Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast, where we cover anything aviation.
Every fortnight we'll focus on a different aircraft, airline, airport or another aspect of aviation and its effect on the industry. With high detailed research and analysis, Aircraft Grade is the one place you should go for aviation documentary-style content.
So fasten your seat belts, stow your tray table and put your chair in the upright position as we prepare for new episodes every Monday.
Make sure to also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AircraftGrade.
Britain has two flag carriers when it comes to its aviation market. British Airways, an ex-nationalised carrier that can trace its routes back to 1919, and Virgin Atlantic, an airline established in the 1980s by disgruntled millionaire Richard Branson who had become fed up with the state of the airline industry.
Despite its much smaller size Virgin has competed closely with BA throughout its existence, mainly across the Atlantic. Using provocative advertising techniques and unique taglines, Virgin entered the market with a bang and offered passengers a completely different experience. British Airways on the other hand had just completed the process of privatisation and was one of the biggest and most successful airlines in the world and didn't worry too much about the elusive threat of Virgin Atlantic.
The competition was civil, until the abolition of the London Air Traffic Distribution Rules, which gave Virgin access to the prestigious London Heathrow. This put them in direct competition with British Airways. Angry, chairman Lord King commissioned a slander campaign against Virgin Atlantic. All this and more coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade.
00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Background
01:58 - Origins of British Airways
09:37 - Origins of Virgin Atlantic
14:33 - Close Competition
16:36 - Dirty Tricks
23:10 - Modern Day
34:20 - Final Words
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3 Jan 2022
17. A Conversation with Alex
It's been a while since a new episode of Aircraft Grade has hit your subscription boxes. Well, here's some good news, today marks the return of the podcast. In this episode, Alex sits down to discuss where we went, why we went and where we're going in the future!
Alex discusses his motivation for starting this podcast and where his interest in radio and journalism comes from. He touches on how his interest in aviation came to be and why it is so special to him.
He also talks about the podcast itself; why it is laid out the way it is. The inspiration for the show is covered along with how it has changed in its relatively short lifespan.
More importantly, Alex talks about why there hasn't been a new Aircraft Grade episode for 7 months and his experience with work overload both at college and employment wise. He talks about how he fell out of love with producing the podcast but how his drive has been reinvigorated recently.
This week it gets a personal and is different from any Aircraft Grade content that came before.
This week we chat. Coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade.
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24 May 2021
16. Westland Sea King
The Westland Sea King will forever be famous for its role as the British Force's chosen Search and Rescue helicopter during its years of service, saving thousands of lives. The red and grey Royal Navy or bright yellow liveried RAF Sea Kings will always be a quintessential piece of the British coastline.
Originally developed by Sikorsky to overcome the increasing threat of Russian submarines during the Cold War in the late 1950s and early 1960s it has since been developed into a reliable, military workhorse.
From Anti-Submarine Warfare powerhouse to troop transporter to Falklands War hero the Sea King is a truly incredible aircraft.
The helicopter is reaching the end of its service life with major operators the USAF, US Navy, RAF and Royal Navy having already retired the type, its future isn't looking so bright.
This week we look at the Westland Sea Kings' history, development and future over its life span. Coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade.
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10 May 2021
15. Lockheed C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an iconic piece of Air Force fleets around the world, it’s even the fifth aircraft to mark 50 years of continuous operations with its primary customer, the US Air Force.
Designed in the 1950s as a replacement for the World War 2 era cargo planes, struggling with the demands of the new and modern Korean War.
Conceived with one simple job to be a tactical medium transport that could land on unimproved ground, be extremely rugged and fly 30,000 pounds of cargo for 1,500 miles. The C-130 has morphed and transformed into a plane so much better and more versatile than that.
As the plane faces retirement in the UK and other Air Forces around the world, we take a look at its history, development over the decades and its future. Coming up this week, on Aircraft Grade.
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19 Apr 2021
14. Riveting Content
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- We talk rivets
- Qantas still confident in Project Sunrise
- Airbus' unique way of getting super fast WiFi on their aircraft
- Another update on the situation around the super-jumbo
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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12 Apr 2021
13. Five Freedoms
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- Why do airlines operate subsidiaries?
- A big delay in the conversion of the US Presidents new 747
- UPS have big ambitions for eVTOL aircraft
- Could the A380 see a future as a freighter after all?
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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5 Apr 2021
12. Severing Ties
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- 737 Max 8 200 cleared in the US
- Alaska Airlines finally joins the oneworld alliance
- The tumultuous tale of the Air Canada x Air Transat merger
- An ex-FedEx DC-10 gets an incredible transformation
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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29 Mar 2021
11. Red, White and Blue
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- The peculiar case of Titan Airways' A321LR
- Aer Lingus confirm Manchester-US flights
- The future of the RAF's fleet
- JetBlue secure slots at London Heathrow
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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22 Mar 2021
10. Two Become One
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- London Stansted turns 30
- The nuances of American domestic travel
- Saudia receives a big monetary boost
- Two leasing giants come together
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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15 Mar 2021
9. A Close Ally
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- Why there are US Air Force have a large presence in the UK
- An update on the progression of sustainable aviation
- The UK Government is set to make life easier for domestic carriers
- Airbus branches out
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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8 Mar 2021
8. Fly to Survive
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- Why airlines sell and leaseback aircraft
- How a Boeing 727 ended up on the M4 and M5
- The result of Lufthansa’s 2020 Annual Report
- The logistics of Formula 1
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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1 Mar 2021
7. A Series of Failures
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- Volotea is facing expansion after 717 fleet retirement
- IATA's latest industry predictions, UK travel bookings and Heathrow
- The latest on the bleak situation at Norwegian Air
- A United Airlines 777 leaves a trail of debris after suffering an engine failure over Denver
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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22 Feb 2021
6. An Airbus Anniversary
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- The history of the Airbus A320
- How you can own a piece of a Super Guppy
- British Airways' 'Baby Bus' reaches its expiration date
- Dublin Airport's expansion plans
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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15 Feb 2021
5. Gone But Not Forgotten
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- Remembering Concorde and future of supersonic travel
- The industries' vaccine progress
- Manchester Airport's Covid success
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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8 Feb 2021
4. A Brighter Future
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- JetBlue reveals new aircraft for London flights
- A quick look at health passports
- IranAir try to order new aircraft under new Biden administration
- The future of aviation fuel
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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1 Feb 2021
3. The Death of a Giant
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- The demise of inflight catering
- British Airways in hot water with Ghanaian authorities
- Boeing delays the debut of the 777X once again
- We take a look at the death of Flybe
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
25 Jan 2021
2. Competition from Afar
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- The Russian and Chinese airliner competitors
- Lufthansa expands its cargo operations
- West Atlantic 737 suffers significant damage
- The 747 variants that made it so special
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airlines deliveries.
17 Jan 2021
1. Pilot
Welcome to Aircraft Grade, the Aviation Podcast. Coming up this week:
- How Covid-19 re-shaped the aviation industry
- The notorious 737 Max is back flying
- Heathrow gets approval for its controversial third runway
- The Miracle on the Hudson, 12 Years On
Plus this weeks news roundup and the biggest airline deliveries.
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