Behind the Wings

Latest Episodes:

14 SAMs in 15 Minutes - Episode 35 Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

Today, in celebration of National Volunteer Month, we are excited to speak with Wings Over the Rockies volunteer, Phil Mentesana.

Phil shares personal stories about his time as an Electronic Warfare Officer on the B-52, flying the F-4 in Vietnam, and his time as a captain for United Airlines. He has many firsts in his career including being a part of the first B-52 missions to engage in combat during Operation Arc Light in Vietnam, leading Operation Linebacker I in the F-4, and so much more. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

Phil wanted to be a pilot but elected to go to Navigation training first, earning a spot as an Electronic Warfare Officer onboard the B-52 Stratofortress.
While stationed on the B-52, he was a part of the first B-52 combat missions in Vietnam, flying in Operation Arc Light. On the first mission, two B-52s collided in the middle of a storm when trying to refuel.
Phil finally got his chance to fly when he was reaching the age limit for pilot training. After training, his fighter pick was the F-4 Phantom.
Phil went back to combat in Vietnam, this time flying the F-4. While there, he led the F-4 squadrons in Operation Linebacker I and had 14 SAMs shot at him in less than 15 minutes.
After he retired from the Air Force, he went on to pilot for United Airlines. He flew every plane model they had at the time.
Phil came to volunteer at Wings Over the Rockies to give back to the aviation career that treated him so well.

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The First VR Spacewalk - Episode 34 Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

A first-of-its-kind virtual reality spacewalk experience.

Space Explorers: THE INFINITE is a captivating immersive journey inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station. Join us as we hear from creator Félix Lajeunesse who tells us how THE INFINITE project got started, how they filmed and created this experience, working with astronauts, and the unique challenges they faced making virtual reality content on the International Space Station. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

THE INFINITE experience gives audiences breathtaking 360-degree views of Earth, displays scenes from life aboard the ISS, and allows guests to perform their very own spacewalk, all through virtual reality technology.
This project is the first virtual reality experience filmed in space onboard the ISS.
THE INFINITE faced many challenges while filming, needing to consider camera temperatures, radiation, and so much more.
In this experience, you can interact with astronauts who helped film such as spacewalking, experimenting, and even having dinner.
The Overview Effect is a common experience among astronauts when traveling to space. The term, first coined by author Frank White, describes a cognitive shift commonly experienced when someone sees the Earth from space for the first time. People often describe feeling a sense of one-ness, that the Earth is precious, and sheer awe in the Earth’s beauty, all of which can be experienced in THE INFINITE.
Félix Lajeunesse aims to continue filming with NASA to document and create more experiences on the Moon and beyond.
You can visit Space Explorers: THE INFINITE in Denver until May 5th, 2024!

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The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of WWII - Episode 33 Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

In celebration of Women's History Month, dive into the story of the first female Air Force pilots and their roles during World War II.

Today's episode tells us about the lives and history of The Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP. The WASP helped the United States domestic war effort by ferrying aircraft, towing targets for live anti-aircraft gun practice, simulating strafing missions, transporting cargo, and so much more. Plus, hear a special story about the first two women to fly the B-29 Superfortress. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

Pilot Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran and test-pilot Nancy Harkness Love wanted to help the war effort in the United States and worked with the military to start the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD) and the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS). Eventually, both programs were merged to form the WASP.
Even with strict requirements to enter the WASP, more than 25,000 women applied, 1,830 were accepted, and 1,074 graduated.
The WASP trained in Sweetwater, TX at Avenger Field where they stayed on base in the barracks and trained most days.
Two WASP, Dorthea Johnson and Dora Dougherty, were chosen by General Hap Arnold to fly the newly arrived B-29 Superfortress in a demonstration for future male pilots. The male pilots didn't want to fly this airplane due to engine concerns, and the WASP was meant to show that "if a woman can do it, so can a man." They flew the B-29 successfully several times.
In 1944, the WASP were shut down to make room for men returning from war who needed the jobs.
Years later, in the 1970s, the Women Airforce Service Pilots were finally given military and veteran status, officially cementing their history.

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Defying Death and Breaking Records - Episode 32 Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Fly to all fifty states in this in-depth conversation about a record-breaking flight and airplane.

Today, we are excited to speak with world-record-holding pilot, Michael Combs. Michael tells us about his death-defying moment, his record-breaking flight to all fifty states, and why you should never give up on your dreams. We will also hear about his light sport aircraft, Hope One, which is living out retirement in Wings Museum. This one is going to be cool!

Key Takeaways:

In 2003, Michael had a life-threatening health problem that caused him to temporarily die and lose most of his memory.
Michael knew he wanted to be a pilot since he was a kid, and while healing in the hospital, that goal kept him going.
The Flight for the Human Spirit was a project meant to inspire people by showing that the impossible is possible and that you are never too old to start chasing your dreams.
Michael's goal was to fly his Remos GX light sport aircraft, Hope One, to all fifty states, something that had never been done before. He completed his goal in Hawaii when he got to fly in an air show with the Blue Angels, the Red Bull stunt plane, and Jacquie B Airshows.
After his flight, Michael was still making headlines by breaking even more records with Hope One.
Hope One is now retired and living in Wings Over the Rockies' hangar. The cockpit is left in the same condition as when Michael flew it for the last time.

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The First Black Astronaut Candidate - Episode 31 Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

The first Black astronaut candidate talks about his experiences with the astronaut program in this in-depth conversation about his pioneering space journey.

Welcome to Season 4 of Behind the Wings, which means 10 new episodes coming your way! It’s February, and in celebration of Black History Month, we are excited to speak with the first Black astronaut candidate, Ed Dwight Jr. In 1961, just 3 years after NASA started, our guest was making waves as a test pilot in aviation and training to be one of the first astronauts. Ed talks about his incredible journey, his time in the Air Force and the space program, and how, in an instant, the dream of space flight was taken away.

Ed’s resume reads: Air Force Test Pilot, America’s First Black Astronaut Candidate, IBM Computer Systems Engineer, Aviation Consultant, Restaurateur, Real Estate Developer, Construction Entrepreneur, and Sculpture Artist. There's a lot to learn in this episode!

Key Takeaways:

Ed first got into flying as a kid when pilots at the nearby airport in Kansas paid him to help clean their aircraft.
Dwight signed up for the Air Force after seeing a newspaper featuring a Black fighter pilot on the cover.
To earn Black voter's trust, Kennedy promised to get a Black candidate into the astronaut program.
After quickly rising through the ranks in the Air Force, Dwight was the only Black pilot to meet the strict requirements to become an astronaut.
Ed trained with 16 others in the astronaut program headed by Chuck Yeager.
After Kennedy's assassination, it was clear that Ed was being ousted from his astronaut training. He resigned from the Air Force shortly after.
His time in the Air Force didn't discourage him. He went on to become a very successful sculpture artist, creating memorials and art representing the accomplishments and history of Black people in America.

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Behind the Wings Season 4 Trailer Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

The Behind the Wings Podcast is back this February with Season 4 and 10 new episodes! Hear from Ed Dwight Jr, the first Black astronaut candidate, world record holder Michael Combs, and dive into topics like The Mental Health Pilot Parodox and the history of The Women Airfare Service Pilots (WASP).

New episodes come out every other Monday, starting February 19th. Subscribe wherever you listen, because we've got a lot to explore!

You can find the Behind the Wings podcast wherever you listen. For past episodes and show notes visit: WingsMuseum.org/podcast.

America's Secret MiG-23s - Episode 30 Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

An American MiG-23 pilot reveals long-held secrets in this in-depth conversation about a declassified program, Constant Peg.

On today's show, we’ll meet John Mann who flew in the first-of-its-kind adversary training program, Constant Peg, and take a deep dive into some of the most popular questions we got from you, our listeners. Established in 1977, this top-secret program aimed to train American pilots against the very same MiGs they may one day see in combat. Mann was an instructor who flew the MiG-21 and 23, and co-host John Barry flew in the program as a trainee. This one is going to be cool!

If you missed Part One, check that out on Wings Over the Rockies YouTube channel: America's Secret MiG-23s | Behind the Wings - YouTube.

Episode 30 marks the end of Season 3 of the Behind the Wings Podcast. We'll be taking a short break and will be back in the new year for Season 4.

Key Takeaways:

John Mann served 24 years in the US Air Force where he had the opportunity to fly many aircraft, including the F-4, F-15, MiG-21, and MiG-23.
Mann first flew as a trainee at Constant Peg and later flew the MiGs as a trainer.
The MiG-23 was a very fast, beefy airplane, but it didn't turn well.
Pilots would attend to overcome "Buck Fever", learn how the MiGs flew, and practice dog fighting.
The maintainers at Constant Peg were the backbone of the program, facing specific challenges sourcing parts, with no maintenance book, and often receiving aircraft that were in a compromised condition.
John Mann's advice: There are lots of opportunities in aviation. Go pursue your dreams!

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The World's First Astronomers - Episode 29 Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

This episode will dive into the history of some of the world’s first astronomers, exploring how their knowledge has been passed down for more than 60,000 years. We are going to the southern hemisphere to learn about Australia’s Indigenous astronomy and the impact it has on our world today.

Our guest today is Peter Swanton! Peter is a Gamilaraay man from Mackay, Queensland, an astrophysics graduate, and cultural astronomer. He is actively involved in Indigenous astronomy, outreach, and research, and has a passion for the challenging yet critical subject of dark sky preservation. Peter will highlight the scientific importance of Indigenous star knowledge and the challenges and opportunities in preserving that history.

Join us as we hear the stories of Australia’s Indigenous Peoples, why constellations and star clusters are so impactful, and how issues like light pollution threaten the very field of astronomy itself. There is a lot to learn in this episode!

Key Takeaways:

The Indigenous Peoples of Australia didn’t have a written language, they were only able to pass along information via spoken word, song, dance, and stories. There are an estimated 273 different language groups across Australia.
While not all stars can be viewed from both hemispheres, all the zodiac constellations are viewable from either. Although, they will be upside down depending on which hemisphere you are familiar with.
The Emu in the Sky is a popular example of how astronomy was used practically by the Indigenous Peoples. Depending on what direction the Emu was facing, it helped give insight towards Emu life patterns.
Creation stories are stories that are passed down that talk about the physical existence as well as store important information. A popular story about Australia’s constellation the Southern Cross tells the story of the first person to die on Earth.
A songline is one of many paths across the land (or sometimes the sky). Embedded within traditional song cycles, dance rituals, stories, and artistic expressions, these pathways enable individuals to traverse vast distances while reciting the songs that describe landmarks, water sources, natural features, and sometimes stars and constellations. These routes serve as crucial connections between Native group ancestral lands, carrying intricate geographical, mythological, and cultural information giving directions on how to travel across Australia to visit other Indigenous groups.
Light pollution is quickly starting to impact our dark skies. Due to light from cities and satellites, it is harder than ever before to see the stars and galaxies with the naked eye. Light pollution is not only affecting dark sky preservation, but is also adversely affecting our vision, bird migration patterns, and newborn sea turtles.
Peter's message to younger generations is to pursue what makes you happy.

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Red Tails and Blue Skies: Tuskegee Today - Episode 28 Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

The Tuskegee Airmen were an experiment by the US Army Air Corps to determine whether Black pilots could handle military flying. It turns out they could! But the Tuskegee Airmen fought a second battle – one against racial discrimination.

With an impressive combat record and war accomplishments, the success of the Tuskegee Airmen helped influence then-President Harry Truman's decision to desegregate the armed forces in 1948.

Our Guests today are Bill Shepard and Col. James Harvey. Bill is the former Vice President of Education for the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), and former CAF Red Tail Squadron Leader. On today’s show, he explores with us the path that led him to proudly fly the P-51C Mustang for the CAF Red Tail Squadron. We will also hear from Col. James Harvey who was a Tuskegee Airman, and his personal journey as one of the first Black Aviators in the US military.

From Bill's journey with aviation to the history of the Tuskegee Airmen, there’s a lot to explore in this one!

Key Takeaways:

Bill earned his US private pilot’s license at age 16 while still in high school
The 6 Tuskegee principles are: Aim High, Believe in Yourself, Use Your Brain, Be Ready to Go, Never Quit and Expect to Win
The Tuskegee Airmen helped influence President Harry Truman to sign Executive Order 9981 on July 26, 1948, mandating the desegregation of the U.S. military.
Lt. Col. James H. Harvey III was a pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He later piloted on the team that won the military’s first ‘Top Gun’ contest in 1949.
The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) was a U.S. Army Air Forces program that tasked some 1,100 civilian women with noncombat military flight duties during World War II.
Bill's advice: Dream big, work hard, and never give up!

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AI in Aviation - Episode 27 Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

This episode will dive into the cutting-edge realm of AI in aviation, with a particular focus on its military applications. From autonomous wingmen drones to predictive maintenance, we will explore the opportunities and risks of AI as it transforms the landscape of aerial warfare.
Our guest today is Col Tucker Hamilton, callsign “Cinco”. As the Chief of AI test and operations for the USAF, Col Hamilton is at the cutting edge of researching, testing, and implementing artificial intelligence in the realm of military aviation. Col. Hamilton began his career as an operational F-15C pilot, supporting Red Flag exercises, and real-world Operation Noble Eagle missions, at times escorting Air Force One and the U.S. President. He served as a Chief Instructor, Test Pilot, and has more than 2,000 flying hours in the F-35, F-15, F-18, F-16, A-10, and more than 20 additional aircraft. Is there anything he hasn’t done? We’re about to find out!

Join us as we unravel the intricate web of AI technologies shaping the future of aviation while gaining unique perspectives from a seasoned military leader at the forefront of this transformative field. There’s a lot to explore!

Key Takeaways:

The Hollywood Bias makes AI seem scarier than it actually is. AI is just software and math that has to follow very narrow rules that humans establish. Its computer code trained with guardrails set in place by the programmers. AI cannot learn the way that we learn.
Cinco is most excited about the future of humans and AI working together in all industries. For example, AI could aid radiologists in finding cancer, or assist pilots by managing more tedious tasks.
With AI starting to become more widely available, the ethics surrounding it becomes a huge topic. As we move forward with this new technology, ethics will continue to be a part of the conversation.
AI will likely never be fully autonomous because the programming would be biased. Since humans are inherently biased in one way or another, so would AI technology, meaning humans will always need to be present when AI is involved.
The five parts of the DOD AI Ethics code are Being Responsible, Equitable, Traceable, Reliable, and Governable.
DARPA ran a competition between AI-trained software and actual pilots. They went head to head in a simulator and the AI won by a landslide. This advancement is exciting because it means that we can create AI tutors to help train pilots at every level.

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