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Alberta's Aviation Heritage
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Trans Canada Airlines

Canadian Pacific
 Airlines

Wardair (1946)

Pacific Western
 Airlines (1956)

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Passenger Airlines

Trans Canada Airlines, the national airlineIn Alberta, many of the optimistic predictions that had been forecast at the end of the Second World War became reality with the increasing economic activity in the province. Ongoing oil exploration brought the discovery of oil in Leduc in 1947. Companies like the Hudson Bay Company, pipeline companies and those working in the production of oil and gas, were flying their own aircraft and using commercial airlines.

The development of flight in Alberta was also assisted by the availability of surplus aircraft from the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Many private pilots bought Tiger Moths, while companies like Pacific Western purchased Avro Anson aircraft, which they used in projects like the construction of the DEW Line.

Another example of the developing economy in Alberta was seen in the resourcefulness of Leigh Britnell, who had successfully operated Aircraft Repair Ltd. during the war. He reorganized his facilities in Edmonton, changed the name to Northwest Industries, and manufactured Bellanca 31-55 Senior Skyrockets, planes made for the rugged bush. The Senior Skyrockets were manufactured from 1946 to 1949 when the all-metal Beaver aircraft replaced them.

 

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Alberta's Aviation Heritage

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