I'm a Canadian fighter pilot in my final phase of training. AMA!

1) Do you have a motorcycle? 2) Why not?

Used to. Going to buy an enduro

How do you guys decide who gets to fly the fighter plane this week?

The scheduler makes a daily schedule and we fly in formation generally so more than one plane up at a time.

1. I got a glider pilot license and a private pilot license through air cadets.

2. Most generic ground school training is done on phase 1 and 2 training which in total is a few months. That is training on basic navigation, Westjet systems, theory of flight etc... Afterwards the ground school training is mostly on tactics and aircraft specifics for whichever aircraft you end up flying

What's the difference between a fighter pilot and God?

God doesn't think He's a fighter pilot.

Lol

That's beyond my pay grade but I haven't seen non military personnel in the aircraft with the exception of some people involved in media like Rick Mercer or Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys

how many g's can you pull?

7g for 15s in the centrifuge

Have you met the Princess yet? Also, is Scott really a dick?

Haven't met either

Hey there! I'm currently 16, in Air cadets, and applied for glider this year. I didn't get in (was VERY close) but I'll be staffing this year. Going for power next year hopefully :)

I joined cadets for one sole purpose: To help me join RMC, and become a fighter pilot in the RCAF one day.

Any tips on what to do? Things you would have done differently/ done/ not done at all? Things to study before the CFASC and Aptitude test? How to improve the chances of getting into RMC and also getting selected for pilot? (I have perfect eyesight and am physically fit)

It's been my life goal since I was 6 to become a fighter pilot, and I'm willing to do anything for it. Any tips will be appreciated. I wish you best of luck with your training!

Good stuff on the cadets. I did that too. Squadron?

I went to RMC as well. You can either go there or join The military and be in a civilian University. Up to you!

Keep the grades up, study whatever those practise tests are for the aptitude tests, and above all be unwavering with your goal of being a pilot. I would suggest respectfully telling recruiters that is your only desire rather than getting talked into something else as a "what if"

School marks are key, try to get power, and keep out of trouble. Tailor your RMC application to its four pillars of academics, military, fitness, and second language. Go to myexplore.ca and try to score a quebec French exchange. Makes you desirable as an officer.

What's your favorite Tim Hortons donut? And how do you take you coffee: regular or double double?

Honey crueler for certain. Double milk no sugar haha

Cold Lake?

Yep

I did not know Canada had an Air Force. What do you fly Piper Cubs and hang gliders? How do you get the hockey stick in the cockpit?

Seriously, Canadian CF18's helped me out once upon a time. Thank you for being there for me so that I could be here today.

Glad to hear! A little close air support?

Put it in the luggage pod

RAF pilot here, in training also. I'm jealous you get to fly jets, was always a dream of mine, however I was destined to fly other things! How does your aircraft type streaming work? Is it done on a score basis during initial flying training? How many aircraft types until you got to the Hornet?

Yeah on phase 2 you get selected. To fly the hornet you first fly the Grob, then Harvard, then hawk, then hornet

Who's taking the Cup home this season?

No clue!

Is it true that instead of explosions Canadian bombs simply say "sorry" when they hit the ground?

You're not wrong. Canadians are so polite lol

Don't know if you can talk about this but what are the chances you'll be deployed and publically what countries is canadas airforce currently engaging?

Good question! That's a big political thing and to be honest I'm not really up on that stuff. Being in training, Thats The biggest thing on my mind right now

I once went to Maple Flag Day in cold lake. When they had the open house later that weekend they American pilots we spoke to were blown away at how good the Canadians were. No one could touch them during the war games. How do we stack up these days?

I haven't flown with them yet cause I'm still pretty new!

Does the conformal maple syrup tank create extra drag on the CF-18?

So sticky

Do you have any Aircraft vs Aircraft (Aka topgun) experiences?

Yeah, just in training so far though.

Do you think Canada will still be putting pilots into jets forty years from now?

If not, what do you think about Canada planning to fly the F35 for that long?

What do you think about combat drones?

I just don't think we're at a point where a drone can create a good enough feedback loop to simulate a pilot. Perhaps one day, but the technology is beyond me

How's your love life? Do you mention airyplanes when you're trying to impress girls?

Not for the first bit because generally people are skeptical and think it's a lie

Eh fellow Canadian!

F-35 or F/A-18? Oilers or Flames?

Thats The huge debate right now. I'll fly whatever the government gets us! And Canucks

What do Canadians fight?

Can your jet fit in a Timmy's drive through?

Youre gonna have to ask a Harrier guy/gal about the drive through. Maybe they can hover in!

Real neat! How long did you have to wait in between each phase? For example, did you go phase by phase consecutively or were there any OJTs? Thanks!

OJTs anywhere from a few months to a year between phases

Do you paint "sorry" on the bombe Canada drops?

I haven't dropped yet cause I'm still in training but I think that the guys do

What do you do when you're not training/flying? How do you relax? My father was in the air force and he said all they did was drink... a lot.... That was in the 70's though.

I like to speed boat, wake board, fly my RC plane, go out in Edmonton a lot

Have you ever / can you post youtube videos of your flights? Love watching F18, F15 in cockpit videos of low level flying.

All of my posts are on Instagram. Jaybravo22 !

If I may ask, why did you enter the military?

To fly fighter jets

Which air cadet squadron were you from?

205 Collinshaw Nanaimo

how long is boot camp/basic training in canada?

About 2 months

Do you know if you have to be Canadian to be in the RCAF? And what was the process like for you to get to be a pilot?

How long have you been flying?

I know some people from britain who joined and became Canadian during training. Commonwealth I think there may be some sort of agreement

Thanks for serving our country brother! what made you want to join the military?

Always wanted to be a fighter pilot. Really challenging and rewarding job that you can't find in civilian life

What's the most difficult part of flying? (Including take-offs/landings.)

By far the tactical aspect of it. Fighting air to air. The flying itself is expected to be second nature by this point

As a fighter pilot, when there's not a war, what're your assignments like? I would assume more training?

Training and currency. Always upgrading qualifications

Track up or North up?

I don't understand

Can you give a rough breakdown of a typical day at the office?

Is there a lot of paperwork? Briefings? Do you get to fly every day? Work on fitness? Study patterns and maneuvers?

Lots of Study and briefing. Not too much paper work. I would say 8 to 12 h days and flying 1 to 1.5 h every day or two during the week. I speak for the training process

How old is too old to start the process of becoming a pilot in the rcaf?

I know guys who joined in their late 30s

How noob-friendly is your jet? Could a reasonable smart person that has flewn a jet in a game take a seat and get the jet into air?

The jet is pretty user friendly. It's the tactical stuff that is the hardest part not the flying

Who are you cheering for in the playoffs?

If the Canucks were still in it would be them. West coast best coast. But that's the extent of my NHL knowledge.

Nice! My dad flew F-15s here in the US.

Do you do like national defense or what?

Awesome! Cool plane!

1) How do you get the moose into the air? 2) Exactly how long can you fly said moose before it no longer glides?

Push the throttles up and take off. We don't glide well - need power

Have you ever considered that one day you might actually kill someone? and, does this thought bother you in anyway?

Good question. I have considered it and I can imagine it would be quite a burden

Thanks for your quick reply mate :)

I served 6 years in the Royal Australian Navy as a Marine Technician (Mechanical), l never once thought l'd be involved in a conflict which resulted in potential death, l just wanted to travel the world and get paid to do so :)

So does this mean you are an Officer or a Commissioned Officer? Do you get paid much money? You must be very intelligent to pass your course l'd imagine, thanks again for your reply mate :)

You bet! Yeah, pilots in Canada are commissioned. Pay us pretty good so can't complain there. Australia sounds like an amazing spot to be! The Eastern bases, anyways!

Best bar in Cold Lake? You'd better say "Thumpers".

You've clearly been in cold lake. Half of them closed down now so I go to Edmonton always

Is there any information you are not allowed to say because it is classified?

Yes

How do you get such a close shave?

Lol I wish It grew out more

Canada has an army?

We do. And an Air Force and navy

Hi, im actually thinking about applying after I graduate. How tough was the application process? How have you been enjoying it?

Very tough but doable and worth it

Hi and thanks for this AMA!

Is it true those planes take 24 hours to warm up before you can fly them?

Nope that's s rumour !

With your current training, do you think you could plow through the enemy pilots in the early World War 1 planes, provided you were also flying a WW1 fighter plane?

Also, favourite WW2 plane?

I do, because they didn't do much for dog fighting training back then. They just said go.

Spitfire, but I don't dabble much In old aircraft

How's the chowhall?

Free food!

Have you watched the TV show Jetstream? If so, how similar is it to your experience?

Almost the same. That is the course I am on right now

As someone looking to get into the RCAF through the ROTP program, what is the best way to go about applying/ what kind of experience should I have to put on a resume? (I'm applying this fall coming from grade 12/ going into 13)

Put anything relevant to flying if you want to be a pilot, second languages, military involvement, and physical fitness

Thanks! Good luck on training! Hope to meet you in the near future!

Thanks. Keep your marks high and join sports in school

How do you treat maintenance when you brake the plane ?

Treat those guys/gals like gold. Always

Canadians have planes?

We do

So you get a personal jet. what happens if you crash it?

Some guys get names painted on jets but you fly whichever jet is available

Have you met Bryan yet?

Bryan who