The Pilot Project Podcast

What is it like to refuel a fighter over Iraq? What about going straight to one of the largest aircraft in the RCAF from a small twin engine turboprop?  How can chair flying change the way you train, and how do you do it properly? Jeff will tell us all these things and many more.  Jeff walked into the RCAF with zero flight experience.  Now, Jeff has flown all over the world in the CC-150 Polaris.  He has immense experience and is now a qualified multi-engine instructor at 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School.  Jeff will talk about what it's like to fly royalty, Prime Ministers, and other dignitaries around the world. He talks about the importance of stress outlets, mental rehearsal, and support structures, as well as the importance of taking things one day at a time.  

What are the wait times like in the RCAF pilot training system?  Are they long? What is being done to make them shorter? We'll answer these questions and many more, largely sourced from you, our fans! In this special episode we sit down with Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Peek and Colonel Chris "Morty" Morrison to chat about training delays as well as some of the future plans for pilot training in the RCAF.Colin flew the CH-124 Sea King, and Morty flew the CH-146 Griffon.  Both have extensive experience as pilots, leaders, and as commanding officers.  Now both are involved in the training, both pre- and post-wings of RCAF pilots.

On January 20th, 2019 Al-Qaeda forces conducted a complex attack on a FOB in Aguelhok, Mali which left several UN peacekeepers dead and others wounded and in desperate need of Medevac.  That's where Jackie and her crew stepped up.  Hear the story for the first time ever, now.What is it like to fly the largest helicopter in the RCAF? Jackie has flown the CH-147F Chinook all over Canada and Mali, and now instructs new pilots on the Chinook.She'll talk about flying the Chinook as well as the tools she developed to go from failings tests from pre-test jitters to teaching new pilots. She'll also tell us the incredible story of flying medevacs in Mali, including after an Al-Qaeda ambush.CBC article on medevac

What is it like to fly over the Arctic in a twin engine aircraft? How do you succeed in competitive flight training as a group and an individual? Ryan talks about his experience flying the CC-138 Twin Otter out of Yellowknife. Ryan flew the Twin Otter all over the Arctic (and Antarctic!), and currently instructs at 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School in Portage la Prairie, MB.  He has also had some civilian experience at West Jet before returning to the RCAF during the uncertainties of Covid.Ryan talks about flying the CC-138 Twin Otter as well as his insights into the importance of teamwork both as a flight crew, but especially as a team in flight training. We’ll talk about why helping your course-mates can be one of your best tools for your own success.

What is it like to fly at 15 feet over the deserts of Iraq? How about aiding in disaster relief when the fires struck Fort McMurray? Pete shares his experiences flying tac hel and talks about the importance of maintaining joy in flying and going to work.  He’ll talk about why that’s essential to his success as a pilot.Pete has flown the Bell CH-146 Griffon in Canada and Iraq, and currently instructs at 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School in Portage la Prairie, MB.  He’s been a high school teacher and had many other  occupations before joining which makes him unique among my guests so far!Pete talks about flying the CH-146 Griffon and some of his passion projects; through it all what shines through is someone whose generosity and passion for helping others also keeps him loving the Air Force Lifestyle.Eagle's Wings Flight School

What does it take to make it in the intense world of fast jet flight training in Moose Jaw? What does courage and honesty have to do with excelling in flight, and staying alive? Jules shares some tips for crushing it while in Phase III Hawk training and why it’s important to be honest about your faults and work to improve them.Jules has flown a myriad of aircraft and has a whopping 6800 flight hours, with about 3200 of that being instructional.  He instructs on the Phase III Hawk course in Moose Jaw, and is currently the Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) of 2CFFTS in Moose Jaw.  Jules has a ton of experience and knows all about jet training, but also about what it’s like to move into a leadership role as a pilot – and why you might want to.Jules talks about the Phase III Hawk course and what it takes to make it in the world of flight fighter jets, as well as some of the future plans for jet training in Canada.

What does it take to excel in Phase III multi-engine flight training in Portage la Prairie? How can you stay positive even when you don’t get the job you hoped for? Dan shares some tips for excelling while in Phase III Multi-Engine training and loving life in the RCAF no matter where it takes you.Dan flew search and rescue missions out of Comox BC on the CC-115 Buffalo.  He instructed on the Phase III Multi-Engine Flight Training course in Portage la Prairie, eventually achieving A category, standards, instrument check pilot, and more.  Dan is extremely knowledgeable about what it takes to do great on Phase III, but also to be grateful and enjoy your career no matter where it takes you.Dan talks about the Phase III Multi course, some of the unexpected turns his career has taken, and why they were even better than what he could have planned for himself.KFAero Contracted Flight Training for Phase III Multi

What does it take to make it through Phase III Helicopter flight training in the RCAF?  Phase III Helo instructor Vic Weston shares his experiences with us and talks about what he thinks makes a great helicopter pilot. Vic flew as a Bell 412 pilot in Combat Support role in Cold Lake, Alberta as well as in Goose Bay, Labrador.  He now teaches at 3 Canadian Forces Flight Training School.Vic will talk about his passion for flying, why he loves to teach and what he thinks it takes to thrive in your flying career and life!3CFFTS website (KF Aero, the contracted company)

What is it like to be deployed at Christmas? How do CAF members stay positive when they are away from family? Do they get Christmas dinner in the desert?  We’ll answer these questions and more by talking with 3 CAF members who've been away for Christmas and one family member who's waited at home in this special Christmas episode.Deploying through birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays is part of being in the CAF. Today, we’ll hear stories from Greg Juurlink, Rob Truscott, Jack Wesselo, about what it was like to be deployed for the holidays, and how they spent that time. We'll also hear special guest and the host's mom, Diana Morrison, about what it was like to have a son deployed at Christmas.Episode 1 PhotosWrite to the Troops Message Board"Go for Shakedown", by Stephen Robertson

What does it take to make it through Phase II Flight Training at Moose Jaw? What is it like to fly into Baghdad in a C-17?  How do you takeoff in formation and stay safe in the clouds?Lauren has flown all over the world in the RCAF’s largest aircraft, the CC-177 Globemaster (C-17).  She has also instructed in Moose Jaw as both a military flight instructor on the Harvard and as a civilian on the simulator.  Lauren is intimately familiar with what it takes not just to make it through, but to crush Phase II and to be a great pilot!Lauren talks about the Phase II course and the attitudes that can help you or hold you back in military aviation. She also talks about the advantages military flying can give you if you eventually decide to fly in the airlines!Info on our mission in IraqNato Flight Training Centre (NFTC), the training school in Moose Jaw