The Air Up There

Original air date: December 13, 2023

Elite drone pilots, custom-built high-speed drones, and groundbreaking technology come together in this fan-favorite episode featuring the Drone Racing League (DRL). Discover how DRL has revolutionized drone racing—transforming the sport into an immersive, high-stakes experience that seamlessly blends the virtual and physical worlds for an unmatched thrill.

Chief Operating Officer Ashley Ellefson takes us behind the scenes, sharing the cutting-edge technology and engineering driving this new era of sports, while also revealing how aspiring pilots can get involved. Ashley also discusses the collaboration between the FAA and drone industry partners like DRL to safely integrate drone events into the national airspace system.

If you missed this episode the first time, now is your chance to experience the rush and share it with fellow fans of aerospace and high-tech sports!

Thanks for sticking around as we take a break for the off-season. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up on episodes you might have missed or revisit your favorites. During this time, we'll be re-releasing standout episodes like this one as we gear up for the second half of Season 7, launching this spring.

Meet Our Guest:   

Each year, hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts come together for EAA AirVenture, a world-renowned annual airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. FAA air traffic controllers play a critical role at this event helping thousands of planes fly safely in and out of Wittman Regional Airport. Additionally, the FAA’s Safety Center hangar hosts safety briefings, hypoxia training sessions, and Aviation Medical Examiners who answer questions about medical certification. These are just some of the ways that the FAA educates the general aviation community to improve safety culture. 

Original air date: April 17, 2024

Flying safely to our destination is something we don’t take for granted, but have you ever thought about the intricate logistics that make it all possible? Air traffic controllers are among the unsung heroes behind the scenes, ensuring the safety and efficiency of our airspace, and we need more of them!

Air traffic control is a challenging career, but for those with the right skills and determination, it’s incredibly rewarding. In this episode from Season 6, we hear firsthand from FAA’s Jose Castellanos, a controller at the San Juan tower in Puerto Rico. Jose shares his journey into the field, which began with his acceptance into the FAA's Minority Serving Institutions internship program. 

If you’re curious about becoming an air traffic controller and want to learn more, tune in to hear Jose share his top safety priorities, continuous learning strategies, and valuable advice for aspiring controllers. He also demonstrates interesting concepts like "phraseology," the specialized language used by controllers to communicate with pilots.

A career in air traffic control offers advanced training, the opportunity to make a real impact, and professional fulfillment. If you're ready to take on this specialized and skilled profession we’re now accepting applications through November 4, 2024. Visit www.faa.gov/be-atc to learn more about the application process. 

Share this episode with your network – you never know who might find inspiration to explore a fulfilling career path they hadn't considered before.

Thanks for sticking around as we take a break for the off-season. It's the perfect opportunity to catch up on episodes you might have missed or revisit your favorites. During this time, we'll be re-releasing standout episodes like this one as we gear up for the second half of Season 7, launching this spring.

Meet Our Guest:  

Disclaimer: Reference in this podcast to any specific commercial product, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, Department of Transportation, or Federal Aviation Administration. As an agency of the U.S. government, the FAA cannot endorse or appear to endorse any specific product or service. 

When you think of women working with rivet guns, you might picture a woman with her hair wrapped up in a red polka-dot bandana, flexed muscles and the famous words, “We Can Do It.” Just as Rosie the Riveter inspired countless women to take on roles in industries traditionally dominated by men during World War II, Habitat for Aviation aims to ignite the same spirit of courage and innovation in women aspiring to enter the aviation field.

“We really take a lot of inspiration from our World War II Rosie the Riveters, who stepped into these factories when the men went off to war,” says Habitat for Aviation’s founder Beth White. The group’s multi-generational, all-women team of “Modern Rosie’s” are currently building a Rans S-21 airplane. Beth’s journey into aviation began with a memoir that sparked her curiosity and inspired her to take a discovery flight.

In this episode, Beth reveals how an unfortunate life-changing event led her to create Habitat for Aviation, a nonprofit that’s preparing the next generation of airplane mechanics, pilots, and avionics specialists. Plus, you’ll hear from some of the young women participating in the airplane build. 

Beth provides insights into Habitat for Aviation programs and discusses resources, such as EAA’s Young Eagles, which offers free discovery flights to youth. She also gives practical advice for anyone interested in getting a pilot certificate. 

Share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues. They may be the future airplane mechanics, air traffic controllers, pilots, and other aviation professionals working to keep us safe. 

Learn more about FAA job opportunities and how you can become an aviation mechanic.

Meet Our Guests 

Beth White is a certificated private pilot, an airplane mechanic apprentice, and the founder of Habitat for Aviation; a nonprofit that offers hands-on learning opportunities that align with the FAA’s apprenticeship certification track. In 2024, Habitat for Aviation launched its Women Build Planes program, where an all-female team of “Modern Day Rosies” is building an airplane at Franklin County Airport. Beth has worked in public schools, including The Met, a Big Picture Learning flagship public high school and she earned a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from University of Vermont.

Aubrianna Mayette has completed over 130 hours with the Women Build Planes program at Habitat for Aviation. She is a Harbor Freight Fellowship scholarship recipient who plans to enter the U.S. Airforce through the Vermont National Air Guard to pursue an aviation mechanic career.

Zoë Brosky is a photographer and part of the ground crew at Habitat for Aviation. She has a BS in accounting from Cumberland University and is working towards her private pilot’s license. 

Abby Demar is the recipient of an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship who is working towards her private pilot certificate and participating in the airplane build with Habitat for Aviation.

Ashwil Bell is a student of mathematics and science participating in the Women Build Planes program at Habitat for Aviation.

Meet Kamora Freeland, an FAA-certificated private pilot who, at the age of 17, became one of the youngest African American female pilots in the United States. Hear how Kamora—who had never even seen a pilot who looked like her—achieved her dream at no cost to her family. Kamora’s advice? “Look into scholarships, because there are a lot of them out there that people do not know about,” she says. To get started, check out our list of organizations across the country that offer aviation-related scholarships.

In this episode, you'll gain insight into the pivotal role parents play in helping children discover and nurture their purpose, the hard work and dedication required to become a safety-conscious pilot, and the resources available for those on a similar path—like the Red-Tailed Hawks Fly program. 

You'll also hear how Kamora prepared for the final test to earn her pilot certificate—the checkride. Checkrides test a pilot’s knowledge, skills, and judgement. It’s a hands-on flying test that aviators must pass to earn their pilot certificate from the FAA. 

Learn about training at faa.gov/pilots. Share this incredible story of determination, sacrifice, and overcoming challenges with your friends, family, and colleagues.

Even more curious about aviation after this episode? See how you can get involved with the FAA’s Airport Design Challenge. K-12 students learn STEM skills while designing virtual airports in Minecraft, guided by FAA aerospace and engineering experts.

Meet Our Guest 

Did you know Ben Franklin witnessed the first human flight? No, he wasn't with the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk. In fact, it was 120 years earlier in 1783 when two aeronauts floated over Paris in a hot air balloon. Franklin described watching the balloon's majestic ascent in his journal.

In the early days of ballooning, experiments with balloon fuels and designs occasionally had catastrophic results. Since then, the safety of flying a balloon has come a long way. Today, ballooning is one of the safest and most beautiful modes of human flight for aeronauts, passengers and people on the ground.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Kim and Adam Magee, founders of The Balloon Training Academy and FAA Safety Team representatives. The Magees share how they got started in ballooning, the training process for balloon pilots (who are known as aeronauts) and advice for aspiring aeronauts.

Learn how aeronauts communicate with their ground crew and other users of the national airspace, and about the technologies and tricks balloonists use to track wind patterns. Get a glimpse into the vibrant culture of ballooning, from creatively shaped balloons to unforgettable events with spectacular traditions—like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta where over 500 hot air balloons traverse the skies above New Mexico.

Ballooning can be both safe and exciting. The FAA has rules for student, private and commercial aeronauts that help keep everyone safe. We require commercial aeronauts to hold medical certificates when flying paying passengers and work with the Balloon Federation of America on an accreditation program.  If you’re interested in learning more, go to FAASafety.gov and contact the Balloon Federation of America. 

For Tom and Erik Lake, the passion for aviation runs in the family. This extraordinary father and son team has logged almost 500 hours together on the flight deck. Tom was his son’s Captain when he took his first flight as a commercial airline pilot, and Erik was his dad’s First Officer on Tom’s last commercial flight. The experiences in between their career milestones created a captivating narrative of a real and rare family legacy on the flight deck.

In this episode, Erik talks about his journey into aviation through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and shares advice for aspiring aviators. Tom, who has trained countless aviators, imparts his wisdom after retiring from a rewarding career that spanned over three decades.

Share this episode with friends, family, and colleagues. This story might just inspire a future family lineage of pilots. Are you interested in becoming a pilot? Check out the FAA's Pilots Portal to learn more about training and certification.

Meet Our Guests 

Imagine following your dreams and then one day waking up to realize you’ve unknowingly made history. That’s the story of Captain Theresa Claiborne, a trailblazer in aviation history and a living legend. 

Captain Claiborne's journey from a media communications student to becoming the first Black woman pilot in the U.S. Air Force is a story of resilience, determination, and breaking barriers. She earned her coveted silver wings in a challenging environment where only a few a few women had the opportunity to prove they belonged on the flight deck. Captain Claiborne overcame all obstacles on her mission to become a pilot. 

Tune in to this episode to hear Captain Claiborne discuss the importance of representation in aviation, offer advice for others looking to forge a similar path, and share why she was glad she didn’t learn she made history until after successfully completing her training. Plus, as President of Sisters of the Skies, learn how she is helping young girls and women of color pursue careers in aviation through awareness, scholarships, and mentorship. 

Share this episode with colleagues, friends, and family to help spread the message that success in aviation, or any field, can be earned through dedication and hard work. 

If you feel inspired by this episode and want to know more about the skills and training it takes to get your pilot certificate, check out the FAA's Pilots Portal for more information. Also, check out the variety of opportunities available to you in aerospace like internships and other career options. 

Meet Our Guest:  

Theresa M. Claiborne is a retired Boeing 787 (Dreamliner) captain at United Airlines with more than 20,000 flight hours accumulated throughout her career. She has flown as First Officer on the Boeing 737, 747, 757, and 767. She was also a Boeing 757 and 767 captain. Captain Claiborne was 2nd Lieutenant and the first African American female pilot in the United States Air Force. She graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin Air Force Base, on September 16, 1982. She also attended the University of California at Berkeley for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and has a degree in communication with a minor in journalism from California State University of Sacramento. Additionally, Captain Claiborne is the President of Sisters of the Skies, a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Women AirForce Service Pilots (WASP) Museum in Sweetwater, Texas, and a board member of the Grand Dames of Aviation.  

Have you ever felt intimidated by science, technology, engineering, or math concepts? Well, you are not alone. Emily Calandrelli, aka ‘The Space Gal,’ is on a mission to make STEM easier to understand and fun for everyone!

In this episode, Emily shares how she went from shying away from science to excelling in it, the experience of a lifetime that kicked off her love for aerospace, and how she is making science accessible—especially for kids who don’t initially see themselves in STEM. Hear Emily’s personal stories and advice for finding the confidence to take on hard challenges.

Share this episode with friends, family, and colleagues. With the right support, anyone can not only survive in STEM but thrive in STEM!

If your curiosity is ignited, check out all the programs, games, puzzles, and events available to K-12 students through the FAA’s STEM Aviation and Space Education (AVSED) program.

Is there someone in aerospace you would like to hear from or a topic that you would like more information on? Let us know! Send an email to [email protected]. We would love to hear from you!

Meet Our Guest

Photo credit: Morgan Demeter

One remarkable aspect of drones is their ability to offer us a higher perspective. In this episode, Ashlee Cooper, the founder of Droneversity, shares her insights into drones and innovative applications to advance STEM education. 

Droneversity educates children about drones through immersive experiences like drone soccer, an international e-sport that fosters teamwork, problem-solving, and technical skills. The organization also ensures that all players pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), an FAA requirement that provides education and testing on important drone safety and regulatory information, before you fly.  

Ashlee envisions a world where drones are seen as more than just a hobby. Through Droneversity, students, educators, and enthusiasts are empowered to explore their potential in the dynamic world of drones, coding, careers, and technology. 

Disclaimer: Reference in this podcast to any specific commercial product, process, service, manufacturer, company, or trademark does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. government, Department of Transportation, or Federal Aviation Administration. As an agency of the U.S. government, the FAA cannot endorse or appear to endorse any specific product or service.