F-18 Hornet Strike-Fighter

The F-18 Hornet is the front line aircraft for the US Navy. The F-18 Hornet has replaced the F-14 for air superiority and ground attack missions. The F-18 Hornet is a single and two seat, twin engine, twin tail, carrier based aircraft.

While I have flown the F-18 Hornet only once, I did fly the F-14 for ten years and conducted numerous missions with the F-18 Hornet in mixed sections. A combined F-14 and F-18 Hornet section had the advantage of the F-14’s superior long-range radar and F-18 Hornet’s medium PRF radar for close in air-to-air combat. In 2006 the F-14 had its last flight and the F-18 Hornet became the sole air superiority fighter in the arsenal of the US Navy. Flying the F-14 was the greatest experience of my life and inspired me to write West of the Rock. Everyone dreams of what it might be like to fly a fighter like the F-18 Hornet off an aircraft carrier and I wrote this book to illuminate what this life is like.

It gives a rare, illuminating look into the elite world of Navy pilots and the F-18 Hornet. In a series of powerful and often harrowing narratives, the I present their life trajectories, from looking up in awe at the power and glory of warplanes like the F-18 Hornet, facing the ordeals of even “routine” landings at night on a pitching carrier deck, interacting with the comparatively unremarkable world of civilians, and reaching the point they no longer have the edge needed to be fighter pilots.  Whether flying the F-18 Hornet or the F-14, the life was a world few could imagine. You could possibly fly the F-18 Hornet some day or read this book now. After reading it you’ll want to fly the F-18 Hornet tomorrow.

Want to know what it’s like to fly an F18 Hornet? Get your copy of West of the Rock today!