Bushplane has a flying good time planned for next month

Attention aviation and history enthusiasts! 

The Canadian Bushplane Herirage Centre (CBHC) celebrates the Ontario Provincial Air Service (OPAS) with a five-day event from Sept. 18-22. 

For more information, including the full schedule of events, see the press release below. 

The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (CBHC) proudly announces the itinerary for the OPAS Centennial Celebration, a five-day event from Sept. 18-22, honoring the Ontario Provincial Air Service's (OPAS) impact on Canadian aviation. The Celebration will appeal to anyone enthralled by history, aviation and the contributions of the Ontario Provincial Air Service.

Welcome Reception: Sept. 18, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Kick off the festivities with a warm welcome! Register upon arrival to receive your welcome package, then enjoy a relaxed gathering with old friends and new acquaintances. Light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

OPAS Discovery Day: Sept. 19, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

A day brimming with interactive activities, educational tours and reconnection await: 

• Exclusive Test Cell Access: Meet Mike Stadnyk, the last operator of the Test Cell, for a rare, behind-the-scenes, experience. Available from 10 AM to 12 PM, this is a one-time opportunity to explore a part of the museum that is usually closed to the public. 
• Live Hangar Tours: Dive into the history of the Ontario Provincial Air Service with special 100th-anniversary hangar tours at 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM. Discover the stories and achievements of those who established the service a century ago. 
• Fireside Chat: Join an engaging discussion at 11 AM with aviation experts Jamie Sargent, George Willoughby, Mary-Ellen Pauli, and Wally Warner, facilitated by Mary Collier Learn about the challenges and triumphs of the bushplane era. 
• H-Boat Meet and Greet: Connect with enthusiasts and experts from 11 AM to 1 PM to learn about the H-Boat’s history and significance in aviation. 
• Lunch and Story Sharing: Enjoy a meal while sharing and listening to captivating aviation stories from 12 PM to 1:30 PM, facilitated by Tim Murphy. 
• OBS (Oldest Flyable Beaver) Encounter: Meet Andy Turcotte and get up close with the oldest flyable Beaver aircraft from 12:30 PM to 2 PM. Discover its storied past and ongoing legacy. 
• Revisit cherished memories and reconnect with fellow OPAS members. Kids of OPAS air base parents can share their unique stories, and attendees are encouraged to log their oral histories at our dedicated Legacy booth. Light refreshments will be served throughout the day, with a pizza and salad lunch at noon.

An Evening with Roy Maxwell - Dine & Discover: Sept. 19, 5:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Step back into the 1920s for a captivating evening exploring the life of OPAS’s original director, Roy Maxwell.Dress in vintage attire (if desired) and immerse yourself in the era and circumstances that led to the establishment of the Ontario Provincial Air Service. The story will be brought to life through a theatre performance by Tim Murphy as Roy Maxwell and a presentation from historian Dr. Robert Galway. Guests will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and live music throughout the evening, including an entertaining live band you can dance to.

V.I.P. Meet & Greet with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds: Sept. 20

Experience a special excursion from the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre to the Sault Ste. Marie Airport where you’ll enjoy a tour of the modern MNR hangar, and a unique chance to meet and chat with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds in a small group setting while you enjoy a light lunch from Hogan’s Airport Cafe. The experience includes return coach transportation from the CBHC. 

Bushplane Days: Sept. 21 & 22

Join us for Bushplane Days, a weekend filled with excitement and adventure for the entire family! Enjoy a variety of fun activities, from interactive exhibits to engaging educational tours. On Saturday, don’t miss the thrilling highlight: Bleacher seating for the spectacular Canadian Forces Snowbirds airshow. Come celebrate aviation history and create unforgettable memories with us! For ticket information and further details, visit CBHC online.

Flying drones during the airshow is prohibited.