Snowbirds: The Boss Part 3: Inside the Snowbirds - Maciej "Match" Hatta

What does it take to lead one of the world's premier military aerobatic teams?In the final chapter of our three-part series, Major Maciej "Match" Hatta takes us inside life as "The Boss", aka Snowbird 1 and Team Lead of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. From the demanding selection process and culture of trust that defines the team to the responsibility of leading eight other pilots in close formation, Match shares what it means to lead the team.We also explore the remarkable people behind the scenes who make every performance possible, the legacy of the CT-114 Tutor, and why the Snowbirds continue to inspire Canadians more than 50 years after their first season.Join us as we conclude the story behind The Boss.Chapters(00:00:58) Introduction and welcome(00:03:34) What led you to the Snowbirds?(00:04:50) Deferring Test Pilot School for the Snowbirds(00:07:01) Why the Snowbirds were turning away jet pilots(00:08:33) Can you become Snowbird 1 as a first-year Snowbird?(00:10:07) Going through Snowbird selection(00:17:23) Snowbirds formation cues(00:23:34) Are you looking at your instruments during formation flying?(00:25:58) What was harder than you expected on the Snowbirds?(00:28:02) Match's mid-air collision(00:37:33) Did they lose trust in you?(00:38:54) Lessons from the first tour that still shape Snowbird 1(00:40:58) Why return to the Snowbirds?(00:44:42) What did it mean to become Snowbird 1?(00:46:25) Does it feel different to be the boss?(00:51:31) Selecting Snowbird 1(00:53:19) The three qualities of a successful Snowbird(00:55:14) Why Snowbirds have to be "always on"(00:59:28) The people behind the scenes who make it happen(01:03:55) What makes this season special?(01:05:55) Why preseason flying went so well(01:08:11) What can audiences expect this season?(01:12:19) The canopy-to-canopy roll(01:14:49) The legacy of the CT-114 Tutor(01:17:51) What should Canadians take away from this season?(01:20:20) Thanks and what's next!CONTINUE THE FLIGHTEXPLORE THE LOGBOOKMore stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots.https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes