All episodes

Episode 29 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above takes us to South Carolina — and into the cockpit of one of aviation’s most seasoned professionals.

When this conversation was recorded on February 28, 2026, John Pipkin was 81 years old — on the threshold of his 82nd birthday — and still actively flying law enforcement missions for a sheriff’s department, supporting people on the ground with the same discipline that has defined his 30,000-hour career.

Predominantly a fixed-wing pilot across decades of airline, mission, and corporate aviation, his path also included significant professional helicopter operations — among them flying the...

Recorded at the end of April, this special housekeeping episode offers a comprehensive and transparent look at the current state and future direction of Aviation-Quest.cc. Hosts Jürgen Reis and Stefan Lorenz take a step back from guest interviews to reconnect with their audience — outlining the mission, structure, and evolving ecosystem of the podcast.

What emerges is a clear picture of a project that has grown into exactly what it set out to be: a long-form aviation platform combining depth, authenticity, and a steadily expanding range of perspectives.

Together, they explore:
- The core idea behind Aviation-Quest.cc and its development...

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, host Jürgen Reis welcomes Heinrich Böhm, Deputy Chairman of the Flugmuseum Aviaticum in Wiener Neustadt.

Recorded in April 2026, this conversation offers a personal and grounded look at one of Austria’s most dedicated aviation heritage initiatives—driven not by commercial interests, but by passion, commitment, and a deep respect for history.

Heinrich Böhm shares how he became involved in the Aviaticum and why he chose to invest his time and energy into preserving aviation history rather than pursuing a pilot career himself. With a touch of humor, he reflects on his close...

In this episode of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above, Martyn Northall from Just Flight reflects on a career shaped by aviation heritage, early simulation, and a deep commitment to realism.

Growing up with a father who flew for the Royal Air Force, aviation was part of Martyn’s world from an early age. Around the age of twelve, he discovered Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000 — a moment that sparked a lasting fascination with flight simulation. As a teenager, he became a customer himself, flying and enjoying Just Flight products long before any professional connection existed.

With ambitions to follow his father...

Episode 25 continues the expanded FlightSim Adventures series with Part 5 — and adds a special dimension at the very beginning. For the first time in years, host Jürgen Reis and Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz meet in person, recording the opening minutes outdoors near the Aviation-Quest.cc studio in Dornbirn before transitioning back into their familiar remote format. The result is an episode that blends technical depth with spontaneous humor and a unique live atmosphere.

Stefan opens with an extraordinary behind-the-scenes experience: contributing to the creation of a highly detailed Palma de Mallorca Airport scenery. Combined with his real-world...

After the enthusiastic response to the first FlightSim series episodes, Episode 24 returns with a special follow-up installment. What began in Episode 17 as a nostalgic journey through the history of flight simulation has evolved into a growing collection of unforgettable flying experiences — and in FlightSim Adventures, Part 4, host Jürgen Reis and Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz once again present six remarkable flights that every simulator enthusiast should consider adding to their bucket list.

Jürgen opens with one of the most extreme destinations available in modern flight simulation: Daocheng Yading Airport in China, currently the highest civilian...

Episode 23 of Aviation-Quest.cc – Stories from Above features an exceptional guest: Captain Gerhard Gruber (born 1954) — pilot, airport manager, safety expert, and one of Austria’s most experienced voices in aviation.

In this deeply personal conversation, Captain Gruber takes listeners back to his earliest childhood memories of flight and walks through the defining chapters of his career. Beginning as a glider pilot — even having to add weight to meet center-of-gravity limits — he traces his path through private and commercial flying, flight instruction, and jet operations around the world.

Alongside his flying career, Captain Gruber joined Vienna International...

Winter operations are among the most demanding situations airline crews regularly face. While passengers may simply see snow on the runway or experience a departure delay, pilots must manage a carefully coordinated chain of procedures designed to keep the aircraft safe in freezing conditions.

In Episode 22 of Aviation-Quest.cc, host Jürgen Reis sits down with co-host Stefan Lorenz, who shares his professional experience as an Airbus A320 First Officer. Guided by Jürgen’s questions, Stefan takes listeners through a realistic winter operations day on the flight deck — from early weather briefings and aircraft inspections to de-icing procedures and winter landings....

Episode 21 completes the FlightSim Adventures trilogy and marks Part 5 of the ongoing FlightSim Series. In this final installment, host Jürgen Reis and Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz present six bucket-list experiences that capture the full spectrum of flight simulation — from endurance challenges and iconic aircraft to mountain flying and precision formation work.

Stefan opens with one of the most ambitious undertakings imaginable in a simulator: flying around the world using only short-haul legs. Departing Europe eastbound, the challenge quickly evolves into a complex logistical puzzle as geography, range limits, and route planning turn the journey into...

Episode 20 continues the ongoing FlightSim Series (Part 4) and moves deeper into the dedicated sub-series FlightSim Adventures. In Part 2, Jürgen Reis and Airbus A320 first officer Stefan Lorenz each bring three new standout experiences — blending study-level realism with creative exploration.

Stefan opens with a true Flight Team highlight: the legendary Level-D Boeing 767. Still admired years after its release, the aircraft remains a benchmark for immersive 3D cockpits and system depth. From a real-world pilot’s perspective, the 767 stands out as a masterpiece of airliner engineering — responsive, elegant, and rewarding to fly even by today’s standards....