FPP151 - Racing Jets

08/25/22 • 79 min

Jet aircraft are well known for their role in air warfare, appearances on the silver screen, and wowing audiences at airshows worldwide, but did you know a small group of brave, mostly former military, pilots meet in the desert north of Reno, Nevada each September to race them?

On this episode, retired Nevada ANG Major Rick Vandam and retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Peter "Tool" Stavrides discuss the who / what / when / where / why / and—particularly—how former military jet aircraft compete in the Reno Air Races jet class, the fastest competitive motorsport on (...ok, just slightly above) earth.

Listener questions addressed on this episode include how ordnance, fuel tanks, and other stores attach to fighter aircraft, the AN/APX-111 antenna blades on the front of some F-16's and F/A-18's, and why pilots' heads bump forward slightly at the end of an aircraft catapult stroke.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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

Previous Episode

FPP150 - Maritime Patrol

First the earth cooled, then the seas formed, and later humans appeared, and what did they do? Pretty much went straight to war with each other: first on land, then by sea, later below and eventually above the seas. Today, control of the seas remains vital whether in peacetime or during times of war, and unique aircraft, weapons, methods, and airmen are necessary to conduct this vital role.

On this episode, retired U.S. Navy Captain Sean "Leeds" Liedman joins us for an exhaustive discussion on the history, hardware, and humans involved in maritime patrol with special focus on the P-3 Orion and P-8 Poseidon. Due to the interview length, no announcements or generic listener questions are featured this week.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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

Next Episode

FPP152 - Aerial Firefighting

Rapid response. Difficult conditions. A deadly adversary. Aerial employment in close proximity to friendly ground forces. Clearance needed to drop... Sound like a close air support mission in support of Marines in combat? Nope, this is aerial firefighting!

On this episode, 30+-year aerial firefighting pilot, Mr. Jim Barnes, joins us to discuss the heroic people—in the cockpits, on the front lines and on the flight lines—who contribute to the dangerous business of protecting people and property from wildland and forrest fires. Think aerial firefighting is as simple as flying over a fire and dropping water? You're about to learn there is a whole lot more to it.

Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell.

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