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 and on the flight lines—who contribute to the dangerous business of protecting people and property from wildland and forrest fires. Think aerial firefighting is as simple as flying over a fire and dropping water? You're about to learn there is a whole lot more to it.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 discuss the who / what / when / where / why / and—particularly—how former military jet aircraft compete in the Reno Air Races jet class, the fastest competitive motorsport on (...ok, just slightly above) earth.Listener questions addressed on this episode include how ordnance, fuel tanks, and other stores attach to fighter aircraft, the AN/APX-111 antenna blades on the front of some F-16's and F/A-18's, and why pilots' heads bump forward slightly at the end of an aircraft catapult stroke.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Sean "Leeds" Liedman joins us for an exhaustive discussion on the history, hardware, and humans involved in maritime patrol with special focus on the P-3 Orion and P-8 Poseidon. Due to the interview length, no announcements or generic listener questions are featured this week.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 attributes liable to define air combat in the decades ahead, such as artificial intelligence, extreme speed, optional manning, and more.Listener questions addressed on this episode include military aviator currency—including annual medical exams, the possibility of an MH-53 Pave Low episode, and altimeter settings during carrier-based flight operations.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 with episode 78 guest Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton who survived a 2008 mid-air collision that killed his F-15 wingman. Developing, implementing, and testing the technology is one hurdle—another is convincing dubious pilots for the need of this life-saving feature.Listener questions addressed on this episode include how death is handled while underway on an aircraft carrier, what happens when carrier landings occur in a setting sun, and whether aerial refueling will ever be automated.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 Colonel David "Divot" Kern joins us to describe the theory, considerations, and cutting edge capabilities of flight control systems, including digital and analog fly-by-wire systems. A former test pilot, Divot literally wrote the book on this amazing tech.Listener questions addressed on this episode include whether the A-37 Dragonfly will ever be featured on the show, what the stickers are on the inside of an A-10 Thunderbolt II canopy, whether Air Force UPT pilots can select the U-2 Dragon Lady straight out of UPT, what happens to a pilot after an at-fault mishap, and propeller nomenclature.Be sure to help Kai Aiello represent the U.S. at the ISDE RACE in France--and make his dad proud--by contributing to his fundraiser here.Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 Capitol Hill.Luke Mixon's appearance on this show does not constitute endorsement of his candidacy by the Fighter Pilot Podcast or BVR Productions.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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. Tomcast hosts Crunch & Bio welcome past FPP guest Paco Chierici and Meagan "Vargas" Varley who describe how the documentary was imagined and filmed.Listener questions addressed on this episode include why a pair of aircraft were needed to attack the target in Top Gun: Maverick, inclement weather considerations for fighter cockpits, Super Hornet afterburner use during catapult shots, and why grown men are weeping during Top Gun: Maverick.Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

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 later to explain his role in the making of this film. Part safety officer, part Navy ambassador, Ferg was instrumental in the coordination and details needed between Paramount and the U.S. Navy to ensure Top Gun: Maverick not only thrilled audiences but reflected the proud traditions of the naval service.Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

"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 the self-imposed requirements to make the film as authentic as possible.Listener questions addressed on this episode include why F/A-18 Super Hornets are sometimes seen selecting afterburner on the catapult stroke instead of before the shot, and whether aircraft tailhooks can be raised once lowered.Top Gun anthem covered by Jaime Lopez / announcement by Clint Bell.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations