The Air Up There Podcast

A podcast for people who are curious about the wide world of aviation. Join the FAA as we nerd out about the future of flight, drones, and ways to make the National Airspace System safer, smarter, and more efficient.
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Flying With Kids: Tips From A Flight Attendant
Season 5,
Episode 3
Published:

Riddle us this! You’re a family of 4 (including a child under 2) planning to travel by plane. How many tickets should you purchase to ensure everyone’s safety? We won’t make you think too hard, the answer is 4. Your lap, though cost-saving, is not the ideal or safest place for your child on an airplane.
From hangry children to unexpected clear air turbulence, a number of things can impact the mood and...
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Flying With Kids: Tips From TSA
Season 5,
Episode 2
Published:

Making plans to fly with your kids? Do you know what to pack, how to pack it, and how to get through the security line seamlessly? Check in first with the Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration by listening to our latest ‘The Air Up There’ podcast episode.
TSA – The Suitcase Advisors? Actually, we have a lot in common with TSA’s Emily Bonilla-Pieton and Lisa Farbstein:...
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Flying With Kids: Tips From An Expert
Season 5,
Episode 1
Published:

Air travel can be challenging, especially when you add your kids in the mix. You can do this!
How do you get them through security, navigate the airport and then quickly carry them, your bags AND their car seat down the plane aisle to get to your seats? Do you know the safest way for a child under 2 to fly? How do you prepare your little ones to know what to expect so you can, hopefully, prevent a...
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Adventures in Safety
Season 4,
Episode 9
Published:

The average person probably has no idea what the FAA’s Technical Operations, or Tech Ops, employees do or what an adventure the profession can be. And by adventure, we mean wild beasts, volcanoes, and camping in the middle of nowhere!
In the latest ‘The Air Up There’ podcast episode, “Adventures in Safety,” we talk about the extreme nature of Tech Ops and the great lengths our technicians go to maintain...
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It's Just Rocket Science
Season 4,
Episode 8
Published:

Anyone who has ever had a goal is probably familiar with the phrase, "the sky's the limit." Ironically, that logic can be quite limiting because, for some, the sky is just the beginning. Take Sirisha Bandla, for example. Once upon a time, Sirisha was on a rooftop, gazing at the stars and wondering what it would be like to explore what's out there. Then, in 2021, she joined Virgin Galactic's Unity 22 suborbital...
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Building Better Futures
Season 4,
Episode 7
Published:

What comes to mind when you think about air traffic control towers? Probably not how they can create opportunities for small businesses that make a positive impact in their communities. This episode of The Air Up There podcast examines how investments from The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) keep flights moving safely, people employed, and small businesses thriving.
In this episode, we...
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Girls in Aviation
Season 4,
Episode 6
Published:

On this special Girls in Aviation Day episode, we meet two young aviators who share their love for the flying community and give advice about how others can get involved.
Sahara is an instrument-rated pilot attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She's seen dramatic growth on campus since her first class a few years ago, when she was one of only two women in the lecture. And Mia is a high school...
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Miracle in the Air
Season 4,
Episode 5
Published:

Imagine you're a passenger on a small plane and your pilot becomes unconscious. What would you do? That was the reality for Darren Harrison when the pilot on his plane went unconscious mid-flight on May 10. Darren had to quickly transition from a passenger to a pilot with absolutely no flying experience.
Take a deep breath as we walk you through that exact experience we005ve dubbed "Miracle in the Air" in...
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Mental Health
Season 4,
Episode 4
Published:

Mental Health Awareness Month is almost over, but our care and concern for the emotional, psychological and social well-being of pilots continues. We receive so many comments on our social media platforms regarding pilots' concerns about mental health. We see you, and in the latest episode of our podcast, we clear the air about misconceptions around mental health and flying.
The FAA continues to make...
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Sustainable Aviation: Earth Day Edition
Season 4,
Episode 3
Published:

The FAA is accountable for how aerospace impacts our planet. We join businesses, other governments, and citizens on a mission to "Invest In Our Planet," the theme for Earth Day 2022. We will continue to take bold actions, be innovative in our approaches, and implement solutions equitably.
Just last year, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg released the ...
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