100 Yrs of Flight
The people of the Peace Country and beyond are among the beneficiaries of 100 years of powered flight in Canada.
Powered flight added a dimension for many adventurous spirits to use for exploration, not only in northern Alberta and farther North, but worldwide – those who chose or were bidden, as in 1941, Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr. No. 412 squadron, RCAF so eloquently wrote about slipping the surly bonds of Earth
Inventors, designers, manufacturers, mechanics, pilots, ground crews and more – the men and women who believed in the viability of such a means of travel deserve our applause.
When one looks skyward, one may see a clear blue sky, clouds prompting imagery, a vapour trail – space – or one not so inviting. It is hoped having been to the Peace Regional Air Show, you will see more than what is here for you to see – but beyond – the people who, not only made powered flight possible, but the men and women who used that technology to expand our horizons and the people who had the foresight to implement the ideas. And the aircraft.
The Peace Regional Air Show committee honours the memory of aviation pioneers without whose thinking outside the box there would be no reason for the 2009 celebration of a century of powered flight in Canada. It may have begun in eastern Canada, but it winged the Canadian skies to the Peace Country.
The Committee is privileged to have this auspicious opportunity to showcase – to share – the aviation heritage we enjoy.
