News
McCurdy named to Hallowed Hall
Jan. 8, 2013, Ottawa - In a moving ceremony which took place at the Canada Science and Technology Museum on November 21, 2012, in Ottawa, Honorary Air Commodore, The Honourable John Alexander Douglas McCurdy, Canada's First Pilot and the first man to fly in Canada and the British Empire was inducted into the prestigious Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame.
January 8, 2013 By Honourary Colonel Gerald Haddon
McCurdy graduated from the University of Toronto in 1906 in Mechanical Engineering where he was the youngest student to be admitted to the University. He was chiefly responsible for the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Capping a brilliant career in aviation, McCurdy was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia from 1947-1952.
Known as one of the Principal Fathers of Canadian Aviation when he died on June 25, 1961, in Montreal, Quebec, he was the world's oldest living pilot. J. A. D. McCurdy was buried in his birthplace, Baddeck, Nova Scotia with full military honours facing the waters of Bras d'Or Lake from where he made his historic flight in The Silver Dart.
Honorary Colonel Gerald P. J. Haddon, representing his Grandfather, and accompanied by his wife Amanda, was presented with a proclamation from the Prime Minister outlining some of Mr. McCurdy's Aviation Firsts along with a piece of handmade crystal made in Nova Scotia.
