Pilots of the Airwaves - Voices of a Generation Podcast

He was a true pilot both on and off the airwaves, conquered the ratings in two capital cities and was one half of one of Australia’s most likeable radio duos. Mark Irvine is a ‘jack of all trades’ and master of many! Enjoy!

He was a high school student by day and a disc jockey on Melbourne's hottest radio station by night....not your conventional pathway into the industry but one that has served Craig Huggins very well over 40 year! Our chat with Huggie was.....GOLD! Enjoy!

A true pioneer of Australian radio from the 60's when television was the new kid on the block and radio had to be something special to survive. He was a 'Most Happy Fella', he is Jim Hilcke! Enjoy 

He moved around the country, taking his unique style of broadcasting to audiences in 4 states and 1 territory (sometimes as Con Vann) but it was at EON FM and Triple M in Melbourne where the Captain was most influential. He is of course Karl van Est!! Enjoy!

From Swan Hill to Launceston, to Adelaide and to Melbourne, then right across Australia with our own Top 40 .....or should I say Take 40 Countdown! One of Australia's great 'music minds' it was great to spend some time with Barry Bissell. Enjoy!

He moved from Panel Operator to Production at 3DB, Production to Mid Dawn Announcer on 3KZ and then on to legend status on Breakfast in Townsville. 30 years of early starts and still going strong! This Steve Price is no shock jock, just a bloody good bloke! Enjoy!  

He is a self confessed radio nomad, working across four states at numerous stations, both commercial and the ABC as well as being part of 'The biggest air-lift in Australia's history.' He is the poetry reading, story telling Ted Bull. Enjoy!

From Germany, to the Snowy Mountains, onto Melbourne then up to Sydney (and a few other places in between), the name might have changed at times but the dulcet tones never waived! He’s one of the pioneers of ABC Youth Radio, he is Holger Brockmann….Enjoy!

He was a disc jockey, a talent spotter, program director and a pioneer of Top 40 radio down the east coast of Australia. He drove fast cars and barefoot skied......and is a true legend of the industry. It could only be Bill Gates!! Enjoy!

He’s one of the ultimate journeymen of Australian radio, 3 states, numerous stations and decades of great stories from a true radio survivor. From Sydney, to Tassie, then Melbourne, Perth, Melbourne and back to Perth, Brian Lehman is the Mann! Enjoy!

He started off in the mail room, made his way up to the board room and he has been a major influence in radio across three states.  Rather than a pilot, he is more of an air traffic controller, plotting the course for the pilots to follow and in his 57+ year in the business, he's seen it all...and that's no BS!!  It is a great 50 minutes or so with Brendan Sheedy.  Enjoy!

He survived 17 years and at least 3  format changes at the one radio station, played the hits, interviewed the pollies, worked with a King...as well as crossing to the Murray Bridge dogs! Denis Scanlan, a 3DB legend...enjoy!

He's the big man, with the big voice and a zillion stories to tell from his fabulous 47 year career (that is still going!) "Shhhhawn Cosgrove....Come On Down!!" Enjoy!

This week's Pilot conquered the Brisbane market before moving down south to spearhead  some of Melbourne's most iconic FM breakfast programs.  Kevin Hillier is our very special guest in this episode. Enjoy!

This week's pilot reflects upon a career that was 53 years in the making. From learning his craft in Gippsland to perfecting it Melbourne, our guest is simply an Australian radio icon. And even today when he uses the phrase 'the greater 3UZ', it is said with conviction, authority, familiarity... and pride! 'It's John Vertigan!" Enjoy!

He was the boy from the outback, who came to the big city, made the breakfast shift his own, was the voice of Australia’s most influential television music program and part of the vibrant Aussie scene in LA over recent years. Here he is ….Gavin Wood!  Enjoy!

She's talked to the animals, work in a 'Zoo' and has charmed audiences every time she's  sat behind a microphone! It was always in her DNA to be in radio and Jane has well and truly kept the 'Holmes' name synonymous with great broadcasting!  Enjoy! 

After 52 years in the radio business, he is still outrageous, he is still funny and he is still very, very entertaining. Ric Melbourne is definitely one of a kind.....and he is Pilot Number Eight!!

We loved her on XY, we loved her on KZ, we loved her on Gold. We loved her with Harro, Pete Meehan and Cossie...... and we loved having Liz Sullivan on Pilots!! Enjoy!

From 3XY to 3KZ to 3UZ and back to 3XY then 3DB, Stan Rofe's radio journey and industry influence has been unprecedented. On 'Pilots' this week, we revisit a 1999 interview with Stan 'The Man' Rofe and talk about the radio stations, the Rolling Stones and the Vietnam War. Enjoy.

This episode is about 3XY, it's about EON-FM, it's about Rocktober.......it's about Lee Simon!! Enjoy!

This week's pilot dominated the breakfast airwaves in the 80's, was part of one of radio's great duos and steered the good ship 3KZ, to the FM dial..and KZ FM. Enjoy 30 minutes or so with Peter Meehan!

This week's pilot was entrusted with the job of looking after the ladies in the 70's, on 3XY, keeping them company between 9 - 12!

He came across from New Zealand on a short working holiday....and 55 years later he's still here!  He's been at 'the top of the dial', a part of new music formats across a couple of stations, and has imparted his knowledge to the next generation!  Enjoy!

He drove us home from school, he introduced us to every rock act that landed in Melbourne, he was nominated for a Gold Logie...........and he was vote Victoria's most popular DJ 6 years in a row!