News
Toronto Aerospace Museum Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival Takes Off May 26-27, 2007

Dec. 11, 2006 TORONTO — The Toronto Aerospace Museum and Parc Downsview Park Inc. will host the second annual "Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival" (WWHF) at Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 2007 festival will celebrate the 60th anniversary of birth of the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 aircraft which was developed at Downsview, a suburb of Toronto, and first flew on August 16, 1947.

The Beaver is Canada s most successful aircraft design, and one of the world's best known and most enduring bush planes0. The Beaver also holds the unique distinction of being one of the few aircraft in the world that is still in commercial airline service six decades after it first flew.

Beaver Aircraft & Pilots Invited to Homecoming Fly-in
A cornerstone of the festival will be a fly-in of Beaver aircraft from throughout North America. The festival organizers expect between 10 and 30 Beaver aircraft on wheels and amphibious floats to converge at Downsview Airport for a homecoming celebration.

In addition to the Beavers, the fly-in will feature about 30 vintage and veteran aircraft, as well as visiting helicopters, military aircraft, modern airliners and business jets.

Classic Car Rally
Complementing the aircraft displays, Toronto-area classic car clubs will rally at Downsview Park on the festival weekend and display hundreds of automobiles from the 40's and 50's, along side vintage fire engines and unique military vehicles.

Aviation Historians Gather at Downsview
During the three days prior to the festival weekend, May 23-25, the Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) will hold its annual convention at the Toronto Aerospace Museum. The CAHS is Canada's oldest and largest aviation heritage organization. The symposium will bring together key individuals involved in the development, manufacturing and piloting of the Beaver, aviation historians, and present-day aircraft owners. Presentations and speakers on other important Canadian aviation achievements will also be featured.

Fly-in Visitors Welcome, but Reservations Required
Privately-owned Downsview airport will be open to fly-in visitors on the festival weekend, by prior registration only.

The centrally-located airport features a 7,000 foot runway, which is owned and operated by Bombardier Aerospace, a festival sponsor. Additional information for aircraft owners will be posted on the museum web site www.torontoaerospacemuseum.com in early 2007.

Aerospace and Aviation Community Invited to Participant
Other invited Festival participants include Bombardier Aerospace, the Department of National Defense, and local aerospace companies.

Museum has also invited other aviation groups to participate, including light aircraft manufacturers and dealers, flying schools, academic institutions, RC and scale model clubs, heritage groups and Museums. Limited exhibit and booth space will be available.

A Fun Family Weekend
The Wings & Wheels Heritage Event is a community festival with something of interest for the entire family. Event admission includes access to the aircraft and car displays, fun activities for kids, and tours of the Toronto Aerospace Museum.

The museum is located in a unique heritage building that is the oldest intact aircraft factory in Canada, and the actual birthplace of some of Canada s most famous aircraft Æ the DH 82C Tiger Moth, DHC-1 Chipmunk, DHC-2 Beaver and DHC-3 Otter — as well as Canadas first satellite.

Exhibit highlights include a full-scale model of the famous CF-105 Avro Arrow, Canada's first supersonic aircraft design, and a rare four-engine Second World War Avro Lancaster bomber, being restored.

Festival Location
The Toronto Aerospace Museum and Downsview Park are centrally located in Toronto. Downsview Park is two km north of Highway 401, a major east-west thoroughfare. Tourists can conveniently reach the museum via taxi from the Downsview subway station. Parking is free.

The Toronto Aerospace Museum is a non-profit charitable organization developing Toronto's first air and space museum and educational centre. Founded in 1997, the Museum is one of the fastest growing aviation heritage organizations in Canada.

Parc Downsview Park Inc. is a Crown corporation federally mandated to develop about 600 acres of the former Canadian Forces Base Downsview, which includes de Havilland Canada's original 1929 aircraft factory, into a National Urban Park promoting the values of legacy, beauty, play, sustainability, and stewardship.

Information of Downsview Park can be found at www.pdp.ca

The Toronto Aerospace Museum is located at Downsview Park, 65 Carl Hall Road, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M3K 2E1

For further information, visit the museum web site: www.torontoaerospacemuseum.com.