This week, we pause our monthlong celebration of the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday to check in with FPP friend, Dave "Chip" Berke.Fighter pilot extraordinaire, battle-proven forward air controller, and esteemed leadership coach, Chip codifies his many hard-won lessons learned into a powerful and concise new book, The Need to Lead."Every problem is a leadership problem," Chip asserts—find out why and, more importantly, how to effectively address these problems in this fascinating read available on Amazon and most major bookstores October 21, 2025.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
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Submarines for Dummies... er, Aviators
Torpedoes vs missiles, tomahawks vs smart bombs, fluid mechanics, missions ranging from direct combat to attack to surveillance... turns out, submarines and military aviation have much in common!On this episode marking the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary, former submarine commander Tony Grayson explains submarines for dummies, invoking aviation concepts and comparisons.If your knowledge of subs is based on Crimson Tide, The Hunt for the Red October, or even Down Periscope, you might be pleasantly surprised how close to reality these epic movies come!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
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1:02:36
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1:02:36
From Vietnam to F/A-18s with "Bear"
October 2025 marks 250 years of the U.S. Navy and we begin our monthlong celebration with retired Rear Admiral Jeremy "Bear" Taylor, who considers himself the luckiest man alive.Commissioned in 1957, Bear would accumulate more than 6,000 flight hours in fighters and trainers and over 1,000 carrier landings during his 35+ years of service. He was assigned to 13 different aircraft carriers and flew 50 additional types and models of aircraft, including 10 helicopters.During the Vietnam War, Bear flew the A-4 Skyhawk, accruing 200+ Rolling Thunder missions in North Vietnam. He fired numerous AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-ground missiles and was later involved in developing the JDAM. Bear commanded an A-7 Corsair II squadron, the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, and the Strike Fighter Wing of the Pacific Fleet.Visit https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/ where Bear and other Vietnam veteran stories are chronicled.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
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The CH-47 Chinook with "Jellers"
Some aircraft have specialized roles most applicable to certain types of warfare—and thus only appear in certain conflicts around the globe.And then there are the workhorses that show up everywhere.On this episode, former Royal Air Force navigator-turned-pilot Elliott "Jellers" Jardine explains how the Boeing CH-47 Chinook is one of those aircraft. From Vietnam to the Falkland Islands to Sierra Leone and the more recent desert operations, the Chinook is always in demand. And always delivers.Stay tuned after the feature interview for an important update on the future of this show.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
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1:37:02
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1:37:02
"Fangs" Talks Flight Test
Colonel James "Fangs" Valpiani knows a thing or two about flight test because he's seen a thing or two: first an Air Force Academy graduate, then a combat-tested F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, a graduate of the French Test Pilot School, and most recently Commodore of the USAF TPS.On this episode, Fangs shares his expertise on the various schools he has attended or led and the aircraft they test, including the X-62 VISTA.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-fighter-pilot-podcast/donations
The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, and most importantly—the people.Episodes typically feature guests who help explain various military aviation-themed topics, such as how ejection seats work or what it's like to fly on and off nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.If you love the roar of a high-speed flyby or are enamored by the poise and confidence of the brave men and women who fly, fix, and fight these aircraft, then this show is for you!
Brasil