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Fighter Pilot Podcast

Fighter Pilot Podcast

By: Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton Retired U.S. Air Force Fighter Test Pilot
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The Fighter Pilot Podcast explores the fascinating world of air combat: the aircraft, the weapons systems, the emerging technologies, and most importantly—the people. Most episodes feature a guest who helps explain military aviation topics such from Vietnam shoot down stories to how AI is changing air combat. 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 amazing aircraft, then this show is for you!E. Vincent Aiello, 2018 Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • FPP221 - The Israeli Ace with 12 MiG Kills

    FPP221 - The Israeli Ace with 12 MiG Kills
    Aug 17 2026
    Brigadier General (Ret.) Israel Baharav is one of Israel's most accomplished fighter pilots, credited with twelve MiG-21 kills during his distinguished career in the Israeli Air Force. Over three decades of military service, he flew on the front lines, commanded a fighter squadron, served as Head of Air Force Intelligence, and led strategic planning efforts for the Israel Defense Forces, helping establish the framework for strategic cooperation between Israel and the United States. Following his military career, General Baharav transitioned into the world of technology and entrepreneurship, founding and leading multiple companies at the forefront of digital printing, 3D manufacturing, and healthcare innovation. In this episode, Cinco talks with Israel and he shares lessons from a lifetime of leadership in combat, and strategy, offering unique insights into what it takes to succeed in the world's highest-consequence environments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • FPP220 - Launching Satellites from F-104s

    FPP220 - Launching Satellites from F-104s
    Aug 3 2026
    In this episode, I sit down with Tim Franta, CEO of Starfighters Space, to discuss the company's mission to transform access to space using high-performance aircraft. We explore the STARLAUNCH air-launch system, how Starfighters operates the world's only commercial fleet of Mach 2+ F-104 Starfighters, and the advantages of launching rockets from the edge of the atmosphere. Tim also shares insights from his decades of experience in the space industry, including his work shaping Florida's commercial space sector, developing launch infrastructure, and helping bridge the gap between government and private spaceflight. We also talk about the future of commercial launch, what's next for Starfighters Space, and the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • FPP219 - From Wimbledon to Mach 1.58: Louis Skupien’s Wild Ride into Telling Aviation’s Story

    FPP219 - From Wimbledon to Mach 1.58: Louis Skupien’s Wild Ride into Telling Aviation’s Story
    Jul 20 2026
    He was a national champion tennis player headed for Wimbledon, then COVID and injury ended that dream overnight. Two years later, Louis Skupien was strapped into a jet suit. Four years after that, he was breaking the sound barrier twice in an F-16D over Edwards Air Force Base, filming a documentary on the 412th Test Wing and the story behind Auto-GCAS — the system that’s saved 13 pilots’ lives. Louis, host of the Talk4 podcast and creator of the Full Throttle documentary series, joins me to talk tennis-to-aviation reinvention, flying with jet-suit inventor Richard Browning, low-level runs down Sidewinder, pulling 9Gs, and what it took to get a foreign national civilian into the backseat of an Edwards test jet. Support this podcast at: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ftrpltpdcst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Always great interviews with diverse and interesting subjects always well spoken. I eagerly anticipate each edition.

So interesting.

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