Show Notes
In memory of our friend Steve Zago 431 Demonstration Squadron, better known as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds have been wowing the skies of airshows in North America since 1971. Exclusively flying the 1960s era Canadair CT-114 Tutor, the Snowbirds are known for their tight, nine jet formations, heart stopping solo crosses, and unforgettable maneuvers such as the Maple Split and Canada Burst. In spring 2026 it was announced that the Snowbirds would be on a definite pause until the early 2030s while the Royal Canadian Air Force prepares for the arrival of the replacement aircraft chosen for the Snowbirds, the Pilatus CT-157 Siskin II. The stage was set for a summer of heavy emotion and celebration as the Snowbirds say goodbye to their tried and trusted Tutors. Leading the team is Snowbird 1, Major Maciej Hatta, call sign “Match”. Match is a seasoned Tutor pilot, having flown as Snowbird 6 (2014-2015), Snowbird 3 (2016), and Snowbird 7 (2017) before being selected in 2025 as “The Boss” for the final Snowbirds Tutor season in 2026. Major Hatta also has experience as a test pilot, CT-155 Hawk instructor pilot, and CF-188 Hornet fighter pilot. Mike asks Major Hatta all of his burning Snowbirds questions about the Tutor, the Siskin II, and how nine jets execute a safe and exciting airshow performance. Let’s have a great show! SMOKE NOW! Learn more about the Snowbirds at: https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/showcasing/snowbirds.html or on Instagram: @cfsnowbirds Follow Major Hatta on instagram: @match_eh YouTube: https://youtube.com/@match_eh?si=uPYeqBPRgJhvQgpu Photography by Kevin Prentice @kevinprentice.aviation Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion
More from Mike In The Front
Dr. Katie Mack is known best for being a theoretical astrophysicist who studies questions in cosmology (the study of the universe from beginning to end) at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. When she’s not studying dark matter and the origins of the universe, you can find Katie flying airplanes. Katie holds a private pilot license, instrument rating, and is a yellow bird pilot at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Windsor, Ontario. In this episode, Mike and Katie discuss what inspired Katie to write two books about the universe, her journey in aviation, and how two women flew 70+ year old warbirds to Oshkosh 2026 in challenging conditions. Check out Katie’s books: ”The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” Available now: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-end-of-everything-astrophysically-speaking-katie-mack/805a575879c098ff?ean=9781982103552&affiliate=1688 “How to Build a Universe (Theoretically Speaking)” Available March 9, 2027. Pre order: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/How-to-Build-a-Universe/Katie-Mack/9781668033678 You can learn more about Katie, the universe and her books at astrokatie.com Instagram: @astrokatiemack Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/astrokatie.com Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion
Mike Tryggvason was raised in a family passionate about aviation. As one of Canada’s first astronauts, Mike’s dad, Bjarni Tryggvason instilled a love of airplanes and aerobatics early in Mike’s life. Mike spent his early years in aviation working towards learning aerobatics, eventually becoming a competitor and airshow pilot in which he flew the Pitts S2A, Giles 202 and Extra 300 to name a few. Inspired by a magazine article featuring the beginnings of the Red Bull Air Race, Mike set his sights on becoming an Air Race pilot. For 2026, Mike begins his rookie year and has joined the roster of pilots for Air Race X. Built on the legacy of the Red Bull Air Race, Air Race X challenges both veteran and rookie pilots to their limits, pulling up to 12 times their body weight as they race around pylons and tight corners in the sleek Edge 540 aircraft. Thinking of pulling a few g’s yourself? Tune in to learn about Mike’s journey to competing on the world stage! Learn more about Air Race X: Website: airracex.comInstagram: @airrace_x_ YouTube: youtube.com/@airracex Follow Mike & his team: Instagram: @miketryg | @viking12racing Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion
Mike, Sophie, and Jason are back for Part 2! In this episode Sophie answers listener aviation weather questions and also tells us what it really means when an aviation forecast includes the code “SHRA”. Tune in to learn more! Do you have a weather question? Reach out to us via email or Instagram and we can answer it for you. Follow Sophie on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/aviationwx.bsky.social For more in depth learning about aviation weather phenomena such as clear air turbulence, mountain wave, thunderstorms and more visit Avmet: avmet.navcanada.ca Learn more about a career in aviation weather with Nav Canada by visiting: navcanada.ca/careers Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion
Predicting and planning for the weather is a skill that is essential to aviation safety. Luckily for us, Nav Canada employs a team of weather experts who along with forecasters at Environment Canada, keep the skies safe when adverse weather is a concern. From forecasting to network planning, Nav Canada’s team works behind the scenes to ensure flights depart and arrive safely according to the current conditions. Meet Sophie, the self proclaimed weather geek who is part of the team that makes this happen. In this first of a two part series, Mike and Jason travel to Ottawa to learn more about what their friend Sophie does in her role as Manager of Network Aviation Weather at Nav Canada. Sophie’s passion for weather started as a kid after witnessing a tornado. That event of extreme weather inspired her to build a career around forecasting, producing aviation weather products, as well as network planning and helping to build the future of weather prediction for Nav Canada. Sophie also shares how she uses her knowledge and applies it to her own flight training as she undertakes training for her private pilot licence. Stay tuned for Sophie Part 2 where she answers our listener questions. Follow Sophie on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/aviationwx.bsky.social For more in depth learning about aviation weather phenomena such as clear air turbulence, mountain wave, thunderstorms and more visit Avmet: avmet.navcanada.ca Learn more about a career in aviation weather with Nav Canada by visiting: navcanada.ca/careers Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion
Mike sits down with Captain (Retired... sort of...) Leon Evans for a conversation about flying the legend that is the Avro Lancaster. As long time Chief Pilot at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum and training captain on one of only two remaining airworthy Lancasters in the world, Leon shares with us what it means to carry the Lanc's legacy, as well as the personal connections forged around it. Listen in as Leon tells us about how a group of Canadian's took a World War II bomber across the Atlantic Ocean to meet its UK counterpart almost 70 years after the war ended. This episode explores what it means to be a steward of aviation history in the modern world. Honest, reflective, and deeply human -- this is more than a conversation about the aircraft itself. It's about the stories that refuse to fade. In Memory of Captain Don Schofield 1941 - 2026. To learn more about the Lancaster and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, visit warplane.com Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at [email protected] consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion