Behind the Wings

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

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

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

How OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu could reveal clues to the origins of life on Earth. Welcome to the finale of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7!In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about OSIRIS-REx's journey to Asteroid Bennu. Join us as we discuss how meteorites helped launch the O-REx idea, designing the spacecraft, touring the asteroid testing wall, and solving problems millions of miles from Earth. This one is going to be cool!Check out the full-length video on PBS or our YouTube channel on November 27. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!As we conclude our miniseries, our regular podcast returns on November 24 with a conversation about the Harrier aircraft. Tune in to hear inside stories on flying the Jump Jet and its hovering ability!Full Season Premiere Schedule:PBS:Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTEpisode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTWings’ YouTube Channel:Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTEpisode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTChapters:(00:00) - Intro (00:27) - OSIRIS-REx Overview (01:28) - A 20-Year Mission (03:23) - The Antarctic Asteroid Team (04:53) - Why Bennu? (05:52) - The TAG System (07:50) - The Backup Plan (09:20) - Landing Site (09:53) - Collecting the First Samples (10:50) - Bringing Material Back to Earth (13:14) - Bennu Tea (13:52) - The Next Generation's Research (14:12) - OSIRIS-REx's Future (14:55) - Outro

How the F-16 became a combat legend around the world, and what it takes to build them.Welcome to Part 3 of our 4-part bonus podcast miniseries on the making of Behind the Wings PBS Season 7!In this episode, Director Cray Novick and Host Tracy LaTourrette share stories from filming around the U.S. to learn more about the history behind the Fighting Falcon. Join us as we discuss the dangerous first flight, touring the only manufacturing plant, technical upgrades, and test-flying the Viper fresh off the production line. This one is going to be cool!Check out the full-length video on PBS or our YouTube channel. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on!Full Season Premiere Schedule:PBS:Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 6, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTEpisode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTWings’ YouTube Channel:Episode 1 – The Hurricane Hunters: November 6, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 2 – Building the International Space Station: November 13, 2025, 7:00 p.m. MTEpisode 3 – 50 Years of the F-16: November 20, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTEpisode 4 – Unlocking Asteroid Secrets: November 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. MTChapters:(00:00) - Intro (00:35) - Tracy's F-16 Background (02:28) - Why We Chose the Viper (03:37) - Aircraft Maintenance and Improvements (04:47) - The Last Manufacturing Plant (06:48) - Touring the Production Line (08:51) - Test Flying Fighting Falcons (09:47) - The Aircraft Design (13:22) - The Dangerous First Flight (14:17) - F-16 Legacy (16:32) - Outro