Commemorating the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada
In partnership with The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum
September 15, 2024 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
EVENT DETAILS
Get up close and personal with rare and historic aircraft used to train air and ground crews during WWII under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Meet the pilots and learn about these legendary aircraft and their roles in preparing RCAF pilots for the Battle of Britain!
Visiting aircraft from the CATPM scheduled to be on-site include a 1938 Fleet Finch I, 1943 DHC 82C Tiger Moth, 1944 Fairchild M62-3 Cornell II and a 1938 Stinson HW75.
WIN A FLIGHT!
We’re giving away a flight in one of these vintage aircraft! See details and enter here.
Visiting aircraft lineup subject to change. Aircraft arrival and departure days and times are subject to change based on several factors, such as weather and mechanical issues. Schedule changes are at the pilot’s discretion. Tickets are non-refundable.
About the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
When Britain declared war on September 3rd, 1939, it had long been recognized that the next war would, to a great extent, be fought by air forces. Germany was well ahead of anyone else in air power, thus, the British Commonwealth was aware of the necessity to rapidly develop its air combat resources.
On 17 December 1939, an agreement was reached between the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada on the training of pilots and other aircraft crews in Canada for subsequent service overseas: the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP).
The purposes of the BCATP were:
- To train air and ground crew for use in a combined Commonwealth effort to defeat the Axis Powers (Germany and Italy);
- To use facilities in Canada for this training plan. Canada had almost unlimited space, good flying conditions, and was at a safe distance from the scene of war;
- To be a meeting and training place for Canadian, British, Australian, New Zealand and other Commonwealth personnel, as well as others who had escaped from Nazi occupied Europe.
During its five-year life, the BCATP involved almost 360 units and schools operating from approximately 230 sites, not including relief airfields. “The Plan” exceeded expectations: 131,553 aircrew from four nations were trained as well as some 80,000 ground crew, including approximately 17,000 in the Women’s Division.
Regular admission rates apply. FREE for annual pass holders.
About the Aircraft:
Fleet Finch
This event may be rescheduled or cancelled in the event of inclement weather.
EVENT DETAILS
