Rob

Scratch

Mitchell

feature_planes

Aviator

Passion, focus and action…the tenets of a good fighter pilot. Affectionately known as “Scratch” to his mates, he hails from Victoria, British Columbia and now lives in Vancouver where he is living out his dreams balancing acting, aviation and Producing film and TV.

As a third generation military pilot, flying was in his blood. Rob joined the RCAF to be a fighter pilot after receiving a degree in Sociology. He recalls the harrowing tales of his grandfather flying Spitfires in Europe in WWII, and proudly watching his dad fly jets in the 70s and 80s. After topping his flying courses, Rob went on not only to become a fighter pilot flying CF-18s, he was selected as an air show pilot both in the CF-18 and with the world renowned Snowbirds jet team.

It was with the Snowbirds that Scratch was able to blend his passion for aviation and the artist in himself. In 2006 Scratch returned to the Snowbirds as the Team Lead for two years. Following this, Scratch was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and had the honour of being selected for post-grad training in Australia. He received a Masters degree in Strategy and Management and became a fanatical surfer.

Rob continued to develop a parallel passion for acting, performing and producing. After studying acting and the film industry for numerous years, Scratch could not deny he had found another life calling.  After 20 years in the Air Force he realized he had to live up to his countless motivational speeches to school kids; to “pursue and bite into your dreams.” Rob submitted his release and announced that he was going to retire from the Air Force to become a full time producer, actor and air show pilot.

Scratch has had the privilege of flying a F-86 fighter jet for Vintage Wings of Canada. Currently he is thoroughly enjoying flying with the world famous Patriots Jet Team out of California.

With more than 6500 hours in jet aircraft, Scratch has flown over 4000 sorties in high performance military jets and has experienced being a 737 pilot for WestJet Airlines.

Scratch regularly writes for various aviation web sites and journals, including Vintage Wings of Canada and All Things Aero.

A passionate sailor, Scratch has represented Canada at several world events. As a husband and father, he has two awe-inspiring children and an equally passionate and tolerant wife.

Per Ardua ad Astra…

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Robert Mitchell

Vancouver, BC

604-653-6101
scratch@scratchmitchell.com

Qualifications

Airline Transport Pilot License (AA378563)
US ATPL
Canadian Forces Human Factors / CRM program facilitator
Canadian Forces Flight Safety Officer
1999 CF-18 Demonstration Pilot
Federal Bilingualism Level B,B,B French

Pilot Credentials

6000 - Total hours
3798 - Pilot-in-command
2955 - Multi-engine
435 - Dual
161 - Actual Instrument
177 - Night
220 - Instructional
1809 - CF-18
2234 - CL-41
144 - CF-5
100 - L-39
1400 - 737 NG

Professional Experience

Air Display Pilot, Patriots Jet Team, Number 5, Outer Left Wing
Air Display Pilot, Hawk one F86
First Officer, WestJet Airlines 737 NG
Commanding Officer / Team Lead, 431 (AD) Sqn Snowbirds Responsible for 85 personnel, 21 aircraft and associated infrastructure, CL-41 Tutor Jet, 2007 – 2008
Defence Analyst National Defence Headquarters, Future Capability Development, 2005 – 2006 - key member of "out of the box" think tank concerning future defence capabilities
Operations Officer / Instructor Pilot /, 410 Tac F (OT) Sqn Supervised daily and long range plans, managed Sqn fleet of 20 aircraft, CF18 Hornet, 2002 – 2005
Demonstration Pilot, Training Officer, 431 (AD) Sqn Snowbirds Developed training plan, supervised new pilots, CL-41 Tutor, 1999 – 2002
Instructor Pilot, Flight Safety Officer 410 Tac F (OT) Sqn Guided flight safety program, lead team of technicians during 1999 air show season, CF-18 Hornet, 1997 – 1999
Line Pilot / Flight Safety Officer, 433 (ETAC) Bagotville Managed detachments of deployed CF-18s, guided flight safety program, CF-18 Hornet, 1995 – 1997
Student pilot CF – 5 Freedom Fighter, CF-18 Hornet, CL-41 Tutor, CT 134 Musketeer, 1990 – 1994

Education

Masters of Strategy and Management, University of New South Wales, Australia, 2011
Canadian Forces French Language School, Jan 2010 – June 2010
Post Graduate Diploma, Strategy and Management – University of New South Wales, Australia, 2009
Australian Defence Force Command and Staff College, 2009
Bachelor of Arts, Sociology – University of Manitoba, 2003

Achievements

Memeber of Aerobatic Competancy Evaluators comittee - International Councel of Airshows
Rank of Lieutenant Colonel - RCAF
Chief of Defence Force Commendation 2008
CF Flight Safety For Professionalism Award 2005
Member of Canadian Forces Sailing Team 2003 – 2005
Military World Games, Italy 2003
World Military Sailing Championship, France 2005
Top Graduate CF Pilot Course 9102

Interests

Competitive sailing, surfing, woodworking, fitness (active lifestyle, non smoker)

Goals

Pursue Masters of Human Factors in Aviation