The Pilot Project Podcast

What does it take to go from watching CF-18 Hornets fly overhead as a kid to becoming a fighter pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force?
For Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew “Hazno” Faith, that dream began on a school playground in Saskatchewan. In Part 1 of our conversation, we follow his journey through RCAF pilot training, from the Harvard II in Moose Jaw to the Hawk and Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) at 419 Squadron, and finally into the cockpit of the CF-18 Hornet.
Along the way, Andrew shares the unforgettable flying lesson that changed his approach to safety, the challenges of learning to think and react at fighter-jet speeds, and how his early confidence was tested as he progressed through training.
We also explore the culture and camaraderie of military aviation, the transition from student to operational fighter pilot, and the sudden call to deploy to Libya in 2011, when Andrew had to leave his young family behind with almost no warning.
In Part 2, we'll explore his combat experiences in Libya and Iraq, along with his later work training the next generation of fighter pilots.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:03:37) Growing Up with the Dream of Fighters
(00:05:35) Air Cadets and Early Flight Training
(00:06:12) From the Hockey Rink to the Cockpit
(00:08:40) Why Military Aviation?
(00:10:35) Studying Petroleum Engineering
(00:13:43) The Story Behind “Hasno”
(00:15:53) Arriving in Moose Jaw
(00:18:47) The Fighter Mentality
(00:22:06) The Challenges of Military Flight Training
(00:24:55) An Unforgettable Altimeter Lesson
(00:29:11) Selected for the Hawk
(00:30:26) Flying His First Jet
(00:31:16) Waterskiing Behind the Aircraft
(00:31:54) From the Hawk to 419 Squadron
(00:34:16) A Reality Check
(00:34:49) Learning to Handle Setbacks
(00:36:41) The First CF-18 Flight
(00:39:09) From Training to Operations
(00:41:24) Life as a New Hornet Pilot
(00:42:45) Supporting the G8 Summit
(00:43:56) Short-Notice Deployment to Libya
(00:52:27) Leaving Family Behind
CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
For more stories from RCAF fighter pilots, explore these conversations:
The Jet Jockey Part 1 & Part 2 – Dan McWilliams:
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=jockey
The Bangseat Part 1 & Part 2 – Rock Veilleux
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=bangseat

EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots:
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

You've just had the worst flight of your course. Your confidence is shaken, and tomorrow's flight could determine your future. How do you bounce back?
In the conclusion of our three-part Built for Pressure series, mental performance consultant Zoran Stojković explains how RCAF student pilots can recover from failure, approach difficult debriefs, rebuild confidence, and distinguish honest self-assessment from destructive self-criticism.
We also explore how Canada's allies are developing mental performance programs, how technology could improve pilot training, and why recovery is essential to sustained high performance.
Finally, Zoran shares practical habits to develop before arriving in Moose Jaw, advice for the first week of training, and a message for anyone questioning whether they belong after a difficult flight.
Find Zoran at:
https://www.instagram.com/kizoperformance
www.kizo.ca
CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:02:40) Mental Performance Coaching Among Our Allies
(00:09:04) What's New in Mental Performance Coaching?
(00:18:07) The Future of Mental Performance in RCAF Training
(00:24:41) Preparing for a Debrief When You Think You've Failed
(00:31:00) Honest Self-Assessment vs. Beating Yourself Up
(00:38:06) Rebuilding Confidence After Failure
(00:47:39) Sustaining Performance: Do You Have to Earn Recovery?
(00:53:24) Knowing When to Push Harder and When to Rest
(00:57:07) Three Tips Before Arriving in Moose Jaw
(01:00:42) Habits to Start Building Now
(01:02:20) Your First Week at Moose Jaw
(01:04:20) Performance Advice Pilots Should Stop Following
(01:06:46) Where to Find Zoran's Resources
(01:08:29) A Message After Your Worst Flight
(01:11:34) How to Connect with Zoran
CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
Catch up on the first two parts of Built for Pressure:
Part 1: From Elite Sport to RCAF Pilot Training – Zoran Stojković
Part 2: Practical Mental Performance for RCAF Pilots – Zoran Stojković
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots:
The Pilot Project Podcast episode archive:
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/

What happens when you know the material cold, but freeze during a flight test?
Mental performance consultant Zoran Stojković returns for Part 2 of PERFORMANCE & SAFETY: BUILT FOR PRESSURE, where we explore practical tools for RCAF pilot training; from pre-flight routines and chair flying to performance cues, breathing and recovering after a cockpit mistake.
Drawing on Zoran’s work with student pilots, pro athletes, and Bryan’s flying experience, they discuss recognizing when you’re falling behind the aircraft, practicing resets before you need them, and helping students recover after a difficult flight.
Chapters
(00:00:00) Welcome and introduction
(00:01:08) Why students freeze during a test
(00:07:00) Preparing an Olympian versus preparing a pilot
(00:08:36) Can you perform well while feeling nervous?
(00:15:26) Tomorrow’s checkride: when to stop studying
(00:18:48) Building a useful pre-flight mental routine
(00:22:46) Making visualization and chair flying effective
(00:29:04) Adapting when the schedule or mission changes
(00:32:43) Performance cues and constructive self-talk
(00:41:55) Closing the gap between practice and cockpit performance
(00:44:13) Breathing as a performance tool while flying
(00:51:50) The OODA loop and helmet fires
(00:54:33) Recognizing when you’re falling behind the aircraft
(00:59:49) Resetting after a mistake in the cockpit
(01:03:14) Helping a student recover after a difficult flight
(01:06:13) Thanks and a look ahead to Part 3
Explore the Logbook
Continue from Part 1: PERFORMANCE & SAFETY: BUILT FOR PRESSURE Part 1: From Elite Sport to RCAF Pilot Training – Zoran Stojković.
Explore Zoran’s work: His Built for Pressure podcast and Kizo Performance resources are discussed throughout this episode.
Ask about the visualization resource: Zoran invites listeners to contact him through Kizo Performance on Instagram about resources, including the visualization template discussed in the interview.
Have a question, a guest suggestion or an idea for a future episode? Contact thepilotprojectpodcast@gmail.com or find us on social media @podpilotproject.
Help with the big three: like and follow us on social media, share with your friends, and follow and rate us five stars wherever you get your podcasts.
Keep the blue side up!

What happens when you know how to do something, but pressure makes it difficult to actually do it?
Certified Mental Performance Consultant Zoran Stojković has spent more than 15 years helping people perform under pressure, from professional athletes and Olympic hopefuls to RCAF pilot trainees.
In Part 1, Zoran shares the path that took him from competitive tennis and high-performance sport to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Moose Jaw. He explains what surprised him about the pressures facing student pilots, how he earned credibility as a civilian working inside military aviation, and why relationships became central to his work.
We also hear how Zoran supported aircrew during Jaw South in Texas, how mental performance coaching became embedded in the flying environment, and what aviation taught him about the difference between high stakes and real stakes.
CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) Introduction, welcome and bio
(00:01:52) What role did sport play growing up?
(00:04:28) Why can we perform in practice but struggle under pressure?
(00:09:41) When did mental performance become a career?
(00:13:03) What did Zoran get wrong when he started coaching?
(00:15:21) What kind of pressure are Olympians under?
(00:18:35) Helping a professional tennis player turn things around
(00:20:22) Going from athletes to pilots
(00:23:23) Walking into 2CFFTS for the first time
(00:26:53) What surprised Zoran about the pressure on student pilots?
(00:30:13) High stakes versus real stakes
(00:31:37) Earning credibility in aviation as an outsider
(00:34:17) What happens when pilots don’t buy into mental performance coaching?
(00:38:44) A pilot success story
(00:42:36) Deploying with Jaw South
(00:47:27) What is Jaw South, and where did Zoran fit in?
(00:51:57) Helping a student in crisis before a flight
(00:53:49) Making progress in a slow-moving institution
(00:57:03) Meeting Colonel Jeremy Hansen
(01:01:30) Advice for a student pilot before a test
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots:
The Pilot Project Podcast episode archive:
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

Colonel Todd O’Malley concludes our four-part journey through the evolution of Canadian tactical and special operations aviation. Todd returns to Moose Jaw, where he transitions from helicopters to fixed-wing flying, learns to instruct on the CT-156 Harvard and later becomes Commandant of 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.
He also recounts commanding B Flight at 427 Squadron, developing maritime counterterrorism capabilities and helping transform the unit from tactical helicopter support into a dedicated special operations aviation squadron. After more than a decade in civilian aviation, Todd explains what brought him back into uniform as Director Air and Space at CANSOFCOM. The conversation explores the rapid growth of uncrewed aircraft, counter-UAS and space capabilities, lessons emerging from real-world allied experience, and Todd’s advice for anyone considering special operations aviation. He closes by recognizing the mentors, colleagues and family members who made his remarkable career possible.
CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes
(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:02:03) Instructing at 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School
(00:04:18) Returning to Fixed-Wing Flying
(00:07:58) Converting from the Tutor to the Harvard
(00:09:21) Why Flight Instructing Is So Difficult
(00:11:12) The Most Rewarding Part of Instructing
(00:12:45) When Students Arrive Unprepared
(00:14:29) Returning to Fix a Missed Opportunity
(00:16:46) Returning to Moose Jaw as Commandant
(00:19:03) Being Both an Instructor and a Principal
(00:19:47) Influencing the Student Experience as Commandant
(00:21:03) Mentorship and Perspective
(00:23:33) The Weight of Ending a Student’s Training
(00:25:24) How Students React to Being Told They Are Done
(00:26:59) Why the Good Days Outweigh the Bad
(00:29:46) Returning to 427 Squadron in 2003
(00:32:43) Commanding B Flight
(00:36:48) The Difference Between Elite and Elitist
(00:38:05) When 427 Squadron Began Drifting Apart
(00:39:47) Developing Maritime Counterterrorism Capabilities
(00:44:17) Standing Up CANSOFCOM
(00:45:47) Transforming Tactical Helicopter Aviation into SOF Aviation
(00:47:41) Why Todd Retired from the RCAF
(00:49:56) Lessons from Civilian Aviation
(00:52:52) Military and Civilian Workplace Cultures
(00:54:18) Returning to the RCAF
(00:56:30) The Director Air and Space Mandate
(00:59:17) How Canadian SOF Aviation Is Evolving
(01:01:48) Learning from Allies
(01:03:51) Special Operations in a Changing World
(01:04:46) Advice for Joining Special Operations Aviation
(01:07:17) Todd’s Remaining Career Goals
(01:08:56) Recognizing the People Behind His Career
(01:11:39) Closing the Series