That is my uncle, couldn’t be more proud, total legend. 😎🇺🇸

I met Heater at the Cape May Airshow a couple of years ago. I was there with our B25. He asked to see the inside of our bird. We sat in the cockpit for some time and chatted. Wonder and gracious guy, honored to have met him.

Wishing Heater the best and recovery to play ball! Good luck!

This interview with Captain C.J. "Heater" Heatley, conducted by Mr. Vincent Aiello, callsign “Jell-O,” is a true master class. Listening to the two of you is like receiving a PhD in everything related to fighter pilots and fighter jets in just 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 10 seconds. I feel highly honored to have met both of you at the TOP GUN Days Event in 2022 and 2023, and I feel very lucky to have both of Heater's books, The Cutting Edge and Forged in Steel, autographed. We are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming release of Jell-O's book. Congratulations to both of you for making us experts in a single session. This was simply amazing. P.S. Heater and Jell-O, please do another interview where you talk in depth about “Hoser” and “Snort.” It would be a dream to hear you tell stories about the two of them as well. Tomcats Forever, Roberto “Kanga” Roux 👍😀

I had watched Mooch Carroll's fantastic interview with Heater not long ago. I knew he was a legend in Naval Aviation. This chat with Jello was frosting on the cake for me. It was however distressing to learn of his uphill battle with "three bogies behind my wingline" cancer. Nevertheless, with his long career in the cockpit as the ultimate fighter pilot, he has broven that he's a creative, never say die, brawler. If anyone can prove the doctors wrong, it's Heater Heatly! He's in my prayers. I'm a retired Marine Corps and Air National Guard attack and fighter-recce pilot. My first assignment after Air Force UPT and a Naval Aviation transition syllabus in TA-4F Skyhawks was to A-6 Intruders. My first "gun" squadron after A-6 transition, VMA(AW) 224, became the first Marine A-6 squadron to deploy with a Navy carrier air wing. We were assigned to CVW-15 on Coral Sea. Two thirds of our pilots had gone through Air Force training in the late '60s and had never been carrier qualified. Brave Navy LSOs from the A-6 RAG at Oceana somehow got all of us day and night qualled (or requalled for the old heads) on the Lexington before we joined the Air Wing at Alameda for WESPAC work-ups. It was quite a chaotic evolution to say the least. During night ops off the California coast, I had a cut pass "settle at the ramp", near ramp strike. In a few days, the squadron's leadership sent two crews back to Cherry Point, I was one of the pilots. That was the low point of my career. Although I later went to Vietnam at the tail end of the air war in '72 and managed to bag 55 combat missions, I carried my failure at Coral Sea around on my back like a 400 pound load of abject humiliation. The painful memory of that was reignited when Jello asked Heater about the most memorable experience of his career, and he talked first about the low point of how he had burdoned his family. Mine was my night near miss at the boat. After WESPAC, I became an A-4 instructor at Beeville, which I loved! In my second year at VT-25, I managed to convince the Skipper to let me try to regain my reputation as a Naval aviator and carrier re-qualify. He gave it a thumbs up and made me a "safety overhead" instructor to lead students out to the boat. The day arrived, a fine sunny Friday afternoon. I led the last scheduled group of students out to the Lexington before the ship headed into port at Corpus Christi for weekend liberty. I circled the ship as my students all successfully qualled and headed back to Beeville. Then my signal was "charlie" and I headed into the break. I knew I had had a good period, not a single peep out of Paddles on any one of my passes. Elated, I flew back to Beeville and smoked into the break at Chase doing 400 knots. Nobody but the tower crew were still around to watch my hotdog pattern entry. All the squadrons had secured for happy hour and the weekend. When our LSO flew off and met us back in the VT-25 ready room, my grades for my traps were six "okay, no comment three wires"! I was on cloud nineI I drove home, took a shower, inspected my shoulder bruises in the mirror, and took my precious bride to a perfect Texas steak dinner at the Red Barn near Lake Mathis, and all was right with the world, my sin had been expiated! That was the high point of my 35 year military and commercial flying careers. Thanks, Jello and Heater for the inspiration to relive it and share here.

Even Hollywood can’t come up with a more awesome fighter pilot than Heater. Maverick can’t hold a handle to him. My brain is still trying to process all these amazing stories. Absolute legend!

Would love to hear those stories about Hoser and Snort in a dedicated episode. The fact that Heater had dogfight against Snort and Hoser, sounds incredible

Awesome interview. If anyone can beat the bogeys, it will be Heater. His wife Kay was the project manager on the TOPGUN contract (we produced and published the TOPGUN journal, manual, all the slides for the lectures and any other media. We called them slides even though they were in a PowerPoint format. I think Kay started when TOPGUN decided to expand the lectures to include air to mud subjects. We would see Heater once and a while. Larger than life. And to think we had a copy of The Cutting Edge just floating around the office, tattered, dust cover torn but required reading for employees on the contract. Excellent show.

The Cutting Edge book and calendars in the 80's were such a great inspiration. (Still have them till this day) Thank You Heater, for inspiring fellow photographers and aviators.

Not everyday you find out wonderfull people walk this earth. Today was one of those days. What a truely remarkable man. I wish him all the best, and give thanks to his service.

I was at Miramar during the heyday of the 80’s. Heater was a legend and still is! I bought his book and it is now a family heirloom 😎🇺🇸

Wow! Listening to Heater is always a treat. Thanks so much Jello for inviting such a legend to your podcast. So happy to see Heater in good spirits considering he has been battling illness. I am proud to be one of the thousands of people who had the good fortune of donating to Heather's treatment.

What an amazing inspiration Heater has been his entire life. Keep fighting Heater! What an absolute epic episode!

Count me as one of the thousands who were inspired to pursue an aviation career because of "The Cutting Edge". I love your conversational, friends chit chatting, interview approach.

Incredible episode Jello. So glad that Heater is taking the time to do some interviews

Awesome interview! Wishing Heater all the very best!

Heater's incredible recounting of his camouflage research and development is an absolutely perfect example of why having well educated aviators and warfighters is so important and advantageous. Awesome interview, thank you so much.

The Cutting Edge was on my dads coffee table for years! Grumman Engineer he was. The book has since passed on to me. Childhood hero indeed!

I've known of Mr. Heatley for many years, but this is the first interview with him that I've seen. EXCELLENT conversation!

That was a great interview. Heater really is a genuine legend, and his contribution to Naval aviation is unquestionable. Glad to see he's still in the fight despite fending off 3 bogeys. The world would be a poorer place without him. Jello, this show is rapidly building up an incredible bank of aviation oral history. Keep it going brother, because some of legends won't be around forever, and we need their experiences captured.

Been waiting for this to come out for a loong time.. Heater has so much good stories, he tells em well AND he is a genuinly nice guy to talk too.. Total class act.

First book of Naval Aviation I ever purchased. I’d watched Top Gun so many times in the 80s that I recognized the name “CJ, ‘Heater’ Heatley” on the cover of this book at a Sam’s Club. I bought it immediately. I believe there is a picture in that book of the red dials and gauges of an F-14 Tomcat, waiting its turn to launch behind the JBD on CAT 3 or 4 (of some boat) during a cold, dark, raining evening… it mesmerized me for years. I would stare at it and wonder, “people do this?” Looking forward to the interview!

Best Heater interview EVER. Maybe because I have watch a few others (interviews) I was able to key in on some details said during this interview, but wow a bunch of cool historical knowledge gained. I’ve had ‘The Cutting Edge” since 87-88’ as a teenager because of Top Gun, and now it is still proudly in my living room to this day.

Great appearance, Heater. I'm glad you're looking and sounding well. I sent the video link to one of "The Admirals" you mentioned :)

Best episode ever. As 2 time red flag WSO in F4, I probably flew against him. Thanks Jell-o for putting the Tiger patch on your wall. Rim

I still have my copy of The Cutting Edge. The pictures in it are spectacular.

Heater continues to inspire! Inspired a generation of aviators more than any movie could. Such an exemplary human being. Legend! Thank you Jello for these long form interviews with the men like this!

Great show. Can't believe that man is over 75? and sick, wow.

Absolute LEGEND. Thanks for hosting him, Jell-O --- Matt, Spirit of Time Podcast

Wow. Just wow. What a great recording/archival of an American military aviation icon. I just got my own copy of The Cutting Edge, which I found in the tech library at General Dynamics back in the day. After writing/reviewing/testing flight control system software for a few hours it was a great break!

Often times the person does not live up to the legend, but in this case I think the person supersedes the legend. It is interesting how a film student applied his skills to come up with a paint scheme that made visual range seemingly impossible. You never know when or where a skill may come in handy. Thank you for sharing and here is to your health improving.

I Got my copy in 1988, It helped me in all kinds of ways, With my paintings etc. Thanks "Heater".

What a great interview with a stupendous man.i have seen the Ward Carroll interview, which was great, but this was such a deeper dive. Prayers for Heater.

Worked with a publisher in Northern California in the 90’s for about 10 years. Briefly met Heater, as he also contributed. Great stories here…thx!

When I was ten I had seen TopGun a million times. I had the posters, the models, “The Cutting Edge” and the dream. Then when I was 12 I found out the Irish Air Corps had six Fouga Magister. I”m Irish. Still, happy old man with my PPL 😎 Topgun 2 made me feel ten again, in the beautiful bittersweet way that sometimes a wisp of a strangers perfume makes me feel 21. Enough sharing. CelticMav out.

Heater! Loved your work far before TG movie... Brought The Cutting Edge in '88 (still have it). What a career, what a life. Take care Sir!

Heater, your stories and recollections of airspeeds and specifics is still awe inspiring. From one fellow fireballer to another, I would trade anything I’ve ever done in my life to have had 5 minutes a Tomcat. Hope you’re feeling well, you look and seem like you’re doing great! Thank you for your time, and awesome stories!

Great episode!!! I had the honor to meet Heater when I was a young Marine at a WTI when he flew in one of our (VMAQ-2 The Playboys) Prowlers. There’s a picture that came out of that, showing a stack formation of all the various USMC jet aircraft at that time in the inventory. EA-6B, A-6E, RF-4B, F-4S, F-18A, A-4M, OA-4M, and a AV-8B. I have a framed print of that hanging in my house and love it!! Best wishes to Heater and prayers for a full and quick recovery!!!

ok - so just out of college I "worked" to get my first credit card. Took some effort back then. First thing I bought with my new card was this book. Still have it today in my library !!!

This was a really great interview. Jell-o, you asked the right questions and obviously winging it without a script was the right way to go. For all of us who have lived our lives with our head in the sky, but our feet planted on the ground, you would be doing us a massive favor if you could extract the Hoser and Snort stories from Heater too.

One of the Constant Peg pioneers

Best episode. I know I keep saying that, but…. no words. Thanks Heater!

Thank you gentlemen.... I have had The Cutting Edge book in my library since I was 14 years old... 1986. The Crown Jewel of my of over 40 books on military aviation collection. Truly an inspiration for all my endless years of love of the art of flying to this date. Forever thank you. Regards.

Fantastic show, fantastic human being. Here's to "80 Plus"

As a teenager in 86, 87, 88, I worked across the street from NAS Miramar at Malibu Grand Prix. It was a perfect place to be as I got to watch jets all the time, especially after TopGun came out. I soon became aware of Heater because of the movie and the PM Magazine feature. One day I come to work, and I’m looking at the racing licenses pinned to the board that were forgotten, and who do I see? A photo ID with Heater and his mustache smiling back at me. He had already left before I got there and forgot his racing license. I grabbed it, put it in my pocket, and carried it around in my wallet for maybe a month or two. Then one day, another pilot comes in, I might have this wrong but I think his name was CMDR Pettit. I think I knew his name at the time because it was mentioned in the PM Magazine video. I asked him if he ever sees Heater. He said yes, so I pulled out my wallet and gave him Heater’s racing license.

I guess @HeatleyBros has us all beat. I had the honor of serving with Heater in VF-21 at Miramar in the late 80's early 90's. Went to war with him when everything over there first started. I remember where I was on the ship when the announcement was given. Heater is truly the Best of the Best. He is truly a great man. I hope when I am his age I look that good. He has always been a fighter and a leader in everything. Some can only dream of doing a few of the things this man has. Just like in another movie, "You mean they really lived", "Yea, they really lived". Heater has really lived more than a full life. Love ya Heater

My prayers for Mr.Heatley.,may God extend your life many more years ...thank you to the host...great show

Outstanding. I had the big Cutting Edge calendar growing up. Heater has a real artist’s eye. A true Renaissance Man. The Hugh Hefner of Tomcat p-n. 📸

What a wonderful episode. I just pulled my copy of “The Cutting Edge” off my shelf. The publication date was 1986. Brought back a lot of memories. As I flipped through the book familiarizing again with the awesome photos, I found in the back of the book, a USAF Thunderbird pamphlet with the 1987 team that they gave out on the crowd line. I got that pamphlet at the Lexington, Ky 1987 show.

I knew of Heater's photo work but I didn't know his flying experience was that extensive! The camo discussion was really unique too. Great interview.

This was so insanely good. Definitely another epsiode to rewatch several times over! Thank you guys.

Wow, what a show Jell-o. This sir must be one of your best podcasts. Heater is a true legend!! Cheers from Malta Europe

You knocked this one out of the park! A very informative, insightful, and entertaining episode! I enjoyed every minute.

I love Heater too Jello - yet not one Barry Manilo CD in my collection. Last week I received my copy of the greatest coffee table book in the world (The Cutting Edge!), and life is better for it. I'm savoring it, one page at a time. Bravo you two.

Dang. That 'Heater Paint Scheme' tale had me rivetted. Absolutely brilliant analysis, from the Maestro himself. The best Tomcast episode, by far. He did his homework on colour and perception. First time I'd heard the nuts and bolts of the whole concept. Heater's the Legend. Or, one of THE Legends at least. Dang, I'm not getting much done. Binge-watching these shows.

This by far is the best interview of a fighter pilot podcast ever. Loved it. I am so glad you were on the USA side, thanks.

I remember the PM Magazine show when he took Pat Brown for the flight in an F-14. I taped it and watched it for years.

Could listen to heater for hours got his book cutting edge some amazing pictures top guy

Among so many excellent episodes of this podcast, this one is by far my favorite so far!

My favorite interview that you've done to date! Such a fascinating person with a great story. Best of luck to him.

Such a great interview Jell-O and team! Heater is an amazing person. So humble and thoughtful even after all that he’s accomplished in life. Thank you Jell-O, for this amazing interview. Wish all the best to Heater for his health.

Back 40-plus years ago my mom handed me a copy of California Magazine with Heater's Tomcat photo and I just flipped. Still have my copy of The Cutting Edge from 1986 in my home library. Great interview! Laughed at a lot of the stories and damn near cried when he explained his current medical situation. Well done.

I should say this ranks among the best guest and best podcasts.

I am from Brazil and casually found both Cutting Edge and Forged in Steel on a local bookstore about 35 years ago. Both part of my collection.

Thank you for sharing this excellent interview.

Great admiration for what all of you men do and have done. "Heater" is just a few years older than me but I remember seeing him in Top Gun in many scenes. It was only when my roommate placed the "Cutting Edge" on our coffee table that my deep admiration for for Naval Aviation and the men who do this job really began to take hold. Reading and looking at the pictures in his book, I finally realized who he was the next time I popped in the Top Gun video tape! My colorblindness kept me from flying jets back then. I remember after the Top Gun movie, that's all I wanted to do. I did serve in the military but it was in the army with E/3rd-48th Inf. Now at nearly 57 I am still enamored by aviators like you Jell-O and Heater...not to mention Ward Carroll (Mooch) and "Bozo" and "Bio" who both flew F-14's in the movie. Thanks for what you do Jell-O and keep 'em coming!

Jell-O, I knew you looked familiar - you were one of the pilots in the ready room explaining some of the difficulties of “pitching deck” ops on the PBS series “Carrier”.

Jello...thank you so much for this! Absolutely fantastic! Heater is such a humble guy and listening to his stories and just overall knowledge is so awesome.

Another excellent listen thank you both for your time .

Very awesome episode of a great fighter pilot.

I still have his book someplace. I have had it since I was a kid. Edit: It is why worked so hard for my NROTC scholarship though I did not end up flying and joined the Marine Corps in the end.

Perhaps I'm just over emotional as i get older,but yes there was a tear of respect in my eye. And i must admit your podcasts are so enjoyable, I've actually watched and listened to them more than once 🙏

This was so awesome!! My dad bought my brother and I the cutting edge book back when it came out and i didn’t know he did forged in steel. Heater you’re such a legend sir!! 💗💗

Bought this book when I was a teen, and niw I'm 52 still have the book Cutting Edge. Love the photography. Thank you for this pod cast.

What an amazing interview. I have had both the books since I was a kid. Need to send them to Heater to get signed!!!

I had his book in middle school. It’s still at my stepfather’s house. I now need to take a trip over there to get it. Great episode, great guy. Best of health to you sir.

Wow. Just wow. Was there a time warp there? Over two hours just flashed by like it was a few minutes. I was in university when it came out and it was like crack to a military aviation junkie like me. I never put it together until now, but I think Heater hit the nail on the head for the best description of it: National Geographic photos of the US Navy. Stunning even in today's world of digital imagery. But just think back then: manual f-stop and shutter speed, one shot then manual advance to the next frame, no auto-focus, and I bet his lenses were all primes as well. In a sense, it's kind of like being a naval aviator in the F4-F14 era versus today's F35 and PLM. Thank you for this interview and thank you Heater for all you've done. I feel privelidged to have been able to listen in on this.

There's another cool technique to make aircraft disappear visually. Put lights in the shadow regions like intakes. If you do it correctly, it reduces or even eliminates contrast with the sky. The aircraft will literally disappear. There's a prof at University of Kansas I think who did this a while back with a Gentle Lady RC glider using electroluminescent panels on the underside. I saw a video of it, and it was like a cloaking device. The really cool thing is that color of the light doesn't matter. Our eyes are most sensitive to luminance not color.

Fascinating, praying for Heater 🙏

Awesome podcast👍. I have the cutting edge as a staple in my book collection! Bought it as a little kid because of that awesome cover picture! Keep up the good fight heater! You’re a legend in aviation👍👍.

Ordered a copy of "Cutting Edge" for my birthday, still a couple weeks off. She said I shouldn't look at it till my birthday, that it would be "cheating". I said "good fighter pilots cheat all the time!" Its going to be here tomorrow, I plan on thoroughly looking it over when it gets here.

I normally listen to the FPP as a podcast with no video... so I've never seen the dog appear before! What a cool surprise to go along with the SUPERB content.

We need a part 2! ❤❤❤

Thank you, Sir, for your service and these excellent podcasts! I greatly admire fighter pilots, though I mean no disrespect to others in the armed services.

What a wonderful video! Bless him!

Amazing interview !!

Being a photographer, I try to have my camera with me as much as possible, bcuz you do regret the shots you don’t take. You never know when they’re gonna happen. I love Heater’s work, and I wish there was a way to purchase some of his prints. Thank you for doing this episode Jell-O!

I am not sure if men like him exist anymore, what a genius. what a fantastic podcast

Another great podcast..love it

it's going to be tough to ever surpass this interview.

Great episode. Great Guest. 👍

Still have the "cutting Edge" great picts and a great book. Thanks.

Never served, but I solo'd in a T-34B....love the Mentor, great plane. Awesome ah-ha moment was on my first go around during solo and I'm downwind and noticing I have to trim more nose up as I'm getting slower....realized "oh yeah, there's no person behind me"

We love Heater!!!!!

Awesome episode J'ello!

My favourite aviation book, thank you

Absolutely wonderful interview, keep up the fight Heater! I’m surprised that he mentioned Hozer and great stories. He seems so reserved when on Mooches channel!

Great episode! yes, I have his book - one of the inspirations that made me go navy : ) well done

What an absolute legend of a man !

Really great show!