Episode 76: The Veteran Series: Cold War Remembrance and the famous flight in the MiG-29 Part 1 - Bob Wade
In this Remembrance Day special, Major (Ret) Bob Wade - a Cold War Snowbird, CF-104 Starfighter, and CF-18 pilot - recounts his remarkable beginnings in Canadian military aviation. From growing up west of Edmonton and being inspired by the Golden Hawks, to earning his wings in 1969 and instructing on the CT-114 Tutor at Moose Jaw, Bob describes the high-tempo jet-training world of the 1960s. He shares how the Snowbirds were born from a few instructors with a passion for formation flying and a supportive base commander who defied orders to keep the team aloft. Along the way, he reflects on how military culture, mentorship, and sacrifice shaped his generation of RCAF aviators.
--------
1:24:59
--------
1:24:59
Episode 75: The Tandem Rotor: Inside CH-147F Chinook Operations with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Part 2 – Ian Wookey
In Part 2, Ian Wookey takes us inside daily flying with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, sharing what it’s like to operate the CH-147F Chinook in challenging environments. He talks about crew coordination, tactical missions, mountain flying, and the training and experience required to upgrade from First Officer to Aircraft Commander in Canada’s heavy-lift helicopter community.
--------
1:10:02
--------
1:10:02
Episode 74: The Tandem Rotor: Inside CH-147F Chinook Operations with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron Part 1 – Ian Wookey
In Part 1, pilot Ian Wookey walks us through the formative years that made him a Chinook aviator - from varsity life at RMC and initial flight training on the Grob, to the intensity of the Harvard II course in Moose Jaw and the humbling challenge of helicopter phase training. Ian reflects on early on-the-job roles, an unexpected deployment to Afghanistan with a special operations aviation detachment, and how those experiences shaped his choice to fly rotary-wing aircraft. He closes by describing the nerve-wracking moment of selection for the CH-147F Chinook and what it felt like to join 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
--------
1:00:43
--------
1:00:43
Episode 73: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 3 - Eli
In Part 3 of our LIFT series, new RCAF pilot Eli shares his path from RMC to flying the T-346 Master in Italy’s International Flight Training School.He talks about early training on the Grob and Harvard II, a unique posting to CFS Alert, and the challenge of fast-jet training in Sardinia. From dogfighting, radar intercepts, and close air support to the physical and mental demands of becoming a fighter pilot, Eli gives us a rare student’s perspective on preparing for the CF-18 Hornet.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to earn your wings and fly fighters for Canada, this is the episode for you.
--------
1:05:01
--------
1:05:01
Episode 72: The LIFT: Lead-In Fighter Training in Italy and flying the CF-18 Hornet and the T-346 Master Part 2 - Brian "Humza" Kilroy
In Part 2 of our fighter pilot series, Major Brian “Humza” Kilroy returns to share his journey from CF-18 Hornet instructor to RCAF Demo Pilot and now Senior National Representative at Italy’s International Flight Training School.We dive into the challenges of leading four-ship formations, training young fighter pilots at 410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron, and the adrenaline of flying airshow routines in the CF-18 Hornet. Brian also describes his current work instructing Canadian and international pilots on the T-346 Master in the LIFT program, preparing the next generation of fighter pilots for frontline jets.If you’re passionate about aviation, fighter jets, and military training, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look you won’t want to miss.
The Pilot Project Podcast is an aviation podcast that aims to help new pilots learn what it takes to succeed in the world of flight, to help people in the flight training system learn what they may want to fly, and to give Canadians and the world a peek into life on the flight deck in the RCAF. We want to help pilots succeed and thrive! We interview real RCAF pilots for their exciting stories as well as the lessons they've learned along the way. We'll learn their tips to develop resilience and the tools it takes to make it in flight training.
Canada - english