AirPigz Podcast #4 'Breezy To Oshkosh' 300 Miles, 13 Airports And 2 Days (1982)

Listen right now thru this player

Powered by Podbean.com

Download this episode (right click and save)

 My dad flying the Breezy the day we bought it: November 1980 heading from TN to IN

 All loaded up and ready to head for Oshkosh 1982!

 About half way there and ready to get back in the air

 The route we took as shown by Google Earth

 Podcast #4 is finally here.  Sorry for the delay... but better late than never as I often have to say!  It's a pretty good one tho, be sure to check it out.

 I intro with a little info on the Red Bull Air Races as well as some more details on my homebuilt airplane (Project VP) that's now under construction.  I have a t-shirt for sale to help me fund the project as I try really hard to get it built in time for Oshkosh 09.  If you're interested in details on how to get the very special $50 shirt, please send me an email at mcc@airpigz.com and I'll fill you in right away.  Your help is really needed!

 Anyway, the biggest part of this podcast is my account of a really cool and exciting trip on the homebuilt 'Breezy' aircraft pictured here from Mentone, IN to Oshkosh, WI back in 1982.  It turned out to be quite an adventure of 300 miles, 13 airports and 2 days long.

 It was a great trip overall to what I believe to be the greatest place on earth!  And that's not just because of all the airplanes, but because of the people.  Oshkosh is truly something very special, and I hope you'll be there so we can meet.  And hopefully, Project VP will be there too!

AirPigz Podcast #3 - Interview With John Monnett Of Sonex Aircraft

Listen right now thru this player

Powered by Podbean.com

Download this episode (right click and save)

Sonex Aircraft president John Monnett at their Oshkosh, Wisconsin headquarters

 I met up with John Monnett at the Sonex Aircraft headquarters on the Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Friday, February 20, 2009.  The 53 minute podcast gives some nice insight into the design philosophy behind the Sonex and Waiex airplanes which produces a flying machine that has both excellent low and high speed qualities... while also being extremely affordable and relatively easy to build.

  We also go over how John got involved in aviation, including the early years of primitive and expensive RC modeling.  And we talk about some of the influences that lead him to design the Sonerai airplanes back in the 70's.    John covers what the 'Sonex Workshops' are all about and why anyone considering building any kind of metal airplane can benefit from them.

 We talk quite a bit about the 80hp AeroVee VW conversion engine that they build.  It's the base engine recommended for Sonex airplanes, but also is very well suited to any airplane project in need of a lightweight and reliable powerplant.

 Lastly, John gives some interesting details on their development of a custom-built electric motor, controller and battery pack for making practical electric flight a dream that might actually come true!

Sonex, Waiex, and Xenos airplanes in the Sonex Aircraft showroom

The "Y" tail Waiex in flight

 

Typical AeroVee engine installation in a Sonex

John Monnett's AeroConversions modified VW engine: AeroVee 2180cc, 80hp, 161lbs. 

Sonex engineered and built electric motor, controller and battery pack nearing reality

 

On 1-7-09, the Waiex won the tongue-in-cheek AirPigz Homebuilt Of The Year award

Podcast #2 Including Southwest Airlines And Exploitation Illustrated

Listen right now thru this player

Powered by Podbean.com
 

Download this episode (right click and save)

 A fresh podcast with a brand new Samson G-Track mic, and it sounds nice!  

 In this episode... DC-3's To 747's, Who Could Ask For More - continued tribute to my dad's life in aviation.  

 Quest Kodiak: Call It Anything You Want, But Please Don't Call It A Caravan! - a little comparo of the Kodiak and Caravan.  

 Have You Pull-Started Your 'Me 262' Lately? - some details on the unique starting system of the first jet in service during WWII.                 

 And lastly, my in-depth look at why the Southwest Airlines tie-in with Sports illustrated is a really bad idea all around.  If you don't know what's it's all about, you can learn about it at BlogSouthwest.com  No ranting and raving here from me, just some common sense ideas that are worthy of your time and consideration.  And feel free to comment on the Southwest issue.  I'm curious to see how you think, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

AirPigz Podcast #1: Airfoil Designer John Roncz

Listen right now thru this player

Powered by Podbean.com
 

Download this episode (right click and save)

 On Saturday December 20, 2008, I had the opportunity to sit down with world famous airfoil designer John Roncz.  The 34 minute interview covers some of his extremely interesting work on Voyager and GlobalFlyer, the only two aircraft to have flown around the globe, non-stop and without refueling.

 We also cover how he came to work with Burt Rutan on many of his unique and highly efficient designs over the last 20+ years.              

 John’s extensive work has lead the way in using the power of computers to simulate wind-tunnel testing.  This has reduced both the cost and time required to achieve superior aerodynamic design.

 I hope you enjoy the first AirPigz podcast!  Please understand that I had some technical difficulties with my mic that couldn’t be fixed in post production. It's a great interview tho, and you can expect lots of improvement when podcast #2 lands soon.

 Martt from AirPigz on left, world famous airfoil designer John Roncz on right 

Voyager: first aircraft to fly around the world, non-stop and without refueling

GlobalFlyer: first aircraft to fly solo around the world, non-stop without refueling