Retired F-111 Pilot Lt. Col. Kevin “Too Kool” Kuhlmann explains how the General Dynamics F-111 could perform almost any role in the air battlefield, as a fighter, bomber, and even low-level attack aircraft.

In this episode, Kevin discusses maintaining weapon systems on the F-106 and F-4, flying the Aardvark, and the thrill of lighting the afterburner during fuel dumps. With groundbreaking technology for its time, like terrain-following radar, variable-sweep wings, and an ejection capsule, this supersonic jet was not only advanced but a whole lot of fun to fly. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• Wings Museum's FB-111A
• Kevin's MSU Bio
• The F-111 Aardvark (Behind the Wings)

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:34) - The F-111 Overview
• (04:32) - Flying at Mach 1.5
• (04:55) - Aviation Beginnings
• (06:06) - Joining the Air National Guard
• (07:01) - F-106 Maintenance
• (08:39) - Working on the F-4
• (09:24) - Joining the Air Force
• (11:32) - Naming the Aardvark
• (12:01) - Flying the T-37
• (12:29) - F-111 Training
• (15:57) - Transitioning from F to A Models
• (16:48) - The Variable-Sweep Wings
• (19:27) - Terrain-Following Radar
• (20:25) - The Weapons System Officer
• (22:41) - The Ejection Capsule
• (24:41) - Fuel Dumping with Afterburner
• (26:25) - Becoming an F-111 Instructor Pilot
• (29:57) - Aardvark Retirement
• (30:32) - The F-111 Influence on Aircraft Design
• (31:59) - Teaching at MSU
• (33:16) - Kevin's Advice
• (34:48) - Outro

Social Scientist Alires Almon explains why the human element is critical to mission success during long-duration spaceflights.

In this episode, Alires discusses the impacts of sending people to the Moon and beyond, how to maintain their mental health, and the ethics of extended space missions. With challenges like extreme isolation, communication delays, and living within the confines of the spacecraft, taking care of an astronaut’s overall wellness will be no easy task. There is a lot to learn!

Resources:

• Deep Space Predictive's Website
• Project Lodestar

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:54) - Long Term Space Travel Overview
• (05:02) - New Capabilities
• (07:37) - Aerospace Beginnings
• (12:03) - Science Fiction
• (14:01) - The Human Factor in Space Planning
• (16:44) - Space Mental Health
• (19:31) - Stranded Astronauts
• (20:30) - Communication Challenges
• (23:28) - To Tell or Not to Tell
• (27:44) - AI Relationships
• (30:27) - Medical Skills
• (32:21) - In Case of Emergency
• (34:42) - Culture Shock
• (37:09) - Should We Go to Mars?
• (39:35) - Space Ethics
• (45:08) - Would You Go to Mars?
• (47:07) - Alires' Advice
• (48:44) - Outro

Retired Pilot Lt. Col. Josh Cadice shares his story of going to the edge of space in one of the most iconic spy planes ever built.

In this episode, Josh discusses flying the KC-135, wearing the pressure suit, piloting the mysterious U-2 at 70,000 feet, and its aerial reconnaissance capabilities. From Cold War origins to modern missions, this aircraft’s legacy is as fascinating as it is classified. This one is going to be cool!

Resources:

• U-2 Air Force Fact Sheet
• KC-135 Air Force Fact Sheet

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:14) - Flying the U-2 Overview
• (03:10) - Aviation Beginnings and the USAFA
• (04:18) - The Civil Air Patrol
• (04:39) - U-2 History
• (06:00) - Flying the KC-135
• (07:19) - Stratotanker Upgrades
• (08:05) - Aerial Refueling
• (10:16) - Becoming a U-2 Pilot
• (11:42) - Dragon Lady Training
• (13:24) - First Solo
• (14:30) - Mission Training
• (15:00) - The Pressure Suit
• (19:18) - U-2 Takeoffs and Landings
• (20:35) - The Chase Car
• (22:03) - Landing Close Call
• (23:01) - Flying Missions at 70,000 Feet
• (26:07) - Operational Differences
• (27:49) - Aerial Reconnaissance
• (29:49) - What It Takes to be a U-2 Pilot
• (30:48) - Landing the Dragon Lady
• (33:24) - The Future of Spy Planes
• (34:51) - Flying for United
• (35:41) - Josh's Advice
• (36:56) - Outro