Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
Profile of Members
Birthdate: February 26, 1906
Birth Place: Edinburgh, Scotland
Year Inducted: 2000
Death Date: December 5, 1988"Through innovative foresight and an adherence to exacting standards, he exerted a major influence in establishing TCA/Air Canada’s remarkable record of excellence in engineering, maintenance and overhaul."
James Bain was born in Scotland and earned his air engineer licenses while with the RAF. He moved to Canada in 1938, taking a position with Trans-Canada Airlines maintenance and overhaul in Winnipeg, Manitoba and eventually rose to the position of Director of Maintenance and Engineering of Air Canada. He is widely known as the man responsible for the specifications and development of the Canadair "North Star". He over saw the design and construction of the Air Canada jet fleet base at Dorval, Quebec.
Birthdate: May 4, 1918
Birth Place: Montreal, Quebec
Year Inducted: 2000
Death Date: March 6, 2008"His consummate organizational and marketing skills, backed by his wealth of engineering knowledge and his patriotism over forty five years in Canadian aviation, have been of great benefit to this nation."
Baker was born in Montreal, Quebec and raised on the Saskatchewan prairies. He earned his pilot’s and engineer’s licenses at the Moose Jaw Flying Club. In 1942, with Ferry Command personnel, Baker was selected as co-pilot and engineer to modify and equip two Norsemen aircraft to perform surveys in Northern Labrador and Baffin Island. Later he acted as flight engineer for the Avro Jetliner test flights. Baker is credited with turning around the troubled Fleet Manufacturing Company in Fort Erie, Ontario. Baker retired from the position of Senior Vice President and Director of McDonnell Douglas Canada in1983.
Ronald John Baker
Birthdate: March 28, 1912
Birth Place: Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan
Year Inducted: 1994
Death Date: March 24, 1990
"His dedication to the engineering, testing, and safe operation of commercial aircraft has been of major benefit to Canadian aviation."
Ronald Baker's lifelong interest in radios secured him summer employment as a teen with the province of Saskatchewan. His job included installing radios in the northern bush and because of this, he left school for one year to get his pilot's license. In 1939, he began working for Trans-Canada Air Lines as first officer and was later promoted to Captain in 1941. At this time Baker discovered that the engines could be operated more efficiently; his new cruise control procedures were adopted immediately. Baker also became a test pilot for such aircraft as the Vickers Viscount and Vanguard, and DC8s and DC9s. He was also involved in the development of the auto approach and landing features of the Boeing 747 and Lockheed 1011 aircraft at the end of his career.
Birthdate: January 31, 1910
Birth Place: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1975
Death Date: November 15, 1958
"His unflagging efforts to provide safe, reliable, all weather air service to the residents of Canada's western reaches and northern frontier, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
After completing two years at the University of Manitoba, Russell Baker went on to complete his commercial pilot's license and became a barnstormer throughout the province. Baker later became a bush pilot and flew numerous mercy flights. In 1946, he organized Central B.C. Airways at Fort St. James, B.C. His company began to absorb smaller airlines to better serve those areas where access was difficult because of weather conditions and terrain and profit was marginal. In 1957 Baker took over Canadian Pacific Airlines in Alberta and Saskatchewan and prior to his death had laid the groundwork for the airbus service between Calgary and Edmonton and for the daily service from these centres to the rim of the Polar Sea to the Arctic islands and beyond.
Bernt Balchen
Birthdate: October 23, 1899
Birth Place: Tveit, Norway
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: October 17, 1973
"His extraordinary aeronautical ability directed towards the exploration of unmapped regions, the Fort Churchill airlift and the linking of this nation by air to Scandinavia, despite adversity, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Bernt Balchen completed his officer and air instruction in his native country of Norway and served with the White Army of Finland in 1918. In 1926, he became the pilot/engineer to Raoul Amundsen's North Pole expedition and in 1927 hired on with Western Canada Airways to transport men, equipment and supplies from Cache Lake, Manitoba (the northern terminus of the Hudson Bay Railway) to Fort Churchill, Manitoba. In 1942, Balchen completed construction on the world's most northerly airbase located on the west coast of Greenland, north of the Arctic circle. In 1946, Balchen also designed a commercial air route linking Scandinavia with Canada. Balchen flew the route 15 times himself to ensure its safety and feasibility.
Frederick Walker Baldwin
Nickname: "Casey" Baldwin
Birthdate: January 2, 1882
Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: August 7, 1948
"The dedication of his engineering talents to the development of manned flight was a prime factor in the birth of the North American aviation industry and has proven to be of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Frederick Baldwin completed his Mechanical and Electrical Engineering course at the University of Toronto in 1906. He was a founding member of the Aerial Experiment Association in 1907 along with Alexander Graham Bell, J.A.D. McCurdy and two Americans. Baldwin worked on the construction and design of their company's first aircraft like the Red Wing, the Baddeck 1 and Baddeck 2. He later focused his attention on the study of hydrofoils (the principle he applied was later christened KC-B after his nickname "Casey") and developed devices used in naval and aerial warfare. Baldwin also foresaw high altitude travel and the subsequent requirement for pressurized cabins.
Russell Bannock
Birthdate: November 1, 1919
Birth Place: Edmonton, Alberta
Year Inducted: 1983
Awards: DSO, DFC
"His inspiring leadership as an instructor and fighter pilot in World War Two, his unusual skills as a test pilot, and his corporate business leadership have all been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Russell Bannock obtained his private pilot's license in 1938 and his commercial pilot's license the following year. In 1940 he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was posted overseas in 1944 in Shropshire, England. Bannock was mostly involved in flying the de Havilland Mosquito on intruder missions over Europe. He scored many of his victories as a night fighter pilot and became known as the "Saviour of London" as a result of his success. He later went on to become a test pilot for de Havilland where he test flew the Beaver prototype - the first aircraft designed for short take-off and landing (STOL). In 1975, he was promoted to president and chief executive officer of de Havilland Aircraft Co. where he proved to be successful in selling the Beaver to the United States military, above all U.S. domestic aircraft.
William George Barker
Nickname: "Bill" Barker
Birthdate: November 3, 1894
Birth Place: Dauphin, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: March 12, 1930
Awards: VC, DSO, MC"His winning of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat must be regarded as one of the most outstanding contributions possible to Canadian aviation."
William Barker enlisted in the First Canadian Mounted Rifles in December, 1914 and arrived in England the following summer. He went to France as a machine gunner and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a Lieutenant Observer. While in England he earned his wings and after doing so, returned to France. As a fighter pilot, he downed a total of 50 enemy aircraft in his career. On October 27, 1918 he shot down 4 enemy aircraft after being engaged by two hostile formations, despite severe injuries. For this outstanding feat, he received the Victoria Cross. In 1924, Barker helped found the Royal Canadian Air Force and started one of Canada's first commercial air services with W.A. Bishop.
Ian Willoughby Bazalgette
Birthdate: October 19, 1918
Birth Place: Calgary, Alberta
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: August 4, 1944
Awards: VC, DFC
"His winning of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat must be regarded as one of the most outstanding contributions possible to Canadian aviation."
Ian Bazalgette was a member of the Royal Air Force in 1941 when he completed his training as a bomber pilot and was later posted to No. 115 Squadron. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1943 and became Squadron Leader. Later, transferred to Squadron 635 in April, 1944, he made his final mark by performing the most outstanding deeds in the most terrible conditions. On August 4, 1944, Squadron Leader Bazalgette came under fire on a mission that targeted Trossy St. Maxim, France. Despite destroyed starboard engines and a flaming fuselage, Bazalgette pressed on, completing the bombing raid. However, despite his agility in controlling the crippled Lancaster and sparing a French village in his touch down, he and two of his comrades died in the ensuing crash.
Birthdate: May 13, 1938
Birth Place: Laurier Station, Quebec
Year Inducted: 1999
Awards: CC"Under his distinguished leadership, Bombardier Aerospace has become one of the world’s largest civil aircraft manufacturers through acquisition, innovation, new products, strategic partnerships, geographic diversification and careful targeting of regional and business aircraft markets, with significant economic and lasting impact for Canada."
During a 35-year career at Bombardier, Laurent Beaudoin has emerged as one of Canada's most respected and influential corporate leaders in the aerospace industry. Bombardier progressed from modest beginnings in Quebec to a global manufacturer and supplier of aerospace and transit equipment, which in turn has provided significant economic benefits and helped to develop a strong technological base for Canada.
Alexander Graham Bell
Birthdate: March 3, 1847
Birth Place: Edinburgh, Scotland
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: August 2, 1922
"The brilliance of his intellect, applied without reserve to the mystery of manned flight, was a prime factor in the birth of North America's aviation industry and has proven to be of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Alexander Graham Bell, born in Scotland, moved to Ontario with his parents in 1870. In 1876 he invented the forerunner of the modern telephone and the gramophone. He began experimenting with rocket-powered propellers in 1891 (modern day helicopter rotors) and began designing huge man-carrying tetrahedral kites. Later, J.A.D. McCurdy, F.W. Baldwin and Bell formed the Aerial Experiment Association which designed Canada's first heavier-than-air machine. Bell, credited as the father of Canadian aviation, designed the Baddeck 1 and 2 and the Silver Dart. In the early 1900s, Bell also invented the first successful hydrofoil craft as a result of his research in aerodynamics.
Arthur Massey Berry
Nickname: "Matt" Berry
Birthdate: June 19, 1888
Birth Place: March, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: May 12, 1970
"Few pilots have contributed more to the development of Northern Canada, and the application of his professional abilities to the welfare of his fellow aviators was most noteworthy. His numerous aerial contributions have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Arthur Berry was commissioned at the outbreak of WWI in the 30th Wellington Rifles and proceeded overseas with the 153rd Battalion on the Canadian Expeditionary Force as a Captain. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in England and later returned to Canada as a flying instructor with the 189th Canadian Training Squadron. During his career as a pilot, Berry flew numerous missions over northern Canada, between centres as well as in the bush. His rescues included numerous downed members and their crews, despite rugged terrain and blinding snowstorms. In 1942, the U.S. government recognized his outstanding grasp of northern transportation problems and sought his services to oversee airfield construction in the Northwest Territories and for the CANOL Project.
George Frederick Beurling
Nickname: "Buzz" "Screwball"
Birthdate: December 6, 1921
Birth Place: Verdun, Quebec
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: May 20, 1948
Awards: DSO, DFC, DFM
"The brilliance of his air fighting tactics, performed in a self-imposed area of loneliness within a structured, military command, recall earlier wartime standards of heroic personal determination and have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
As a youngster, George Beurling was fascinated by aircraft and spent much of his time building model planes which he sold to pay for flying lessons. As a young man he earned his private license in 1939 but was twice refused enlistment in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the outbreak of WWII. He later made his way to England where he joined the RCAF's No. 403 Squadron. Within weeks he transferred to an international, RAF Spitfire Squadron on the Island of Malta (Mediterranean) where he shot down 17 enemy aircraft in just under four months. This success followed him throughout his career and, when released from service in 1944, he had totalled 31 confirmed aerial victories. After the war, lost in a world without air combat, he looked for an air force to join. Accepted into the Israeli Air Force as a pilot, Beurling was tragically killed ferrying a Canadian-built Norseman to Israel on May 20, 1948.
Birthdate: July 6, 1915
Birthplace: St. Catherines, Ontario
Year inducted: 2001
Death Date: September 10, 2004
Awards: CM, OBE, DFC, CD*****
"His complete dedication, in unbroken military service of over six decades, has inspired untold thousands of Canadian youth. His tireless and unselfish contributions to his community, his country and his fellow man, in war and in peace, have been of outstanding benefit to Canada and Canadians."Air Commodore (Ret'd) Leonard Joseph Birchall of Kingston, Ontario is a graduate and former Commandant of the Royal Military College of Canada. He was pilot of a Catalina flying boat in 1942 when he and his crew spotted the advance of the Japanese fleet steaming toward Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. Before being shot down and taken prisoner of war, they were able to alert the British of the approaching fleet. For this action, then Prime Minister Winston Churchill named Birchall "The Savior of Ceylon". He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for this action and the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry for his selfless conduct during a 40-month stay in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. Leonard Birchall was the longest serving officer in the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force, receiving a 5th Bar to his CD in 1996. He also served as Honourary Colonel of #413 Squadron.
William Avery Bishop
Nickname: "Billy" Bishop
Birthdate: February 8, 1894
Birth Place: Owen Sound, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: September 11, 1956
Awards: VC, CB, DSO, MC, DFC, ED
"His winning of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat must be regarded as one of the most outstanding contributions possible to Canadian aviation."
After an education at the Royal Military College in Ontario, William Bishop enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles in 1914. The next year he transferred to England's Royal Flying Corps and was posted to France as an air observer. During his career as a WWI pilot, Bishop downed numerous hostile aircraft and was honoured for his bravery, skill and determination. In 1918, he brought down 25 enemy aircraft in only 12 days and destroyed 45 within a five month period. This brought his total to 72 victories for which he received the Croix de Guerre.
Birthdate: July 13, 1947
Birth Place: Lethbridge, Alberta
Year Inducted: 1997"As young child she had a dream to be an airline pilot and by working steadfastly toward that goal, became the first female in Canada to achieve that level. Along the way she encouraged young people, especially females, to set and work toward their goals and continues to be an outstanding role model."
As a girl, Rosella Bjornson dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. She achieved that dream in 1973 when she became the first woman in Canada to be hired by an airline, Transair, and the first female First Officer in North America. In 1990 she became the first female Captain with Canadian Airlines, the first time a woman had been promoted to that position with a major Canadian air carrier. With her involvement with school career days and various campaigns directed towards encouraging young people to get an education, Rosella continues to be a role model, especially for young females.
Thurston Blakey
Nickname: "Rusty" Blakey
Birthdate: December 12, 1911
Birth Place: Ravenna, Ontario
Death Date: October 11, 1986
Year Inducted: 1992
Awards: CM
"His reliability and life-long commitment to flying and the service of people made him a "pilot's pilot", and was of benefit to Canadian aviation."
Thurston Blakey lived in Bruce Mines as a young boy with his aunt and uncle, after the death of his parents. While there, he spent a considerable amount of time with the pilots, mechanics and airplanes on the shores of Ramsey Lake. Blakey flew many medical evacuation flights in Northern Ontario, transported supplies and mail to the Eskimo along the coast of James Bay, delivered men and equipment to mines, did aerial photography and dropped the first dry ice crystals, an event that revolutionized forest fire fighting.
Ernest Joseph Boffa
Nickname: "Ernie" Boffa
Birthdate: April 16, 1904
Birth Place: Piedmont, Italy
Year Inducted: 1993
Death Date: March 8, 2004
"His superb navigational and engineering skills and competent command of his aircraft during the development of Canada's north have become legendary and have been of lasting benefit to Canadian aviation."
Ernest Boffa came to Canada in 1907 and lived briefly in Calgary, Alberta before moving with his family to Fort William, Ontario in 1915. As a young man, he worked at a bicycle shop part-time and later went on to apprentice as a mechanic for the Canadian Car and Foundry. He took flying lessons in Great Falls, Montana and, after receiving his commercial pilot's license, flew tourists in and around the Banff area, and serviced an oil well near Coutts, Alberta. At the outbreak of WWII, Boffa became a flying instructor at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and later serviced mining camps, Hudson's Bay posts and government offices throughout the Northwest Territories. In 1954 he went on to serve as "Technical Advisor" to the Project Manager of the DEW Line and for the next two years assisted in establishing radar stations throughout the far north.
Birthdate: December 18, 1918
Birthplace: Douglas, Arizona
Year Inducted: 2003"His 55 years of inspired civic duty and his outstanding leadership in military and commercial aviation have made a deep and lasting contribution to Canada and to its aviation industries in particular."
William Brenton Boggs, O.C., O.B.E., B.Eng.(Mech.), of Toronto, ON. During his 55-year career in civil aviation, Mr. Boggs held senior management positions in several Canadian aviation firms. Described as a leader in the industry, he made an outstanding contribution to the development of the Canadian aviation industry after serving in World War II. Mr. Boggs also dedicated himself to his community, serving on several boards, including the Toronto Symphony, the Canadian National Exhibition and the National Ballet of Canada.
Robert William Bradford
Nickname: "Bob" Bradford
Birthdate: December 17, 1923
Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1996"With enthusiasm, leadership and consummate dedication and outstanding knowledge of aviation history, he realized a vision for a national consciousness of Canada's aviation heritage, so that all Canadians may enjoy and benefit from this well-preserved heritage for generations to come."
Robert Bradford's paintings of significant Canadian aircraft are familiar to any aviation enthusiast. From beginnings as a RCAF pilot in 1943, he has distinguished himself by dedicating his life as aviation artist, historian and curator to preserving Canada's Aviation heritage. He was instrumental in the development of the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, Ontario and its building stands as a testament to his great energy, skill, leadership and persistence.
Wilfred Leigh Brintnell
Birthdate: August 27, 1895
Birth Place: Belleville, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1976
Death Date: January 22, 1971
Awards: OBE
"The dedication of his exceptional skills as both airman and operations manager during the inception of this nation's commercial flight operations and airmail services, his pioneer flights across unmapped territories and his self-set standards for perfection that fostered the highest operational standards within those under his command, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Wilfred Brintnell joined the Royal Flying Corps in Canada in 1917. The following year he was posted to instructional duties at the RAF's Central Flying School, Upavon, England. In 1927, Brintnell began working for Western Canada Airways and the next year piloted the first multi-engine flight from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Vancouver, British Columbia and return. Brintnell was also the first pilot to circle Great Bear Lake by air and completed the first over the mountains flight, from Aklavik, Northwest Territories to Dawson City, Yukon Territory. During WWII, Brintnell became the manager of Aircraft Repair Limited in Edmonton, Alberta which was given the task of repairing and maintaining military aircraft.
Helen Marcelle Harrison Bristol
Birthdate: December 7, 1909
Birth Place: Vancouver, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: April 27, 1995
"The career dedication of her flying skills to instruct an almost exclusively male population of students, despite adversity, has substantially benefited Canadian aviation."
Helen Harrison Bristol was educated in England and Belgium but it was in England that she commenced her flying studies at Eastbourne in 1933. She earned her private license in 1934 and traveled to South Africa and became an instructor in the Royal South African Air Force on military aircraft. Bristol then went on to upgrade her qualifications and earn commercial licenses in the U.S. and Canada. During WWII, Bristol became the first Canadian woman ferry pilot to serve with the RAF Transport Auxiliary. From 1961 until her retirement in 1969, she taught floatplane flying on the west coast.
Francis Roy Brown
Birthdate: September 13, 1896
Birth Place: Stockton, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1976
Death Date: November 30, 1960
"His contributions as a bush pilot, airmail pilot and World War Two test pilot, coupled with his total commitment to encourage a younger generation of airman to make substantial contributions to the development of northern flying, has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Francis Brown lived in Winnipeg, Manitoba until his enlistment in the Canadian Cycle Corps at the outbreak of WWI. He served with that unit in France at Ypres, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele until 1917 when he joined the Royal Flying Corps. He returned to Canada in 1923 and went to work for Western Canada Airways in Manitoba where he became superintendent and chief pilot of the company's airmail operations from 1930-32. After this, he became a test pilot of rebuilt aircraft for Macdonald Brothers Aircraft at Winnipeg, Manitoba and in 1947 organized Central Northern Airways, a predecessor of TransAir Limited. Later in life, Brown became a member of parliament and represented the constituency of Rupertsland in north-central Manitoba.
Birthdate: May 24, 1914
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 1999
Death Date: June 7, 1994"He has been described as the complete engineer, whose genius in solving difficult structural problems began with the development of the Chipmunk and carried through to the Dash 7 making his contribution to the family of de Havilland STOL aircraft of lasting value to Canadian aviation."
This former Chief Designer of de Havilland of Canada Ltd., has been described as the complete engineer, who's genius at solving difficult structural problems began with the Chipmunk through to the Dash 7. Fred Buller's pivotal role in the design of the DHC-2 Beaver aircraft was honoured by then president Phil C. Garratt who registered Beaver #1 as 'CF-FHB', using Buller's initials as this aircraft's call letters.
Maurice Burbidge
Nickname: "Moss" Burbidge
Birthdate: April 15, 1896
Birth Place: Brough East, Yorkshire, England
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: 1977
"His outstanding abilities as a pilot and his instructional talent, directed towards numerous embryonic aviators during his half-century of flight, has been of significant benefit to Canadian aviation."
Maurice Burbidge was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery at the outbreak of WWI and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps a year later. During his career in the corps, he served both as an instructor and bomber pilot and flew numerous night raids into German territory. Later in his career, Burbidge flew commercial flights out of Edmonton, Alberta but once again began instructing young pilots at the onset of WWII with the No. 16 Royal Canadian Air Force Elementary Flying Training School at Edmonton. For his outstanding accomplishment in training student pilots, he was awarded the Trans-Canada McKee Trophy.
Carl Frederick Burke
Birthdate: February 10, 1913
Birth Place: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Year Inducted: 1982
Death Date: September 7, 1976
Awards: MBE
"His skills as a pilot, his visionary leadership as a dedicated entrepreneur, his administrative ability which guided the establishment of regional air carriers in the eastern provinces, together with his substantial contributions to the development of northern flying, have been of outstanding benefit to the Nation."
During his career, Carl Burke involved himself in many aspects of Canadian aviation. He obtained his private pilot's license in July, 1937 and later accepted a position with Canadian Airways Limited at Moncton, New Brunswick. In 1941, Burke and an associate, Josiah Anderson, formed their own Maritime air service, which became known as Maritime Central Airways. During the post war slump, Burke kept busy conducting seal surveys, lobster charters, bush flying, and ice patrols for the Federal Department of Transport. In 1954 when the United States and Canada entered into an agreement to construct the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, Burke was named administrator of the project. His experience proved to be invaluable in the operation's success. By the end of his career, Burke was certified on 23 different types of aircraft.© Copyright in the portrait drawings of the honoured members of the Aviation Hall of Fame, which were prepared by Mrs. I. Coucill are the property of Mrs. Coucill.