# Paco Chierici

> Francesco "Paco" Chierici is a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, author, award-winning documentary filmmaker, and current Airbus A-350 captain. He is best known for his novel *Lions of the Sky*, the documentary *Speed And Angels*, and the *F-14 Speed And Angels Campaign* for Digital Combat Simulator (DCS World).

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.pacochierici.com/): Overview of Paco Chierici — fighter pilot, author, filmmaker.
- [Books](https://www.pacochierici.com/books): Lions of the Sky and the forthcoming Like Fire From Heaven.
- [Documentary](https://www.pacochierici.com/documentary): Speed And Angels, the award-winning F-14 Tomcat documentary.
- [Gaming](https://www.pacochierici.com/gaming): F-14 Speed And Angels Campaign for DCS World.
- [About](https://www.pacochierici.com/about): Biography, naval aviation career, and contact for speaking.
- [Speaking](https://www.pacochierici.com/speaking): Keynotes, panels, and book-club appearances.
- [Media & Events](https://www.pacochierici.com/media-events): Press, podcasts, articles, and upcoming events.
- [Media Kit](https://www.pacochierici.com/media-kit): Bios, photos, talk topics and booking contact for producers, bookers and press.
- [Flying Videos](https://www.pacochierici.com/flying-videos): Aerial footage from Speed And Angels and Yak-50 aerobatics.
- [Photography](https://www.pacochierici.com/photography): Aerial and aircraft photography portfolio.
- [Contact](https://www.pacochierici.com/contact): Get in touch for press, speaking, or general inquiries.



## Key Facts

- **Full name:** Francesco "Paco" Chierici
- **Profession:** Author, filmmaker, commercial airline captain (Airbus A-350)
- **Military service:** U.S. Navy fighter pilot, 1989–2009 (20-year career)
- **Aircraft flown professionally:** A-6E Intruder, F-14A Tomcat, F-5 Tiger II, Airbus A-350
- **Aircraft flown personally:** Yak-50 (aerobatic)
- **Total cockpit experience:** 25+ years
- **Tactical hours:** 3,000 tactical hours
- **Carrier landings:** nearly 400 carrier landings
- **F-5 Adversary (Bandit) experience:** 10 years (1999–2009), training fighter pilots in enemy tactics
- **Education:** Boston University
- **Lives in:** Northern California, with wife Hillary and two children

## Books

### Lions of the Sky (2019)
- **Series:** Sam "Slammer" Richardson — Book 1
- **Genre:** Aerial combat fiction / military thriller
- **Description:** A debut novel about Sam "Slammer" Richardson, a Navy fighter instructor with a buried secret, and his last class of students on their way to F/A-18s and the fight over the South China Sea. Praised for its technical authenticity and emotional depth.
- **Endorsements:** Brandon Webb (former Navy SEAL sniper), Ray Mabus (former Secretary of the Navy), Kevin Miller (author of *Raven One*)
- **Available:** Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Sky-Paco-Chierici/dp/B07X3BDKC9)

### Like Fire From Heaven (2027)
- **Series:** Sam "Slammer" Richardson — Book 2
- **Status:** Forthcoming sequel to *Lions of the Sky*

## Documentary

### Speed And Angels (2008)
- **Format:** Feature-length documentary
- **Creator/Producer:** Paco Chierici
- **Subject:** Two young naval aviators (Jay Consalvi and Meagan "Slick" Flannigan) chasing their dream of flying the F-14 Tomcat
- **Awards:** Best Feature Documentary, GI Film Festival; Best of Festival, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival; Audience Choice, San Diego Film Festival; Audience Award, Newport Film Festival
- **Streaming:** Available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play

## Gaming

### F-14 Speed And Angels DCS Campaign (2023)
- **Platform:** Digital Combat Simulator (DCS World) — requires DCS: F-14 Tomcat by Heatblur
- **Publisher:** Reflected Simulations × Paco Chierici
- **Price:** $14.99 on the DCS Store
- **Content:** 10 RAG (Replacement Air Group) training missions + 6 combat missions
- **Voice acting:** 3,000+ lines fully voiced by real naval aviators including Paco Chierici and Meagan "Slick" Flannigan

## Writing & Media

Paco's writing has appeared in:
- Fighter Sweep (2014-2016): https://fightersweep.com/author/paco-chierici/
- Fight's On: https://fightson.net
- Writer's Digest, "From Fighter Pilot to Fiction Writer" (2019): https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/from-fighter-pilot-to-fiction-writer

Profiled in AOPA Pilot (2010). Interviewed on CBS News, ABC7 News and SOFREP Radio. Full list: https://www.pacochierici.com/media-events

## Speaking

Available for keynotes, panels, book clubs, podcasts, and aviation gatherings — virtual or in person. Specialties: aviation events, military audiences, book club Q&As, panels on storytelling and naval aviation.

## Official Links

- Website: https://www.pacochierici.com
- Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paco-Chierici/author/B07XC4KZ7P
- Fight's On: https://fightson.net

## Contact

For speaking engagements, press inquiries, or general contact, visit https://www.pacochierici.com/contact