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
Convinced we’re alone in the universe? Think everyone who believes in UFOs is a lot like Randy Quaid’s character, Russel, in 20th Century Fox’s original Independence Day?
Get ready to entertain doubts after listening to this week’s episode with retired U.S. Navy Commander David “Sex” Fravor who you may recognize from numerous appearances on the 2008 PBS series, Carrier. You’ll be amazed to hear events that transpired off the coast of Mexico in November 2004—events witnessed not just by Commander Fravor but by three other aviators in his flight and several others on subsequent flights.
Cutting edge technology from the AEGIS radar system aboard the USS Princeton, a nearby Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, to the Super Hornet’s radar and TFLIR systems recorded the day’s events. And yet, doubts and questions linger as to what was actually witnessed. The listener will have to decide for him- or herself.
During the listener question segment of this episode, we discuss mid-90’s flight simulators, math formulae used airborne, air intercepts, and IFF use in training.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join Vincent and special guest Rob Kibbe, host of The Musclecar Place, for an intimate look back at the Fighter Pilot Podcast’s first year and what’s coming in 2019.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Some suggest the most difficult job in the military is not the force recon Marine, nuclear reactor officer, fighter pilot, or even Navy SEAL … but rather the humble military spouse.
Independent, resilient, and resourceful, military spouses face challenges beyond that of other professions—except without the formal training. Part nurse, part mechanic, occasional therapist, and frequent single parent, military spouses are indeed a unique breed. And despite repeated relocations and extended separations from loved ones, incredibly many spouses manage these and innumerable other challenges while pursuing professional careers of their own.
On this episode, Beth Aiello and Kristen Sinclair join their show host husbands Vincent and Brian for an intimate look at life as a Navy spouse. Fielding listener questions such as how they handle the risks associated with their husbands’ careers, how they cope with deployments lasting up to eight months—especially when children enter the picture, and what it’s like to move every couple years, Beth and Kristen offer a sobering look at not only the most difficult job in the military, but arguably the most under-appreciated.
Opening bumper music “Letters From Home” (Warner Bros. Nashville, performed by John Michael Montgomery) used without permission. Closing bumper music by Jaime Lopez. Announcements by Jim Hendershot.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
If aviation itself is an inherently unforgiving activity, then how much more naval aviation—which routinely involves formation flying, ship landings, night vision goggle usage and… of course, the enemy? When tragedy strikes—as it frequently does—the U.S. Government cares for family members of the fallen, as well as the parent unit but, inevitably, response times can sometimes be lengthy and expenses can exceed those payable by the government, per law. Oftentimes, the family and squadron need someone to come alongside to provide a little extra help. That’s where The Wingman Foundation comes in.
Founded by three U.S. Marine Corps aviators in 2014, the non-profit foundation strives to “honor the sacrifices of our fallen air warriors and support the families they've left behind.” Retired CWO3 Ricky “Leroy” Savage, USMC, joins us on this episode to describe how the foundation does so, particularly in response to recent high-profile mishaps worldwide. This episode also features a brief overview of the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation, a non-profit foundation founded in 1987 that provides “college scholarships to dependent children and spouses of all U.S. Navy personnel—officer and enlisted.”
During the listener question segment, we again address simulators, discuss whether specific dogfighting maneuvers are decided formulaically, and cover how prevalent smoking is among the fighter pilot ranks.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sweep, point defense, close escort, high-value airborne asset protection…
These are just a few of the many air-to-air missions modern U.S. fighter pilots may be required to perform in the course of their duties. Each requires significant pre-mission planning to analyze how various constraints and limitations might affect execution.
On this episode, former enlisted U.S. Marine, then naval flight officer, now F/A-18 pilot and fighter attack squadron commander—Lieutenant Colonel Mark “SNOTY” Bortnem, U.S. Marine Corps describes these missions and associated planning factors. Snoty offers not only a fascinating explanation of each mission and planning factor, but a sobering overview of the mindset he imbues in each of his pilots.
During the listener question segment we address the importance of simulators, the presence (or not) of aircraft manufacturer representatives on deployment, and how to avoid shooting down the wrong aircraft during a heated, multi-aircraft dog fight.
Holiday-themed bumper music by Jaime Lopez. Announcements by Dawson Aiello.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taken out of context, Stephen Hawking’s comment, “all we need to do is make sure we keep talking,” does not apply to aerial engagements. In complex and dynamic scenarios with multiple opposing fighter elements—closing on each other at well over 1,000 knots—more is decidedly not better. Instead, clear, concise, standardized (and minimal) communications are essential to ensure situational awareness and, thus, success.
On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Alan “Niles” Schiaffino discusses air-to-air fighter engagement communications. As an E-2 Hawkeye NFO and former aircraft carrier operations officer, Niles has a unique perspective on battlegroup communications from the tactical to the strategic. He also answers listener questions on the West’s octal IFF system and foreign intrusion flights.
During the listener question segment, the hosts describe their favorite missions (see Sunshine’s Tomahawk chase flight here) and why some aircraft, such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, have gold-tinted canopies.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Matt Rierden.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Advancements in weapons technology and lethality have spawned countermeasures for as long as humans have been warring: with the broadsword came plate armor. For arrows it was shields. And with the advent of radar, infrared tracking, and active missiles—came chaff, flares, and jammers.
On this episode, Utah Air National Guard Major Sean “Bauer” Demeter joins us to discuss the various countermeasures military aircraft employ to defend against surface- and air-to-air threats. Bauer also touches on ANG career paths and fighter squadron deployments to South Korea.
During the listener question segment, we discuss tactical performance tracking methods, whether there was a cover up with Duke and Willy D’s Vietnam shootdown, why U.S. fifth-generation fighters are only single-seat, and more.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Matt Rierden.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ever wonder why so many astronauts are (and were) former fighter pilots? Could it be that flight training is good preparation for astronaut training and thus acts as a natural selection process? Maybe. Or it could be that flying fighter jets attracts a certain type of person who enjoys challenges, works well under pressure, handles disorienting situations, manages risk, and—most importantly—performs well as part of a team.
The space program seeks these same people.
Climb aboard this episode as NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Captain Scott “Maker” Tingle describes how his previous career as an F/A-18 pilot and test pilot prepared him for the rigors of the astronaut application process and subsequent training program. Marvel at his account of blasting into space on a Russian-made Soyuz rocket, then spending nearly six months on the International Space Station before returning safely to earth in June 2018—experiences that certainly change anyone’s outlook on life and our world.
Bumper music, Space Oddity cover, by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to fly a high-performance military jet fighter but now anyone can enjoy the incredibly realistic air combat simulation platforms available on the market today. From the astonishingly accurate aircraft recreation to the flawless graphics and imagery, air combat simulation is the next best thing for military aircraft aficionados—without the long deployments!
On this episode, Mr. Matt Wagner (R.I.P.) of Eagle Dynamics joins us to discuss one of the most popular and realistic platforms available today: Digital Combat Simulator. We cover how DCS came to be and what’s coming in the future. We also observe our host Jell-O try the Lot 20 F/A-18C simulation for the very first time while describing just how close it compares to the real thing (hint: it’s pretty darn close and his two years out of the cockpit really show!).
During the abbreviated listener question segment we address why some squadrons refer to themselves as “World Famous” and how fighters deal with contrails in tactical situations. …and speaking of gaming, if you want something a little more casual, check out Sky Knights created by one of our Swedish listeners.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Battle of Midway was a decisive U.S. naval victory that turned the tide of World War 2. As a result, the name ‘Midway’ has been assigned to everything from a high school in Texas to an airport in Chicago. It is also the name of the longest serving American aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
Today, the USS Midway continues to serve as a museum on the San Diego, Calif. waterfront. Hosting thousands of visitors daily, the ship proudly features dozens of static aircraft displays and offers a glimpse of what daily life was like for its crew.
On this episode, USS Midway Museum president and CEO, retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral John “Mac” McLaughlin explains not only the ship’s namesake battle and storied half-century of service, but the deeper meaning of service and sacrifice in our modern, ever-changing society.
During the listener question segment, we discuss whether squadrons undergo specific tactical training based on where they expect to deploy, if shutting down an engine is a viable tactic to save fuel in flight, and whether weight and balance is a constant concern for fighters, among other topics.
Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
