Military – Southern Skies Media

June 29, 2020August 1, 2021

Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

Working with Australian Defence Magazine, Southern Skies Media are producing the Australian Defence Media Podcast covering topics related to developments within the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Defence Industry environment, the economics of Defence and strategic planning of interest to the Australian region.

Co-hosted by Grant McHerron of Southern Skies Media, Katherine Ziesing, Managing Editor of ADM, and Ewen Levick, ADM’s Associate Editor, the aim of the series is to offer a blend of topical and sponsored content that brings together discussions from Defence, industry, academia and experts from a range of speakers. The various topics and themes will be explored in a conversational way including a focus on innovation and R&D efforts with coverage of the SME community as well as the Defence Primes.

March 18, 2016February 11, 2017

PCDU Hosts F-35 Event with Lockheed Martin

Grant was invited by Lockheed Martin to co-host an F-35 evening for aviation enthusiasts which included a discussion with F-35 Program Chief Test Pilot Alan Norman and the F-35 cockpit demonstrator. It was a great night and Grant had a blast flying the F-35 cockpit demonstrator.

See more details of the event and Alan Norman by clicking here

August 18, 2014July 16, 2016

Covering Exercise Pitch Black 2014

Every two years the Royal Australian Air Force hosts a series of simulated air warfare missions with attendees from multiple countries taking part. Code named “Pitch Black,” the exercise has over 40 military aircraft operating from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory with missions held over the Delamere Range Facility and Bradshaw Field Training Area.

For Exercise Pitch Black 2014, Southern Skies Online Media sent Grant up to Darwin to cover the event. Joining a group of four other aviation media specialists, Grant was taken on the tarmac at RAAF Base Darwin and also flown to RAAF Base Tindal by RAAF King Air transport. At both locations the small group was provided with unparalleled access to Australian, American, Singaporean, French and Thai aircraft, pilots & maintainers.

In addition to maintaining a constant stream of updates & photographs on the Plane Crazy Down Under Facebook page, Grant also recorded plenty of audio content for use in a future episode while also making & refreshing contacts within the armed forces. While it was certainly a busy (& hot :) ) time in Darwin, it was very productive.

October 21, 2013July 16, 2016

First Media Flight of the NH90 Taipan

The Australian Defence Force have recently introduced the NH90 Taipan helicopter and, thanks to our good connections with the ADF, we were invited to be on the first media flight.

Kathy Mexted from SSoM with Ben from the ADF

December 21, 2012July 16, 2016

Covering the C130H Decommissioning

Steve was on the final C130H media flight

Thanks to our years of aviation coverage and working closely with the Royal Australian Air Force, we were invited to attend the decommissioning celebrations associated with the C130H being removed from RAAF service.

This included being on board the final C130H media flight as it flew over Sydney Harbour, being on site at RAAF Base Richmond as the aircraft practiced their farewell flight for the official ceremony and being on site at Pt Cook when a C130H arrived at the RAAF Museum.