On Condition: The Flight Test Safety Podcast
Episodes
EP 76 – Pinto Talks Testing and a Contest
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I will tell you about a contest to name the Flight Test Safety Committee's new AI search tool and we will hear from my guest former ...
EP 75 - Talk with Lt Gen Charles R. Davis, USAF (Ret) - Part 2: Flight Testing
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This month, we look back in aviation history to 1956 and hear from a legend. Then I continue my discussion with Lt Gen C.R. Davis, gaining more insigh...
EP 74 - Talk with Lt Gen Charles R. Davis, USAF (Ret)
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This month I talked with retired Lt Gen C.R. Davis about his extraordinary flight test career and coming full circle as a test pilot and acquisition p...
EP 73 - Batten Down the Hatches Part 2
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we conclude the harrowing adventure on the high seas and get some risk management insight from my guest LtGen Mark Wise USMC (Ret) ...
EP 72 - Batten Down the Hatches...and Boot up the AI
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we will hear about a harrowing adventure on the high seas and get a sneak peak at a new research tool coming soon from the Flight Tes...
Ep 71 - Critical Incident Response Part 2
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this slightly tardy Halloween episode, a tale of a spooky airport. I also finish my discussion with Louise Cullinan on Critical Incident Response....
EP 70 - Critical Incident Response Part 1
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month I talk with Louise Cullinan about Critical Incident Response. She is an expert on the subject and currently leads training for organization...
EP 69 - Some Thoughts on Test Teams
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I continue the discussion with James Sergeant about flight testing the X-35 and talk about the makeup of the test team and some of the...
EP 68 - Mission X
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mission X sounds like an epic name for a book or movie but in this episode, we get the backstory on where it came from. My guest and I will also tal...
EP 67 - Big Sky Little Airplane
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year’s Flight Test Safety Workshop hit on a lot of great concepts, lessons and ideas. You can check them out in the link below. There was a...
EP 66 - Talking with Trigger and Turbo Part 2 - Executing First FlightS (Plural)
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month I will give some quick feedback from the Flight Test Safety Workshop and continue my discussion with Trigger on the beginning of F-35 fligh...
EP 65 - Talking With Trigger and Turbo Part One – Preparing for First FlightS (Plural)
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We talk a lot about preparing for the first flight of a new aircraft but what about preparing for the first flights for an organization? This month ...
EP 64 - Crew Resource Management Today and Tomorrow (Part 4)
26 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month we wrap up our discussion on CRM at least for now with my Guest Eric Kinney from the FAA. Our history segment takes a look back at an int...
EP 63 - CRM and The Flight Test Team (Part 3)
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This month I continue my look at Crew Resource Management with a discussion about CRM and the Flight Test Community. My guest Rod Huete will talk ab...
EP 62 - CRM Part 2 DAMCLAS SADCLAM
22 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 62 - CRM Part 2 DAMCLAS SADCLAM This month we pick up with part 2 of CRM. In Part 1 I talked about...
EP 61 - And Now The Chairman
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 61 - And Now The Chairman I close out 2024 talking with Flight Test Safety Committee Chairman Stu ...
EP 60 - The Societies Episode
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel -Â EP 60 - The Societies Episode This month we talk with the new Presidents for SETPÂ and SFTE and get th...
EP 59 - A Ghostly Intro to CRM (Part 1)
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 59 – A Ghostly Intro to CRM This month I begin a multi-part series talking about Crew Resource Man...
EP 58 – The Origins of Safety
18 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 58 – The Origins of Safety This month I will share some safety observations from my recent adventu...
EP 57 – Keep The Vane Centered
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 57 – Keep The Vane Centered This month our look back in history takes us to the dawn of the jet ag...
EP 56 - Building a Team to Go FAST (Part 2)
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 56 – Building a Team to Go FAST This month we finish our discussion with our friends from Hermeus...
EP 55 - Building a Team to Go FAST (Part 1)
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 55 – Building a Team to Go FAST This month I visit with the team at #Hermeus and talk about the ...
EP 54 – Go Or No Go
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"I think I can get this done". Positive attitude or prelude to risk? This month I talk with Mike Meier about flight testing competitive hang glide...
EP 53 - It's First Flight, What Could Go Wrong? (Part 2)
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month we finish our discussion with Mr. Roy Martin and Mr. Mike Rabens on the things that happen on first flights of new aircraft. A link to the...
EP 52 - It's First Flight, What Could Go Wrong? (Part 1)
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month we talk about a great looking airplane from the 60’s, supersonic black bears, and first flight anomalies. Joining me are Mr. Roy Martin...
EP 51 - Silv and CFITS (Part 2)
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This month we have some interesting aviation history and the final portion of our discussion with Silv and CFITS talking about a framework for online...
EP 50 - 50th Episode Modeling Risk (Silv and CFITS Part 1)
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s our 50th Episode and this month we talk to USAF Testers and PhD's Juan Jurado and Clark McGehee about their recently presented paper OUTCOME-BA...
EP 49 - Battle of the X Pilots (Part 3)
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We close out 2023 with the third (and maybe not final) episode of the Battle of the X Pilots. Pigpen and I will talk about testing the STOVL version...
EP 48 – Battle of the X Pilots (Part 2)
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join me this month as I pick up with my good friend Jeff "Pigpen" Karnes for Part 2 of Battle of the X Pilots. In this episode we talk about taking ...
EP 47 - The Tale of Aircraft 163666
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A special Halloween themed episode again this year about another seemingly cursed aircraft. This time an AV-8B Harrier. Join me and my guest Col K...
EP 46 - Are You Ready For the Bad Day? Part Two - Safe on Deck...Now What?
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month we will pick up where we left off with Marty Rollinger after his episode off the catapult in his F/A-18. If you missed part one check it...
EP 45 - Are You Ready For the Bad Day? Part One - The Water’s Getting Closer
29 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How ready are you for the unthinkable to happen? This month we are joined by Marty Rollinger, former Marine F/A-18 pilot who shares a harrowing experi...
EP 44 - Battle of the X Pilots (Part 1)
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 2000 a fly off happened between the Boeing X-32 and the Lockheed Martin X-35 for a winner take all defense contract. This month I will connect with...
EP 43 - Signs of Danger
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month we have an episode recorded live at the Flight Test Safety Workshop last month. My guests are the 150 attendees of the workshop. We have ...
EP 42 – B-1 Flight Test Lessons Learned (Part 2)
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month I share some observations from the recent Flight Test Safety Workshop and we finish our Interview with Ken Katz who shares more lessons lea...
EP 41 – B-1 Flight Test Lessons Learned (Part 1)
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Register now for the Flight Test Safety Workshop HERE by 26 April 12pm PDT This month we talk with Ken Katz about flight test lessons from the B-1 pr...
EP 40 - This Is The Way. Applying Safety Every Day.
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
During my years of flying and flight test I learned a lot about safety and making decisions relative to risk. But what good does any of that do me ...
EP 39 - What If?
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode will recap the SETP Southeast Section Symposium at Flight Works Alabama in Mobile and hear from aviation legend Bob Hoover on essential t...
EP 38 - Test Teams Today
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month we talked with Tobias van Esselstyn, Director of Flight Test Engineering at Gulfstream about some of the challenges today's test teams fac...
EP 37 - New Testing of Old Aircraft
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We close out the year and continue our conversation with Dodge Bailey from last month talking about flying the vintage aircraft in the Shuttleworth c...
EP 36 - Teaching New Pilots Old Planes
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month we talk with test pilot Roger "Dodge" Bailey about flying the incredible assortment of aircraft in the Shuttleworth collection. They fly ...
EP 35 - Halloween Episode: Frightful Flights Terrifying Test Points Ghostly Gremlins
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join host Art Tomassetti as he shares stories of frightful flights, terrifying test points and ghostly gremlins. This is a special Halloween edition...
EP 34 - Trip Report from SETP Annual Symposium & Banquet
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Well, this was actually going to be an off month for the podcast given all the events taking place. But with some time on a layover at DFW decided t...
EP 33 - 3Q (Part 2)
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this Episode we look back in history at a historic flight of the X-15 and pick up our flight test discussion about 3Q. Link to the Sep 2019 FTSF th...
EP 32 -3Q (Part 1)
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I go out on location for a flight test safety discussion about predicting the future, assessing safety culture and more. Join Mark J...
EP 31 - How Do You Do Safety?
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month I spoke with Steve Bush and Stan Swan from the Columbia Aviation Association (CAA) and talked about one of the approaches they have to impr...
EP 30 - My Five Safety Lessons from Top Gun
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month we will look at how pop culture (well one fairly popular movie from the 80s anyway) can provide lessons in safety. And in our look back i...
EP 29 - Bell V-280 Lessons Learned
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month we talk with Mat McMenemy and Don Grove from Bell about Lessons Learned on the Bell V-280 program and in our look back in history we talk a...
EP28 - Comments, Cudas, and Crossing the Ocean
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In our January podcast, I asked for feedback on the pros and cons of simulator mission rehearsals and operationalizing lessons learned. This month I w...
EP27 - Rise of the Valkyrie - First flight of the XB-70
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month we expand our look back in aviation history on the anniversary of the last flight of the XB-70 Valkyrie. We will talk about this amazing ai...
EP26 - Simulator Mission Rehearsals
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month we will take a stroll to the lake while we discuss the value of rehearsing flight test missions in a simulator linked to a control room. Gr...
EP25 - A Chat With Sting (Part 2)
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we head back to Trader Sam's and finish our chat with Mike "Sting" Wallace as he reflects on flight testing, lessons learned and his time ...
EP24 - A Chat With Sting (Part 1)
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we catch up on location in Southern California with Mike "Sting" Wallace as he reflects on flight testing, lessons learned and his time as...
EP23 - Risk and High Visibility Events: Listener Feedback
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we are trying something new. An episode built almost exclusively from listener feedback on our topic of High Visibility Events and the...
EP22 - Risk and High Visibility Events (Part 2)
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we continue our interview with Rich Lee as he talks about some of the unique challenges and surprises flying a helicopter into a football...
EP21 - Risk and High Visibility Events (Part 1)
12 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we take a look at the risk involved in high visibility events. And what better high visibility event than a Super Bowl halftime show watc...
EP20 - Talk With CAPT Jim Wetherbee, USN (Ret), Author and Commander for 5 Space Shuttle Missions (Part 2)
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we finish our interview with CAPT Jim Wetherbee, USN (Ret) and NASA Astronaut talking about trigger steps, questions he pondered with his s...
EP19 - Talk With CAPT Jim Wetherbee, USN (Ret), Author and Commander for 5 Space Shuttle Missions (Part 1)
10 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month, in addition to our regular this week in aviation lookback and a quick update on the Monarch migration, we talk with CAPT Jim Wetherbee, ...
EP18 - Interview with Justin Paines - Thoughts on Commercial Electric Aircraft
13 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month I get to talk to an old friend and current Chief Test Pilot for Joby Aviation, Justin Paines, who shares some of his insights and thoughts ...
EP17 - Batteries Included: Test Pilots Talk About the X-57 (Part 2)
15 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we have part 2 of the interview with NASA Test Pilots Tim Williams and Wayne Ringelberg talking about the work they are doing on the X-57. ...
EP16 - Batteries Included: Test Pilots Talk About the X-57 (Part 1)
12 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This month we have part one of a two part interview with NASA Test Pilots Tim Williams and Wayne Ringelberg talking about the work they are doing on t...
EP15 - Do You Know About The No Vote?
12 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a small word, it's a simple word but it can be a big and impactful word when used. This month’s focus is on the No-Vote. We start with Sp...
EP14- Focus on Flight Testing Autonomous Vehicles and AI (Part 2)
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Happy New Year to all! In this episode we will conclude our panel discussion on testing autonomy that we began last month with: Lt Col Kristopher “...
EP13 - Focus on Flight Testing Autonomous Vehicles and AI (Part 1)
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I was watching 2001: A Space Odyssey the other night. Remember when HAL would not open the pod bay doors? Seems like somebody forgot to fully test ...
EP12 - US Naval Test Pilot School - Thoughts from the Commanding Officer
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This month we are heading back to School. US Naval Test Pilot School for a discussion with the Commanding Officer LtCol Rory Feely. He talks about o...
EP11 - Aircraft Checklists and the Boeing Model 299 Accident
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What do checklists and a flight test accident from 65 years ago have in common? Find out in this month’s podcast. We will also cover some upcoming ...
EP10 - Interview with Edwards AFB Test Center Commander
10 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This month we speak with the Test Center Commander for Edwards AFB Major General Chris Azzano for his thoughts on operating in today's environment, ad...
EP9 - Interview with Mark Stucky - Commercial Space Flight Thoughts
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Listen this month to my interview with Mark "Forger" Stucky, Lead Test Pilot for Virgin Galactic, talking about commercial space operations along with...
EP8 - STPA (System Theoretical Process Analysis) - Thoughts from Dr. Nancy Leveson (Part 2)
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you will hear Part 2 of a two part interview with Dr. Nancy Leveson from MIT on System Theoretical Process Analysis Here is the link f...
EP7 - STPA (System Theoretical Process Analysis) - Thoughts from Dr. Nancy Leveson (Part 1)
08 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you will hear Part 1 of a two part interview with Dr. Nancy Leveson from MIT on STPA and STAMP. We introduce a new segment called "On ...
EP6 - The 6 E's for Developing a Safety Culture
11 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you will hear Mr. Andy Johnson, the Chief Risk Management Officer at Captive Resources, discuss the 6 E's for developing a safety cul...
EP5 - Flight Test Challenges and Unknowns - Buzz Aldrin/ Harry Andonian
06 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you will hear from COL Harry Andonian (Ret) and COL Buzz Aldrin (Ret) talk about meeting challenges and the unknown. We will give yo...
Episode 4 - March 2020
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This month we "Take to the Streets" to talk with attendees of the SETP/SFTE/AIAA South East Symposium as well as highlight what you can find in this m...
Episode 3 - Feb 2020
10 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Fact highlights, upcoming event reminders and an interview with the President and CEO of the National Safety Council Lorraine Mart...
Episode 2 - Jan 2020
09 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Flight Test Safety Fact highlights, upcoming event reminders and a double feature for the monthly Specialty topic {STPA and some advice for new fligh...
EP 1 - Dec 2019
10 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Monthly Podcast with upcoming events, highlights from the Flight Test Safety Fact and the December specialty topic - Thoughts on How to Improve our Ab...