CANMORE – Captain Taylor Evans may spend a lot of his time thousands of feet in the air, but every Remembrance Day the Snowbird pilot is brought back down to Earth to remember those who have fought and served for this country.
Born and raised in Canmore, his passion for aviation began at a very young age with the influence of his grandfather, Austin Hayes, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force pilot with 37 years of service who lives in Cochrane with his wife.
“As far back as I can remember, the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do was fly airplanes and I’m sure that he is the reason why,” said Capt. Evans, explaining that like his grandfather he joined the military at a young age.
“We weren’t super close growing up, but we’d talk on the phone and at holidays we’d definitely sit around and talk, and I’d ask stories about his flying career and the different airplanes that he would fly and he’d show me his old flight helmet and flight suits.”
Inspired by his grandfather’s passion for flight, it naturally led Evans to join Air Cadets when he turned 12 years old and as a member of 878 Banff/Canmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron he earned his glider and private pilot licence.
Determined to pursue his dreams, he remained a member of the Air Cadets until he was 19 years old before joining the Canadian Armed Forces while attending the University of Calgary.
“It just seemed like a natural thing for me. I wanted to fly and I enjoyed Air Cadets and the military seemed like something that would interest me,” said Capt. Evans, crediting his parents for supporting him.
After receiving his wings in 2006, Capt. Evans was posted to 4 Wing in Cold Lake, Alta. and completed fighter lead-in training. Over the next 11 years, he was posted at various bases across the country before becoming an instructor pilot.From 2014-17, he got the rare privilege to participate in an exchange with the United States Navy and go through the carrier qualification process on an aircraft carrier. He was also an instructor with the U.S. navy teaching tactical and operational flying on the Hornet and Super Hornet jet.
Following his stint in the United States, he joined the Snowbirds in 2017 and now flies the number nine jet at airshows across North America.
Reflecting on his storied career a week before Remembrance Day, he said it’s important to remember those who have fought and died to protect the liberties and freedoms so many of us take for granted today.
“I think Remembrance Day is an important part of our culture to reflect and appreciate what we have and to remember the sacrifice everyone made as a country so that we can enjoy today’s world,” said Cpt. Evans.
