Stay ConnectedThe Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, the emerging technologies, and most importantly—the people.
Most episodes feature a guest who helps explain military aviation topics such from Vietnam shoot down stories to how AI is changing air combat.
If you love the roar of a high-speed flyby or are enamored by the poise and confidence of the brave men and women who fly, fix, and fight these amazing aircraft, then this show is for you!
Copyright: © E. Vincent Aiello, 2018
Author Brad Elward shares details of his latest book, TOPGUN, The Navy Fighter Weapons School: Fifty Years of Excellence, which offers a unique illustrated history of this iconic institution and is a precursor to Brad's 700-page authoritative history on the school, due out later this year.
Enter to win a free, autographed copy of this book here.
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What does a world-renowned, award-winning aviation photographer do when COVID decimates his aviation photography travel company? He reimagines his business and turns to the web to help other photographers be their best.
UK-based Rich Cooper first picked up a camera at age 7 and had one of his photographs featured in a magazine four short years later. Now he offers an online experience that will help others take their aviation photography to the next level through workshops, how-to videos, virtual gatherings, and more.
Want to up your aviation photography game and collaborate with other enthusiasts with similar passions? Sign up for a COAP online membership and follow COAP on Facebook (centreofaviationphotography) and Instagram (@centreofaviationphotography). You'll be glad you did!
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The 'Century Series' concludes with a look at the Convair F-106 Delta Dart. Retired U.S. Air Force Major Bruce Gordon joins us—not as cohost this time but as the star of the discussion on the big brother to the F-102 Delta Dagger that served well into the late 80's. Single engine, mach 2-capable, ground-based data link, and nuclear air-to-air missiles... the "Six" is the quintessential 'Century Series' interceptor.
Listener questions answered on this episode include how far in advance training pipelines are shut down before an aircraft is retired, what goes through a naval aviator's mind when lining up on the catapult, why general aviation aircraft focus on airspeeds whereas military use AOA, and more. Check out Bruce's book Spirit of Attack here.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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The 'Century Series' nears the end but not before an in-depth look at the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Cohost Trevor 'Boat' Boswell takes the lead on this episode, joined by retired U.S. Air Force Colonel John Morrissey for a discussion on the Vietnam-era fighter-bomber that earned the nickname "Thud" for its high mishap and shoot down rate.
Listener questions answered on this episode include whether fighter pilots incur financial penalties for training mistakes--like notionally downing a fellow good guy or neutral airliner, when the show will begin featuring episodes on warbird fighters, and where nuclear strategic bombers would return after releasing their weapons in the event the Cold War ever went hot.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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The 'Century Series' speeds by with a discussion on the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a mach 2-capable interceptor designed by the legendary Kelly Johnson. Former Canadian Armed Forces Captain Rob "Flecko" Fleck joins us to explore this distinctly shaped Cold War fighter with guest cohost Bruce Gordon adding his usual color to the discussion.
Listener questions answered on this episode include whether downing an unmanned aircraft constitutes an "aerial victory," why medical requirements differ between the U.S. Air Force and Navy, whether prior military experience is required to become an Air National Guard pilot, if technology renders obsolete second crew members in fighter jets, and more.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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Since there was no F-103 to speak of and we spent episode 100 congratulating ourselves, the 'Century Series' continues this week with a discussion on the North American F-100 Super Sabre. Retired U.S. Air Force Major General Richard Goddard joins cohost Trevor Boswell at the Museum of Aviation in Robbins, GA to discuss this respected and fearsome aircraft. And as usual, our guest cohost Bruce Gordon returns to add some color to the discussion.
No listener questions are answered on this episode due to having a distinguished visitor guest. Concerned listeners may have wondered if their sound systems were failing but the poor audio quality was our fault.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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The 'Century Series' continues with a discussion on the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Ray Janes (R.I.P.) joins guest cohost Bruce Gordon to discuss this humble early 50's-designed interceptor that was the foundation of the more widely-known F-106 Delta Dart.
Listener questions addressed on this episode include the future likelihood of civilian-owned 5th Gen fighters, loaded jets diverting without ordnance safety pins, keeping static aircraft free from debris at airshows, whether manned fighters will still be a thing a few years from now, and much more.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.
We dedicate this episode to Lt Col Janes, 1932-2021.
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The 'Century Series' kicks off this week with a discussion on the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo. Retired Royal Canadian Air Force Major John "Stace" Stacey joins guest cohost Bruce Gordon to discuss this late 1940's-designed interceptor that was once equipped with nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles and a tactical nuke for a planned one-way mission should the Cold War ever turn hot.
Listener questions addressed on this episode include a challenge on the show's claim that recent guest Caesar "Rico" Rodriguez is the "only man to down three enemy planes in the past 40 years," why the F/A-18 does not start with the single push of a button like the F-35, who decides which Navy squadrons transition to new jets when, and whether external drop tanks and empty rocket pods can be dropped on targets.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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It was a busy holiday season and we want to introduce everyone to former USAF fighter pilot Bruce Gordon since he'll be back to help with the coming Century Series episodes. So enjoy this audio replay of our late-November Happy Hour discussion and we'll be back on the 14th for episode 101 on the F-101 Voodoo!
This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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Most of us, most of the time, focus our energies on where we're going and rarely, if ever, pause to consider where we've been. Not so on this episode of the Fighter Pilot Podcast—it's our 100th! And so we're taking a look back at some of our greatest moments during our three years in show biz.
That's right, on this episode we discuss listener favorite episodes and guests, the most downloaded episodes, shows that surprised you the most, and much more with our usual host Jell-O and a cast of characters you already know and love. Before wrapping up, our friend and podcasting mentor Rob Kibbe returns to help wrap out our look back and then—as has become our annual tradition—helps look forward at the year to come.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.
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