Alumnus pilot to fly CF-18 in air shows

By Debora Van Brenk

In the world of air shows, few aerial demonstrations draw the kind of attention the CF-18 Hornet generates. Canada’s premier fighter jet invariably draws a crowd because of its speed and agility. And the pilot newly assigned to fly the jet at the air shows, 33-year-old Londoner Capt. Ryan Kean, BSc'05, said he already is living his dream. “The ultimate for me was becoming a fighter pilot,” Kean said Monday from Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake.

And being chosen to lead a team that will demonstrate the aircraft at 29 air shows? “Call it the icing on the cake,” he said. Kean was born in London; his mother was visiting her parents and his father was away on military courses. His family moved around a lot but he returned to London to earn a degree in Earth and planetary science from Western University.