangar Deck Podcast, the team discusses the Russian SU-24 being shot down over the Turkey Syria Border. A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet shot down a Russian Sukhoi Su-24M bomber aircraft near the Syria–Turkey border on 24 November 2015. According to Turkey, the aircraft whose nationality was unknown at the time was fired upon while in Turkish airspace because it violated the border up to a depth 1.36 miles for about 17 seconds after being warned to change its heading 10 times over a period of five minutes. The Russia Defense Ministry denied the aircraft ever left Syrian airspace, counter-claiming that their satellite data showed that the Sukhoi was about 1,100 yards inside Syrian airspace when it was shot down. The US State Department said that the US independently confirmed that the aircraft’s flight path violated Turkish territory, and that the Turks gave multiple warnings to the pilot, to which they received no response. Russian president Vladimir Putin said that the US knew the flight path of the Russian jet and should have informed Turkey; two US officials said that Russia did not inform the US military of its jet’s flight plan.

The Russian pilot and weapon systems officer both ejected from the aircraft. The weapon systems officer was rescued, the pilot was shot and killed by Syrian Turkmen rebel ground fire while descending by parachute. A Russian naval infantryman from the search-and-rescue team launched to retrieve the two airmen was also killed when a rescue helicopter was shot down by the rebels.

The shoot down was the first destruction of a Russian or Soviet Air Forces warplane by a NATO member state since the Korean War. Reactions to the incident included denunciation from Russia and an attempt to defuse the situation by NATO afterwards. Russia deployed the guided missile cruiser Moskva armed with S-300F (SA-N-6 Grumble) long-range SAM missiles off the Syrian coast near Latakia and S-400 (SA-21 Growler) mobile SAM systems to Khmeimim airbase.

The Hangar Deck Podcast would like to thank our audience for the continued support on our venture. We reached a milestone of over 7,000 downloads and continue to grow our audience.

The Hangar Deck Podcast Team continues to strive and bring great interviews for the aviation enthusiast. Tell us how we are doing by dropping Pitchlock Pete a direct comment at pitchlockpete@thehangardeck.com.

Episode #29. The British Airways 777-200ER Engine Failure.

The Hangardeck Podcast is back from the Summer Break.  Pete, Ed, Rick and Andy jump right back into the studio and discuss the most recent British Airways Catastrophic Engine Failure.

The NTSB most recent press release regarding the British Airways 777-200ER:

As part of its ongoing investigation into Tuesday’s engine fire that occurred during takeoff of British Airways flight 2276, a Boeing 777, at McCarran International Airport (LAS), the NTSB today released the following investigative update.

Casinos along the Las Vegas Strip can be seen behind a plane that caught fire at McCarren International Airport, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015, in Las Vegas. An engine on the British Airways plane caught fire before takeoff. (AP Photo/John Locher)

NTSB investigators arrived on scene Wednesday morning local time to begin the on-scene investigation. The NTSB investigative team includes experts in powerplants, airplane systems, and fire. The following groups will be organized: powerplants, airworthiness (airplane structure, systems, and fire), flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder.

Parties to the NTSB investigation are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), The Boeing Company, and GE Aviation. In accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Annex 13, the UK Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB), as the State of the Operator, has appointed an accredited representative to assist the investigation. The UK accredited representative has initially appointed British Airways and the UK Civil Aviation Authority as technical advisers.

The following are the initial factual findings:

British Airways 777-200ER, flight 2276, equipped with two GE90-85B engines, registration G-VIIO, was operating under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 129 and was en route to London – Gatwick Airport (LGW), Horley, England.

  • There were 157 passengers, including 1 lap child, and 13 crew members on board. There were several minor injuries as a result of the evacuation (mostly abrasions).
  • The flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder and quick access recorder have arrived at the NTSB Vehicle Recorder Laboratory and are currently being downloaded.
  • On Tuesday evening, the airplane was photographed and the runway debris documented by FAA and airport officials before airplane was towed to secluded area of the airport (in order to reopen the runway).
  • Initial examination of the British Airways 777-200ER left engine revealed multiple breaches of the engine case in the area around the high pressure compressor.
  • Examination of the material recovered from runway found several pieces of the high pressure compressor spool (approximately 7-8 inches in length).
  • Initial examination of the airplane by NTSB revealed that the left engine and pylon, left fuselage structure and inboard left wing airplane were substantially damaged by the fire. This damage will be documented over the next several days.

A damaged British Airways 777-200ER sits at McCarran International Airport Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, in Las Vegas. An engine caught fire before takeoff of British Airways Flight 2276 Tuesday forcing the evacuation of the crew and passengers. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The power-plants and airworthiness groups will continue documenting the airplane and engine over the next several days. It is anticipated that once the tooling is in place, the left engine will be removed and shipped to a facility to conduct a full tear down.

Pete, Ed, Rick and Andyare happy to be back in action and have some great Episodes coming up. Stay Tuned for some great Aviation Talk for the Aviation Enthusiast.

Episode #28. The Grey Beard Series – Funny Stories from the Washrack.

The Grey Beard Series is all about Aircraft Maintenance Stories from experienced military and commercial aircraft technicians.  The Sarcasm lamp is lit.

In this Episode, Pitchlock Pete’s panel of aviation contributors include former US Navy and Commercial Technicians discussing the dreaded aircraft wash and horror stories from the Washrack. We promise it will be downright silly.

The Hangar Deck Podcast would like to thank our listeners for the continued support on our adventure.  We have reached a milestone of over 6,000 downloads and continue to grow our shows and audience.  If you would like to be a guest on The Hangar Deck Podcast, contact us at Pitchlockpete@hangardeck.com. The Hangar Deck Podcast Team continues to strive and bring our listeners a great show.