Human Flight

About the Book

Leonardo da Vinci's vision of man flying across the sky like a bird us substantiated in this book beginning with the 1783 Montgolfier balloon flight, glider flights, wartime aircraft, distance flights, jumbo jets and rocket flights to the moon.

About the Author

Russ was born and raised in the beautiful Kootenay Lake region of B.C. Even during the Depression life was much happier than in many other parts of the world that he would later visit. During his working life he had two interesting careers - radiation and aviation. His career began by welding 1025 steel wing ribs for the Blackburn Shark torpedo bomber, later serving as final assembly supervisor for the Boeing Aircraft Co. Military service included part time in the militia and later as non-commissioned officer in the Canadian Army Active. Following discharge Russ enrolled at university. His education culminated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree with a major in engineering systems at an American university. In 1948 Russ was employed by C.P. Airlines as licensed air engineer, senior aircraft inspector, engineering technician and technical representative in Hong Kong during the overhaul and test flight of company DC6B aircraft. Along with 12 other airline representatives, an A.T.A committee was organized to test aircraft engines and structures. Russ served as Vice Chairman and Chairman on this international organization in Miami and Tulsa, Oklahoma respectively. Between 1962 and 1964 he supervised the decontamination of Company aircraft during atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the U.S.A and Russia. Following early retirement Russ was hired by government agencies to clean up radiation hazards in B.C. He received fellowship awards in Canada and the U.S.A. as well as writeups in International flight magazines.