Former F-14 pilot-tuned NASA astronaut Reid "Tonto" Wiseman joins Matt "Flounder" Arny to discuss...well, mostly the Tomcat, but also NASA's return to the moon more than a half century later with the Artemis program.Current SponsorsNational Uni

The Royal Canadian Air Force Celebrates 100 Years

9 days ago 37m 30s

Since April 1924, the Royal Canadian Air Force has defended Canadians and all freedom-loving people not just in the skies over North America but indeed, all over the world.On this episode, Lieutenant General Eric Kenny, Commander of the RCAF, e

FPP188 - All about NFOs

16 days ago 1h 9m

Most people can readily explain what a pilot is and does, but what about a Radar Intercept Officer, Bombardier / Navigator, or Tactical Coordinator?On this episode, FPP friend and occasional cohost Matt "Flounder" Arny, former RIO-turned WSO, e

Leadership from the Cockpit to the Campaign Trail

23 days ago 2h 2m

Retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General John "Dragon" Teichert knows leadership.As an F-15E Strike Eagle and F-22 Raptor pilot early on, Dragon went on to multiple command tours before concluding his 27-year-career as the Assistant Deputy Unde

FPP187 - Aviation Photojournalism in the 2020s

30 days ago 2h 10m

Scott Dworkin won't take "no" for an answer.As a fighter pilot-hopeful, Scott encountered roadblocks that forced him to pivot to aviation photography and eventually aviation photojournalism, where he went on to fly in most U.S Air Force and man

OFW-2: Unsinkable Aircraft Carriers

Mar 18th, 2024 1h

On this month's episode of 'On Future War,' Scott "Roger" Chafian, Mike "Pako" Benitez, and Matt "Flounder" Arny explore the strategic and controversial world of China's man-made island bases including the historical locations, construction str

FPP186 - The Perfect Wingman

Mar 11th, 2024 1h 10m

Former U.S. Air Force F-15E WSO Mike "Pako" Benitez describes how future fighter pilots will train alongside (and go to war with) unmanned 'collaborative combat aircraft', sometimes also known as 'loyal wingmen.'Subscribe to Pako's newsletter,

D-Day and the C-47 Skytrain, 80 Years Later

Mar 4th, 2024 1h 37m

Guest host Ken 'Primetime' Katz returns with his first foray into warbirds, exploring the venerable Douglas C-47 Skytrain (plus its many derivatives) and the role it played in the pivotal D-Day invasions of World War II with guests Eric Zipkin

FPP185 - Flying the President

Feb 26th, 2024 1h 27m

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Jim "Boone" Jamison describes being a Presidential Command Pilot with HMX-1 during the Reagan and Bush 1 presidencies.Current SponsorAirCorps Aviation - If you're looking for an exciting career in the field of

OFW-1: Defending Against Power Projection

Feb 19th, 2024 1h 36m

'On Future War' is a 12-part series exploring the evolving landscape of military strategy and defense technologies with a focus on the Pacific.On this inaugural episode, Mike "Pako" Benitez and Scott "Roger" Chafian set the stage by delving int

FPP184 - Fighter Pilot Best Practices

Feb 12th, 2024 1h 46m

Planning, briefing, executing per standard operating procedures (SOPs) while using checklists, and then debriefing--these are some of the best practices military aviators routinely employ to ensure safe, effective operations whether in combat o

Hobo to Hero: A World War 2 Bomber Pilot's Saga

Feb 5th, 2024 1h 24m

Art Palmer is a child of the dust bowl and self-admitted "hobo" who joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and piloted B-24 Liberators during World War 2. Art's plane was shot down on his 50th mission and he spent the remainder of the war as a German p

FPP183 - F-111s in Desert Storm

Jan 29th, 2024 2h 6m

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Jeff "Guinnbob" Guinn and navigator Kevin "Rim" Allen describe their participation in Operation Desert Storm flying F-111Es out of Turkey.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/dona

Fighter Pilot Math

Jan 22nd, 2024 13m 15s

"Do you have to be good at math to be a fighter pilot?"On this episode, the host Vincent Aiello shares a September 2020 blog addressing this question, providing examples of the common math concepts fighter pilots must be able to master.Support

FPP182 - Designing the A-10 Warthog

Jan 15th, 2024 1h 5m

Hal Sundt author of Warplane, How the Military Reformers Birthed the A-10 Warthog describes the origination story of the close air support aircraft the U.S. Air Force never wanted but pilots and ground troops came to love.Support this podcast a

Bonus

NORAD Santa Tracker Update (Rebroadcast)

Dec 24th, 2023 7m 6s

Every year we feature the hard working men and women of NORAD who tirelessly monitor threats all year long and then, on December 24th, add the mission of tracking Santa.Enjoy this 2022 update on the NORAD Santa Tracker program featuring then-U.

What Makes a 'Good' Fighter Pilot

Dec 18th, 2023 13m 8s

Situational awareness. Confidence. Teachability and ability to teach. ...wait, helpful?Ever stop and think about the traits that make a 'good' member of your industry? This week, host Vincent Aiello continues the "audio musing" show format with

FPP181 - Keeping Promises: Finding our MIA with Project Recover

Dec 11th, 2023 1h 2m

More than 81,000 American service members remain listed as 'missing in action' from conflicts dating back to World War 2. This week, retired U.S. Marine Derek Abbey, PhD, explains how Project Recover enlists 21st century science and technology

Bonus

The Attack on Pearl Harbor (Rebroadcast)

Dec 7th, 2023 1h 14m

“December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy...” are among the most famous words spoken by a United States President and have reverberated every year on this day for more than eight decades.On this special bonus from 2021, author Bert

Yes, the Navy Flies F-16s

Dec 4th, 2023 8m 35s

People are often quick to comment on the Fighter Pilot Podcast's various social media channels that the Navy does not fly F-16s.Wrong.This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog, this one from 2019

FPP180 - Why We Need TOPGUN Adversaries with "Farley"

Nov 27th, 2023 1h 10m

Retired U.S. Navy F/A-18 pilot Jack "Farley" Stewart explains who "adversary" pilots are, what they do, how TOPGUN trains them, and why it is vital to have professional adversaries (or "aggressors," as the U.S. Air Force calls them). Be sure to

Fighter Pilot Stereotypes

Nov 20th, 2023 17m 10s

Hollywood portrays fighter pilots as devil-may-care risk takers and rule breakers intolerant to authority. Is that true in the real world?This week, host Vincent Aiello shares another article from the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog, this time ident

How to Succeed in Flight School

Nov 13th, 2023 11m 22s

You've heard of audio books, what about audio blogs?This week, host Vincent Aiello introduces a new show format where he narrates one of the articles on the Fighter Pilot Podcast blog.This first edition is from a December 2022 musing titled, Ho

Bonus

Veterans Day Tribute (Rebroadcast)

Nov 11th, 2023 5m 14s

The Fighter Pilot Podcast would not be possible without the support of the hundreds of veterans who served both in uniform and, in this case, in the studio.To those who have served: happy Veterans Day and thank you, from a grateful nation.Suppo

FPP179 - "Yogi" the former Marine, Sailor, Soldier, & Airman

Nov 6th, 2023 1h 9m

On this 2020 'Happy Hour,' Yonel "Yogi" Dorelis describes a career in aviation that spanned all four branches: Marines, Navy, Army, and lastly Air Force where he spent the majority of his service as a combat search and rescue helicopter pilot.