The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, and most importantly—the people.
Episodes typically feature guests who help explain various military aviation-themed topics, such as how ejection seats work or what it's like to fly on and off nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
If you love the roar of a high-speed flyby or are enamored by the poise and confidence of the brave men and women who fly, fix, and fight these aircraft, then this show is for you!
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Fighter Pilot Podcast friend and mentor Rob Kibbe of The MuscleCar Place returns for a year-end look at the highs and lows of2019, and what's in store for 2020. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Bomber Month concludes with the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit . This week, U.S. Air Force Major Nick "Wolf" Anderson and SMSgt Steve Napier join us to discuss the cutting-edge 'Stealth Bomber' and its enigmatic flying-wing design, not just flying but maintaining this complex machine. We discuss capabilities, weapons, even a little on low-observability and tactics before wrapping up with an introduction of the in-development B-21 Raider . Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . ...
Bomber Month marches on with the former Rockwell (now Boeing ) B-1 Lancer. This week, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel Chris "Wacky" Wachter joins us to talk about the bomber canceled by one president but reinstated by another in a role quite different from what was originally intended. The "Bone," which in many ways is unlike any other bomber--such as swing-wings and afterburning engines--remains a vital part of the U.S. arsenal employing a wide array of weapons in a host of missions. ...
Bomber Month continues with the mighty Boeing B-52 Stratofortress. This week, Mr. Ken Katz, a former U.S. Air Force flight test engineer who literally wrote the book on the B-52, joins us to talk all about the mighty "BUFF" including the several variants, its many weapons, and most impressively--how it may end up being the first military aircraft to fly operationally for 100 years. Episode artwork adapted by Janek Krause. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . This episode w...
Here on the Fighter Pilot Podcast it's Bomber Month ! First up is the venerable Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and joining us is Mr. Mike Rowland, former curator of the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Warner Robins, Georgia where a B-17 is being meticulously restored. Also joining us on this episode is retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Crawford Hicks (R.I.P.), a former WW II B-17 pilot who was shot down on his 10th mission in the European Theater and held prisoner until the end of hostili...
Retired U.S. Navy Commander Guy "Bus" Snodgrass, former communications director and chief speech writer for Secretary of Defense John Mattis, stops by the podcast to discuss his new book, Holding the Line . Bus will be back on the show in 2020 for an episode on Air-to-Air Mission Planning. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
There may be no more enigmatic naval aircraft than the North American A-5 Vigilante. Originally designed to be a carrier-based strategic nuclear bomber, it served primarily as an unarmed reconnaissance asset, substituting its nuclear rear-loaded payload for extra fuel tanks and collections gear. On this episode, former Vigilante pilot Bob Jellison, retired U.S. Navy Captain, joins us to describe the A-5 and his 100+ missions in it over North Vietnam. Our guest co-host Andy King (@andrewkingdrums...
What is the difference between a single-ship demo team and a multi-plane demonstration squadron, like the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels ? How does one get selected to perform with a demonstration team at airshows? Is it a tryout, leadership selection process, etc. and how long is a rotation? On this episode, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team joins us to answer these vexing listener questions. Demo pilot Major Garrett “Toro” Schmitz and crew chief Staff Sergeant Austin Dixon explain what the team...
There may be no better fighter in history or currently flying than the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Designed as an air superiority fighter to replace the F-15 Eagle , the Raptor combines advanced sensors, stealth, and exquisite flight controls and thrust vectoring into a lethal platform. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Terry “Stretch” Scott joins us to describe the Raptor’s amazing features, weapons, performance, and more. He also helps answer a listener question on what it’s lik...
Arms races have existed as long as humans have been warring, and the Cold War was no exception. In the late 1970’s the U.S. fielded the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Hornet air superiority fighters. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, fielded its own advanced fighter that was in many ways superior. With amazing agility, a high thrust-to-weight ratio, and a helmet-mounted sight with associated high off-boresight weapon, the MiG-29 Fulcrum was a credible opponent to the West. On this episode, retired I...
The Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company is an elite Marine Corps unit tasked with coordinating various fires for their attached ground units. Tactical aviators are often chosen to lead these elements because of their unique perspective, having themselves previously supported ground forces from the air. It can be a harrowing experience for the aviators who leave the relative safety of their aircraft to slug it out in gritty ground combat, shoulder-to-shoulder with their brethren. On the other h...
If someone asked you about the modern, delta-wing European fighter jet with canards, you might rightly respond, “which one?” To be sure, the Dassault Rafale , Eurofighter Typhoon , and Saab Gripen all share similar features. Why is that? And how do we distinguish between them? On this episode, German Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Lorenz “Enzo” Schaffelhofer shares how to distinguish his favorite, the Eurofighter Typhoon, from the other aircraft and why he feels it is the superior fighter. Hold on...
Everyone loves the sleek fighter jets, hovering attack planes, and other glamorous war machines that make the headlines and capture our attention, but few give more than a fleeting thought to the many other aircraft that perform crucial, yet unremarkable missions. One of those missions is logistical support, and only one airplane in history has been designed from the beginning to perform that mission to and from aircraft carriers. On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Julio “JL...
This bonus episode returns us to our three-episode-per-month format, airing on the 2nd, 12th, and 22nd of each month for this, our second year as a show. This is a replay of our early July 2019 Facebook Live question & answer session with episode 50 guest, retired U.S. Navy Commander Jerry "Turkey" Tucker. Enjoy! Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Most modern military fighter jets require thousands of feet of runway to takeoff and land, or else a complex and dangerous system of shipboard catapults and arresting gear. The AV-8 Harrier is unique in that it retains high forward speeds but is capable of taking off and landing in extremely short distances—or even vertically—thanks to swiveling exhaust nozzles and augmented flight controls. This feature, originally adapted for a cold war scenario, is particularly useful for shipboard amphibious...
Of the many facets of military aviation, perhaps no other is as consequential to the outcome of an armed conflict than the prosecution of ground targets. When those targets are in close proximity to friendly forces, detailed coordination is required between the ground commander and air assets to ensure the proper targets are attacked in an appropriate way. The conduit for that coordination is the JTAC , or Joint Terminal Attack Controller. An aviator filling this role is known as a Forward Air C...
When it comes to military aircraft, most enthusiasts are familiar with the subcategories airplanes and helicopters , and the differing ways they generate lift. The former propels one or more stationary wings through the airstream and thus requires a relatively high minimum flying speed. The latter rotates multiple overhead wings, which facilitates flight in a stationary hover but typically at the expense of a relatively slow top speed. A less-well known third category combines the best features ...
...And we're back! On this episode we conclude last week's discussion with former F-4 pilot John "Tiger" Kerr and RIO Jack "Fingers" Ensch, both retired U.S. Naval aviators. Hold on to your hats as we talk Vietnam-conflict shoot downs, shot downs, POW stories, and how each guest earned his callsign. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Few aircraft so prominently define their eras as the McDonell F-4 Phantom II does the 1960s and the Vietnam conflict. Initially imagined as a fighter and later an interceptor, the Phantom II eventually entered service as a fighter-bomber that set numerous speed and altitude records, was responsible for much of the bombing and air-to-air kills over Vietnam, and was later used extensively in SEAD and reconnaissance roles. The F-4 was a truly versatile—and effective—aircraft. On this episode, forme...
There are military aircraft that contribute to shaping U.S. foreign policy. There are some that usher in cutting edge technology. Others set speed and altitude records. A few capture the lifelong imaginations of children and aviation enthusiasts alike. And then there’s the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird that did it all Brainchild of legendary aeronautical engineer, Kelly Johnson, the Blackbird did do it all as we learn on this episode with retired U.S. Air Force Brian “Punchy” Shul (R.I.P.). Known for...
The first recorded account of two aircraft engaging in aerial combat occurred in late November 1913 during the Mexican Revolution. The pilots, both American ‘soldiers of fortune’ on opposing sides of the conflict, engaged each other (unsuccessfully) with handheld pistols in otherwise unarmed aircraft. The gun—and soon after, the cannon—quickly became the primary weapon for air-to-air “dogfighting” and was incorporated in various calibers and locations into virtually all combat aircraft for the n...
Virtually every thing requires periodic maintenance and upkeep. Think about it: our cars, our homes, our health, relationships… you name it—if it operates, functions, or has value, odds are precious resources are required to keep it so. And yet, very little attention is paid by the public or Hollywood to this irrefutable fact. But since this show tells the story of military aviation, on this episode we take a break from the glamorous planes and amazing weapons to explore what it takes to keep a ...
Anyone who watched early superhero shows years ago recalls opening scenes where bystanders gawking skyward exclaim, “ Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird!… " It’s a plane! " It’s… ” (…of course, we all know: it’s Superman! ). But when the subject of today’s episode blasts overhead, folks might similarly cry, “ it’s a fighter!... ” “It’s a deep interdictor striker!...” “It’s a reconnaissance craft! ” …Well, which is it? On this episode, retired Royal Air Force flight lieutenant Cameron Mckay (and hi...
They say "fighter pilots make movies while attack pilots make history." So, what happens when a former attack pilot writes a book—his first ever—that so accurately and engagingly captures Vietnam combat operations that it ends up on President Reagan’s desk before soaring up New York Times’ best seller charts? That’s right, they make a movie out of it. On this episode, the Fighter Pilot Podcast is honored to host world renowned author and retired U.S. Navy Reserve Commander Stephen “Cooter” Coont...
The US Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels , has amazed audiences with incredible aerial performances since their debut in 1946 flying the propeller-driven F6F Hellcat. In the 73 years since, the team transitioned to the Bearcat and then jets including the Panther, Cougar, Tiger, Phantom II and Skyhawk. For the last 33 years the team has operated the Hornet. With each new aircraft comes several changes—seen and unseen—not just to their routine but how contingenc...
The Sopwith Camel , P-51 Mustang , F-86 Sabre , and F-4 Phantom II may all be the quintessential fighters of their era, from World War I through the Vietnam conflict. And from Desert Storm to today, few would dispute the aircraft that most deserves to join such an esteemed group is none other than the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon —better known as simply, the Viper. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Colonel Mike “T-DAY” Torrealday, who amassed over 4,0...
BRRRRRRTTTTTT!!! The sound of an aircraft cannon firing is simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying, depending on which side of the barrels a person finds themselves. And while most combat aircraft have featured guns and cannons since the dawn of aerial battle, no aircraft is more known for its gun—or respected for it—than the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II and it’s tank-busting 30mm GAU-8 Avenger cannon. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Luke “Supa” Fricke joi...
We've been cranking out quite a bit of content lately and need to take a little time off while the kids are on spring break. So for this week's episode, Sunshine and Jell-O banter a bit before answering a few listener questions. We end with an edited replay of Jell-O's January 9, 2019 appearance answering yet more listener questions on the show Aircrew Interviews . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
Everyone recognizes the F-14 as the star of the 1986 hit movie Top Gun , but few can readily identify the Western fighter that acted as the Tomcat’s nemesis—a role it was perfectly suited for and still performs for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps today. On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Reserve Commander Paco Chierici joins us to describe how the Northrop F-5 began life in the 1950’s as the ‘Freedom Fighter’ but became and is now known as the Tiger II, still flying 60 years later as a capable ad...
Of all the fighter planes to ever take to the sky, perhaps none is more recognized, or more revered, than the venerable Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Made popular by movies such as The Final Countdown and, of course, Top Gun —not to mention real world heroics off the coast of Libya in the 1980s and Desert Storm in the early 90s—the F-14 is no stranger to attention. But what was it like to fly? Why is it so big? Why did the A model have one brand of engine and subsequent models another…? On this episode, ...
