Canada's Flying Heritage

This book not only records the significant events of Canadian aviation but also pays tribute to the 'forgotten flyers who flew by guess and by God or with calculating caution – for the sheer love of flying – in the early days.'

Frank H. Ellis (1896-1979) was a pioneer Canadian pilot, who built and flew his own aircraft at Calgary prior to August 1914, thus qualifying as a member of the Early Birds of America. He subsequently spent eight years in military and commercial flying in Canada, ranging from Ontario to Manitoba and farther west. He became the first Canadian to parachute from a plane in Canada, when he jumped at Crystal Beach, Lake Erie, in July 1919.

'Without this history with its thousands of carefully checked facts, much of the information would have been lost forever. Now it will be preserved and posterity will know something of the color of the deeds and of the character of the men who have accomplished this marvellous mechanical advance. These fellows would be forgotten except for the magnificently comprehensive history of Canadian flying written by Frank H. Ellis.'