Press Releases

For immediate release
21 June 2010

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum—Your Canada Day Destination for Family Fun!

Ottawa—The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is the perfect place for a great day of family fun and entertainment. Enjoy a hassle-free Canada Day celebration at Canada’s premier aerospace museum, with dynamic activities and special performances. The Museum is the ideal Canada Day venue in any weather — sun, rain, or summer heat. Admission is free all day on July 1, but donations towards the Museum’s aircraft restoration fund are welcome. Please note that all flying activities are weather permitting. This year’s lineup includes:

In the Sky ∗

Vintage Wings of Canada
Vintage Wings of Canada fly a selection of their remarkable aircraft to the nearby Rockcliffe Flying Club. Get a close-up look at these aircraft, and talk to pilots about what it’s like to fly a vintage airplane.

Sightseeing Flights ($)
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum offers Members of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation a unique opportunity to fly aboard a Douglas DC-3 Dakota at an exceptionally low price. The Canada Aviation and Space Museum offers its popular biplane and helicopter sightseeing tours throughout the day. Advance reservation for these tours is strongly recommended.

Freedom’s Wings Canada Launches Flying Program at 1:30 p.m.
With special guest, Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Hines
Freedom’s Wings Canada launches its Inspirational Flights 2010 flying program — allowing people with physical disabilities to experience the joy of silent flight in a glider — in partnership with the Gatineau Gliding Club, with an outdoor performance on the Museum grounds by Justin Hines, of select songs from his albums. Afterwards, he will take to the skies from Rockcliffe Airport as a passenger aboard a specially adapted glider.

On the Ground

Special Performance by Hip Hop Group Godlalune at 3:30 p.m.
The Museum is proud to present a special performance by francophone hip hop group, Godlalune.

At the Museum
The Museum’s reserve collection hangar is open to the public for this special occasion. Visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum’s collection, as well as an exceptional opportunity to learn about the aircraft from the pilots who flew them, on hand to answer questions and share their experiences.

At the Rockcliffe Flying Club
The Rockcliffe Flying Club offers flights ($) from the historic Rockcliffe Airport, while also opening its hangar doors to visitors of all ages.

Static Displays
The Rockcliffe Airport site hosts a great collection of historic and contemporary aircraft and special displays. Members of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Vintage Wings of Canada, the International Plastic Modellers Society, the Gatineau Gliding Club, Freedom’s Wings Canada, and the Stetson Flyers Club will all be on hand to talk about the aircraft and their contributions to the field of aviation.

Family Activities

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

There is fun for the whole family with children’s entertainer Tabaga, as well as face painting, a variety of aviation crafts, summer day camp previews, ejection seat demonstrations, and cockpits visits.

∗ Weather permitting

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is located at the intersection of the Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways, just 10 minutes from Parliament Hill. The Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Canada Day, with special activities ending by 4:30 p.m. Free admission, free on-site parking, free alternate parking at the Rockcliffe Flying Club, and free continuous shuttle service between the Flying Club and the Museum.

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General information: 613-993-2010 or 1-800-463-2038

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Millaire
Communications & Marketing
613-991-3834
613-298-3509 (cell)
emillaire@technomuses.ca