Behind the Wings

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum™
  • 0.0 (0)
  • AVIATION
  • EVERY TWO MONTHS

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum has a podcast! Based on our hit YouTube and PBS series of the same name, the Behind the Wings podcast will cover everything from aviation history to the future of space exploration with thought leaders and experts in the industry. This one's going to be cool!

  1. SEASON 8 TRAILER

    Behind the Wings Season 8 Trailer

    Season 8 of Behind the Wings podcast is here. Hosted by Rick Crandall, the next 10 episodes deliver first-hand accounts from across the aerospace world, spanning historic combat missions, classified Cold War programs, and pivotal moments in space exploration leadership. This season continues the show’s focus on connecting past, present, and future through the people who lived it. Release Schedule: New episodes drop every other Monday, beginning April 20, 2026. More Info:Visit — Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.Support — Wings' Mission of aerospace education and inspiration. Special thanks to United Airlines for supporting the podcast and helping bring these stories to life.

    1 min
  2. Supersonic Flight Without the Boom - Episode 70

    16 FEB

    Supersonic Flight Without the Boom - Episode 70

    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. 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.

    42 min
  3. The F-100 Saved This Pilot's Life - Episode 69

    2 FEB

    The F-100 Saved This Pilot's Life - Episode 69

    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/

    36 min
  4. Designing a Home for Artemis II - Episode 68

    19 JAN

    Designing a Home for Artemis II - Episode 68

    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/

    38 min
  5. From the End Zone to the Cockpit - Episode 67

    5 JAN

    From the End Zone to the Cockpit - Episode 67

    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 BioEAA BioYoung EaglesBell UH-1H Iroquois Fact Sheet (U.S. Air Force)de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver Fact Sheet (Wikipedia)Chapters:(00:00) - Intro (01:04) - Meet Jimmy Graham (01:29) - Football vs Flying (04:18) - Early Aviation Inspiration (05:52) - College Years (07:25) - Unexpected Path to the NFL (08:55) - Draft Day (09:44) - First Huddle (10:29) - Career Highlights (11:04) - Motivation Shift (12:11) - Flight School (14:00) - Ten Licenses (15:12) - Flight Training & Checkrides (17:01) - Lifelong Education (19:20) - Decision-Making (20:30) - First Aerobatic Flight (21:16) - Young Eagles (23:08) - Aviation as Therapy (25:44) - Jimmy's Aircraft (28:36) - Growing Young Eagles (32:31) - What’s Next (35:33) - Advice (37:33) - Outro

    39 min
  6. From Warthogs to Reapers - Episode 66

    22/12/2025

    From Warthogs to Reapers - Episode 66

    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 (01:21) - Balancing Perfectionism (02:26) - Aviation Beginnings (03:44) - Tammy's Pilot Journey (05:15) - Flying the T-37 (06:53) - Selecting the Warthog (08:22) - From ROTC to the Cockpit (09:26) - Flying the Thunderbolt II (10:13) - Favorite Stories (12:17) - A-10 Capabilities (13:28) - Close Air Support Training (14:18) - Transitioning to UAVs (15:59) - Flying the Predator (17:58) - MQ-1 Capabilities (19:09) - Separating Missions and Personal Life (20:15) - Combat in Iraq and Afghanistan (22:24) - Weapons School and the MQ-9 (26:03) - Changing Policies (26:59) - From Jets to Drones to Jets Again (27:54) - Flying Mistakes (29:52) - Aircraft Performances (30:36) - The Future of Uncrewed Aircraft (31:22) - Mental Performance Training (35:50) - Tammy's Advice (36:45) - Outro

    38 min
  7. Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65

    08/12/2025

    Test Flying the SR-71 Blackbird - Episode 65

    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 (01:20) - Aviation Beginnings (02:47) - Flying the F-86 (04:32) - From First to Fourth Generation Fighters (05:06) - How Jet Capabilities Evolved (08:58) - Becoming a Test Pilot (09:56) - Favorite Airplane (11:04) - The Bell X-22 (12:34) - The Grumman X-29 (15:16) - Joining NASA (18:37) - Flying at 85,000 Feet (22:16) - The Cockpit View (23:40) - SR-71 Research and Testing (27:44) - The Last Blackbird Flight (29:40) - The Russian‑American Flight Exchange (36:52) - Flying the MiG-25 (37:34) - Rogers' Advice (40:32) - Outro

    42 min
  8. Flying the First U.S. Harrier Combat Mission - Episode 64

    24/11/2025

    Flying the First U.S. Harrier Combat Mission - Episode 64

    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 (01:36) - Harrier Overview (02:35) - Aviation Beginnings (04:27) - The Jump Jet's 40-Year Journey (05:28) - Like Flying a Dragon (06:25) - The TAV-8 Trainer (07:01) - Flying the Harrier (08:18) - The A-4 Vs. The AV-8B (09:19) - Carrier Operations (10:36) - The V/STOL (14:47) - Vertical Take Off Challenges (17:10) - Dogfight Maneuvers (18:15) - How Loud Was the Jump Jet? (20:04) - Life Below Deck (21:05) - Operation Desert Storm (23:25) - Afghanistan Combat Missions (25:53) - How Harrier Capabilities Evolved (26:54) - Flying in Mixed Packages (28:09) - The AV-8B's Legacy (30:00) - Frank and Luke's Advice (32:35) - Outro

    34 min
See All (88)

Trailers

About

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum has a podcast! Based on our hit YouTube and PBS series of the same name, the Behind the Wings podcast will cover everything from aviation history to the future of space exploration with thought leaders and experts in the industry. This one's going to be cool!

Information

  • Creator
    Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum™
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Behind the Wings

You Might Also Like