Mike In The Front

About Mike In The Front

Welcome to the Mike in the Front podcast! Join your host, Mike, a Canadian professional airline pilot as he discusses his adventures in aviation and talks to friends, mentors, colleagues, and other professionals in the industry that he has met during his career. The mission of the Mike In The Front podcast is to share the passion for aviation and encourage others to achieve their goals. Whether you're a professional pilot, student pilot, avgeek, aviation professional, or just want to learn something new, we're happy to have you aboard!

Publisher

Mike In The Front

Category

business · history · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Nov 2025

Latest episode

20 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Sept 2026

   EP 16 - Dr. Katie Mack: From Dark Matter to Yellow Birds

   Dr. Katie Mack is known best for being a theoretical astrophysicist who studies questions in cosmology (the study of the universe from beginning to end) at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. When she’s not studying dark matter and the origins of the universe, you can find Katie flying airplanes. Katie holds a private pilot license, instrument rating, and is a yellow bird pilot at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Windsor, Ontario. In this episode, Mike and Katie discuss what inspired Katie to write two books about the universe, her journey in aviation, and how two women flew 70+ year old warbirds to Oshkosh 2026 in challenging conditions. Check out Katie’s books: ”The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)” Available now: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-end-of-everything-astrophysically-speaking-katie-mack/805a575879c098ff?ean=9781982103552&affiliate=1688 “How to Build a Universe (Theoretically Speaking)” Available March 9, 2027. Pre order: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/How-to-Build-a-Universe/Katie-Mack/9781668033678 You can learn more about Katie, the universe and her books at astrokatie.com Instagram: @astrokatiemack Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/astrokatie.com Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

2. 

   14 Jul 2026

   EP 15 - Mike Tryggvason & Air Race X (Season 1 Finale!)

   Mike Tryggvason was raised in a family passionate about aviation. As one of Canada’s first astronauts, Mike’s dad, Bjarni Tryggvason instilled a love of airplanes and aerobatics early in Mike’s life. Mike spent his early years in aviation working towards learning aerobatics, eventually becoming a competitor and airshow pilot in which he flew the Pitts S2A, Giles 202 and Extra 300 to name a few. Inspired by a magazine article featuring the beginnings of the Red Bull Air Race, Mike set his sights on becoming an Air Race pilot. For 2026, Mike begins his rookie year and has joined the roster of pilots for Air Race X. Built on the legacy of the Red Bull Air Race, Air Race X challenges both veteran and rookie pilots to their limits, pulling up to 12 times their body weight as they race around pylons and tight corners in the sleek Edge 540 aircraft. Thinking of pulling a few g’s yourself? Tune in to learn about Mike’s journey to competing on the world stage! Learn more about Air Race X: Website: airracex.comInstagram: @airrace_x_ YouTube: youtube.com/@airracex Follow Mike & his team: Instagram: @miketryg | @viking12racing Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

3. 

   28 Jun 2026

   EP 14 - Sophie at Nav Canada: Part 2 Your Questions Answered!

   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 For more in depth learning about aviation weather phenomena such as clear air turbulence, mountain wave, thunderstorms and more visit Avmet: avmet.navcanada.ca Learn more about a career in aviation weather with Nav Canada by visiting: navcanada.ca/careers Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

4. 

   13 Jun 2026

   EP 13 - Sophie at Nav Canada: Aviation Weather Expert Part 1

   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 current conditions. Meet Sophie, the self proclaimed weather geek who is part of the team that makes this happen. In this first of a two part series, Mike and Jason travel to Ottawa to learn more about what their friend Sophie does in her role as Manager of Network Aviation Weather at Nav Canada. Sophie’s passion for weather started as a kid after witnessing a tornado. That event of extreme weather inspired her to build a career around forecasting, producing aviation weather products, as well as network planning and helping to build the future of weather prediction for Nav Canada. Sophie also shares how she uses her knowledge and applies it to her own flight training as she undertakes training for her private pilot licence. Stay tuned for Sophie Part 2 where she answers our listener questions. Follow Sophie on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/aviationwx.bsky.social For more in depth learning about aviation weather phenomena such as clear air turbulence, mountain wave, thunderstorms and more visit Avmet: avmet.navcanada.ca Learn more about a career in aviation weather with Nav Canada by visiting: navcanada.ca/careers Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

5. 

   24 May 2026

   EP 12 - Leon Evans: The Steward of the Lancaster

   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. Listen in as Leon tells us about how a group of Canadian's took a World War II bomber across the Atlantic Ocean to meet its UK counterpart almost 70 years after the war ended. This episode explores what it means to be a steward of aviation history in the modern world. Honest, reflective, and deeply human -- this is more than a conversation about the aircraft itself. It's about the stories that refuse to fade. In Memory of Captain Don Schofield 1941 - 2026. To learn more about the Lancaster and Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, visit warplane.com Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

6. 

   8 May 2026

   EP 11 - Growing Up Together - Captain Rashid Nazir

   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 coast as a flight instructor and dispatcher and worked his way up to eventually flying the Boeing 777 and becoming a mainline captain. Rashid tells us about the experiences that made him the aviator and professional he is today and how he gives back what he’s learned to the aviation industry. Find Rashid on Instagram: @pilotrashid and @therashidnazir. Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

7. 

   6 Apr 2026

   EP 10 - Dancing with a Legend: Dave Hadfield & the Spitfire

   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 Mustang, and (Mike's all time favourite aircraft) the Supermarine Spitfire. Listen in as Mike picks Dave's brain on what it's like to fly the WWII era fighters, learn how the Spitfire handles, and how Dave and his team safely demonstrate these aircraft to the public. Learn more about Dave by visiting his website: Hadfield.ca YouTube: youtube.com/@davehadfield5906 Stay tuned after the credits for a snippet "On Track" from the album Climbing Away, written by Dave Hadfield available on Bandcamp. Episode 10 is dedicated to the memory of the crew of Jazz flight 646, Captain Antoine Forest and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther. Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

8. 

   15 Mar 2026

   EP 09 - Captain Damar Walker

   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 challenges Damar encountered in his career, how he manages his flight deck, and how he gives back to his community through volunteerism. Find Damar on instagram @dlx_pilot To find out more about the Urban Pilot's Network reach out to Damar at damar.walker@urbanpilots.net or urbanpilots.net Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

9. 

   28 Feb 2026

   EP 08 - Learning to Fly — Getting Your Private Pilot Licence

   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 flight school and instructor, the steps your training will take, equipment you might need and other advice to make you successful. Some notes from the show: • The Familiarization (Fam) Flight is also commonly called the Discovery Flight • A PPL student is trained to be a visual flight rules (VFR) pilot. This means they have to have reference to the ground at all times, not the horizon. Although when learning to fly, the horizon is used as your reference point for the attitude of the aircraft. • Minimum flight hours required to hold a PPL is 45 hours which shall include a minimum of 17 hours dual, 3 hours dual cross country, 5 hours instrument, 17 hours solo, of which 5 hours must be solo cross country. • On average, most students will take an average of 60-80 hours or more to complete their flight training. This is due to weather delays, instructor or aircraft availability, frequency of flight lessons, commitment to training etc. • 40 hours of ground school must be completed before writing the Transport Canada written exam • A Category III medical is required to hold a PPL • To acquire a PPL, the candidate must be at least 17 years of age. This means they must be 17 to hold the license, but can fly solo at 14 years old. Contact your local flight school for more information about learning to fly! Follow us on Instagram at @mikeinthefrontQuestions or comments about the podcast? Contact us at mikeinthefrontpod@gmail.comPlease consider leaving us a rating and/or review! Edited & Produced by Jason RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

10. 

    18 Feb 2026

    EP 07 - Adam at Nav Canada

    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 heavy Airbus A380s. Listen to Mike and Adam chat about how Adam got started, what it's like to be an air traffic controller, and how to join Nav Canada's team. For up-to-date information on becoming an air traffic controller, visit: https://www.navcanada.ca/en/careers/air-traffic-controller.aspx 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 RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

11. 

    1 Feb 2026

    EP 06 - Cold War Fighters with Ted Climenhaga

    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! 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 RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

12. 

    16 Jan 2026

    EP 05 - Lost Aviator Coffee

    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 and merchandise visit Lostaviatorcoffee.com and use code “MIKEINTHEFRONT” on checkout. 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 RosewellMusic intro by Tyler WilsonArtwork by Achilles Concepcion

13. 

    26 Dec 2025

    EP 04 - Taildraggers to Supersonic with Bill McBride

    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 checked out in close to 50 aircraft and flown in over 70 types. Here’s a list of some of the aircraft that are discussed, flown in, or flown by Bill himself: Fleet Canuck, Piper: PA-12 Super Cruiser, PA-18 Super Cub, PA-22 Tri Pacer, PA-25 Pawnee, PA-28 Cherokee/Arrow, PA-31 Navajo, Stinson 105 Voyager, Fairchild 24, Fairchild Cornell, DHC-1 Chipmunk, T6 Harvard, P-47 Thunderbolt, Fairey Firefly, Avro Anson, Beech 18, Rockwell Aero Commander, McDonnell F-101 Voodoo. Safe to say Bill is an experienced aviator! 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 Wilson Artwork by Achilles Concepcion

14. 

    13 Dec 2025

    EP 03 - My Harvard Journey

    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 Please consider leaving us a rating and/or review Edited & Produced by Jason Rosewell Music intro by Tyler Wilson Artwork by Achilles Concepcion

15. 

    12 Dec 2025

    EP 02 - Jason at Infinite Flight

    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 Rosewell Music intro by Tyler Wilson Artwork by Achilles Concepcion

16. 

    28 Nov 2025

    EP 01 - The "Pilot" Episode

    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 Wilson Artwork by Achilles Concepcion

Contact Mike In The Front

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.