In this episode, I open up about 4 personal flight training stories that shaped me as a pilot – and mistakes I hope you avoid:

1. My exhilarating (and hilarious) first solo at just 15 years old – the nerves, bumpy landing, perfect second try, and the mix-up that had my head instructor thinking I stole the plane!
2. The costly lesson of NOT researching regulations when switching from Canada to US flight training – how ignoring FAA vs Transport Canada differences set me back during instrument ground school.
3. How an unhealthy teenage relationship drained my energy and hurt my progress... until I learned the power of supportive, healthy relationships that accelerated my training.
4. The heart-pounding real engine failure during multi-engine climb – and how drilling emergency procedures saved the day with an automatic second nature response.

Whether you're a student pilot working on your PPL, instrument rating, multi-engine, or just dreaming of becoming a pilot, these stories deliver joy, tough lessons, and practical advice on preparation, mindset, relationships, and mastering emergencies.

Key takeaways for aspiring pilots:

• Always research regs before international training moves
• Protect your focus – toxic relationships can sabotage studies
• Practice emergency procedures until they're muscle memory

Free Resources: Check my Patreon for helpful flight training tools I used (linked below)!

If you're in flight school, considering pilot training in Canada or the US (Florida weather wins!), or love aviation stories – this episode is for you.

Chapters:
00:00 The Joy of First Solo Flight
03:03 Navigating International Flight Regulations
05:53 The Impact of Relationships on Training
09:11 Mastering Emergency Procedures

Subscribe for more pilot stories, flight training tips, aerospace insights, and aviation career advice. Like if these lessons hit home, comment your biggest training mistake below, and share with a fellow student pilot!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
Follow on Instagram/TikTok: @skywardmercedes
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

#FlightTraining #StudentPilot #FirstSolo #PilotLife #AviationPodcast #EmergencyProcedures #PPL #InstrumentRating #PilotStories #BecomeAPilot

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

In this inspiring episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with aviation legend Lola Reid Allin — one of Canada's earliest female commercial pilots, flight instructor, Twin Otter captain, award-winning author, photographer, and adventurer who's explored over 65 countries.

Lola shares her remarkable journey starting in 1979, when women in the cockpit were rare and often unwelcome. From battling family discouragement and societal expectations, to becoming the first female chief flight instructor at multiple schools, flying bush ops in the North, and facing intense challenges like electrical failures, spins, and outright discrimination — her story is one of resilience, joy, and quiet revolution.

We dive into:

• Growing up fascinated by clouds and planes in a time when girls were steered toward "traditional" roles
• Trailblazing milestones as a woman in a male-dominated industry
• Hair-raising in-flight emergencies and how she kept calm under pressure
• Her new memoir Highway to the Sky: An Aviator's Journey and why she wrote it after a shocking 2014 note to a female captain

Whether you're a pilot, aspiring aviator, or simply love stories of determination against the odds, this conversation celebrates the pioneers who opened the skies for future generations.

Note for parents & younger readers: While Highway to the Sky is a powerful and worthwhile read, it does explore some mature themes including adult situations, violence, and depictions of abuse. Reader discretion is advised, especially for young audiences.

📖 Highway to the Sky (available on Amazon worldwide + audiobook!)
🌐 lolareidallin.com

Remember to rate this podcast and follow for more behind-the-scenes aviation stories! ✈️

Chapters
00:00 Trailblazing in Aviation: Lola Reed Allen's Journey
02:59 Overcoming Barriers: The Challenges of Being a Female Pilot
05:51 Inspiration and Role Models: The Impact of Early Influences
09:12 Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry: Experiences and Insights
11:56 The Evolution of Female Representation in Aviation
14:59 Flight Instruction: Mentoring the Next Generation
18:03 Personal Growth Through Aviation: Lessons Learned
20:58 The Future of Women in Aviation: Progress and Challenges
56:04 The Power of Storytelling in Writing
01:00:06 Facing Challenges in Aviation
01:05:56 The Journey of Writing a Book
01:16:49 The Art of Audiobook Production
01:20:36 Exploring Aircraft Experience
01:29:04 Crisis Management in Aviation
01:43:44 Lessons Learned in Aviation and Life

Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a recreational flyer, considering aviation as a career or hobby, or simply inspired by the skies, these gems will motivate you heading into 2026.
Thank you for an amazing launch year — here’s to flying higher in the next!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and a

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

As 2025 comes to a close, join host Pilot Mercedes for a special year-end episode of Skyward — the podcast that takes you behind the scenes of the aviation and aerospace world.
In this “Best of 2025” compilation, we revisit the most powerful, honest, and actionable advice shared by our incredible guests throughout the year. From seasoned airline captains and military pilots to flight attendants, hobby flyers, NASA-funded scientists, and those overcoming unique challenges like diabetes in aviation, this episode packs timeless wisdom for anyone passionate about flying.
You’ll hear standout insights on:

- Cultivating a growth mindset and handling feedback
- The importance of frequency, recency, and never letting ego outpace skill
- Staying adaptable, networking, and finding mentorship
- Why weather is the #1 factor every pilot must respect
- Advice specifically for women breaking into the industry
- Balancing family, mistakes, and humility in high-stakes careers
- Turning challenges into opportunities and never losing the joy of flight

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Skyward Podcast and 2025 Highlights
02:58 Guidance for Aspiring Aviation Professionals
05:56 Tips for New Pilots and Flight Attendants
09:06 Exploring Aviation as a Career or Hobby
12:01 Navigating Challenges in Aviation
14:47 Advice for Women in Aviation
18:08 Managing Health Challenges in Aviation
21:10 Learning from Mistakes in Aviation
24:09 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

Whether you’re an aspiring pilot, a recreational flyer, considering aviation as a career or hobby, or simply inspired by the skies, these gems will motivate you heading into 2026.
Thank you for an amazing launch year — here’s to flying higher in the next!

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

In this episode host Pilot Mercedes sits down with Captain Jason McGillis, an 18-year Royal Canadian Air Force maritime helicopter pilot and current CH-148 Cyclone instructor.
Jason takes us from joining the RCAF straight out of high school with ZERO flying experience → flying the legendary Sea King on deployments around the world → transitioning to the modern fly-by-wire Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone → and now teaching the next generation of Canadian naval aviators.
We go deep on:

Joining the Canadian Armed Forces as a pilot with no prior flight time
The intense RCAF pilot training pipeline (Phase 1, 2, 3 explained)
Why he chose rotary/maritime helicopters over fighters or transport
Life married to a Royal Canadian Navy officer and how they kept both careers on the same coast
Flying and deploying on the Sea King (including the famous “coupler” and in-flight refueling)
Being on the very last HMCS Athabaskan (280-class destroyer) sail and the first operational Cyclone detachment at sea
The massive differences between the 1960s Sea King and the glass-cockpit Cyclone
What it’s really like deck-landing in rough seas, bear-trap operations, and dual-helo ops
Becoming a Cyclone instructor and what the RCAF looks for in future maritime pilots
Powerful career & life advice: “Never make the same mistake twice” and “You haven’t failed until you’ve stopped”

Whether you’re an aspiring military pilot, a helicopter geek, a Canadian aviation fan, or just love real behind-the-scenes RCAF stories, this episode is packed with rarely heard insights.

If you enjoyed this episode, smash that LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE for more real aviation careers, and let us know in the comments: Would YOU join the RCAF as a pilot with no experience?

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Captain Jason McIllis
00:58 - Journey into the Canadian Armed Forces
10:14 - Educational Background and Early Flying Experiences
25:46 - Choosing Helicopters: A Personal Decision
35:01 - Early Fleet Experiences and Aircraft Qualifications
49:56 - Operational Insights from the Sea King
01:05:21 - Transitioning to the CH-148 Cyclone
01:15:36 - Instructing Future Pilots
01:35:36 - Advice for Aspiring Pilots

Links:

Day in the Life of the RCAF: Shearwater - Flying the CH-148 Cyclone
https://youtu.be/hf2jLPVQv74?si=e1vQXK54re01wP8n

Free Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EM4qQ8AL1YiNRTNw7o44rvoGmFXPU9ju1eeOPY3duU8/edit?usp=sharing

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

What really happens to living cells in the very first seconds of weightlessness?

In this episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes sits down with Dr. Rob Ferl – Distinguished Professor and Director of the new Astraeus Space Institute at the University of Florida – and the very first NASA-funded scientist to personally conduct real-time biological experiments during a trip to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard (flight NS-19).

This is NOT another tourist story. If you’ve ever wondered what the edge of space actually looks and feels like from a scientist-pilot’s seat, this is the closest you’ll get without buying a ticket.

Dr. Rob Ferl is a NASA payload specialist, molecular biologist, 1,500-hour pilot, and one of the pioneers turning commercial suborbital flights into real research platforms.

Links:

How Do Plants Respond to Space Travel?
https://youtu.be/hs94RtHkffY?si=tbRMwVV5Xc4Xf9I5

University of Florida Astraeus Space Institute
https://astraeus.ufl.edu/

University of Florida
https://www.ufl.edu/

Free Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14ztF1g0q_feodiINbf9AtCP4_HfbQsXIuON3sWKAWSE/edit?usp=sharing

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

Chapters:

00:00 The Spark of Curiosity
02:22 Influences and Inspirations
05:34 The Journey to Science and Aviation
08:27 The Intersection of Science and Space
11:09 Becoming a NASA-Funded Scientist
14:18 Experiencing Space: The First Flight
17:12 The Science of Adaptation in Space
19:58 The Role of Education and Mentorship
22:53 The Future of Space Exploration
26:00 Lessons in Perseverance
28:48 Advice for Aspiring Scientists and Pilots

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

Struggling with go or no-go decisions in aviation? Join Pilot Mercedes on the Skyward Podcast as she breaks down the critical factors every pilot needs to consider before flying. From regulatory vs. personal minimums to the I'M SAFE checklist, weather challenges, and aircraft capabilities, this episode is packed with practical tools for student pilots, private pilots, and even seasoned aviators preparing for a checkride or routine flight. Learn how to make safe, confident choices and avoid common pitfalls with real-world insights and a personal story of a checkride failure. ✈️

Free Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/19N0TeEM9FuqIn8JqqzLt7-EW-_Qn9EBI4dhIku51Rhk/edit?usp=sharing

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

Host Pilot Mercedes welcomes former Air Canada Captain & Lawyer Steve Steele to discuss his diabetes diagnosis that grounded him in 1986, the fight to allow insulin-dependent pilots in Canada (until early 2000s), simulator instruction in Hong Kong, family flexibility, and global aviation health rules. Key insights on pilot training, health barriers, and returning to the cockpit.

Essential for Canadian pilots, flight training, and aviation podcast fans.

Free Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d_R4MKTXpJovr5VAnc511OKv2k2p4wwBtahLf3evr-A/edit?usp=sharing

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!

In this episode of Skyward Podcast, Pilot Mercedes shares the 5 things she wish she knew before starting flight training. Discover how to build an aviation community, prepare for transitions, balance well-being, stay resilient, and tackle the steep learning curve of becoming a pilot. Perfect for aspiring aviators looking for clarity and confidence! ✈️

Free Show Notes:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uftde7jJVT3MwD5GGUR2lA2LghVF4qaHXvZHxTwl12w/edit?usp=sharing

Learn more:
If you want to learn more about aviation or aerospace, reach out to Pilot Mercedes:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sound_skies/
Email: mercedes@skywardpodcast.com

Chapters:
(2:30) Build your aviation community
(5:45) Prepare for smooth transitions
(8:20) Balance health with training demands
(11:10) Stay resilient through life’s twists
(14:50) Master the pilot learning curve
(16:30) Outro

If you’re looking for a new place to host your podcast, I use Buzzsprout. You get a $20.00 bonus if you use my link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=2447859

Skyward Patreon Community is up and running! If you’re looking for a group of other amazing aviation and aerospace enthusiasts like you, here’s your spot!
https://patreon.com/Skywardpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

🎙️ Hosted by Pilot Mercedes

With years of experience as a pilot, Pilot Mercedes brings you Skyward Podcast. Your go-to show for mastering flight training, building confidence, and exploring all the different layers of the aviation and aerospace industries. Learn the strategies that actually work from someone who’s been in the cockpit. Subscribe for bi-weekly aviation and aerospace stories and advice that help you soar to new heights!

Tap this to send Mercedes a message!