Fighter Pilot Podcast

In the early 1960’s, the U.S. Navy began a program for a carrier-based attack aircraft to replace the A-4 Skyhawk. Two requirements were specified to ensure a lethal platform at the lowest possible cost: accurate weapons delivery and a design based on an existing aircraft. The Ling-Temco-Vought team’s winning proposal, based on Vought’s F-8 Crusader, became the LTV A-7 Corsair II.

On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Tom “Demon” Mitchell joins us to describe the single-engine Corsair II—including the variants, armament, strengths & weaknesses, and more. You’ll be amazed at Demon’s stories, not just of the Corsair II but of the life and experiences of a career carrier aviator during the tumultuous 1960s and '70s.

During the listener question segment, we discuss mishap involvement, faith, the importance of FCLPs, and how improperly dispensed expendables are handled. Don’t forget to check out the SHOP page on our website for Fighter Pilot Podcast-themed apparel and household items.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.

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At the height of the Cold War, the Soviet Union fielded a formidable navy—both above and below the surface. In response, the United States Navy required a carrier-based, fixed-wing aircraft with long on-station time and an extensive air-to-surface and -subsurface avionics sweet and weapons capability. The result was the twin-turbofan, high-wing Lockheed S-3 Viking.

On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Commander David “Deke” Slayton joins us to discuss S-3 variants, which weapons it carries, why it looks the way it does, and more. Deke was an S-3 instructor when co-host Sunshine received his initial fleet training in the Viking—an aircraft he would fly before later transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet.

During the listener question segment, we dig a little deeper into the Mutha trophy, discuss the purpose of exchange programs, talk about the relevance of a gun on combat fighters, stereotypes for military pilots, the need to self-assess before flight, and brushes with death.

Click here to check out Wings Over America and support scholarships for military dependents. To compliment this interview, click here to order Brad Elward’s authoritative book, S-3 Viking in Action.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.

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What was it designed to do? What does it do well? What ordnance does it carry? Why does it look the way it does…?

…These are a few of the questions retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Q “BBQ” Sterling answers while explaining the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet on this, our inaugural ‘aircraft series’ episode. These same questions will be posed to guests during future episodes on a variety of military aircraft include attack planes, bombers, cargo haulers, and more.

The unique, dual designation fighter and attack Hornet is renowned for its lethality and reliability. The follow-on, larger Super Hornet offers improved systems and avionics with two additional weapons stations and more “bring back” than its predecessor. Click here to learn more about Brad Elward’s authoritative book chronicling the Super Hornet development.

During the listener question segment, we discuss aircraft selection regrets, aircrew anthropometric limitations, where Sunshine and Jell-O were on 9/11, and what the Mutha trophy is.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.

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Just as humans are broadly generalized as Baby Boomers, Millennials, etc., so too are fighter aircraft lumped into categories—only it has less to do when they are born (or what we would call, IOC) and more to do with various capabilities such as speed, maneuverability, avionics, and weaponry. And what’s more—with upgrades, some aircraft change generations.

On this episode, U.S. Air Force Major John “Skosh” Searcy explains the different fighter categories, from the earliest and least capable 1st generation (or, simply, "Gen") to the modern, highly capable 5th Gen fighters. Much of the discussion centers on the differences between the current slate of 4th Gen fighters (i.e. F-15, -16, F/A-18, etc) to the F-22 and, specifically, F-35, which Skosh currently flies as a Test Pilot.

During the listener question segment, we cover cold weather carrier operations, squadron naming conventions, ejection hazards with NVGs, aircraft personality with fly-by-wire, and the connection between the radar and CIT.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Jim Hendershot.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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