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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

Takeoff on a unique journey with our latest podcast episode featuring Victoria “V” Ross, a certificated pilot, who went from having zero interest in aviation to embracing a fulfilling career with the best office view in the skies .

It all started with a father and daughter bonding experience that was part of a much bigger plan. Call it parent’s intuition, V’s father knew she would love a career as a pilot...

Meet Jessica Cox, a sport pilot who was born without arms and mastered the skill of flying an airplane with her feet. What led her to this Guinness World Record-worthy feat was an opportunity to meet life’s challenges and a hunger for independence. She shares details of the day she embarked on a path that would inspire others to venture into aviation.

Jessica talks openly about the safety aspects that...

Becoming an air traffic controller is a rewarding profession that plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of our airspace. If you're curious about the journey to becoming a controller, don't miss this episode featuring the FAA’s Jose Castellanos, a controller at the San Juan tower in Puerto Rico.

Jose shares how he discovered his passion for aviation after being accepted into the FAA's...

A good mentor can point you in the right direction and a great mentor can change your life. When Bobbie Kahklen started working for the FAA, she never imagined she would end up working in a tower as an air traffic controller. 

Growing up as a member of the Native Alaskan Tlingit tribe, Bobbie persevered through many challenges. Aviation was not something that was talked about in her community and it...

There is power in mentorship! In this special podcast episode, 13-year-old Isabella from Rising Aviation High School and FAA aerospace engineer Karen Perez engage in an insightful discussion about aspirations, mentorship, diversity, and the limitless possibilities in aerospace.

How did we get here? Isabella wrote a letter to us to share what her school does to attract students to various fields in...