Retired F-111 Pilot Lt. Col. Kevin “Too Kool” Kuhlmann explains how the General Dynamics F-111 could perform almost any role in the air battlefield, as a fighter, bomber, and even low-level attack aircraft.
In this episode, Kevin discusses maintaining weapon systems on the F-106 and F-4, flying the Aardvark, and the thrill of lighting the afterburner during fuel dumps. With groundbreaking technology for its time, like terrain-following radar, variable-sweep wings, and an ejection capsule, this supersonic jet was not only advanced but a whole lot of fun to fly. This one is going to be cool!
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Social Scientist Alires Almon explains why the human element is critical to mission success during long-duration spaceflights.
In this episode, Alires discusses the impacts of sending people to the Moon and beyond, how to maintain their mental health, and the ethics of extended space missions. With challenges like extreme isolation, communication delays, and living within the confines of the spacecraft, taking care of an astronaut’s overall wellness will be no easy task. There is a lot to learn!
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Retired Lt. Col. Josh Cadice shares his story of going to the edge of space in one of the most iconic spy planes ever built.
In this episode, Josh discusses flying the KC-135, wearing the pressure suit, piloting the mysterious U-2 at 70,000 feet, and its aerial reconnaissance capabilities. From Cold War origins to modern missions, this aircraft’s legacy is as fascinating as it is classified. This one is going to be cool!
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Retired Navy Commander Everett Alvarez Jr. shares his story of surviving the Hỏa Lò Prison as one of the longest-held prisoners of war in U.S. history.
In this episode, Everett discusses flying the A-4 Skyhawk, being shot down in Vietnam, enduring harsh conditions and torture, and reacclimating to life back home after Operation Homecoming. Throughout his journey, Everett and fellow captives held onto the will to live when all else was stripped away. There is a lot to learn!
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Air Boss Kellie Hudson tells us how she balances spectacle and safety while controlling intense air show skies.
In this episode, Kellie discusses her path from air traffic controller to air boss, managing the airspace over AirVenture Oshkosh, and ramp bossing the Super Bowl. From coordinating warbirds and jet teams to managing emergencies on the flight line, she shares what it takes to keep the skies and ground running smoothly. This one is going to be cool!
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Aerial Coordinator and Stunt Pilot Kevin “K2” LaRosa shares how he brought some of the most complex aviation movie scenes to life.
In this episode, Kevin discusses designing and flying the modified L-39 CineJet, filming iconic movies like "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Devotion", and training A-list Hollywood actors. If you’ve seen aerial cinematography on the big screen lately, it’s likely Kevin had a hand in it. Be sure to tune in because there's an exclusive announcement this episode! This one is going to be cool!
Want to hear more "Top Gun" stories? Check out Episode 40 with "Maverick" Stunt Pilot Scott "Intake" Kartvedt!
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Retired F-15 and F-16 fighter pilot Nicole Malachowski tells us about flying 18 inches off the wings of high-speed jets as a U.S. Air Force Thunderbird.
Welcome to Season 6 of the Behind the Wings podcast! In this episode, Nicole takes us through her groundbreaking journey as the first woman to become a Thunderbird pilot. She discusses her combat missions, flying in airshows, her WASP connection, and how a tick-borne illness changed her life forever. There is a lot to learn!
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The Behind the Wings podcast is back with Season 6 and 10 new episodes! Hear stories from one of the longest interned Vietnam POWs, Everett Alvarez Jr., controlling the chaotic skies above air shows with Air Boss Kellie Hudson, and the making of Top Gun: Maverick and Devotion with Aerial Cinematographer and Stunt Pilot Kevin "K2" LaRosa. We've got some incredible stories and guests coming up!
New episodes come out every other Monday, starting next week with the first woman Thunderbird pilot, Nicole "FiFi" Malachowski. Subscribe wherever you listen, because this season is going to be cool!
We will see you next week for Season 6 of Behind the Wings. In the meantime, check out our past episodes!
Legendary aerospace engineer Burt Rutan shares untold stories behind some of the most unique air and spacecraft ever built.
In this episode, Burt reflects on a lifetime of aerospace innovation — from working as a U.S. Air Force flight test engineer to breaking records with his homebuilt aircraft. He also discusses stall testing the F-4, Bede Aircraft, the world’s largest airplane, and the Voyager and GlobalFlyer around-the-world flights. This one is going to be cool!
Episode 50 marks the end of Season 5 of the Behind the Wings podcast. We'll be taking a short break and will be back later this year with Season 6!
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Retired NASA Astronaut Lieutenant General Susan Helms reflects on her 211 days in space and life onboard a young International Space Station.
In this episode, Susan takes us through her groundbreaking journey as the first active-duty woman officer to become a NASA astronaut. She discusses attending the United States Air Force Academy, flight testing fighter jets, her five space missions, and a record-breaking spacewalk. This one is going to be cool!
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Astrophysicist and professor, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell reflects on how she helped change astronomy forever.
In this episode, learn more about how a peculiar signal from space led Jocelyn to a groundbreaking discovery. She discusses her aerospace journey, building a radio telescope, discovering pulsars, and the 1974 Nobel Prize controversy. This one is going to be cool!
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Secretary of the United States Air Force Frank Kendall discusses AI's impact on modern air warfare.
In this episode, we're switching things up and going to the Pentagon to bring you a special in-depth conversation on artificial intelligence in military aviation. Secretary Kendall discusses AI’s evolving role in U.S. air power, collaborative combat aircraft, technology breakthroughs, and ethical concerns. This one is going to be cool!
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National Museum of WWII Aviation Curator Gene Pfeffer discusses why winning the air war was pivotal to D-Day's success.
In this episode, we’ll dive into the planning and execution of air operations, the aircraft that supported the massive assault, the continued aerial support for troops after Operation Overlord, and its lasting legacy and impact on aviation. June 6, 2024, marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day and gave us the opportunity to learn more about one of the most important battles of WWII. This one is going to be cool!
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Miss America 2024, Madison Marsh, discusses the crossroads of pageantry and the military.
In this episode, Madi takes us through her groundbreaking journey as the first active-duty officer to earn the Miss America title. She shares insights into her pilot training, attending the United States Air Force Academy, cancer research, starting a non-profit, and how a military background has influenced her career. This one is going to be cool!
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How the world's largest aircraft, Stratolaunch Roc, is paving the way for repeatable hypersonic testing.
Welcome to the final part of our bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 6!
In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette discuss behind-the-scenes stories while filming with Stratolaunch at the Mojave Air and Space Port. Join us as we talk about the history of hypersonics, building the Stratolaunch Roc, the Talon-A test vehicle, the Hadley rocket engine, and flying this twin-fuselage aircraft. This one is going to be cool!
Check out the new season on PBS or our YouTube channel. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
Our regularly scheduled podcast series will return on 12/2/24 with guest Madison Marsh, the first active-duty Air Force Officer to be crowned Ms. America. Thanks for joining us!
Full Season Premiere Schedule:
PBS
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 7, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 21, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
How a seemingly impossible idea helped America win the space race.
Welcome to part 3 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 6!
In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette discuss behind-the-scenes stories while filming the legendary Super Guppy in El Paso, Texas. Join us as we talk about the space race, building the Super Guppy, the similarities this aircraft has with Frankenstein, and watching the odd airplane fly. This one is going to be cool!
Check out the new season on PBS or our YouTube channel. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
Full Season Premiere Schedule:
PBS
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 7, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 21, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
The ethics of deploying AI in Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), are weighed against the risks of falling behind technologically.
Welcome to part 2 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 6!
In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette continue their conversation about AI in the military, with a specific focus on AI-piloted aircraft. Join us as we talk about building CCAs, how they could change the air battlefield, the ethics of AI in warfare, and flying alongside "the most loyal wingman". This one is going to be cool!
Check out the new season on PBS or our YouTube channel beginning November 7. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
Full Season Premiere Schedule:
PBS
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 7, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 21, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
How testing and simulations advance AI pilot agents from the lab to the field.
Welcome to part 1 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 6!
In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette discuss behind-the-scenes stories while filming around the U.S. to learn more about AI in military aviation. Join us as we discuss the history of AI, the AI arms race, flying simulators, and being at the crossroads of ethics and speed. This one is going to be cool!
Check out the new season on PBS or our YouTube channel beginning November 7. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
Full Season Premiere Schedule:
PBS
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 7, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 14, 2024, 8:00 p.m. MT
Episode 1 - AI in Military Aviation: November 7, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 2 - Collaborative Combat Aircraft: November 14, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 - The Super Guppy: November 21, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 - Hypersonic Flight Testing: November 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m. MT
We are excited to announce our special four-part miniseries featuring stories from the making of our newest Behind the Wings PBS season! Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette discuss AI in Military Aviation, Collaborative Combat Aircraft, The Super Guppy, and Hypersonic Flight Testing. Join us to hear inside tales you won't find anywhere else. This is going to be cool!
New episodes come out every Thursday, starting October 31. Also, check out the new season on PBS or at our YouTube channel beginning November 7. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!
Our regular podcast episodes will take a mid-season break while these air and return on November 25.
EA-6B Pilot Matthew Maher and Electronic Countermeasures Officer Ethan Williams dive deep into the world of electronic warfare with a spotlight on the legendary EA-6B Prowler.
In this episode, our guests take us back into the cockpit, explore the complex jamming systems that helped protect air and ground crews, landing on a pitching aircraft carrier, and multi-aircraft missions. We also answer several audience questions about the Prowler. After all, we do this all for you! This one is going to be cool!
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