Get an inside look at NASA’s Quesst mission and the effort to bring supersonic flight back over land, without the disruptive sonic boom.

For more than 50 years, civil aircraft in the U.S. have been effectively barred from flying supersonic over land, not because of speed, but because of noise. NASA aims to change that paradigm with the X-59, a purpose-built experimental X-plane designed to reshape shockwaves so they reach the ground as a quiet “sonic thump” rather than a window-rattling boom.

We’re joined by Cathy Bahm, Low Boom Flight Demonstrator Project Manager at NASA Armstrong, who leads the design, build, and flight test progression of the X-59, and Lori Ozoroski, Commercial Supersonic Technology Project Manager at NASA, who oversees mission planning, acoustic validation, and community response testing, and how that data is delivered to regulators.

Host Rick Crandall brings us along to explore how the X-59 works, why community overflights and public surveys are critical, and how this research could support a shift from a speed-based rule to a sound-based standard for future aircraft.

Why it matters: if regulators adopt a noise-based limit, commercial supersonic routes over land could become realistic again, potentially cutting long U.S. flights nearly in half.

Support Wings Over the Rockies mission of aerospace education and inspiration: https://wingsmuseum.org/support/donate/

Retired Pilot Col. John “Warman” Stewart discusses his Vietnam combat sorties and how the Super Sabre saved his life.

In this episode, we explore the history of the North American F-100, John’s Air Force career, his first supersonic flight, and what it was like operating one of the most important fighters of the Cold War. We also get an in-depth walkaround to understand how the Super Sabre's design features enabled its mission.

From breaking the sound barrier to supporting troops on the ground, this one is going to be cool!

What You'll Hear

• The F-100 Super Sabre was the U.S. Air Force’s first supersonic fighter, marking a major leap in speed, capability, and risk during the early Cold War.
• Flying the F-100 required constant attention, as early supersonic airplanes left little margin for error and demanded precise energy management.
• John’s Air Force career placed him at the forefront of the jet-age transition, pushing the envelope for both pilots and their aircraft.
• Combat operations over Vietnam highlighted the F-100’s role in close air support, where speed and firepower directly supported ground troops.
• The Super Sabre’s legacy is one of innovation and hard-earned lessons, shaping fighters and tactics that followed for decades.

Support Wings Over the Rockies' non-profit mission to educate and inspire future aerospace leaders: https://wingsmuseum.org/support/donate/

Human Factors Engineer Cynthia Hudy shares what it takes to design a spacecraft around the people who fly it.

We explore Cynthia’s role designing the systems inside Orion, from displays and controls to life support, radiation protection, and the everyday realities of living in deep space. We also discuss how astronaut feedback and human-in-the-loop testing are shaping Artemis II, the first crewed Orion mission to carry humans beyond low-Earth orbit since Apollo 17.

From engineering for diverse crews to preparing humans for deep-space autonomy, this one is going to be cool!

What You'll Hear

• Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17
  This 10-day flight around the Moon is the critical proving mission before astronauts return to the lunar surface.
• Orion is designed like a “tiny house” in deep space
  Every system inside the capsule is engineered so four astronauts can live, work, sleep, eat, exercise, and respond to emergencies in an extremely confined space.
• Human factors engineering shapes nearly every design decision
  Orion is built around human physical and mental limits, treating the crew as an essential part of the spacecraft system—not an afterthought.
• The interior of Orion is where Artemis II differs most from earlier missions
  Life support, a functioning bathroom, exercise equipment, food and water systems, and crew-controlled displays are all coming online for the first time.
• Astronaut testing directly changed how Orion works
  “Human-in-the-loop” trials led to real design changes, from how doors open in microgravity to how astronauts sleep, move, and access critical systems.
• Artemis II is the proving ground for future Moon landings and Mars missions
  What Orion demonstrates about comfort, safety, autonomy, and crew well-being will shape Artemis III and long-duration human exploration.

Support Wings Over the Rockies' non-profit mission to educate and inspire about aerospace: https://wingsmuseum.org/support/donate/

NFL Alum and Pilot Jimmy Graham shares stories about stunt flying and how it helped him relax when off the field.

In this episode, we discuss how Jimmy earned his pilot certificates during his football career, airshow aerobatics, and his restored 1957 Army Beaver and Vietnam-era UH-1 Huey. We also explore Jimmy's role as Chairman of the EAA Young Eagles program, and his commitment to inspiring future aviators. From the discipline of professional football to the focus required in the cockpit, this one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• Jimmy Graham Bio
• EAA Bio
• Young Eagles
• Bell UH-1H Iroquois Fact Sheet (U.S. Air Force)
• de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Fact Sheet (Wikipedia)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

Retired Fighter Pilot Lt. Col. Tammy Barlette shares how flying the A-10 prepared her for operating UAVs like the MQ-1.

In this episode, she discusses the Warthog's capabilities, combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, controlling the Predator and Reaper drones, returning to jets after a spinal injury, and how she now shares lessons from the flight deck as a mental performance trainer. As air superiority continues to shift from cockpits to control rooms, we get an inside look at why the pilot's role is more complex than ever before. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• Athena’s Voice (Tammy's Speaking Website) 
• Crosscheck Mental Performance (Tammy's Training Website) 
• A-10 Fact Sheet (U.S. Air Force) 
• MQ-1 Fact Sheet (U.S. Air Force) 
• MQ-9 Fact Sheet (U.S. Air Force) 

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

Retired Test Pilot Rogers E. Smith recalls flying the final SR-71 Blackbird flight and how a fuel leak grounded the aircraft forever.

In this episode, we discuss his Canadian and American military careers, flying experimental aircraft for NASA, and piloting a MiG-25 at 80,000 feet in Russia. From first to fourth-generation fighters, Rogers has flown nearly every U.S. jet and then some, all without ever attending a formal test pilot school. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• Rogers' Website 
• Rogers Smith's Bio (Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame) 
• Rogers' SR-71 Career Synopsis (NASA) 
• SR-71 Fact Sheet (National Museum of the US Air Force) 
• Bell X-22 (Wikipedia) 
• X-29 Advanced Technology Demonstrator Aircraft (NASA) 

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

Retired AV-8B Pilots Capt. Frank “Pugs” Smith and Lt. Col. Luke “Warren” Jacobs take us behind the iconic Jump Jet and its 40-year legacy.

We are back with our regularly scheduled podcast! In this episode, they discuss carrier operations, vertical takeoff and landing, the challenges of maintaining the aircraft, and how the fighter performed its missions. The Harrier remains one of aviation’s boldest experiments, paving the way for newer V/STOL platforms like the F-35B. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• The Harrier Jump Jet (Key Aero)
• Operation Desert Storm (Air Force Historical Support Division)
• The AV-8B Harrier II (Wikipedia)
• Retiring Wings Over the Rockies' Harrier (YouTube)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

How OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu could reveal clues to the origins of life on Earth.

Welcome to the finale of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7!

In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu. Join us as we discuss how meteorites helped launch the O-REx idea, designing the spacecraft, touring the asteroid testing wall, and solving problems millions of miles from Earth. This one is going to be cool!

Check out the full-length video on PBS or our YouTube channel on November 27. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!

As we conclude our miniseries, our regular podcast returns on November 24 with a conversation about the Harrier aircraft. Tune in to hear inside stories on flying the Jump Jet and its hovering ability!

Full Season Premiere Schedule:

PBS:
Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Wings’ YouTube Channel:
Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

How the F-16 became a combat legend around the world, and what it takes to build them.

Welcome to Part 3 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7!

In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about the history behind the Fighting Falcon. Join us as we discuss the dangerous first flight, touring the only manufacturing plant, technical upgrades, and test-flying the Viper fresh off the production line. This one is going to be cool!

Check out the full-length video 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 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Wings’ YouTube Channel:
Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro

How the world's largest spacecraft taught us to live and work in space.

Welcome to Part 2 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7!

In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about building the International Space Station. Join us as we discuss astronaut training in the enormous Neutral Buoyancy Lab pool, assembling the ISS in orbit, life on board, and how mission control helps solve disasters in real time. This one is going to be cool!

Check out the full-length video 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 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Wings’ YouTube Channel:
Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MT
Episode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT
Episode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MT

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro