The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM) had a full and informative summer with sharing their many displays, artifacts and vintage aircraft and vehicles dating back to the Second World War to their many visitors from across North America and beyond those borders. With that they were able to participate in a number of different events and activities, including the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
"We were very fortunate to have over the last number of years to have an Armed Forces Day," shares Executive Director, Stephen Hayter. "We asked the Royal Canadian Air Force to participate, which they did. It's a great opportunity to celebrate 100 years of the RCAF and certainly for us, it's so close to what our story is about. We were thrilled to be able to celebrate it as well."
Every summer the CATPM showcases their restored vintage aircraft at different air shows, and community visits. Hayter says this past summer their biggest challenge was the weather.
"There were many instances when we were planning to do a fly day or maybe participate in an event and we couldn't," he explains. "But for the most part we were very successful. Our more recent fly-past was for the Battle of Britain in Winnipeg, and that went very well."
They were also able to participate in the Portage Air Show and the Manitoba Air Show this summer as the weather did cooperate for them to show their restored aircraft to the public.
He adds they can plan for a fly day and the weather can look favorable, "and then all of a sudden it just needs to have enough wind blowing or the threat of thunderstorms and you just can't bring the aircraft out," he explains. "The right kind of wind gust can grab ahold of a Tiger Moth and flip it right on its head. So, you don't want to put people, or the aircraft, at risk. We have to be very careful in that regard."
Hayter says the newest plane to their fleet is the 1938 Fleet Finch Model I aircraft. "It's a beautifully restored biplane, so we're thrilled with the prospects of how we can greet the public and move around the province with these aircraft."
Please listen to more with Stephen Hayter below as he shares on some upcoming projects with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).