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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

canadian north emblemFirst Air / Canadian North historical trivia -

Excerpts from the Canadian North website.

  • 1946 - Russell (Russ) Bradley forms Bradley Air Services Ltd based in Ottawa.
  • 1954 - Charter and aerial survey work for then DEW line was undertaken. During 1958, on contract for the Geological Survey of Canada, Russ Bradley & partner Weldy Phipps mount tundra tires on Piper Super Cubs, revolutionizing Arctic explorations capability in the process.
tmb 550 bradley tundra tires

  • 1968 - Bradley Air Services is awarded air support contract for the Polar Continental Shelf Project.
tmb 550 bradley air services

  • 1973 - Bradley Air Services Ltd creates First Air and opens a major base in Resolute Bay in the High Arctic.
tmb 550 bradley first air

  • 1990 - Makivik Corporation, the organization representing the Inuit of Northern Quebec, purchases First Air.
  • 1995 - Ptarmigan Airways purchased expanding the scope in the Western Arctic.
ptarmigan airways dhc 2T

  • 1997 - NWT Air is purchased, solidifying passenger, cargo and charter services throughout the entire North.
  • 2005 - First Air introduces all-passenger Boeing 737 jet service on the Ottawa-Iqaluit route.
tmb First Air B 737

Photo by Alasdair McLellanen.wikipedia.org


  • 2010 - First Air mobilizes the Boeing 767 Super Freighter to aid in Haiti disaster relief.
  • 2019 Canadian North and First Air are united to form a strong sustainable airline.
tmb First Air B 767

Photo by Jpr89 @ en.wikipedia.org

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