The City of Brandon is inviting the public to the unveiling of the Brandon Municipal Airport Aviation new Wall of Fame this week Wednesday!

"The Brandon Municipal Airport Aviation Wall of Fame recognizes and commemorates those who have made outstanding contributions to Brandon Airport's long history and successes in aviation," shares Greg Brown, Brandon Municipal Airport Manager.

The following nominees will be added to this year's Aviation Wall of Fame. Here is a brief biography of each, written from the Brandon Municipal Airport website: 

• Edward Robert McGill

Edward Robert McGill is the grandson of a Manitoba settler, born in Vancouver on September 21, 1912. The family moved back to Brandon when Edward was seven years old. Educated in Brandon, he attended Brandon College for one year prior to enrolling at Queen's University and graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1934.

In 1946, McGill received a letter offering him the position of Secretary Manager and Chief Flying Instructor of the newly formed Brandon Flying Club. He began work in July of that year with a fleet of five Tiger Moths purchased from Crown Assets Corporation, and in September, the first class of 10 air cadets graduated. In 1952 he assumed the additional responsibility of Airport Manager. McGill, along with partners, formed Brandon Air Services on November 19, 1946 (later renamed Maple Leaf Aviation). He was President and General Manager until Jim Wall was promoted to General Manager in 1956.

McGill helped organize satellite flying training schools in Virden, Dauphin, Neepawa and Souris, as well as the Flying Farmers in Manitoba. In 1968, after many years of lobbying Transport Canada, Brandon Air Radio was upgraded to a full control tower, and a new terminal building was built. On December 31, 1970, Brandon Municipal Airport was renamed McGill Field to recognize Ed McGill's "outstanding contribution to Canadian aviation."

• James Douglas Wall

James Wall was born in Brandon, Manitoba, on March 22, 1933. He spent his entire life in Brandon, earning his Private Pilot's license at the Brandon Flying Club as an Air Cadet with the 82nd Squadron.  He accomplished this in a short 30 days and 25 hours of flying time! In 1951 he earned an Air Cadet International Exchange trip to England, Scotland and Wales, the same year he graduated from high school in Brandon.

Wall worked at the airport as a lineman, hangar attendant, aircraft washer and mechanic's helper. He built flying hours (at a cost of $8 per hour) by barnstorming with other pilots on weekends, ferrying aircraft and taking people for rides. Jim moved up the ladder of success and was soon employed as a full-time Apprentice Maintenance Engineer earning a wage of 25 cents per hour.

In 1954 Jim tested for a Commercial Pilot's licence. Scoring remarkably high on his tests he was selected as a finalist for Western Canada for the Webster Trophy, an achievement awarded annually to the top amateur pilot in Canada.  He missed the claim of top pilot by only one-tenth of a point! 

 

Brandon Airport Manager, Greg Brown says the leadership in aviation from both of these men spearheaded the building of significant aviation programs at Brandon Municipal Airport, this accomplished through their contributions to the Brandon Flying Club and Maple Leaf Aviation Ltd.

Brown says this is just a start to the Brandon Airport's Wall of Fame, and he encourages friends and families to nominate someone who has contributed to the field of aviation in a significant way and connected to the Brandon Airport. "I can say that the inductees, their family members, are very much the driving force behind us doing this."

"I encourage people to attend and if they have family members who were involved with the Brandon Airport to please fill out the nomination forms and submit them," adds Brown.

Wall of Fame Criteria:

To be considered for this honour, a potential nominee must be affiliated with Brandon Municipal Airport in one of the following categories:

     a. Aviation Achievement This nominee is a person who was/is a pilot, maintainer, flight student, flight crew, support staff, or involved in general aviation. A person can be nominated for a lifetime achievement, including long service, or for a single significant event. 

     b. Aviation Pioneer or Builder This nominee will have fostered or spearheaded the building of significant aviation programs, infrastructure, or business at the airport.

     c. Aviation Industry Leadership/Community Outreach This nominee will have been engaged in or supported airport/aviation-oriented activities that garnered outstanding recognition in Brandon, across Manitoba or across the Canadian aviation community.

Nominations are currently being accepted! If you are aware of a potential nominee, fill out the Wall of Fame Nomination Form or contact Greg Brown, Brandon Municipal Airport Manager, at 204-729-2441 or greg.brown@brandon.ca.

The unveiling ceremony will take place this Wednesday from 2-3 pm in the arrival hall of the Brandon Municipal Airport.

More information on Edward McGill and James Wall, their contributions and accomplishments, can be found on the Brandon Municipal Airport website or click the link below.

Wall of Fame Inductees - Brandon Municipal Airport

Please listen to more of the interview with Greg Brown below.