They Join Almost 200 Other Canadian Aviation Pioneers

Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame will induct an astronaut, an aircraft developer, an innovative navigator and a naval aviator at a formal ceremony in Edmonton, Alberta, June 4th.

Additionally, the Hall will recognize the Aviation Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) of Cold Lake, Alberta, with the Hall's Belt of Orion Award for Excellence.

The four inductees join the nearly 200 named in the past for pioneering and advancing aviation and space endeavor in Canada. Those accepted into the Hall are the select few whose contributions have been recognized as of major benefit to Canada. The Hall's goal is to maintain, preserve and promote their significant accomplishments.

The new inductees are Col. Chris A. Hadfield, of Houston, TX, C. Eric B. McConachie of Montreal, the late Commodore Alexander B.F. Fraser-Harris and the late Wing Commander Kenneth C. Maclure. The awards will be presented by the Hon. Norm Kwong, newly-named Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

Col. (Ret) Chris A. Hadfield, a Canadian test pilot and astronaut who completed two space flights, was first Canadian mission specialist, first Canadian to walk in space, installed Canadarm 2 on the International Space Station and was the first Canadian to operate it while in orbit. Hadfield was NASA's chief CAPCOM (voice of Mission Control to astronauts in orbit) for 25 space shuttle missions. He is currently Chief of Robotics for NASA.

C. Eric B. McConachie's extraordinary pioneering initiative in getting the now-popular Regional Jet Program launched resulted in establishing Bombardier (Canadair) as a world leader for this class of aircraft. He was also responsible for marketing, contracts and product support for the Regional Jet production program, which now has delivered or has on order more than 1,400 aircraft.

Commodore Alexander B.F. Fraser-Harris (1916 - 2003) - Director of Canadian Naval Aviation, he initiated many changes in Naval Aviation, not only in equipment but in aviation safety programs. He was responsible for developing a new class of warship, now universally employed, which accommodates the operation of large anti-submarine helicopters, improving the capability of ships to locate and destroy submarines.

Wing Commander Kenneth C. Maclure (1914 - 1988) - During an illustrious military career, navigation expert Maclure focused on solving problems in navigation in north polar regions where the magnetic compass is of little use. He developed the Greenwich Grid overlay system which has become the norm of navigating in high latitudes and now in worldwide use.

The Belt of Orion Award for Excellence - Awarded to the Aviation Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) of Cold Lake, Alberta. AETE's primary function is to flight test all new equipment as it comes into Air Force service and government inventory. Other areas of expertise include testing ejection seats, survival suits, as well as work in aerodynamics, avionics, ballistics, static and dynamic structural analysis.

Brief History of The Hall

Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is located in the hangar at Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, south of Edmonton. Nearly 200 members have been inducted since it was founded in 1973. They have come from all across Canada and have led extraordinary lives as military and civilian pilots, doctors, scientists, inventors, aeronautical engineers and administrators. 

The Hall strives to increase the public's understanding and interest in aviation history by making its displays, archives, records and artifacts accessible to current and future generations. The heroism and courage embodied in the Members of The Hall serves to kindle the spirit of adventure in Canada's youth.

FMI: www.cahf.ca