CURRENT ISSUE

April/May 2019

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Features

PBY-6A

Legends of an Ocean-Crossing Seaplane

A wide view of World War II through the blisters of PBY Catalinas.

flight attendant giving passengers safety briefing

Coffee, Tea, or Emergency Response?

That Diet Coke is a courtesy. The real service your flight attendant provides? You never want to find out.

Mars Helicopter rendering

A Helicopter Dreams of Mars

Hitching a ride with the next NASA rover, a new explorer gets a chance.

opener F-35

The F-35 Faces Its Most Critical Test

What pilots say about the world's most advanced fighter.

shock waves T-38 image

Lower the Boom

NASA's new supersonic x-plane won't rattle your windows.

NC-4 arrives

A Hand in Aviation History

A family photo album of the first airplane to cross an ocean.

Departments

Viewport

Ideas That Defy

From the Director of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

Up to Speed

At Catalina Island, Time to Send in the Marines

About 22 miles across the sea from California, an island's old runway gets a makeover from an unusual work crew.

At the Museum

An Aerospace Landmark Begins a Major Renovation

Architect Gyo Obata's marble-and-glass museum is home to thousands of aerospace treasures.

A&S NEXT

A Prop in Six Days

Alaina Lewis, proprietor of Culver Props, based in Rolla, Missouri

Apollo at 50

Apollo at 50: A Celebration Guide

The 50 best films, events, books, websites, and souvenirs.

Apollo at 50

Summer of ’69

Fifty years ago, a photographer pointed his camera at Apollo 11 spectators—and created an ode to America.

Apollo at 50

Lunar Landing Nightmares

The author’s job was to confront the worst things that could happen to the first men on the moon.

Reviews & Previews

Danger Down Below

Antarctica’s Lost Aviator: The Epic Adventure to Explore the Last Frontier on Earth

Ideas That Defy

Power for Space Tourism

SpaceShipTwo rocket motor