| The Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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November 2026 e–Newsletter |
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From the Desk of the Executive |
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You will find in this month’s e-newsletter a number of stories about the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) working together with other aviation historical organizations in Canada. The CAHS and Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) have worked together a lot over the years: through nominations, by attending the inductees’ galas, and giving gift membership prizes. Current Vice-President Kyle Huth represented the CAHS as he attended the CAHF inductee gala in September. Read the story below how the CAHS Montreal Chapter successfully nominated the 2027 recipients of the 2027 Distinction Award. Former CAHS Membership Secretary John Chalmers used to be the CAHF historian, and he was instrumental in securing the CAHF as the first museum member of the CAHS. Another organization that the CAHS supports is the Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF). Former CAHS President Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail served on the award selection board this year, and former Vice President Gord McNulty attended the awards gala on behalf of the CAHS. We hope that you enjoy the stories below that give more details about these recent interactions and support between the two aviation historical organizations that tirelessly work to promote and preserve Canada’s aviation history. We continue fast-tracking production of the Journals. Spring and Summer 2022 are reaching more mailboxes every day; multiple issues are in layout or print pre-production, and our Associate Editors are busy compiling more issues as we speak. It’s time to renew your national membership for 2027, if you haven’t already done so. You can pay online through our website, by cheque to our mailing address, or directly via e-transfer (contact our Treasurer for more details). Work has begun on our 2027 National Convention in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. Updates will be posted on our website as they become confirmed. I hope everyone has had a great Canadian fall. Please check our website for updates over the coming months regarding the Journal as well as Chapter monthly meetings. |
Blue Skies, Gary Wiliams, National President, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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Click the button above, then click on the little magnifying glass to begin your search. |
| Click the button above or, if you have a smartphone, simply point its camera app at the on-screen QR code to donate via mobile. |
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From the Desk of the Journal Editor |
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Current Production
Work continues on all issues noted in last month's newsletter. If all goes to plan, we are aiming to have Journals 59-3 and 59-4 with Canada post before the Christmas-New Year holiday break. More Digitized Legacy Editions
We are now at Volume 37 (1999) with this increasingly popular program. The four issues of this latest addition are now available in both the members-only area and the web shop on our site. Select a cover image below to read any issue's table of contents. |
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Volume 37 (4 digital issues) is now available as a printable PDF in both the members-only area of our site and the web shop.
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As a reminder: Current members can access all new and legacy digital editions for free via the "LOG IN" tab above, where you will need to use the email address you shared with the CAHS, as well as a password. If you are already logged in, the tab will read "MY ACCOUNT." If you have trouble logging in, contact our webmaster. Non-members can enjoy instant access at a very reasonable cost ($7 each) by purchasing downloadable PDF copies. |
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Terry Higgins, Creative Director, Website Administrator, CAHS Journal Managing Editor and Graphics Director, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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More on our ongoing access-through-digitization efforts
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Attention e-newsletter readers! The CAHS is looking for your recommendations for CAHS Journal articles that could be added to the CAHS website as free-access research material. The idea behind this is that these articles will draw interested members of the general public to the CAHS website for research and potential membership. Send your suggestions to Kyle Huth. Please ensure you include the title of the article, the author, the journal volume and number, and a brief description of why the article should be a vailable to the public. Submit your recommendation by 30 November 2026. |
Kyle Huth, Vice President, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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From the Desk of the Treasurer |
As I write this, Christmas Day is only two months away, so by the time you read this eNL, there will be less than two months to complete your holiday shipping. I would like to encourage our readers to consider giving some gifts from the CAHS Shop to the aviation enthusiast on your shopping list or to someone you would like to encourage getting into aviation history. Our full colour 13-month aviation calendar is the gift that gives something new each month, and we have aviation art for sale as well. A CAHS gift membership is another item that will provide new reading material throughout the year. We have a wide selection of discounted aviation books that would be perfect for any history buff on your list - check out the features listed below, and browse the store for every more offerings. Back issues of the Journal ( legacy and recent editions) or complete Journal sets are another great gift option. Thanks for supporting the CAHS with your membership and merchandise purchases, and we hope you have fun buying gifts for your loved ones (and maybe for yourself too!) |
Cordially, Dr. Rachel Lea Heide, National Treasurer, Canadian Aviation Historical Society |
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CAHS 2027 Aviation Art Calendar |
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| The CAHS is excited to launch its annual aviation art calendar for 2027. The annual aviation art calendar is available ($15 a copy plus $6 shipping in Canada). This bilingual calendar includes 13 full-colour images featuring a collection of civilian and military aviation aircraft. |
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Spread Your Wings: Icarus to 1912 - Flight, The Men, and Women |
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Bush and Arctic Pilot: a pilots story |
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Flying to Extremes: Memories of a Northern Bush Pilot |
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2026 Northern Lights Award Gala
Honoured Canadian Women in Aviation |
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Cooking Lake Airport Centennial |
Attendees at Cooking Lake Airport 12 September 2026. |
Over 1,000 attendees celebrated the centennial of the Cooking Lake Airport on 12 September 2026. Activities included a fly-in, a free barbeque of burgers and hot dogs, opportunities to meet and speak with pilots of the aircraft on display, a gallery of historic photos, a vintage car show, and authors presenting their new aviation books. Story and photos by John Chalmers |
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Landmark Avro Arrow Replica
Now Holds Special Place in Malton |
The recently unveiled Avro Arrow replica at Paul Coffey Park in Malton near Pearson International Airport. |
Canada’s rich aviation legacy has been impressively recognized with the unveiling in August 2026 of a replica Avro CF-105 Arrow by the city of Mississauga in Malton, home of the Avro Canada plant where the iconic interceptor was designed and built. Photos and story by Gord McNulty |
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Update on the
Montreal Aviation Museum Renovations |
The Montreal Aviation Museum (MAM) provided an update on the 2026 renovations of their century old facility. Former president, John Lawson, received a lifetime membership award and had the new Restoration Centre named after him. Robert St-Pierre, Coordinator, Montreal Aviation Museum |
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2027 CAHF Inductees: Honouring Captain Bob Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal |
On 23 July 1983, Air Canada Flight 143, a Boeing 767 enroute from Ottawa to Edmonton, experienced a dual engine flame-out over Red Lake, Ontario at 41000 feet. Captain Bob Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal safely glided the aircraft to an emergency landing at an abandoned Gimli Manitoba airport, actively used as a racetrack, using only the secondary basic instruments and flight controls that were available. The final board of inquiry investigation report found the fuel starvation was due to inconsistencies in company training, procedures, and manuals, but thanks to the professionalism and skill of the flight crew and flight attendants, the corporate & equipment deficiencies were overcome and a major disaster averted. For decades, the nomination of CAHS Montreal Chapter member Captain Bob Pearson and his First Officer Maurice Quintal to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame was not considered, citing single events such as the 1983 Gimli Glider did not fit into any of their categories for induction. However, at the 2019 CAHS National convention in Montréal, a motion proposed by our chapter member Clint Ward that “the National executive approach the CAHF to consider a new category to “recognize such extraordinary aviation actions and skill” was passed. This was followed up by Gary Williams, to which in my opinion aided in the creation of the Canada’s Aviation Distinction Award in 2025. On 9 October 2026, a CAHF press release announced that this Distinction Award in 2027 will honour Bob Pearson & Maurice Quintal (deceased) for saving many lives during the Gimli Glider event. Story by Jim Mason Montreal Chapter President |
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Gimli Glider event. (Photo: PlaneTags, by: Unknown) |
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Short Story: Fueling Incident of 1965 |
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| Roger Beebe, of the CAHS Medicine Hat Chapter, shared a story about an incident that happened in 1965 while refueling two F-105s. His story gives some insight on a unique experience while being part of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) during the mid-1960s. It can also act as a reminder of the importance of sharing stories that might have gone unrecognized in the past, remembering the contributions of everybody involved with the RCAF. Below is the story that Roger was kind enough to share with the CAHS newsletter readers, including an image of three F-105s ready for takeoff. |
Story by: Roger Beebe
Introduction by: Ania Pazik |
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Articles, Books, Scholarship and Videos of Interest |
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Multiple Canadian Aviation Events |
Canadian Aviation and Space Museum/Ingenium |
Remembrance Week 5 - 11 Nov @ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Events include: - Commemorative Dossier Craft
- 100 Years of the Royal Canadian Legion
- Izzy Dolls
- A Message of Thanks
- Indigenous Veterans' Day Medicine Bag Workshop
- Financing War: the Canadian Economy in Times of Conflict
- Legacy Series (online)
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Blatchford Boogie Woogie 6 Nov @ 5 - 11 p.m. |
| Canadian Bushplane Museum |
Walk With Us, Little Towns & Villages Tues & Thurs @ 1 - 4 p.m. |
13th Annual Bushplane Holiday Gift & Craft Show 7 - 8 & 14 -15 Nov @ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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National Air Force Museum of Canada |
Quilts of Valour "Sew Day" 7 Nov @ 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. |
| Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada |
Into the Blue Gala 7 Nov @ 5:30 - 11:30 p.m. |
Storytime with a Pilot 12 Nov @ 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
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Saskatchewan Aviation Museum |
Rememberance Day - "Supporting Veterans" 11 Nov |
Members - Freeze Up Social 21 Nov |
Pictures with Santa & Aircraft 28 Nov |
| Rememberance Day 11 Nov @ 9:30 a.m - 4 p.m. |
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Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum |
Rememberance Day 11 Nov @ 10:30 - 11:30 a.m Arrive early |
Swing Out to Victory Dinner & Dance 14 Nov @ 5:30 p.m. |
| Museum-Quality Vehicle Restoration Workshops 18 - 22 Nov @ 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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Medicine Hat: 12 November |
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Canadian Aviation Moments |
Here are the questions and answers to this month's Canadian Aviation Moments: |
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| Question 1: How tight was the veil of secrecy over the Avro Arrow project? Source: The Arrow Scrapbook, pg. 15 (Zuuring) |
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| Question 2: What was the Celestial Navigation Trainer that was used by the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) Air Observer Schools (AOS)? Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 179 (Dunmore) |
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| Question 3: What German resources were attacked that contributed significantly to the final collapse of the Reich?
Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 461 (Bashow) |
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Spoiler alert - the answers to this month's questions follow. Skip the rest of this section and come back later if you wish to guess/research the answers first. Good luck and have fun! |
ANSWER 1: “Though the Arrow project was secret, amazing details found their way into the popular press. Understandably such disclosures would bother the RCAF more and more.” Source: The Arrow Scrapbook, pg. 15 (Zuuring) |
ANSWER 2: “The Celestial Navigation Trainer (CNT) – usually known as the “silo” because of its shape – was a more elaborate simulator. The CNT enabled students to practise navigating by the stars, and it could be set up to display any part of the globe or sky. Complete crews took their positions with the simulated heavens above and the appropriate section of terra firma below, and a smoke blower added cloud effects. Crew members communicated with one another by intercom. The CNT operator could introduce new winds and an assortment of other weather conditions during the “flight,” while instruments in the control room below recorded the track of the aircraft.” Source: Wings For Victory, pg. 179 (Dunmore) |
ANSWER 3: “Once air superiority had been attained over the Third Reich by the spring of 1944, the Allied air forces exploited this turn of events in a series of concentrated and systematic attacks against the German synthetic oil industry and transportation systems. The attacks on both these resources contributed significantly to the final collapse of the Reich. For example, German domestic oil production plummeted from 673,000 tons in January 1944 to 265,000 tons in September, and aviation fuel was temporarily reduced to 5 percent of needs. Since nothing was more germane to the collapse of the German armed forces than the irrevocable defeat of its airpower, the effective grounding of the Luftwaffe was a knockout punch. The campaign against the synthetic petroleum plants, the overall shortage of aviation gasoline adversely affected flying training from as early as 1942, with a concomitant serious degradation in the quality of personnel. The specific output of aviation fuel actually fell from 195,000 tons in May 1944, to 35,000 tons by mid-summer, and to a paltry 7000 tons by September. Although stockpiled resources kept the Luftwaffe flying after a fashion throughout the summer, by autumn, shortages were acute. This had to be a bitter irony for Germany’s air leaders, for it came at a time when the air industries achieved a new peak in fighter production, completing 3133 aircraft in September alone.” Source: No Prouder Place, pg. 461 (Bashow) |
Select a chapter to discover what they have been up to since the last newsletter. Many of our Chapters remain very active on Zoom with presentations every bit as good as they would be if we did not have pandemic restrictions to deal with! |
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Special Thanks To Our Supporters |
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In addition to its members, contributors, and newsletter subscribers, the CAHS is thankful for the ongoing support of its Corporate Members, Museum Members, and Partner Organizations, as well as the many individuals and organizations whose financial donations are so generously given. If you would like to become a Corporate Member or Museum Member - or if you know an organization that might like to join - we are always happy to receive new applications. Please use the hyperlinks above to learn more about our corporate members and partner organizations. Corporate Members: |
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Follow us on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) |
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If you have changed your mailing or e-mail address, please get in touch to keep us up to date. Contact the Membership Administrator here. To enquire about membership payment records, contact the Treasurer here. Click here to renew immediately online, or to join as a new member. If you would like to register or renew by mail, printable forms are also available in the bottom area of this page on our site. If you have any aviation history-related news or events to share, please contact our newsletter editor here. Please feel free to forward to friends and family members, or encourage them to sign up on our website to receive the newsletter directly for FREE. We hope that you enjoy receiving this monthly newsletter and find the contents informative and enjoyable. If you no longer wish to receive it for any reason, please use the unsubscribe option below to have your email address removed immediately from the mailing list. |
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The Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) P.O. Box 2700 • Station D • Ottawa • Ontario • K1P 5W7 visit us at www.cahs.com The CAHS is incorporated as a Canadian Registered Charity under a Federal Charter with the business registration number 118829589 RR001 |
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