Ever wonder how ejection seats work or how it might feel to ride one?

On this episode, U.S. Navy Commander Rafe “Bloach” Wysham offers a brief history on ejection seats, how they work, how aircrew inspect them before flight, and why–in multi-place aircraft–it is important to have the ‘Eject Select’ switch in the proper position as demonstrated by the non-aviator backseater who ejected himself out of a perfectly good F-14 Tomcat (click here for the whole story). Bloach wraps up the discussion with a harrowing story of the time an ejection seat saved his life from a doomed Tomcat–a mishap that tragically claimed the life of his pilot.

Bumper music by Incompetech.

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An overview of ejection seats and the harrowing story of a life-saving ride on one.

People who work in dangerous professions are generally outfitted with protective equipment to minimize the chance of injury in the event of a mishap. Military pilots require not only such special gear but also survival and evasion articles in the event they have extended waits for rescue and must evade the enemy in the process.

On this episode, U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Aaron "Vern" Vernallis joins the show to explain the flight clothing and equipment F/A-18 aircrews wear in flight. We go inside-out, bottom-to-top, discussing flight suits, boots, g-suits, torso harnesses, survival vests, helmets, and more. Hard to visualize on a radio show? Yup. Check out our 5-minute YouTube video where Vern demonstrates donning the gear we discuss on the show.

Bumper music by Incompetech.

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

An in-depth look at the flight gear F/A-18 aircrews wear during flight.

A discussion of the nicknames pilots assign each other and use in lieu of actual names and military rank.

A look at what a fighter pilot is (and is not), some traits characteristic of most fighter pilots, and the various paths to become one.

A brief overview of this new show, plus how and why it came about.

Only in the movies do fighter pilots enjoy cool nicknames like “Viper”, “Iceman”, or “Maverick.” In the real world, callsigns are generally plays on names (e.g. “Notso” Sharp), reflective of a pilot’s physical resemblance to some well-known character (“Shrek” Olsen), or the result of a mistake the pilot made at some point in his or her career (“Skids” Pennington). Admittedly, they are at times derogatory, and frequently not politically correct, but they are almost always funny.

On this episode, U.S. Navy Captain Brian “Ferg” Fergusson stops by to explain those whimsical, often juvenile nicknames many military aviators go by instead of their real names when flying and, on the ground. Learn how callsigns are assigned, whether they ever change, and why it’s actually a good thing when a new fighter pilot despises a newly-assigned callsign.

Bumper music by King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard.

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

Welcome to The Fighter Pilot Podcast!

On this short initial episode, I, your host Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, introduce myself and explain how and why this show came about. I also describe features of the show—expected frequency, length, structure, and more.

Much of this information can also be found on the website’s About page.

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

If a soldier is a military combatant that fights on land, and a sailor is one that fights on sea, then what is a 'fighter pilot'?

On this inaugural episode, U.S. Navy Commander Brian “Sunshine” Sinclair visits the show to discuss what a fighter pilot is, some characteristics typical of most fighter pilots, and the various paths to become one. We also debunk cliché Hollywood stereotypes while discussing what a fighter pilot decidedly is not.

Towards the end of the show we discuss a few of the jets used in civilian organizations, including the F-21 Kfir and Hawker Hunter flown by ATAC, the Super Tucano, and the L-39 Albatros.

Episode photography by Vincent Aiello. Royalty-free bumper music by Incompetech.

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