Summary: We talk with Victoria Neuville Zajko about Women of Aviation Week, March 3-9, 2014, where young women are introduced to flying and aviation through a number of events around the world. Victoria tells us how to contribute by creating and sponsoring events. As she’s in the aviation insurance business, Victoria also tells us about that industry segment. Victoria is an instrument rated commercial pilot who works as a sales assistant for Aviation Insurance Resources. She’s also on the crew of the Stuck Mic Avcast, which has the tag line “An Aviation Podcast about learning to fly, living to fly, and loving to fly.” She blogs at Toriaflies, and is an active member of the Sugarloaf chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a VIP member of Women of Aviation Week and a member of Women in Aviation International and the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association. The week’s aviation news: Seattle machinists approve Boeing 777X production contract 2014 Outlook For Aviation Careers Brightens With Looming Pilot And Mechanic Shortages Trouble for the Twin-Engine Giants? Brazilians Aren’t Happy About $4.5 Billion Purchase Of Saab Gripen Fighter Jets Richard Aboulafia’s December 2013 Letter on why NSA spying of Brazilian leaders was not a factor David Vanderhoof’s Aircraft of the Week: the Saab JAS-39 Gripen. In this week’s Australia Desk: Steve and Grant kick off the new year on the AusDesk by reporting about New Zealand! Glyn Powell, the man who made the fuselage & wings of the DH Mosquito recently restored by AvSpecs in NZ has been awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for his efforts. 787-9 visits NZ (AirNZ is the launch customer) and will then head to Alice Springs in Australia for heat testing. Brindabella retrenches 135 of 140 staff (some being kept to maintain aircraft as the administrator seeks buyers) () but some pilots are offered jobs by REX. Qantas is copping some flak for “manufacturing its own crisis.” First flight for the RAAF’s first C27J. Find more from Grant and Steve at the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124. In this week’s Across the Pond segment: This week Pieter brings us some news stories that caught his attention over the break including; Ryanair’s charm offensive – is it now paying off? the launch of the Gaia spacecraft, and the roll out of Airbus A350XWB MSN2. Find Pieter on Twitter as @Nascothornet, on Facebook at XTPMedia, and at the Aviation Xtended podcast. Mentioned: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum’s future in doubt as creditors claim Spruce Goose, other planes Meribel Flight with the Aeroclub De Meribel. Meribel France Meribel Flying Photos this is why we fly…. Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.
