After flying the CF-18 Hornet in combat and completing his first tour with the Snowbirds, Major Maciej "Match" Hatta set his sights on one of military aviation's most demanding challenges: Experimental Test Pilot School.

In Part 2 of this three-part series, Match takes us inside the United States Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base. He explains the mindset that separates test pilots from operational pilots, the relentless pace of the course, and what it takes to evaluate aircraft at the edge of their flight envelopes.

From deep stalls in the F-16 Viper and low level flying in the C-17 to testing the CF-18's AESA radar and helping modernize the CT-114 Tutor, this episode offers a rare look into the world of flight testing and the people responsible for pushing aviation forward.

Chapters

(00:00:58) Introduction and welcome
(00:02:06) AETE tryouts
(00:08:30) When was it time to go to Test Pilot School?
(00:09:39) Was there a specific school you wanted to attend?
(00:10:40) Moving to Edwards Air Force Base
(00:10:57) Experiencing Test Pilot School as a family
(00:12:28) How COVID changed life in California
(00:15:31) How difficult is Test Pilot School?
(00:18:39) Pilot brain versus engineer brain
(00:21:05) Who excelled and who struggled?
(00:27:30) The hardest part of Test Pilot School
(00:29:25) The mindset shift from operations to test flying
(00:32:53) Lake Mead touch and goes in the Albatross
(00:38:24) Deep stalls in the F-16 Viper
(00:42:12) Flying the F-16 as an extension of your body
(00:48:15) The Sidewinder low level route
(00:53:11) Singing the praises of the C-17
(00:54:06) Joining AETE
(00:58:05) Testing the Hornet's AESA radar
(01:01:45) The first live AIM-9X missile shot
(01:04:20) Rare moments at AETE
(01:09:01) Helping modernize the CT-114 Tutor
(01:16:06) Top test flight moments

CONTINUE THE FLIGHT

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Before he became Snowbird 1, Major Maciej "Match" Hatta spent years fighting for the chance to fly.

In Part 1 of this three-part series, Match shares the story behind his journey from Air Cadets in Milton, Ontario, to the cockpit of the CF-18 Hornet. He reflects on the VHS tape that sparked a lifelong dream, the vision issues that nearly ended his career before it began, the challenges of military flight training, and the determination that carried him through Moose Jaw, Fighter Lead-In Training, and operational service.

The conversation also explores flying NORAD missions, deploying on 22 combat sorties over Libya, and the lessons that shaped him long before he would one day lead the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Join us as we begin the story behind The Boss.

Chapters
(00:00:58) Introduction and bio
(00:03:09) Where did aviation start for you?
(00:05:44) When did flying become the dream?
(00:06:57) The importance of Air Cadets
(00:08:48) Glider and power courses with Air Cadets
(00:09:52) From Air Cadets to the Canadian Armed Forces
(00:10:32) A charted path or uncertainty?
(00:11:16) Vision issues nearly end the dream
(00:14:51) How Match earned his pilot medical
(00:16:48) Keeping the dream alive
(00:19:39) Phase 1 flight training
(00:21:26) Arriving in Moose Jaw
(00:23:16) What kind of student pilot was Match?
(00:24:36) How Match stopped getting airsick
(00:25:36) What came naturally and what humbled him
(00:28:05) When fighters became realistic
(00:33:24) Jumping into FLIT
(00:37:34) What comes after FLIT?
(00:39:33) Learning the CF-18 Hornet
(00:43:53) The flying is not the mission
(00:44:23) Surprises of operational fighter life
(00:47:52) Flying NORAD missions
(00:55:47) Does air-to-air refuelling ever stop being intimidating?
(00:57:35) Flying 22 combat sorties over Libya
(00:58:37) The first combat mission
(01:01:32) Learning from mistakes
(01:02:46) How military flying changed his perspective
(01:07:02) Thanks and what's next!

Check out the video that started it all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24Z1Q1JBnSk

CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
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Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray concludes our three-part series with a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. As the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, Chris explains how Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC) prepares aircrew for one of the Royal Canadian Air Force's most demanding environments, the qualities that define successful special operations aviators, and how the squadron continues to develop the next generation of capability.

We also discuss leadership, balancing family life with operational service, the Next Tactical Aviation Capability Set (NTACS), and Chris's vision for the future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation. This episode offers a rare perspective on 427 SOAS from the Commanding Officer himself.

CONTINUE THE FLIGHT

EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

CHAPTERS

(00:00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:01:48) Inside the Special Operations Tactical Aviation Course (SOTAC)
(00:02:54) How SOTAC Changed Special Operations Training
(00:04:07) Learning to Fight Alongside the Rest of the RCAF
(00:05:57) Building the First Generation of SOTAC Graduates
(00:06:44) Creating Canada's Next Special Operations Aviators
(00:07:58) Preparing for the Worst Day of Your Career
(00:11:51) Keeping SOTAC Ready for Tomorrow's Missions
(00:13:19) Is SOTAC a Selection Course?
(00:13:40) Who Can Become a Special Operations Aviator?
(00:15:43) The Role of a 427 Squadron Door Gunner
(00:16:44) The Traits Every SOF Aviator Needs
(00:17:29) Choosing a Career in Special Operations Aviation
(00:20:34) What Separates Success from Failure?
(00:23:49) Driving Innovation Across the RCAF
(00:25:26) The Future of NTACS
(00:28:17) Balancing Operational Service and Family Life
(00:31:39) Supporting Families Behind the Mission
(00:33:28) What It Means to Command 427 Squadron
(00:34:01) Seeing the Squadron Through a Commanding Officer's Eyes
(00:35:02) Leading in a Flat Organization
(00:37:02) The Leader Chris Bray Strives to Be
(00:39:32) The Future of Canadian Special Operations Aviation
(00:41:31) How to Earn a Place at 427 Squadron
(00:44:27) Looking Back with Pride
(00:45:25) Final Thoughts