Hours at The Canadian Museum of Flight
We are open by pre-booked time slots.
Phone 604-532-0035 to book your visit.
For details, please see;
Remembering Rose Zalesky
With profound sadness, the Directors and Members of the Canadian Museum of Flight Association note the passing of Rose Zalesky.
Rose holds a special place in our hearts as her character and commitment were fundamental to the success of our venture. In the 1970s, Rose, along with her late husband Ed Zalesky and three others, had the vision to protect and preserve our aviation heritage. And the organizational skills to collect and document most of what we now so proudly present to the public.
Rose invested many thousands of hours in the administration and management of our collections and of our organization. The evidence of her huge contribution of time, energy and skill resides in our corporate records. In our archives is an immense body of correspondence between Rose and donors, buyers, sellers and CMFT (as it was then) members. Each communication was personal, personable, positive, constructive and professional.
At this time of reflection, each of us is keenly aware that we are standing on the broad and strong foundation to which Rose contributed so much, as we strive to do our bit towards Rose’s passion: “Bringing British Columbia’s aviation past into the future.”
Remembering Rose Zalesky
With profound sadness, the Directors and Members of the Canadian Museum of Flight Association note the passing of Rose Zalesky.
Rose holds a special place in our hearts as her character and commitment were fundamental to the success of our venture. In the 1970s, Rose, along with her late husband Ed Zalesky and three others, had the vision to protect and preserve our aviation heritage. And the organizational skills to collect and document most of what we now so proudly present to the public.
Rose invested many thousands of hours in the administration and management of our collections and of our organization. The evidence of her huge contribution of time, energy and skill resides in our corporate records. In our archives is an immense body of correspondence between Rose and donors, buyers, sellers and CMFT (as it was then) members. Each communication was personal, personable, positive, constructive and professional.
At this time of reflection, each of us is keenly aware that we are standing on the broad and strong foundation to which Rose contributed so much, as we strive to do our bit towards Rose’s passion: “Bringing British Columbia’s aviation past into the future.”
Press
Don't forget to have a look at the Press section for the latest news from around the hangar;
Restoration News
Check out the steps that are being taken to restore a J3 Cub back to flying condition.
The process is under way at the Museum to restore this rudder to flying condition.
See more in the Restoration section of the website;
Battle of Britain Day, Sunday September 19 2021
The Museum remembered the Battle of Britain on September 19. The replica Spitfire that is being prepared as a traveling display was in the courtyard.
The Museum Manager, Bruce Friesen, secures the wing to the fuselage,
while Bruce and Robert supervise.
while Bruce and Robert supervise.
Museum member, Maureen Patz, (known as 'Spitfire Mo') reminisces about
hearing Spitfires overhead during the Battle of Britain.
hearing Spitfires overhead during the Battle of Britain.
The Museum's SE5a taxies out for a flypast, while the Harvard
produced some sound effects - and smoke.
produced some sound effects - and smoke.
BC's aviation history
Do you want to learn more of BC's aviation history? Go to the Vancouver Sun article:
The crazy man of the air makes Vancouver's first flight;
Donations of old photographs
The Museum welcomes the donation of artifacts of significance to the history of aviation in BC. On the list are photographs that document this history.
Visitors come by the office and drop off a box of books, photos, logbooks, tools etc. Some of the photos (prints and color slides) are of old aircraft that most people cannot identify. So the detective work starts. What is the aircraft, who owned it, what is the location?
Unfortunately, sometimes the person leaves before contact information is gathered and we have no way of tracing the story behind the photos.
Unfortunately, sometimes the person leaves before contact information is gathered and we have no way of tracing the story behind the photos.
For details see our Press section;
Octogenarians at the Museum
Did you know that the Museum has three octogenarians in residence? No, no, not the volunteers, we mean some of the aircraft in the collection!
The de Havilland 82 Tiger Moth, the Harvard II and the Bolingbroke are all listed as having been built in Canada in 1941 - a cool 80 years ago. When they were built, world affairs were in a perilous state. Canada had the resources and expertise to build aircraft and all three were built under licence.
For more on these aircraft see;
Other aircraft in the Museum's collection from this vintage are the Douglas DC-3 (1940), Fleet Finch (1940), Stearman (1940), Lysander (1942) and the Hampden (1942). Other aircraft built about this time in Canada include the Hawker Hurricane fighter, the DH Mosquito bomber, the Canso flying boat and the Fairchild Cornell trainer.
Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley
The Museum celebrates 25 years at Langley Regional Airport this year. Originally the collection was assembled near Crescent Beach in Surrey, BC. Space was limited along the river and a small airstrip was formed. The City of Surrey wanted to make the area a foreshore park and so the Museum relocated to Langley. With its easy access to the Fraser Valley population and an airport that could handle all of the Museum's flying needs it has proved to be a winner. Come and see our collection!
The story of TCA Flight 810
A never-before look at what happened to TCA Flight 810 with its 62 passengers and crew that stormy night on December 9, 1956. It mysteriously vanished from radar while returning to Vancouver Airport after experiencing a fire warning for one of its four engines. This riveting account will command your interest as the author takes you through the seventy-one minute flight and the aftermath of this disaster.
For details - and a book review - see our Press section;
A never-before look at what happened to TCA Flight 810 with its 62 passengers and crew that stormy night on December 9, 1956. It mysteriously vanished from radar while returning to Vancouver Airport after experiencing a fire warning for one of its four engines. This riveting account will command your interest as the author takes you through the seventy-one minute flight and the aftermath of this disaster.
For details - and a book review - see our Press section;
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP)
During World War 2, Canada was a major contributor in training aircrew for the battles around the world. The plan was known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP). This year, 2020, is the 80th anniversary of the Plan being put into action.
To remember and honour this massive war effort, the Canadian Museum of Flight has a special display in the hangar. Come and visit the Museum.
One of the aircraft used to train fighter pilots was the Hawker Hurricane, shown in this RCAF photo;
Coming to visit us? Here's some suggestions;