World of Aviation Podcast

The World of Aviation Al Malmberg welcomes back Darrin Smedsmo.  In October Darrin was flying from Roseau to Bemidji when his restored Stinson's engine suddenly stopped. Darrin successfully made an emergency landing on a state highway..  He wasn't injured and his plane was undamaged.  No one on the ground was injured and there wasn't any property damage.  All good, right?  Awww, not really.  Darrin landed on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Tribal Police seized and impounded his plane!  And, he still has gotten it back!  What's going on? 

Sunday morning (2-22-26) on The World of Aviation Al Malmberg will talk with Pat Anderson who started flying at the age of 14 in a J-3 Cub.  The love of aviation runs deep in Pat's family.  He's a 4th generation pilot who recently retired after flying for Mesaba, Republic, Northwest and Delta Airlines over a 37-year career.  Concurrently,he was a Command and Airshow pilot for the Commemorative Air Force.  Join Pat and Al, Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) on AM-1280-The Patriot.

Sunday morning (2-15-2026) on The World of Aviation Al Malmberg will speak with John Joseph.  John was a flight attendant for three different airlines over a 40-year period.  He saw a lot of changes over that time period.  He was only 20-years old when he started with Republic Airlines.   What are the changes he experienced?   Who are the worst passengers?  How did 9-11 affect his job?  These are just a few of the questions we'll ask John, Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) on The World of Aviation on AM-1280-The Patriot.

Sunday morning on The World of Aviation Al Malmberg will look back one year with an interview he conducted with Sabrina Kipp.  She had no designs whatsoever to become a pilot.  Sabrina was in her freshman year of college and changed her major after her friends took a vote on what her major should be.  They thought she would be a great pilot.  They were right!  Join Sabrina and Al Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) on AM-1280-The Patriot.

​When you began flying did you have a bucket list (in your mind, anyway) of planes you wanted to fly?  Didn't we all?  Sunday morning (2-1-26) on the World of Aviation, Al Malmberg will speak with Meg Godlewski, Technical Editor and Senior Writer for Flying Magazine.  In the most recent publication she listed all the planes she hoped to fly. Meg has flown a lot of different types, but how many have been checked off this list?  Join Meg and Al Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) on AM-1280-The Patriot to find out.

​​​​Sunday morning (1-25-26) on The World of Aviation Al Malmberg will talk with Alex Redding.  Alex came up with the idea for MSP Airport "Live".  Back in the 1950's, many families around Wold Chamberlain Airport would pile into the car and go out to the airport to watch airplanes take off and land.  Well, no more piling in the car with MSP Airport "live".  You can watch aircraft take off and land on YouTube and Facebook.  Join Alex and Al Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) to hear more on AM-1280-The Patriot.

Two weeks ago on the World of Aviation we learned about the crash of a B-52 bomber in the Twin Cities. This Sunday morning (1-18-26) we'll get a first hand account of the horrific crash of this behemoth  bomber in 1958 in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.  Loren Kahl was 15 when the Stratofortress slammed into the Kahl family farm.  The explosion was so intense, people across the Twin Cities thought it was a nuclear attack.  Join Loren Kahl and Al Malmberg to hear Loren's first hand account of this devastating crash at 10:05 (ct) on AM-1280-The Patriot. If you're outside the Twin Cities you can stream the program via:  www.am1280thepatriot.com If you can't tune in to the show "live" the podcast will posted on www.thunderbirdaviation.com

Sunday morning (1-11-26) onThe World of Aviation Al Malmberg will visit with Tim Pearson.  On December 15th Tim had the aviation community abuzz when he took a 500-mile jaunt over the skies of three states drawing out a manger scene.  Those who pay attention to flight Aware were amazed when the manger scene, complete with Joseph, Mary and the manger appeared.on their  computer screens.  What type of plane was he flying?  What went into planning this?  Those are just a few of the questions that will be delved into on The World of Aviation, Sunday morning at 10:05 (ct) on AM-1280-The Patriot.If you're outside the Twin Cities you can stream the program via www.am1280thepatriot.comIf you can't listen "live" the podcast will be available at www.thunderbirdaviation.com

On the World of Aviation with Al talks with Dave Mattsson. This episode of The World of Aviation introduces a discussion about a tragic Cold War–era aviation accident: the crash of a B-52 Stratofortress into the Kahl family farmhouse in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, on September 16, 1958. Host Al Malmberg interviews aviation historian David Mattsson, who has extensively researched the event. Mattsson explains how his hands-on work with historic military parachute and aviation life-support equipment led him to aviation history, especially within the warbird community. His interest in the 1958 B-52 crash grew from long-standing rumors and conflicting accounts, until he uncovered firsthand connections through a colleague whose neighbor was Loren Kahl—the teenage survivor who lived on the farm when the bomber crashed.

Al Malmberg welcomes back Lt. Col. Tom Fitzhenry of the Minnesota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.  On December first the CAP celebrated their 84th anniversary.  It was established just weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor to  mobilize civilian pilots for national defense, evolving into an official U.S. Air Force Auxiliary.  Today, the CAP does so much more. Tom and Al  delve into all they do in serving their local communities.

You're flying along on a beautiful October day when suddenly you have a catastrophic engine failure.  Your training kicks in, you pick out a place to land and you make a perfect emergency landing on a Minnesota state highway.  Phew!  That was scary!  Little do you know your troubles are only beginning.  You've landed on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.  You didn't know you couldn't do that, even in an emergency.  Well, that's what happened to Darrin Smedsmo, our guest on The World of Aviation on Sunday morning.  They seized and impounded his plane.  What!?  To hear more, join Darrin and Al Malmberg at 10:05 on Am-1280-The Patriot. If you're outside the Twin Cities you can catch the show at www.am1280thepatriot.com If you can't listen to the broadcast you can hear the podcast at anytime via www.thunderbirdaviation.com 

This week on World of Aviation, Al Malmberg commemorates the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941. To help mark the occasion, he welcomes back Karl Zingheim, the official historian of the USS Midway. Together they explore why the United States was caught so flat-footed that morning, despite clear signs that Japan was preparing for an attack. They examine the decisions that led to the battleships being grouped together in the harbor and discuss whether there were answers—or missed opportunities—that might have changed history. Join us for a compelling and thoughtful look back at one of aviation’s most pivotal moments.

This week on World of Aviation, Al welcomes special guest Brianna Fiandt for an engaging conversation filled with real-world aviation stories, industry insights, and professional best practices. Brianna shares her experiences from the cockpit to the hangar, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and rewards of life in aviation. Whether you're a seasoned pilot, an aspiring aviator, or simply fascinated by flight, this episode delivers inspiration and practical wisdom from one of the field’s passionate voices. Tune in as World of Aviation continues to explore the people, stories, and innovations that keep our skies moving.

In this week’s episode of World of Aviation, Al takes listeners on a meaningful journey through the history of Tree of Hope, reflecting on its mission and sharing practical ways listeners can get involved and support the work being done. Deb follows with powerful, heartfelt stories of individuals whose lives have been deeply touched by Tree of Hope, highlighting the real-world impact of compassion in action. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends aviation, service, and hope—reminding us of the difference we can make when we choose to give.

On this episode of The World of Aviation, Al Malmberg spoke with Cyndi Rojohn and David Rojohn,, authors of the book The Piggyback Flight Pilot''s JOURNEY,. the harrowing story of their father lt. Glen Rojohn and how their B-17 bomber pancaked with another B-17 bomber.  Truly a story Hollywood, in their wildest dreams, could never come up with!

Al Malmberg spends the hour with Stephanie Stout. She is a CFI-I&II, She's also the President of her local EAA chapter and is the author of the book, "Hey! I'm a pilot!" In her spare time she's a criminal defense lawyer and a legal mediator.

In this episode of World of Aviation on AM1280, we honor the incredible story of Colonel Joe Peterburs, a distinguished World War II fighter pilot who flew 49 combat missions over Europe. Col. Peterburs recounts his experiences in the skies during one of history’s most pivotal eras—from intense aerial battles to the courage, sacrifice, and camaraderie that defined the Greatest Generation. Join us for a firsthand look at aviation history through the eyes of a true American hero whose service continues to inspire aviators and patriots alike

Al talked with Guest John Bone. As a pilot over the last 52 years, John has logged over 25000 hours and has flown around the world...literally.