It might not be perfect flying weather outside PMR’s hangar in London, Ontario but Pete McLeod is looking forward to another busy air show season.

After meeting with representatives from several air shows in December at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) annual convention in Las Vegas, Pete has been busy confirming his 2012 schedule.

“I’m really pleased with how the schedule has come together for 2012,” Pete said from the PMR hangar. “Similar to 2011, I’ll have the opportunity to perform coast-to-coast, from Abbostford, BC to Summerside, PEI and lots of places in between.”

Pete will be performing his aggressive low-level show in his heavily modified Zivko Edge 540 aircraft, the same airplane he used to capture 5th place in the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

McLeod will push the Edge 540 to its limits and will be performing a completely redesigned show in 2012.

“I’m going to take the fan favourites from the 2011 routine, gyroscopics, inverted flat-spin and low-level inverted passes and mix in a couple new tricks this season. Fans always tell me they like to the low-level maneuvers, I’ve been working on a few new tricks since last fall and I can guarantee there will be plenty of action in 2012.”

In addition to the shows below, Pete is still working with other events to coordinate appearances and expects additional shows to be added in the months ahead.

Although the schedule is filling up, there are still some dates available. If you would like to book Pete for an air show or speaking appearance, CONTACT US.

XU Aviation will be busy in the coming weeks prepping Pete’s Edge 540 for the 2012 season. Stay tuned for news from inside the PMR hangar and the off-season work being done on Pete’s Edge 540.

That’s right, the month formerly known as November is here again and this year Pete has joined forces with a team of guys from Red Bull and committed his upper lip for 30 days to a great cause. During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer.

“I’ve been involved with a number of initiatives to raise funds and awareness for this important issue in the past, but this will definitely be my first moustache!” announced Pete. He added, “Simply put, prostate Cancer and men’s health in general do not get the attention, or the support they deserve unfortunately. When you look at the numbers, it’s something we simply cannot ignore. Sure guys like to be rough and tough, but trust me, if you want to run Max Power! you need to be healthy. That includes a healthy prostate!”

Pete is registered at Movember.com. For the rest of the month, he’ll be growing, trimming and waxing his way into the annals of fine moustachery. ‘How can I help’ you ask? It’s easy!

Visit Pete’s Movember Profile HERE or by pasting the following URL http://mobro.co/MaxPowerMo into your web browser.

There you can follow his progress and of course DONATE to help keep Pete motivated and raise money for this great cause.

All funds raised in Canada support the number one male cancer, prostate cancer. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and our men’s health partner, Prostate Cancer Canada. Together, the two channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research. For more information on the programs Movemeber is funding please visit the following:

Despite the 2011 pause in racing, it’s been a busy summer for Pete McLeod and his Edge 540. From coast-to-coast across Canada, Pete has been racking up flight hours and performances. Following an excellent tour in Western Canada, Pete headed to the tranquil province of Prince Edward Island for a show in the city of Summerside.

“Having flown in the Maritimes before, I was thrilled to have Summerside on my schedule. I love it out there. PEI is a special place; very beautiful and relaxing. Life certainly has an island vibe to it, and let’s not forget about the great seafood!” reported Pete.

After an overwhelmingly successful show on Saturday, Sunday was unfortunately a scratch due the incoming Hurricane Irene.

Heading back to Ontario for the September long weekend, Pete strapped in for the first time at Canada’s premier air show – the Canadian International Air Show – held on the Toronto waterfront. Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the shores of Lake Ontario to take in the show.

“It was great to be in Toronto. The CIAS has so much history, is a well produced event, and I’ve got a lot of fans and supporters in the area. It was special to fly for and visit the children involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”

McLeod’s anticipated return to Windsor.

It’s been over a year since Pete tore up the skies of Windsor, ON in the Red Bull Air Race, and two years since last performing at the Windsor International Air Show.

“It’s great to be back in Windsor. When I’m here I feel like this could be my home city. The people of Windsor are some of my biggest fans!” said Pete.

Different from the Giles 200 flown for the 2009 air show, Pete will be flying his modified Edge 540 at this year’s show. This is the same aircraft he raced in Windsor in 2009 and 2010. McLeod added, “We’ve had to do a number of things to change the aircraft from a racing machine over to a freestyle aerobatic setup, but its performing great. I think people will enjoy seeing what the Edge 540 can do outside of the race track. It’s a wild ride, that’s for sure!”

Don’t miss your chance to see Pete fly this weekend in Windsor, the final stop on his 2011 schedule. Pete will perform September 10-11, 2011 during the Windsor International Air Show at the Windsor Airport. Gates open at 9:30.

After a 36 day tour across Western Canada, including stops in Calgary, Vancouver, and Saskatoon, Pete recently returned to PMR’s base of operations in London, ON to prepare for the remainder of the season. “It was a great trip and the aircraft was trouble free which is always a bonus when you’re on the road. We live in such a big and beautiful country and it really is amazing some of the vast landscapes I get to see from the air. Crossing the Rocky Mountains really can be breath-taking with the right weather.” McLeod and his tightly packed Edge 540 covered in total over 10,000 kms during the trip.

When asked his favourite place to stop while flying across Canada, McLeod was quick to reply, “That’s easy, Red Lake, ON. It’s got a great airport, the famous ‘Lakeview’ coffee hour, great fishing, and of course my Mom’s cooking! Why stop anywhere else!”

Over the next few days Pete and XU Aviation will make sure the aircraft is ready to perform at its best for the remaining show schedule. After some scheduled maintenance in London, ON Pete will be on the move again, this time headed east to Summerside, PEI for the Atlantic International Air Show – August 27-28. Pete will be back in southern Ontario for the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto – Sept 3-5 and on to Windsor, ON – Sept 10-11 for the Windsor International Air Show.

Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Pete on Facebook where you can follow his enroute position updates live from the aircraft and much more! http://www.facebook.com/PeteMcLeod84