How to Dogfight the F/A-18 Hornet | RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor Explains

How to Dogfight the F/A-18 Hornet | RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor Explains

July 17, 2026 · 16 min · Season 93 · Episode 1

About this episode

Ray "Homer" Simpson discusses his experiences as a fighter pilot and instructor in the RAAF, focusing on dogfighting techniques and fighter aviation culture.

Former Royal Australian Air Force Hornet pilot and Fighter Combat Instructor Ray "Homer" Simpson joins me for the first of a two-part conversation covering one of the most detailed discussions of fighter aviation we've ever recorded.In Part 1 we explore Homer's journey into the RAAF after three attempts to join, his early Hornet career, becoming a Fighter Combat Instructor, and the realities of Basic Fighter Manoeuvres (BFM). Homer explains how Hornet pilots learned to dogfight, what separated average pilots from exceptional ones, how the classic Hornet behaved before the flight control computer upgrades, and what changed with the arrival of AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Link 16, JHMCS and the Hornet Upgrade Program.We also discuss DACT against MiG-29s and F-16s, Australian fighter culture, instructor philosophy and the progression from student to instructor.Watch full episodes early and support the channel at:10percenttrue.com

People in this episode

Host: Steve Davies

Guest: Ray "Homer" Simpson

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Royal Australian Air Force

Products: F/A-18 Hornet, AMRAAM, ASRAAM, Link 16, JHMCS, Hornet Upgrade Program, Basic Fighter Manoeuvres, DACT, MiG-29, F-16

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