If you’re in search of an airplane and can’t decide whether you want a tail-dragger, high wing, low wing, something fast or something to fly low and slow and watch the world go by, try hitting up a Canadian Aviation Expo.

The Canadian Aviation Expo offers the budding pilot, aircraft owner, or the experienced aviator a place to look for anything airplane. It also offers aircraft and aviation product manufacturers and suppliers the opportunity to grab the attention of potential buyers all in one place.

Aircraft companies such as Cessna, Diamond Aircraft, Piper and Cirrus are always on hand promoting their products and it matters not whether your looking for an entry level airplane, or a fast get-you-there airplane, there’s something for every interest.

If you’re rebuilding or modifying your airplane then Aircraft Spruce can fit the part. If you are a novice and are interested in learning how to fly then Centennial College can help, as can Brampton Flying Club. Can’t afford general aviation, then maybe ultralights might be more your style so a chat with the folks in the Ultralight Pilot’s Association of Canada (UPAC) booth might be the order of the day.

Canadian Warplane Heritage at Mount Hope airport in Hamilton, Ontario hosted the expo. Inside their hangar are booths and airplanes and, although almost all of their own aircraft were somewhat crammed to one side of the building, there was still plenty of room to wonder around many of their vintage airplanes such as the Firefly, Harvards, Yale, Spitfire, and many others. Unfortunately, CWH was still in their winter maintenance phase and several airplanes were in various states of ‘repair’ with engines off, windscreens out, side panels missing, and propellers sidelined.

The one thing missing from the expo is a true flying show. When the Expo was held in Oshawa, Ontario there was always a flying part to the show but since moving to Mount Hope, that part of the show has been lacking. Ask anyone who has an interest in aviation and in the Expo, a flying portion of the show is a big draw. For many, seeing airplanes in the air sparks a greater interest not only in aviation in general, but in the Expo itself.

Though general aviation in Canada has been in decline, the fact that the Aviation Expo seems to generate interest every year shows hope for the future. From young to old, men and women, boys and girls, in those that attend there is some kind of interest in aviation that inspires one to believe that we’ll continue to see growth in the industry in coming the years.

If you have an interest in flying, an interest in building an airplane, an interest in working in the aviation industry, or just like airplanes, head to the Canadian Aviation Expo, or any aviation expo in your neck of the woods. You just might find your set of wings waiting for you.

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