Latest Air show Podcast Episodes
From Near Extinction to Naval Squadron, the Rebirth of the Blue Angels ft. Boss Tony Less
Blue Angel Phantoms - September 24, 2023 15:00 - 21 minutes1973 was a bleak year for the Blue Angels with exacting consequences. Three distinct incidents resulted in the destruction of six F4 Phantoms and the tragic loss of three team members, including flight leader LCDR Skip Umstead. The future seemed uncertain for the Navy’s Flight Exhibition Team, w...
The TRUE STORY of the Blue Angels' F7U Cutlass Featuring Edward "Whitey" Feightner
Blue Angel Phantoms - August 06, 2023 17:00 - 48 minutesWith its sleek and unusual tailless design, the Vought F7U Cutlass seemed like a perfect fit for the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. However, as the Blues would find out, the aircraft's complex development history led to significant challenges and several near brushes wit...
Harley Hall II Honors his father's legacy with a VIP flight in the back of Blue Angel #7
Blue Angel Phantoms - March 26, 2023 18:00 - 48 minutesWith the U.S. Navy Blue Angels launching into their 77th year, the 2023 airshow season kicked off in grand fashion at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu. The event not only marked a rare occurrence for both the Blue Angels and Air Force Thunderbirds performing at the same airshow, but also th...
Meet the NEW Blue Angels' Flight Leader: Cmdr. Alex Armatas
Blue Angel Phantoms - December 27, 2022 23:00 - 17 minutesFor the first time in three years, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have a new flight leader. Cmdr. Alexander Armatas officially took command of the Naval Flight Exhibition Team on November 13, 2022, at a ceremony at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. He replaced Captain Brian Ke...
A Blue Angel's Journey Featuring Boss Gil Rud
Blue Angel Phantoms - August 27, 2022 11:00 - 54 minutesFeaturing Boss Gil Rud, Blue Angels Flight Leader (1986 - 1988) | Produced & hosted by Ryan Nothhaft, Blue Angel Phantoms In this Interview, Boss Rud discusses his brand new memoir “From the Prairie to the Pacific: A Blue Angel’s Journey” that details his life from growing up in a small remote ...
The Untold Story of the Blue Angels Visit to Moscow with John "Gucci" Foley
Blue Angel Phantoms - August 12, 2022 18:00 - 54 minutesIn what was once thought to be an impossibility, the Blue Angels made history in 1992 by becoming the first United States flight team to fly over the skies of Moscow, Russia. The momentous visit served as a way to ease tensions between the once Cold War rivals. The Team’s trip to the former Sovi...
In the Cockpit of "Top Gun: Maverick" with Blue Angel Pilot, Frank Weisser
Blue Angel Phantoms - May 28, 2022 14:00 - 41 minutesDescribed as a “love letter to aviation” by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the new box office sensation “Top Gun: Maverick” is receiving critical acclaim for its state of the art cinematic sequencing and putting actors inside the cockpit of F18 Super Hornet jets, leaving audiences spellbound. But w...
Fat Albert's first JATO takeoff featuring former pilot, Steve Petit
Blue Angel Phantoms - November 14, 2020 18:00 - 32 minutesFat Albert is the Blue Angels C-130 support aircraft that has served as the team's primary transport since 1970. However, many air show enthusiast know Fat Albert for the breath taking JATO takeoff if used to perform prior to 2009 when the team ceased using the rocket bottles as part of their ...
The story of the Blue Angels' transition to the A4 Skyhawk featuring former solo pilot, Jerry "Turkey" Tucker
Blue Angel Phantoms - November 06, 2020 19:00 - 30 minutesDuring the course of their 74 year history, the Blue Angels have flown eight different aircraft and will be transitioning to their ninth, the F/18 Super Hornet, for the 2021 season. In this episode of the podcast, former Blue Angels solo pilot, Jerry "Turkey" Tucker, shares his recollections ...
Fat Albert Pilot, Major Katie Higgins Cook (2015 - 2016)
Blue Angel Phantoms - September 26, 2020 11:00 - 51 minutesMarine Corps aviator and veteran of Afghanistan, Major Katie Higgins Cook is the first female pilot to fly with the famed Blue Angels. In this episode of the Blue Angel Phantoms Podcast, Major Cook discusses her family's incredible legacy in military aviation and the impact that it had during t...
Blue Angels Maintenance Officer, Lt. Brian Abe
Blue Angel Phantoms - September 01, 2020 20:00 - 45 minutesLt. Brian Abe is the current Maintenance Officer (MO) for the United States Navy Blue Angels. In this episode of the podcast, Lt. Abe shares insights into his 22 year naval career and gives a breakdown of the 2020 airshow season. Key topics covered include the impact of COVID-19 on the Blue ...
State of the YouTube channel: Blue Angel Phantoms
Blue Angel Phantoms - July 23, 2020 01:00 - 18 minutesIt's been two months since I last published an episode of the podcast so I thought this was the perfect time to catch up and let you know what has been going on behind the scenes as well as share the story of the recently published short documentary about the 1982 Blue Angels team that I publish...
State of the YouTube channel: Blue Angel Phantoms
Blue Angel Phantoms - July 23, 2020 01:00 - 18 minutesIt's been two months since I last published an episode of the podcast so I thought this was the perfect time to catch up and let you know what has been going on behind the scenes as well as share the story of the recently published short documentary about the 1982 Blue Angels team that I publish...
Blue Angels Flight Surgeon, Dr. Gary Mullen (2003 - 2004)
Blue Angel Phantoms - May 07, 2020 17:00 - 51 minutesDr. Gary Mullen was the Flight Surgeon for the United States Navy Blue Angels during the 2003 & 2004 air show seasons. On this episode of the Podcast, Dr. Mullen details his unexpected path to the Navy, rushing and joining the Blue Angels organization, and providing constructive feedback to t...
Blue Angels F4 Phantom Team Photographer, Ron Rentfrow (1970 - 1973)
Blue Angel Phantoms - April 25, 2020 01:00 - 1 hourRon Rentfrow was the official photographer assigned to the Blue Angels from 1970 to 1973. During this episode of the podcast, Ron shares insights behind some of the most iconic moments during the F4 era of the Blue Angels, including the team's visits to Panama, Ecuador, and Hawaii. He also sha...
Blue Angels Leader, George Dom (1997 - 1998)
Blue Angel Phantoms - March 21, 2020 21:00 - 1 hourGeorge Dom is the former leader of the United States Navy Blue Angels and served on the team during the 1997 and 1998 air show seasons. During this episode, Boss Dom shares how his father motivated him to join the Navy, details his early deployments, and provides insights into the application...
Blue Angels Solo Pilot, Denny Sapp (1975 - 1976)
Blue Angel Phantoms - February 03, 2020 22:00 - 1 hourDenny Sapp is a former Blue Angels solo pilot and served on the team for the 1975 and 1976 air show seasons. Born in Iowa, Denny graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in 1968 and joined the US Navy and received his wings in 1969. He made 3 deployments to Vietnam compiling 367 com...
Blue Angels Maintenance Officer, Doug Hill (1983 - 1984)
Blue Angel Phantoms - January 20, 2020 23:00 - 1 hourDoug Hill was the Blue Angels Maintenance Officer during the 1983 & 1984 air show seasons. On this episode of the podcast, Doug details his early career in the Navy as well as the incredible transformation he underwent in order to be considered for the Blue Angels. Doug also shares stories from...
Blue Angels Crew Chief, David Kent
Blue Angel Phantoms - January 08, 2020 00:00 - 51 minutesDavid Kent was a crew chief for the United States Navy Blue Angels during the 1969 air show season. 1969 was the first year that the Blue Angels flew the F4 Phantom, where David worked on the #3 jet piloted by Ernie Christensen. During this interview, David discusses his humble beginnings in ...
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