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 escorted, plus how you can play along on the NORAD Santa Tracker website.

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Derek "Grinner" Smith got his start like many military pilots: at an airshow as a kid. One look at the English Electric Lightning and Grinner knew the vector for his life.

On this episode, guest host (and fellow Brit) Paul "Tremors" Tremelling interviews Grinner to learn how he fared getting into the Royal Air Force and flying the eclectic Lightning before transitioning to the Panavia Tornado.

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Landing an F-35B Lightning aboard a ship at sea is not as simple as pulling alongside and then setting down from a hover. Numerous procedures, policies, and contingencies come into play, which is why it's always a good idea to have a trained LSO monitoring the approach.

U.S. Marine Major Brian "SAK" Kimmins, a former AV-8B-turned F-35B pilot explains the efforts he is undertaking to develop a formal landing signal officer school similar to what Jamboy explained exists for conventional carrier aircraft on episode 178.

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'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

This episode explores critical supply chain topics including sourcing raw materials and manufacturing facilities (some still remnants from World War II) with host Mike Benetiz and guest Garry Haase.

Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic Defense.

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

Longtime FPP friend Billie Flynn returns to the show to provide an update on the F-35 Lightning II and ground collision avoidance systems before addressing his new crusade: the need to provide military aviators the same coaching as professional athletes to ensure they perform at their best in the demanding future of air combat.

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A military-themed show like the Fighter Pilot Podcast would not be possible without the selfless dedication of service members past and present.

This Veterans Day, we're taking a stroll down memory lane and revisiting veterans from World War II through the current war on terrorism.

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Crew Resource Management is the "effective use of all available resources for flight crew personnel to assure a safe and efficient operation, reducing error, avoiding stress and increasing efficiency." (skybrary.aero)

But is all CRM the same? How does it differ from, say, a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 to an unmanned aerial system to Boeing 737?

On this episode, Paul "Lombers" Lombardi, who has flown all of the above, joins guest host Paul "Tremors" Tremelling to discuss CRM and so much more.

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The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is the first operational aircraft to use the tiltrotor configuration, combining the attributes of both helicopters and airplanes. Today, more than four decades after development began, the Osprey remains one of the most sophisticated aircraft ever built.

But how does a tiltrotor really work? How is this type of aircraft tested, first on the ground and then in flight?

On this episode, former U.S. Navy flight test engineer Jennifer Uchida joins guest host Ken Katz to discuss the operational requirements that led to the V-22, the amazing features and technology of it, tiltrotor aerodynamics and flight control, and stories from flight testing.

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Few aircraft put on an aerial demonstration quite like the U.S. Air Force's premiere fighter, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

The F-22 Raptor Demo Team performed at the MCAS Miramar airshow one weekend in late September 2024 and then came to the FPP studios the following Monday. Hear from the demonstration pilot and senior enlisted leader what it is like to travel to locations far and wide to put on this amazing performance--including a play-by-play of each aerial maneuver.

Click here to support "Thunder" Nunnelley's battle against brain cancer.

Visit the F-22 Raptor Demo team's website here.

Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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

'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Indo-Pacific.

This episode addresses the U.S. Navy's challenges to project power in a potential "away game" conflict. Following the Cold War, surface ship design changed radically. Revolutionary concepts were introduced including the Zumwalt destroyer and Littoral Combat Ship. When technology didn’t work the only way to pay for fixes in the Global War on Terror era was to retire existing hulls and cut back on ship building. This has led to closure of public and private shipyards, limiting our capacity to build ships and grow the fleet.

Brought to you by Authentic Media with the support of Cubic Defense.

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