The evolution of professional aviation culture in Canada, 1939-1945
Date
2010-09-01T21:45:16Z
Authors
Chapman, Matthew
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The rapid expansion of the postwar commercial aviation industry in Canada was
made possible, in part, by the thousands of wartime pilots who filled the ranks of
the nation’s major airlines beginning in 1944. Through mentorship of subsequent
generations of peacetime aviators, wartime pilots had lasting impacts on the
Canadian commercial aviation industry during their time flying for companies such as Trans Canada Airlines (TCA).
Following an examination of the agreements made between the Royal Canadian Air Force and TCA between 1944 and 1945 for the transfer of pilots between the two organizations, this thesis tracks the development of the professional culture
of wartime RCAF aviators through an analysis of their training and subsequent
operational flying during the war. It concludes that while there were numerous
benefits for commercial aviation in Canada through this process, there were,
likewise, a series of negative repercussions for the safety of the Canadian aviation industry.
Description
Keywords
RCAF, Trans Canada Airlines, TCA, Royal Canadian Air Force, Air Canada, Commercial aviation, flying, bomber, pilot, aircrew, professional culture, Air Force, aviation culture, flight training, groundschool, maritime patrol, navigation, instrument flight rules, British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, BCATP, Bush Pilot