On the Step with thatmallardguy

Floatplanes and flying boats in Sydney have such a rich history, from the QANTAS flying boats of the 30’s to today’s iconic Beaver floatplane flying past the Sydney Opera House or Sydney Harbour Bridge.  Sydney Seaplanes have been in the news lately with some exciting ventures on the horizon, including a new regular transport route connecting Sydney and Canberra, as well as the potential of an ele...

At just 24 years of age, Alex Fisher has already started his own seaplane company, has flown seaplanes internationally, is a Seaplane Pilots Association of Australia committee member, and at the start of his career set the Australian record for the youngest person to fly solo around Australia! So much accomplished at such a young age.

Showing an interest in aviation at an early age, Emma was given a chance to jump straight into floats in New Zealand before making the move to Australia, being thrown in the deep end to run a floatplane operation in the croc infested waters of the Northern Territory.  Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/thatmalla...

Following in his father's footsteps with a career in aviation, Chris Turner took the seaplane path and now enjoys working as a seaplane instructor for 6 months of the year in Florida, followed by 6 months of the year in Alaska!  Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/thatmallardguy/ Check out my YouTube Channel! htt...

Could you imagine a more magical place to fly seaplanes for a living? Paul Harding made the Bahamas his home and workplace for over 20 years, flying Maule floatplanes. He has done the incredible job of writing his own biography also, titled Sharks in the Runway. Paul Harding’s book “Sharks in the runway” https://www.amazon.com/Sharks-Runway-Seaplane-Fifty-Year-Bahamian/dp/1911525948 Support On the...

There wouldn't be another place on earth where a seaplane makes great sense but also would seem stupid to try it out! Well Peter Groves had a vision of how well they would work in Dubai, and proved the doubters wrong, creating one of the worlds most unique and successful seaplane companies, Seawings Dubai. Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagra...

We are back with another bonus episode of seaplane scares. This is a collection of past guests, and some future guests coming up in the next few episodes, who have shared a quick story regarding a scare they have had in a seaplane, passing on a valuable lesson to us all.  This episode’s scares include flying into IMC, docking scares, instructing on glassy water, a free drifting beech 18, and many...

Matt Dearden, aka @indopilot, is back to share stories of the rescue of the Catalina flying boat Miss Pick Up, after her successful flight back home just days ago.  Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/thatmallardguy/ Check out my YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6O4NEHd-Q5StSNLLfbjuw?view\_as=s...

Abbie Kellett has aviation running through her blood. Growing up in the backseats of WW1 era aircraft, Abbie is now her own aviator as she teaches the ways of the seaplane world to all types of students, even astronauts! She is also the co-host of everyone’s other favourite seaplane podcast, water flying by the Seaplane Pilots Association. EPISODE NOTES TEMPLATE Support On the Step via Patreon htt...

In the early 1900’s, seaplanes ruled the aviation world. World air speed records were held by single seat seaplanes almost the size of model airplanes but with engines that were the most powerful of their day. In 1927, the Supermarine S5 seaplane took victory in the Schneider Trophy air race, and today, a team of people are building a replica of the famous seaplane, with the aim to fly it by the 1...

When us seaplane mad pilots and enthusiasts think about a flying boat we would all love to get our hands on, we all agree that the Martin Mars would be a dream come true. Peter has had an incredible career flying many bush planes including Beaver's, Norseman's, Beech 18's and the famous Martin Mars. Peter is also a licensed engineer specialising in fabric. He is a very humble man and shares some g...

Al Hymers is regarded by many as one of the most experienced pilots of the Canadair family of water scooping flying boats. From the 2,100 hp a side twin radial engined CL-215, to the newly modified Pratt and Whitney turboprop CL-415 EAF, Al has experienced it all.  Not only that, he has experience on the Beech 18, flying that beauty at only 21 years of age, and also the PBY Canso water bomber, the...

Steve Stackhouse is one of those guys you could sit down and have a beer with, and just talk seaplanes for hours and hours... and that we nearly did! His story is full of adventure, blind corners and fun! Steve has amassed over 20,000 hours of flight time, an incredible feat. He has flown all around the world including his home country of Canada, the USA, the Maldives, American Samoa Saudi Arabia,...

Best of both Aviation is an Instagram page created by best mates Kyler Nachtigall and Brendan Kochanski. These Canadian boys are each going down their own paths, one in the float world and one in the wheeled world, sharing it together in the one place.  Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/thatmallardguy/ Check ou...

Matt has created a Go Fund Me page where you can help donate to the effort: https://gf.me/u/y5mf94 To hear more about Miss Pick Up, check out episode 9 of On the Step with Crew Chief David Legg. Support On the Step via Patreon https://www.patreon.com/thatmallardguy Follow me on Instagram!  https://www.instagram.com/thatmallardguy/ Check out my YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk6O...

Steve Pemberton is an Aussie seaplane pilot with years of seaplane experience. Mostly flying and instructing on the Twin Otters in the Maldives, Steve has just recently been stood down from his airline job, only to return to the float world, taking up the chief pilot position at the struggling Air Whitsunday.  After the company was recently purchased by GSL Aviation owner Trent Brown, Steve’s goal...

Building up tens of thousands of hours spraying fields in New South Wales Australia, Craig Patton has done most things as an agricultural pilot. After 20 years, Craig wanted to turn his skills into those of a fire bombing pilot, and now spends his days travelling between Australia and America to fight the worlds harshest fires on the Air Tractor FireBoss! Seaplane News: 3:06 Interview: 10:00 Suppo...

Everyone loves seaplanes, but these aircraft that instagram user @cessnateur Jason McDowell has selected as his top 10 most unique seaplanes will blow you away! From nuclear bomb dropping jets, to 737 sized flying boats and single seat toys, the list has something for everyone. Jason has an incredible knowledge of aircraft and their history. He goes to incredible lengths to research and share thes...

Eder would sit in the cockpit with his father as a little boy, dreaming of following in his footsteps to become a firebombing pilot! After working very hard to achieve this goal, Eder is now the Chief Pilot at Saab Special Flight Operations in Sweden, sharing his wealth of firebombing knowledge to other parts of the world. His aircraft of choice, the AT-802F Fire Boss!  Egress, emergency and survi...

After being told he was "not keen enough" for a career in the Air Force, Chad Banfield has enjoyed a 30 plus year career in aviation including a long time enjoying the seaplane lifestyle. He has waited patiently for over 3 years for his dream start at Air Whitsunday flying Beaver's and Caravan's to finding himself in the open air Ag Cat floatplane. Chad is now a Grumman Mallard Captain along side...

As a ten year old boy, Ron went on a short joy flight in a C185 amphibian floatplane. As they came into land on the water, Ron had no idea he was moments away from taking his last breath in the baggage compartment of an upturned, sinking aircraft.  Flying as a young commercial pilot, Pat was flying the company C206 on a busy, blue skied day at the Geelong Waterfront enjoying his new career flying...

Tropic Ocean Airways is becoming the worlds fastest growing seaplane airline, and after talking to Rob Ceravolo on episode 12, it's understandable. Joshua Maddox always thought he was going to go down the normal airline route but joining Tropic has changed his idea about the "career" flying job, and can't see him ever leaving the company that see's him flying to the Bahamas on a daily basis. Compl...

Ben Shipps has one of the most inspiring stories out there. Born with a growth anomaly with his arms, Ben has broke through barrier after barrier to follow his aviation and seaplane dreams, becoming the President of one of the worlds busiest floatplane schools! Everyone knows about Jack Brown's and finally I have a guest on to talk cubs and floatplane training. Complete a survey about On the Step...

Just recently, photos circulated the internet about a DC-3 being reinstalled on its amphibious EDO floats after 14 years without them. I tracked down Jakob McKenney, who is writing a book all about the history of the DC-3 and C-47 amphibian floatplanes. He shares some incredible stories about the aircraft and the unique floats they sit on. https://www.aviationnarration.com Complete a survey about...

You won't find anyone more passionate about seaplane safety and enjoyment than Steve McCaughey, in fact the guy was married in the back of a Grumman Albatross mid air! He shares his journey into the wonderful world of floats and into his current role as SPA President. http://www.seaplanes.org Complete a survey about On the Step to help it grow! https://forms.gle/rQ3bwFfJuVZqWN1P8 Follow me on Inst...