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Lead Solo: Learning Life's Vectors from an F/A-18 Blue Angel Aviator
“Pull your green ring! Pull your green ring!” That came through loud and clear over the radio despite all the other talking between the various jets and the controllers. It was my Division Leader, one of our Squadron’s most senior pilots, on a night flight during my first period flying off the aircraft carrier. I had unknowingly fallen victim to Hypoxia and was minutes, if not seconds, away from dying as I very much intended to softly land in a nearby swamp so I could get some much-needed rest. Moments later, having pulled the green ring resulting in pure oxygen being delivered instantly, I looked outside and said “Holy Sh*t. I’m flying. And it’s nighttime.”
From the cockpit of an F/A-18 Hornet, U.S. Navy Commander Frank Weisser conveys the lessons he learned flying as the Lead Solo for the Blue Angels, on multiple combat deployments, and as stunt pilot for Top Maverick. So, how do you deal with adversity in your daily life? How do organizations and teams deal with it? Or develop trust? What happens the moment something goes wrong? Each chapter opens with a flight sequence, and describes a lesson, skill, or value that Weisser learned in the sky and that carried him through a life of service with the finding focus, developing trust, opening communication, overcoming adversity, facing failure, and recognizing courage within oneself. With a focus on the instructors, flight team members, and colleagues who taught and guided him, this short, accessi
From the cockpit of an F/A-18 Hornet, U.S. Navy Commander Frank Weisser conveys the lessons he learned flying as the Lead Solo for the Blue Angels, on multiple combat deployments, and as stunt pilot for Top Maverick. So, how do you deal with adversity in your daily life? How do organizations and teams deal with it? Or develop trust? What happens the moment something goes wrong? Each chapter opens with a flight sequence, and describes a lesson, skill, or value that Weisser learned in the sky and that carried him through a life of service with the finding focus, developing trust, opening communication, overcoming adversity, facing failure, and recognizing courage within oneself. With a focus on the instructors, flight team members, and colleagues who taught and guided him, this short, accessi
- GenresLeadershipAviation
216 pages, Hardcover
Published May 6, 2025
12 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 20, 2025
How we respond to adversity is the best assessment of who we really are …
“Lead Solo” is the first book by Commander Frank “Walleye” Weisser, an American naval leader and seasoned multi-tour veteran of the elite United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. It is a fascinating story about leadership, adversity, pursuit of perfection, and a deeply entrenched commitment to personal integrity and values.
I grew up wanting more than anything to be a Navy fighter pilot. Frank grew up wanting more than anything to be a Navy SEAL. The irony is that while I was thrilled to be selected for the Tactical Aviation community, he was deeply disappointed when he was not selected for the Navy Special Warfare program, but instead for Naval Aviation. This set him on a path that would ultimately culminate in his being not only selected for the Blues, but to end up as one of the most experienced, influential, and humble members in the Team’s rich history.
In life, and particularly in the Navy, reputation is everything. If you make inquiries across the Naval Aviation community about Walleye, the answers are consistent. Terms like character, measured, and unflappable are common in describing him. He remains loyal to the Navy, gives credit to others, reveres our enlisted Sailors, and speaks humbly of failure.
I felt the storytelling was exceptional, particularly for a first-time author. Walleye really puts you in his story, in his shoes, and even inside the Blue Angel formation.
Flying carrier-based Navy fighters in combat is an E-ticket ride that leaves little margin for error, and is rightfully unforgiving of mediocrity. Flying as the Blue Angel Lead Solo is one of the most challenging, difficult and high-risk jobs in the world - he did it flawlessly, and with aplomb.
I met Walleye when I was the Navy’s technical advisor and aerial coordinator for the film “TOPGUN: Maverick.” While Tom Cruise had a vision of an F-18 screaming across the desert floor at 50 feet and near supersonic airspeeds, my 3-star (Admiral) boss did not share the comfort level of the risk/reward matrix. Enter: CDR Frank Weisser. His experience as both Opposing Solo (#6) and Lead Solo (#5) of the Blue Angels, not once, but TWICE - made him the only pilot in Naval Aviation that I could sell the boss on for executing the film’s vision, and doing so safely. Walleye did just that, and not only became the pilot Tom wanted to fly with the most, but the visceral images on the big screen speak for themselves. But when asked about it, Walleye describes those flights as ”just another day in the jet.”
During our experiences working on the film, and since, we have become great friends. Frank is a great American, and his accomplishments are only exceeded by his humility. This book comes from a place that few other than those of us who have spent a life in harm’s way, and in service to those on either side of us can fathom. I urge you to read his exceptional tales of adventure, both in and out of the jet.
I wholeheartedly recommend “Lead Solo” as a great read for anyone - not just fans of the Blue Angels, Naval Aviation aficionados, or students of leadership, but for all readers.
Of note, Frank has directed 100% of the proceeds of this book to charity. https://www.wingmanfoundation.org
CAPT (Ret) Brian Ferguson
“Lead Solo” is the first book by Commander Frank “Walleye” Weisser, an American naval leader and seasoned multi-tour veteran of the elite United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. It is a fascinating story about leadership, adversity, pursuit of perfection, and a deeply entrenched commitment to personal integrity and values.
I grew up wanting more than anything to be a Navy fighter pilot. Frank grew up wanting more than anything to be a Navy SEAL. The irony is that while I was thrilled to be selected for the Tactical Aviation community, he was deeply disappointed when he was not selected for the Navy Special Warfare program, but instead for Naval Aviation. This set him on a path that would ultimately culminate in his being not only selected for the Blues, but to end up as one of the most experienced, influential, and humble members in the Team’s rich history.
In life, and particularly in the Navy, reputation is everything. If you make inquiries across the Naval Aviation community about Walleye, the answers are consistent. Terms like character, measured, and unflappable are common in describing him. He remains loyal to the Navy, gives credit to others, reveres our enlisted Sailors, and speaks humbly of failure.
I felt the storytelling was exceptional, particularly for a first-time author. Walleye really puts you in his story, in his shoes, and even inside the Blue Angel formation.
Flying carrier-based Navy fighters in combat is an E-ticket ride that leaves little margin for error, and is rightfully unforgiving of mediocrity. Flying as the Blue Angel Lead Solo is one of the most challenging, difficult and high-risk jobs in the world - he did it flawlessly, and with aplomb.
I met Walleye when I was the Navy’s technical advisor and aerial coordinator for the film “TOPGUN: Maverick.” While Tom Cruise had a vision of an F-18 screaming across the desert floor at 50 feet and near supersonic airspeeds, my 3-star (Admiral) boss did not share the comfort level of the risk/reward matrix. Enter: CDR Frank Weisser. His experience as both Opposing Solo (#6) and Lead Solo (#5) of the Blue Angels, not once, but TWICE - made him the only pilot in Naval Aviation that I could sell the boss on for executing the film’s vision, and doing so safely. Walleye did just that, and not only became the pilot Tom wanted to fly with the most, but the visceral images on the big screen speak for themselves. But when asked about it, Walleye describes those flights as ”just another day in the jet.”
During our experiences working on the film, and since, we have become great friends. Frank is a great American, and his accomplishments are only exceeded by his humility. This book comes from a place that few other than those of us who have spent a life in harm’s way, and in service to those on either side of us can fathom. I urge you to read his exceptional tales of adventure, both in and out of the jet.
I wholeheartedly recommend “Lead Solo” as a great read for anyone - not just fans of the Blue Angels, Naval Aviation aficionados, or students of leadership, but for all readers.
Of note, Frank has directed 100% of the proceeds of this book to charity. https://www.wingmanfoundation.org
CAPT (Ret) Brian Ferguson
September 3, 2025
Purchased this book from the author who signed it "Ken & Rhonda Best Wishes #5 FPL "Walleye" Well it looks like FPL but not sure about that. I was hoping to find a reference to that in the book but if it is there I missed it. The author was the pilot who was actually doing the flying in the "Top Gun: Maverick" movie while Tom Cruise "acted" like he was. Frank Weisser has a very impressive list of accomplishments as a Naval Aviator. He organized the book into seven chapters each having a theme about various aspects of life and how they fit into his experiences or how his experiences relate. Having finished the whole book now I can say overall it was a very good read which I enjoyed. 521st book read and logged.
August 30, 2025
A very good leadership book that uses Walleye's flight time to tell important leadership stories. Whether or not it's flying Tom Cruise in Walleye's backseat for Top Gun: Maverick filming or a young Blue Angels crew chief having the courage to fess up to screwing up - important lessons in leadership are passed on. The book is a easy read, and I did a lot of highlighting as I am wont to do.
November 4, 2025
I might have read this book with the wrong assumptions. The first chapters were about aviation and the Blue Angels, but the later chapters were too much about military and too little about details of flying.
My mistake, other people might enjoy it more....
My mistake, other people might enjoy it more....
December 16, 2025
Learning the journey of this pilot in becoming a Blue Angel is inspiring. It was refreshing to read the development of leadership through hopes dashed to accept the call of the pilot and overcome obstacles. This is an inspirational story that will give you wings to take on your dreams and succeed.
October 28, 2025
I loved chapter 7, "Courage"!
Sometimes the story gets a bit boring. But... I am a "wagon driver"!
Sometimes the story gets a bit boring. But... I am a "wagon driver"!
December 11, 2025
Listened to the audio version of this book. Great book by an inspiring figure, however the narration was awful, poor and out of place.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews