From Cadets to Tanker Pilots: A Journey of Perseverance

What do the Advance and Safety Pilots do for the Snowbirds? What is the tryout process like? What does it feel like to eject, and how do you come back from the tragedy of losing a friend and teammate?

Rich Macdougall has flown NORAD and air refueling missions around the globe as a Tanker Commander on the CC-130H Hercules. Later, after instructing on the CT-156 Harvard II, he decided to give his lifelong dream a shot and became a member of the Snowbirds. 

However, during Op Inspiration in 2020, tragedy struck as Rich took off from Kamloops BC, when a bird strike occurred and an ejection became necessary; resulting in severe injuries for Rich and the death of his friend Jenn Casey. Rich will tell us about his experiences that day, his injuries and recovery, his return to the Snowbirds and much more in this episode of The Pilot Project Podcast.