Arthur George Sims

Arthur George (Tim) Sims was born in London, England, on January 22, 1907. He was educated at University College School before coming to Canada in 1927. He spent the next four years working for Canadian Wright Limited and its associated company, British Aeroplane Engines Limited at Montreal, Quebec, in the assembly, overhaul and testing of their engines. He later became technical representative, visiting operators across Canada.

Because of his extensive knowledge of low-temperature engine operation, he was loaned to Commercial Airways of Edmonton for the inaugural airmail flight from Fort McMurray, Alberta, to Aklavik on the Arctic Ocean, in 1929. He flew as mechanic with W.R. 'Wop' May in a Wright-powered Bellanca on this 1,600-mile (2,575 km) trip down the Mackenzie River.

During this period Sims earned his Air Engineer's A & C Certificate, and qualified for a Commercial Pilot's Certificate in Montreal. He also completed a Royal Canadian Air Force navigation and night flying course at Camp Borden, Ontario. In 1931 he joined the Trans-Canada Air Pageant which toured Canada as a showcase for the latest in Canadian civil and military aircraft. Sims' role in the tour was as an expert on the highly respected Wright aircraft engine.

In 1932 he flew for Northern Skyways at Rouyn, Quebec, as a bush pilot, and earned the Air Engineer's D Certificate. The following year he was co-founder, with C.R. Troup, of Dominion Skyways, operating in northern Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador. During 1936-37, while he was Chief Pilot and Manager of Newfoundland Skyways, an associated company, he organized and carried out the transportation of geologists and prospectors seeking gold in the interior of Labrador. No gold was found there, but large iron ore deposits were discovered on the Labrador-Quebec border at Knob Lake (now called Schefferville).

Until 1938 he flew the Canadian Shield area of eastern Canada on freighting and passenger contracts to mining operations. This seven-year, accident-free bush operation testified to the aerial competence of Sims and his crews. During this period, he completed an instrument-flying course at the Boeing School of Aeronautics at Burbank, California. He was hired as Vice-President for Aero Engines of Canada Limited at Montreal because of his extensive knowledge of aircraft engines. At the same time, he flew as test pilot for Canadian Vickers Limited.

The Government of Canada seconded Sims in 1940 to the Department of Munitions and Supply at Ottawa as Director of Engine and Propeller Overhaul. He was appointed to the National Research Council Aero Engine Committee. During this period, he also test-flew military designated aircraft.

From 1942 until war's end in 1945 he flew military aircraft across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the United Kingdom, Australia, Egypt, India, and West Africa, for the Royal Air Force Ferry Command.

Sims then obtained his Transport Pilot's Licence and Instrument Rating. During 1946-47, he flew a Bristol Freighter on a 40,000-mile (64,000 km) demonstration flight throughout North and South America, followed by charter freight operations in Venezuela and Labrador.

From 1948 to 1964, he worked as sales representative for Canadair Limited at Montreal. For the first two years he led the North Star aircraft sales teams to the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Italy. He was then appointed Service Manager and given responsibility of support programs for the Canadair-built F-86 Sabre and T-33 jet aircraft in Canada, United Kingdom, France, West Germany, Greece, Turkey, and Colombia. He was appointed Director of the Air Industries and Transport Association.

Sims was promoted to Director of Military Aircraft Sales for Canadair in 1955, providing liaison with the RCAF, RAF, British Army, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. He held this position until he retired in 1964.

He died at Clearwater, Florida, on January 26, 1982.

"Tim" Sims enjoyed aviation history and writing about aviation. During his retirement, he devoted much time to both. As well, he served on the National Aviation Museum Committee.

Arthur George (Tim) Sims was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974 at a ceremony held in Edmonton, Alberta.