Host Michael Arron interviews Allan Winn, a New Zealand-raised aviation and motoring journalist who became editor of Flight International for 14 years, covering major events such as Pan Am 103, the Concorde crash, industry consolidation, and the rise of low-cost carriers while interviewing leaders like Herb Kelleher. As publishing shifted digital, Winn became chief executive of Brooklands Museum in 2003 for 15 years, leading major projects including rescuing and restoring British Airways Concorde “Delta Golf,” adding the world’s only working Concorde simulator, and creating an award-winning aircraft factory exhibition. He highlights key Brooklands exhibits such as the Vickers Wellington “Alpha Robert,” recovered from Loch Ness and restored by volunteers. Winn recalls flying on Concorde’s jump seat and cites blended wing body airliners and heritage restorations (including a Mosquito rebuild) as exciting, while doubting air-taxi viability. His advice: say yes to opportunities and realistically assess your capabilities.
Host Michael Arron interviews Allan Winn, a New Zealand–born aviation and motoring journalist who became editor and later publisher of Flight International after starting in mechanical/aeronautical engineering and shifting into journalism. Winn recounts covering major events such as Pan Am 103, the Concorde crash, industry consolidation (including Boeing/McDonnell Douglas and the formation of EADS/Airbus), and the rise of low-cost carriers, while meeting leaders across airlines and manufacturers. He explains moving into museum leadership amid publishing’s digital transition, becoming CEO of Brooklands Museum in 2003 and leading projects including rescuing and restoring British Airways Concorde G-BBDG, pairing it with a working simulator, and creating an award-winning aircraft factory exhibition featuring the restored Vickers Wellington AR. He discusses flying on Concorde, views on future aviation (blended wing bodies, skepticism about air taxis), excitement about warbird restorations, and career advice: say yes to opportunities and realistically assess your capabilities.
00:00 Welcome to The Flight Pod
00:37 Childhood Airport Spotting
01:24 Engineer to Aviation Editor
02:50 Big Stories at Flight
04:58 From Print to Brooklands
07:04 Concorde Up Close
10:00 Brooklands Hidden Gems
12:03 Saving Concorde Delta Golf
14:45 Concorde Facts and Legacy
17:15 Supersonic Successors
21:23 Future Airliners and Air Taxis
24:40 Keeping Warbirds Flying
27:49 Do You Still Love Flying
29:08 Why No Pilot License
30:55 Dream Aircraft to Revive
33:31 Pinch Me Moments
36:26 Career Advice to Live By
37:50 Final Advice for Listeners
Episode Host: Michael Arron
Producer and Editor Stewart Anthony
Original Music: Mood Mode
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https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/