Pete McLeod
Encyclopedia
Pete McLeod is a Canadian professional aerobatic pilot
who first_flight_dateed as a rookie
pilot in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009.
Raised in Red Lake
, a small town in Northwestern Ontario
, Pete grew up playing hockey
, hunting
, fishing
, snowmobiling
, boating
, and flying.
, Pete received his first flight in the family plane at 6-weeks old. McLeod’s mother, Margaret, recalled how at the age of six Pete would sit on his father Dave’s lap, hands on the control column during flights to remote lakes. From that point on he learned to fly float and ski planes over Canada
’s rugged north.
McLeod qualified for his private pilot’s licence at 16, undergoing flight training at Harv's Air Service in Steinbach. Although he had yet to acquire a driver’s licence, flying was such a familiar experience by then that, while other students practised takeoffs and landings, he was off performing basic aerobatic maneuvers. He built up his flying hours over the next couple of years, earning his commercial licence
and float endorsement at the age of 18. McLeod spent the summers flying fishermen to remote outpost camps.
Although earning his aerobatic-instructor
rating when he was 18, it was not until Pete took delivery of his first high-performance aerobatic aircraft
, a Pitts Special
, that he began flying serious competition aerobatics. The next year, 2004, was Pete’s first full competitive season and he went on to fly undefeated; winning multiple awards in his class, a United States Regional Series Championship
, and became the 2004 North American Collegiate Aerobatic Champion.
With the completion of his Economics
degree
from the University of Western Ontario
, Pete began his 2006 season with the decision to join the air show circuit and focus all his energy on professional aerobatics. Pete’s inaugural air show
season exceeded expectations and paved the way for even greater results in 2007. His greatest accomplishment came at the end of the season with a 2nd place Advanced category finish at the United States National Aerobatic Championships. With his outstanding finish against both National and World team members, Pete cemented his position as Canada’s top ranked competition pilot and as one of the country’s top solo aerobatic performers. One of Pete’s biggest accomplishments in 2007 were earning his unrestricted surface level aerobatic waiver, thus allowing Pete to continue taking his flying to the next level. At only 24 years old, Pete is one of the youngest pilots in the world to hold such a waiver for high performance aerobatics.
in 2008 earned him an invitation to attend the Red Bull
Air Race qualification camp in Casarrubios
, Spain
, at the end of September 2008. Of the six pilots invited, five qualified for the ‘super’ licence required to compete in the world championship and McLeod was one of four rookies selected for active race status.
Pete McLeod joins the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009. He is not only the youngest rookie ever to qualify for the Red Bull Air Race, he is also the first Canadian.
Prior to the 2009 season McLeod assembles a team of technicians and support staff who, just as in NASCAR
racing, will form the ‘pit’ crew for his first year on the circuit. In addition to his Red Bull Air Race contract, sponsorships, endorsements
and branding rights will finance his move into professional air racing. Among the first orders of business is modifying his new Zivko Edge 540
350 horsepower
aerobatic airplane into a high performance racer.
During his first year on the race circuit McLeod says he will focus on development, working with his team to tweak the most speed
possible from the aircraft
. He thinks "the setup is not going to be 100% for at least a year because it’s not just the pilot but the team that’s also learning. You don’t need the fastest airplane in the track in your first year because there’s so much to learn". He is looking to increase his own abilities as a race pilot, gain experience, fly fast, safe and incur minimum penalties.
McLeod's goal is to become a strong presence in the top 5 pilots in his 2nd and 3rd seasons. "I would like to become world champion by the time I'm 30 years old", says Pete McLeod.
“I was basically raised in an airplane,” said McLeod, who said he was captivated by the Red Bull Air Race when he first saw a film clip of a race five years ago. “I started aerobatics
at 16 and for the last five years I’ve been eating, breathing and sleeping competition aerobatics, air show freestyle and the Red Bull Air Race. The first time I saw a video of the race I knew that without a doubt it was something I wanted to compete in. I enjoy freestyle aerobatics but it lacks the competitive aspect that the race has. I want to measure myself against the top pilots in the world.”
2009—15th place overall, Red Bull Air Race World Championship
2008
2007
2006
2004
2003
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
who first_flight_dateed as a rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
pilot in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009.
Raised in Red Lake
Red Lake, Ontario
Population trend:* Population in 2006: 4526* Population in 2001: 4233* Population total in 1996: 4778** Golden : 2248** Red Lake : 2277* Population in 1991:** Golden : 2355** Red Lake : 2268-Climate:...
, a small town in Northwestern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Pete grew up playing hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, snowmobiling
Snowmobile
A snowmobile, also known in some places as a snowmachine, or sled,is a land vehicle for winter travel on snow. Designed to be operated on snow and ice, they require no road or trail. Design variations enable some machines to operate in deep snow or forests; most are used on open terrain, including...
, boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, and flying.
Flying career
Truly a lifetime aviatorAviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
, Pete received his first flight in the family plane at 6-weeks old. McLeod’s mother, Margaret, recalled how at the age of six Pete would sit on his father Dave’s lap, hands on the control column during flights to remote lakes. From that point on he learned to fly float and ski planes over Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
’s rugged north.
McLeod qualified for his private pilot’s licence at 16, undergoing flight training at Harv's Air Service in Steinbach. Although he had yet to acquire a driver’s licence, flying was such a familiar experience by then that, while other students practised takeoffs and landings, he was off performing basic aerobatic maneuvers. He built up his flying hours over the next couple of years, earning his commercial licence
Commercial Pilot Licence
A Commercial Pilot License or, in the United States, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the Pilot In Command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.The basic requirements to obtain the...
and float endorsement at the age of 18. McLeod spent the summers flying fishermen to remote outpost camps.
Although earning his aerobatic-instructor
Flight instructor
A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to fly aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit...
rating when he was 18, it was not until Pete took delivery of his first high-performance aerobatic aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
, a Pitts Special
Pitts Special
The Pitts Special is a series of light aerobatic biplane designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944...
, that he began flying serious competition aerobatics. The next year, 2004, was Pete’s first full competitive season and he went on to fly undefeated; winning multiple awards in his class, a United States Regional Series Championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
, and became the 2004 North American Collegiate Aerobatic Champion.
With the completion of his Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
degree
Academic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
, Pete began his 2006 season with the decision to join the air show circuit and focus all his energy on professional aerobatics. Pete’s inaugural air show
Air show
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
season exceeded expectations and paved the way for even greater results in 2007. His greatest accomplishment came at the end of the season with a 2nd place Advanced category finish at the United States National Aerobatic Championships. With his outstanding finish against both National and World team members, Pete cemented his position as Canada’s top ranked competition pilot and as one of the country’s top solo aerobatic performers. One of Pete’s biggest accomplishments in 2007 were earning his unrestricted surface level aerobatic waiver, thus allowing Pete to continue taking his flying to the next level. At only 24 years old, Pete is one of the youngest pilots in the world to hold such a waiver for high performance aerobatics.
Red Bull Air Race pilot
Pete's 12th place finish at the European Aerobatic Championships in the Czech RepublicCzech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
in 2008 earned him an invitation to attend the Red Bull
Red Bull
Red Bull is an energy drink sold by the Austrian Red Bull GmbH, created in 1987 by the Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz. In terms of market share, Red Bull is the most popular energy drink in the world, with 3 billion cans sold each year. Dietrich Mateschitz was inspired by an already...
Air Race qualification camp in Casarrubios
Casarrubios del Monte
Casarrubios del Monte is a municipality located in the province of Toledo, Castile-La Mancha, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the municipality has a population of 4321 inhabitants....
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, at the end of September 2008. Of the six pilots invited, five qualified for the ‘super’ licence required to compete in the world championship and McLeod was one of four rookies selected for active race status.
Pete McLeod joins the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009. He is not only the youngest rookie ever to qualify for the Red Bull Air Race, he is also the first Canadian.
Prior to the 2009 season McLeod assembles a team of technicians and support staff who, just as in NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racing, will form the ‘pit’ crew for his first year on the circuit. In addition to his Red Bull Air Race contract, sponsorships, endorsements
Testimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
and branding rights will finance his move into professional air racing. Among the first orders of business is modifying his new Zivko Edge 540
Zivko Edge 540
The Zivko Edge 540 manufactured by Zivko Aeronautics is a highly aerobatic aircraft. Capable of a 420 degree per second roll rate and a 3,700 foot per minute climb rate, it has been flown to victory on the international Unlimited aerobatics circuit several times since the mid-1990s...
350 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
aerobatic airplane into a high performance racer.
During his first year on the race circuit McLeod says he will focus on development, working with his team to tweak the most speed
Speed
In kinematics, the speed of an object is the magnitude of its velocity ; it is thus a scalar quantity. The average speed of an object in an interval of time is the distance traveled by the object divided by the duration of the interval; the instantaneous speed is the limit of the average speed as...
possible from the aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. He thinks "the setup is not going to be 100% for at least a year because it’s not just the pilot but the team that’s also learning. You don’t need the fastest airplane in the track in your first year because there’s so much to learn". He is looking to increase his own abilities as a race pilot, gain experience, fly fast, safe and incur minimum penalties.
McLeod's goal is to become a strong presence in the top 5 pilots in his 2nd and 3rd seasons. "I would like to become world champion by the time I'm 30 years old", says Pete McLeod.
“I was basically raised in an airplane,” said McLeod, who said he was captivated by the Red Bull Air Race when he first saw a film clip of a race five years ago. “I started aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
at 16 and for the last five years I’ve been eating, breathing and sleeping competition aerobatics, air show freestyle and the Red Bull Air Race. The first time I saw a video of the race I knew that without a doubt it was something I wanted to compete in. I enjoy freestyle aerobatics but it lacks the competitive aspect that the race has. I want to measure myself against the top pilots in the world.”
Achievements
2010—5th place overall, Red Bull Air Race World Championship- 5th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Abu Dhabi (UEA) - 7 points
- 5th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Perth (Australia) - 7 points
- 7th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) - 5 Points
- 9th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Windsor (Canada) - 3 Points
- 5th Place - Red Bull Air Race - New York City (USA) - 7 Points
- 8th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Lausitz (Germany) - 4 points
2009—15th place overall, Red Bull Air Race World Championship
- 15th Place – Red Bull Air Race - Abu Dhabi (UEA) - 0 points
- 15th Place - Red Bull Air Race - San Diego (USA) - 0 points
- 11th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Windsor, ON (Canada) - 1 point
- 13th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Budapest (HUN) - 0 points
- 14th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Porto (POR) - 0 points
- 12th Place - Red Bull Air Race - Barcelona (Spain) - 0 points
2008
- 12th Place – European Aerobatic Championship
- Announced: 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship Rookie
- Red Bull Air Race Super License Holder
2007
- Unrestricted Surface Level (0 ft) Aerobatic Display Waiver
2006
- 2nd place Advanced Category, U.S. National Aerobatic Championships
- B.F. Goodrich Award recipient at the U.S. National Championships
- Youngest Canadian air show performer
- Seven 1st place and two 2nd place career finishes (9 career competition events to date)
2004
- North American Collegiate Aerobatic Champion
- Mid-America Series Champion
- Undefeated in 2004 with five 1st Place finishes
- Four time winner of the Highest Scoring Pitts Award
- Posted highest percentage point average in North America – 90.67 %
2003
- 1st place, Ontario Open Aerobatic Championship (first ever competitive event)
- Completion of highly recognized Emergency Maneuver Training course.
External links
- Pete McLeod Racing - Pete McLeod's website
- Red Bull Air Race - Official Red Bull Air Race website
- Air Races