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The Pilot Project Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bryan Morrison
Welcome to The Pilot Project Podcast, your source for stories and insights from pilots in the RCAF and mission aviation. 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!
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- 6 days ago47 min
Special Ops: The Evolution Part 3: Leading 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron – Chris Bray
Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray concludes our three-part series with a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. As the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, Chris explains how Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC) prepares aircrew for one of the Royal Canadian Air Force's most demanding environments, the qualities that define successful special operations aviators, and how the squadron continues to develop the next generation of capability.We also discuss leadership, balancing family life with operational service, the Next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (NTACS), and Chris's vision for the future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. This episode offers a rare perspective on 427 SOAS from the Commanding Officer himself.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS Introduction and Welcome Inside the Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC) How SOTAC Changed Special Operations Training Learning to Fight Alongside the Rest of the RCAF Building the First Generation of SOTAC Graduates Creating Canada's Next Special Operations Aviators Preparing for the Worst Day of Your Career Keeping SOTAC Ready for Tomorrow's Missions Is SOTAC a Selection Course? Who Can Become a Special Operations Aviator? The Role of a 427 Squadron Door Gunner The Traits Every SOF Aviator Needs Choosing a Career in Special Operations Aviation What Separates Success from Failure? Driving Innovation Across the RCAF The Future of NTACS Balancing Operational Service and Family Life Supporting Families Behind the Mission What It Means to Command 427 Squadron Seeing the Squadron Through a Commanding Officer's Eyes Leading in a Flat Organization The Leader Chris Bray Strives to Be The Future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation How to Earn a Place at 427 Squadron Looking Back with Pride Final Thoughts
- 1 weeks ago50 min
Special Ops: The Evolution Part 2: Forging the Culture of 427 Squadron – Chris Bray
Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray is the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force unit supporting the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).In Part 2, we take a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation, exploring how 427 Squadron evolved into the modern capability it is today. Chris explains the squadron's culture, what makes it unique among allied SOF aviation units, the philosophy of "no mission too small," the addition of the CE-145C Vigilance, and the standards that define one of Canada's most demanding aviation communities. We also discuss leadership, mission command, and how 427 built a reputation for professionalism, adaptability, and trust while supporting special operations around the world.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS Introduction and Welcome How 427 Squadron Reinvented Itself Building One Special Operations Aviation Culture Why the Squadron Had to Change Living Through the Transformation Earning a Reputation in Special Operations Aviation "No Mission Too Small" Expanding the Mission with the CE-145C Vigilance Learning to Think Beyond Helicopters What Makes 427 Different? Becoming an Organic CANSOFCOM Capability The Professionals Behind Every Mission Why Communications Can Make or Break a Mission Building Trust with Canada's Special Operations Forces Maintaining Elite Standards Rewriting the Rules: The New TOCA The Career Path of a Special Operations Aviator Balancing Risk and Mission Success Leading an Elite Squadron The Hardest Decisions as Commanding Officer Next Time: Inside SOTAC
- 2 weeks ago58 min
Special Ops: The Evolution Part 1: Becoming a 427 Squadron Special Operations Aviator – Chris Bray
Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray is the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force unit supporting the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).In Part 1, Chris shares his journey from growing up outside the military to becoming a special operations aviator and leading one of the RCAF's most demanding helicopter squadrons. We discuss RCAF pilot training, flying the CH-146 Griffon, Operation IMPACT, and the experiences that shaped his career.This episode also offers a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation, exploring what it takes to earn a place at 427 Squadron and the mindset, professionalism, and leadership required to serve within one of Canada's most unique aviation communities.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotshttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodesCHAPTERS Introduction and bio Why Chris Chose the Canadian Armed Forces Discovering a Passion for Helicopters Learning the Mission at JRCC Halifax Surviving RCAF Pilot Training Learning to Fly Rotary Wing The Leap from Fixed Wing to Helicopters Mastering Confined Area Flying When Flying Finally Clicked Earning a Spot at 427 Squadron How Special Operations Aviators Are Selected First Impressions of 427 Squadron How 427 Squadron Evolved Starting Out in B Flight First Operational Deployments Flying on Operation IMPACT Operating in a Combat Threat Environment What Makes Special Operations Aviation Different The Future of Canada's Tactical Helicopter Fleet Inside a Special Operations Mission Growing into Leadership From Pilot to Leader Becoming a Special Operations Flight Lead Leadership Under Pressure Returning to Operation IMPACT as Detachment Commander Leading Aircrew in a Threat Environment Building the Future Force Lessons from Strategic Leadership Coming Up in Part 2
- 3 weeks ago1h 22m
Logbook: First 100 Part 2: The Weight - The Stories They Carry
Every military aviator carries stories that stay with them long after the aircraft shuts down.To mark the milestone of 100 episodes, we're looking back at the moments that revealed the true weight of military aviation. This second retrospective shifts from learning to fly to learning what comes after. A pilot's first time facing enemy fire, split-second decisions under pressure, devastating loss, the invisible burdens many carry home, and the resilience that keeps crews moving forward.Featuring stories from fighter pilots, search and rescue crews, tactical helicopter crews, transport crews, and more, including the CF-18 Hornet, the CH-146 Griffon, and many other aircraft, this episode explores the realities of operational military aviation through the voices of those who lived it.Whether you've been with us since Episode 1 or you're discovering The Pilot Project for the first time, The First 100 Series is the best place to start.If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. The Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) provides confidential assistance to Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. You can contact them at:1-800-268-7708https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/member-assistance.htmlCHAPTERS Introduction Act 1: Contact - Greg Juurlink - I was a brand new FO Eric Kenny - The missile exploded between us Troy Clarke - Is this what SAR is going to be? Anthony Dyer - My first CASEVAC ever Davis Clark - You don't know if it's a threat or not Act 2: The Line - Greg Juurlink - We got shot up Bob Wade - Escorting MiGs to Canada Dan McWilliams - Never fly into vortices Pete Wright & Greg Hudson - This is what we signed up for, let's go! Niels Olson - You don't know which way is up Dan McWilliams - Less than a wingspan above the ground Niels Olson - Certified Cocaine Boat! Bob Wade - One of you is going to die Act 3: The Ones We Lost - Greg Juurlink - Angel Flights in Afghanistan Vic Weston - Tom "Toast" McQueen Anthony Dyer - It's a smell you never forget Dan McWilliams - Timothy Kirk Leuty Rich MacDougall - Jenn Casey Mike Houle - Shattering Grief Act 4: The Burden - Greg Juurlink - A full bucket Bryan Morrison - I'm not OK Vic Weston - I'm not good to go Paul Goddard - You can't save everybody Dan McWilliams - Fears that last Lyndsay Olson - The Hardest Deployment Niels Olson - The Weight of Distance Janet Musters - Everything AND the Kitchen Sink Rich MacDougall - Your life has just changed forever Act 5: Blue Skies and the Way Forward - Bob Wade - A consequence of doing what you did Bryan Morrison - The value of my career vs everything else Anthony Dyer - Better or bitter Greg Juurlink - The most important thing is asking for help Bob Wade - I miss the boys Vic Weston - Honouring Tom "Toast" McQueen Rich MacDougall - She was a force to be reckoned with Paul Goddard - As good as it gets Mike Houle - Don't Hide the Pain Vic Weston - Keep movin' forward Outro and Special Thank YouCONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots
- Jun 23, 202654 min
Logbook: First 100 Part 1: The Climb - The Making of Military Aviators
For 100 episodes, The Pilot Project Podcast has explored the world of military and mission aviation through the people who have lived it.In Part 1 of our retrospective series, The Climb, we look back at the making of military aviators.From the first moments that sparked the dream, to the grind of training, the edge of high-performance flying, and the toll service can take even in peacetime, this episode traces the journey behind the wings.These are the moments that shaped them, and the reasons they kept going.CHAPTERS Intro/Cold open Act 1: The Spark - Dan McWilliams - First Fighter Flight Bob Wade - The Wonder of the Golden Hawks Mike Houle - Hercs Over the Lake Vince C-Benoit - Wheat Fields in Afghanistan Rock Veilleux - Gliding with Air Cadets Act 2: The Grind - Mike Houle - The Firehose Dan Conway - First Real Doubts Brian Kilroy - The Pressure Cooker Pete Musters - P is for Pilot Dan McWilliams - Owning Mistakes Jeff Foreman - Scale Change Dan McWilliams - Fighter Dreams Derailed Dan Conway - 98% Awesome Act 3: The Edge - Skye Simpson - The Imposter Bryan Morrison - The Culture Shock Ian Wookey - Realizing You're Terrible at Flying Helicopters Rock Veilleux - Flying the Hawk Brian Kilroy - The Edge of Capability Skye Simpson - A Stick of Gum Rock Veilleux - The Ejection Act 4: The Toll - Dan McWilliams - Twisted Bits of Aluminum Duncan MacIsaac - How Many Lives Did They Save? Dan McWilliams - BAM! It Was Over. Bob Wade - The Weight of Instructing Rock Veilleux - The Road to Recovery CFMAP Information Act 5: Why We Fly - Blake McNaughton - Brothers and Sisters Rich MacDougall - Most Memorable Flight Jeff Foreman - This Is Your Captain Speaking Rich MacDougall - 25 Years Ago, That Was Me Blake McNaughton - A Gig Like Nothing Else
- Jun 16, 202659 min
Snowbirds: The Pause Part 2: The Retirement of the Tutor and the Future of the Snowbirds - Maryse Carmichael
Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Maryse Carmichael returns to discuss the Snowbirds, the retirement of the CT-114 Tutor, the planned operational pause, and the future of one of Canada’s most recognizable aviation teams.In Part 2 of this conversation, Maryse explains what Canadians do not see behind a Snowbirds performance, from months of training and preparation to the trust, discipline, teamwork, and safety culture required to fly nine aircraft in close formation. She also shares powerful stories about the team's impact, including how one airshow inspired a future Snowbirds pilot.Drawing on her experience as both a Snowbirds pilot and former Commanding Officer, Maryse reflects on the team's legacy, the risks of losing hard-earned expertise, and what she hopes the next generation of Snowbirds pilots will inherit. - Introduction and Episode Overview - The Hidden Work Behind a Snowbirds Airshow - Flying a First Snowbirds Show in Quebec City - Common Misconceptions About the Snowbirds Demonstration Team - Training for Emergencies in a Nine-Jet Snowbirds Formation - How Snowbirds Prepare for Emergencies Before Every Flight - The Snowbirds Mission: Inspiration, Recruitment, and Public Engagement - Inspiring the Next Generation of Canadian Military Pilots - Why the Snowbirds Still Matter After 55 Years - What Makes a Great Snowbird Pilot? - How Pilots Are Assigned Their Snowbirds Positions - How Long It Takes to Build a Snowbird Pilot - The Hardest Skills to Teach a Snowbird Pilot - How Trust Is Built Inside the Snowbirds - Balancing Safety and Spectacle in an Air Demonstration Team - The Story Behind the Snowbirds Heart Maneuver - What Keeps a Snowbirds Commanding Officer Awake at Night - Why the CT-114 Tutor Was the Perfect Demonstration Aircraft - Did Anyone Expect the CT-114 Tutor to Fly for 63 Years? - Saying Goodbye to the CT-114 Tutor - What Canadians Underestimate About the CT-157 Siskin Transition - Lessons from the Red Arrows and Other Aerobatic Teams - The Strongest Argument for a Snowbirds Pause - What Canada Risks Losing During the Snowbirds Pause - The Hardest Snowbirds Skills to Rebuild - What Concerns Snowbirds Alumni Most - What the Snowbirds Alumni Association Wants to See Happen - What the Snowbirds Mean to Maryse Carmichael - What Canadians Should See in Nine Red and White Aircraft - The Legacy Maryse Carmichael Hopes the Next Snowbirds Inherit CONTINUE THE FLIGHTSnowbirds: The Pause Part 1: Flying the CT-114 Tutor and Becoming the First Female Jet Demonstration Pilot - Maryse Carmichaelhttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/snowbirds-the-pause-part-1-maryse-carmichaelMaryse also references our discussion with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet. Check out Command: The Future Force: Building a Fifth Generation Air Force - Jamie Speiser-Blanchet for a broader look at RCAF modernization, recruiting, readiness, and the future of Canadian military aviation.https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/command-the-future-force-jamie-speiser-blanchetMaryse also discusses the challenge of preserving specialized aviation expertise during a transition period, a theme we explored in Long Range Patrol: The P-8 SEEDCORN Part 1 and 2.https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/long-range-patrol-the-poseidon-seedcorn-part-1-dylan-gilje-allan-and-matt-chretienhttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes/long-range-patrol-the-poseidon-seedcorn-part-2-dylan-gilje-allan-and-matt-chretienMORE SNOWBIRDS EPISODEShttps://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=snowbirdsEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilotspodpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes
- Jun 9, 20261h 7m
Snowbirds: The Pause Part 1: Flying the CT-114 Tutor and Becoming the First Female Jet Demonstration Pilot - Maryse Carmichael
Before she commanded the Snowbirds, Maryse Carmichael was a young Air Cadet from Quebec City with a dream of becoming a military pilot. That dream would eventually make her the first woman to fly with the Snowbirds - and the first woman to fly with any jet aerobatic demonstration team in the world.In Part 1, Maryse shares her journey through Air Cadets, flight training in Moose Jaw, instructional flying on the CT-114 Tutor, operational flying with 434 Squadron, VIP operations with 412 Squadron, and serving in Bagotville during the post-9/11 years. Along the way she discusses Exercise RV92, flying with her brother, supporting the Prime Minister, and the experiences that shaped her leadership philosophy.Maryse also reflects on earning a position with the Snowbirds, learning precision formation aerobatics, flying formation inverted, and eventually returning to command 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. It is a story of perseverance, trust, leadership, and one of the most remarkable careers in Canadian military aviation.CONTINUE THE FLIGHTMaryse mentioned our interview with Jamie Speiser-Blanchet. Check out Command: The Future Force: Building a Fifth Generation Air Force - Jamie Speiser-Blanchet - a discussion on RCAF modernization, recruitment, readiness, and the future of Canadian military aviation.If you're interested in another Snowbirds perspective, check out Snowbirds: The Unexpected Path: From Flying Instructor to Snowbird to SAR - Blake McNaughton - Blake shares his experience flying with Canada's iconic air demonstration team and offers a current Snowbird pilot's perspective on life inside the formation.
- Jun 2, 20261h 7m
Episode 104: The Greener Grass: Flying the Cormorant in Gander, Flying the Airbus H145 with STARS, and returning to the RCAF to instruct on the Bell 412 Outlaw Part 3 - Troy Clarke
In Part 3, Captain Troy Clarke discusses flight instruction, standards flying, STARS Air Ambulance operations, and his decision to return to the RCAF after leaving military service.
About The Pilot Project Podcast
Welcome to The Pilot Project Podcast, your source for stories and insights from pilots in the RCAF and mission aviation. 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!
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