Membership
New Members in the Hall of Fame
By John Chalmers,
CAHS Membership Secretary
Seated for a group photo are Members of the Hall of Fame at the 2018 inductions are: front row, left to right: Kathy Fox (inducted in 2016); Max Ward (1974); Russell Bannock (1983); George Miller (2015); Robert “Bud” White (1974); and featured guest speaker, Dave Williams (2012). Back row, left to right: John Maris (2018); Paul Manson (2018); Robert Deluce (2017); Iain Bogie, representing his father, John Bogie (2018); Rosella Bjornson (1997); Greg Powell (2018); Jim McBride (2015); Barry Marsden (2009); and Danny Sitnam (2017). (Gary Watson photo. SKIES magazine)
Four new Members were inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame at the annual dinner and ceremonies, held this year at the Sunwest Aviation hangar at the Calgary International Airport on June 7. Their induction brings to 232 the total number of individuals who have been so honoured for their contributions to Canadian Aviation.
Bush pilot, airline builder and entrepreneur, the late John Bogie, was represented by his son, Iain. When in failing health earlier this year, John was installed as a Member of the Hall at a special ceremony held for family and friends in Ottawa on February 10. John died on April 5, 2018.
Pilot and military leader, General Paul Manson, began his career with the RCAF and retired as Chief of the Defence Staff. In active retirement, he was instrumental in raising funds for building the new Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Test pilot Dr. John Maris began his career as a pilot with the RCAF. He left the air force holding the rank of major, to devote full time his company, Marinvent Corporation, which he serves as president and CEO.
Dr. Greg Powell, internationally recognized for his work as an emergency medicine physician, was a co-founder of STARS – the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service. Originally based in Calgary, STARS now operates 11 helicopters from six bases in the three prairie provinces.
Lively pre-dinner music by a dozen members of the Calgary Fiddlers helped set the tone for a fine evening of tribute to Canadian aviation. (John Chalmers photo)
Close to 500 people were present for the gala event, which included some uniquely Calgarian flavour. The four honorees were each presented with a cowboy hat in a White Hat Ceremony that included the Calgary Stampede Queen and three Stampede Princesses. Pre-dinner music was provided by the Calgary Fiddlers. The program for the evening began with a rousing start provided by the pipes and drums of the 16-member Calgary Police Service Pipe Band.
Western colour was part of the induction gala when the 2018 honorees received a fine Smithbilt cowboy hat in a traditional Calgary White Hat Ceremony, and raised their hands to pledge that they would spread the Calgary brand of hospitality and friendship before receiving their hats from the 2018 Calgary Stampede Queen and Stampede Princesses! Calgary Stampede vice-president, Steve McDonough at right, administered the oath. (Chalmers photo)
Astronaut Dr. Dave Williams served as guest presenter and featured speaker. Special recognition was given to Max Ward, founder of Wardair Canada, and to Bud White, who set a Canadian high altitude record with a CF-104 Starfighter. They are the two living original members of the Hall, inducted in 1974.
A colorful and stirring start to the formal dinner and induction program was provided by the pipes and bands of the Calgary Police Service Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Stephanie McSween. (Troy Nixon photo)
As Wetaskiwin, Alberta, is home to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, for several years it has been the practice of the city council of Wetaskiwin to proclaim inductees to the Hall as Honorary Citizens. In an informal presentation during the induction celebrations, new Members of the Hall are presented with a commemorative plaque and a certificate of proclamation.
Paul Manson, left, receives his commemorative plaque and certificate as an Honorary Cititzen of the City of Wetaskiwin from deputy mayor and councillor, Alan Hilgartner. (Chalmers photo)
When inducted to Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame, members receive a certificate, medal, lapel pin and miniature medal. Shown left to right at the 2018 induction ceremonies are: Iain Bogie, representing his father, John; Paul Manson, John Maris and Greg Powell. (Gary Watson photo. SKIES magazine)
At the induction gala, a STARS Airbus BK117 helicopter, attended by a STARS pilot and paramedic, was one of several aircraft on display in the banquet area and in the adjacent hangar bay for the Hall of Fame celebrations. (Chalmers photo)
Shown with his certificate of induction is new Hall of Fame member Greg Powell. At left is Hall board chairman, Rod Sheridan, with guest speaker Dave Williams at right. (Gary Watson photo. SKIES magazine)
Hall of Fame board member, Denis Chagnon, again served as M.C. for the induction gala, keeping the program running exactly on time with enough minutes to spare at intermission for the final few minutes of the Stanley Cup final game to be shown on the huge video screens! (Chalmers photo)
With the Sunwest Aviation hangar converted to a banquet hall, three of the company’s aircraft – two Challenger jets and a Piper Navajo between them – were placed behind the stage, contributing to the aviation ambience. (Chalmers photo)
