Fighter Pilot Podcast The Merge-3: Impact
Jul 29, 2025
In this riveting discussion, guest Anthony Roy, an adversary pilot with the call sign Sloppy, describes the heart-stopping events of a mid-air collision on June 13, 2008. He shares insights into flight day preparations, emphasizing the importance of safety procedures. Listeners will be captivated by accounts of intense aerial challenges, the chaos of ejection, and the emotional aftermath of surviving a life-threatening incident. Roy's vivid storytelling brings the high-stakes world of naval aviation to life, blending adrenaline with valuable lessons.
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Ejection Seat Preflight Safety
- Always double-check ejector seat settings during preflight to avoid accidental ejection.
- Avoid touching anything yellow and black in the cockpit to prevent unintentional ejections.
Complex Merge Maneuver Anecdote
- Anthony Roy experienced a right-to-right merge with a Hornet at 13,500 feet, setting up a one circle flow maneuver.
- The merging situation became complex due to simultaneous turns and altitude conflicts with other jets.
Importance of High Situational Awareness
- Situational awareness (SA) is critical in flight and can be high, low, or bad; bad SA is when pilots think they understand the situation but are wrong.
- This aviator’s experience highlights the dangers of late detection and communication gaps in combat training.