Shawn Dugan | Battling Wildfires from the Sky

In this episode of the Flight Club Podcast, host Jason Middleton sits down with Shawn Dugan, a veteran aerial firefighter who pilots massive aircraft like the DC-10 and Boeing 737 in dangerous fire fighting missions. Shawn shares his inspiring story, tracing his path from a childhood fascination with firefighting pilots to becoming a leader in the field. The episode dives deep into the dangers of aerial firefighting, the importance of teamwork and communication, and how pilots manage the fine line between safety and effectiveness while battling wildfires. Shawn also discusses the international scope of his work, the role of humility and creativity in high-risk flying, and the profound sense of purpose that comes from protecting communities from devastating fires. Packed with engaging insights, this episode offers a unique look at the unsung heroes of aerial firefighting and the challenging, yet fulfilling, nature of their work.

Connect with Shawn Dugan

Instagram: @shawnluisobispo

Episode timeline

00:00Introduction to Aerial Firefighting 00:30Meet Shawn Dugan: Aerial Firefighter and Winemaker 01:49The Dangers and Discipline of Aerial Firefighting 03:35Managing Risk and Chaos in Aerial Firefighting 06:08Shawn’s Journey to Becoming an Aerial Firefighter 08:24The Art and Passion of Aerial Firefighting 17:30The Perfect Drop: Aerial Firefighting Techniques 22:19Coordinating Aerial Firefighting Operations 25:30Crew Resource Management and Checklists 26:02Navigating Fire Zones and Helicopter Coordination 27:25Ground Coordination and Firefighter Support 28:41Military Influence and Pilot Training 35:05International Firefighting Experiences 42:21Balancing Urgency and Precision in Firefighting 45:10Mentorship and Learning from Experience 52:53Family and Personal Reflections 54:16Conclusion and Gratitude

This is a Kilo Bravo Media production produced by Rainbow Creative with Kate Middleton, Jason Middleton, and Matthew Jones as Executive Producers, Jeremiah Schutlz as Video and Audio Editor, Evan Weidenkeller as Director of Photography, Malcolm Perry as Social Media Manager, and Adam Chabiniak as Marketing Director.

Learn more on how to make a podcast for you or your business by visiting them at KiloBravoMedia.com + RainbowCreative.co