JOAN SULLIVAN: ‘The Life of a Pilot’ — the ups and downs of a little boy from Newfoundland who grew up to learn how to fly

Joan Sullivan, a Newfoundlander native, had a lifelong passion for aviation that began when he was just a boy. From the moment he first gazed upon the sky, he knew he wanted to soar through the clouds and experience the thrill of flight.

From a young age, Sullivan had a knack for tinkering and taking things apart in order to understand how they worked. He would take apart radios, clocks and even cars, and by the time he was a teenager, he had already begun constructing model aircraft.

With a dream of becoming a pilot, Sullivan joined the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He began his training as a pilot in 1942, and was eventually accepted into the Canadian Army Air Corps. After completing his training, Sullivan was assigned to the Royal Canadian Air Force’s No. 11 Air Observation Post Squadron.

Throughout his service, Sullivan flew several different types of aircraft, including the Harvard IIB, the Lysander III, and the Hurricane IIC. He was also responsible for leading supply drops and reconnaissance missions. Sullivan’s experience as a pilot was often characterized by great risk and intense excitement. Despite the danger of his duties, Sullivan was able to return home safely at the end of the war.

Following the war, Sullivan returned to Newfoundland and continued flying. He became a successful bush pilot and delivered goods to remote communities across the province. He also operated an air charter service, which allowed him to take passengers on sightseeing tours and transport them to a variety of locations.

In addition to his piloting duties, Sullivan also served as an instructor for the Newfoundland Aero Club. Through his work with the club, he was able to pass on his knowledge and experience to a new generation of pilots.

Sullivan’s remarkable career as a pilot spanned the course of several decades, and his achievements have served as an inspiration to those who have followed in his footsteps. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering commitment to safety have earned him a place in the annals of aviation history.