July 9, 1945: An RCAF Spitfire flying from Rivers, Manitoba, photographed the eclipse of the sun from 34,000 ft.

February 15-May 6, 1946: In “Exercise Musk Ox”, the RCAF from Churchill, Manitoba, provided an air drop supply to a Canadian Army expedition across the “Barren Lands.”

April 15, 1946: The first post-war Auxiliary Squadrons were formed including 402 (Winnipeg) as a fighter squadron. Over the years, the “City of Winnipeg” Squadron has changed roles to a transport, air search-and-rescue and training unit.

March 1, 1947: RCAF Air Commands were reorganized with No. 11 Group (Winnipeg) formed.

April 1947: Central Northern Airways (CAN) based in Manitoba, was started. Later renamed Transair, it operated until 1979 under various incarnations.

1948: Flin Flon Airport, originally named Channing Airport, was constructed by Arrow Airways.

1949: Trans-Canada Air Lines moved its corporate headquarters from Winnipeg to Montreal.

1951: Lynn Lake Airport was built by the Local Government District of Lynn Lake in conjunction with the Department of Transport.

1952: The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) was formed in Canada patterned after the AOPA (United States) association. A number of local chapters were formed in Manitoba.

1957: The Volunteer Air Patrol, a civil air search group was formed in Winnipeg.

1960: Perimeter Airlines began operations in Manitoba. Now the largest independent passenger airline in Manitoba, Perimeter is also by far the largest carrier in Manitoba, in terms of number of aircraft, number of pilots and number of flights. Ilford-Riverton Airways began operation as Ilford Airways, later combining in 1963 with Riverton Airways.

1961: Thompson Airport was constructed by the International Nickel Co. and is now operated by theThompson Airport Authority.

1962: Argus Industries, a custom manufacturer of rubber molded products and custom die cut gasket seals, began operations with headquarters in Winnipeg. Calm Air began as a single aircraft operation in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Calm Air International today has grown into one of central Canada’s largest regional and northern air carriers. St. Andrews Airport, a general and commercial aviation operation, opened in 1962 to relieve the Winnipeg International Airport of increased flight training and air traffic.

1963: Northway Aviation was started in Arness, Manitoba.

1966: Gillam Airstrip was constructed by Manitoba Hydro, with a grant from the Department of Transport.

1968: Norway House Airport was built by Manitoba Department of Highways and Transportation. Shell Aerospace (Kelly Western), providing fuel and other services to the aviation community, began operations at the Winnipeg International Airport.

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