Fighter Pilot Podcast

Rapid response. Difficult conditions. A deadly adversary. Aerial employment in close proximity to friendly ground forces. Clearance needed to drop... Sound like a close air support mission in support of Marines in combat? Nope, this is aerial firefighting! On this episode, 30+-year aerial firefighting pilot, Mr. Jim Barnes, joins us to discuss the heroic people—in the cockpits, on the front lines...

Jet aircraft are well known for their role in air warfare, appearances on the silver screen, and wowing audiences at airshows worldwide, but did you know a small group of brave, mostly former military, pilots meet in the desert north of Reno, Nevada each September to race them? On this episode, retired Nevada ANG Major Rick Vandam and retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Peter "Tool" Stavrides d...

First the earth cooled, then the seas formed, and later humans appeared, and what did they do? Pretty much went straight to war with each other: first on land, then by sea, later below and eventually above the seas. Today, control of the seas remains vital whether in peacetime or during times of war, and unique aircraft, weapons, methods, and airmen are necessary to conduct this vital role. On thi...

Fifth Generation fighters are impressive with their "sensor fusion," low signatures, and advanced handling, but what's next? What happens to air warfare when adversaries' capabilities and lethality reach parity with—or exceed—our own? On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Lance “Pink” Floyd joins new cohost Matt "Flounder" Arny to explore the possible factors and aircraft attribu...

Oversteer protection, anti-lock brakes, and other emerging technologies help automobile drivers avoid accidents, thus saving money and—more importantly—lives. Wouldn't it be great if technological advances could also reduce or eliminate the leading causes of death among tactical military aviators? On this episode, former episode 121 guest Billie Flynn returns to discuss collision avoidance systems...

Don't let this episode's title scare you off! There's sexy, and then there's important, and on rare occasion you get a combination of the two, but true military aviation enthusiasts understand that middle category is where most subjects in this niche exist, including the systems that make these amazing aircraft not just flyable, but controllable. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant...

We're taking a break from our usual programming this week following the busy 'Top Gun Month' and in honor of America's birthday July 4th. And in the spirit of that holiday, we instead offer this short visit with former U.S. Navy Reserve fighter pilot and TOPGUN graduate, Luke Mixon, who, having hung up his uniform, aspires to continue serving this great nation and his fellow Louisianans now on Cap...

After many recent episodes discussing how 1986's Top Gun and this year's Top Gun: Maverick are "movies, not documentaries," it seemed appropriate to round out 'Top Gun Month' (which ended up being two months) with a look at the 2008 Naval Aviation story that is a documentary. This week, episode 20 of the F-14 Tomcast is repurposed to further share the story of how Speed & Angels came to be. Tomcas...

Good vs bad. Right vs wrong. Humor, redemption, drama, romance, action, closure, and of course, Naval Aviation. Top Gun: Maverick is many things but best of all, it is simple entertainment that people all over the world enjoy. It's the summer blockbuster we all hoped for. And needed. On this episode, U.S. Navy Reserve Captain Brian "Ferg" Ferguson returns to the show four years and 143 episodes la...

"Real speed." "Real G forces." "Really amazing!" These are the assertions of those who made the blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, and those who have seen it, and they're right. On this episode, second-generation aerial coordinator Mr. Kevin LaRosa, with credits on movies such as Iron Man and The Avengers, joins us to discuss the real flying and real challenges of filming Top Gun: Maverick, including...

On this bonus episode, FPP host and former TOPGUN instructor, Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello and past podcast guests and fellow TOPGUN instructors Andy "Grand" Mariner (episode 7), Dave "Chip" Berke (59), and Jim "Jambo" Ray (143) review Top Gun: Maverick immediately following a private screening in San Diego, Calif. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations Lear...

Top Gun (the movie): You probably know the storyline cold and can name your favorite flying scene. You can even quote several lines from the film (e.g. “son, your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash…”), but how much do you know about the behind-the-scenes efforts necessary to get the movie from initial draft to the final product we all know and love? On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Reser...

As part of 'Top Gun Month' we are revisiting episode 7 with now-Captain Andy "Grand" Mariner who rejoins the show five years later to update us on his career and the Navy Fighter Weapons School since the retirement of the F/A-18A-D Hornet and the addition of the F-35 Lightning II. View the Tailhook panel on the Navy's latest shoot down here. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-figh...

On this episode, author Brad Elward, returns for the conclusion of what he learned about the Navy Fighter Weapons School during his nearly decade-long research and writing of TOPGUN: The Legacy: The Complete History of TOPGUN and its Impact on Tactical Aviation. The 80's, 90's, 00's, and today are covered including the impact of the 1986 blockbuster, Top Gun, and the school's mid-90's move to Fall...

'Top Gun Month' kicks off in earnest with this exhaustive look at the Navy Fighter Weapons School with Brad Elward, author of TOPGUN: The Legacy: The Complete History of TOPGUN and its Impact on Tactical Aviation. A former attorney and college professor, Mr. Elward spent a decade interviewing more than 400 TOPGUN graduates and instructors for this authoritative book. On this episode, Mr. Elward ex...

'Top Gun Month' kicks off here on the Fighter Pilot Podcast with a discussion on... wait, what?! Sure, the long-awaited sequel looks to be "all that" but let's not lose track of what else is happening in the world and that includes the 40th anniversary of the Falkland Islands war between the U.K. and Argentina. On this episode, retired Royal Navy Commander Tim "Bobsleigh" Gedge joins us to discuss...

Skynet. Cyborgs... When you think of advanced technology in military applications, odds are Hollywood has you convinced it is to our species' peril. Never mind entertainment, what is artificial intelligence, really, and how might it be adapted in military aviation? On this episode, U.S. Air Force Colonel Randel Gordon, Vice Commander of the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California joi...

Being labeled a "jack of all trades" is oftentimes derisively applied to people or things with the inevitable follow up, "master of none." But every once in awhile an exception comes along—an unassuming platform devised for a myriad of missions that it performs so well it remains relevant over six decades later. On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Major Carter Clark discusses the OV-10 Bronco'...

You've heard on this podcast—and likely seen videos online—of how pilots land high performance military jets on the angled, steel flight decks of modern aircraft carriers, but how did they do it back in the beginning on wooden, straight-deck carriers? On this episode, former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Dale Berven joins us to describe the procedures he followed when landing his F9F Panther a...

Since the USS Langley’s commissioning in 1922, America's aircraft carriers and embarked air wings have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, and maintained the U.S.'s enduring commitments worldwide. On this episode, former USS Abraham Lincoln commanding officer Captain Walter "Sarge" Slaughter and episode 83 guest Dave "Mini Me" Kurtz, both U.S. Navy, discuss the relevance...

According to the FAA, the primary purpose of ATC is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of air traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots. That's great for airspace around fixed airfields on landmasses like North America, but what about flight operations around ships at sea? On this episode, retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander Susan "CATCC Sue" Beckman of PB...

Designed to defeat any adversary for the next 30 years, the Saab Gripen E is made for forward-thinking air forces, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and the latest systems, sensor, weapons, and pods. On this bonus episode, Jussi "Miyagi" Halmetoja of Saab AB updates us on the Gripen E model in the two years since the JAS 39 first debuted on this show back on episode 68. As mentioned during t...

Military aircraft, the systems they incorporate and weapons they employ, are incredibly complex contraptions requiring extensive development and testing. Pilots fly the aircraft and maintenance professionals maintain them, but who performs the testing? On this episode, guest co-host Ken Katz discusses the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Engineer profession with retired Colonel Eileen "BJ" Bjorkman, PhD...

Short Takeoff / Vertical Landings like an AV-8 Harrier or traditional catapults and arresting gear a la F/A-18 Super Hornet--which do you think is more difficult? 'U.K. Month' wraps up with this replay of an early 2021 Patreon Happy Hour with former Royal Navy pilot Paul Tremelling who has done both. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations Learn more abo...

U.K. Month continues with a look at the SEPECAT Jaguar. The anglo-French jet that was too much of a handful to serve as a trainer as designed, found success as a low altitude strike platform, including nuclear strike. Our guest, RAF Wing Commander Dheeraj "D-Reg" Bhasin MBE, shares his experiences flying the "Jag" including in extreme operations such as when taking off in high, hot, and heavy cond...