News
Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame Names 2007 Inductees
CAHF has named three aviation pioneers as Members, to be inducted in 2007.
September 19, 2007 By Carey Fredericks
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) has named three aviation pioneers as Members, to be inducted in 2007. The 2007 inductees are Craig Laurence Dobbin (1935-2006), founder of CHC Helicopter Corp, the world's largest commercial helicopter operator; Fred Harvey Hitchins (1904-1972), official post-war RCAF historian; and Stanley William Deluce, founder of several regional airlines in Canada.
The Hall will hold its 34th Annual Induction Dinner & Ceremony at the Canada Aviation Museum, Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday June 6, 2007. The new members will join a roster of 186 men and women aviation pioneers who have been previously honoured since the formation of CAHF in 1973.
Craig Dobbin (1935-2006) showed outstanding leadership in the development of CHC Helicopters Corporation into the world's largest helicopter company, providing service to more than 30 countries worldwide. His efforts have been of significant importance to Canadian aviation on the global stage.
Stanley Deluce (1923 -), of London, Ontario, is recognized for his development of White River Air and Air Ontario, which he grew to one of the largest regional airlines in Canada, flying internationally, His work has been of lasting benefit to aviation in Canada.
Fred Hitchins' (1904-1972) undying devotion to the preservation of military aviation history, encouraging and inspiring future historians, has been of paramount importance in documenting and explaining Canada's aviation heritage.
The 2007 Belt of Orion Award of Excellence, presented to aerospace-related organizations, will be awarded to the Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) for its sustained, ongoing commitment and dedication to the development of business and corporate aviation activities in Canada.
Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame is located as part of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, south of Edmonton. Members have come from across Canada and have led extraordinary lives as military and civilian pilots, entrepreneurs, scientists, inventors, aeronautical engineers and administrators.
The Hall's mission is 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 people, nationwide. A non-profit organization, CAHF relies on the support of memberships and the contributions from individual and corporations.
