Wednesday, August 17, 2011, Calgary, Alberta – SAIT’s School of Transportation and the Calgary Aero Space museum have partnered to celebrate a classic air craft and the only manufacturer in the world with the rights to build it.

Twin Otters—19-seat commercial aircrafts first designed in 1964—are manufactured exclusively by Viking Air right here in Calgary, and will be displayed at Aviation Calgary Expo 2011 (ACE) from August 19-21.

 Len Filmer, Academic Chair of Aviation, says the expo is a great way to get people interested in the Art Smith Aero Centre and the Aerospace Museum. 

“The expo will raise funds for the Aerospace museum and increase awareness of SAIT’s School of Transportation, which actually has several graduates building the Twin Otters as employees of Viking Air,” says Filmer.

Canada’s Twin Otter is not the only draw of ACE. Adventurous types can take a ride on the DC3, also known as the Gooney Bird, or go for a spin in a helicopter. For those who like to keep their feet on the ground, there will be numerous static aircraft to explore, including over 20 vintage planes.

Lorie Abernethy, Co Chair of ACE and Senior Development Officer in Alumni and Development, says aviation enthusiasts and professionals in a variety of fields will be onsite to talk with visitors. Even representatives from the military will be onsite, although their planes will not. 

“All of Canada’s active military aircrafts are in Afghanistan right now,” says Abernathy. “But there will be several military planes from previous wars on display, including the Lancaster.”

The Lancaster drew huge crowds last summer when it made a stop at the Art Smith Aero Centre. Based on the positive response to the Lancaster event last year, Abernathy says they decided to hold a major aviation exhibit annually.

She expects this year’s event to attract all sorts of visitors, from aficionados to curious laypeople because, “those big birds are just the coolest things.”

The Aviation Calgary Expo runs from August 19-21 at SAIT’s Art Smith Aero Centre Campus (1916 McCall Landing NE) and the Aero Space Museum (4629 McCall Way NE).

Visit the website for more details.

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