Bush Pilots: Canada's Wilderness Daredevils

by Peter Boer

It takes a special recipe--one part courage, one part skill, a big dash of crazy--to make a bush pilot. These unique aviators, flying over the vast wildernesses of the United States, Canada and Australia, often reach the status of legends. In this book, Peter Boer looks at famous Canadian bush pilots, many of them former fighter pilots of the Second World War. These brave young men and women took to the skies to bring food, medicines and mail to isolated Canadian communities. The names of men such as Wop May and Punch Dickins are synonymous with courage in the face of hardship. The remarkable stories of May and Dickins, as well as those of Doc Oaks, Fred Stevenson, James Caldwell, Chuck McAvoy, Vi Milstead, Con Farrell and many others, are told in this entertaining collection.

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 2004

Reviews

[Deb Mohr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read about a number of groundbreaking Canadian pilots. Interesting and quick read. #1331.

[Greg Vandermeulen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that gives you brief stories on multiple Canadian bush pilots and their claims to fame. Don't expect a deep dive, and be prepared to have some stuff repeated as many stories share the same historical context which is explained in every story.
That said, it's a great read, and made me want to learn even more about these pioneers of the air that all too often sacrificed it all.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kind of neat to see where some of the early pioneers of Canadian Aviation began. Sort of a who's who