Keith Hopkinson

Considered the ‘father’ of homebuilt aircraft in Canada, Keith ‘Hoppy’ Hopkinson began flying in 1936 at the Hamilton Aero Club. He earned his private pilot’s license in 1938 and his commercial license a year later, acing his flight instructor’s certification in 1940. When the Second World War broke out, Hoppy was a flight instructor for the Waterloo Wellington Flying Club. Soon after he moved to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan’s elementary flying school at Goderich. He stayed on after the war and began a new company: Sky Harbour Air Services, which ferried surplus aircraft. Having also established a flight school, Hoppy did his best to promote aviation. In short order his business included charter flights, an air ambulance, and search and rescue, in addition to Hoppy becoming an aircraft dealer. In 1961, he purchased the Goderich airport, more proof that he embraced all aspects of aviation. During the early 1950s, Hoppy fought successfully to have the Department of Transport recognize homebuilt aircraft – he proudly held permit number 001 – and organized the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, serving as the latter’s founding director until his death in 1964.