A Pilot's Journey Log (by Jack Schofield)

Price includes shipping in Canada (hardcover edition)

No matter how indifferent a tough old bush pilot may seem to the so-called 'romance of flight', deep in his heart he's a poet when at the controls of his aircraft. Flying the magnificent, but challenging waterways of British Columbia's coast adds a further demand on skill and character, and it is such a breed that have operated the many coastal seaplane airlines during the years described in these pages.

Meet Daryl Smith (1939-2020), a logger who entered this flying world as a fledgling bush pilot, and within a few short months owned an airline and was 'scud-running' the coast with the best of them.

In an industry with a history of takeovers and buyouts, of little guys combining and becoming one big guy, Smith managed to stay one step ahead of the pack. He ended up as an owner of the only regional carrier to remain standing after a succession of takeovers, first by Air BC and then by Air Canada. His airline survived a turf war for dominance in Canada's skies involving Canadian Pacific Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines and Canadian Airlines International - a business war that changed forever the coastal flying industry in this province and the domestic air services in all of Canada.