Fighter Pilot Podcast

On this episode, U.S. Navy aerospace operational physiologist Commander Susan "Cyclone" Jay explains how flying high-performance jet aircraft takes a toll on the human body.

We discuss pulling Gs, air sickness, decompression sickness, trapped gas, and spatial disorientation.

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Passing gas is nothing to be ashamed of--in fact, it is a vital skill required of most military aviators. There are different ways to do it, and there are many occasions when passing gas is not only appropriate but necessary.

On this episode, U.S. Navy Captain Fitz “Dud” Lee explains how and why military aircraft refuel in flight, as well as which aircraft are capable of doing so. We also exchange a few “sea stories” related to how managing aerial tankers are vital to flight operations at sea aboard an aircraft carrier.

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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.

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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.

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