Australian Aviation Podcast Network

Qantas has frequently found itself in the news for all the wrong reasons over the past few years – but it got a much-needed win when the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) found last year's data breach wasn't caused by the Flying Kangaroo's own negligence.
With high marks for its swift response to the fiasco, and no need determined for any further investigation, Qantas can take the OAIC's findings as a sign that the fallout of the cyberattack is mostly behind it – but can it recover from the PR hit it suffered?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David unpack the official verdict on the Qantas data breach, and ask if the national carrier really deserves all the flak it gets.
Plus, half a year on from the Air T-Rex deal, when will we actually see more Saabs back in the air?

As the aviation industry grapples with ongoing talent shortages, the question becomes: are current training methods the right model for creating skilled pilots at the rate the sector needs?
Cockpits are becoming increasingly automated, while next-generation training technologies such as VR, XR, AR, and advanced simulation are potentially able to boost safety without increasing risk exposure – so are current competency-based models keeping up with the new reality?
In this special Australian Aviation Podcast, UNSW and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots present a thought-provoking panel discussion on the evolution of pilot training and how industry, regulators, and academia can collaborate to deliver the best possible outcomes.
Join moderator Captain Adrian Young, as well as Churchill Fellow and former CASA Aviation Safety Advisory Panel member Adrianne Fleming, Qantas Group's Andrew Stead, and UNSW's Malcolm Good to discuss how pilot training can best meet the new realities of flying.

If you've ever found yourself scrambling for a pen on the plane to fill out one of those pesky paper cards before you reach Customs, fear not – after a two-year trial and much lobbying by the tourism industry, there will soon be a digital alternative to the Incoming Passenger Card (IPC).
Rolling out over the next 12 to 18 months, the Australia Travel Declaration will make the bane of every groggy passenger's tray table a thing of the past, streamlining the border process and bringing Australia in line with other countries in the region and around the world.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and special guest host Hannah Dowling discuss the end of the paper IPC era, and what it will mean for passengers, airports, and government agencies.
Plus, another big milestone for WSI with the arrival of its first freighter just two weeks from the official launch of commercial cargo flights.

When it rains, it pours – after the collapses of Bonza and Rex left Australia once more in thrall to the domestic airline duopoly, now no fewer than three new contenders, including Koala, Zinc, and another new kid on the block, seem to be planning to step up and take on the big boys.
The latest player? Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet, which has sparked rumours of a new Australian subsidiary with reports of an AOC application with CASA as well as a pile of slot allocations at Sydney Airport. Is a Vietjet entry really on the cards … and can it exorcise the ghost of Tigerair?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake and David dissect the rumours of Vietjet's impending tilt at the Australian domestic market, and why it might be the best-placed challenger to hit the skies running and make the major carriers sweat.
Plus, a war of words between Airservices and the air traffic controllers' union over delays in Sydney – who's really to blame?

When we think of safety concerns in aviation, it's easy to become fixated on the mechanical issues – but the human factor is also a major issue, and stress and burnout in such a high-pressure industry can only make it worse.
It's easy to ignore the early warning signs of stress and try to push through, but according to neuroscientist Annett Koenig, that can only compound the issue, leading to neurological issues that can even mirror the symptoms of epilepsy.
As engineering-related incidents continue to improve, the human factor is still lagging behind – so what kind of safety issues can stress cause, and how can they be addressed?
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Koenig about the causes, effects, and solutions to chronic stress in the aviation sector.