Somerset podcaster flies with Patriots Jets Tom Cruise style

Louis Skupien, who lives in Barrington and hosts the TALK4 podcast – where he interviews some of the “world’s most impressive individuals”, including military commanders, elite pilots and top performers - recently had “the experience of a lifetime.”

Over the years, his career has allowed him to pursue his passion for aviation projects and bring unique stories to life through his YouTube channel and Podcast, which has now reached over 2 million views and is growing rapidly.

Louis recently visited Byron, California in San Francisco to film a documentary with the Patriots Jets Team, a renowned 6-jet fighter display team. He also recorded podcast episodes during this project.

The Patriots extended him a "rare invitation", giving him full access to their practice sessions right before an air show.

Louis said: “This opportunity doesn’t come around often—it's literally a 1 in a billion shot—and I’m truly honoured to have been a part of it.

“This project didn't just happen overnight. It’s been a journey through my career in aviation projects, with each step building toward this incredible moment."

The Patriots Jet Team are currently working on Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning and have previously worked on Top Gun: Maverick, where they flew the jets used by the cast, including Tom Cruise, to train for and film the air-to-air scenes.

Louis flew in the same seat and jet that the Top Gun actors trained in and used to capture those incredible cinematic moments.

The Patriots Jet pilots are typically military veterans, including former Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, some of the best pilots in the world.

Patriots Jets (Image: Louis Skupien) Louis said: “To be invited to fly with them was beyond an honour.

“During the project, I flew with Scott ‘Intake’ Kartvedt, a former Blue Angel pilot, and even flew in the same seat that the cast of Top Gun: Maverick, including Tom Cruise, trained in and filmed the movie’s aerial scenes. Sitting where Hollywood’s elite trained was surreal.

"The flight itself was an absolute adrenaline rush. I even took control of the jet and flew during their display practice. I held a tight formation with five other jets, so close that I could almost reach out and touch the wing of the jet next to me.

“We pulled 8 G's during the flight, and the intensity was off the charts. My body was pushed to the limit as we did full loops, spins, and barrel rolls, all while staying perfectly in formation.

“The highlight for me, though, had to be the opposing passes. We flew directly at another solo jet at a closure speed of over 600 mph, passing just a few feet apart at the very last second. It was like playing a game of high-speed 'chicken,' and the skill involved in making those passes safely is just jaw-dropping.

"The entire experience was intense and exhilarating—a true high-flying adventure.”

Louis Skupien up in a jet (Image: Louis Skupien) Louis also had the opportunity to work with the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team on his trip across the USA, moving onwards to Los Angeles where he was invited by the US Air Force to film some behind the scenes content.

The F-22 is one of the US Military’s "best-kept secrets" and is considered the most feared and advanced fighter jet in the world.

“There were serious national security risks involved if the wrong person took on this project and shared something too revealing, but we managed to pull it off successfully.

“Filming such a secretive aircraft was an enormous challenge, but it was an honour to capture the jet in action—an experience that very few people in the world will ever have.”

Right now, Louis is producing the videos for both the Patriots Jet Team and F-22 Raptor projects and is excited to share these projects with his audience soon.