The official podcast network of Australian Aviation – where we unpack all the latest insights and developments plus the big issues impacting Australia's aviation sector.
While aviation has plenty of security safeguards in place to keep passengers with sinister intent away from the cockpit, last month's attempted flydubai hijack – by one of the pilots – was a sobering reminder that sometimes, the sinister intent is already in the flight deck.
While the aircraft and its passengers escaped unscathed this time, the incident raised the spectre of disasters like Germanwings Flight 9525 and LAM Mozambique Airlines Flight 470, which both saw the aircraft's own pilots bring down their planes in horrific murder-suicides.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Hannah examine the dangers that can arise when the pilots – the people we entrust with our lives in the air – are also the people posing the biggest risk to passenger safety.
Plus, a rocky few weeks for industrial relations as Jetstar, Virgin, Qantas, and Sydney Airport have all faced protected action.
7 Oct 2026
Young engineers design, build and fly
As the aviation industry continues to clamour for talented engineers, fostering talent in the next generation is ever more important.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' annual Design/Build/Fly competition – held this year in Wichita, Kansas – attracted young engineers with the challenge of designing, building, and testing a banner-towing bush plane that could carry mock passengers and cargo.
Among the teams was a contingent from RMIT University in Melbourne, including aerospace engineering and logistics supply chain student Viviene Beins and aerospace engineering (honours) student Marcus Serong.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Defence Connect's Robert Dougherty speaks with the duo at ICAS 2026 in Sydney on what the Australian aerospace and defence industry can do to attract and retain the next generation of engineers.
30 Sept 2026
Is Vietjet the next Tigerair?
Speculation has been swirling for months, and now the tea leaves have thrown up their clearest sign yet that Vietjet is planning a move into Australia, with the registration of a shiny new 737 MAX 8 owned by the low-cost carrier and registered to a mysterious "Cherrie Aviation".
While Vietjet is remaining tight-lipped about its plans, it's hard not to think we'll see a grand unveiling sooner rather than later – and not to draw comparisons with Tigerair, the last Asian low-cost carrier that had a crack at the Australian market.
On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake, David and Hannah dig into the details of Vietjet's first Australian aircraft and ask what the next moves might be for the potential challenger.
Plus, part two of Project Sunrise is revealed, with Qantas to fly non-stop to New York in 2028 – so what can passengers expect?
Who has been a guest on Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Alan Joyce
Adrianne Fleming
Andrew Stead
Malcolm Good
Hannah Dowling
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
4.1 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
93
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
92
Contact Australian Aviation Podcast Network
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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