Growing Bolder Community

Col. Joe Kittinger has a passion for teaching children and for sharing his passion in aviation, engineering, lifelong learning and the U.S.A. With our help, Colonel Kittinger is finding that live video chats can instantly take him into any classroom.

An aviation pioneer, hot air balloon adventurist, war hero and space legend -- Col. Joe Kittinger is also one of the kindest people you'll ever meet. Hear what he says about living legacies and giving back.

In 1984, at the age of 56, fighter pilot, daredevil and American aviation hero Joe Kittinger completed the first solo trans-Atlantic balloon flight from Maine to Italy. 25 years later, he shares his story with Growing Bolder. Here's a sneak peek.

What would you do if you had all the money in the world and a lifetime to spend it? Kermit Weeks realized early on that for him, the sky's the limit. He owns an airplane museum but only recently discovered his true life's purpose.

His device for newborn babies has saved millions of lives over the past couple decades, and at the age of 90, inventor and aviator Forrest Bird is still coming up with new ways to change the world. Find out why he thinks failures in life are crucial.

Col. Joe Kittinger is well-known for his legendary leaps forward in aviation. But there was a chapter left out of his amazing ballooning career. For several years, Kittinger was Michael Jackson's private pilot.

The best glider pilots in North America over the age of 55 gather for the Senior Soaring National Championships. Former fighter pilots and commercial airline pilots call soaring the greatest test of all.

Ed Shadle is the ultimate do-it-yourselfer. Now nearly 70, he dreams of breaking the world land speed record, and to achieve his goal, he's built himself the ultimate racer -- a jet engine-powered racecar.

Joe Kittinger was actually the first man in space but very few know his name or the stories of his feats. Find out how his courage set the groundwork for the space program and how he's still looking for his next adventure, even in his 80s.