 |
The Pilot Network PodcastAuthor: Adam Uhan
A great network can mean the difference between a dream career and a job. For over 30,000 members, The Pilot Network reconnects colleagues, offers vital knowledge, and supports new professionals. Join us in one of the fastest-growing networks for pilots. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Inside the Diamond: Leading the Thunderbirds with Colonel ‘Sheik’ Malafa
Thursday, 28 August, 2025
Colonel Nathan "Sheik" Malafa didn’t plan on becoming one of the most recognizable pilots in the world—he just followed the spark. From flying combat missions in the F-15E and F-35 to leading the Thunderbirds as Thunderbird 1, Sheik brings a rare mix of humility, precision, and leadership to the air and the team behind it. In this episode, we dig into the realities behind the paint job: the mindset it takes to lead 130+ people on the road nine months a year, how the Thunderbirds train to fly closer than most of us would ever dare, and what it really means to “chase perfection and catch excellence.” If you’ve ever looked up and wondered what it takes to be in that cockpit—or lead the team that puts the jets there—this is the one.
