Fighter Pilot Podcast

When it comes to military aircraft, most enthusiasts are familiar with the subcategories airplanes and helicopters, and the differing ways they generate lift. The former propels one or more stationary wings through the airstream and thus requires a relatively high minimum flying speed. The latter rotates multiple overhead wings, which facilitates flight in a stationary hover but typically at the expense of a relatively slow top speed.A less-well known third category combines the best features of airplanes and helicopters into one highly effective platform. Powered Lift air vehicles feature short or vertical takeoffs and landings as well as high top speeds—offering a tremendous advantage in military operations. The powered lift category features only three aircraft: the AV-8B Harrier, the ‘B’ variant of the F-35 Lightning II, and the subject of this week’s show: the V-22 Osprey.On this episode, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Major Josh “Sweet Pea” Smith joins us to discuss the Osprey in depth: from its tumultuous development, to the variants flown by three of the four US military branches, to its weapons systems, and more. Sweet Pea further describes what it’s like to pilot an Osprey—whether loaded with Marines or in the service of our country’s top governmental leadership.During the listener question segment, Jell-O and Sunshine discuss supersonic flight restrictions, carrier obsolescence, ordnance selection for uncertain mission tasking, and whether Cold War and older aircraft will be featured on coming episodes.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

...And we're back!On this episode we conclude last week's discussion with former F-4 pilot John "Tiger" Kerr and RIO Jack "Fingers" Ensch, both retired U.S. Naval aviators. Hold on to your hats as we talk Vietnam-conflict shoot downs, shot downs, POW stories, and how each guest earned his callsign.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Few aircraft so prominently define their eras as the McDonell F-4 Phantom II does the 1960s and the Vietnam conflict. Initially imagined as a fighter and later an interceptor, the Phantom II eventually entered service as a fighter-bomber that set numerous speed and altitude records, was responsible for much of the bombing and air-to-air kills over Vietnam, and was later used extensively in SEAD and reconnaissance roles. The F-4 was a truly versatile—and effective—aircraft.On this episode, former U.S. Navy F-4 Phantom pilot Rear Admiral John “Tiger” Kerr and RIO Captain Jack “Fingers” Ensch, both since retired, join us to answer our standard ‘aircraft series’ questions on this iconic aircraft and what it was like to fly and fight it. They return on the next episode to continue the stimulating discussion.This week, hosts Jell-O and Sunshine catch up on phoned-in listener questions offering advice for getting the most out of the ROTC program, answering when we will feature certain aircraft on the show, opining on career paths for TOPGUN graduates, and discussing what happens when military aircraft crash into civilian infrastructure.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

There are military aircraft that contribute to shaping U.S. foreign policy. There are some that usher in cutting edge technology. Others set speed and altitude records. A few capture the lifelong imaginations of children and aviation enthusiasts alike.And then there’s the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird that did it allBrainchild of legendary aeronautical engineer, Kelly Johnson, the Blackbird did do it all as we learn on this episode with retired U.S. Air Force Brian “Punchy” Shul (R.I.P.). Known for his infamous ground speed story and numerous books—including Sled Driver—Punchy offers a detailed look at what it took to build and fly the Blackbird, and how it played a significant role in shaping President Reagan’s negotiations with the Soviet Union. The SR-71 Blackbird is a truly iconic aircraft.Now a renowned key note speaker, author, and aviation and nature photographer, Punchy is the curator of Gallery One in Marysville, Calif.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

The first recorded account of two aircraft engaging in aerial combat occurred in late November 1913 during the Mexican Revolution. The pilots, both American ‘soldiers of fortune’ on opposing sides of the conflict, engaged each other (unsuccessfully) with handheld pistols in otherwise unarmed aircraft.The gun—and soon after, the cannon—quickly became the primary weapon for air-to-air “dogfighting” and was incorporated in various calibers and locations into virtually all combat aircraft for the next 50 years, through two world wars and numerous armed conflicts. Until the advent of the air-to-air missile, the gunfighters ruled the skies.On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Commander Jerry “Turkey” Tucker joins us to discuss the “last of the gunfighters,” the Vought F-8 Crusader. Designed as a supersonic dogfighter, the Crusader ushered in the era of A/A missiles and, indeed, most of its kills in the Vietnam conflict were achieved with early versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Turkey regales us not just with what it was like to fly and fight the Crusader but the many other aircraft he flew, including the F-4 Phantom II and A-4 Skyhawk as a two-time demonstration pilot for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.Due to the length of the interview, no listener questions are addressed on this episode. For those craving a second helping of Turkey, another serving can be found on our Patreon page where edited parts of the interview are available as bonus content.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Virtually everything requires periodic maintenance and upkeep. Think about it: our cars, our homes, our health, relationships… you name it—if it operates, functions, or has value, odds are precious resources are required to keep it so. And yet, very little attention is paid by the public or Hollywood to this irrefutable fact.But since this show tells the story of military aviation, on this episode we take a break from the glamorous planes and amazing weapons to explore what it takes to keep a 1,000-foot long, 10-story tall, $8B, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier protecting the nation’s interests on the world’s seas. Joining us to help describe this massive undertaking is U.S. Navy Captain Matthew “Pappy” Paradise, commanding officer of the USS Carl Vinson, and Mr. Mike Irby, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard project lead for the Vinson’s current ‘availability’ period—as a carrier in drydock is known.During the listener question segment, Jell-O and Sunshine address Navy VFA squadron organization, loneliness in flight, the effect of dihedral on pulling Gs, the differences between the Naval Academy and ROTC when it comes to flight school performance, and more.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. Our thanks to the public affairs offices of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Carl Vinson for making this episode possible.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Anyone who watched early superhero shows years ago recalls opening scenes where bystanders gawking skyward exclaim, “Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird!… "It’s a plane! "It’s…” (…of course, we all know: it’s Superman!).But when the subject of today’s episode blasts overhead, folks might similarly cry, “it’s a fighter!...” “It’s a deep interdictor striker!...” “It’s a reconnaissance craft!” …Well, which is it?On this episode, retired Royal Air Force flight lieutenant Cameron Mckay (and his alter ego, “Dangerman”) joins us to explain that the Panavia Tornado is all of those, and so much more. Jointly designed by the UK, Italy, and—at the time, West Germany, the Tornado admirably served these three nations and Saudi Arabia for over four decades, seeing action in numerous armed conflicts. Today, the aircraft is on its way to retirement but the “Fin,” as aircrew lovingly referred to it, is still a favorite.During the listener question segment Jell-O discusses F/A-18 angle of attack probe contingencies, mission specialization among U.S. Navy and Marine Corps VFA squadrons, and ‘newbie’ yellow shirt considerations.Opening audio taken from an actual Tornado strike on an Iraqi airfield during the 1991 Gulf War. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez announcements by Clint Bell Productions.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

They say "fighter pilots make movies while attack pilots make history." So, what happens when a former attack pilot writes a book—his first ever—that so accurately and engagingly captures Vietnam combat operations that it ends up on President Reagan’s desk before soaring up New York Times’ best seller charts? That’s right, they make a movie out of it.On this episode, the Fighter Pilot Podcast is honored to host world renowned author and retired U.S. Navy Reserve Commander Stephen “Cooter” Coonts. With nearly 50 aviation-themed books to his credit—including his out-of-the-gate runaway success, Flight of the Intruder—Mr. Coonts not only regales the listeners with how he came to be such a prolific writer but continues us along our aircraft series with a detailed explanation of the Grumman A-6 Intruder.At the end of the discussion Mr. Coonts offers a sneak peek into what projects he is working on next, including a diversion from his typical fictional accounts for his latest work, Dragon’s Jaw, due out May 14, 2019 and available here.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

The US Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Blue Angels, has amazed audiences with incredible aerial performances since their debut in 1946 flying the propeller-driven F6F Hellcat. In the 73 years since, the team transitioned to the Bearcat and then jets including the Panther, Cougar, Tiger, Phantom II and Skyhawk. For the last 33 years the team has operated the Hornet. With each new aircraft comes several changes—seen and unseen—not just to their routine but how contingencies are handled.On this episode, U.S. Navy Captain Ryan “Little Guido” Bernacchi joins us to discuss the ongoing efforts to transition the team to their future aircraft: the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. As the Blue Angels commanding officer during the 2016 and 2017 show seasons, Little Guido is uniquely suited to lead the effort that involves numerous Naval Aviation Enterprise stakeholders and hundreds of simulator hours to prepare the maneuvers and in-flight contingency plans. With an appreciation of the immense behind-the-scenes efforts required, you may never again watch a Blue Angels performance in quite the same way.Due to the longer interview, no listener questions were addressed on this episode. Bonus segments of cohost Sunshine’s interview with Little Guido are available on our Patreon page.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

The Sopwith Camel, P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, and F-4 Phantom II may all be the quintessential fighters of their era, from World War I through the Vietnam conflict. And from Desert Storm to today, few would dispute the aircraft that most deserves to join such an esteemed group is none other than the General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) F-16 Fighting Falcon—better known as simply, the Viper.On this episode, retired U.S. Air Force Reserve Colonel Mike “T-DAY” Torrealday, who amassed over 4,000 flight hours in nearly every block and variant of the Viper over a 29-year career, joins us to discuss this amazing fighter as a continuation of our ‘aircraft series.’ T-DAY describes the many variants, flight envelope, ordnance inventory, and so much more. Read about the F-16N here.During the listener question segment, we discuss wristwatches, multi-mission aircraft versus specialized aircraft, and dogfighting the F/A-18 versus other ‘teen’ fighters.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations