Across the country, people are feeling the Canadian pride. From going out of their way to find Canadian-made products to playing tourist in their own backyards, everyone is keen to celebrate homegrown excellence right now.
An area in which Canada has made a massive impact (and that might surprise you) is aviation and aerospace innovation. From the first flight of the Silver Dart to the invention of pararescue and the black box, Canada has not only helped shape the world of flight and space but continues to do so to this day.
In celebration of Canada's incredible contribution, the RCAF Foundation has launched Aviation Nation — a vibrantly illustrated collection of stories about Canada's aviation legacy for kids aged 9-12, available in both English and French.
In it, writers Michael Hood and Tom Jenkins captivate readers with tales of the people and innovations that have shaped Canada's skies, brought to life alongside illustrations by Josh Rivers.
"By sharing these incredible stories, we hope to inspire the next generation of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and aerospace pioneers," said Jeremy Diamond, CEO of the RCAF Foundation.
An illustration of the Carty brothers from 'Aviation Nation.' Right: An illustration of the Parabelles from 'Aviation Nation.'Courtesy of RCAF Foundation
In 1909, the first Canadian plane, the Silver Dart, was towed into the air over a frozen pond in Nova Scotia. Its 800-metre flight made history as the first of its kind in Canada.
Over 100 years of innovation later, fighter-pilot-turned-astronaut Jeremy Hansen is assigned to NASA’s Artemis II mission in 2026, which will make him the first Canadian Space Agency astronaut to fly around the Moon. Marking an important milestone in history that will pave the way for future generations.
Clearly, a lot can happen in just over a century, and Aviation Nation shares these stories and plenty more to paint a vibrant picture of Canada's rich aviation history, from mapping the vast Canadian North from the air to the foundation of the Air Cadets and jaw-dropping displays of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, more commonly known as The Snowbirds.
An illustration of Steven Deschamps and the Pride Citation insignia. Right: An illustration of the Snowbirds in flight. Courtesy of RCAF Foundation
"This book not only celebrates our history but also encourages young minds to dream big and consider careers in aviation, defence, and aerospace," said Diamond.
Plus, educators can take advantage of the free, downloadable classroom tools and resources for grades 4-8, developed by Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Education.
Whether you're a parent or a teacher, you can help your kids and students learn more about Canada's remarkable legacy of flight with Aviation Nation.