Flaps Podcast

Flaps Podcast is a British aviation podcast. Produced by BBC radio producer Mark Newman and presenter Elliott Webb, it discusses topics of interest to private and general aviation pilots.
The first edition was released in July 2010 and it is produced on roughly a monthly basis.
Contributors
Each edition of the podcast includes a contribution from former RAF Squadron Leader and airline pilot Pablo Mason.
Notable guests have included Blur bass player Alex James, former British Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, British Airways Flight 9 volcanic ash pilot Eric Moody, British Airways flight BA038 captain Peter Burkill, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Harrier jump jet test pilot John Farley, BBC F1 reporter Ted Kravitz, and former BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Mike Smith.
Awards
Flaps Podcast won an award in the Best Internet Programme category at the , where it was described as "Top Gear for pilots". It also won an award in World's Best Radio Programs 2011 at the New York Festivals Awards. Additionally, it was a nominated in the British Radio Production Awards 2011.
Flaps Extended
Flaps Extended is a unique addition to the podcasting concept. Longer versions of interviews, which are normally edited to appear in the main podcast, are made available as separate productions to listen to or download. These vary from being a few minutes longer than the "original" podcast version (eg. the interview with The Feeling) to being over three times as long (eg. the tour around Concorde at Manchester).
Flaps producer Mark Newman has said that the popularity of Flaps Extended interview has surprised him: in a posting on the [http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f1&t72379&p=993980#p991500 Flyer Magazine forums he said:] "The long features are surprisingly popular; we've certainly been surprised. The Concorde and Cosford ones have blown our socks of in terms of popularity. If you're enough of a fan of a person or a topic, you'll probably dedicate more time to listening... Most podcast makers just stick the full unadulterated version into their main podcast. We don't, but we're aiming to make as many of our interviews or features as possible available as separate Flaps Extendeds."
Flaps Extended is a pun on the aeronautical term of the same name.
Example episode
The podcast discusses a variety of features of interest to pilots, but in the words of the Sony Radio Award judges, Flaps is "...an engaging podcast that has the capacity to enthuse listeners: a thoroughly accessible and entertaining listen that demonstrates a podcast’s ability to reach a niche audience, while being enjoyable for everyone."
Content for the first edition (running time 32:05)
0.00 - Introduction
1.05 - Private pilot and former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik - finding out about an expensive propeller strike and his worst day in aviation.
9.07 - A report from the high-speed taxi run of the lovingly-restored Vulcan bomber XM655.
16.26 - Flaps asks: is a Vulcan louder than a vuvuzela?
17.26 - The “Pet PPL” feature, where student pilot Karl takes his first flying lesson.
22.16 - Straight-talking former airline and RAF pilot Pablo Mason: he reckons you can’t over-estimate the power of common sense.
26.16 - In 1982 a British Airways crew inadvertently flew their 747 into a volcanic ash cloud. It’s mainly because of their experience that European airspace was shut in April 2010. An interview with the man at the controls that day - Captain Eric Moody.
31.06 - A look ahead to the next episode.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu