Both are US Air Force (USAF) Reserve pilots, both fly the Warthog, both like to fly low and slow and both are proud “to support people on the ground.”
The interesting videos in this post feature interviews with A-10C pilots Captain Charlie Phelps and Captain Manter.
As they explain in the clips, both are US Air Force (USAF) Reserve pilots, both fly the Warthog, both like to fly low and slow and both are proud “to support people on the ground.”
![[Videos] A-10 Pilots Explains why Flying the Warthog is Greatest Job in the World](https://theaviationgeekclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1941.jpg)
Check out the clips to learn more!
The A-10 Thunderbolt II, affectionately nicknamed “The Warthog,” was developed for the United States Air Force by the OEM Team from Fairchild Republic Company, now a part of Northrop Grumman Corporation Aerospace Systems Eastern Region located in Bethpage NY and St. Augustine FL. Following in the footsteps of the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt, the OEM Team was awarded a study contract in the 1960s to define requirements for a new Close Air Support aircraft, rugged and survivable, to protect combat troops on the ground. This initial study was followed up by a prototype development contract for the A-X, and a final flyoff competition resulting in the selection of the A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Selection of the A-10 Thunderbolt II for this mission was based on the dramatic low altitude maneuverability, lethality, “get home safe” survivability, and mission capable maintainability designed into the jet by the OEM team. This design features a titanium “bathtub” that protects the pilot from injury, and dually redundant flight control systems that allow the pilot to fly the aircraft out of enemy range, despite severe damage such as complete loss of hydraulic capability. These features have been utilized to great effect in both the Desert Storm conflict of the 1990’s and in the more recent Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Global War on Terror engagements.
