 Photo Credit: Curtis Peters, Aviation.ca
Delegates from across Canada converged at 17Wing Winnipeg this weekend to discuss their vision for Canadian Aviation Museums as the hundredth anniversary of flight comes to an end. CAPA, the Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association, is an umbrella body representing and assisting Canada Aviation Museums coast to coast in their struggle to collect, preserve and tell the stories of our rich aviation heritage. The central theme to the CAPA conference, “The Road Forward”, was a discussion setting the course for advancing CAPA’s role in the future of our aviation history.
The conference itself reviewed the phenomenal success of the back to Baddeck circumnavigation of Canada featuring prominent vintage and widely recognized aircraft on each leg. This massive undertaking, coordinated by CAPA, received the assistance of Air Canada, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, Transport Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces along with many other corporate partners that made this once in a lifetime event possible.
A special guest presentation from Aviation.ca also gave an outsiders perspective to the centennial events, helping pave way to a discussion on “The Road Forward” for CAPA and Canadian Aviation Heritage. CAPA members recognize the need to grow, change and reach out to the community in order to entertain and educate the public on their massive history in aviation.
In addition, a proposal receiving CAPA sanction for 2010 includes a series of regional celebrations for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan; the massive program that trained hundreds of thousands of aircrew and related personnel from all Commonwealth countries during the second world war. CAPA delegates were also privilege to receive tours of several unique 17Wing facilities such as 1CAD headquarters.
 Photo Credit: Curtis Peters, Aviation.ca
17Wing, home of the Air Force Heritage Wing and airpark is itself an amazing treasure-trove of our aviation military history featuring Canada’s Victoria Cross winners from our flying services. Many of the displays feature intricate models by Sgt. McNorgan including the famed “A for Able”, the legendary Avro Lancaster Bomber central to the Mynarski story. Also on display is one of two Battle of Britain tapestries constructed of over 26,000 miles of fine Egyptian lace given to Squadrons engaged in the immortal first defeat of the unstopped Luftwaffe.
On the closing day, the annual general meeting featured reports from museums across Canada outlining their successes and failures throughout the 2009 year. The intertwining common themes being lack of Government and corporate funding leading to the inventiveness and innovation required to continue to improve their ability to tell Canada’s amazing aviation stories. The election has lead to a new Chair in light of the retirement of Mr. George Elliott, an important piece of Canada’s Aviation Heritage in his own right, retiring due to health reasons. The new Chair, Lt. Col. (retired) Thomas Sands stepping forward to take on the challenge of leading our history into the future. It is expected that Mr. Sands’ exceptional leadership skills and innovative approaches will drive CAPA forward for many years to come. Joining him are re-elected and new delegates representing every region of Canada to provide a broad and balanced representation of Canada’s Aviation history and each region’s unique challenges.
During the three day conference, this writer has come to realize just how much passion and dedication is required from the volunteers and staff of Canada’s Aviation Heritage organizations.
Per Ardua Ad Astra (From Adversity to the Stars.) |
