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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Martin "Opus" Richard was a Massachusetts ANG F-15 pilot on September 11, 2001. Most of us are familiar with the events of that day and the thousands of lives lost, but what was it like for fighter pilots whose mission it was to stand alert and respond to threats against our nation? Opus reflects on this and the larger meaning of that fateful day. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
We're taking a break after cranking out four episodes for Army Aviation Month in August. Instead, former Air-to-Air Weapons guest and occasional cohost Trevor "Boat" Boswell returns to help clear out some of the many listener questions that accrued. Ever wonder about Mode 1 carrier landings, what pilots eat before extended overwater flights, and whether military aircraft distress frequencies? All that and more is here in this intermission episode... Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.co...
Retired U.S. Navy Commander Guy "Bus" Snodgrass, our former Air-to-Air Mission Planning episode guest, returns to the show to update us on his latest book project: TOPGUN's Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
'Army Aviation Month' wraps up with an in-depth look at the lethal AH-64 Apache . CWO4 Tim "Dorothy" Settle of the U.S. Army joins us to discuss this tank-busting helicopter including the variants, armament, performance, crew operation, and more. Designed for the Cold War, the Apache has enjoyed tremendous success in numerous conflicts from Desert Storm to Afghanistan. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . This episode was produced by The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network . S...
'Army Aviation Month' marches on with a shift to our familiar 'aircraft series' format and a look at the OH-58 Kiowa . Ryan Robicheaux, a former U.S. Army CWO2, joins us to discuss this helicopter that is small in stature but huge in capability and adored by the ground forces it defends. Ryan also discusses the many OH-58 military and civilian variants, as well as the somewhat unconventional plan to replace it. Check out Ryan's Scout's Out book project here . Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announ...
'Army Aviation Month' continues with a look at U.S. Army flight school--including the syllabus, aircraft, and training locations--with CWO2 Nicholas Allen. As a recent Army flight school graduate, Nick now flies the UH-60 and provided some additional information on the Blackhawk to compliment our previous H-60 episode. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . This episode was produced by The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-...
'Army Aviation Month' kicks off with a look at U.S. Army policies, programs, and aircraft--including the little-known fleet of Army airplanes--with CWO5 Aaron Nance of the Washington Army National Guard. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell . This episode was produced by our friends at The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network . Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
We're taking another break this week as we prepare for 'Army Aviation Month' coming up in August. Instead, enjoy this discussion with Mr. Jeffrey Brain (R.I.P.), a former RAF fighter pilot who flew Hurricanes and Mosquitoes against the Japanese in World War II. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Every conflict has its quintessential fighter: in World War II it was the P-51 Mustang. The F-4 Phantom symbolizes the Vietnam conflict and in Desert Storm it was the F-15 Eagle, arguably…. Well, there’s no argument about the iconic fighter of the mid-50’s Korean War—it’s unquestionably the North American F-86 Sabre. On this episode, retired U.S. Air National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jim “Skinny” McLennan, who piloted many aircraft over a 30-year career from the F-84 to the F-100 and later the A...
We're taking a pause this week and replaying a recent Patreon 'Happy Hour' discussion with Mr. Paul Wood, founder of the Warbird Heritage Foundation . Paul owns (and flies!) an impressive array of notable aircraft from the P-51 Mustang to the A-1 Skyraider to the A-4 Skyhawk. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations...
When aircraft designers and military planners sought a simple way to extend the range, increase the payload, and lengthen the endurance of combat aircraft, they may have been inclined to consider a host of various technological solutions. In fact, the best way to accomplish these endeavors is through aerial refueling with big wing tankers like the KC-135 Stratotanker , KC-10 Extender , and forthcoming KC-46 Pegasus . On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Mark “Sluggo” Hasara...
When you think of 4th generation fighters designed in the late 70’s, which aircraft come to mind? Likely the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon for starters, perhaps the F/A-18 Hornet, and for Eastern designs—probably the MiG-29 Fulcrum. But don’t forget the many great 4th gen fighters designed in Europe, many still operational today, such as the Dassault Mirage 2000 . On this episode, Mathieu “Matéo” Carbon—formerly a French Air Force fighter pilot and now host of the 9Gs podcast —joins us fro...
Disrupt /disˈrəpt/ verb — to interrupt an event, activity, or process by causing a disturbance or problem . …Modern aerial combat is a challenging, fast-paced, three-dimensional chess match that requires each side to be on their game. One way to improve the odds of victory is to disrupt your opponent’s plans and systems, and one of the best ways to do that is in the electromagnetic spectrum. On this episode, U.S. Navy Captain Dave “Mini Me” Kurtz joins us to talk tactical electronic attack based...
The MiG-21 Fishbed. There may be no more recognizable, mass produced, widely proliferated, iconic, enduring fighter jet in existence or throughout history. With more than 11,500 produced and at one time operational in 60 countries on four continents, incredibly this 65-year-old fighter is still in widespread use today. On this episode, retired Indian Air Force Air Commodore Suren “Bundal” Tyagi joins us to discuss this legendary aircraft—not just the numbers but how effective it was, what it was...
The excellent book ' Harnessing the Sky ' chronicles the life and adventures of aviation pioneer and early test pilot Fredrick "Trap" Trapnell during the tumultuous years leading up to World War II and then the transition to jets immediately following. Trap's granddaughter Dana Trapnell Tibbetts joins us on this bonus episode to discuss the book she co-authored with her father. You can watch a presentation she gave on the book and her grandfather here . Sign up for a chance to win a free autogra...
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds , 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, are a Canadian icon comprised of Canadian Armed Forces members and National Defence Public Service employees—pilots, technicians, mobile support operators, resource management support clerks and more—working as a team to bring thrilling performances to the public. The Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of skill, professionalism, teamwork, discipline, and dedication inherent in the men and women of the CAF and inspire the pursuit o...
Once in a while, popular culture affixes certain expressions—memes, really—to particular military aircraft. “Get some!” is affiliated with Vietnam-era Hueys; “I feel the need for speed,” is a Tomcat-ism; and the Warthog with its devastating 30 mm cannon has simply, “brrrrrrt.” On this episode, U.S. Air Force Colonel Craig “Buck” Walker joins us to explain how the popular cry “Make it rain!” is anathematic to the AC-130 Gunship community, who pride themselves on precision lethality. Buck answers ...
Routine and repetitive practice is required to excel at any endeavor. Musicians spend countless hours on instruments, athletes train relentlessly, and military aviators? They need practice too. The problem is air combat training is either too theoretical on the one extreme, or two resource-intensive on the other. On this episode, three team members from Red 6 , a Southern California aerospace company, join us to describe a high-tech, low-cost solution they have developed to maximize aerial train...
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced aerial weapon system ever fielded. The 5th generation fighter jet is also the most expensive, spent the longest in development, and involves more partners and assembly in more locations than any other aircraft in history. It is also the most lethal. This week, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Tucker “Cinco” Hamilton, former F-35 test pilot, joins us to explore this aircraft’s developmental legacy and present lethality. Are parts of it r...
Where do automobiles go when they reach the end of their useful lives? Why, the junkyard, of course. So, where do military aircraft go? If they’re U.S. military aircraft they most likely go to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group aboard Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona. Just don’t call it a “junkyard.” On this episode, U.S. Air Force Colonel Jennifer “Re-Jen” Barnard, AMARG Commander, joins us to explain how and why aircraft arrive—and eventually depart—this extensive facil...
F-15 Month concludes with an in-depth look at the two-seat strike-fighter variant. Whereas the A-D models profess to have "not pound for air-to-ground," the Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle was designed to sling mud from the get-go. And does so exceedingly well. On this episode, a F-15E pilot and WSO crew, Lieutenant Colonel Richard "TAC" Turner and Captain Mark "Smack" Smith, both active duty U.S. Air Force , tell us all about the mighty "Mud Hen" including how one scored an air-to-air kill with a las...
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Brian "Spiderman" Kamp and former F-22 Raptor guest Terry "Stretch" Scott return to conclude our two-part detailed look at the unbeaten Boeing F-15 Eagle and even answer a few listener questions before they go. Previous guest co-host Mike "BS" Walsh also returns to offer some follow-up thoughts including a comparison of the Eagle's slow-speed flight handling to the F/A-18 Hornet — also a Boeing product. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Jim Hendershot ....
There may be no more accomplished, capable, and effective pure air-to-air fighter aircraft than the once McDonnell Douglas , now Boeing F-15 Eagle . With an impressive weapons suite, radar, and ID capability, eye watering handling characteristics, and an unbeaten combat record, no other bird rules the skies quite like the Eagle. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Brian "Spiderman" Kamp, who accrued more than 4,000 flight hours in the F-15, joins former F-22 Raptor guest Terry "Stret...
Military aviators spend countless hours studying procedures, aircraft systems, limitations, and a host of other topics. To be safe and effective, clearly it is important to 'know oneself.' But that's not enough. To be lethal and survivable, military aviators must also know just as much about their potential adversaries. There are many ways to do so--the best is to get your hands on their aircraft. And better yet, to fly them. On this episode, former U.S. Air Force Captain Brian "Lazmo" McCoy joi...
Lockheed Skunk Works is well known for its outrageous aircraft designs and cutting-edge technology. From the long list of visionary platforms comes today's subject--an aircraft Lockheed wasn't even originally invited to contribute a proposal for: the F-117 Nighthawk, also known as the "Stealth Fighter." On this episode, retired Michigan ANG Major Robert "Robson" Donaldson joins us to describe this once-top secret mystery craft including all the usual 'aircraft series' topics as well as a DESERT ...
Employing an air-to-air missile beyond visual range is not simply a matter of detecting the target and pulling the trigger, a host of factors demand consideration such as what is the threat and what kinds of missiles does it employ? From what speed and altitude? With these factors in mind we can plan to employ so that our missile hits the threat before the threat's missile hits us. Knowing that drives when to shoot, and thus before that when to lock the threat, and so on before that... This air-...
Former F-16 Viper Demo Team pilot and retired U.S. Air Force Major John "Rain" Waters stops by to discuss his new show, the ' Afterburn Podcast.' Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
Few aircraft capture the imagination like the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk . Designed for a carrier-based one-way nuclear strike--a mission it mercifully never performed--the diminutive plane instead established a solid reputation as a capable conventional attack aircraft during the Vietnam conflict. The jet went on to serve as the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron's aircraft and is still in service today, in various capacities, nearly six decades later. On this episode, retired U.S. ...
The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a robust aviation capability comprised of numerous fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft stationed all over the country and deploying all over the world. This "fifth branch" of the U.S. military enforces laws, conducts search and rescue, maintains navigational equipment, and performs a host of other important tasks. And in a time of war, they can even help battle our nation's adversaries. This week, U.S. Coast Guard Commander Dan "Rainman" Warren joins us to help us unde...
Bomber Month was a blast but it’s back to our namesake aircraft this week with a look at the Saab JAS 39 Gripen . Mikael “Duke” Grev, former lieutenant in the Swedish Air Force , joins us to discuss this delta-wing, canard-equipped, single-engine fighter including it’s armament, performance, and many variants. Read more on Duke’s Gripen experiences in his Hushkit article , and check out his company Avioniq here . During the listener question segment, guest co-host Tra “Fish” Calisch returns to h...
