That's what my dad flew in Vietnam. I lived as a kid right there as well but since housing was very hard to get into my parents lived on the German Economy but lived right there in town. Germany was fun to live and made a lot of friends. When I was stationed as a JAG lawyer in Germany Zweibrücken Air Base had already closed back in 1991 after the Cold War ended.
And excellent interview! I was involved with the prototype F-15E A/C 71-0291 (F-15B No.2) as a McAir Flight Test Engineer and was honored to have worked with an amazing team of Engineers, Fabricators, and thousands of others that brought the E model towards fruition. That said, my favorite guys were the Project Pilot and WSO; absolutely top notch folks that deserve a huge amount of credit. I’m looking forward to Part 2 as straffing was mentioned. In later life, I was the Project Engineer at GD for the gun ammunition handling system and also supported the gun. Thanks for putting these interviews together. Rare to hear from the “GIB”. 😄😉
Fantastic. He did very well becoming a squadron commander as a WSO. Not easy for pilots either, but WSOs tend to be selected less often. That's a big differences between Air Force and Navy, I might add.
Seems like the Western fighter design trend is to mostly get rid of the second crewman- is that $$? I don't remember if anyone asked you this Karl, but as someone who's flown single and dual-crew jets, do you have a preference? And would it depend on the mission? I could see a RIO/WSO being less useful within a 1v1 dogfight, but maybe more important in a multi-plane engagement or something like a FAC-A or SEAD mission.
@@Nghilifa First, I'm not a military aviator. But from what I've heard (including many on Mike's channel), in a 1v1 where the pilot has sight of the target there's not a lot for the RIO/WSO to do. Especially with modern HUDS giving relevant info. Many RIO/WSOs say that they learned to just be quiet unless needed in those contexts whereas in a furball they could keep track of other friendlies and bandits while the pilot focused on their target. Sure, they could check six and call airspeed/altitudes in a 1v1, but I haven't heard that as a frequent need from F-14, F-15E, F-18E, F3, and Su-30+ pilots I've heard. F-4s seem to be split between pilots who loved their backseater and pilots who thought they were a waste of weight/fuel. Again though, I'm not a military aviator which is why I was asking someone who was (Karl).
@@tacoenvy Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If you don't mind me asking, what did you fly? If it's military jets and you haven't been on the channel (I don't recognize the name) are you volunteering for an interview? :)
Thanks!
Love the F-15, my fav fighter. Great interview.
Cheers.
That's what my dad flew in Vietnam. I lived as a kid right there as well but since housing was very hard to get into my parents lived on the German Economy but lived right there in town. Germany was fun to live and made a lot of friends. When I was stationed as a JAG lawyer in Germany Zweibrücken Air Base had already closed back in 1991 after the Cold War ended.
Cool video. Aspiring WSO at my nav school right now, so this was fun to listen to.
Thank you for your diligence I absolutely adore this channel !
Cheers David!
We need more.
Terrific interview. Looking forward to part two.
Cheers Colin!
Love the Strike Eagle.
I always wondered what that occasional 'wheefff' sound the F15E makes, but guess its the jet nozzle actuators.
And excellent interview! I was involved with the prototype F-15E A/C 71-0291 (F-15B No.2) as a McAir Flight Test Engineer and was honored to have worked with an amazing team of Engineers, Fabricators, and thousands of others that brought the E model towards fruition. That said, my favorite guys were the Project Pilot and WSO; absolutely top notch folks that deserve a huge amount of credit. I’m looking forward to Part 2 as straffing was mentioned. In later life, I was the Project Engineer at GD for the gun ammunition handling system and also supported the gun. Thanks for putting these interviews together. Rare to hear from the “GIB”. 😄😉
Fantastic. He did very well becoming a squadron commander as a WSO. Not easy for pilots either, but WSOs tend to be selected less often. That's a big differences between Air Force and Navy, I might add.
Seems like the Western fighter design trend is to mostly get rid of the second crewman- is that $$? I don't remember if anyone asked you this Karl, but as someone who's flown single and dual-crew jets, do you have a preference? And would it depend on the mission? I could see a RIO/WSO being less useful within a 1v1 dogfight, but maybe more important in a multi-plane engagement or something like a FAC-A or SEAD mission.
@@davidsmith8997 How would a WSO/RIO be less useful in a 1v1?
@@davidsmith8997 They could be important and a great asset in a 1v1 as well. I myself prefer 2 seaters over single seat.
@@Nghilifa First, I'm not a military aviator. But from what I've heard (including many on Mike's channel), in a 1v1 where the pilot has sight of the target there's not a lot for the RIO/WSO to do. Especially with modern HUDS giving relevant info. Many RIO/WSOs say that they learned to just be quiet unless needed in those contexts whereas in a furball they could keep track of other friendlies and bandits while the pilot focused on their target. Sure, they could check six and call airspeed/altitudes in a 1v1, but I haven't heard that as a frequent need from F-14, F-15E, F-18E, F3, and Su-30+ pilots I've heard. F-4s seem to be split between pilots who loved their backseater and pilots who thought they were a waste of weight/fuel. Again though, I'm not a military aviator which is why I was asking someone who was (Karl).
@@tacoenvy Thanks for sharing your thoughts. If you don't mind me asking, what did you fly? If it's military jets and you haven't been on the channel (I don't recognize the name) are you volunteering for an interview? :)
Great interview. I enjoy hearing the story and experience from a F-15 WSO. Look forward to watching Part 2 of the interview.
Thanks very much.
Brilliant interview as always can't wait to see part 2
Cheers Carl.
@@AircrewinterviewIs part 2 out? I'm not seeing it on RUclips