Military aircraft, the systems they incorporate and weapons they employ, are incredibly complex contraptions requiring extensive development and testing. Pilots fly the aircraft and maintenance professionals maintain them, but who performs the testing?

On this episode, guest co-host Ken Katz discusses the U.S. Air Force Flight Test Engineer profession with retired Colonel Eileen "BJ" Bjorkman, PhD, using her extensive history as a proxy for the many diverse tasks this community performs both in and out of uniform.

Listener inquires addressed on this episode include how to discern similar-looking aircraft as friendly or enemy, and advice to student Air Force pilots on community selection considering workload, time away from family, etc. U.K. listeners interested Ken's latest B-1 Lancer book click here and use the code AUTH30 for 30% discount. U.S. listeners click here and use KATZ30. Offer expires 30 April 2022.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Short Takeoff / Vertical Landings like an AV-8 Harrier or traditional catapults and arresting gear a la F/A-18 Super Hornet--which do you think is more difficult?

'U.K. Month' wraps up with this replay of an early 2021 Patreon Happy Hour with former Royal Navy pilot Paul Tremelling who has done both.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

U.K. Month continues with a look at the SEPECAT Jaguar. The anglo-French jet that was too much of a handful to serve as a trainer as designed, found success as a low altitude strike platform, including nuclear strike. Our guest, RAF Wing Commander Dheeraj "D-Reg" Bhasin MBE, shares his experiences flying the "Jag" including in extreme operations such as when taking off in high, hot, and heavy conditions.

Listener questions addressed on this episode include which branch commemorates deceased WW2 U.S. Army Air Corps members, what happens to aircrew proficiency when squadrons exclusively fly operational missions, and the biggest differences between U.S. and NATO fighter pilots. For a good read, check out the new book Five Nickels that chronicles the life and death of heroic Desert Storm A-10 Warthog pilot, Steve Phillis.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

U.K. Month kicks off with a look at the English Eclectic... make that 'Electric' (oops!)... Lightning. Actually, that's no Freudian slip because with vertically stacked engines, guns & rockets attached to the front of fuel tanks, and highly swept wings, the Lightning is one of a kind! Our guest is retired RAF Squadron Leader Ian "Blacky" Black; follow him on Twitter (@blickyIan) and check out his website, firestreakbooks.com.

The only listener question addressed on this episode concerns the host Jell-O's advice for a new student naval aviator. If you're into vintage-looking stickers of modern military aircraft, check out retro-pilot.com.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

We turn the way-back machine to 11 on this in-depth discussion on aircraft of the vintage and golden eras of aviation, courtesy of the folks who fly these magnificent aircraft in the skies over New York today, just as was done over 100 years ago.

On this episode, Mr. Stewart Sommerville, General Manager of Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, joins us to discuss how this 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization started, what it’s all about, and some of the fascinating education and entertainment programs in the works, both on the ground and in the air!

We also answer listener questions on disqualifying medical conditions for aviators and whether aircrew wear radiation measuring devices. And our friends FROM Warbird Digest Magazine stop by for a quick update.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

'Flight surgeon'—that must be a specially-trained medical doctor who performs surgery on a specially-adapted aircraft, right? Not exactly.

On this episode, U.S. Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel Rocky "Apollo" Jedick joins us to explain what flight surgeons are, how they are trained, what they do, and who they serve (hint: it's not just pilots). Former episode 6 guest, now retired U.S. Navy Commander Sue "Cyclone" Jay returns to help explain how flight surgeons compare and contrast with aerospace operational physiologists. Check out Apollo's online aviation medical service at goflightmedicine.com.

Listener questions answered on this question include why Navy aircraft fly with their arresting hooks extended, what causes the distinct Hornet hum when an F/A-18 starts engines, how being a fighter pilot changes someone as a human, and how a young aspiring pilot should choose between serving in the U.S. Air Force or Navy.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

We took a well-deserved break over the holiday season, so our first episode of 2022 is this replay of a 'Happy Hour' discussion from our Patreon page. It's a harrowing story with one of only two pilots to ever engage an aircraft carrier barricade in an F/A-18 Hornet--and he did it in the dark of night!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Show hosts Jell-O and Boat take a look back at this tumultuous year and clear out the mailbag before offering a sneak peek at the year to come.

(Contains some mild language in one part.)

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

Bomber Month concludes with the Consolidated B-24 Liberator.

World War II was brewing but the United States had yet to officially join the war. Using the power of the Lend Lease Act, the call went out to aircraft manufacturers to create a new heavy bomber that could be sent to Europe and go faster, climb higher, and carry more payload than the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress. What was created was the unheralded, yet highest produced aircraft in U.S. history.

On this episode, Mr. Jim Harley joins us to discuss the oft overlooked B-24, describing its strengths & weaknesses, and why over 18,000 of these bombers were chosen to fill this skies of both the European and Pacific theaters throughout the course of the war. With over 2,500 hours in B-17s, B-24s, and B-25s, Mr. Harley also compares and contrasts the three bombers and tells us which one he would want to fly into battle.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations

In 2020 we released a bonus episode describing the Canadian and American forces of NORAD, or the North American Aerospace Defense Command, who continuously monitor the airspace of our two countries--and indeed most of the world--to ensure threats to our nations are identified and managed.

But not everything that enters our airspace is a "threat." Every year, NORAD ensures the safe and unhindered passage of jolly ol' St. Nick and his precious cargo of Christmas cheer to all the North American children on his 'nice list.'

Enjoy this replay of how Santa Claus is detected, tracked, and even escorted on the NORAD Santa Tracker website.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations