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
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK

More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots.

https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes

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

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Bray is the Commanding Officer of 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, the Royal Canadian Air Force unit supporting the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM).

In Part 2, we take a rare look behind the curtain of Canadian Special Operations Aviation, exploring how 427 Squadron evolved into the modern capability it is today. Chris explains the squadron's culture, what makes it unique among allied SOF aviation units, the philosophy of "no mission too small," the addition of the CE-145C Vigilance, and the standards that define one of Canada's most demanding aviation communities. We also discuss leadership, mission command, and how 427 built a reputation for professionalism, adaptability, and trust while supporting special operations around the world.

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
(00:02:41) How 427 Squadron Reinvented Itself
(00:03:39) Building One Special Operations Aviation Culture
(00:06:49) Why the Squadron Had to Change
(00:09:44) Living Through the Transformation
(00:13:10) Earning a Reputation in Special Operations Aviation
(00:14:49) "No Mission Too Small"
(00:18:46) Expanding the Mission with the CE-145C Vigilance
(00:20:44) Learning to Think Beyond Helicopters
(00:22:53) What Makes 427 Different?
(00:26:21) Becoming an Organic CANSOFCOM Capability
(00:28:44) The Professionals Behind Every Mission
(00:30:04) Why Communications Can Make or Break a Mission
(00:31:12) Building Trust with Canada's Special Operations Forces
(00:33:44) Maintaining Elite Standards
(00:37:52) Rewriting the Rules: The New TOCA
(00:41:35) The Career Path of a Special Operations Aviator
(00:44:57) Balancing Risk and Mission Success
(00:46:22) Leading an Elite Squadron
(00:47:34) The Hardest Decisions as Commanding Officer
(00:49:57) Next Time: Inside SOTAC