Fighter Pilot Podcast
Fighter Pilot Podcast
E. Vincent "Jell-O" Aiello, Retired U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot

Fighter Pilot Podcast

AviationGovernmentHistoryPersonal JournalsTechnologyEnglish

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!

Website
The Air Boss, 2025
27 October 2025

The Air Boss, 2025

The U.S. Navy has one of the largest air forces in the world comprised of a wide variety of aircraft from helicopters to strike fighters to patrol planes. While squadrons, air wings, and type wings have a well-established chain of command, ultimately they all fall under the purview of a single person. Known formally as the Commander, Naval Air Forces, the position is known better as simply, the...
Feel the Need...
20 October 2025

Feel the Need...

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...
Submarines for Dummies... er, Aviators
13 October 2025

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...
From Vietnam to F/A-18s with "Bear"
06 October 2025

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...
The CH-47 Chinook with "Jellers"
28 September 2025

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...
"Fangs" Talks Flight Test
18 September 2025

"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,...
FPP203 - The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
08 September 2025

FPP203 - The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

Per their website, the "Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents." Awesome, but what does that mean for the men and women comprising the team? How do they join, and what is a typical week like during show season?On this episode, former USAF Thunderbird solo pilot Michelle "MACE" Curran explains her rocky...
Bottling the Fighter Pilot Spirit with Winglore (Sponsored)
01 September 2025

Bottling the Fighter Pilot Spirit with Winglore (Sponsored)

Is it possible to capture the camaraderie of a fighter squadron ready room after hours in a spirits brand?Introducing Winglore. Founded by fighter pilots, for fighter pilots, Winglore captures the spirit of a squadron bar after a day in the skies—where stories get taller, roasts get louder, and the whiskey is always worth a toast.Founder Ernesto "Carlos" Howard joins the FPP to explain how...
After the Merge
26 August 2025

After the Merge

A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever.This bonus episode of The Merge reunites the two surviving F-5 aircrew, exploring how the mishap has affected their lives in the years since.Brought to you by BVR Productions.Support...
The Merge-6: The Family of the Lost
19 August 2025

The Merge-6: The Family of the Lost

A 2008 mid-air collision between an F/A-18 Hornet and F-5F Tiger II near Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada left one pilot dead, two aircraft destroyed, and dozens of squadron mates, family, and friends changed forever.This concluding episode of The Merge features the widow of the lost pilot, Jeremy "Suge" Wise.Brought to you by BVR Productions.Support this podcast at —...