Bill's Aviation Log

Ah, the ferry has arrived.

One last look at Mackinac Island.

The biggest plane in the collection is this colorful Canadair CL-215. It was manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, Montreal in 1974. It was used to fight forest fires in southern France and Corsica. Based at Marignane, it recorded 20,331 water bombing loads dropped on fires. This workhorsse plane was retired in 1996 and donated to the museum by Bombardier Aerospace.

It is one of only a handful of large amphibious aircraft to have been produced in large numbers during the post-war era, and the first to be developed from the outset as a water bomber. It was designed from the start to perform aerial firefighting operations as a water bomber; to operate well in such a capacity, it can be flown at relatively low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are typically found over forest fires.125 were built. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines, the same engine type used in so many U.S. aircraft during World War II: Hellcat, P-47, Corsair, B-26, to name a few.

An immaculate Republic Seabee, one of my favorite planes.

A replica of the famous Fokker F.VIIB-3m Tri-motor "Friendship", the plane in which Amelia Earhart on June 17/18, 1928 became the first woman to fly the Atlantic, albeit as a passenger, with Wilbur Stultz as the pilot and 'Slim' Gordon as navigator. This replica was built for the film "Amelia" released in 2009, starring Hilary Swank as Earhart. While the plane could not fly, it was capable of taxiing on water while being towed by a boat. After the movie, the plane was disassembled and shipped to the museum, where it was reassembled.

The Fokker Tri-motor also made the first flight over the North Pole, in May 1926, piloted by Floyd Bennett and LCDR Richard Byrd navigating.

Here's an original photo of the Friendship being prepared for the transatlantic flight at the Jeffries Yacht Club in East Boston.

The Fokker F.VIIb Tri-Motor was acquired from famed explorer Commander Richard E. Byrd. Byrd had initially planned to use the plane for an Antarctic expedition, but when his backer, Edsel Ford—son of Henry Ford—suggested using a Ford Tri-Motor instead, Byrd agreed and sold the Fokker to American heiress Amy Phipps Guest – daughter of philanthropist and Andrew Carnegie's business partner Henry Phipps Jr. -- who sponsored the First Woman to Fly the Atlantic project.

Before the flight, Earhart made it clear that the role of a mere passenger held no appeal to her—she wanted the opportunity to take her turn at the controls. Although she lacked experience with multi-engine aircraft and non-visual instrument flying, it was agreed that, weather permitting, she would be allowed to pilot the aircraft for a portion of the journey. It was written into her flight contract that Earhart would hold the title of commander aboard Friendship. She was granted final authority over all matters of policy, procedure, personnel, and any other issues that might arise during the mission—at least until their arrival in London. Both Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon would serve as her subordinates during the flight.

From early in the flight on 17 June 1928, the crew encountered fog, cloud cover, and poor visibility, forcing pilot Wilmer Stultz to rely entirely on instrument flying. Earhart, although a licensed pilot, had no experience with non-visual, instrument-only flying, and was therefore unable to take the controls.

After landing at Burry Port, South Wales, Earhart attracted the majority of public and media attention, though she consistently emphasized that the primary credit belonged to the pilots. When interviewed after coming ashore, she remarked: "Bill (Wilmer Stultz) did all the flying—had to. I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes ... maybe someday I'll try it alone."

In August 1928, Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the North American continent and back.

On May 20, 1932, 34-year-old Earhart set off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in her single engine Lockheed Vega 5B. She intended to fly to Paris to emulate Charles Lindbergh's solo flight five years earlier. After a flight lasting 14 hours, 56 minutes, during which she contended with strong northerly winds, icy conditions and mechanical problems, Earhart landed in a pasture at Culmore, north of Derry, Northern Ireland. She was the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean.

On January 11, 1935, Earhart became the first aviator to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California. used a Lockheed 5C Vega.

In 1937, during an attempt to become the first woman to complete a circumnavigational flight of the globe, flying a Lockheed Model 10-E Electra airplane, Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island in the central Pacific Ocean.

Wow, I've never seen one of these before: a Cessna 172! That's a joke. More 172's have been built than any other aircraft in history. As of 2015, Cessna and its partners had built more than 44,000 units. It is still in production today.

This shot shows how the display aircraft are situated in a large hangar.

Probably the most famous bushplane of them all: the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver.

Originally purpose-built for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) flying off U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, the Grumman S-2A Tracker lived on as firefighting aircraft after its naval service.

Another look at the MG-65.

A fairly rare Taylorcraft 20. You don't see too many four-seat Taylorcrafts flying around. Only 38 of this model Taylorcraft were built. Thousands of the two-seat Taylorcraft D and L-2 (military version) were built.

Also in the big hangar was the Entomica Insectarium featuring reptiles and insects.

You don't see something like this guy every day.

June 6, 2025 - Driving to Alaska Canadian Bushplane Museum
While we wait on the pier for the ferry back to St. Ignace, Lynnette catches up on writing her postcards.

Ah, the ferry has arrived.

Bye, bye, Mackinac Island.

One last look at Mackinac Island.

We retrieved our car, then it was back on I-75 north to Sault Ste. Marie. We crossed back into Canada. I had noticed that Sault Ste. Marie had a Bushplane Museum, so of course we had to stop there.

Lynnette poses under a Bugsmasher (Beech 18) on skiis.

A replica of the Silver Dart, the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to fly in Canada. It was flown from the ice near Baddeck, Nova Scotia, on 23 February 1909, by one of its designers, Douglas McCurdy. On its fifth flight on 2 August 1909, McCurdy wrecked the craft when one wheel struck a rise in the ground while landing. The Silver Dart never flew again. I thought the Silver Dart looked very similar to the Curtiss Pusher and it does have significant ties to aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and his June Bug and Curtiss Pusher. The original Silver Dart was designed and built by the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), which had been formed under the guidance of Dr. Alexander Graham Bell. Bell had built an estate on a point across from Baddeck, overlooking Bras d'Or Lake. By the time the Silver Dart was constructed in late 1908, it was the Aerial Experiment Association's fourth flying machine. One of its precursors, the June Bug, had already broken records. The aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss primarily designed the AEA's third aircraft, Aerodrome #3, the famous June Bug, and became its test pilot, undertaking most of the proving flights. Curtiss had a falling out with the AEA in 1909 and went on to found the found the Herring-Curtiss Company in Hammondsport.

Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, located on the north bank of the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, is dedicated to preserving the history of bush flying and forest protection in Canada. It was founded in 1987 by a group of local volunteers to preserve the province's history in bush planes and aerial firefighting. The museum occupies a historically significant air base first established by the Ontario Provincial Air Service in 1924. The 64,000-square-foot hangar contains more than thirty aircraft exhibits.

A diorama depicting a typical Northern Ontario base of the Ontario Provincial Air Service during the early days of the service. The Air Service was established in 1924. Sault Ste. Marie, with its early ice breakup in the spring, became the main operating center for the Service as a whole.

The biggest plane in the collection is this colorful Canadair CL-215. It was manufactured by Bombardier Aerospace, Montreal in 1974. It was used to fight forest fires in southern France and Corsica. Based at Marignane, it recorded 20,331 water bombing loads dropped on fires. This workhorsse plane was retired in 1996 and donated to the museum by Bombardier Aerospace. It is one of only a handful of large amphibious aircraft to have been produced in large numbers during the post-war era, and the first to be developed from the outset as a water bomber. It was designed from the start to perform aerial firefighting operations as a water bomber; to operate well in such a capacity, it can be flown at relatively low speeds and in high gust-loading environments, as are typically found over forest fires.125 were built. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-83AM radial engines, the same engine type used in so many U.S. aircraft during World War II: Hellcat, P-47, Corsair, B-26, to name a few.

Lynnette checks out the inside of the big CL-215.

An immaculate Republic Seabee, one of my favorite planes.

Another favorite of mine: a de Havilland DH89 Dragon Rapide.

Lynnette having a great time at the Bushplane Museum.

A replica of the famous Fokker F.VIIB-3m Tri-motor "Friendship", the plane in which Amelia Earhart on June 17/18, 1928 became the first woman to fly the Atlantic, albeit as a passenger, with Wilbur Stultz as the pilot and 'Slim' Gordon as navigator. This replica was built for the film "Amelia" released in 2009, starring Hilary Swank as Earhart. While the plane could not fly, it was capable of taxiing on water while being towed by a boat. After the movie, the plane was disassembled and shipped to the museum, where it was reassembled. The Fokker Tri-motor also made the first flight over the North Pole, in May 1926, piloted by Floyd Bennett and LCDR Richard Byrd navigating.

A closer look at the Fokker Tri-motor's massive floats. It's amazing the plane could fly with those things hanging underneath.

Here's an original photo of the Friendship being prepared for the transatlantic flight at the Jeffries Yacht Club in East Boston. The Fokker F.VIIb Tri-Motor was acquired from famed explorer Commander Richard E. Byrd. Byrd had initially planned to use the plane for an Antarctic expedition, but when his backer, Edsel Ford—son of Henry Ford—suggested using a Ford Tri-Motor instead, Byrd agreed and sold the Fokker to American heiress Amy Phipps Guest – daughter of philanthropist and Andrew Carnegie's business partner Henry Phipps Jr. -- who sponsored the First Woman to Fly the Atlantic project. Before the flight, Earhart made it clear that the role of a mere passenger held no appeal to her—she wanted the opportunity to take her turn at the controls. Although she lacked experience with multi-engine aircraft and non-visual instrument flying, it was agreed that, weather permitting, she would be allowed to pilot the aircraft for a portion of the journey. It was written into her flight contract that Earhart would hold the title of commander aboard Friendship. She was granted final authority over all matters of policy, procedure, personnel, and any other issues that might arise during the mission—at least until their arrival in London. Both Wilmer Stultz and Louis Gordon would serve as her subordinates during the flight. From early in the flight on 17 June 1928, the crew encountered fog, cloud cover, and poor visibility, forcing pilot Wilmer Stultz to rely entirely on instrument flying. Earhart, although a licensed pilot, had no experience with non-visual, instrument-only flying, and was therefore unable to take the controls. After landing at Burry Port, South Wales, Earhart attracted the majority of public and media attention, though she consistently emphasized that the primary credit belonged to the pilots. When interviewed after coming ashore, she remarked: "Bill (Wilmer Stultz) did all the flying—had to. I was just baggage, like a sack of potatoes ... maybe someday I'll try it alone." In August 1928, Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the North American continent and back. On May 20, 1932, 34-year-old Earhart set off from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in her single engine Lockheed Vega 5B. She intended to fly to Paris to emulate Charles Lindbergh's solo flight five years earlier. After a flight lasting 14 hours, 56 minutes, during which she contended with strong northerly winds, icy conditions and mechanical problems, Earhart landed in a pasture at Culmore, north of Derry, Northern Ireland. She was the first woman to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic Ocean. On January 11, 1935, Earhart became the first aviator to fly solo from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, California. used a Lockheed 5C Vega. In 1937, during an attempt to become the first woman to complete a circumnavigational flight of the globe, flying a Lockheed Model 10-E Electra airplane, Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappeared near Howland Island in the central Pacific Ocean.

Wow, I've never seen one of these before: a Cessna 172! That's a joke. More 172's have been built than any other aircraft in history. As of 2015, Cessna and its partners had built more than 44,000 units. It is still in production today.

Another plane I've never seen before. {Sarc] A venerable Aeronca Champ hangs from the ceiling.

Now this is an interesting airplane: a De Havilland DH-83C Fox Moth. It's a small biplane passenger aircraft from the 1930s powered by a single de Havilland Gipsy Major I inline inverted engine. The aircraft was designed late in 1931 as a low-cost, light passenger aircraft. Many components, including the engine, tailplane, fin, rudder, and wings were identical to those of the de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth, then being built in large quantities. These were fitted to a purpose-built fuselage, which had a plywood covering over longerons that were made of ash forward of the pilot and Sitka spruce aft. The pilot sat in a raised cockpit behind the small enclosed passenger cabin, which was usually fitted with three seats for short-range flights.

The Noorduyn Norseman, also known as the C-64 Norseman, is a Canadian single-engine bush plane designed to operate from unimproved surfaces. Distinctive stubby landing gear protrusions from the lower fuselage make it easily recognizable. Introduced in 1935, the Norseman remained in production for almost 25 years with over 900 produced. A number of examples remain in commercial and private use to this day. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered or operated in 68 countries and also have been based and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. .

This shot shows how the display aircraft are situated in a large hangar.

A Stinson Reliant SR-9 on skiis. The Reliant was a popular single-engine four- to five-seat high-wing monoplane manufactured by the Stinson Aircraft Division of the Aviation Manufacturing Corporation of Wayne, Michigan.

Probably the most famous bushplane of them all: the deHavilland DHC-2 Beaver.

Successor to the Beaver, a big de Havilland DHC-3 Otter sits on floats.

Originally purpose-built for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) flying off U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, the Grumman S-2A Tracker lived on as firefighting aircraft after its naval service.

This little Canadian homebuilt (experimental) aircraft is called a MacGregor MG-65. It was built in 1960 to an original design by William MacGregor, an aircraft engineer. MacGregor was inspired by the Corben Baby Ace but wanted a biplane, the result being the MG-65. The Continental A-65 -- same as the Baby Ace -- was chosen as the power plant.

Another look at the MG-65.

A fairly rare Taylorcraft 20. You don't see too many four-seat Taylorcrafts flying around. Only 38 of this model Taylorcraft were built. Thousands of the two-seat Taylorcraft D and L-2 (military version) were built.

Inside this Beaver you could watch various videos. I experienced flying through the Agawa Canyon which seemed like something I might like to do someday in my RV-7!

Also in the big hangar was the Entomica Insectarium featuring reptiles and insects. You don't see something like this guy every day.

James Bond giving me the look.

I would not like to see one of these crawling on my skin!


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June 6, 2025 - Driving to Alaska Canadian Bushplane Museum

June 6, 2025 - Driving to Alaska
Canadian Bushplane Museum