Fighters: The Boss Part 1: Becoming a Hornet Pilot - Maciej "Match" Hatta

Before he became Snowbird 1, Major Maciej "Match" Hatta spent years fighting for the chance to fly.

In Part 1 of this three-part series, Match shares the story behind his journey from Air Cadets in Milton, Ontario, to the cockpit of the CF-18 Hornet. He reflects on the VHS tape that sparked a lifelong dream, the vision issues that nearly ended his career before it began, the challenges of military flight training, and the determination that carried him through Moose Jaw, Fighter Lead-In Training, and operational service.

The conversation also explores flying NORAD missions, deploying on 22 combat sorties over Libya, and the lessons that shaped him long before he would one day lead the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.

Join us as we begin the story behind The Boss.

Chapters

(00:00:58) Introduction and bio

(00:03:09) Where did aviation start for you?

(00:05:44) When did flying become the dream?

(00:06:57) The importance of Air Cadets

(00:08:48) Glider and power courses with Air Cadets

(00:09:52) From Air Cadets to the Canadian Armed Forces

(00:10:32) A charted path or uncertainty?