What you learn when you are out and about . . .

Canada is rich in aviation history. You do not have to go to just the big city aviation museums to find it. Look around in small communities as you travel and you will be surprised just what there is to discover.



Just one example is the Edenvale Classic Aircraft Foundation (ECAF). If you are travelling from Barrie, to Stayner in Ontario, you sort of fall upon this airport. In fact it just suddenly appears next to the road. Sitting out front is a sign promoting Tigermoth rides. The group has six classic aircraft in total. Half are current restoration projects housed in the clean, bright and modern hangar the group call home. Visitors are allowed an up close and personal interaction with the collection and get the chance to see aircraft being rebuilt using original materials and methods.

The pride of their flying fleet, the “Tiger”, was manufactured in England in 1943 and taken on strength by the RAF in March of 1944. In 1946 it transferred to the Armee de L' Air (French Air Force). Then civil registration in France from 1956 to 1973, re-registered in Ireland in 1974 for about two years and then it reappeared in San Marcos, Texas. In 1981 the aircraft travelled once again, this time northward to. After passing through two Canadian owners it became the property of ECAF in 1991 and today is used by them for pleasure flights and attending aviation ground displays through the summer months.

Bob McIntyre (right) and fellow ECAF member.

Bob McIntyre is one of the ECAF pilots. He is best known as broadcast journalist - currently the weather specialist for Barrie, Ontario station A Channel. Bob called this station “home” since 1972 and is well known in the area. When he is not telling folks how to best plan their outdoor time, Bob pursues his real passion – flying. His father was a pilot in the Second World War and Bob has shared that love for many years. Today it is not uncommon to see him around the skies of Simoce and Clearwater regions in Audrey (the name the ECAF has given their Tigermoth). Bob says "We fly this bi-plane just as it was during the war, no canopy, no flaps, no brakes and off a short grass field. It is a real blast to fly a plane my Dad flew over 65 years ago.”

You never know just who or what you might find when you check out these local airfields. Care to visit? Contact the ECAF at Hangar F, Edenvale Aerodrome, 5195 Hwy 26 E., Stayner ON, L0M 1S0. 705-818-2223