Pete McLeod

Pete McLeod, born on 23 February 1984 in Kapuskasing, Ontario, is a Canadian professional aerobatic pilot. He grew up in Red Lake in Northwestern Ontario, learned to fly float and ski planes, and qualified for his private pilot licence at 16 and his aerobatic flight instructor rating at 18. He began competition aerobatics in a Pitts Special in 2003 and was undefeated in his first full season in 2004, winning a regional series title and the North American Collegiate Aerobatic Championship. After an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario he turned to the air show circuit in 2006. A 12th place at the 2008 European Aerobatic Championships brought an invitation to the Red Bull Air Race qualification camp in Casarrubios, Spain. He joined the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in 2009 as its youngest rookie and first Canadian, finished fifth overall in 2010 and 2014, and won the 2014 race at Las Vegas.