First Powered Flight In Canada Was February 23, 1909

From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, and getting goods to market, Canadians rely on a safe and efficient aviation system to support and sustain our vibrant communities.

February 23rd is the anniversary of the first powered flight in Canada. On that date in 1909, Pilot J.A.D. McCurdy flew the Silver Dart nearly 800 metres in Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

As it celebrated over 100 years of aviation history, Transport Canada recognized the many people, including airline and airport employees, flight crews, engineers, air traffic controllers and maintenance workers, who help maintain the safety and security of aviation for all Canadians and keep Canada's aviation system one of the safest in the world.

National Aviation Day 2018 is also an occasion to highlight the Government of Canada's Transportation 2030 strategy and our commitment to supporting greater choice, better service, lower costs, and new rights for air travellers. Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act aims to:

• Mandate the Canadian Transportation Agency to create regulations to provide air passengers with rights that are clear, consistent, transparent, and fair, including clear standards of treatment and compensation.
• Liberalize international ownership restrictions from 25 to 49 per cent of voting interests of Canadian air carriers to allow more investment capital and bring more competition into the Canadian air sector.
• Create a more predictable and streamlined approach to the consideration of airline joint ventures.
• National Aviation Day also offers Canadians an opportunity to advance this vital industry by encouraging youth to pursue careers in Canadian aviation and to learn more about aviation safety. We invite all Canadians to help keep the skies safe by visiting the Drone Safety and Not a Bright Idea websites to learn how to use their drones and laser pointers safely and legally.

"This year's National Aviation Day is about celebrating the tremendous commitment and effort of the women and men who help keep Canada's aviation system safe and operating efficiently as we advance the future of transportation in Canada and pave the way for future workers who choose careers in this challenging, yet rewarding field," said Minister of Transport The Honourable Marc Garneau (pictured, above).

Canada has the third largest aerospace sector in the world. It generates $29.8B in annual revenues, and represents: 211,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada, 140,000 Canadian jobs in the airlines, airports and related services industry and 5% of jobs in the North.

(Source: Transport Canada news release)

FMI:  www.tc.gc.ca