The Short Circuit
In this series, Mike McLean will be having a short chat with members of the Aviation Community. He'll be asking them how and why they got into aviation, what or who inspired them to look to the skys and what they would say to any young people thinking of a career in this sector. The people he'll be talking with come from a wide range of backgrounds and have a variety of stories to tell
The Short Circuit podcast is sponsored by Swift Aircraft. Swift Aircraft is a new British Aircraft company developing light aircraft for the 21st century. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, it is involved in the development of young people through STEM activities, inspiring the next generation to become involved in the world of things that fly.
So, without further ado, let’s get ready for take-off.
Episodes
35 episodes
Episode 34 Brian Whittle
Today's chat is with MSP Brian Whittle, former Olympian and international athlete, best known for his exploits in the Team GB 400m relay squad in the 1980's and 1990's.What’s that got to do with aviation? Take a listen to this episode t...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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32:53
Episode 33 Young Voices, Student Jacob Haseldine talks about aerospace and his view of the future.
Full time student Jacob Haseldine discusses student life and how his fascination for the final frontier is directing his ambitions.This is the second 'Young Voices' special edition of the Podcast in which Mike talks to young people abou...
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26:05
Episode 32 Young Voices. 17 year old Amelia Richardson talks about her passion for flight
Full-time student Amelia Richardson explains how a she has managed to fly a jet, become a gliding instructor and how aviation has become the focus of her life. This is the first in our 'Young Voices' special editions of the Podcas...
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30:52
Episode 31 Stephen Breslin, CEO of Glasgow Science Centre, talks STEM, Sustainability and Simulators
Stephen explains how he went from plane spotting and model building to running a world class STEM facility. The Glasgow Science Centre hosts over 350,000 visi...
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29:05
Episode 30 Adam Twidell of the FlexJet Group discusses the Future of Flight in Business Aviation
Adam, an experienced Pilot, Entrepreneur, Board Director and Leader within the FlexJet Group talks about his role looking at their investments in the Future of Flight; including eVTOLs and hydrogen powered aircraft and the associated infrastruc...
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30:13
Episode 29 Peter Merlin, Author of Dreamland and Educator at Southern Illinois University
From growing up in Hollywood to gaining access to the secretive world at Groom Lake, Nevada (also known as Dreamland and several other names), Peter's life experience is one that will make many an aviation lover jealous.#groomlake&n...
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32:16
Episode 28 Nancy Bsales on Sustainability in the Business Aviation sector, a view from the USA
Nancy Bsales, COO of 4Air, discusses how she came into aviation from the fashion world and is now helping the industry, especially the business aviation sector, tackle the issues surrounding sustainability.#aviation #theshortcircuit #Ge...
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28:10
Episode 27 Lifeline Airports. David Swanson tells us what it takes to keep John O'Groats in touch
A major employer in the region, critical lifeline for emergency services and stopping point for transatlantic ferry flights, Wick - John O'Groats airport is a vital part of the local community. David Swanson takes us behind the scenes.
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32:31
Episode 26 Aviation Writer Paul Eden discusses the range of career paths available in aviation
Paul talks about his experiences in the Business Aviation world and how the industry has changed and is developing. He highlights how & why this sector has genuine value in today's world and the opportunities it offers across the boar...
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34:55
Episode 25 Cae Roberts talks about Naval Aviation Engineering and life afterwards in Civvy Street
Online entrepreneur and aircraft broker, Cae Roberts, gives us the background of how he joined the Royal Navy, served his time there and then re-entered civilian life to establish a brand new online business, giving not only an exciting living,...
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26:28
Episode 24 Jake Brattle Team GB Glider Pilot and Navboys Entrepreneur talks about gliding
Jake discusses his love of gliding and explains how aviation, and gliding in particular, helps build skills and experience that are applicable in everyday life. Teamwork, decision making and confidence are just some of attributes that wil...
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31:32
Episode 23 Bill Goebel and the Hollywood Bomber project. Connecting the past to the future.
In Texas there is a project to revitalise a Twin Beech with a colourful history and turn it into a modern, accessible and exciting training / education asset. Leading the charge on this project is Bill Goebel. In this episode Bill e...
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35:33
Episode 22 LAA Vice President Brian Davies discusses going from apprentice to Chief Engineer.
Brian Davies has worked through the system from school and building models through apprenticeships to become a Chief Engineer for a large Airline, building his own aircraft and holding the position of Vice President of the Light Aircraft Associ...
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33:46
Episode 21 Dr Geoff Coxon from theSkylab talks STEM, Air Shows, and the Ayrshire Aviation Hub.
Dr Geoff Coxon, Medicinal Chemist, discusses theSkylab , the International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight and how overcoming a lack of confidence enabled his c...
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34:09
Episode 20 Ben Jarvis talks about Rockets, STEM/STEAM, Smoke and Flames and Neurodiversity. Brilliant!
Rocketeer and STEM/STEAM advocate Ben Jarvis discusses his activities and experiences in building rockets, launching small satellites and getting young people of all flavours involved in aerospace.#inspiringstories #stemeducation&...
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33:51
Episode 19 Airbus A400M Engineer Steph Smith discusses the Atlas, STEM and how not to buy a plane
Steph Smith is a Licensed B1 Aircraft Engineer for AIrbus embedded at the Royal Air Force
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32:31
Episode 18 Jack Milnes. The man who got a bunch of kids to build and fly a proper aeroplane
There are certain people you encounter when you are young who are fundamental in your development. Jack Milnes was just that to a bunch of youngsters with the The Spirit of Goole
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27:15
Episode 17 ATC Safety Manager, Instructor and Author Claire Hatton discusses her career
Based at Liverpool Airport, Claire not only is the Air Traffic Control Safety Manager but a member of the British Women's Pilots Association (BWPA), Flying Instructor and Author of 'You Have Control! Being a Better Flying Instr...
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30:05
Episode 16 STEM Project Supervisor and Jump Pilot Chris Milnes talks passionately about flight
Chris Milnes discusses how he got into aviation and how he has used his enthusiasm to help inspire young people through the RAF Cadets (RAFAC) and
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37:04
Episode 15 Electrical Avionics Fitter Rosina Chester talks about her role at Marshall Aerospace
Rosina Chester discusses how she progressed from being a cheeky girl at school girl who didn't pay attention, through apprenticeships and now looks after the venerable Hercules C-130 for
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28:07
Episode 14 How did an aviation STEM Project help Ryan Judge kickstart a career in the rail industry?
Ryan Judge was a child of a British Army family growing up around helicopters in the Britain, Germany and Northern Ireland. He was a member of the ...
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33:37
Episode 13 Generation Aviation Ambassador Alex Durand talks Business with The Short Circuit
The Department for Transport Generation Aviation initiative is a multistream programme that helps build an aviation workforce fit for the future by raising th...
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29:08
Episode 12 RAF Reservist & TSOG Team Member Kean Noon talks about his STEM experience
Kean Noon is a Cyber Security Specialist in both his civilian position and with the Royal Air Force Reserves. He is also a member of The Spirit of Goole...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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28:12
Episode 11 RAeS Chief Exec Dave Edwards chats with The Short Circuit
Royal Aeronautical Society Chief Exec' Dave Edwards discusses upcoming technologies and the role that the young people of today can play in the future of aviation. We also discuss how careers develop and adapt over time and the impo...
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35:49
Episode 10 We talk with Royal Institute of Navigation (RIN)Trustee Michelle Brown about STEM.
Michelle discusses how an aviation based STEM project changed her life and has influenced her career path. Currently a council member, Trustee and co-chair of the Younger Members Group of RIN, Michelle has a unique perspective on the real world...
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27:50
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