The Pilot Project Podcast

Welcome to The Pilot Project Podcast, your premier source for stories and insights from pilots in the RCAF and mission aviation - brought to you by Skies Magazine! Whether you're an aspiring aviator, navigating flight training, or simply fascinated by the world of military and mission aviation, this podcast is your guide. We sit down with pilots and aviation professionals to hear their thrilling experiences, lessons learned, and expert advice on resilience, training, and the skills needed to succeed in this exciting field. Strap in - we’re ready for departure!

Last refreshed: June 16th, 2026 at 10:30 PM

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Episodes

Episode 15: The Student: Part 1 - Life on Phase I and the Grob G-120A – Scott

What does it take to switch from a different trade to pilot, and what is the process? What does it feel like to be in flight training in the RCAF right NOW? After extensive experience as an Air Combat Systems Officer (ACSO) Scott decided to join the good guys and be a pilot. He just finished a shortened Phase I course and has began his training in Phase II. In this episode we check in with him to hear his experiences as an ACSO on the Alpha Jet, doing electronic warfare, and what it’s like to be...

Jun 06, 2023•52 min

Episode 14: The Support: Combat Support, the CH-146 Griffon and Thomas “Toast” McQueen – Vic

Imagine you are on a training flight and you get a call that there has been a crash. As Combat Support, you respond to the scene to find the worst - the pilot has not survived. After a long day of recovering remains and securing the crash, you find out the person who died was one of your best friends. What would you do? How do you recover? Vic will tell us about this experience firsthand. Vic was featured in our episode about Phase III Helicopter Training, and while that episode is not 'required...

May 23, 2023•1 hr 8 min

Episode 13: The Cost: My journey with PTSD, anxiety, and mental health in the RCAF - Bryan and Melissa

What happens if you have mental health issues as a pilot in the RCAF? What does it look like to navigate that system? Is there a large stigma against coming forward? For this special Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Bryan will sit in the guest seat and his wife Melissa will take a turn interviewing. Bryan has flown around the world in the CP-140M Aurora, but the missions that left their mark indelibly ended up being in Iraq against ISIS. Bryan will talk about his journey from good health t...

May 09, 2023•48 min

Episode 12: The Heavy: Air Mobility, Strategic Airlift and the CC-177 Globemaster III - John

What is it like to fly Canada’s largest aircraft? What was it like to be part of the evacuation of Afghanistan? How can you make sure your failures become learning experiences instead of stumbling blocks? After flying all around the world in the C17 and now instructing on the Phase III multi-engine course at 3CFFTS, John knows what it takes to succeed as a pilot in the RCAF. John talks about his adventures around the world in the C17, but he’ll also talk about why he believes it is critical to t...

Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 9 min

Episode 11: The Tanker: Air Mobility, Air-to-Air Refuelling and the CC-150 Polaris - Jeff

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 Tr...

Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 12 min

Episode 10: The Wait: Training Delays and how we'll fix them - Colin and Morty

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 experienc...

Mar 28, 2023•1 hr 10 min

Episode 9: The Valkyrie: Tac Hel, Mali, and the CH-147F Chinook - Jackie

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 ...

Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 10 min

Episode 8: The Explorer: Arctic flying and the CC-138 Twin Otter - Ryan

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...

Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 8 min

Episode 7: The Grunt: Tac Hel and the CH-146 Griffon - Pete

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 te...

Feb 14, 2023•42 min

Episode 6: The Teacher: Part 5 - Phase III Fast Jet Training and the CT-155 Hawk - Jules

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...

Jan 31, 2023•47 min

Episode 5: The Teacher: Part 4 - Phase III Multi-Engine Training and the C90B King Air - Dan

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, sta...

Jan 17, 2023•56 min

Episode 4: The Teacher: Part 3 - Phase III Helicopter Flight Training and the Bell 206 and Bell 412 - Vic

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 f...

Jan 03, 2023•41 min

Episode 3: A Very Special Deployed Christmas Episode: Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, and home - Greg, Rob, Mom, and Jack

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 wha...

Dec 20, 2022•40 min

Episode 2: The Teacher: Part 2 - Phase II Flight Training and the CT-156 Harvard II - Lauren

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 P...

Dec 06, 2022•48 min

Episode 1: The Teacher: Part 1 - Phase I Flight Training and the G120A Grob - Dawn

Is Phase I a weeding out process? What does it take to pass? After taking part in over 60 rescues, instructing on the Phase III helicopter course and being the Phase I Grob Flight Commander, Dawn knows what it takes to be successful, take responsibility for your success and to make sure you stay balanced and healthy while you strive for it. Dawn talks about how wellness can help you navigate difficult situations so you shine in both the good and the hard times you encounter. She’ll also focus on...

Nov 22, 2022•43 min

Episode 0: The Pilot Episode - Trailer and Introduction - Bryan

This is the trailer/introductory episode for The Pilot Project Podcast. In this podcast, Bryan introduces himself and talks about what inspired him to get into aviation, how his career has progressed, and what experience he has. The episode also lays out the goals of the podcast and teases the next episode! Royal Canadian Air Cadet website (How Bryan got his start): https://aircadetleague.com/ The London International Airshow (Bryan's childhood favourite airshow) https://airshowlondon.com/...

Nov 15, 2022•6 min

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