Ground Effect Aviation Podcast

1. Antoine, European A320 Pilot and Aviation Podcast Host

Episode Summary

In our first episiode, we speak to Antoine, an A320 pilot, a French-language aviation podcast host and previously an air traffic controller in Switzerland. We talk about pilot training in Europe, his own journey from air traffic controller to pilot, the notion of personal minimums, the differences of private flying in the US vs Europe and his desire to share his passion for aviation.

Episode Notes

In our first episiode, we speak to Antoine, an A320 pilot, a French-language aviation podcast host and previously an air traffic controller in Switzerland. We talk about:

• How his parents were glider pilots and how he started flying very young
• How he set his parents' field on fire by playing with rockets
• What it was like to be an air traffic controller
• What the pilot training process is like in Europe
• How flying a modern jet aircraft compares with small general aviation ones
• The importance of communication in the cockpit
• The notion of personal minimums
• The differences of private flying in the US vs. Europe

Some technical terms we use in the podcast (I'll be careful to explain these more in-podcast in upcoming episodes):

• ATPL - Airline Transport Pilot License (European equivalent of ATP)
• CPL - Commercial Pilot License
• VFR - Visual Flight Rules (or visual flying, by looking out the window)
• IFR - Instrument Flight Rules (or instrument flying, regardless of visibility)
• IR - Instrument Rating (rating that allows you to fly IFR)
• ME - Multi-Engine (rating that allows you to fly multi-engine planes)
• MCCJOC - Multi-crew Cooperation & Jet Orientation Course
• Class Alfa - Class A (as oposed to B, C, D, E, F or G) airspace, usually reserved for commercial aircraft, mostly jets.

If you speak French (or if you're just curious), check out Antoine's French-language aviation podcast: Parlons Aviation

We love hearing from you, so send us your thoughts, comments and suggestions either by email (ground.effect[@]neustadt[.]fr) or via Twitter (@thegroundeffect).

Host: Parimal Satyal
Support and Original Episode Artwork: Maggie Oran
Podcast Music: Getting It All Together by RockitMaxx