ARMCHAIR PILOTS, COME ON DOWN — YOU COULD BE THE NEXT CONTESTANT ...
Flight instructor Michael Lessard had an idea: create a reality show for pilots where they get judged on how well they complete a flight where a panel of judges tests their mettle with challenges and emergencies. Lacking a multi-million-dollar production budget, he got together with friend Robert Clements and created the online Wings Reality. AVweb's Jeff Van West caught up with the two as they finished up their first season.

Click here to listen. (8.4 MB, 12:12)

KEVIN GOULD, CEO OF PIPER AIRCRAFT
Last year was tough for all airplane manufacturers, and Piper Aircraft was no exception, but CEO Kevin Gould is upbeat. AVweb's Mary Grady caught up with him at Sun 'n Fun to talk about the PiperJet, the potential of the PiperSport LSA, and his company's plans for the future.

Click here to listen. (7.1 MB, 7:46)

VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD ENCOUNTER
A NASA DC-8 (unintentionally) flew through a diffuse volcanic ash cloud generated by an Icelandic volcano 10 years years ago. The aircraft spent less than 10 minutes in the cloud and, upon first inspection, seemed undamaged. It turns out that first looks can be deceiving. AVweb's Glenn Pew talks with Tom Grindle of NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, who authored a report on the damage.

Click here to listen. (7.9 MB, 8:40)