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Volunteer

VOLUNTEER

Since its inception, volunteers have been the lifeblood of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, committing thousands of hours of dedicated service to help the museum’s transformation become a reality.

The museum’s volunteer force is not only composed of engineers, former members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, bush pilots, and professional airplane mechanics, but also retired teachers, administrators, customer service reps, technicians, photographers, public speakers, and people who share a passion for exploring, preserving, and sharing aviation history.

Our volunteer teams work seamlessly with museum staff and have contributed to nearly all areas of operations within the museum. Volunteers are critical to the museum’s mission to preserve and promote aviation stories in western and northern Canada while educating, entertaining, and inspiring.

VIEW AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES

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For existing volunteers

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

For new volunteers

AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITIES

All volunteers must show a satisfactory result of a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search (at no cost to the volunteer).

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada seeks to honour and commemorate the history of Indigenous Peoples and aviation in Western Canada while engaging with the complex history of travel, trade, and relationships in this place. We are committed to the calls to actions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and facilitating a safe space for reconciliation to occur.

The new home of the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is located on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Lakota and Dene Peoples, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis.

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.


Volunteering at Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (RAMWC) is located in an 86,000 sq. ft facility located on the James A. Richardson International Airport campus in Winnipeg, Manitoba. RAMWC is a non-profit dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in Western Canada. The museum showcases 25 aircraft and many unique aviation artefacts from its collection, presented from a story-driven approach.

We are a fun, social, and educative place to work and volunteer. Our team is dedicated to sharing our passion of aviation with Manitoba, Canada and the rest of the world. We are looking for volunteers who are enthusiastic, energetic and ready to assist us on our mission to preserve and promote the stories of aviation in western and northern Canada while educating, entertaining and inspiring. We offer our volunteers many fun opportunities to explore Canadian aviation and share their unique experiences.

If you’re interested in one of our volunteer opportunities, please register below or contact Leslie Stewart at 204-786-0404.

VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION

Location: 2088 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Time Commitment:  Shifts range from 3-4 hours.
RAMWC is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days per week.

Volunteering at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada (RAMWC)

RAMWC is dedicated to preserving the history of aviation in Western and Northern Canada. We showcase 27 aircraft and many unique artefacts presented with a story-driven approach. Our mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire the next generation. We have a diverse group of volunteers who are enthusiastic about interacting with visitors. We provide a safe place for volunteers to discover aviation and aerospace while developing new skills. Volunteers can self-schedule and a minimum of 25 hours per year is required to receive a letter of reference from RAMWC.

Position:

Aviation Ambassadors will engage with visitors of all ages while in the museum’s interactive zones:

  • In Aviation Plaza, where children ride the Tiger Moth pedal planes during the summer months.
  • In the Science of Flight Zone where you’ll interact with visitors around the Musketeer trainer, the Mini helicopter and the wind tunnel exhibits. You will be a team player in keeping our environment safe for the visitors and the artifacts on display.

Responsibilities:

  • Be welcoming to the visitors and engage with them in a friendly way 
  • Use a radio to call for support from the supervisor or staff when needed

Pedal Planes – 2 shifts per day to sign up: 10:30 am – 1:30 pm and 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

  • Set up the pedal planes on the aviation plaza at the beginning of the day and return to storage at the end
  • Be observant and ask parents and children to be careful to prevent injuries and/or damage to the planes
  • Keep the area organized and litter-free

Science of Flight Zone – 2 shifts per day to sign up: 9:45 am – 1:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

  • Show visitors how the Musketeer Trainer, the Mini helicopter and wind tunnel exhibits operate
  • Assist youngsters while getting in and out of the mini-helicopter
  • Remind visitors to stay outside of the barriers and handle exhibits with care

Requirements

  • Must be 16 years or older
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • A willingness to develop leadership skills
  • An interest in science, aviation, or aerospace
  • The ability to do tasks independently
  • Volunteers aged 18 years and older must provide results of a criminal record check and vulnerable sector search.

Benefits

  • Supervision provided
  • Training/orientation provided
  • A letter of reference
  • Certificate of Recognition
  • Earn Volunteer Reward Points
  • Gain leadership skills
  • Connect with aviation industry professionals and discover career pathways

Position: Volunteer Special Events Helper – multiple positions available

Location: 2088 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Time Commitment: Hours may vary, shifts are expected to range from 3-4 hours. Weekend and weekday opportunities available.

Position:
Working with the Visitor Engagement team, the Volunteer in Special Events will welcome all museum visitors and volunteers with the same excitement and friendliness. The Volunteer will assist in the preparations leading up to special public events and volunteer appreciation events. They will be socially minded and show a readiness to lend a hand during these events.

Responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting with the preparation of events such as set-up and decorations
  • Engaging with guests in a social and friendly way
  • Providing hospitality services during events

Requirements:

  • Enjoys interacting with diverse groups
  • A positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, a real people person
  • A problem-solver who can adapt to meet the needs of varying interests
  • A successful result in a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search
SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEER

Position: Volunteer Gallery Interpreter – multiple positions available 

Location: 2088 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba 

Time Commitment: Hours may vary, shifts are expected to range from 3-4 hours. 

Position: 

Working with the Visitor Experience team, the volunteer will interact with visitors in the galleries of RAMWC. The volunteer will foster a welcoming and friendly environment with rewarding informative learning experiences on aviation artifacts and aviation history to museum visitors. 

Position Duties: 

The Gallery Interpreter will engage with visitors as they tour the museum galleries and offer an enhanced interpretive experience, along with answering questions the visitors may have. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Interact with museum visitors, including children 
  • Ensure the safety of visitors and artifacts 
  • Gather visitor feedback 
  • Working with museum staff and other supervisors to promote a positive RAMWC visitor experience 
  • Assist with special events if tours are booked 
  • Other visitor services roles if needed 

Requirements 

  • A positive attitude, strong interpersonal skills, a real people person 
  • Strong communication skills 
  • A problem-solver who can adapt to meet the needs of varying interests 
  • Experience with aircraft and aviation (pilot, engineer, mechanics, flight attendant, ticket agent etc.) preferred 
  • Willing to learn and a strong interest in Canadian aviation history 
  • Able to work independently and in a team setting 
  • Strong time management skills 
  • Successful result in a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search 

CONTACT

If you’re interested in becoming a RAMWC volunteer, contact Leslie Stewart or register here.

Leslie Stewart
Volunteer and HR Coordinator

1 (204) 786-0404

VOLUNTEER PROFILE

DANIEL DUONG

Daniel started with us in August of 2021 as part of our aircraft move-in and cleaning team. He wanted to gain some volunteer experience and learn more about aircraft.

“I am grateful to be part of the team to help open a new home for this museum because when I’ll look back, 10 years or so from now, I can say to people: ‘I and the great team of people at RAMWC helped build this great new museum,’ and appreciate it.”

DANIEL DUONG

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Sanni Lapitan

Sanni has always been fascinated with flying. He comes from the Philippines where he started a bee-keeping business to fund his flying lessons.

During his time with us, Sanni made our Musketeer exhibit more interactive for visitors by creating a Musketeer Instrument Training Guide.

Sanni volunteered with us regularly before entering the Red River College AME program in February of 2024. He made a huge impact during his time with us, even taking a young visitor who loves flight simulation under his wing. Sanni also spent time with several home-schooled families, teaching them the basics of flight and using our Science of Flight Zone.

RAMWC is all about inspiring youth and we applaud Sanni for being a mentor.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Bill Brereton and Lorraine Iverach

Today we’re shining a spotlight on Bill Brereton and Lorraine Iverach, two of our archival volunteers.

Bill and Lorraine are part of the team that has digitized and created a database for our collection of more than 40,000 black-and-white photographs. This work proved invaluable when it came to developing the exhibits for our new museum.

Now they, and their fellow archival volunteers Dave Mork and Wayne Adams, are working on a new project: archiving all our colour photos that go back as far as the 1960s.

FUN FACT: Bill and Lorraine are both certified divers and were involved in the search and recovery of one of our aircraft, the Ghost of Charron Lake.

Thank you, Bill and Lorraine!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Marsh Pettitt

Marsh Pettitt, a volunteer with RAMWC since 2018, has had an exciting career in aviation.

Starting with his station in the Canadian Air Force at Trenton, Marsh moved on to fly helicopter search and rescue missions with the US Coast Guard and then was a flight instructor in Moose Jaw, flying a Tutor. Marsh was also a Hercules pilot for 10 years and an F18 fighter jet for another five years.

Now, Marsh’s passion is restoring aircraft. He’s pictured here with the Sabre MK6 he brought out of storage in St. Andrews and towed to the plaza at RAMWC. He’ll be leading the crew in restoring the aircraft in time for the RCAF centennial in 2024.

Thank you for all your hard work, Marsh!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Dave Mork

Dave has been a volunteer with RAMWC for over 40 years. For the past 20, Dave has been digitizing and cataloging archival photos. His expertise is identifying people and planes from black and white photos donated to our collection.

Dave also gives to our community by building amazing kiddie planes, like the F18 Hornet seen in the photo. Dave has donated several ride-on toys for our young visitors to enjoy in our Aviation Plaza.

Growing up in the remote community of Red Lake in Northern Ontario, Dave learned to be resourceful and has always been busy with projects. Inspired by the bush planes of his youth, he decided to get his private pilot’s license at age 48 and he flew for 20 years.

Dave is also a talented painter! When he was working as a technical service manager at the Mint in Winnipeg, he took up painting to relieve stress and he’s been painting ever since.

Dave, you are an inspiration to us!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Don Buie

Don has been a volunteer with RAMWC since 2021 when he joined our move-in and aircraft cleaning crew. These days, you’ll most often find him behind our ticketing desk.

Don is a former air traffic controller and aircraft refueler and held a multitude of positions with Hudson General Aviation Services.

FUN FACT — A lifelong Harley Davidson rider, Don has visited 50 states (including Alaska!) by motorcycle.

Thanks for all you do, Don!