Send a text

What happens when the person flying your plane is struggling beneath the surface? Ian Gracie's extraordinary journey reveals the hidden battles pilots face, and how one man transformed personal crisis into systemic change for aviation safety.

Born into northern Canada's unforgiving landscape, Ian's passion for flight led him from dodging moose on frozen lakes to commanding Boeing 737s. But behind his meteoric rise lurked an increasingly dangerous struggle with alcohol—one that would eventually find him reporting for duty intoxicated.

In this powerful conversation, Ian candidly shares his rock-bottom moment and the lifeline that pulled him back: compassionate colleagues who knew exactly what he needed. "That guy saved my life," Ian reflects, "not because he did something magical, but because he knew what to do."

What began as personal recovery evolved into pioneering work establishing WestJet's Pilot Recovery Program and eventually founding Air Crew Recovery Canada, the first national addiction support system for Canadian pilots. Ian's work directly addresses the tragic 2015 Carson Air crash, where a captain with a blood alcohol level of 0.24 crashed a cargo flight.

Beyond addiction, Ian's story explores profound questions about identity, purpose, and human connection. "I used to be a pilot," he shares, quoting advice that changed his life. "Now I'm just a guy that flies airplanes." This distinction—separating career from identity—offers wisdom far beyond the flight deck.

Whether you work in aviation or not, Ian's journey reminds us that behind every uniform stands a human being deserving of compassion, support, and the chance to recover. His message to those struggling resonates universally: "You're loved, you matter."

Ready for an eye-opening look behind the flight deck door? Listen now and discover how one pilot's darkest moments sparked a movement that's saving lives across Canadian skies.

Support the show