On the Step with thatmallardguy

I've been flying seaplanes for over 10 years now (nothing compared to some of my amazing guests) but now I share with you my own story with a good mate of mine in the hosting seat. Hear about my entry into seaplanes, progressing into one of Australia's most iconic seaplane operation, living in Hanoi Vietnam flying Cessna Caravans on floats, and finally where I am today, flying the Turbine Grumman...

Connor shares stories about his career getting into seaplanes, leading up to his dream job as a Goose pilot for Wilderness Seaplanes. He talks all about his family ties to the Goose including the incredible story about his grandfather flying the same aircraft Connor flies today. Connor also shares the day to day life of a Goose pilot flying up the coast of Vancouver in both Summer and Winter seaso...

Ever had a seaplane scare? This episode is full of stories from past guests sharing the time they had a seaplane scare and the lesson learnt from the experience. The range of topics include gear down water landings, drifting into a pier, smoke and visibility, smoke in the cabin, near mid air collision and many more.  Complete a survey about On the Step to help it grow! https://forms.gle/rQ3bwFfJuV...

Rian Potter was one of my instructors in flight school and is also a great mate. He is now in his dream job, flying King Airs for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Although not a working seaplane pilot, Rian received a FREE floatplane endorsement some years ago and talks about how it was one of his most exciting aviation adventures. He also shares the personal experience of being involved in...

At last years (2019) Seaplane Pilots Association of Australia conference, I did a presentation on gear down water landings. I am happy to share with you all the presentation, slightly modified for the podcast format. It is such a simple mistake that can be deadly, so why is it still happening today and how can we go about preparing ourselves more thoroughly to avoid this disaster. Complete a surve...

For many years I have followed Toby Dorn @aeroplanetoby on Instagram without actually knowing what he did (I just loved his cool photos!) But now, thanks to a great chat, I know all about his company Blue Sky Airways and what they do. With the help of their always eye catching floatplane, and their “flying tinny” flying boat, plus a host of other tail wheel aircraft, Toby and his crew conduct some...

Building a seaplane float is tough work. But with years of experience and passionate engineers, PK floats makes some of the worlds toughest seaplane floats. Levi Guimond talks all about the history of PK, what the process of building a float is and how they are transitioning into the experimental market. Not only is Levi an engineer, he is also a seaplane pilot. Complete a survey about On the Step...

Amy Gesch works for the biggest float building operation in the world. She talks all about how they are built, how they are sold and what it is like to work for Wipaire. Amy has a wealth of experience in the seaplane industry and is very good at explaining the technical areas of floatplanes. Complete a survey about On the Step to help it grow! https://forms.gle/rQ3bwFfJuVZqWN1P8 Follow me on Insta...

Sarah Tamar watched seaplanes fly over her head and began dreaming of becoming a seaplane pilot. After a stint as operations and as a dock hand for Tailwind based in New York, Sarah realised this was something she had to pursue! Now flying a Cessna Caravan Amphib for the same company, Sarah's day job involves flying Wall Street workers to their Hamptons homes!  Complete a survey about On the Step...

From airline pilot to seaplane company owner, Henry Ellis went and did what some of us only dream of by going out on a limb to start his own seaplane company, Above and Beyond Tasmania. With an amphibian Beaver by his side, Henry and his team take tourists on adventures around the southern state of Tasmania. Complete a survey about On the Step to help it grow! https://forms.gle/rQ3bwFfJuVZqWN1P8 F...

Mark Downham explains what it is like to work on a 70 year old aircraft such as the Mallard. He also talks about his career in the Australian Navy working on Seaking helicopters and his time in Fiji where he maintained 2 Twin Otter Amphibian‘s working for 7star resorts. He talks about how corrosion effects an aircraft and how to treat it. Complete a survey about On the Step to help it grow! https:...

Episode 1 in Maintenance Week focuses on the worlds largest seaplane company and how they manage to keep 50+ Twin Otters airborne. Nisham Ali, along with a close friend, run the amazing Instagram page @seaplanemechanic, sharing an insight into what happens behind the turquoise waters and white beaches to make the airline what it is today. From daily maintenance, weekly maintenance and heavy mainte...

Lloyd Cofield began his career in aviation competing around the world as an Australian competition skydiver. After several years of jumping from the plane, he changed seats to start driving them! With his passion for adventure, flying seaplanes made sense, so a move to Air Whitsunday followed. After leading the pilot group as Chief Pilot, Lloyd then took the step up to fly the Mallard before finis...

Deon Mitton's photographs can be found in most places. His exceptional talent at capturing the mighty Seaplane, or even just General Aviation aircraft in their natural habitats, makes him one of the best aviation photographers around. Put him behind a microphone, and Deon is not only inspiring, but can also take your mind to the rivers and the mountains of Alaska, with incredible detail into his b...

Built in 1947, the Albatross was originally a military aircraft. With most of them retiring and being put in the desert by the late 80's, there is few that fly today. But Michael Barksdale and Stewart Lawrence are the exception. Owning their own Grumman Albatross to go partying, jumping off the wing and showing off at airshows. Not only that, when needed the guys are often first responders to disa...

Shayne McAulay is a bush pilot at heart. Growing up in Wanaka New Zealand, he was exposed to flying in both the airline and GA environment from a very early age. He got his dream job as an airline pilot, but floatplanes and bush flying were always in the back of his mind. After buying a Piper Cub on floats just to build some float time, he got his first seaplane job in remote Canada flying a Beave...

Flying boats attracted Michael Smith to aviation. He had purchased his first flying boat before he finished his private pilot licence. But at heart, he is a true adventure seeker. That trait found him on the adventure of a lifetime flying a single engine flying boat around the world, by himself! After discovering the 2 seat aircraft wasn't going to fulfil his future needs, Michael tracked down the...

Being a 70 year old airplane, the Grumman Mallard has a long history of flying locations and drivers in the front seat. Kurt Miller was one of those drivers who flew our Mallard here at Paspaley, J-26, all over the West Coast of Canada for West Coast Air, who eventually became Air BC. He tells stories of icing up in the Mallard, comparing the Twin Otter to the Mallard, and even running out of fuel...

Using the inspiration of a shirtless Tom Cruise in the all time classic "Top Gun", Rob Ceravolo was destined to become a fighter pilot. He accomplished his childhood dream of flying (another Grumman product) the F-14 Tomcat made famous in the movie and had a successful career in the Navy resulting in his own stint at Top Gun. But once his career flying jets was coming to an end, Rob dreamed of sta...

Peter Gash's 40 year aviation career has seen him achieve so much, including many hours of seaplane flying, completing his aircraft maintenance licence, gaining an Order of Australia medal in the General Division for services to ecotourism and aviation, and now being involved in the testing of magniX electric engines. Oh and don't forget that he owns and operates his fleet of Caravan's and Twin Ot...

Canadian David Radford loves aviation. His passion for flying, in particular seaplanes has seen him become a well known operator on floats in Asia, where he now calls home. He talks all about gaining that first seaplane job, moving to Africa to build hours flying Safari guests from camp to camp, where he is now and what the future of Asian Seaplane operators looks like. David is a very happy funny...

If the Catalina Flying Boat is one of the worlds most famous flying boats, then "Miss Pick Up" is one of the most famous Catalinas. But why "Miss Pick Up?" David tells his story as the editor of the Catalina Society website and newsletter, as well as his role as Crew Chief, the vital third wheel in the cockpit of this ageing beauty. David shares a real insight into the history of the aircraft, alo...

In 1981, Mallard flying boats graced the skies of the U.S Virgin Islands for the new company known as Virgin Island Seaplane Shuttle (VISS). A young and enthusiastic Michael Steers followed his dreams to work on a flying boat and after selling all of his possessions to get his multi-engine seaplane rating, his dream came true. With 250hrs, Michael started his aviation career as a first officer on...

Part 2 of 2: With debt climbing from high interest rates compounding an already large loan, Kevin talks about selling his beloved Mallards around Australia including two of them to where they now live, in Darwin at Paspaley Aviation. Finally he leaves his beloved Whitsunday Islands to finish his career teaching his art of flying boats to students willing to learn. Kevin also talks about his book t...

Part 1 of 2: Getting a flight on a Sandringham flying boat to Lord Howe Island at an early age sparked a keen interest in seaplanes for Kevin Bowe. After gaining some flight experience in random aviation jobs, Kevin saw an opportunity available in the Whitsunday Islands to start a seaplane company. Taking a chance, Air Whitsunday was airborne taking Kevin on a career long journey into floatplanes...