He Heard Me Go By pilot story comes from Navy pilot Stretch Curran, who flew the massive A-3 / EA-3 Skywarrior “Whale,” the largest jet routinely launched from aircraft carriers.
In Episode 201 of So There I Was, Stretch joins us for a wide-ranging hangar-talk conversation about flying the Whale from carriers, the realities of multi-crew naval aviation, and the kind of moments that make pilots stop talking for a second.
Furthermore, Stretch describes launching at night from USS Midway when an electrical fire and system failures suddenly complicate the mission. Consequently the crew must stabilize a very large jet in darkness and poor weather while troubleshooting failures in real time.
But that’s only one of the stories.
The episode also explores the unique world of EA-3 electronic warfare missions, life operating the largest aircraft ever routinely flown from carrier decks, and the culture of the Whale community.
Then comes the moment that gave the episode its title.
During one maneuver another pilot later reported he “heard me go by.”
Wait… what?
Consequently the conversation turns to close passes, crowded training airspace, and the kind of unexpected moments that become legendary sea stories.
If you enjoy naval aviation stories, carrier flying, and ridiculous pilot bar stories, Episode 201 delivers all of it.
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