Ian M. Burns

Ian Michael Burns, born in 1950 in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, grew up immersed in the world of aviation, quite literally. His childhood home was directly aligned with the main runway of the Avro factory at Woodford, one of Britain’s most iconic aviation facilities. The deafening roar of Vulcan bombers taking off was a daily soundtrack to his early years, fueling a lifelong fascination with aircraft. This proximity to innovation and industry made an indelible mark, guiding Ian’s path into aerospace engineering and eventually aviation history.

After completing a combined public and grammar school education, Ian joined Avro at Woodford as an engineering apprentice. This experience offered him hands-on exposure to the cutting-edge aeronautical developments of the time. Over the years, he transitioned into a specialist role in structural test engineering, a field where he could channel his curiosity into understanding—and sometimes breaking—aircraft to test their limits. His time at Avro saw him through its various transformations, from Avro to Hawker Siddeley Aviation and later British Aerospace, working on projects that shaped British aviation.

In 1981, Ian took his expertise overseas, joining DeHavilland Canada in Toronto. There, he applied his skills in structural testing on the Dash 8 airliner before pivoting to structural repair design, helping ensure in-service aircraft remained safe and operational. This new role offered a chance to deepen his problem-solving abilities while maintaining his close connection to the mechanics of flight.

When Ian retired in 2012, he turned his focus toward his passion for aviation history, particularly early British naval aviation. His extensive research has culminated in the publication of two books:

• Ben-My-Chree - Woman of my Heart: Isle of Man packet steamer and seaplane carrier (Colin Huston, 2008)

• The RNAS and the Birth of the Aircraft Carrier 1914-1918 (Fonthill Media, 2014).

In addition to his books, Ian has contributed articles to respected journals such as Aeroplane Monthly, Cross and Cockade International, and Over the Front.

Ian now resides in Toronto.