From Watching Challenger Explode to Flying Super Hornets: Pete Stavrides
Pete Stavrides enlisted in the Navy out of high school. He went on to fly P-3s, F/A-18 Super Hornets in combat, and jets at the Reno Air Races.
Pete Stavrides enlisted in the Navy right out of high school. In Episode 365, he tells Justin how that led to P-3 Orions, a commission, combat in the F/A-18 Super Hornet, and racing jets at Reno.
- 01Choosing the Navy path to fighters
- 02Training struggles in the T-45
- 03What a carrier catapult launch is like
- 04Ego versus humility in aviation
- 05Air racing technique, and losing a friend and competitor
- 06The DPE shortage, and introducing kids to aviation
The Navy path
Pete flew P-3 Orions on counter-drug operations before earning his commission, then fought his way through T-45 training to the F/A-18 Super Hornet, flying combat over Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ego and humility
“When we get in an airplane, we’re in a survival situation,” Pete says. He talks about ego versus humility, and the traits of a good captain, first officer or wingman.
Racing at Reno
Pete has raced in the gold jet class at the Reno Air Races. He shares racing technique and the loss of a friend and competitor in a 2022 crash.
After the fleet
Since the Navy, Pete has worked as an Airbus first officer, an FAA examiner, an aircraft management specialist and an upset recovery instructor in the L-39. He also weighs in on the DPE shortage.
Pete Stavrides
Pete Stavrides enlisted in the Navy after high school, flew P-3 Orions and F/A-18 Super Hornets, and has worked as an Airbus first officer, an FAA examiner and an upset recovery instructor in the L-39. He has raced in the gold jet class at the Reno Air Races.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Pete Stavrides?
Pete Stavrides is a naval aviator who flew P-3 Orions and F/A-18 Super Hornets, races jets at Reno, and works as an FAA examiner and upset recovery instructor.
What did Pete Stavrides fly in the Navy?
He flew P-3 Orions on counter-drug operations, then F/A-18 Super Hornets, including combat over Iraq and Afghanistan.
What class does he race at Reno?
He has raced in the gold jet class at the Reno Air Races.
