Fighter Pilot Podcast

Manchester. Lancaster. Lincoln. Lancastrian. York. Tudor. Shackleton... To most, this is simply a list of obscure names. But to some, these are the beloved branches of a family tree of bombers, airborne early warning, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft that extends from World War II well into the Cold War. On this episode, Mr. Graham Barber explains the Avro Lancaster family tree, culminating in...

On Future War is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. On this final episode, OFW series host Scott "Roger" Chafian and guest Mike Roundtree discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning figure in escalation and de-escalation of conflict. Beyond military forces increasing their readiness, escalat...

Few aircraft earn the battle-tested distinction of singularly turning the tide of entire theaters of world wars. The SBD Dauntless may just be one of them. On this episode, Robert Harris, member of the Commemorative Air Force, and author Kevin Miller provide a tag team review of this venerable aircraft, from its pivotal role in World War ll in the Pacific to flying one of the few remaining airwort...

Longtime listeners of this channel sometimes comment that they seem to know more about each guest than they do the usual host, Jell-O. On this episode, guest host Paul "Tremors" Tremelling turns the tables and interviews Jell-O about his new book, Through the Yellow Visor, an Amazon Best Seller chronicling his life and career. Physical and e-book versions of Through the Yellow Visor can be purchas...

What is the difference between automation and autonomy, and where does artificial intelligence fit in when it comes to military aviation? On this episode, Ms. Jessica "STING" Peterson, Ph. D. student and part time Instructor Flight Test Engineer at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, explains the nuanced differences, drawing on her experience flight testing the RQ-4 Global Hawk and collision avo...

The Boeing Bird of Prey was a mid-1990's stealth technology demonstrator used to test low-observable stealth techniques and develop new methods of aircraft design. The recent F-47 sixth generation fighter, which will be a Boeing product, is thought to trace its lineage to the BBoP. This episode features retired U.S Air Force and Boeing Corporation test pilot Doug "Benj" Benjamin, originally record...

Armed conflict is challenging enough, but when the very battlefield is a more significant threat than the enemy, the stakes are significantly raised. On this episode, US Air Force LtCol Jahara "Franky" Matisek and retired US Coast Guard LCDR Jeremy McKenzie explain how military operations in the Arctic present unique challenges. Temperatures well below freezing not only make basic survival a strug...

On Future War is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. On this penultimate episode, OFW series regulars Scott "Roger" Chafian and Mike "Pako" Benitez discuss how big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are collectively changing not only our lives on a near-daily basis, but influencing armed...

The F-35B Lightning ll is an aircraft like no other—going from a short takeoff to a supersonic dash to hovering in midair, all in seconds. And in the hands of a proficient US Marine Corps pilot, not only does this ability ensure winning in combat, it amazes at airshows. On this episode, Marine Majors Craig "Brembo" Norris and Craig "Chuckles" Turner explain the STOVL F-35 variant and how they fly...

Most military members spend their careers enmeshed in their own branch with scant exposure to their sister services. Not Judge. Jim "Judge" Dresner, originally a Royal Marine has been trained by, operated in, and/or deployed with the Royal Navy and Air Force, the British Army, and even the U.S. Marine Corps during his illustrious career flying helicopters to jump jets. His is a story of interopera...

On Future War is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. This tenth episode explores the vulnerability of computer chip manufacturing. With over 98% of logic and memory chips fabricated in just two countries, both located in the Indo-Pacific region, what happens if the supply of these chips is threatened? How...

In late 1944, when it was clear the war in the Pacific was lost, the Imperial Japanese Navy employed a frightening tactic against the US Navy: suicide attacks. Reminiscent of the "divine wind" that twice turned back marauding Mongrols, such attacks were called kamikaze. On this episode, New York City author Gary Santos explains the scourge of kamikaze attacks during World War ll, including an atta...

The T-38 has been an exceptional tactical trainer for six decades responsible for qualifying thousands of pilots to fly dozens of platforms. But with the advent of 5th generation fighters, a replacement for the beloved Talon is long overdue. On this episode, Jonathan "Gremlin" Aronoff, of the U.S. Air Force's 419 Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, California, describes the rigorous testing and d...

On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. This ninth episode explores the vulnerability of "lines of communication." Little threatened, or changed, since the end of WWll, today's shipping lanes involve significant vulnerabilities when supporting an "away game" conflict. How can the U.S. addres...

From over-the-wing-mounted AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles on the SEPECAT Jaguar to kick-in-the-back acceleration on the Eurofighter Typhoon, Royal Air Force Wing Commander Mike "Sooty" Sutton has just about seen and done it all. On this episode, guest host Paul "Tremors" Tremelling and pal Sooty share stories of flight school, flying the Jag and Typhoon, and finding deeper meaning and purpose in combat...

In 2020, we released a bonus episode describing the Canadian and American forces of NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, who continuously monitor the airspace of our two countries--and indeed most of the world--to ensure threats to our nations are identified and managed. But not everything that enters our airspace is a "threat." Every year, NORAD ensures the safe and unhindered...

Derek "Grinner" Smith got his start like many military pilots: at an airshow as a kid. One look at the English Electric Lightning and Grinner knew the vector for his life. On this episode, guest host (and fellow Brit) Paul "Tremors" Tremelling interviews Grinner to learn how he fared getting into the Royal Air Force and flying the eclectic Lightning before transitioning to the Panavia Tornado. Sup...

Landing an F-35B Lightning II aboard a ship at sea requires more than simply pulling alongside and setting down from a hover. Numerous procedures, policies, and contingencies are at play, which is why it's always a good idea to have a trained LSO monitoring the approach. On this episode, US Marine Major Brian "SAK" Kimmins, a AV-8B-turned F-35B pilot explains the efforts underway to develop a form...

'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. This episode explores critical supply chain topics including sourcing raw materials and manufacturing facilities (some still remnants from World War II) with host Mike Benetiz and guest Garry Haase. Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support o...

Longtime FPP friend Billie Flynn returns to the show to provide an update on the F-35 Lightning II and ground collision avoidance systems before addressing his new crusade: the need to provide military aviators the same coaching as professional athletes to ensure they perform at their best in the demanding future of air combat. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst Learn...

Crew Resource Management is the "effective use of all available resources for flight crew personnel to assure a safe and efficient operation, reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing efficiency." (skybrary.aero) But is all CRM the same? How does it differ from, say, a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 to an unmanned aerial system to Boeing 737? On this episode, Paul "Lombers" Lombardi, who h...

The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the first operational aircraft to use the tiltrotor configuration, combining the attributes of both helicopters and airplanes. Today, more than four decades after development began, the Osprey remains one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever built. But how does a tiltrotor really work? How is this type of aircraft tested, first on the ground and then in flight? On...

Few aircraft put on an aerial demonstration quite like the U.S. Air Force's premiere fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor The F-22 Raptor Demo Team performed at the MCAS Miramar airshow one weekend in late September 2024 and then came to the FPP studios the following Monday. Hear from the demonstration pilot and senior enlisted leader what it is like to travel to locations far and wide to put...

'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific. This episode addresses the U.S. Navy's challenges to project power in a potential "away game" conflict. Following the Cold War, surface ship design changed radically. Revolutionary concepts were introduced including the Zumwalt destroyer and Littoral...

Ever wonder how the Panavia Tornado and General Dynamics F-111 compared? This week, our British guest host Paul 'Tremors' Tremelling plucks yet another former mate from his extensive network. Former Royal Air Force navigator David ‘Moz’ Morris joins Tremors to discuss his career cracking on in both the Tornado and the Aardvark. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst Learn...