Fighter Pilot Podcast

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 anathematic to the AC-130 Gunship community, who pride themselves on precision lethality. Buck answers our usual ‘aircraft series’ questions and provides exclusive insight into this incredible platform and the amazing professionals who crew it.During the listener question segment the host explains what airborne carrier aircraft do during a mishap on the flight deck, what a “squadron” is, and how many parts the various F-35 models have in common.Bumper intro music by various artists, theme music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network and is dedicated to the brave souls lost on Spirit 03 on January 31, 1999.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 company, join us to describe a high-tech, low-cost solution they have developed to maximize aerial training effectiveness against the latest threats with existing assets. Their augmented reality headset will revolutionize not just how military aviators train but will have countless utility in numerous other applications. In short, it’s a game changer.During the listener question segment, guest cohost Boat helps answer whether Naval Aviation helps with homeland defense, why the F-35C does not have an internal cannon, and why Super Hornet and Growler pylons are canted, among other topics.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network. Follow Red 6 on Instagram: @red6inc, Bond (@Berkutdriver), and Glenn (@_glennsnyder).Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 pilot, joins us to explore this aircraft’s developmental legacy and present lethality. Are parts of it really made in 48 of the 50 American states? Did it really lose to an F-16 in dogfighting tests? We cover these topics, and many more, with Cinco and previous guest Dave “Chip” Berke who returns as cohost.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://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 Commander, joins us to explain how and why aircraft arrive—and eventually depart—this extensive facility which covers four square miles, employs hundreds of specialized technicians, and saves the military and taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. …sure, we’re calling this ‘the Boneyard,’ but don’t let the thousands of preserved aircraft fool you, there’s a lot happening at the AMARG.Listener questions include how aircraft self-healing fuel tanks work, air-to-air combat between fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, scary carrier landings, and the realism of the movie Top Gun’s jet wash scene.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://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 Force, tell us all about the mighty "Mud Hen" including how one scored an air-to-air kill with a laser-guided bomb. Read how the Strike Eagle and Super Hornet compare in this article.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot. This episode produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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/A-18 Hornet — also a Boeing product.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Jim Hendershot. This episode was produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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, who accrued more than 4,000 flight hours in the F-15, joins former F-22 Raptor guest Terry "Stretch" Scott, who has over 3,000 flight hours in the Eagle, to discuss this impressive machine inside and out. Former episode 25 hero Mike "BS" Walsh assists as guest co-host to offer his perspective as a relative newcomer to the F-15 after flying more than 1,000 hours in Marine F/A-18s and also helps answer listener questions.Episode bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Jim Hendershot. This episode was produced by our friends at The Muscle Car Place Podcast Network.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 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

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://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 / 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