First black CF pilot challenges Canadian youth to give the Air Force a try

By Marianne Prigly

Maj (Ret’d) Walter Peters at his home in Orleans, Ontario.

At a time when the Canadian Forces are actively recruiting Canadians to join the fold, retirees such as Major (Ret’d) Walt Peters are getting out and spreading the recruitment message, more specifically “If you can dream it, you can do it!”  

            A pretty powerful message coming from a man who joined the Air Force in the 1960s,a time of great racial tension in North America, and became the first black pilot ever to fly with the Canadian Forces. It is a badge of honour he wears willingly and proudly, and even now, more than 40 years later, uses his experiences to motivate others to consider a career in military aviation.

            Maj (Ret’d) Peters recently spoke at the Dreams Never Die Foundation in Toronto, which gives scholarships to young Canadians of colour to pursue careers in aviation.

“Even today, there are very few black pilots in the Air Force, and I’m not really sure why.  The training provided by the Air Force is of the highest possible calibre and they even pay you during training!”

            Graduating at the top of his pilot training class 1963, Maj (Ret’d) Peters flew military jets and transport aircraft, spent two years as Deputy Commanding Officer of the Snowbirds, two years in New York as the Air Advisor for the United Nations Secretary General, one year at the Canadian Aviation Safety Board and was also involved in the Air India crash investigation.  Today he operates an aviation consulting company where his expertise is sought by both military and civilian aviation companies.

            Like many past and present Air Force personnel, Maj (Ret’d) Peters never misses an opportunity to promote a career in the Air Force and enjoys speaking to groups whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Maj (Ret’d) Walter Peters, as a Snowbird.