Timeline

Calgary, AB - Air Cadet

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is where I learned to fly for the first time. In our Air Cadet uniforms, this is a portrait of my brother, Arif, and me when I was 13 years old.

Fairchild, WA - Air Cadet Tour

This was me at 16 years old on an Air Cadet tour to Fairchild AFB, WA. We posed in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Little did I know I’d go on to fly more than 1,200 hours in this fighter jet as a test pilot at Edwards AFB, CA.

Kingston, ON - Meeting Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield gave a speech at the Royal Military College, our alma mater, after he returned from a Spaceshuttle Atlantis mission. This was the first time I met Chris. Until now, he had only been a hero in a poster on my bedroom wall.

Kingston, ON - RMC Graduation

I graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and received my commission as an officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. I earned my undergraduate degree in engineering, and a week after this photo, I found myself at MIT for graduate school.

Moose Jaw, SK - RCAF Wings Graduation

Following MIT, I proceeded to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where I underwent undergraduate pilot training. I earned my RCAF Wings on the CT-155 Hawk jet trainer and was selected to carry on to train on the CF-18 Hornet fighter jet.

Kandahar, Afghanistan - 14 Squadron Portrait

As the Canadian exchange officer, I deployed with 14 Squadron, RAF, to Kandahar, Afghanistan, in 2010-2011 in support of Op HERRICK, the RAF’s contribution to NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). My squadron was seated on top of one of our Tornado GR4 fighter jets.

San Antonio, TX - USAF G-Training

Training to be fit to fly an F-16 Viper isn’t all fun and games. I am enduring a 9-g centrifuge profile as part of my conversion to the F-16. Following test pilot school at Edwards AFB, CA, I was selected as the Canadian exchange test pilot to the United States Air Force, where I flew the F-16 and F-15.

Edwards AFB, CA - Flying X-62A VISTA

As an instructor at USAF Test Pilot School, I got to work with some amazing young minds. I was also lucky enough to be one of the select few who have been trusted to instruct in the X-62A VISTA, a US national asset used to train the best of the best.

Edwards AFB, CA - Teaching at USAF TPS

While at Edwards AFB, CA, I worked on some fantastic programs that drastically improved aircraft flight controls and system technology in advanced fighters, like the F-16 Viper.

If you have fabulously talented friends, they sometimes snap unique photos of you. Courtesy of the one and only Jim Krantz.

Spaceport America, NM - With Chris Hadfield

On the day Sir Richard Branson flew to space with Virgin Galactic, Chris Hadfield and I snuck some time to catch up and trade stories. Chris has been an incredible mentor to me over the years.

Rogers Dry Lakebed, CA

Portrait out on Rogers Dry Lakebed at Edwards AFB, CA. This naturally formed lakebed is firm enough to land fighter jets and other experimental aircraft on it. The early rocket men flying the X-planes, including the X-15 hypersonic research vehicle, landed their vehicles out there.

Spaceport America, NM - Dropping Unity

My day job involves this view of Spaceship Unity lighting its rocket motor after I release it from VMS Eve. I get the best seat in the house to watch us send folks to space to realize their dreams and help improve our world.

El Paso, TX - Naturalization

America has provided my family and me with opportunities abound. We were welcomed into our adopted home and look forward to contributing to this ever-improving nation.

Ottawa, ON - OMM Investiture at Rideau Hall

My family is so essential to me. I was honored to have my favorite people accompany me to Rideau Hall for my investiture ceremony in the Order of Military Merit with Canada’s Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon.

Spaceport America, NM - Right seat of VMS Eve

Flying the one-of-a-kind VMS Eve and helping to launch Spaceship Unity is a trip. Once in a while, we catch a quiet moment in the cockpit during our pre-flight routine.