Patricia A. Myers

This is a densely packed, detailed history of the development of flight in Alberta. At times, the author has to give the total picture of what was happening in the rest of Canada to keep the Alberta story context. However, this is really mostly about Alberta and high and lows of creating a flight service in the western province. The reader learns about the first aircraft and pilots in Alberta and how they tried to make a living barnstorming and carrying passengers in uncomfortable, unreliable aircraft.

WWII and the BCATP brought big changes and opportunities to flying and aircraft in Alberta. The province provided large open spaces for the safe training of thousands of new fliers for the RAF and RCAF. Young men came from all over the world to Canada to be trained to fight the Nazis and much of the flying, navigating, and bombing training took place in the wide open western provinces. Aircraft repair was also a big part of the program lending huge economic benefits to Alberta.

Great detail throughout and an extensive bibliography to lead you to more information.… (más)