Skyward Podcast

Pilot Mercedes
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Hi, I’m Mercedes the host of Skyward, a podcast to inspire and educate you in everything aviation and aerospace! I’m so happy you’re here. I started this podcast to share stories and facts about the amazing world of aviation and aerospace.In each episode, I talk about exciting things like how to become a pilot, go to space, or chat with pilots, engineers, flight attendants, and people who love everything aviation and aerospace just like you! My goal is to inspire, educate, and help you love the skies even more.Hit the Subscribe button to join my adventure and learn with me on Skyward!

  1. DEC 15

    Can you join the RCAF with NO flight experience? | RCAF Maritime Helicopter Pilot From Zero Experience to CH-148 Cyclone Instructor

    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!

    1h 43m

  2. DEC 1

    The First NASA-Funded Scientist to Run Experiments During Suborbital Spaceflight | Dr. Rob Ferl

    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!

    1h 27m

  3. NOV 17

    Go or No-Go? Essential Pilot Decision-Making Tips for Student Pilots

    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!

    19 min

  4. NOV 3

    Canadian Pilot Overcomes Diabetes Barrier | Air Canada Captain's Return & Flight Training Journey

    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!

    1h 26m

  5. OCT 20

    5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Flight Training | Pilot Mercedes’ Tips for Aspiring Pilots

    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!

    27 min

  6. OCT 6

    Dini Petty's Pink Helicopter News and Aviation Adventures

    Pilot Mercedes chats with Dini Petty, legendary Canadian Pink Helicopter Pilot, beloved talkshow host, and author, about reporting breaking news mid-flight, her rise as a live TV star, and decades of aviation adventures. Dive into inspiring stories of breaking barriers in the skies and media—perfect for aviation enthusiasts and aspiring pilots. Subscribe to the Skyward Podcast for more educational pilot tales, helicopter insights, and bold journeys. 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!

    46 min

  7. SEP 22

    From Dream to Sky: Pilot Mercedes’ Aviation Story

    In this engaging episode of Skyward, host Pilot Mercedes is interviewed by her sister, Trinity Celeste, a fine art musician. Discover how Mercedes’ passion for aviation took flight, leading her from a childhood dream to earning her pilot’s license at 16. She shares insights into her journey through the aviation and aerospace industry, including challenges, triumphs, and her inspiration for starting Skyward to highlight diverse stories in the field. Perfect for aviation enthusiasts and anyone inspired by stories of ambition and resilience. 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!

    34 min

  8. SEP 8

    David Cottrill’s Aviation Lessons & Flying Tips

    Part 2 of Skyward Podcast features David Cottrill diving into aviation’s challenges, from navigating US and Canadian airspace to a high-speed Cessna Mustang test flight. Packed with pilot training tips, aviation safety insights, and stories from complex airports, this episode is a must for aspiring pilots and aviation lovers.  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!

    58 min
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About

Hi, I’m Mercedes the host of Skyward, a podcast to inspire and educate you in everything aviation and aerospace! I’m so happy you’re here. I started this podcast to share stories and facts about the amazing world of aviation and aerospace.In each episode, I talk about exciting things like how to become a pilot, go to space, or chat with pilots, engineers, flight attendants, and people who love everything aviation and aerospace just like you! My goal is to inspire, educate, and help you love the skies even more.Hit the Subscribe button to join my adventure and learn with me on Skyward!

Information

  • Creator
    Pilot Mercedes
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Skyward Podcast
  • Show Website
    Skyward Podcast