This thrilling book from the RCAF Foundation celebrates aviation in Canada and includes stories about famous aviators, flights, aircraft, and innovators. Discover incredible stories geared to Grade 4-8 students accompanied by high quality classroom learning tools.
We have created a set of curriculum lessons for Grade 4-8 students. Check them out here
Aviation Nation tells the history of aviation in Canada in the context of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Intended for children aged 9 to 12, it describes an industry in the making, pioneered by some of Canada’s greatest leaders, bravest defenders, and most creative innovators. The book is a celebration of Canadian “firsts”—from our very first flight in 1909 to our first and future orbit of the moon. Topics range from mapping Canada’s remote North to the invention of pararescue, the G-Suit, the black box, plus those who pushed boundaries to become Canada’s first engineers, pilots, and astronauts. Brought to you by the RCAF Foundation in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University, Aviation Nation hits the shelves on April 1, 2025.
Factual Error: On page 63, “Keith Skeets Ogilvie,” 73 men were recaptured.
Mike Hood
Mike was Commander of the RCAF from 2015 to 2018. In this role, protecting the well-being of thousands of people who served in the Air Force—along with Canada’s air space—were his top responsibilities. Mike joined the RCAF in 1985 and trained as a navigator on the CC-130 Hercules. He took part in operations in Canada’s Arctic, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. A big believer in innovation in the RCAF, he helped make this an important part of their strategy. Mike also commanded both 429 and 436 Transport Squadrons at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario, the RCAF’s largest base. Mike was honoured to co-author Pathway to the Stars, a book celebrating our Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th birthday in April 2024!
Tom Jenkins
Tom has been involved with the RCAF for more than 50 years. He began his career as a Royal Canadian Air Cadet in CFB Trenton in 1972. He received his commission in 1977 and served in CFB Cold Lake. Tom has also been the Honorary Colonel of 409 Squadron in CFB Cold Lake and of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada in Cambridge. Tom is currently a member of the RCAF Commanders Advisory Council. He has been awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Tom is an Officer of the Order of Canada. He loves to hike in the mountains with his family (and has worked with Mike before, co-authoring another book about the RCAF, Pathway to the Stars.)
Josh Rivers
Josh grew up drawing (a lot!) with pencil and paper. He bought a tablet and started to learn digital painting as a fast way to colour his art, and he’s been doing digital art ever since. Josh has worked alongside painters and muralists, fine artists, graphic designers and web designers, comic book artists and animators, video game and tabletop game designers. Along the way, he’s learned a lot of different techniques and developed a unique visual style. He works out of Kitchener, Ontario, and enjoys exploring many different art forms including animation, comic art, video, graphic design, and music.
You can find out more about Josh and view his portfolio at www.joshrivers.com.
Available April 1, 2025.
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