Pete McLeod – Red Bull Aerobatics

If you have spent any time following air racing over the last decade, you already know the name Pete McLeod. He is the first Canadian and the youngest pilot to ever break into the elite Red Bull Air Race World Championship. While his racing pedigree is legendary, seeing him perform a freestyle “Unlimited” routine is a completely different experience.

This year, Pete brings his high-energy, high-G display back to the Abbotsford International Airshow. This isn’t just a series of loops and rolls: it is a masterclass in what happens when you combine raw Canadian talent with one of the most capable aerobatic aircraft ever built.

The Pilot: From the Bush to the Podium

Pete McLeod’s story is about as Canadian as it gets. He grew up in Red Lake, Ontario, and took his first flight in the family bush plane when he was only six weeks old. By the time most kids were learning to ride a bike, Pete was already comfortable in the cockpit. He earned his pilot’s license at 16, his aerobatics instructor rating at 18, and by 25, he was competing against the best pilots on the planet in the Red Bull Air Race Master Class.

What makes Pete stand out is his “seat-of-the-pants” flying style. Growing up flying in the rugged conditions of Northern Canada gave him a level of intuition that you just can’t teach in a classroom. He’s a fierce competitor with multiple podium finishes and a historic win in Las Vegas under his belt, but he’s also a pilot who truly loves the craft. When he’s not pushing 12 Gs in a race, you’ll likely find him back in a floatplane, exploring the Canadian wilderness.

The Machine: The Zivko Edge 540

To perform at the “Unlimited” level, you need a machine that can handle literal tons of pressure. Pete’s aircraft of choice is the Zivko Edge 540. In the aviation world, this is the equivalent of a Formula 1 car.

Most planes are built for comfort or efficiency, but the Edge 540 is built for violence and precision. It features a steel tube fuselage and a carbon-fiber wing that allows it to withstand forces of +/- 12G. To put that in perspective, at the peak of a turn, Pete’s body feels twelve times its actual weight.

Powered by a modified Lycoming engine, the Edge 540 has a thrust-to-weight ratio that allows it to accelerate while pointed straight at the sky. Its roll rate is a staggering 420 degrees per second, meaning it can flip upside down and back again faster than you can blink.

The Performance: What to Watch For

When Pete takes to the skies over Abbotsford, don’t expect a quiet Sunday flight. His routine is a non-stop, high-octane flow of “gyroscopic” maneuvers. This is where the aircraft appears to tumble end-over-end, defying the standard rules of aerodynamics.

Keep your eyes peeled for these highlights:

The Knife-Edge Pass: Pete flies the aircraft on its side, using the fuselage itself to generate lift as he screams past the crowd line.
Tumbling Maneuvers: Watch for the “Lumcevak,” a move where the plane flips forward over its own nose while rotating. It looks like the aircraft has lost control, but Pete is in command of every inch.
Vertical Power Loops: Using that massive engine, Pete pulls the Edge 540 into vertical climbs that seem to go on forever, finishing with precise rolls and snaps at the top.
High-G Turns: You’ll see the vapor trailing off the wings as Pete pulls massive G-loads, showcasing the raw strength of both the pilot and the plane.

Don’t Miss a Legend in the Making

Pete McLeod represents the pinnacle of Canadian aviation. His return to Abbotsford is a chance to see a world champion at the top of his game, pushing a legendary aircraft to its absolute limits. Whether you are a hardcore aviation geek or just here for the thrills, Pete’s performance is guaranteed to be a highlight of your weekend.