Australian Aviation Podcast Network

• How a 'Teen Pilot Down Under' conquered the world

  Last month, a remarkable journey came to an end when 16-year-old Byron Waller touched down at Brisbane Airport following 67 days circumnavigating the globe in a light aircraft. Covering 41,700km in his Sling TSi, Byron's odyssey through the skies took him over oceans, deserts, ice fields, and everything in between, including a landing at the Grand Canyon and guest appearances at big airshows. It was a monumental effort from a young aviator who just a few years ago was bedridden with chronic illnesses, and turned to flying – including becoming the youngest pilot to circumnavigate Australia, at age 14 – to make his dreams a reality. On this week's Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to Byron and his mum Jeni about his incredible achievement – and his future aviation ambitions.

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• Air T-Rex deal met with raptor-ous applause

  After more than a year fossilised in amber, Australia's third largest airline looks to have avoided extinction – American firm Air T has agreed to buy Rex, prompting roars of approval from government and industry as well as the best name for any corporate buyout in history. But while Air T brings with it plenty of Saab 340 parts to resurrect Rex's dinosaur planes, will fleet renewal still be on the menu – and will creditors get their money back? Jake, David, and graduate journalist Bethany Alvaro make approximately too many Jurassic Park references as they dissect Air T's Rex purchase and what it might mean for the regional airline's future. Plus, the first jet lands at Western Sydney Airport; ex-Virgin boss Paul Scurrah returns to aviation; and what, scientifically, is an "RBH"?

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• Book thrown at Bonza backers

  A year and a half after the abrupt collapse of Bonza, its erstwhile financier, Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners, is under the microscope again – and for all the wrong reasons. Its co-founder and former CFO have both been charged by the FBI over allegations of a jaw-dropping US$500 million fraud scheme, with accusations levelled of a complex web of lies and financial chicanery that left lenders and investors holding the bag. Jake and David dig into the charges and reflect again on how much 777 Partners' alleged dodgy dealings may have brought Bonza down. Plus, which carrier was Australia's most on-time airline in 2024–25 – and what do you do with a radioactive cat?

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• Is Sydney ready to be a 2-airport city?

  Sydney is on the verge of a major aviation transformation. With Western Sydney International (Nancy Bird-Walton) Airport set to open in 2026, the city will soon operate as a two-airport metropolis. How will the two-airport city work? Western Sydney is now Australia's third-largest economy, with its population set to grow to around 3 million by the 2030s. With air travel demand set to double over the next 20 years, Western Sydney Airport promises to unlock new opportunities in transport, business, and tourism. But delivering on that vision requires careful planning and collaboration. In this podcast, a panel hosted by UNSW School of Aviation dives into what the opening of Western Sydney Airport will mean for passengers, businesses, and the broader economy. Join Paul Willis, group executive, planning & delivery, Sydney Airport; Karen Jones, CEO, Destination NSW; and Stevan Sipka, senior manager, network and fleet, Qantas Freight, in a thought-provoking discussion moderated by Dr Ian Douglas, honorary senior lecturer, UNSW Aviation and former chair, International Air Services Commission, on Sydney's two-airport future.

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• Qantas data hits the dark web

  Just when Qantas thought the saga of its frequent flyer hack might be over, a fresh headache has hit the Flying Kangaroo as online miscreants published the stolen data on the dark web. The airline is warning customers to beware of scammers, and says it is working with "specialist cyber security experts" to investigate exactly what data was leaked – but what does all this mean for the 5 million people caught up in the breach? Jake turns to David's cyber expertise to find out what might be next for Qantas, and what you can do to protect yourself if you're affected. Plus, a treat for all you military aviation aficionados out there as our defence and aerospace lead Steve Kuper joins us to talk new Army Apaches, Anduril's answer to the Ghost Bat, and more.

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