He had a long interest in flight and started training to become a pilot at the Edmonton Aero Club in 1937. He successfully completed his private flying licence in 1938, but continued his training in pursuit of a commercial licence, which he obtained in 1939.

As a trained commercial pilot he was able to join the RCAF in 1939 as a pilot officer.

Russell Bannock was known as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) top night fighter during the Second World War, and was the second highest scoring Canadian fighter pilot of the war.