McCurdy, John A. D. National Historic Person
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
John A.D. McCurdy
© Expired; Credit: J.H. Parkin / Library and Archives Canada / C-003191
Address :
Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Recognition Statute:
Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date:
1974-11-15
Life Date:
1886 to 1961
Other Name(s):
-
McCurdy, John A. D.
(Designation Name)
Research Report Number:
1974-001
Importance:
First person to fly an airplane in the British Empire (Silver Dart, 1909)
Plaque(s)
Existing plaque: Alexander Graham Bell NHSC Baddeck, Nova Scotia
Born in Baddeck, John McCurdy was early associated with Alexander Graham Bell. As pilot of the SILVER DART, here at Baddeck on 23 February 1909 he became the first person to fly an aeroplane in the British Empire, and in 1910 he was the first Canadian to be issued a pilot's licence. A pioneer of the aircraft industry, he was an officer of the Reid Aircraft Co. (1928) and of Curtiss-Reid Aircraft Ltd. (1929-39). McCurdy served as Assistant Director General of Aircraft Production in Canada (1939-47) and was Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia (1947-52). He died in Montréal.