trend-defying growth expansion 2012 - Edmonton Airports ...

mArkinG A milEstonE in tHE sky
The Alberta Aviation Museum, located next to ECCA
just off Kingsway, is taking a lead role in celebrating
2009 as the centennial of flight in Canada. Throughout
the year, the museum is re-enacting four historic flights
that distinguish Edmonton as one of Canada’s most
important aviation centres. All four recreations will use
a 1930s-style homebuilt biplane that closely resembles
an Avro Avian. The aircraft has been named ‘The spirit
of Edmonton’ in honour of the city’s remarkable aviation
heritage. “It’s a reminder of a really important part of
our history,” says Museum President Rod Macleod, who
is providing ground support for the flights. “Edmonton
was a great centre of the aviation industry in Canada for
most of the 20th century, and it still is.” The four flights
will celebrate:
• 80th anniversary of first airmail from Winnipeg
to Edmonton
• 80th anniversary of Fort Vermilion Mercy flight
• 90th anniversary of the first Western Canadian
commercial flight
• 90th anniversary of the first use of aircraft in
police pursuit
Museum Executive director Tom Hinderks and
Curtis Peters, President and CEO of Aviation.ca,
braved weather and other hardships to pilot the
first two flights early in the year.
2008 GEnErAl AViAtion HiGHliGHts
“If you ever need to feel small, try flying into an
international airport in an eight-metre wingspan
biplane in high winds with communication issues.”
[ tom HindErks, ExEcutiVE dirEctor, AlBErtA AViAtion musEum AssociAtion
And Edmonton AViAtion HEritAGE sociEty ]
• Contracted Ilyushin IL-76 and Antonov AN-124
air freighters made several trips from EIA Apron II,
flying helicopters, tanks and other cargo to Kandahar
to support ongoing Canadian Forces ground and
helicopter operations in southern Afghanistan.
• Airco Aircraft Charters was awarded the licence
to provide scheduled service to Grande Prairie
from ECCA. Other northern communities served
by scheduled flights from ECCA are Fort McMurray
and Peace River.
• Cooking Lake Airport Open House/Fly-In, August
23, attracted a record-setting crowd of 500 aviation
enthusiasts and 50 aircraft from across Alberta.
• Villeneuve Airport Open House/Fly-In, June 7,
promoted investment opportunities and services
to more than 300 visitors.
• Edmonton Airports sponsored and participated in
the Northern Air Transport Association Conference,
the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association event
and the Canadian Business Aviation Association
(CBAA) annual conference.
• Other 2008 sponsorships included Aviation Alberta’s
annual Conference and General Meeting, Airfest
honouring Edmonton’s proud aviation history;
Wetaskiwin Air Show featuring the Snowbirds.
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