The Canadian Aviation Expo is the largest trade show in the aviation industry in Canada. Formerly held at Oshawa, Ontario, the 2009 show was moved to Mount Hope, Ontario in conjunction with Canadian Warplane Heritage at the Hamilton International Airport.

The Expo has something for everyone from the opportunity to buy an executive jet, to an ultralight, to buying radios and headsets, to model airplanes and so much more. The show is not restricted to pilots but is an open event for the general public and whether you’re already a pilot, or, you have any interest in aviation what-so-ever, the show is a great place to spend a day browsing, researching, and dreaming.

Airplane makers at the show included Canadian Diamond Aircraft, Cessna, Cirrus, Piper, and others who showed off their wares in an effort to entice potential buyers and woo them into one of their aircraft. One of the more elaborate manufactures, Cirrus Aircraft, always manages to wow the crowd with their high-end single engine aircraft, including their Cirrus VLJ, an impressive looking single engine, single pilot capable jet. Not to be left out, Canadian Diamond Aircraft had three of their airplanes, two single engine and their impressive twin engine aircraft on display.

There were many booths set up in the Canadian Warplane Heritage hangar along side the airplane manufacturers for folks to browse through. Whether you needed to purchase airplane insurance, wanted to buy those ‘remove before flight’ bright florescent safety tags, if you were interested in your child attending some kind of aviation program in college, or you wanted floats for your airplane, the show had it all.

One booth that caught the eye was the “Women in Aviation, International,” Canadian chapter. Though women have been involved in aviation in many ways, the aviation industry still has a relatively wide gender gap but “Women in Aviation” promotes interest among women, young and old alike. Working the booth were four women of varied ages, all in different stages of involvement in aviation and in different facets as well. A student, who is just beginning in the industry, to a seasoned flight instructor, to an Air Canada flight dispatcher and an Air Canada corporate sales person. Where one starts in aviation isn’t necessarily where one finishes and where your interests lie will often determine where you go. “Women in Aviation” can help you decide what direction you want to take in the aviation industry.

Another growing interest in Canada are ultralight airplanes and UPAC, Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada, was on hand with their booth and lots of information for the experienced UL pilot, the novice, and the potentially interested. UPAC has been around for many years now and have been very helpful to many current and hopeful UL pilots. If you can’t afford general aviation but still want to fly, ultralight flying is affordable and safe and is becoming more and more popular.

There were also many visiting aircraft on display including an impressive De Havilland Canada Turbo Beaver that was flown out from Viking Air in Victoria, B.C. This airplane was restored, refurbished with assorted modifications and re-fitted with a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A turbo engine increasing the overall performance of the airplane. Originally designed and built in the mid 1940s, the DHC Beaver is still the most popular and sought after bushplane today. With over 90% of the worlds Turbo Beaver fleet having been through Viking Air at some point, they surely must be the world leader in DHC Beaver refits. In 2008, Viking Air completed the build on the ‘new’ Twin Otter, another great bushplane, and many hope for a new Viking DHC Beaver taking to the skies in the years ahead. For now, refurbished DHC Beavers fitted with the P&W PT-6A are becoming the ‘new’ Beaver of today, possibly extending the life and usefulness of the airplane for many, many years to come.

Other visiting aircraft included an L-29 Delphin (Dolphin), a 1954 2-seat MiG 15 UTI, 2 Canadian Forces CF-18s, the Cessna Citation Mustang business jet, and several dozen private aircraft from Piper Cubs to assorted Cessna’s to bi-planes and an old radial DHC Beaver on floats. An interesting mix of pilots and aviation enthusiasts flew in and drove in from all parts of Ontario, Quebec, several Northern States and other assorted locations. Young and old found something of interest at the Expo and many said they were looking forward to next years show. Some may return as junior pilots with a new set of wings on their chest. Some may return as college students looking at a career in aviation. Some may return as owners of new or used airplanes. Others may just enjoy being around airplanes and will return every year, regardless of location and aviation interest. If you like airplanes and aviation, the Canadian Aviation Expo is a great place to learn more, get more, and possibly give more to the aviation industry in Canada.

For more information on the Canadian Aviation Expo, or aviation interests mentioned in this article, follow these links:
                                                                                                                 
Canadian Aviation Expo - www.canadianaviationexpo.com
Canadian Warplane Heritage – www.warplane.com
Viking Air – www.vikingair.com
Canadian Women in Aviation, Int’nl – www.cwia.ca
Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada – www.upac.ca
Canadian Diamond Aircraft – www.diamondaircraft.com

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