Fighter Pilot Podcast

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, team...

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 ana...

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 compa...

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 pilo...

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 C...

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 F...

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...

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,...

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....

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...

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 dr...

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 stil...

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 natio...

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 A...

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 introducti...

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-...

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...

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 w...

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 Learn more about your ad c...

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 (R.I.P.), joins us to d...

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...

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...

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-...