The Air Up There (2024)

What if your career not only fulfilled your ambitions but launched them into orbit? That’s what happened to our guest, Rachita Puri, an aerospace engineer in the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation.

In this episode, Rachita shares how a job fair at her university led her to the FAA, where she enjoys a rewarding career ensuring public safety during human space flights, rocket launches and...

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From being a first-generation college student to becoming a pilot and certified flight instructor, Zakiya Percy, navigated uncharted territories, propelling herself on an incredible aerospace journey.

In this episode, Zakiya shares what inspired her to become a pilot, and sheds light on the sacrifices and challenges she encountered along the way. She tells the story of how an inquiry to revive an inactive...

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The FAA provides boundless career opportunities within the aviation sector for people of all backgrounds. In this episode, Migdalia Gonzalez, the Hispanic Employment Program Manager in the FAA’s Office of Civil Rights provides insight on the importance of representation and...

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Do you have a need for speed? Then this is the episode for you! Tune in and discover the innovative science behind the Drone Racing League, a high-speed competition that is using first person view flight to create a new era in sports. Chief Operating Officer Ashley Ellefson joins...

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In the world of aviation, a diverse crew doesn't just enhance the view; it transforms the entire horizon. Join us on a flight to explore the dynamic world of aviation through the lens of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

In this episode, we connect with...

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Did you know that airplanes have two black boxes and they are actually orange? Or that airplanes have closets? Or that one of the tools used to fix an airplane’s auxiliary power unit is referred to as a fishing rod?

In this episode we’re talking with Max, aka...

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In a world where diversity is taking flight, representation becomes the compass guiding many toward the unexplored skies of possibility. As a young person, there’s power in seeing someone from your own roots engaged in aerospace. It ignites fresh curiosities and can be the gateway...

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You've heard “crawl before you walk,” but how about “fly before you drive”? Join us in redefining the journey to new heights in our latest podcast episode, “Gliding the Skies Before She Could Drive”.

Get to know Ish*tha who, at the age of 16, earned her private pilot...

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It’s true that not all superheroes wear capes. In fact, there are some that take flight in the thrilling realm of drones. In our latest podcast episode, we teleport to Neurodiversity Works, a non-profit organization that equips neurodiverse students for a career in the drone...

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Three, two, one, lift off! Season 6 is go for launch!

Imagine one day you’re a typical 18-year-old, then you wake up the next day as the youngest woman to venture into the cosmos. That is the reality for Anastatia Mayers, whose curiosity for aerospace led her to an...

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