63: Serving Aboard the USS Ronald Reagan with Super Hornet Pilot Zach Drum

Lieutenant Commander Zachary Drum is a Naval Aviator with over 1,800 flight hours and more than 400 carrier landings. In this episode, he shares what life is really like behind the scenes of naval aviation, including his path from the Naval Academy to flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Zach offers a firsthand look at the intensity of military flight training, the discipline required to operate from an aircraft carrier, and the realities of combat-ready aviation. The conversation dives into the details most people never see, from the precision and pressure of day and night carrier landings to the teamwork required across pilots, maintainers, and crew to keep operations running safely and efficiently. Beyond the cockpit, Zach discusses daily life aboard a carrier, the mental and physical demands of deployment, and how pilots manage stress in high-stakes environments. Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.Click here to text Todd!