First Military Test Flights National Historic Event

Petawawa, Ontario
First Military Test Flights (© PC Database)
First Military Test Flights
(© PC Database)
Address : off County Rd. 55, 2.3 km east of Hwy 17 near Menin Road, Petawawa, Ontario

Recognition Statute: Historic Sites and Monuments Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-4)
Designation Date: 1951-05-30

Other Name(s):
  • First Military Test Flights  (Designation Name)

Importance: Military demonstration of aircraft flight in 1909

Plaque(s)


Existing plaque: cairn - entrance of CFB Petawawa off County Rd. 55, 2.3 km east of Hwy 17 near Menin Road, Petawawa, Ontario

The first military demonstration of aircraft flight in Canada was given at Petawawa Camp in August 1909, by J.A.D. McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin, with the assistance of the Royal Canadian Engineers. On the morning of 2 August, they made three successful flights in the Silver Dart. This aircraft was destroyed in landing after the fourth flight. Further flights were made in the Baddeck No. 1 on 12 and 13 August. The tests ended on 13 August, after this aircraft was damaged.