Page 34 - World Airshow News Autumn 2024

tHE SNOWbIRDS bOSS An Interview by Kerry J. Newstead

Major Brent Handy

t he new Team Lead and pilot of Snowbird #1 for to the team. In my experience, I was extremely impressed by

the 2024 and 2025 airshow seasons is Major Brent
the discipline and leadership shown in making some very tough
Handy from Wyevale, Ontario. Maj. Handy joined
decisions by Major Pat Gobeil in 2017. Some leads are very
the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999 and graduated
on how to fly and lead the team. I admired Major Yanick Gregoire
with an Advanced Diploma in Aviation Technology from Sault consistent procedurally and others seem to have strong intuition
College in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. in that sense – he had a passion for grass roots aviation that I share,
After receiving his pilot’s wings in 2003, Maj. Handy served and I think that my leading style will likely move in that direction.
as a flying instructor on the CT-156 Harvard II and CT-155
Hawk at 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School. In 2007, WAN: As team lead what mark do you think you will leave on
he was posted to 4 Wing Cold Lake for fighter pilot training, the Snowbirds?
where he continued to serve as a CF-18 fighter pilot with 409 BH: That’s an interesting question that I’d be happy to answer
Tactical Fighter Squadron. towards the end of my tenure! I think at a basic level, I’m infatuated
After a brief year instructing the CT-155 Fighter Lead- with aviation from fighter jets to paragliders. In addition to my
In Training at 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Maj. previous Snowbird experience, being a civilian solo performer in
Handy was selected to join the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in the Pitts Special, and with the Northern Stars Aeroteam, will give
2011. He served as Snowbird 9 for two years, then remained me a broad perspective when leading the Snowbirds.
with the Snowbirds and at 2 Canadian Air Division as a
Standards Pilot until his retirement from the Regular Force in WAN: Is there one town or city that you would like to perform in
2019. and why?
Concurrently, Maj. Handy pursued his passion for aerobatic BH: I definitely looked forward to performing at EAA
flight, becoming an accomplished civilian airshow performer. AirVenture in Oshkosh in 2024! This was my first time there, and
In 2015, he was granted an unlimited altitude waiver, and went the opportunity to connect with the largest airshow audience in
on to establish the civilian aerobatic team, the Northern Stars, the world was very exciting. We’re proud to continue the legacy
along with fellow RCAF veterans. of our great team and I can’t think of a better place to showcase
Following a dream of long-term travel with his family, Maj. the skills, professionalism, and teamwork of the Canadian Armed
Handy spent a year sabbatical living full time and traveling Forces than at Oshkosh.
internationally on a 42-foot sailboat before returning to
Canada and re-enrolling in the Canadian Armed Forces in WAN: Being on the road, what do you miss the most?
2021. BH: Of course, being away from home for five to six months
Maj. Handy served as a senior flight instructor again at 2 each year is an ongoing challenge. My wife and kids have always
Canadian Forces Flying Training School until returning to the been very supportive of me following my passion for flight, but I’m
Snowbirds in 2023 in preparation for becoming Team Lead for aware that their lifestyle is quite disturbed by me coming and going
the 2024 season. Maj. Handy brings over 5,500 flying hours all summer. Technology helps, with frequent video calls, but I’ll
to the team and is an accredited Aerobatics Competency miss my dog Rusty, who still hasn’t figured out the whole video call
Evaluator (ACE) for the International Council of Air Shows. thing yet! We try to get the family out to a few shows every year,
World Airshow News had the opportunity to get to know which is always a highlight. Having those visits to look forward to
Maj. Handy a little better earlier this year. helps a lot. That, and ice cream!

WAN: What words of advice did Major Brett Parker, the WAN: Lately there have been voices saying that it is time for the
outgoing flight leader, give you as you assumed the role of team to get new planes or that they say that the team should disband.
Snowbird #1? What would you say to these people?
BH: Brett and I have worked together off and on since we BH: I think it’s important to maintain a conduit between the
joined the RCAF. I’m very lucky to maintain contact with him RCAF and the public, and teams like the Snowbirds are very good
and many of the other team leads. It’s very helpful to have that at this. While retiring the CT-114 Tutor would be a government
continuous feedback loop available. Although the handover of decision, what I can say is that we are currently extending the life of
the team officially takes place on one date, we tend to have the Tutor through a Life Extension project that will keep the Tutor
a frequent exchange of wisdom between many of the past flying until at least 2030. The project is upgrading the plane with
leads, which is really helpful. The most consistent advice is new glass cockpit avionics, including a cockpit voice and flight
to be open minded, because in a group of so many talented data recorder, ADS-B transponder, and upgraded Navigations/
technicians and pilots, there may be many ways to solve any Communications systems.
given problem. The project will allow the Snowbirds to continue our air
demonstration mission to 2030, as we continue to demonstrate to
WAN: Of the team leads before you, who would you say had Canadians and airshow fans throughout North America, the skill,
the greatest influence on you, if any? professionalism and teamwork of the RCAF.
BH: Each team lead brings unique strengths and qualities

www.airshowmag.com 34 Quarter 4, 2024