The First World War saw the beginning of the extensive use of aircraft in military operations. Several Canadians, including Andrew Edward (Hank) McKEEVER, won renown:

“McKeever gained a well-deserved reputation as the [Royal Flying Corps’s] outstanding pilot of two-seater fighters in World War I. He was nicknamed Hawkeye by his fellow pilots for his skill in spotting aircraft at great distances, and was labelled King of the Two-Seaters by the media for the successes he and his observers achieved.”

For more information on Canadian aviators who fought in the war, please consult the list of biographies.