Mike In The Front

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...

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 curre...

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. Lis...

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 co...

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 Mus...

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 challe...

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! In this episode, Mike and his good friend Melissa talk about how to go about getting your flight training started, finding the right...

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. Adam is an arrival and departure controller for Toronto Pearson International Airport and handles everything from small business jets to super h...

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!   Fo...

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. For 10% off coffee a...

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. Bill has checke...

Welcome to Episode 03 where we discuss how Mike accomplished a career long goal of getting checked out in the North American T6 Harvard. This was a journey that was over a decade in the making and introduced Mike to some of his most influential mentors in the warbird world. Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefront Questions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.com...

In episode 02, Jason Rosewell joins us from Infinite Flight to talk about the world of mobile flight sim, airplane ownership, and the humbling experience of learning by making a mistake.  Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefront Questions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.com Please consider leaving us a rating and/or review Edited & Produced by Jason Rosewe...

In our first episode, Mike introduces himself, the origin of "Mike in the Front", the goals of the podcast and what to expect as he shares his passion for aviation Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefront Questions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.com Please consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason Rosewell Music intro by Tyler...