Fighter Pilot Podcast

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...

In this conclusion of the 1924 World Flight, Matt "Flounder" Arny, alongside special guests Lance "Boil" Lewis, Mike Lockwood, and Rob Crotty, recount the final leg of the odyssey—crossing the Atlantic via Iceland and Greenland, and then crossing the U.S. Listeners will be on the edge of their seats during the nerve-wracking rescue of Wade and Ogden after their aircraft, Boston, was forced to land...

In this exciting follow up, Matt "Flounder" Arny continues the epic story of the 1924 World Flight, diving into the challenges and adventures faced after the final preparations. Guests Lance "Boil" Lewis, Mike Lockwood, and Rob Crotty return to discuss the harrowing flight through Alaska, including the tragic loss of the Seattle. They explore the Pacific crossing, touching on U.S. relations of the...

Hold on to your derby, for the rest of September we mix up the usual FPP format and give you a three-part series describing the first aerial circumnavigation of the globe--the 1924 World Flight. Guest host Matt "Flounder" Arny welcomes Rob Crotty, Mike Lockwood, and Lance "Boil" Lewis to tell the story of this epic odyssey not just against Mother Nature but five other countries. On this first epis...

Lieutenant General Mike "Homey" Cederholm, I MEF Commanding General and former Deputy Commandant for Aviation, discusses U.S. Marine Corps aviation in 2024 and the role his I MEF Marines play in preparing for a possible conflict in the Indo-Pacific area of operation. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest host Ken "Primetime" Katz revisits our friends at Stratolunch to learn about their first powered flight of the Talon-A, an autonomous, reusable testbed advancing hypersonic flight testing. Support this podcast at — https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do the Sea Harrier, F-15B Eagle, X-32 JSF contestant, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Hawk all have in common? Well, not much, actually, except that they have all been flown by this week's guest, retired Royal Navy Commander Paul "Pebbles" Stone. As an Empire Test Pilots' School graduate, Pebbles flew all these aircraft and many more and spins quite a yarn about them with guest cohost Paul "Tremors"...

'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 episode, longtime FPP friend Brian "Sunshine" Sinclair explains the U.S. military's dependence on GPS and the system's vulnerability to jamming and interference. Sunshine provides a detailed explanation of how GPS works, its evolution over tim...

Jim "Reaper" Dunlap was a Marine F-4 Phantom pilot who flew nearly 200 missions during his year in Vietnam.  ...But it wasn't all flying—Reaper earned his callsign while spending three months on the ground with his fellow Marines, patrolling with them as an imbedded FAC or forward air controller coordinating air power for his ground unit. For financial planning questions or assistance, contact Zac...

Beyond the U.S. military, the Israeli Air Force is arguably the most significant, combat-tested military air arm globally in the post-Cold War era. Yet little is known about this reclusive force. On this episode, guest host Ken 'Primetime' Katz interviews retired IAF officer Eyal Shay Shenkman about the equipment, training, and operations of the IAF, focusing on his career and experiences from 197...

You've heard of "Maverick" but have you heard of "The Sheriff"? You should. Zane Sennett, a former Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot who is once again a RAF pilot, has amassed over 5,000 flight hours in the Hawk, Harrier, Hornet, and Typhoon, besides multiple trainers. Former RAF Red Arrow and combat experienced, "The Sheriff" is the legend you've never heard of. Support...

Larry "Mung" Munns is one of only two U.S. Navy aircrew (and the only pilot) to accrue 5,000 flight hours in the Grumman A-6 Intruder, including while forward deployed in Japan and during Operation Desert Storm. How did he do it? Find out on this week's episode... Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...