Almer Leonard Michaud

Almer Leonard (Al) Michaud was born on March 19, 1914, in New Westminster, British Columbia, and was educated in the Langley area. His brother Lloyd, a partner in Gilbert's Flying Service, taught him how to fly prior to World War II. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1941 and served as staff pilot at No. 2 Air Observers School (AOS) in Edmonton, Alberta, and No. 5 AOS in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 1942 Al Michaud and his brother Lloyd bought the remaining shares in Gilbert's Flying Service, but wartime restrictions suspended all operations of the company. In 1945 the Michaud brothers returned from wartime flying duties and resumed operations as a new company, Vancouver U Fly, with Al Michaud holding the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Their company developed into one of the most successful flying schools ever formed in western Canada.

They became distributors of Cessna aircraft in 1946 and also received an Air Transport Board licence to operate land and sea air charter services from their base in Vancouver. British Columbia's rugged coastline and costs of building roads caused companies engaged in lumbering, mining and fishing to rely to a large extent on air travel, which made up the bulk of the charter business. The charter service was such a success that by 1955 the company's name was changed to West Coast Air Services, which seemed to describe the scope of operations more appropriately.

After the federal government took over the Vancouver Airport from its former owner, the City of Vancouver, plans for future use and development of the airport began to emerge. By 1964 operational restrictions imposed at Vancouver International Airport limited its use to licenced pilots only, and therefore, initial flight training was moved to a nearby airport, Pitt Meadows. The one aspect of West Coast Air Services business most affected by the new ruling was their flying school. They decided to phase out pre-licence pilot training and concentrate on the senior phases of training, such as commercial, instructor and instrument ratings.

Al Michaud served as a Director of the British Columbia Aviation Council from 1947 to 1967, when he became President of the Council. He also served as Chairman of the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) at this time. During his tenure as Chairman, he directed the preparation of the draft of the Regional Air Carrier Policy for the Minister of Transport, the Honourable J.W. Pickersgill. This policy continues to provide the main frame-work for air transport in Canada.

In 1967 West Coast Air Services Ltd. purchased the Class 4B charter service of Pacific Western Airlines at Vancouver, Kamloops, and Nelson, which included contract work for the British Columbia Department of Lands and Forests for patrols and fire suppression. In that year, Al Michaud was awarded the Canadian Centennial Medal.

From 1981 to 1982 Michaud was appointed a member of the Justice Dubin Commission and Advisory to the Minister of Transport on Air Safety and other related matters. From 1984 to 1991 he served as Chairman of Time Air Inc., which was formed in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was one of the principal shareholders in this company. In 1986 he was honoured by the International Northwest Aviation Council (INAC) by being named to their Honour Roll for his promotion of the field of aviation. He died in Vancouver on October 20, 1998.

Al Michaud recalled the days when public interest in aviation was growing rapidly and the airport was one of the places to go for a Sunday drive. Visitors were not content to sit and watch, but would line up enthusiastically to buy a fifteen minute ride over the city. For many at that time, the first ride in an airplane was in a small aircraft, which is not true for most people today.

Almer Leonard (Al) Michaud was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1993 at a ceremony held in Edmonton, Alberta.