Fighter Pilot Podcast

When a retired Navy fighter pilot with the callsign "Jell-O" starts a podcast about air combat, you know you're getting the real deal. Vincent Aiello created the Fighter Pilot Podcast in 2018 to pull back the curtain on military aviation, and over 334 episodes later, it's become the gold standard for anyone fascinated by the world of tactical flying. The show is interview-driven, with Jell-O (and more recently, new host Tucker "Cinco" Hamilton, who took the reins in early 2026) sitting down with fellow fighter pilots, test pilots, weapons system officers, and other military aviation professionals. These aren't your typical podcast conversations. Guests share firsthand accounts of carrier landings, dogfights, ejections, and missions that most of us only see in movies. One week you might hear from a Vietnam-era F-4 pilot, the next from someone flying the F-35 with AI-integrated systems. What makes this show stand out is the specificity. Jell-O doesn't just ask "what was it like?" -- he asks the right follow-up questions because he's been there himself. The technical discussions about aircraft systems, weapons employment, and mission planning feel authentic without becoming inaccessible. At 4.9 stars from nearly 1,850 ratings, the audience clearly agrees. Episodes drop weekly, and the Patreon community is active for those who want bonus content. It's military aviation storytelling at its finest, told by the people who actually lived it.