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!

Key Takeaways:

• Gene takes us through the evolution of aircraft spurred by World War II, from biplanes to jets.
• Although America hadn't yet entered the war, planning for D-Day began in 1940, outlining what exactly would be required for the invasion.
• In 1943, it was decided that the Allies could not win the invasion without air superiority. Leading up to D-Day, the Allies focused heavily on eliminating the German Air Force as a factor, and on June 6, the German Air Force had 300 sorties while the Allies had 13,000.
• The day before Operation Overlord, the Allies painted invasion stripes on their airplanes under the cover of darkness. Due to the massive amount of aircraft, the paint scheme helped mitigate friendly fire.
• Multiple kinds of aircraft participated in the invasion and each had specific roles. To name a few, the C-47s towed gliders or dropped paratroopers, B-17s, 24s, and 26s dropped bombs, P-47s acted as flying artillery, and P-38s flew cover over the ships.
• After D-Day, the Allies used their air power to aid troops with strategic bombings like Operation Cobra, targeting German oil and V-2 centers, and providing medical aid.
• Gene encourages anyone interested in aerospace to visit your local museum and get involved.

Resources:

• The National Museum of WWII Aviation Website 
• Operation Overlord: D-Day (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force) 
• Operation Overlord (Wikipedia) 
• Air War During Operation Overlord (Wikipedia) 

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!

Key Takeaways:

• Madi has always been fascinated by science and found her love of aerospace while attending space camp at 13 years old.
• Madi earned her pilot's license at 17, the youngest possible age.
• While attending the United States Air Force Academy, Madi studied astrophysics and interned at NASA and Harvard.
• At the Academy, Madi started her pageantry journey, winning Miss Academy and Miss Colorado.
• In January of 2024, Madi competed in and won Miss America, becoming the first active military officer to earn the title.
• Madi started the Whitney Marsh Foundation after losing her Mom to pancreatic cancer. This organization helps provide education and funding for pancreatic cancer research.
• Madi encourages listeners to learn from their failures and to use those lessons to succeed further.

Resources:

• Miss America Website 
• One Lieutenant’s Journey from USAFA to Miss Colorado to Harvard (United States Air Force) 
• Madison Marsh: Beauty Queen, Hard-Core Air Force Officer (Forbes) 
• Whitney Marsh Foundation 

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 at 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 an interview with 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
 

Wings' YouTube Channel

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. MTyou

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 at 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
 

Wings' YouTube Channel

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 at 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
 

Wings' YouTube Channel

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 at 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
 

Wings' YouTube Channel

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!

Key Takeaways:

• Our guests were inspired to join the Navy at a young age. Matthew grew up watching airshows and Space Shuttle launches and Ethan came from an Air Force family but decided to attend the Naval Academy.
• Landing on an aircraft carrier is tough, especially in the Prowler. Matthew discusses the challenges of both day and night traps.
• The Prowler was one of the loudest airplanes on the deck, requiring dual ear protection.
• Maintainers worked day and night on the Prowlers, even replacing entire engines so the EA-6B could fly missions the next day.
• Ethan discusses the process it took to detonate IEDs in the Middle East remotely and how the Prowler's role changed over time.
• Matthew and Ethan tell us about the differences between the Prowler and the Growler and why the Growler is ultimately a better aircraft.
• Matthew has flown more than 22 aircraft during his career, and even flew the exact Prowler displayed in our museum!

Resources:

• Behind the Wings EA-6B Video with Ethan Williams
• National Naval Aviation Museum
• Prowler Wiki
• Growler Wiki

STScI Education and Outreach Scientist Dr. Chris Britt discusses time traveling to the origins of the universe with The James Webb Space Telescope.

In this episode, Chris tells us about processing JWST's data into breathtaking images, groundbreaking discoveries, how stars are formed, black holes, and the telescope's future. This one is going to be cool!

This episode will follow up on our previous conversation about building the JWST, so if you missed that, check out episode 14!

Key Takeaways:

• Chris was first inspired to go into aerospace after seeing photos from the Hubble Space Telescope. Now, years later, he is a part of the team operating the Hubble!
• The Space Telescope Science Institute helps operate the Hubble, James Webb, and eventually the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.
• STScI uses colors and filters in order to identify specific parts of JWST's photos like elements, matter, heat, and more.
• JWST will be able to see back 13.5 billion years, possibly unlocking the secrets of the universe's origins.
• Webb is researching our galaxy and planets as well as black holes, exoplanets, stars, etc.
• JWST will not be able to confirm if there is life on other planets, but it will tell us if a planet has the materials to support life.
• Webb will continue to work with the Hubble and someday the Roman Space Telescope, photographing the universe for years to come.

Resources:

• Space Telescope Science Institute Website 
• James Webb Space Telescope Website 
• Webb Telescope Latest News (NASA) 

Science communicator and influencer The Space Gal, a.k.a. Emily Calandrelli, discusses using art as a tool to encourage STEAM literacy.

In this episode, Emily tells us about her aerospace journey, exploding foam and making science fun as a host on educational programs, the opportunity to go to space, and how she uses children’s books and social media to inspire and educate future aerospace generations. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

• Emily's space journey began when she attended college to become an engineer. She pursued engineering out of necessity but quickly learned she actually loved it.
• After college, Emily got the opportunity to host Fox's Xploration Outer Space. This job jumpstarted her science communication career.
• Emily has appeared on many science TV shows, including Bill Nye Saves the World. She also had her own Netflix show, Emily's Wonder Lab.
• During the pandemic, Emily took to social media to continue her mission of promoting STEAM literacy and inspiring future aerospace generations.
• In 2010, Emily got the opportunity to fly onboard the "Vomit Comet." This parabolic flight flies along the line of a parabola up to a maximum of 31 times in a row. This creates weightlessness on board for up to 22 seconds each time, as if in space.
• Emily is excited to be a future Blue Origin passenger to space. She will be one of the first 100 women to reach sub-orbit.
• Emily has written several books, with the most popular one appearing on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Stay Curious and Keep Exploring: Next Level has 50 science experiments for little scientists of all ages. 

Resources:

• The Space Gal Website 
• Emily Calandrelli Wiki 
• Emily's Ted Talk