February 23, 2011 is marked as National Aviation Day. First proclaimed in 2009 by former Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities Minister John Baird, it offers Canadians the opportunity to celebrate past achievements and open new chapters in aviation excellence.
From the 1909 Silver Dart to Bombardier’s 2008 launch of its “green” fuel-efficient jets, Canada has much to celebrate. Specifically in British Columbia, we have a diverse community of Flying Schools, Air Operators, Aircraft Maintenance Organizations and a robust and healthy General Aviation population engaged in many recreational activities. B.C also has one of the most diverse fleets of helicopters and fixed aircraft in the country- all adding to an ambiance of the region’s robust and healthy industry.
This year’s National Aviation Day theme is to celebrate Canada’s air transportation safety, strength and success and is meant to honour the pioneers who opened the skies as a way to connect people and move goods safely and quickly — within our large nation and around the world.
On this day, Canada also celebrates the aircraft engineers, pilots, dispatchers, ticket agents, ground crews, air traffic controllers, airport operators, safety & security regulators, security screeners, military personnel and all the other professionals that make up the workforce of our dynamic industry. Collectively, they work hard and diligently to keep aviation safe and strong and they are the primary reason that Canada has one of the safest air transportation industries in the world.
For more information and resources related to Transport Canada’s role in aviation, Canada’s aviation history, or career opportunities in aviation in Canada, please access these sites:
National Aviation Day! February 23
Choose Your Aviation Career Flight Path (TP 14989)
A poster, to honour the day, will be available in the next week. If you wish to get a copy, we email your request to pacific-pacifique@tc.gc.ca (while supplies last)
We encourage you to celebrate the importance aviation plays in Canada’s past, present and future. Take a moment, an hour or the day to reflect on the contributions of the proud men and women from yesterday and today that have built and sustained Canada’s great aviation industry.
David J. Nowzek
Regional Director, Civil Aviation / Directeur régional, Aviation civile
Tel: 604-666-8317
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Transport Canada / Transports Canada
620 – 800 Burrard Street / 800, Rue Burrard, pièce 620
Vancouver, BC (C-B) V6Z 2J8
Facsimile / Télécopieur: 604-666-1175
