Before the Great War in 1914, aeroplanes had never before been used as a weapon in battle. However, the Great War brought about a huge change in the aeroplane and a new era of warfare was begun.

At the outset of the war many military leaders viewed the aeroplane as a novelty and couldn't visualise the benefits of such a machine in battle. Soon the aircraft proved itself effective for reconnaissance missions to spy on enemy trenches, spot artillery emplacements, and take photographs of enemy positions. Both the Allies and Germans were soon developing more effective and reliable aircraft for use in the war.

The step to fighter aircraft and bombers was only a short one. Fighting between aircraft began as pilots carried projectiles to throw at enemy planes. One German pilot, early in the war, threw a brick from his plane in attempt to destroy another craft. Soon both sides were fixing machineguns to aeroplanes to fight in the air. Small bombs were also developed that could be dropped from an aircraft onto enemy supply dumps and trenches. Bigger and better planes were soon being built to carry heavier loads and to travel longer distances over enemy lines.

Aeroplanes of the First World War were hardly more than rickety pieces of cloth and wood with an engine strapped on. Airmen had few instruments to aid in their flying and had no parachutes to safely bring them back to earth. However, the airplane was advancing quickly and better aeroplanes were being developed by both sides.

During the war 25,000 Canadians served with the British air service as pilots, observers, and mechanics. Pilots such as W.A. "Billy" Bishop were heroes for their valour and exemplary feats of bravery in the air. It was a Canadian pilot that shot down and killed the famous German ace Baron von Richthofen (see Timeline) known widely as the "Red Baron". Altogether 1,600 Canadian pilots lost their lives serving in the airforce during the Great War.