7 Things You Didn’t Know About Fighter Pilots

My husband is a fighter pilot. Hmm…now did I hear some oohs and aahs?! Because I always do whenever I mention this fact. With Tom Cruise aka Maverick having done a splendid job at creating this larger-than-life and smart-alecy image of fighter pilots, just the mention of this profession has people conjuring up Top Gun scenarios. 

Pic credit: The Fiscal Times

So, are fighter pilots like Tom Cruise in Top Gun? Do they wear their Aviator sunglasses all the time? Are they just as cheeky? Well, read on to find out.

I’ve been married to S aka Smokey Bandit for 12+ years now. I’ve also met and interacted with lots of other fighter pilots – his buddies, squadron mates, course mates and our friends. And this is what I have to say about the images and avatars that are attached to fighter pilots.

Here are the myths and truths (from my point-of-view):

1. The image: Fighter pilots have a larger-than-life persona.

Truth: These are guys with larger-than-life jobs, but down-to-earth personalities. Though not all of them are humble (c'mon we've all met a few stuffy ones, haven't we?), most of them are pretty easy-going.

2. The image: Fighter pilots are brash, just like the outspoken Maverick.

Truth: Most fighter pilots, including my husband, are soft-spoken and amiable, with a sense of humor. They’re proud of what they do, but don’t really flaunt it at every opportunity they get.

Pic credit: Wikipedia

3. The image: Fighter pilots have one of the most risky jobs.

Truth: Well, yes, that is the truth. Which is why they take their sorties so seriously. While most of these guys enjoy some light-hearted banter in their downtime, they don’t take their training sorties or everyday missions lightly.

4. The image: Fighter pilots are flamboyant.

Truth: While some of them might be, most of them are pretty normal about being fighter pilots. You’ll hardly find anyone shouting out their profession from the rooftop or going the extra mile to portray a certain image.

5. The image: They’re inseparable from their Aviator Ray-bans.

Truth: Umm, yes, to a certain extent. If there is one thing that these guys covet, it’s their Aviators J. You’ll hardly find a fighter pilot on a sunny day (and sometimes on non-sunny days too) without it.

6. Image: Fighter pilots, like Tom Cruise in Top Gun, are way too sure of themselves.

Truth: They have to learn to be sure of what they do in the air, but never let over-confidence take over. Most of these guys know how to stay calm under pressure and have razor-sharp decision-making skills.

7. Image: Fighter Pilots are Ladies’ men.

Truth: The ones I know are all total family men (again, like everything in life, there could be exceptions to this). On weekends (or whatever is left of it), you’ll find them playing with their kids, buying veggies at the local market, helping their wives buy that right dress at the mall, or even baking a mean brownie ;-).

In a nut-shell, fighter pilots are rock-solid guys, grounded and calm, who dote on their families (totally my own opinion based on my personal experience :-)). They love a good joke, even a great party and definitely their Aviator Ray-bans. They put their lives on the line every single day and love every minute of their time in the air.

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