Chris Weicht, is the author and publisher of nine books on the aviation history of British Columbia, the Yukon, Alberta and the Alaska panhandle. All books are available in Canada only, however, special arrangements can be made for out of country sales. Contact Chris at coasteagle@yahoo.com
Chris’ most recent book published in 2021, is a true story of aviation activity by Russia along the west coast of Canada. In 1936 Soviet Russia attempted to deceive the world powers into believing they had developed aviation capabilities that they in fact had not achieved. Three non-stop flights were claimed from Moscow to the United States. Two clandestinely stopped for fuel in British Columbia and the third disappeared without a trace.
Price: $40.00 plus $6.00 mailing costs
Prior to the Great War of 1914-1918, aviation activity in Alberta was limited to flight demonstrations by American pilots including aviatrix Katherine Stinson. With the war’s end in 1918, many returning Canadian pilots who had served in France with the Royal Flying Corps wished to remain in aviation activity. Many purchased a war surplus training aircraft and gave flight instruction and demonstrations of their prowess in the air and others started small air services. In 1920 the Canadian Air Board created Air Stations across the country. In Alberta, first at Morley which was moved to High River within a year and whose primary purpose was the control of forest fires, as well as licensing of pilots, aircraft and airports. The Prairie Air Mail became a reality in 1930 and by 1939 the creation of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, which dominated Alberta aviation throughout World War II. Together with America’s entry into the war December 7, 1941, which brought a tremendous growth to aviation with thousands of military aircraft being flown to Alaska via Alberta. This book is currently unavailable.
The first flight across the Rocky Mountains from Vancouver to Lethbridge and Calgary occurred August 7, 1919 making several fuel stops in the same day crossing. The following year the Canadian Air Board initiated the first Trans Canada flight from Halifax on July 17, 1920, using a series of aircraft which eventually reached Vancouver, October 17, 1920.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs.
Yukon Airways recounts the effort of a small determined group of bush pilots during the late 1920’s and 1930’s who created an sir route from Edmonton Alberta to the Yukon Territory. It was a route that with the coming of World War II would be used by thousands of aircraft being ferried to Alaska as part of American’s Land Lease program to supply Russia with fighting aircraft. In order to supply fuel to the war machine the Canol pipeline was built along with eight airfields between Norman Wells, N.W.T. and Whitehorse, Y.T.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs.
It was originally conceived in 1920 as a projected coast-to-coast air route. The western most section was surveyed in 1928 and in 1932 during the Great Depression a workforce of unemployed young men constructed airfields every 50 miles from Lethbridge to Vancouver. The construction of these airfields together with navigational aids could not have been timelier. With the advent of World War II occurring in 1939 came a significant increase of air traffic across the Rocky Mountains from the prairies to the west coast.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs CAD
The evolution of aviation in the Yukon was born of necessity. The airplane holds a unique place in the history of the Yukon being the first mode of transport able to challenge the territories remoteness, a problem that has plagued the Yukon since the days of the fur trade.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs CAD
An aviation history of the airfields and seaplane bases which were part of the communities of the west coast of British Columbia and Alaska starting at Seattle, Washington. It carries on through Vancouver Island, the central British Columbia coast, Queen Charlotte Islands, and southeast Alaska.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs CAD
North by Northwest covers the chronological history of the community airfields of the northwest along the inland route to the Yukon and Alaska, much of the memorabilia was provided by the airmen who participated to this exciting period of aviation history from 1919 to 1960.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs CAD
Best Seller, Jericho Beach traces the role that Vancouver Air Stations played in the evolution of aviation in British Columbia and the importance of the flying boat stations in the defense plan for the west coast of North America during World War II.
Price: $50.00 plus $15.00 mailing costs CAD
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