Behind the Wings

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.
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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.
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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

(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

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