Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
Profile of Members
Birthdate: October 14, 1914
Birth Place: Montreal, Quebec
Year Inducted: 2005
Death Date: March 28, 1988
Awards: AFC, CD
“Through his superior intellect and his devotion to duty, his accomplishments as a high latitude researcher and development of a practical polar grid navigation system, he has made a superb contribution to aviation in Canada’s polar regions and safer worldwide air transport operations.”Maclure began his career as air navigator within the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. He was named instructor at the Empire Air Navigation School (EANS) in England, where he elaborated on a theory proposing a system of polar navigation by grid (Polar Grid System) which would revolutionize aviation in the Arctic. At that time, radio beacons and other electronic navigation aids in the North were still many years in the future. By using the astro compass along with a network of lines drawn parallel to the Greenwich meridian, Maclure succeeded in thwarting the aberrations of the magnetic compass and the rapid changes of meridians in polar region. The system was tested successfully in May, 1945 with a specially modified Lancaster bomber, named “Aries I”. The flights lasted nearly 19 hours, during which Maclure remained confined during long periods in the cold rear of the fuselage taking frequent navigation observations. The system imagined by Maclure stood out as the first real system of navigation by instruments in the polar environment, inaugurating a new era.
Frank Archibald MacDougall
Birthdate: June 16, 1896
Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: June 27, 1975
"His practical development of aircraft modification and utilization, in the protection and preservation of forested areas and wilderness parks, has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Frank MacDougall received his primary and secondary education at Carleton Place, Ontario and attended Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario in 1915 until he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery. After service in France at Vimy Ridge, MacDougall returned to Canada and finished a degree in forestry. Upon graduating, the government of Ontario hired him as assistant forester of the Pembroke and Sault Ste. Marie districts. It was at this time that MacDougall recognized the importance of using aircraft to protect and administer the province's parks and developed this type of air service which proved successful in not only detecting forest fires, but in fighting them as well. It was his department that was directly responsible for the development of water-bombing tanks used in fire fighting.
Elizabeth Muriel Gregory MacGill
Nickname: "Elsie" MacGill
Birthdate: March 27, 1905
Birth Place: Vancouver, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 1983
Death Date: November 4, 1980
Awards: OC
"Her contribution to Canadian and international design and engineering, her high honours, her resolve that led her to the top of her profession, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Elizabeth MacGill received her elementary and secondary education in Vancouver and then attended the University of Toronto. She was the first woman to graduate from that university with an Electrical Engineering Degree in 1927 and later attended Michigan University where she became the first woman to get her Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from that university. During her career MacGill worked in aeronautical design and wrote numerous articles on aviation. In 1938 she became Chief Aeronautical Engineer at Fort William (Thunder Bay) and later established her own business as an aeronautical consultant. During WWII, MacGill was responsible for mass production of military aircraft at the Fort William plant and was also in charge of the engineering work related to the Canadian production of the Hawker Hurricane. In 1946 she became the first woman to serve as Canadian Technical Advisor to the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization, where she helped draft the international air worthiness regulation for the design and production of commercial aircraft.
Gerald Lester MacInnis
Nickname: "Gerry"
Birthdate: June 2, 1914
Birth Place: Amherst, Nova Scotia
Year Inducted: 1973
Death Date: March 6, 1991
"He has met and defeated every aeronautical challenge as both pilot and navigator in the cruellest of geographic arenas and his Arctic flights have proven to be of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Gerald MacInnis was educated at Point Pleasant, Prince Edward Island and Montreal, Quebec. In 1941 he joined the RCAF and was posted with No. 116 Squadron at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He later transferred to No. 117 Squadron and flew aerial patrols over the Gulf of St. Lawrence. During his aviation career, MacInnis also flew with Maritime Central Airways where he transported men, equipment and supplies in the construction of the DEW Line.
Donald Roderick MacLaren
Birthdate: May 28, 1893
Birth Place: Ottawa, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1977
Death Date: July 4, 1989
Awards: DSO DFC MC
"His exceptional success as a wartime aviator in the cause of peace, coupled with a succession of civil pioneering achievements as a first generation bush pilot and his dedication to purpose in fostering the growth of the Air Cadet League of Canada, despite adversity, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Donald MacLaren moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1898 where he attended Western Canada College, then McGill University at Montreal, Quebec before joining his family at Keg River Prairie in northern Alberta. In 1917 he joined the Royal Flying Corps in Canada and was posted to No. 46 Squadron, RFC in France where he became commander of the squadron within a year. At war's end, he transferred to the newly-formed Canadian Air Force in England and in 1921 returned to Vancouver, British Columbia where he organized Pacific Airways Limited. His company later merged with Western Canada Airways and he became superintendent of the Western Division of WCA. In 1937 he was employed by Trans-Canada Air Lines and in 1945 was named executive assistant to the president. He formed the first Air Cadet squadron at Winnipeg in 1941. MacLaren later became President of the Air Cadet League of Canada.
Merlin William MacLeod
Nickname: "Mac"
Birthdate: February 1, 1892
Birth Place: Olympia, Washington
Year Inducted: 1977
Death Date: December 12, 1959
"His engineering skills, coupled with inventive genius, an ability and willingness to explain his engineering principles, the self-set standards of perfections which he himself met and which he demanded of others, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Merlin MacLeod moved to Vancouver, British Columbia with his family in 1910. He joined Canadian Airways Limited at Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1929 as a flight mechanic and worked with bush pilots in Canada's northland. In 1937 he was employed by Trans-Canada Air Lines at Winnipeg as an air engineer, before moving to Dorval, Quebec as superintendent of production overhaul. Among his inventions were the development of the cross-over exhaust system (which provided remarkable noise reduction in the cabin of the North Star Aircraft), pneumatic de-icers, emergency fuel systems and hydraulic and lubrication systems. His development of a cowl flap substantially benefited Canadian air transport and was used internationally by aircraft manufacturers and operators. MacLeod also introduced new instruction methods in job handling and personnel training.
Kenneth Barry Marsden
Birthdate: June 15, 1939
Birth Place: Vancouver, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 2009“His visionary leadership has made Conair Group a world leader in the development of aerial fire control services, and Cascade Aerospace a specialist in fleet management, maintenance and modification services, resulting in major contributions to Canada’s aviation industry.”
2009 Induction Video - Biography of Kenneth Barry Marsden
Nickname: "Wop" May
Birthdate: March 20, 1896
Birth Place: Carberry, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: June 21, 1952
Awards: OBE DFC
"The continued offering of his aeronautical brilliance in the cruellest geographic arenas, his total dedication to the cause of uniting people through air transport, and his numerous and humane contributions, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Wilfrid May was educated in Alberta at Edmonton and Calgary. He left the University of Alberta in 1916 to enlist with the 202nd City of Edmonton Battalion. On April 20, 1918 during an aerial engagement over enemy territory, he shot down one aircraft before Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron" attacked him. Out of ammunition, May led the Baron into Allied airspace where the Baron was shot down by another Canadian, Arthur Roy Brown. In 1919, May joined his brother in forming May Aeroplanes Limited at Edmonton, the first air service for that city; he also founded the Edmonton and Northern Alberta Aero Club. During his aviation career May helped transport a serum to Fort Vermilion, Alberta, where there was a diphtheria outbreak. He was also commissioned by the RCMP to help them locate from the air the man known as the Mad Trapper, who had shot police and several other searchers. In WWII, May became supervisor of the BCATP Schools operated by Canadian Pacific Airlines and developed a trained parachute squad that volunteered with Canadian and American forces, saving the lives of many airmen.
William Sydney May
Birthdate: December 24, 1909
Birth Place: Madawaska, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1979
Death Date: July 29, 1981
"With superlative mastery of all aspects of aircraft flight, he has displayed the highest order of professionalism over four decades, with results that have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
William May was educated at Melville, Saskatchewan and in Winnipeg, Manitoba where he worked as an apprentice for the Canadian National Railways. In 1930, he commenced flying instruction at the Northwest Aero Marine and after several years of instructing, barnstorming and charter flying, he worked his way to England and became a pilot for Imperial Airways Limited. He was placed in charge of pilot training with British Overseas Airways Corporation, which absorbed Imperial Airways in 1939. During his career, May piloted high priority passengers during WWII and it was his foresight that caused the RAF to select Reykjavik, Iceland as a refuelling point for westbound flights at this time. In 1951 May accepted a new position with Canadian Pacific Airlines at their repair depot in Calgary. In this role he test flew various aircraft types; he later worked for Queen Charlotte Airlines where he established new routes along British Columbia's coast to the Arctic Sea.
Fred Robert Gordon McCall
Birthdate: December 4, 1895
Birth Place: Vernon, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 1978
Death Date: January 22, 1949
Awards: DSO MC DFC
"His exquisite mastery of primitive military aeronautics and his dedication to opening new routes of air travel through mountainous areas, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Fred McCall moved to Calgary, Alberta in 1906, completed his education there and joined the 175th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1916. He arrived in England and was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in France. By the end of 1917, he flew reconnaissance and photographic missions. During his aviation career in the war, McCall transferred to numerous squadrons and shot down several hostile aircraft. At war's end he established McCall Aero Company Limited at Calgary and flew commercial freight and passengers throughout the prairie provinces. He later organized Great Western Airways Limited at Calgary and pioneered a mountain air route linking Calgary, Banff, Fernie and Golden. With this firm, McCall transported, for the first time by air, 200 quarts of nitro-glycerine from Shelby, Montana to Calgary to an oil-drilling operation.
Birthdate: January 5, 1923
Birth Place: Moncton, New Brunswick
Year Inducted: 2002
Death Date: April 19, 2008
"His outstanding dedication to the advancement of flight training, coupled with his tireless efforts to teach and inspire the youth of Canada through the Air Cadet League, have been of major benefit to Canadians."
Donald Stuart McClure of Shediac, NB. Mr. McClure was awarded the Yorath Trophy by the Royal Canadian Flying Clubs an unprecedented sixteen times over his aviation career of more than sixty years. His long association with the Air Cadet movement, excellence in the area of flight instruction and dedication to the preservation of Canada's aviation history through his involvement with the CAHS number only a few in his long list of accomplishments and contributions.
Birthdate: April 8, 1927
Birth Place: Edmonton, Alberta
Year Inducted: 2005
“His creative aptitude as an innovator, his skills as a market analyst, and his success in initiating the concept of the Regional Jet and following it through to test flight have greatly benefited aviation in Canada.”Eric McConachie began his aviation career by joining his older brother, Grant, with CP Air. In 1958, McConachie left the company to join Canadair Ltd. During his nine years at Canadair, he was directly involved in development and marketing of the CL-540, CL-41 Tutor, the CL-44D4 Swing Tail cargo aircraft, CL-91 Dynatrac/Army XM-571 and CL-89 surveillance drone, CL-84 Dynavert, and CL-215 Water Bomber. Following the purchase of Canadair by Bombardier, McConachie suggested to the company that it take Canadair’s successful Challenger executive jet and stretch it into a passenger airliner. The introduction of the RJ has been claimed by some to be one of the most significant events in the first 100 years of aviation.
George William Grant McConachie
Birthdate: April 24, 1909
Birth Place: Hamilton, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: June 29, 1965
"His dedication to purpose bridged all barriers, linking this continent with others and resulting in outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Grant McConachie grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and earned a private pilot's license in 1929 and his commercial license in 1930. He became chief pilot of Independent Airways at Edmonton, Alberta, a company he co-founded, then became president and general manager. Through his aerial exploration, both the Alaska highway and CANOL Project came to earlier and successful conclusions. His company utilized the radio compass and the first multi-engined aircraft. McConachie later became president of Canadian Pacific Airlines (a conglomerate of many smaller airlines) where he directed the launching of seven more international routes to Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Holland, Portugal and Spain.
John Alexander Douglas McCurdy
Birthdate: August 12, 1886
Birth Place: Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Year Inducted: 1973
Death Date: June 25, 1961
Awards: MBE
"The dedication of his engineering talents to the development 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."
John McCurdy was educated at Baddeck Academy and in Ontario at the University of Toronto. He became a partner in the Aerial Experiment Association, formed by Alexander Graham Bell and worked on the design and construction of their first aircraft, the Red Wing. On February 23, 1909 he completed the first heavier-than-air machine flight in Canada. McCurdy also made the first ocean flight from Florida to Cuba and sent and received the first messages while aloft in 1911. He opened Canada's first aviation school and was chiefly responsible for the founding of the Royal Canadian Air Force along with W. G. Barker and W. A. Bishop.
Gordon Roy McGregor
Birthdate: September 26, 1901
Birth Place: Montreal, Quebec
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: March 3, 1971
Awards: CC OBE DFC
"His dedication to the linking together of this nation's far-flying communities by a national air service, has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Gordon McGregor was educated at St. Andrew's College, Toronto, Ontario and graduated from McGill University at Montreal in 1923 with a degree in Engineering. His flying career began at Kingston, Ontario in 1932 and the following year he gained his pilot's license at Ottawa. He served as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain in which he downed numerous enemy aircraft. After the war, McGregor worked for Trans-Canada Air Lines at Montreal and three years later was named president. He also became the principal figure in guiding the airline through its difficult years of expansion, with the result that Air Canada, as it was renamed in 1965, became one of the world's leading carriers.
Robert Billo McIntyre Birthdate: August 12, 1913
Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario
Year Inducted: 2006
Death Date: September 23, 1985
"The combination of his knowledge of mechanical and aeronautical engineering, his superior communication and marketing skills, together with his vision and perseverance, have contributed greatly to the lasting success of de Havilland Canada internationally and to the entire Canadian aviation community."
Robert McIntyre devoted a lifetime of skill, endeavour and passion on behalf of the Canadian aerospace industry, and made a significant contribution to each de Havilland Canada aircraft production program and major department, from the Mosquito in World War 2 to the Dash 8 program, in production to this day.2006 Induction Video - Biography of Robert Billo McIntyre
Birthdate: August 30, 1911
Birth Place: Killarney, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 2002
Death Date: February 24, 2005"His pioneering vision and unswerving determination to fight forest fires from the air, preventing untold loss of property and lives, have been of substantial benefit to Canadians."
Daniel Erskine McIvor of Richmond, BC. Mr. McIvor's aviation career spanned over 35 years and he logged over 11, 000 hours as pilot. Among his many accomplishments he is probably best know as the "Father of the Mars Waterbombers". His determination and foresight were tested and proven with the selection, conversion and operation of these huge aircraft for aerial fire suppression.
Alexander Daniel McLean
Nickname: "Dan" McLean
Birthdate: January 31, 1896
Birth Place: Maxville, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: May 16,1969
Awards: OBE
"The total commitment of his aeronautical expertise to improving this nation's airways and airports has resulted in outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Alexander McLean moved to Innisfail, Alberta in 1907 and attended school in Calgary. He enlisted in 1917 in the Royal Flying Corps and was ordered to England where he served as a flying instructor until war's end. While attending the University of Alberta at Edmonton during 1919, he joined the Canadian Air Force Reserve. In 1929 the Canadian government gained his services as Inspector of the Western Airways. He organized construction of the first airways system on the prairies and completed an aerial survey of a Rocky Mountain flyway to Vancouver, British Columbia from Alberta via the Crow's Nest Pass. During 1935 he initiated a survey of possible airways through northwest Canada into Alaska and at the time of WWII, was responsible for the development of all airports provided for the BCATP. During his career, McLean also saw to the construction of a chain of airports complete with night-lighting, weather reports and radio services, which proved vital to the aviation industry.
Birthdate: September 28, 1920
Birthplace: Verdun, Quebec
Year Inducted: 2003
Death Date: January 5, 2004"His contributions to the military as an aeronautical engineer, and his many years of outstanding leadership in civil aviation administration have been of lasting benefit to Canadian aviation."
Walter McDonald McLeish, C.D., B.Eng., M.Eng.(Aeronautical), of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. McLeish’s career spanned the development and expansion of civil aviation in Canada. His vision for civil aviation while employed by Transport Canada led him to introduce many of the standard systems and safety procedures that are used today. Through his efforts, Canada became a world leader in aviation development.
Alan Arnett McLeod
Birthdate: April 20, 1899
Birth Place: Stonewall, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: November 6, 1918
Awards: VC
"His winning of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat must be regarded as one of the most outstanding contributions possible to Canadian aviation."
Alan McLeod enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps and completed his training in August 1917. He sailed for England and joined No. 51 Squadron, RFC as Lieutenant. He was Mentioned in Despatches for a daring operation on January 14, 1918 when he and his observer, Lieutenant Reginald Key attacked and brought down a heavily defended observational balloon. Lieutenant McLeod earned his Victoria Cross while piloting a bomber over France, before his 19th birthday.
Stanley Ransom McMillan
Nickname: "Stan" McMillan
Birthdate: October 3, 1904
Birth Place: Dryden, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: March 4, 1991
"He has made outstanding contributions to Canadian aviation by the unselfish application of his exceptional skills as a pilot and navigator, despite adversity, and was instrumental in designing new operational procedures in northern Canada that have benefited this nation's growth."
Stanley McMillan moved to Edmonton, Alberta where he learned to fly with the RCAF Reserve in 1925. He joined the RCAF in 1927 and flew on northern Canadian operations for two years. He then joined Dominion Explorers Limited as a pilot, probing unmapped Arctic regions. In 1929 he shared with another pilot the honour of being the first airmen to penetrate the Barren Lands and during a downed geological expedition, he and his party trekked across frozen Arctic Ocean channels to the safety of the isolated outpost of Cambridge Bay. During his career McMillan flew with Commercial Airways, Canadian Airways Limited and Mackenzie Air Services and in doing so made the first commercial link with Alaska Airlines in 1935 and flew numerous mercy missions. In 1946, he flew aerial photographic surveys for Arctic Airlines, then formed Air Surveys Ltd. with a partner and continued survey flights for the Canadian government until 1952.
Archibald Major McMullen
Nickname: "Archie" McMullen
Birthdate: July 29, 1906
Birth Place: Gilbert Plains, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1973
Death Date: June 13, 1983
"His quest for perfection as an Arctic airman, despite adversity, helped make the term "bush pilot" synonymous with "resourcefulness" and has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Archibald McMullen moved to Nanton, Alberta as a child and lived in several of the province's communities. He joined F. R. McCall as a mechanic in 1927 and formed Great Western Airways at Bowness, Alberta. The firm gained a distributorship for de Havilland aircraft and later formed a flying school. In 1930 Commercial Airways was absorbed by Canadian Airways and McMullen completed numerous inaugural airmail flights. In 1937 he joined Mackenzie Air Services and helped search for the missing Levanevsky party. In 1940, he served as a test pilot of repaired aircraft used in the BCATP. His experience on various aircraft types under punishing circumstances were put to use in Canada's north as a check pilot for Canadian Pacific Airlines. He oversaw the flying abilities of the line's pilots in the Edmonton district as well as those on air operations during construction of the DEW Line radar bases on the rim of the Arctic Ocean.
Robert Wendell McNair
Nickname: "Buck" McNair
Birthdate: May 15, 1919
Birth Place: Springhill, Nova Scotia
Death Date: January 15, 1971
Year Inducted: 1990
Awards: DSO DFC CD
"His leadership, courage, dedication and his indomitable will to survive were manifestations of his contribution to Canadian aviation."
Robert McNair grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan and was employed as a ground wireless operator. He enrolled in the RCAF in June 1940 and graduated as a pilot in March 1941. He transferred to Malta where he destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged eight others and scored several more hits during a fierce air battle in his Spitfire over Dieppe. McNair became Squadron Leader in early 1943 of 416 Squadron and then 421 Squadron and in doing so, added eight more victories to his name. McNair's courage and bravery exhibited in WWII carried through to his civil service when in 1953, the North Star aircraft on which he was traveling as Senior Officer crashed at Sea Island, British Columbia. Although injured and soaked in gasoline, he managed to rescue and account for all passengers and crew members.
Bert William Mead
Birthdate: May 21, 1923
Birth Place: Vermilion, Alberta
Year Inducted: 1974
Awards: CD
"His record can be matched only by those airmen of high endeavour and professional calling, who have devoted their lives and skills to the benefit of the free world despite adversity, and whose contributions have substantially benefited Canadian aviation."
Bert Mead attended school in Vermillion, Alberta and later went to the University of Alberta. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1943 and graduated as a pilot in 1944. He later resigned from the RCAF to enrol in the Royal Navy as a sub-Lieutenant pilot and after the war's end, transferred to the VX-10 Squadron of Royal Canadian Navy. During this time Mead was responsible for flight testing the world's first successful automatic take-off and landing system. The project permitted military aircraft to depart from or land on an aircraft carrier in any weather, in any type of sea. He also test flew numerous types of aircraft and helped to develop the hovercraft search and rescue unit at Vancouver, British Columbia. He then joined the Ministry of Transport as the commander of the Vancouver-based Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) search and rescue unit, where over 230 rescue missions were performed at sea by the group. He was the country's first qualified ACV pilot and assisted in writing the regulations governing their operation.
Almer Leonard Michaud
Birthdate: March 9, 1914
Birth Place: New Westminster, British Columbia
Year Inducted: 1993
Death Date: October 20, 1998
"His insistence on operational integrity and service as well as his organizational skills in both charter and scheduled airlines along with his dedication to safety in the industry has shaped the country's policy and been of considerable benefit to Canadian aviation."
Almer Michaud was educated in the Langley, B.C. area and learned to fly from his brother, Lloyd, during WWII. He joined the RCAF in 1940 and served as staff pilot at No. 2 Air Observers School in Edmonton, Alberta and No. 5 Air Observers School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At war's end, Michaud and his brother bought out Gilbert's Flying Services and started up their own charter business. This venture proved successful and by 1973, their company, West Coast Air Services in Vancouver, had formed the first commuter connector partnership in Canada. Michaud also developed rules for air safety and prepared the Regional Air Carrier policy.
Robert Bruce Middleton
Birthdate: May 5, 1912
Birth Place: Fort Francis, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1989
Death Date: March 24, 1970
Awards: AFC
"His broad experience gained in thirty-five years of civil and military aviation has been passed on for the outstanding benefit of Canadian aviation."
Robert Middleton moved with his family to Australia in 1920 but returned to Manitoba two years later and lived in several Manitoba towns. In 1928 he took flying lessons and attained his private pilot's license in 1932. He earned his commercial certificate later that same year. Middleton was anxious to join the RAF and although refused in Canada, his attempt to join the Force in England proved successful. In 1936 Middleton began flying for Imperial Airways and in 1937 began to work for Trans-Canada Air Lines. In December 1937 he became one of the founding members of the Canadian Air Line Pilot's Association. At the onset of WWII, Middleton became Wing Commander of No. 164 Squadron and in 1943 was placed "In Command" of 168 Mail Squadron, carrying airmail overseas. In December 1944 Middleton piloted the first flight of mail to the UK and the Middle East.
Birthdate: October 30, 1943
Birthplace: Haileybury, Ontario
Year Inducted: 2004
“As one of Canada’s foremost aviation historians and one of the most successful and influential publishers of Canadian aviation history, he has made a significant and prodigious contribution to the recording of Canada’s aviation history, meticulously documenting with photographs the role that aviation has played in the development of Canada.”
Larry Milberry BA, M.Ed., of Toronto, ON. Born in 1943, Milberry is one of Canada’s foremost aviation historians and one of the most successful and influential publishers of Canadian aviation history. He has made a significant and prodigious contribution to the recording of Canada’s aviation history, meticulously documenting, with photographs, the role that aviation has played in the development of our country. He wrote his first book, Aviation in Canada, in 1979, then established his own publishing company, CANAV Books, and has written and published many of his own books, such as The Canadair North Star, Air Transport in Canada, and Canada’s Air Force (a four-volume set). Milberry has published works by other notable Canadian aviation historians, as well as several he has co-authored with other distinguished researchers. He was recognized by the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute by appointment as Honourary Fellow.
Jack Moar
Birthdate: August 13, 1905
Birth Place: Maniwaki, Quebec
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: April 26, 1977
"His contributions as an airman in converting wilderness areas into habitable communities, and his pioneering night airmail flights to improve the nation's communications system, despite adversity have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Jack Moar attended school at Semans and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and learned to fly with the RCAF in 1924. In 1929 he resigned from the RCAF to join Western Canada Airways and when WCA instituted the night airmail service across the prairies, he piloted the inaugural flight. In 1937 Moar, with several other pilots, formed Skylines Express Limited where he scheduled air services between Toronto, Ontario and Winnipeg, Manitoba to service the mining communities. The following year he became operations manager of Yukon Southern Air Transport based at Edmonton, Alberta and later joined Aircraft Repair Limited in Edmonton.
Angus Curran Morrison
Birthdate: April 22, 1919
Birth Place: Toronto, Ontario
Year Inducted: 1989
Date of Death: June 30, 2003
"His dedication to the betterment of the Air Transport Industry has been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation."
Angus Morrison, educated at Upper Canada and Bishop's College, served with the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps in the UK, North Africa and Italy and became a pilot before demobilization. He founded and operated his own firm, Atlas Aviation Ltd., in 1947 in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1962 he became president of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) where he lobbied for more liberal government regulations of Canadian air transportation and aviation training. He established the Instructor Refresher Courses which were jointly developed by the RCFCA and ATAC.
Raymond Alan Munro
Nickname: "Ray" Munro
Birthdate: July 14, 1921
Birth Place: Montreal, Quebec
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: May 29, 1994
Awards: CM
"He has consistently displayed a dogged persistence in overcoming every aeronautical challenge facing him, and despite adversity has made outstanding contributions to Canadian aviation in several areas of flight."
Raymond Munro was educated in Canada and the United States and commenced flying at Toronto, Ontario in 1937 and joined the RCAF in 1940. During his career in aviation, Munro was posted as a Spitfire pilot for day intruder work in France and bomber escort duty, then served as a night fighter pilot on the North Sea patrol. Following this he became a flying newsman for 17 years. He was later selected as Expo ' 67 Polar Ambassador and flew a single-engine aircraft through the high Arctic to honour Canada's pioneer bush pilots. He is one of Canada's most distinguished parachutists and holds the highest international license. He made 528 descents by day and night as chief instructor and design tester for North American Parachute Company.
Andrew Charles Mynarski
Nickname: "Andy" Mynarski
Birthdate: October 14, 1916
Birth Place: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Year Inducted: 1974
Death Date: June 12, 1944
Awards: VC
"His winning of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat must be regarded as one of the most outstanding contributions possible to Canadian aviation."
Andrew Mynarski was educated at Winnipeg, Manitoba and later employed as a leather worker. He enlisted in the Winnipeg Rifles in 1940 and transferred to the RCAF the following year. In 1942 he trained as an air gunner. He transferred to No. 9 Squadron, RAF and in 1944 joined No. 419 Squadron where he complete 12 operational flights. During service with this squadron, Mynarski was awarded the Victoria Cross. On June 12, 1944 Mynarski and the crew aboard a Lancaster bomber were sent to attack a target at Cambrai in France. The aircraft came under heavy attack and both engines failed. As the plane lost altitude, the crew bailed out while Mynarski tried to save the rear gunner trapped in the turret. Mynarski's attempts were unsuccessful and finally he jumped from the flaming aircraft but not without a final salute to his comrade. Mynarski was found with his clothes and parachute still aflame and later died from his injuries. The rear gunner miraculously survived the crash and explained that had Mynarski not stayed behind, he would have most certainly escaped death.© 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.
