Imagine this: You're faced with a heart-wrenching dilemma. Your employer threatens to fire you unless you compromise your own safety and fly without the essential oxygen you need and required by law... This harrowing predicament was a reality for this week's guest when he was building flight time with the hopes of becoming an airline pilot some day.

Retired AA Captain and Author of the Thriller "High Wire," Kam Majd takes us on an extraordinary journey through his life and career, revealing how he not only overcame this tense situation but also became a pilot in the first place. His odyssey spans across continents, from Iran to India, from the United Kingdom to the United States, and from flying small planes to commanding jumbo jets.

Prepare to be entertained as Kam shares some uproarious anecdotes from his flying career. Picture the scene as he ingeniously convinces a potential student to request a flight instructor with an unusual skill, cleverly positioning himself as the perfect fit for the job. He also recounts the comical tale of getting stuck in a Learjet cockpit, showcasing the unexpected challenges pilots can face. And who could resist the amusing stories of dealing with clueless passengers, reminding us that aviation is not just about soaring through the clouds but also navigating the quirks of human behavior.

Kam delves into his personal triumphs and challenges, including the surprising rejection he faced from American Airlines for a seemingly trivial reason, only to ultimately secure a coveted position with the prestigious airline. Unveiling the passion behind his pen, Kam discusses his book, High Wire, originally scheduled for release during the fateful week of 9/11. Discover the uncanny resemblance his novel bore to the tragic events, leading to its immediate removal from shelves. Listen as Kam reveals the inspiration behind his gripping work and provides an enticing glimpse into his upcoming thriller, Silent Voices.

This is an episode you simply cannot afford to miss. Join us as Kam Majd bares his soul, recounting a life teetering on the edge and the resilience that carried him through. Engage with his riveting stories, laugh along with his humor, and be captivated by his literary creations. So buckle up, for this episode will take you on a breathtaking journey through the skies, reminding us that sometimes the most incredible tales are forged in the crucible of adversity.

https://rumble.com/embed/v2jlo16/?pub=1af92d

Video of our recording session with Kam.

Join us for an exciting episode of So There I Was, as we welcome Brian Shul, "Punchy,": Fighter Pilot, “Sled Driver,” Author, and Photographer Extraordinaire to the show. He shares with us his incredible story of survival after being shot down in the jungles of Vietnam and how he went on to fly again, defying all odds.

Punchy's journey from the A-7 to the A-10 and then to the famed SR-71 is nothing short of remarkable. Fortunately for us, he brought his camera along for the ride. Get ready to be amazed by the technical and physical beauty of the Blackbird, also known as the “Habu” or Pit-Viper.

But that's not all. Punchy also talks about his books and how he makes wildlife and aviation accessible to all of us. Don't miss out on this captivating episode that will leave you in awe of Punchy's incredible life and achievements.

You can see some of his work on his Facebook page and buy his books at SledDriver.Com

https://rumble.com/v2lx0x6-you-quit-or-you-move-forward.html?mref=1af92d&mc=erjxj

Video of our recording session with Punchy.

Audio show below...

On this episode of So There I Was, Slaf joins Fig and RePete to share some incredible stories from his time as a Marine and Air Guard pilot. From holding a burial at sea for a missing pilot who later turned up, to flying the notoriously challenging Cougar, Slaf's experiences will keep you on the edge of your seat. He also sheds light on why the F-84 Thunderstreak was nicknamed the "Hog" and shares an unusual story about how he found out his son, who was also a Marine pilot, was born.

Get ready to be captivated by Slaf's tales of adventure and adversity in the skies. His firsthand accounts of what it was like to fly some of the most iconic planes in aviation history will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the skill and bravery of pilots. Don't miss out on this exciting episode of the podcast - it's a must-listen for anyone who loves aviation or thrilling stories of human resilience.

https://rumble.com/v2j7t26-so-there-i-was-with-slaf.html?mref=1af92d&mc=erjxj

Raw video recording session above.

This week's audio show below.

This week enjoy a thrilling journey with Slaf (Sr.), NavCad, Marine Corps Aviator who flew the SNJ, T-28 Trojan, TV-2 (t-33) SeaStar, F9F2 Panther, F2H4 Banshee, F9F8 Cougar, F-84F Thunderstreak throughout his career.

You may remember Slaf from episode 50 who talked about his father being a Marine aviator. Well, he graciously joins us this week and next. Slaf takes us through his training days, where he flew the SNJ and T-28, and shares his experiences flying the Panther with VMFA-533 and F-84s with the Indiana Air Guard.

But that's not all! Slaf deployed with the 6th Fleet on the last cruise of the USS Lake Champlain, the last straight deck carrier in service in the US Navy. He describes the differences between flying aboard a straight deck carrier versus a modern angle-deck carrier; in a word, terrifying!

Slaf also shares a harrowing tale of a lost pilot in his flight and how they narrowly avoided losing more planes as a result. However, this week's episode title comes from a heart-stopping story he tells about taking his jet to 50,000 feet and flaming out both engines! Whoops!

As a special treat, we also get to wish Slaf Sr. a happy 89th birthday! This great American had a wonderful Marine Corps aviation career, and we are honored to have him share his experiences with us.

Marine, Author, American Hero: LtCol. W.R. Spicer USMC (ret) joins Fig & RePete this week. We delve into the extraordinary life of this Marine who has written a memoir that is nothing short of amazing. In his five books, "Sea Stories of a US Marine," Spicer shares his incredible journey, from the unlikely event that changed the course of his life to his meeting and interactions with President Kennedy.

This is a slightly longer episode, but well worth the time as we hear everything from his enlistment to his days in flight school, to flying in Vietnam, being selected to fly Harriers and commanding a squadron.

Hear the firsthand account of how Spicer managed to muster the courage to face enemy fire and go into a hot LZ (Landing Zone) over and over again. The title of this week's episode "What If It Was Me?" perfectly captures the essence of Spicer's bravery and selflessness.

 His books Sea Stories of a US Marine (5 book series) are a must-read. They're well written, funny, poignant, compelling and offer a rare glimpse for anyone who wants to gain insight into the life of a US Marine who embodies the spirit of courage and sacrifice.

Stripes to Bars

Rotorheads

On Her Majesty's Service

Harrier

Command

Take to the skies with the adrenaline-pumping story of SLAF’s adventures flying the iconic Harrier jump jet. In this gripping show, SLAF shares his journey from aspiring pilot to Harrier Instructor and offers valuable advice on perseverance and overcoming obstacles.

SLAF recounts for Fig & RePete some of the most heart-stopping moments of his career, including witnessing a fellow pilot eject from his Harrier not once but twice within 11 months. The question of whether the dangers of flying this aircraft were worth it for this pilot loomed large.

But it wasn't just life-threatening incidents that made flying the Harrier a challenge. SLAF relays the intense training that AV-8 pilots underwent, learning to use the plane as a weapon in addition to the mental challenges of operating in the V/STOL envelope of flight.

The consequences of making mistakes in the cockpit became readily apparent on SLAF’s very first week in a gun squadron. A violation of the 500-foot safety bubble during dog-fight led to a mid-air collision which destroyed one airplane and severely damaged another. But rank had its privileges that day.

This week’s show culminates with the excitement of participating in air shows and a recognition that flying airplanes, particularly tactical jets, is a privilege few get to experience.

So buckle up and get ready to soar with this exciting tale of triumph, danger, and camaraderie in the high-flying world of Marine Attack aviation.

Nightmare joins "co-horsts" Fig & RePete and reveals how he got his call sign in flight school. It stuck with him for the rest of his career; which is a good thing! Then he told us how and why he came to want to fly in the Marines and how he “impressed” his LSO when preparing for carrier qualification. Hence this week’s title!

Nightmare talks about the challenges of teaching VSTOL flying and how sometimes mistakes aren’t obvious. By having a student close his eyes and listen to the audio portion of the HUD tape, he was able to hear that he pulled the throttle too early during a landing, which caused them to abort the landing and try again. 

You will be on the edge of your seat when you hear what happened when his engine flamed out (quit) while flying at 33,000 feet about 25 miles off the coast of NJ. Nightmare’s experience ejecting from the plane, feeling each vertebrae compress as the seat pushed him out and the plane doing something unexpected after he ejected are only part of this wild ride.

Buckle up and prepare for takeoff with Carrott, Fig, and RePete as they explore the incredible journey of Carrott becoming a Naval aviator. Carrott shares captivating stories of his time in flight school, instructing in the A-4 at NAS Meridian, and flying the S-3 Viking aboard the Nimitz. Hear how his flight jacket disappeared after a wild night of drinking with F-111 pilots; and yet kept popping back up over the next 35 years. Experience the heart-pumping moments of the first cruise that lost several airplanes but miraculously no lives.

The excitement doesn't stop there! Carrott shares how members of the Israeli Cabinet were nearly bombed during their port visit to Haifa and how he dealt with fires on airliners during his civilian flying career. You won't want to miss the hysterical tale of Carrott's full bladder on a mission to locate a lost Russian TU-95 Bear. Brace yourself for an exhilarating episode filled with adventure and unforgettable moments. Tune in now and get ready to soar!

This is our second show with Kaos. Come along as he tells us about the challenges of owning a Harrier and performing with it in airshows. Spoiler alert: It's a little more involved than flying to the venue and performing the demo!

Up for some special bourbon? 700 Mile per Hour Bourbon raised a nice sum of money for charity, and there may be some left. You have to go get it yourself because it isn't available outside of Maryland.

Having held the record for the world's smallest rideable bicycle, Kaos took up the challenge to do the same thing with the world's smallest jet... and boy; he isn't kidding. The diminutive profile allows them to do some very unique things with the aircraft that can't be done efficiently anywhere else.

He talks about one instance when the engine quit, and the pilot was forced to land 'gear-up.' Oddly enough, it was a very simple fix! The BD-5 jets are unique and are helping to make an interesting path forward for Nalls Aviation.

Kaos, the only person to ever own his own Harrier jump-jet joins your favorite "co-horsts" Fig and RePete to talk about his early days in the Marine Corps, Flying the AV-8A for the first time, test pilot school and flying on the Italian and Spanish carriers with the ski jump ramps.

He also tells us about the time he dead-sticked a Harrier into Richmond, VA. (Hint - it can't be done) and receiving an air medal for the save. As he tells it, there was some debate over whether an air medal or a court-martial was more appropriate!

For those who aren't familiar, he is the only civilian to own and fly a Harrier! Strap in and listen fast. Kaos doesn't let you catch your breath!

We close out with a brief dedication to our squadron-mate Bo Paschal, who unexpectedly passed last Friday. Prayers for his bride, Joan and his entire family.