The SEPECAT Jaguar, Vought F-8 Crusader, Mirage F-1, Mirage 2000, Dassault Étendard, and later the Super Étendard were all remarkable aircraft designed to do one or two missions well. But what may be most noteworthy about these aircraft is that they were all replaced by just one model: the incredibly-capable Dassault Rafale . On this episode, we conduct our first remote interview with Lieutenant Pierre “Até” Chuet of the French Navy who phoned in from the United Kingdom to answer our standard ‘a...
Mar 02, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 41
Few Western aerospace design and manufacturing firms can boast an aircraft so successful that it is flown by every branch of the U.S. military, plus the Coast Guard and dozens of countries, with over 4,000 aircraft being built in dozens of configurations. No, it’s not the Lockheed C-130 Hercules or Bell UH-1 Huey. We’re talking the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter. On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Jeremiah "FRANK" Ragadio joins us to discuss the numerous H-60 variants, primarily the Blackhawk and Se...
Feb 22, 2019•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 40
In the early 1960’s, the U.S. Navy began a program for a carrier-based attack aircraft to replace the A-4 Skyhawk . Two requirements were specified to ensure a lethal platform at the lowest possible cost: accurate weapons delivery and a design based on an existing aircraft. The Ling-Temco-Vought team’s winning proposal, based on Vought’s F-8 Crusader , became the LTV A-7 Corsair II. On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Tom “Demon” Mitchell joins us to describe the single-engine Corsair II—...
Feb 12, 2019•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 39
At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union fielded a formidable navy—both above and below the surface. In response, the United States Navy required a carrier-based, fixed-wing aircraft with long on-station time and an extensive air-to-surface and -subsurface avionics sweet and weapons capability. The result was the twin-turbofan, high-wing Lockheed S-3 Viking . On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Commander David “Deke” Slayton joins us to discuss S-3 variants, which weapons it carries, why i...
Feb 02, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 38
What was it designed to do? What does it do well? What ordnance does it carry? Why does it look the way it does…? …These are a few of the questions retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Q “BBQ” Sterling answers while explaining the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet on this, our inaugural ‘aircraft series’ episode. These same questions will be posed to guests during future episodes on a variety of military aircraft include attack planes, bombers, cargo haulers, and more. The unique, dual des...
Jan 22, 2019•57 min•Ep. 37
Just as humans are broadly generalized as Baby Boomers, Millennials, etc., so too are fighter aircraft lumped into categories—only it has less to do when they are born (or what we would call, IOC) and more to do with various capabilities such as speed, maneuverability, avionics, and weaponry. And what’s more—with upgrades, some aircraft change generations. On this episode, U.S. Air Force Major John “Skosh” Searcy explains the different fighter categories, from the earliest and least capable 1st ...
Jan 12, 2019•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 36
Convinced we’re alone in the universe? Think everyone who believes in UFOs is a lot like Randy Quaid’s character, Russel, in 20th Century Fox’s original Independence Day ? Get ready to entertain doubts after listening to this week’s episode with retired U.S. Navy Commander David “Sex” Fravor who you may recognize from numerous appearances on the 2008 PBS series, Carrier . You’ll be amazed to hear events that transpired off the coast of Mexico in November 2004—events witnessed not just by Command...
Jan 02, 2019•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 35
Join Vincent and special guest Rob Kibbe, host of The Musclecar Place , for an intimate look back at the Fighter Pilot Podcast’s first year and what’s coming in 2019. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Dec 31, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Some suggest the most difficult job in the military is not the force recon Marine, nuclear reactor officer, fighter pilot, or even Navy SEAL … but rather the humble military spouse. Independent, resilient, and resourceful, military spouses face challenges beyond that of other professions—except without the formal training. Part nurse, part mechanic, occasional therapist, and frequent single parent, military spouses are indeed a unique breed. And despite repeated relocations and extended separati...
Dec 21, 2018•54 min•Ep. 34
If aviation itself is an inherently unforgiving activity, then how much more naval aviation—which routinely involves formation flying, ship landings, night vision goggle usage and… of course, the enemy? When tragedy strikes—as it frequently does—the U.S. Government cares for family members of the fallen, as well as the parent unit but, inevitably, response times can sometimes be lengthy and expenses can exceed those payable by the government, per law. Oftentimes, the family and squadron need som...
Dec 11, 2018•56 min•Ep. 33
Sweep, point defense, close escort, high-value airborne asset protection… These are just a few of the many air-to-air missions modern U.S. fighter pilots may be required to perform in the course of their duties. Each requires significant pre-mission planning to analyze how various constraints and limitations might affect execution. On this episode, former enlisted U.S. Marine, then naval flight officer, now F/A-18 pilot and fighter attack squadron commander—Lieutenant Colonel Mark “SNOTY” Bortne...
Dec 01, 2018•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 32
Taken out of context, Stephen Hawking’s comment , “all we need to do is make sure we keep talking,” does not apply to aerial engagements. In complex and dynamic scenarios with multiple opposing fighter elements—closing on each other at well over 1,000 knots—more is decidedly not better. Instead, clear, concise, standardized (and minimal) communications are essential to ensure situational awareness and, thus, success. On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Alan “Niles” Schiaffino discusses air-to-a...
Nov 21, 2018•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 31
Advancements in weapons technology and lethality have spawned countermeasures for as long as humans have been warring: with the broadsword came plate armor. For arrows it was shields. And with the advent of radar, infrared tracking, and active missiles—came chaff, flares, and jammers. On this episode, Utah Air National Guard Major Sean “Bauer” Demeter joins us to discuss the various countermeasures military aircraft employ to defend against surface- and air-to-air threats. Bauer also touches on ...
Nov 11, 2018•59 min•Ep. 30
Ever wonder why so many astronauts are (and were) former fighter pilots? Could it be that flight training is good preparation for astronaut training and thus acts as a natural selection process? Maybe. Or it could be that flying fighter jets attracts a certain type of person who enjoys challenges, works well under pressure, handles disorienting situations, manages risk, and—most importantly—performs well as part of a team. The space program seeks these same people. Climb aboard this episode as N...
Oct 21, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 29
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to fly a high-performance military jet fighter but now anyone can enjoy the incredibly realistic air combat simulation platforms available on the market today. From the astonishingly accurate aircraft recreation to the flawless graphics and imagery , air combat simulation is the next best thing for military aircraft aficionados--without the long deployments! On this episode, Mr. Matt Wagner of Eagle Dynamics joins us to discuss one of the ...
Oct 11, 2018•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 28
The Battle of Midway was a decisive U.S. naval victory that turned the tide of World War 2. As a result, the name ‘Midway’ has been assigned to everything from a high school in Texas to an airport in Chicago. It is also the name of the longest serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century. Today, the USS Midway continues to serve as a museum on the San Diego, Calif. waterfront. Hosting thousands of visitors daily, the ship proudly features dozens of static aircraft displays and offers a ...
Oct 01, 2018•59 min•Ep. 27
There may be a no more lethal or effective fighting unit than the Marine Air Ground Task Force . Comprised of combat Marines on land, in the air, and from the sea, the MAGTF is equally capable massing its formidable firepower to overwhelm and defeat an adversary as applying its vast resources and logistics network to assist in disaster relief and humanitarian roles. On this episode, retired U.S. Marine Corps Major and former F/A-18 pilot Darin “Wang” Chung joins us to describe the various MAGTF ...
Sep 21, 2018•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 26
Doctors attend medical school. Attorneys go to law school. …Plumbers acquire the skills of their craft at a plumbing trade school. So where do fighter pilots get their start? Duh. At flight school, of course. The U.S. Air Force and Navy maintain discrete flight schools. While they share some aircraft (i.e. the Beechcraft / Raytheon T-6 Texan II ) and occasionally exchange students and instructors, the two flight schools otherwise differ in their focus and execution. On this episode, Major Mike “...
Sep 01, 2018•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 25
Troop transport, MEDEVAC, CSAR, ASW, VERTREP, special operations, ground attack… these are but a few of the many missions rotary-wing aircraft perform for militaries the world over, day in and day out. But how do helicopters even fly? How difficult is it to fly them? Why do most have two pilots? In the event of total power loss can they glide to an emergency landing like some airplanes? How and why can some helicopters perform aerobatics but not others? On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander and H...
Aug 21, 2018•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 24
What do astronaut Alan Shepard, actor Clark Gable, aviatrix Amelia Earhart, and president George H. W. Bush all have in common apart from notoriety? Each distinguished him- or herself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Each acted in the face of danger, well above those actions performed by others engaged in similar flight operations, with results so exceptional as to render them conspicuous among those accomplished by others involved in similar circumst...
Aug 11, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 23
No matter how well designed a military aircraft may be, it will always require extensive testing and evaluation to ensure it performs as intended. And even when it does, sometimes unforeseen complications arise—such as when weapons catastrophically collide with the aircraft after release. This too requires extensive testing. But who performs this testing? Why, test pilots, of course. On this episode, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Becky “Wrecky” Shaw explains everything you want to know about the Navy Tes...
Aug 01, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 22
Few pilots ever have an opportunity to meet an enemy aircraft in aerial battle. Fewer yet come out victorious. And even fewer still—in fact, only one —then go on to be involved in arguably the most influential pop culture aviation film of all time. That man is retired US Navy Rear Admiral Pete “Viper” Pettigrew (R.I.P.). Climb aboard this week’s episode and hear the harrowing tale of Viper’s shootdown of a North Vietnamese MiG-21 with an untrained RIO in the backseat of his F-4 Phantom II. Then ...
Jul 21, 2018•55 min•Ep. 21
Military aviators are generally hard-working, improvement-seeking, self-motivated individuals accustomed to working well under pressure, on tight deadlines, and with limited budgets. It’s no wonder they typically find follow on success after leaving the service. On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Kevin “Hozer” Miller offers his post-military experiences to our discussion on what many aviators do after leaving the cockpit. We discuss the transferable skills that generally lead to success ...
Jul 11, 2018•58 min•Ep. 20
Today’s combat aviator enjoys a wide variety of munitions from which to choose when attacking surface targets. From free fall general purpose bombs, to laser- and GPS-guided weapons, to glide and forward firing rockets, missiles, and guns—the extensive arsenal is full of complex, yet highly effective ordnance. On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Colin “Farva” Price explains how pilots choose which weapons to use against which targets and how ‘collateral damage’ concerns are addressed. We step t...
Jul 01, 2018•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 19
Just as a viper relies on its venomous fangs and a hornet its stinger to deliver a lethal attack on adversaries, so too do modern combat fighter aircraft depend on guided missiles and cannon fire to engage aerial foes. But what guidance methods do missiles use? How difficult is it to effectively employ the gun on a non-cooperative target? And how far, exactly, can the AIM-120C AMRAAM be employed against a non-maneuvering fighter-size target when both the shooter and target are at Mach 1 and abov...
Jun 21, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 18
We’ve all heard that ‘ war is hell, ’ but this week we hear it from a different perspective: that of a young pilot, new to the fleet and the F/A-18 Hornet, who finds himself fighting far from home in the fog of war, on the heels of the death of a beloved squadron mate. On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Nick “Mongo” Mongillo tells the harrowing story of his downing an Iraqi MiG-21 on day one of Desert Storm . Live the experience as you hear the actual in-flight audio, then dissect it to ...
Jun 11, 2018•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 17
A replay of the June 5, 2018 Facebook Live listener question session with episode 5 guest Fitz "Dud" Lee. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Jun 06, 2018•1 hr 1 min
The U.S. Navy has one of the largest air forces in the world and includes a wide variety of aircraft from helicopters to strike fighters to patrol planes. While squadrons, air wings, and type wings have a well-established chain of command, ultimately they all fall under the purview of a single person. Known formally as the Commander, Naval Air Forces , the position is known better as simply, the air boss . On this episode, recently retired U.S. Navy Vice Admiral and air boss Mike “Shoe” Shoemake...
Jun 01, 2018•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 16
While landing a high-performance jet aircraft on an aircraft carrier may be the most challenging task any naval aviator will ever face, truth is, after a hundred or two of them--most pilots get passably good at it and almost come to enjoy carrier landings. In the daytime. Turn out the lights, add an overcast and suddenly it's another story. How dark does it get in the middle of the ocean? Really dark. Add some ocean swells and it’s downright terrifying. On this episode, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Comm...
May 21, 2018•1 hr•Ep. 15
Meatball – lineup – angle of attack. Nothing matters more to a fixed-wing naval pilot during the final 17 seconds of a landing on an aircraft carrier than those three parameters. But what is a “meatball”? Why is lineup so important and why does it require continuous corrections to maintain? What happens if the landing aircraft’s angle of attack is too far off one way or the other? On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Jack “Farva” Curtis returns to answer these questions and much more while wrapp...
May 11, 2018•53 min•Ep. 14
