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How an F-22 fighter pilot transforms the stealth jet’s combat capabilities into a soaring spectacle

October 20, 20240
Larson inspects the interior of the F-22 before take-off.

US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Bithell

Larson was inspired to become a military pilot after regularly attending airshows throughout the Midwest and in his hometown of Davenport, Iowa.

“It was purely airshows that got me inspired to join and hopefully become a fighter pilot,” he told Business Insider.

As a cadet at the US Air Force Academy, he joined the service’s parachute team, Wings of Blue, performing more than 700 skydives as a jumpmaster and instructor.

Upon graduating from USAFA in 2015, he attended pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, earning his pilot wings two years later. After being selected to fly the Raptor in 2017, Larson completed an eight-week Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals course, as well as an F-22-specific training course in Florida.

While serving as an instructor pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, Larson was selected to command the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team in August 2022.

“Becoming a demo pilot was one of those things I would daydream about, but it was tough to imagine it would pan out the way I’d planned,” Larson said in an Air Force Academy interview. “Now, seeing it from the other side, I know it’s not easy for anyone.”

Becoming a demo pilot
A US Air Force F-22 Raptor deploys flares during a performance.

US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez

After nearly eight years flying the Raptor, Larson accumulated over 850 hours in the aircraft, which includes multiple deployments to the Middle East and Indo-Pacific alongside airshow demonstrations.

While the F-22’s impressive loops and passes are meant to wow aviation enthusiasts, the pilot said the performance is derived from real-life combat maneuvers.

“All of our maneuvers are just basic derivations from what we do really in dogfighting, and we’re trying to showcase what’s unique about the F-22,” Larson said. “It’s the only fighter in the US arsenal that has thrust vectoring, and it’s the most maneuverable fighter in the world.”

He added: “We try to showcase what the F-22 can do that other fighters cannot do, and some of the moves that we use in basic fighter maneuvers or dog fighting, we showcase in the demo.”

Lockheed Martin is also the prime contractor for the F-35 stealth fighter and is expected to be a contender for the Next Generation Air Domination fighter slated to one day replace the F-22. Lockheed posted second-quarter net earnings of $1.6 billion, or $6.85 per share.

Flying the F-22
The F-22 ‘s design includes increased thrust that allows it to cruise at supersonic airspeeds without an afterburner.

US Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith

Before he gets into the cockpit, Larson said he has to prepare mentally and physically for the strain of the aircraft’s high G-force turns, enabled by the jet’s unique maneuverability.

“What’s unique about the F-22 is even in that regime, you still have full nose authority and can point the nose at will,” he said. “We have the thrust vectoring to be able to backflip, and then we have a very advanced flight control to be able to yaw the nose around. So that definitely takes getting used to because other airplanes really just can’t do that.”

In one particularly challenging maneuver, Larson said he would stop the F-22 midair at a 90-degree angle, allowing it to fall backward at about 80 miles per hour in reverse. With safety being the utmost concern, certain moves can only be executed at specific airspeeds and altitudes, in addition to rigorous practice and thorough on-the-ground communication.

“At every point during our demonstration, we could have a catastrophic flight control failure or lose an engine, and we’d still be able to recover the jet on the one functioning engine and just fly it to land,” he said. “It’s all built based on safety.”

From demos back to duty
Condensation trails emerge from the wings of an F-22 surrounded by clouds.

US Air Force photo by Senior Airman Meghan Hutton

After nearly a decade of pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a demo pilot, Larson’s two-year tenure as the commander of the F-22 demo team is soon coming to an end.

“This best job I’ve ever had,” he said. “It’s very unique that we travel with 10 individuals, minimal equipment, support, personnel, and in $300 million worth of assets,” referring to the high price tag of an F-22 aircraft.

“It’s such a phenomenal team to work with, and I think I’m going to miss that the most,” he continued. “After this, I go back to flying in the combat F-22 units — back to the normal flying.”