Retired Fighter Pilot Randy "Laz" Gordon explains how the F-22 changed the air battlefield and why it was built to win the first fight.

In this episode, Randy discusses the 70-plus aircraft he has flown, his combat career, test-flying fighter jets, and how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of aviation. We’ll also explore some of the Raptor's surprising similarities to civilian Cessna aircraft, and why, in some ways, the Skyhawk is a harder airplane to manage. From flying a zeppelin to iconic planes like the F-15, "Laz" has done it all. This one is going to be cool!

Episode 60 marks the end of Season 6. We will be taking a short break, but are excited to bring you more stories in Season 7, coming this fall.

Resources:

• Special Lecture: F-22 Flight Controls (YouTube)
• Randy's Bio
• The F-22 Raptor (Lockheed Martin)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:35) - Flying 70+ Aircraft
• (02:47) - Aviation Beginnings
• (06:10) - The USAFA
• (09:03) - What Makes a Good Pilot?
• (11:29) - Flight Training
• (13:18) - The F-15 vs. F-16
• (15:59) - Flying the A-10
• (17:44) - Combat in Iraq
• (21:08) - Flying the F-22
• (26:08) - Cessna vs. F-22
• (28:11) - Raptor Mindset
• (31:11) - Radar-absorbing Material
• (32:39) - Stealth Airframe
• (35:55) - Supercruise
• (39:41) - The Human and the Jet
• (42:18) - Test Flying Aircraft
• (44:43) - Why the F-15 was Hard to Master
• (45:24) - A Dangerous Moment
• (48:05) - How AI Will Impact Aviation
• (53:34) - F-22 Legacy
• (55:13) - Randy's Advice
• (57:40) - Outro

Astrophysicist Dr. Jonathan McDowell explains how the ever-growing problem of space junk is threatening satellites, science missions, and even spaceflight as we know it.

In this episode, Jonathan discusses orbital debris, anti-satellite missiles, clean-up efforts, and how one incident could cause a communication blackout for decades. In the lawless realm of low Earth orbit, we could see a future where space exploration comes to a halt altogether. However, some companies are testing solutions that aim to alleviate the problem before it's too late. There is a lot to learn!

Resources:

• Jonathan's Bio
• Jonathan's Space Report
• Space Debris (NASA)
• Wild Wild Space Trailer (HBO Max)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:32) - Space Junk Overview
• (05:11) - Small Debris Damage
• (07:54) - Aerospace Beginnings
• (09:37) - Tracking Launches
• (11:39) - Dodging Debris
• (15:21) - Anti-Satellite Missiles
• (20:36) - Space Air Traffic Control
• (23:27) - Safer Altitudes
• (24:47) - The End of the ISS
• (29:17) - How Space Junk is Blocking Research
• (31:52) - Billboards in Space
• (33:47) - Satellite Designs
• (35:05) - Cleaning Up
• (36:07) - Jonathan's Advice
• (38:14) - Outro

Retired Pilot Maj. Gen. Garrett “Sack” Harencak and Weapons Systems Officer Lt. Col. Tony “Voodoo” Eret share what it was like to fly together in the Rockwell B-1 Lancer.

In this episode, they take us inside the “Bone”, a supersonic, variable-sweep wing bomber originally designed for low-level nuclear strikes and later transformed into a precision conventional strike aircraft. They discuss nuclear alert procedures, low-level mountain missions using terrain-following radar, and a first-hand account of ejecting from the four-person flight deck. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• Wings Museum's B-1A Lancer
• The B-1 Lancer (Behind the Wings Video)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:35) - B-1 Overview
• (04:28) - Lancer Development
• (05:21) - The Bomb Bays
• (07:56) - Terrain-Following Radar
• (10:08) - The Structural Mode Control System
• (12:19) - Variable-Sweep Wings
• (13:36) - The Central Integrated Test System
• (16:19) - Crew Roles
• (19:22) - Nuclear Alert Training
• (21:30) - Ejecting from the B-1
• (29:39) - Lancer Modifications
• (31:00) - The Engines
• (32:57) - Flying at High Altitude
• (34:17) - Maintenance
• (37:08) - The B-1 Legacy
• (37:31) - Guest Advice
• (39:23) - Outro