Since 1977, museums from around the world have been celebrating International Museum Day (IMD) on May the 18th. IMD was established 35 years ago by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) “…to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society”. The theme for this year’s celebration is appropriately titled Museums in a Changing World: New Challenges, New Inspirations.
We’ve created “Fit for Flight” a guided tour focusing on Manitoba’s Aviation Connection. You’ll learn about the innovations that were made right here at home: from flying bicycles and boats to rockets. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get the stories of the men and women behind the machines! Tours are free with general admission.
Difficult to fly, easy to ground-loop – an entire generation of pilots earned their wings on the Boeing Stearman. It was an aircraft adopted by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 as a supplemental trainer for the Tiger Moth. Prized for its advanced performance capabilities, it was soon rejected because the open cockpit wasn’t suitable for Canadian winters.
But perhaps it was underestimated. The Stearman had a rugged airframe stressed to handle high loads: 12 Gs positive and 9Gs negative. During the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s a large number of these airplanes were sold off and began a second life as barnstormers, crop dusters, and air show performers. They were a top choice for manoeuverability and aerobatic performance and achieved their greatest moment in the sun as the aircraft of choice for daredevil wing walkers. They continue to thrill audiences at airshows around the world today.
Courtesy of Vintage Wings of Canada, the Boeing Stearman will visit the Western Canada Aviation Museum on May 21-23 and be available for up-close inspection – sit in the cockpit and get a feel for the controls! Pilot and crew will be on hand to answer questions.
Our Flyin’ Barbecue will be held at Lyncrest Airfield on Saturday, June 16 from 11 am to 2 pm in partnership with the Springfield Flying Club.
This event is open exclusively to members of the museum and the Springfield Flying Club (it’s not too late to become a member!) Barbecues, airplanes on display and – weather and wind permitting – flying demonstrations and rides.
This event is “rain or shine” as the club house and hangar are all-weather friendly.
Lyncrest Airport is a private airfield with East and West grass runways—just like they had in the 1920s, 1030s, 1940s ie in the early days of flying. Planes take off and land with no control tower telling them what to do or when to do it – truly ‘flying by the seat of your pants’ !
The airport is home to about 50 aircraft — from homebuilts to ultra lights and a number of planes from the 1940s onwards. A special guest appearance by a WWII Harvard trainer is expected (fly-in) and and meet Tim Cipullo, the U.S. Consul in Winnipeg.
Members! RSVP please!
2 signed up so far.
We’re booking flights now for Women AirBorne 2012. Lyncrest Airport is offering free flights for all women and girls! Last year 210 women of all ages went flying for free at Lyncrest Airport. To reserve seats for you and your friends/family/neighbours/colleagues/mentors etc just rsvp below and we’ll book your seat(s).
1 signed up so far.
Please join us for our annual fundraising gala. Dance under the wings to the music of the Ron Paley Band. Fine Wine. Fine Food. Incredible silent auction prizes. Tickets are available by calling 786-5503.
The hangar is a perfect setting for a haunted evening of airplane ghost stories, tarot cards, witches, snacks, and a graveyard too. Admission is FREE for members. Non member admission rate is $5 for all participants….or FREE with the purchase of a 2013 annual family membership.
