The Fighter Pilot Podcast

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 joins us to discuss exploitation programs in general and project CONSTANT PEG in particular. This once ultra-classified program fostered an understanding of the MiG-21 Fishbed and MiG-23 Flogger that would not have otherwise been possible for U.S. aircrews, doubtlessly saving lives and increasing lethality in combat.During the listener question segment, Jell-O and guest co-host Boat discuss the F/A-18 Superhornet's wing, top 100 air forces, and whether 'dumb' bombs are obsolete.Bumper music

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 STORM story that will have you equally rolling with laughter and trembling in fear.During the listener question segment, guest co-host Tra "Fish" Calisch addresses how the term "cockpit" came to be, the use of drop tanks, and whether high altitude training can reduce aircrew susceptibility to hypoxia.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network.Support this podcast at — https://r

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-to-air mission planning results in chronological timelines that fighter aircrews must employ in demanding, chaotic, and ever-changing aerial engagements.On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Commander and former TOPGUN Instructor Guy "Bus" Snodgrass joins us to describe the many considerations and calculations needed to plan a winning air-to-air timeline. Check out his first book on his experiences as speech writer for former Secretary of Defense James Mattis here.Episode bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcem

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. Navy Rear Admiral Steven Briggs joins us to discuss the venerable Skyhawk, also known as the "Scooter" or "Heinemann's Hot Rod" after the plane's legendary developer. The Admiral answers our usual 'aircraft series' questions leveraging his extensive experience in the jet, which includes 229 combat missions over Vietnam.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 —

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 understand everything we ever wanted to know about the Coast Guard but were afraid to ask. Listener questions include the use of gloves when flying and how to confirm a "kill" in long distance air-to-air engagements.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

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 help us address sporting event flyovers, wingmen training and responsibilities, and the future of manned naval aviation.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

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. 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

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.Here is a link to the article regarding a "Bomber for the U.S. Navy" as mentioned during the interview.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

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 was produced by our friends at The MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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, a former WWII B-17 pilot who was shot down on his 10th mission in the European Theater and held prisoner until the end of hostilities.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.We dedicate this episode to Lt Col Hicks, 1921-2021.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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), not a former guest or military aviator himself but a listener of the show and Vigilante aficionado, helps us further understand the aircraft. Check out his two favorite A-5 books here and here.During the listener question segment, Andy asks host Jell-O why some navy VFA squadrons are based on the West Coast of the U.S. but deploy with East Coast air wings (and vice versa), whether he would rather fly the F4U Corsair or F6F Hellcat, and if he thinks strategically the U.S. Navy is weaker due to its insistence on using

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 is, what they do, how they differ from the Thunderbirds, and more. Be sure to follow the team on Instagram (@viperdemoteam) and Facebook to learn more and catch their next performance.Episode 45 hero Mike “T-DAY” Torrealday returns to guest co-host this episode, adding valuable insight to the discussion and answering other listener questions such as sneezing in flight, canopy considerations in inclement weather, preflight rituals, whether an American F-14 pilot could fly an Iranian Tomcat, and more.Bumper music by Jaime

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 like to fly a fighter during extended ocean crossings, often lasting 12 hours or more.Returning to the show as a guest co-host is episode 59 star Dave “Chip” Berke, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and former F-22 exchange pilot. During the listener question segment, he discusses historical paradigms of aircraft design, what is included when discussing the bomb weight classes, how to handle not getting your first choice in flight school, and the difference between blue and green / brown water flight operations.A

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 Indian Air Force Air Marshal Harish “Fulcrum 1” Masand phones in from Central India to describe the MiG-29 and his key role inducting the Fulcrum into the IAF. He describes the variants, weapons, and how it was so easy to fly that he was able to put on aerial demonstrations with only 20 hours of experience in the Fulcrum. Read more about Air Marshal Masand’s experience flying the MiG-29, fighting it against a Mirage 2000, and why he lovingly referred to the Fulcrum as the “Super Hunter.”Guest co-host Darin “Wang” Chung f

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 hand, it can be an experience like no other.On this episode, retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Dave “Chip” Berke joins us to describe his time leading an ANGLICO unit during the height of fighting in Ramadi, Iraq. His exploits are described in extensive depth during his appearance on episode 69 of the Jocko Podcast, which should be considered a prerequisite prior to listening to this episode where we focus on Chip’s actual tactical control of aircraft as a ground FAC.During the listener question segment, Jell

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 tight while we describe the amazing performance of this cutting-edge fighter and how, with a more capable missile than the AIM-120D AMRAAM, it could be even more lethal.During the listener question segment, Jell-O and Sunshine discuss military aircraft lots versus blocks, thoughts on a choice for Canada’s CF-18 Hornet replacement, some broad ideas on how to succeed in ROTC, and differences between East and West Coast Navy squadrons.Don’t forget to do your homework! Catch our future guest Dave “Chip” Berke’s previous app

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 “JLO” Galvan joins us to discuss the Grumman C-2 Greyhound and the crucial carrier onboard delivery role it plays for carrier strike groups around the globe. Although not as flashy as a frontline fighter, the Greyhound performs a vital role in moving personnel, equipment, supplies, and even mail from ship to shore and vice versa. It can even be used to deploy parachuting SEALs, as depicted in this YouTube video.During the listener question segment, Jell-O and Sunshine again discuss collateral duties in Navy single-seat F/A