Logbook: First 100 Part 2: The Weight - The Stories They Carry

Every military aviator carries stories that stay with them long after the aircraft shuts down. To mark the milestone of 100 episodes, we're looking back at the moments that revealed the true weight of military aviation. This second retrospective shifts from learning to fly to learning what comes after. A pilot's first time facing enemy fire, split-second decisions under pressure, devastating loss, the invisible burdens many carry home, and the resilience that keeps crews moving forward. Featuring stories from fighter pilots, search and rescue crews, tactical helicopter crews, transport crews, and more, including the CF-18 Hornet, the CH-146 Griffon, and many other aircraft, this episode explores the realities of operational military aviation through the voices of those who lived it. Whether you've been with us since Episode 1 or you're discovering The Pilot Project for the first time, The First 100 Series is the best place to start. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. The Canadian Forces Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) provides confidential assistance to Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. You can contact them at: 1-800-268-7708 https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/member-assistance.html CHAPTERS (00:00:58) Introduction (00:03:03) Act 1: Contact - Greg Juurlink - I was a brand new FO (00:07:20) Eric Kenny - The missile exploded between us (00:09:26) Troy Clarke - Is this what SAR is going to be? (00:13:00) Anthony Dyer - My first CASEVAC ever (00:14:50) Davis Clark - You don't know if it's a threat or not (00:17:05) Act 2: The Line - Greg Juurlink - We got shot up (00:23:00) Bob Wade - Escorting MiGs to Canada (00:25:45) Dan McWilliams - Never fly into vortices (00:28:40) Pete Wright & Greg Hudson - This is what we signed up for, let's go! (00:30:39) Niels Olson - You don't know which way is up (00:31:22) Dan McWilliams - Less than a wingspan above the ground (00:32:12) Niels Olson - Certified Cocaine Boat! (00:34:27) Bob Wade - One of you is going to die (00:35:29) Act 3: The Ones We Lost - Greg Juurlink - Angel Flights in Afghanistan (00:37:08) Vic Weston - Tom "Toast" McQueen (00:40:38) Anthony Dyer - It's a smell you never forget (00:41:43) Dan McWilliams - Timothy Kirk Leuty (00:43:02) Rich MacDougall - Jenn Casey (00:49:16) Mike Houle - Shattering Grief (00:53:13) Act 4: The Burden - Greg Juurlink - A full bucket (00:55:33) Bryan Morrison - I'm not OK (00:58:45) Vic Weston - I'm not good to go (00:59:58) Paul Goddard - You can't save everybody (01:01:22) Dan McWilliams - Fears that last (01:02:35) Lyndsay Olson - The Hardest Deployment (01:04:41) Niels Olson - The Weight of Distance (01:05:20) Janet Musters - Everything AND the Kitchen Sink (01:06:36) Rich MacDougall - Your life has just changed forever (01:08:59) Act 5: Blue Skies and the Way Forward - Bob Wade - A consequence of doing what you did (01:10:03) Bryan Morrison - The value of my career vs everything else (01:12:03) Anthony Dyer - Better or bitter (01:13:45) Greg Juurlink - The most important thing is asking for help (01:15:00) Bob Wade - I miss the boys (01:15:52) Vic Weston - Honouring Tom "Toast" McQueen (01:17:42) Rich MacDougall - She was a force to be reckoned with (01:19:37) Paul Goddard - As good as it gets (01:20:01) Mike Houle - Don't Hide the Pain (01:20:26) Vic Weston - Keep movin' forward (01:20:43) Outro and Special Thank You CONTINUE THE FLIGHT EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK More stories from RCAF and mission aviation pilots