Mike In The Front
Welcome to the Mike in the Front: Aviation Adventures podcast! Join your host, Mike, a Canadian professional airline pilot as he discusses his adventures in aviation and talks to friends, mentors, colleagues, and other professionals in the industry that he has met during his career. The goal of the Mike In The Front podcast is to share the passion for aviation and encourage others to achieve their goals. Whether you’re a professional pilot, student pilot, avgeek, aviation professional, or just want to learn something new, we’re happy to have you aboard!
10
EP 13 - Sophie at Nav Canada: Aviation Weather Expert Part 1
<p>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.</p> <p>In this first of a two part series, Mike and Jason travel to...
EP 12 - Leon Evans: The Steward of the Lancaster
<p>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...
EP 11 - Growing Up Together - Captain Rashid Nazir
<p>Rashid and Mike share a lot in common in terms of their journey through the Canadian aviation industry. Initially working on a Beech 1900, they cut their teeth together as they battled adverse weather across Canada. Rashid’s journey, however, started in Pakistan where he learned to fly. Listen in to Rashid’s story of how he made the leap to come to Canada and started from the bottom on the east coast as a flight instructor and dispatcher and worked his way up to eventually flying the Boeing 777 and becoming a mainline captain.</p> <p>Rashid tells us about the...
EP 10 - Dancing with a Legend: Dave Hadfield & the Spitfire
<p>Dave Hadfield comes from an iconic family when it comes to Canadian aviation. With eight pilots and counting in the family, Dave enjoyed a successful career as an airline pilot retiring on the Boeing 777. When not making ocean crossings, Dave has also become an experienced warbird pilot, flying several variations of DeHavilland Moths, the Westland Lysander, P-40 Warhawk, Hawker Hurricane, P-51 Mustang, and (Mike's all time favourite aircraft) the Supermarine Spitfire.</p> <p>Listen in as Mike picks Dave's brain on what it's like to fly the WWII era fighters, learn how the Spitfire handles, and how Dave and...
EP 09 - Captain Damar Walker
<p>Captain Damar Walker started out like any other prospective airline captain in aviation. With a goal and dream in mind he started flight training in hopes of one day flying jets. Now, after a challenging and rewarding pathway through the Royal Canadian Air Force flying the C-130J Hercules, Captain Walker commands the Airbus A319, A320, & A321 for a living. In this episode, we learn what challenges Damar encountered in his career, how he manages his flight deck, and how he gives back to his community through volunteerism.</p> <p>Find Damar on instagram @dlx_pilot</p> <p>To...
EP 08 - Learning to Fly — Getting Your Private Pilot Licence
<p>Do you dream about flying? Ever wanted to become a pilot? “How do I become a pilot?” is a question professional pilots get all the time. Whether you want to become a professional pilot or just fly for fun, getting your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is where most start!</p> <p>In this episode, Mike and his good friend Melissa talk about how to go about getting your flight training started, finding the right flight school and instructor, the steps your training will take, equipment you might need and other advice to make you successful.</p> <p>Some notes from...
EP 07 - Adam at Nav Canada
<p>Nav Canada is Canada's air navigation service provider. They deliver air traffic services, design and maintain essential airspace systems, and ensure the safe movement of aircraft. How? with skilled and dedicated air traffic controllers like Adam Berrill.</p> <p>Adam is an arrival and departure controller for Toronto Pearson International Airport and handles everything from small business jets to super heavy Airbus A380s. Listen to Mike and Adam chat about how Adam got started, what it's like to be an air traffic controller, and how to join Nav Canada's team.</p> <p>For up-to-date information on becoming an...
EP 06 - Cold War Fighters with Ted Climenhaga
<p>A life well lived in airplanes. Mike sits down to talk with his tailwheel mentor retired Captain Ted Climenhaga. Listen in as Ted recounts his flying career from 1960s RCAF flying in the CF-100 Canuck and CF-101 Voodoo during the Cuban Missile Crisis to flying most of the classic airliners of the new jet age, including the Boeing 747. Ever heard of a 747 doing a touch and go? Ted has done it!</p> <p> </p> <p>Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefront</p> <p> </p> <p>Questions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.com</p> <p> </p> ...
EP 05 - Lost Aviator Coffee
<p>Red eye to Rome anyone? Mike chats with Steve Zago from Lost Aviator Coffee about how two furloughed airline pilots started a business by pivoting to roasting coffee in the face of a global pandemic. Now, almost six years later, with two locations in Guelph, Ontario, Lost Aviator serves coffee infused with the passion for aviation to the local community and all over the world.</p> <p>For 10% off coffee and merchandise visit Lostaviatorcoffee.com and use code “MIKEINTHEFRONT” on checkout.</p> <p>Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefront</p> <p>Questions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at m...
EP 04 - Taildraggers to Supersonic with Bill McBride
<p>Mike sits down with his friend and experienced aviator, Bill McBride to talk about Bill’s experience in flying almost 50 different types of aircraft. Bill shares his experience as a warbird pilot, ferry pilot, airshow organizer, and volunteer. Bill and Mike also discuss what it means to volunteer in your community and Bill gives his advice for those who are looking to get involved.</p> <p>Bill has checked out in close to 50 aircraft and flown in over 70 types. Here’s a list of some of the aircraft that are discussed, flown in, or flown by Bill himself:</p> <p>Fl...
