F-15, F-16, F/A-18: A Fighter Pilot’s Rules for a Life Worth Flying
Kyle Skylaski spent 23 years in the cockpit, from F-15s and aggressor F-16s to an F/A-18 exchange tour and test flying a modified 727.
Kyle Skylaski’s first flight came as a high school senior. It set him on a path to the Air Force Academy and 23 years in the cockpit.
In Episode 366, he compares the jets he flew, talks about leadership and loss, and shares the advice he would give someone starting over.
- 01How a first flight in high school led to the Air Force Academy
- 02Academy football, gliders and pilot training at Laughlin
- 03How the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18 compare
- 04Aggressor flying and test flying a modified 727
- 05Leadership, teamwork and losing friends early in a career
- 06Electric and hybrid training aircraft
From a first flight to the Academy
Kyle’s first flight as a high school senior led to the Air Force Academy, where he played football and flew gliders, then to pilot training at Laughlin.
Three fighters, compared
Kyle flew the F-15, the F-16 as an aggressor pilot and the F/A-18 on an exchange tour. He compares them and talks about squadron culture.
Test flying and what came next
Later in his career he test flew a modified 727 for Raytheon. He also shares his view on electric and hybrid training aircraft.
Leadership and loss
The conversation turns to leadership, teamwork and the lessons that came from losing friends early in his career, and the advice he would give anyone starting over.
Kyle Skylaski
Kyle Skylaski is a former fighter pilot with 23 years in the cockpit, including the F-15, the F-16 as an aggressor pilot, an F/A-18 exchange tour, and test flying a modified 727 for Raytheon. He is the author of The Sky Less Traveled.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kyle Skylaski?
Kyle Skylaski is a former fighter pilot with 23 years in the cockpit flying the F-15, F-16 and F/A-18, who later test flew a modified 727 for Raytheon.
Has Kyle Skylaski written a book?
Yes. His book is The Sky Less Traveled.
What is an aggressor pilot?
An aggressor pilot flies the role of an adversary in training, so other fighter pilots can practice against realistic opposition.
