OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1973, Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization that recognizes and honours individuals and organizations for making outstanding contributions to Canadian aviation. The Hall got its start after a March 1973 gathering of aviation notables C.H ‘Punch’ Dickins, S.A. ‘Sammy’ Tomlinson, S.R. ‘Stan’ McMillan, Walter E. Gilbert, and Maxwell W. Ward. The Calgary Herald had dubbed them “Hall of Fame Aviators,” but no such Hall then existed. Efforts were soon in motion to correct this, and support for the idea quickly gathered steam.
The first Board of Directors of the newly incorporated Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame comprised Chairman C.H. ‘Punch’ Dickins, Vice-Chairman Donald N. Watson, and Secretary H.W. ‘Harry’ Hayter. Others included Z.L. ‘Lewie’ Leigh, P.S. ‘Stan’ Turner, and L. ‘Lindy’ Rood. Raymond A. Munro, who served as the initial Managing Director, took on the bulk of the work.
Today, Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame is governed by a National Board of Directors, an Alberta Division and an Operations Committee. The organization is supported by numerous enthusiastic volunteers who seek to uphold and share the rich history of Canadian aviation preserved through the stories of its inducted members.
The member profiles, artefacts, and exhibits contained herein represent just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the history of Canadian aviation. These extraordinary people all made contributions to the advancement of aviation in Canada, whether as pilots, aeronautical engineers, doctors, scientists, or administrators.
Mission
To honour those individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to aviation and aerospace in Canada; and to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret artifacts and documents, thereby inspiring and educating Canadians.
Vision
Keeping our aviation heroes, leaders and innovators and their accomplishments in the hearts and minds of Canadians.
CAHF Portrait Artists
As a national not-for-profit Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame would like to thank our sponsors and donors, we couldn't do it without you! Thank You!
Liberaliter viam monstrabant - Unselfishly they showed the way
Honorary Poet in Recognition of his famous sonnet, "High Flight"
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame has declared John Gillespie Magee Jr. as its Honorary Poet. Magee was a 19-year old Spitfire pilot serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force when he wrote his famous sonnet, “High Flight,” which has become a symbol of lost aircrew in both peace and war.
Born in Shanghai, China to missionary parents, John G. Magee Jr. attended Rugby School in England where he first distinguished himself as a poet. Later, continuing his education in the United States, Magee earned a scholarship to Yale University. However, in 1941, before the United States entered the Second World War, instead of attending university, Magee enlisted in the RCAF and trained as a pilot in Canada, graduating with the rank of Pilot Officer.
Posted to England and qualifying as a Spitfire fighter pilot, John wrote “High Flight” after completing a training flight. The poem was mailed to his parents, first printed in a Pittsburgh newspaper, and became widely known after publication in his father’s Washington D.C. church bulletin. On December 11, 1941, Magee was killed in a mid-air collision in England.
