Aerial refueling is one of the more dangerous tasks fighter pilots need to master. Throughout pilot training, you’re taught the biggest mistake you can make is to hit something with your aircraft—which is why the first time you refuel in the air, it can be nerve-racking. The concept is to join up with a tanker—essentially […]
Taking the blame: Why fighter pilots have to own their mistakes
FeaturedEven the best fighter pilots make mistakes. One of the things that often shocks new pilots is how brutally honest our debriefs can be. After nearly a full day of planning, briefing, and flying a mission, we’ll gather in a room and spend hours picking apart everything that went wrong. Even if all our objectives […]
The secret to fighter pilot morale is apparently Chick-fil-A sauce
Off DutyWhen I deployed to Afghanistan, a single care package full of Chick-fil-A sauce increased the morale of the squadron for weeks. I deployed as an F-16 pilot to Bagram Air Base, just north of Kabul—it’s a massive base that at night can be seen from over 100 miles away. The sprawling city is home to […]
Fighter pilots have to conserve mental energy like jet fuel. Here’s how
FeaturedOne of the sayings we have in the fighter community is that as soon as you put on your helmet, you lose 20 IQ points. A modern fighter pushes what the body and mind can handle to the limit. Tactics that look easy on the ground become difficult once you’re in the air under G […]
An interview with Gravity Jet Suit Inventor Richard Browning
CareerMy guest today is Richard Browning, the British inventor dubbed the “real life Iron Man.” He’s the founder of Gravity, launched in 2017 with a dream to reimagine an entirely new form of human flight. Using 6 small jet engines, he’s built a suit that has set multiple world records. In just 2 years he’s […]
Green Beret behind the Afghan SOF Strategy, Scott Mann, talks Leadership
Career*My editor sent me this after listening to the episode: “I wanted to let you know that this was by far one of my favorite episodes to edit. It provided great insight into leadership skills.”* “The Professionals Playbook” t-shirts are now available here. My guest today is Scott Mann who spent 23 years as an […]
1st Non-American F-22 pilot on pilot culture and augmented reality
CareerMy guest today is Daniel “Bond” Robinson who is Founder and CEO of Red 6–a company revolutionizing augmented reality (AR) for military training by allowing pilots to see synthetic threats in dynamic and high speed environments. In 2005 the RAF selected him as the youngest fighter pilot of his generation to attend the Weapons Instructor […]
Professionals Playbook: Author of ‘Loonshots’ Safi Bahcall
CareerMy guest today is Safi Bahcall who is the author of Loonshots, The most recommended book of the year. It came out in 2019 and has already been translated into 18 languages. It’s recommended by Bill Gates, Daniel Kahneman, Daniel Pink, Malcolm Gladwell, and Tim Ferriss and was selected as the best business book of […]
Professionals Playbook: George Nolly on what it takes to be a great pilot
CareerMy guest today is George Nolly, who flew 315 combat missions over Vietnam in both the O-2 as a forward air controller and the F-4 as strike pilot; earning 24 Air Medals and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was the last pilot to complete 100 missions over North Vietnam. While in the Air Force, George […]
An F-35 fighter pilot’s tips on mental resilience during the coronavirus
Off DutyIt’s been a tough couple of weeks for many people. Unfortunately, at least in the United States, it looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better. It’s frustrating not being on the front lines of this war. For all the doctors, nurses, and first responders out there, Salute! Thank you for answering […]
