The Manitoba Aviation Tour is history, but we hope its legacy of encouraging people to fly and explore Manitoba, of raising the profile of aviation and airports in Manitoba, and of working together across the province to acheive common goals will continue through 2011 and beyond. In that vein the web site will remain active to document the history of the Tour and to share information about current projects, activities and events.
An initiative to explore capital improvement funding for rural public use airports is underway, information can be found by clicking Airport Funding here or on the navigation bar above.
The North Tour last year was so successful that another one is happening this summer, click on North Tour 2011 for information.
We will also list all events that we find out about on the Events page. Hopefully this will complement the emails that publicize so many events now. Send information or posters to admin@manitoba-aviation-tour.com.
Manitoba has a rich aviation heritage! From the first flight in Manitoba on July 15, 1910 (it was by an American, Eugene Ely) to the present day where aviation and aerospace are a $1.6 Billion industry, aviation has figured prominently in the development of the province. Whether providing the only means of transportation in remote and northern communities or allowing us to escape winter for a week or two to a warm destination, flight plays an important role in the lives of many, in fact, most Manitobans. To honour Manitoba's aviation heritage the Manitoba Homecoming 2010 Aviation Tour was born!
Announced on October 4, 2009 at the annual Shoal Lake Flying Club Fall FlyIn, the Manitoba Aviation Tour was a project of the 5 Manitoba COPA Flights - 138 in Russell, 162 in Shoal Lake, 145 in Morden, 35 in Winnipeg/Lyncrest, and 103 in Lac du Bonnet with assistance from Jerry Roehr, Manitoba/Nunavut COPA Director. COPA National and Manitoba Homecoming 2010, including the Homecoming Committee in Neepawa, are partners. We were very fortunate in attracting sponsors to participate in the Tour - see how to become a Sponsor and who our Sponsors are.
The Manitoba Aviation Tour had four goals:
1. to encourage people to see Manitoba from the air whether as pilots or as passengers,
2. to highlight the importance of aviation and airports in Manitoba,
3. to promote tourism in Manitoba and in our communities during Homecoming 2010, and
4. to require minimal organization while providing maximum flexibility for Tour participants.
