What does it take to pass selection for one of Canada’s most elite aviation units — 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron? How do you earn the coveted role of SOF Aircraft Commander? And what happens when you trade a military cockpit for a mission control console at NASA?

In this episode, we sit down with Captain Erin Edwards, a trailblazing Canadian Armed Forces pilot who transitioned from flying special operations missions to becoming a CAPCOM — the voice between astronauts and Earth — at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

We explore the grit, mindset, and milestones that defined her journey, from the demanding world of tactical aviation to collaborating with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA in Houston.

How does a MARS Officer and Ship’s Team Diver become a Special Operations helicopter pilot? What does it take to get through the intense rigours of Phase III helicopter training — and then make the leap to 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron?

In this episode, we sit down with Captain Erin Edwards, a SOF Aircraft Commander, recipient of the prestigious Elsie MacGill Award, and currently serving as a CAPCOM at NASA in Houston.

We explore her remarkable journey through the Canadian Armed Forces — from her early days at sea to commanding aircraft with Special Operations Forces. Erin shares personal stories of perseverance, leadership, and what it truly means to earn your place among the best.

What did it take to fly Search and Rescue in the venerable (but aging) CC-115 Buffalo? What does it feel like to return to 3CFFTS as a seasoned pilot, ready to learn about the world of instructing? What's it like to be taught by your former students as you learn to fly the CC-130H Hercules? Today we sit down for part 2 of our interview with Major Dan Conway, a fixed-wing SAR pilot with over 4000 hours of experience. We'll talk about all these topics as well as the future of fixed-wing SAR with the CC-295 Kingfisher.