Back to Baddeck

Introduction

In October 2006 the CAPA Board of Directors met at 14 Wing Greenwood and during the Annual General Meeting decided that CAPA would lead the way in the celebration of the Anniversary of powered manned flight in Canada commencing on February 23 1909 on the Bras d’Or Lake in Baddeck Bay Nova Scotia. A number of members of CAPA has been working on this concept since 2003. As the leading aviation heritage organization in Canada, the gathering considered CAPA as a natural leader in this endeavor. 

The members in attendance passed the following resolutions:

That the Canadian Aeronautical Preservation Association would fly aircraft owned and restored by member Museums from Comox, BC to Baddeck and Halifax, NS in 2009 commencing in May. This cross Canada flight would stop at all of the member museums as well as each provincial capital. On board the aircraft will be special mint coins issued by the Royal Canadian Mint and first day cover stamps issued by Canada Post and cancelled in Baddeck on the Anniversary date affixed to a specifically designed envelope with a message to the receiver of these envelopes from the members of CAPA. These will be presented to each member museum and the Premier of each province as well as the Governor General of Canada in Ottawa on 1 July. The final stop will be the Nova Scotia International Air show at Halifax International Airport in September. 

The second motion that was passed was that each member Museum would be provided with a portable Back to Baddeck display that would be professionally designed by CAPA member Don Smith the owner of Phoenix Consultancy, a museum design company. These displays will be transported to schools, malls and air shows in the area of the member Museums. As a portion of this display the CAPA office will provide updates on events that are happening across the country. In addition websites of interest to the Centennial of Flight will be listed. Members of the sub-committee were named in the personages of Byron Reynolds, Gord Winthrup and Tom Sand with the Executive Director assisting. Since this meeting Mr. Reynolds has had to withdraw and was replaced by The ED, Bryan Nelson.

The third resolution passed was that CAPA would undertake to produce a booklet for Canadian school children similar to the production of the Canadian Air Force in 2003 Centennial. Two of our members, Matt Joost and Chris Charland offered their services to write this publication. 

In the spring of 2007 CAPA was contacted by BGen Gaston Cloutier, recently appointed by the Chief of the Air Staff Canadian Air force, to coordinate the CAF celebrations. BGen Cloutier asked if CAPA wished to partner with the CAF in the celebrations as full and equal partners. After consulting with members of the sub-committee, it was decided to work closely with the Canadian Air Force. One of our first endeavours since this was passed and in consultation with BGen Cloutier, it has been decided that the children’s publication will be a combined effort with the CAF and Maj Ben Bond has come on board from the Air Force Heritage and History department to assist.

Since this time, the Air Force and CAPA along with Tony Smyth of the Canada Aviation Museum and the Executive Director of CASI have been working to establish the Canadian Centennial of Flight office to be located in Ottawa. Thus far there are over 15 organizations represented on the BOD. It has been a Federal Government decision not to fund the Centennial of Flight celebrations. The BOD continues to work with several Government agencies and the private sector. This has been a very long and difficult struggle.

All organizations continue to stride towards establishing an entertaining, educational and professional programme for Canadians, which will instill pride in our population. 

This section of the website will continue to be updated from now until the celebrations are completed with photos and stories about Back to Baddeck and events other organizations are planning.

Should you be interested in funding any segment of the CAPA programme, feel free to contact us.

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