Wed, Aug 02, 2017
Live Radio Keeps Listeners Entertained 24/7 at AirVenture
By Maria Morrison
For the past 22 years, EAA radio has been broadcasting live at AirVenture. What began as a few people reading the day’s newspaper into the PA system has now grown into a 40-person operation that runs 24/7 during the week at Oshkosh.
On the first Monday of AirVenture, the EAA radio team begins broadcasting at 06:00. The programming runs throughout the day, with interviews being conducted until the airshow begins, and then the airshow commentary being broadcast. Through the night, the day’s show is repeated for international online viewers.
Jeff Montgomery, known as J Mont “G”, is one of the EAA radio hosts that has his own show, called “On The Fly”. Between 13:00 and 14:00 during the whole week of Oshkosh, Montgomery interviews different people around AirVenture. He then sends the audio live to the station via a personal wifi network.
On Friday, he was at the International Aerobatic Club to talk about the anniversary of the Christian Eagle. Although he prepares his interviews months in advance, he also needs to have good improvisational skills. “You learn how to stall as the years go by,” said Montgomery, “that's the toughest part to learn.” When one of the men he was set to interview didn't show, Montgomery had to improvise on the fly and get a pilot to come and speak with him. “With live radio, anything can happen.”
Every day, Montgomery works to highlight a different aspect of the fly-in, and will be going to the seaplane base on Saturday.
Also working with EAA volunteers like Jeff are interns from the nearby Saint Cloud State University. This year, there are 15 students working at the station. Their work for the week counts as one class credit. “We get better interns and staffers each year.” The interns work mainly with the radio and formatting aspects, and the volunteers schedule and conduct interviews. “Most of the staff are here because of a passion for aviation. There interns are here for the radio. We couldn't function without either one.”
(Staff images)
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]