Fighters: The Red Knight Part 2: A Lifetime in the Cockpit – Darwin “Tex” Deagnon
What happens when a jet's landing gear fails, and how do you know when it's finally time to hang up your flying helmet after a lifetime in aviation?
In Part 2 of our conversation with former Royal Canadian Air Force Red Knight Darwin “Tex” Deagnon, we follow his remarkable journey beyond the F-86 Sabre and the airshow circuit.
Tex takes us into the cockpit of the supersonic T-38 Talon, recounting a dramatic emergency landing with his nose gear stuck up, and reflects on instructing American pilots returning from the Vietnam War. We explore his leadership roles in the RCAF and the decision to retire from military service at just 40 years old.
But his flying career was far from over.
From operating C-47 Dakotas in the Canadian Arctic and flying corporate aircraft around the world to navigating the mountains of British Columbia, working on the film *Alive*, and transitioning to the Airbus A320, Tex's career would eventually span 38 aircraft types and more than 24,000 flying hours.
We also hear about his extraordinary reunion with Harvard No. 334, an aircraft he first flew as a student in 1958, before reflecting on Remembrance Day, the people who shaped his life, and what nearly seven decades in aviation have taught him.
CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) Introduction, Welcome and Remembering Harry Tenkate
(00:03:12) Training Instructors at Tyndall Air Force Base
(00:04:07) The T-38 Talon and F-5 Freedom Fighter
(00:05:30) The Psychological Impact of Combat in Vietnam
(00:07:25) Flying the Supersonic T-38 Talon
(00:09:00) Emergency Landing: Nose Gear Failure in the T-38
(00:12:18) Preparing for an Emergency Landing
(00:13:25) Why Tex Chose Not to Eject
(00:14:57) T-38 Engine Failures and Close Calls
(00:16:59) Flight Instructor Training in the United States and Canada
(00:17:57) Vietnam and the Urgency of Pilot Training
(00:18:36) Canadian Pilots Training with the USAF
(00:19:02) Recruiting the Next Generation of RCAF Personnel
(00:20:51) Commanding the Instrument Check Pilot School
(00:23:27) An Unconventional Visit to the French Air Force
(00:25:18) Why Tex Retired from the RCAF at 40
(00:27:53) Making the Most of Unexpected Career Postings
(00:29:21) Flying the C-47 Dakota in Canada's Arctic
(00:31:24) From Gulfstreams to Beavers with Ranger Oil
(00:34:14) Why Tex Never Considered Himself a Helicopter Pilot
(00:35:11) The Challenges and Dangers of Mountain Flying
(00:39:05) Flying for the Film Alive
(00:40:47) Transitioning from Hands-On Flying to the Airbus
(00:43:02) Flying in England and Discovering Second World War History
(00:46:05) Choosing a Favourite Aircraft from 38 Types
(00:46:44) Knowing When to Retire After 24,000 Hours
(00:50:56) Reunited with Harvard No. 334 After 67 Years
(00:55:26) Reflections on 24,000 Hours of Flying
(00:57:24) Discovering and Using JATO Rockets
(00:58:36) What Canadians Should Remember About Military Service
(01:01:18) How Tex Observes Remembrance Day
(01:02:36) Advice for the Next Generation of Canadian Pilots
(01:05:03) Has Modern Aviation Lost Hands-On Flying?
(01:06:07) Closing Thoughts and What's Next
CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
Continue Darwin “Tex” Deagnon's story and explore more firsthand accounts of Canadian military aviation!
Fighters: The Red Knight Part 1: Cold War Skies – “Tex” Deagnon
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=deagnon
The Jet Jockey Part 1 & Part 2 – Dan McWilliams
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=Alf
The Bangseat Part 1 & Part 2 – Rock Veilleux
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=bangseat
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
Discover more stories, experiences, and advice from RCAF and mission aviation pilots.
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes
In Part 2 of our conversation with former Royal Canadian Air Force Red Knight Darwin “Tex” Deagnon, we follow his remarkable journey beyond the F-86 Sabre and the airshow circuit.
Tex takes us into the cockpit of the supersonic T-38 Talon, recounting a dramatic emergency landing with his nose gear stuck up, and reflects on instructing American pilots returning from the Vietnam War. We explore his leadership roles in the RCAF and the decision to retire from military service at just 40 years old.
But his flying career was far from over.
From operating C-47 Dakotas in the Canadian Arctic and flying corporate aircraft around the world to navigating the mountains of British Columbia, working on the film *Alive*, and transitioning to the Airbus A320, Tex's career would eventually span 38 aircraft types and more than 24,000 flying hours.
We also hear about his extraordinary reunion with Harvard No. 334, an aircraft he first flew as a student in 1958, before reflecting on Remembrance Day, the people who shaped his life, and what nearly seven decades in aviation have taught him.
CHAPTERS
(00:00:00) Introduction, Welcome and Remembering Harry Tenkate
(00:03:12) Training Instructors at Tyndall Air Force Base
(00:04:07) The T-38 Talon and F-5 Freedom Fighter
(00:05:30) The Psychological Impact of Combat in Vietnam
(00:07:25) Flying the Supersonic T-38 Talon
(00:09:00) Emergency Landing: Nose Gear Failure in the T-38
(00:12:18) Preparing for an Emergency Landing
(00:13:25) Why Tex Chose Not to Eject
(00:14:57) T-38 Engine Failures and Close Calls
(00:16:59) Flight Instructor Training in the United States and Canada
(00:17:57) Vietnam and the Urgency of Pilot Training
(00:18:36) Canadian Pilots Training with the USAF
(00:19:02) Recruiting the Next Generation of RCAF Personnel
(00:20:51) Commanding the Instrument Check Pilot School
(00:23:27) An Unconventional Visit to the French Air Force
(00:25:18) Why Tex Retired from the RCAF at 40
(00:27:53) Making the Most of Unexpected Career Postings
(00:29:21) Flying the C-47 Dakota in Canada's Arctic
(00:31:24) From Gulfstreams to Beavers with Ranger Oil
(00:34:14) Why Tex Never Considered Himself a Helicopter Pilot
(00:35:11) The Challenges and Dangers of Mountain Flying
(00:39:05) Flying for the Film Alive
(00:40:47) Transitioning from Hands-On Flying to the Airbus
(00:43:02) Flying in England and Discovering Second World War History
(00:46:05) Choosing a Favourite Aircraft from 38 Types
(00:46:44) Knowing When to Retire After 24,000 Hours
(00:50:56) Reunited with Harvard No. 334 After 67 Years
(00:55:26) Reflections on 24,000 Hours of Flying
(00:57:24) Discovering and Using JATO Rockets
(00:58:36) What Canadians Should Remember About Military Service
(01:01:18) How Tex Observes Remembrance Day
(01:02:36) Advice for the Next Generation of Canadian Pilots
(01:05:03) Has Modern Aviation Lost Hands-On Flying?
(01:06:07) Closing Thoughts and What's Next
CONTINUE THE FLIGHT
Continue Darwin “Tex” Deagnon's story and explore more firsthand accounts of Canadian military aviation!
Fighters: The Red Knight Part 1: Cold War Skies – “Tex” Deagnon
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=deagnon
The Jet Jockey Part 1 & Part 2 – Dan McWilliams
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=Alf
The Bangseat Part 1 & Part 2 – Rock Veilleux
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/search?query=bangseat
EXPLORE THE LOGBOOK
Discover more stories, experiences, and advice from RCAF and mission aviation pilots.
https://podpilotproject.transistor.fm/episodes
