By Robert Williamson | April 30, 2020 Estimated reading time 5 minutes, 33 seconds.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) has its sights set on future expansion to help reach and educate young aviators, as well as plans for increased community engagement nationwide. Skies recently chatted with Hall representatives about the organization’s exciting new direction.
Skies: What is the mandate of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame?
CAHF: Aviation has been an integral part of Canada’s development. Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame celebrates the people that flew in those historical aircraft as well as leaders of distinction – people who saw the status quo and figured it wasn’t good enough. We know full well that people working in the industry today are the hall of famers of tomorrow.
Skies: Can you give us a brief history of the Hall?
CAHF: The Hall was officially incorporated on Aug. 2, 1973 in Edmonton, Alta., the gateway to the North. Since 1992, CAHF has been located at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum (RAM) in Wetaskiwin, Alta. For nearly 30 years, CAHF and RAM have been collaborating and educating the public about the planes and the people that have defined Canadian aviation.
Skies: How is one inducted into the Hall?
CAHF: Our autonomous review committee discusses nominees put forth by the public. They meet annually to deliberate on where aviation is currently in this country, along with how the nominee has impacted aviation in Canada. Anyone with a potential nominee in mind is encouraged to approach us because there are many organizations and individuals worthy of nomination, but their name has not been put forth.
Skies: What are the Hall’s current priorities?
CAHF: Right now, we’re continuing on the path set by our founders while also focusing on growth. How can we gain a bigger foothold in industry and nationally to ensure the legacy that our members have created is something that can continue long into the future? We’re looking to grow diversity and inclusion by collaborating with women’s groups, First Nations and academia. We’re looking to show younger generations that there are opportunities in aviation and we’d like to them to engage with the Hall.
Skies: What kind of community outreach does the Hall participate in?
CAHF: Our quarterly newsletter, The Flyer, updates members, supporters and the public on what CAHF and its partners are doing. CAHF also works in collaboration with the Reynolds Alberta Museum on local projects and initiatives happening in and around Wetaskiwin, and CAHF is currently engaging with the city of Wetaskiwin to discuss future opportunities. Another strategy is to host our induction galas across the country in venues that resonate with inductees and enhances the Hall’s function.
Skies: How is the Hall educating and attracting future aviators?
CAHF: We have exhibits at the Reynolds Alberta museum. We’re getting more active in social media and we’re looking at what else we can do. We’ve started to invest in more themed, interactive displays – such as the Flexhibit air rocket – to engage our younger visitors. Part of CAHF’s community engagement and outreach in the future will centre on very young aviators-in-the-making.
Skies: What would you consider to be the Hall’s proudest achievement?
CAHF: Our biggest achievement is memorializing the people in Canadian aviation. These people, whether they’re from industry, whether they’re from a space program, whether they’re from a pilotage background, they get national recognition. That’s our single biggest achievement – and it grows with each passing year.
Skies: Why is this an exciting time for the Hall?
CAHF: Momentum has shifted within the organization and CAHF is starting to set itself up for success – not just to survive and get by as a not-for-profit. Our perspective has always been focused on what’s exactly in front of us and not necessarily on the horizon. A change in perspective and focus is important right now in order to ensure CAHF’s aviation history and legacy will last forever. The purpose of the Hall is to keep our aviation leaders, innovators and heroes in the hearts and minds of Canadians, and that’s a strong idea and vision upon which to build a new future.
