A Legendary Conversation w/Josh Cook of Legendary Aviation Coffee Co.

Future in Flight Podcast: Episode Notes

Featured Guest: Josh Cook

Flight Test Director, Founder/Owner Legendary Aviation Coffee Company

Episode Summary

This episode features Josh Cook, a flight test engineer who combined his aviation passion with specialty coffee to create Legendary Aviation Coffee Company, plus segments on aviation careers and pilot jargon.

Segment 1: Josh Cook - Flight Test Engineer & Coffee Entrepreneur

Aviation Career

• Former Flight Test Director for Northrop Grumman
• Managed UAV programs including Global Hawk and Triton
• Role involves testing aircraft systems and ensuring flight safety

Coffee Business

• Founded Legendary Aviation Coffee Company in 2019
• Uses air roasting technique (used by top 5% of roasters)
• Coffee blends feature historic aircraft:
  • B-52 bomber (heavy, full-bodied coffee)
  • P-51 Mustang and V-Tail Bonanza

Philanthropy

• Official coffee provider for Sun & Fun Aerospace Expo
• Donates portions of sales to Sun & Fun's youth aviation initiatives
• Supports six aviation and veteran-focused nonprofits

Segment 2: Aviation Careers Outside the Cockpit

• Wildlife Management - "Bird men" who prevent bird-aircraft collisions
• Wingwalkers - Performers who do stunts on biplane wings
• Aircraft Rescue Firefighters - Specialists trained for aviation emergencies
• UAS Pilots - Drone operators for commercial and research applications
• Aviation Environmental Engineers - Develop sustainable aviation solutions
• Aircraft Interior Designers - Create efficient, functional cabin spaces
• Flight Simulator Developers - Build virtual training environments

Segment 3: Decoding Pilot Jargon

Operations: "George is flying" (autopilot), "Bingo fuel" (low fuel), "Souls on board" (total people count)

Location Terms: "Feet wet" (over water), "Feet dry" (over land)

Time Reference: "Zulu time" (GMT/UTC)

Communication: "Roger" (understood), "Mayday" (distress), "Pan Pan" (urgency)