The Afterburn Podcast #141 Greg "Hoser" Hansen | Carrier Landings, Soviet Intercepts & The Scariest Night Flight
Nov 9, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Greg 'Hoser' Hansen, a former U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot and Topgun instructor, shares riveting stories from his 35-year aviation career. He reveals the intense world of Cold War aerial combat, including his encounters with Soviet MiGs during the secret Constant Peg program. Greg also recounts a near-disastrous night carrier landing and gives insights into the high-pressure atmosphere of Topgun training. With lessons in focus and resilience, his tales are a thrilling peek into military aviation.
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F-14 Carrier Handling Challenges
- The F-14 demanded constant attention to engine spool and energy management, especially behind the carrier.
- Its swing-wing and lighter wing loading made it less stable on approach than other types.
RIOs As Critical Second Pair Of Eyes
- Hansen describes F-14 training sorties where the backseat RIO is an instructor guiding a student pilot.
- He emphasizes the value of the RIO's experience and how the two-person crew covers each other's limits.
Constant Peg MiG Flights And Reunion
- Hansen recalls flying against Soviet MiG-21/23s at the Constant Peg program as a Topgun student.
- He later met one of the Constant Peg pilots years after and described the small-world reunion.