Skyward Podcast

Skyward is taking a pause through spring as I focus on completing my Canadian Flight Instructor Rating. Season 2 returns in June with new episodes, guests, and upgrades.  Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

Pilots spend hours locked in cramped cockpits — and their bodies pay the price. In this episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with Dr. Jackie White, PT, aviation physical therapist and founder of Skyline Wellness, to talk about what's actually going wrong in pilots' bodies and what to do about it. Dr. Jackie breaks down the most common complaints she sees — low back pain, nec...

Cailyx Madensky shares her inspiring journey into aviation, becoming a commercial pilot trainee, and leading the Ninety-Nines Maple Leaf Chapter. We discuss overcoming COVID delays, the power of mentorship, staying motivated through setbacks, and building community with Let’s Discover Aviation Now events. Chapters 00:57 Introduction to Aviation Dreams 02:59 The Journey Begins: From Curiosity to Tr...

Pilot Mercedes welcomes back Alivia Chanyi, First Officer at Jazz, sharing ALPA’s pilot advocacy, two-crew safety push, mentorship, Dreams Take Flight’s magical Disney trips for kids, and Special Olympics impact. Inspiring aviation + community stories! Subscribe, comment your favorite moment, share with aviation friends. Chapters 01:03 Introduction to ALPA and Mentorship Programs 02:50 Advocating...

Discover how The 99s, Northern Lights Aero Foundation, and Canadian Women in Aviation empower women in Canada's skies! Pilot Mercedes chats with First Officer Alivia Chanyi (Jazz Aviation, CRJ pilot) about scholarships, mentorship, outreach, and building community in an industry where women are still underrepresented. Key highlights: The 99s history & global growth Northern Lights: Elsie...

9-to-5 drained? Try the reset: quick workout, top-down list, 25-min bursts. No burnout, real results from personal experience. Chapters 01:07 Transitioning from Work to Study 05:12 Lessons from Past Mistakes 10:52 Effective Study Techniques 15:26 The Importance of Rest and Recovery Subscribe for more pilot stories, flight training tips, aerospace insights, and aviation career advice. Like if these...

Pilot Alan Ash shares his first solo nerves, tense Everglades crossings, hailstorm landing as a student, and planes flown. Timeless GA lessons from a lifelong pilot. Subscribe for more pilot stories, flight training tips, aerospace insights, and aviation career advice. Like if these lessons hit home, comment your biggest training mistake below, and share with a fellow student pilot! Chapters: 00:4...

In this episode, I open up about 4 personal flight training stories that shaped me as a pilot – and mistakes I hope you avoid: My exhilarating (and hilarious) first solo at just 15 years old – the nerves, bumpy landing, perfect second try, and the mix-up that had my head instructor thinking I stole the plane!  The costly lesson of NOT researching regulations when switching from Canada to US flight...

In this inspiring episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with aviation legend Lola Reid Allin — one of Canada's earliest female commercial pilots, flight instructor, Twin Otter captain, award-winning author, photographer, and adventurer who's explored over 65 countries. Lola shares her remarkable journey starting in 1979, when women in the cockpit were rare and often unwelcome...

As 2025 comes to a close, join host Pilot Mercedes for a special year-end episode of Skyward — the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the aviation and aerospace world. In this “Best of 2025” compilation, we revisit the most powerful, honest, and actionable advice shared by our incredible guests throughout the year. From seasoned airline captains and military pilots to flight attendants, h...

In this episode host Pilot Mercedes sits down with Captain Jason McGillis, an 18-year Royal Canadian Air Force maritime helicopter pilot and current CH-148 Cyclone instructor. Jason takes us from joining the RCAF straight out of high school with ZERO flying experience → flying the legendary Sea King on deployments around the world → transitioning to the modern fly-by-wire Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone →...

What really happens to living cells in the very first seconds of weightlessness?  In this episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with Dr. Rob Ferl – Distinguished Professor and Director of the new Astraeus Space Institute at the University of Florida – and the very first NASA-funded scientist to personally conduct real-time biological experiments during a trip to space on Blue Origin’s...

Struggling with go or no-go decisions in aviation? Join Pilot Mercedes on the Skyward Podcast as she breaks down the critical factors every pilot needs to consider before flying. From regulatory vs. personal minimums to the I'M SAFE checklist, weather challenges, and aircraft capabilities, this episode is packed with practical tools for student pilots, private pilots, and even seasoned aviato...

Host Pilot Mercedes welcomes former Air Canada Captain & Lawyer Steve Steele to discuss his diabetes diagnosis that grounded him in 1986, the fight to allow insulin-dependent pilots in Canada (until early 2000s), simulator instruction in Hong Kong, family flexibility, and global aviation health rules. Key insights on pilot training, health barriers, and returning to the cockpit.  Essential for...

In this episode of Skyward Podcast, Pilot Mercedes shares the 5 things she wish she knew before starting flight training . Discover how to build an aviation community, prepare for transitions, balance well-being, stay resilient, and tackle the steep learning curve of becoming a pilot. Perfect for aspiring aviators looking for clarity and confidence! ✈️ Free Show Notes: https://docs.google.com/docu...

Pilot Mercedes chats with Dini Petty, legendary Canadian Pink Helicopter Pilot, beloved talkshow host, and author, about reporting breaking news mid-flight, her rise as a live TV star, and decades of aviation adventures. Dive into inspiring stories of breaking barriers in the skies and media—perfect for aviation enthusiasts and aspiring pilots. Subscribe to the Skyward Podcast for more educational...

In this engaging episode of Skyward , host Pilot Mercedes is interviewed by her sister, Trinity Celeste, a fine art musician. Discover how Mercedes’ passion for aviation took flight, leading her from a childhood dream to earning her pilot’s license at 16. She shares insights into her journey through the aviation and aerospace industry, including challenges, triumphs, and her inspiration for starti...

Part 2 of Skyward Podcast features David Cottrill diving into aviation’s challenges, from navigating US and Canadian airspace to a high-speed Cessna Mustang test flight. Packed with pilot training tips, aviation safety insights, and stories from complex airports, this episode is a must for aspiring pilots and aviation lovers.  Learn more: If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reac...

In Part 1 of David Cottrill's story he shares his journey from a small-town dreamer to a licensed pilot. Hear gripping tales of his first flight in a Cessna 172, rigorous university training, and cross-country adventures with his wife and friend Conrad. Perfect for aviation fans and aspiring pilots! Tune in for Part 2 for more flying lessons and stories. Learn more: If you want to learn more...

Embark on an inspiring journey into the heart of Angel Flights and mercy missions, where volunteer pilots transform lives by providing free air transportation for patients seeking critical medical care. In this episode, we dive into gripping, real-life stories of hope, courage, and compassion, showcasing the profound impact on patients, families, and the pilots who make it all possible. Learn abou...

Skyward - Episode 4: Sky Queen - Janice Ward Part 2 A former Air Canada stewardess who shares her thrilling journey from the 1970s to the 2000s. From navigating strict appearance rules to forging a sisterhood in the skies, her stories reveal the glamour, challenges, and joy of life at 30,000 feet. Buckle up for a nostalgic ride through aviation’s golden era! Learn more: If you want to learn more a...

Skyward - Episode 3: Stewardess Stories with Janice Ward. A former Air Canada stewardess who shares her thrilling journey from the 1970s to the 2000s. From navigating strict appearance rules to forging a sisterhood in the skies, her stories reveal the glamour, challenges, and joy of life at 30,000 feet. Buckle up for a nostalgic ride through aviation’s golden era! Learn more: If you want to learn...

Skyward - Episode 2: Heritage, Friends, and Lessons with Alan Ash On this episode of Skyward , Pilot Mercedes welcomes Alan Ash, an FAA commercial licensed and instrument-rated pilot from Florida. From his father’s passion for flying to co-owning a plane and exploring the skies, Alan shares his inspiring journey and the lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this deep dive into the world of gen...

Join host Pilot Mercedes for the inaugural episode of Skyward , the podcast that lifts the curtain on aviation’s most captivating personal stories. In this episode, Mercedes welcomes, Alivia Chanyi, a First Officer at Jazz, a regional airline partner of Air Canada. Alivia shares her inspiring path from student pilot to the cockpit, revealing the passion, perseverance, and love for aviation that fu...