Canadian Army Aviation Forum

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
All Pilots,

If you visited the website recently you will notice several changes and additions to our history. The changes are in keeping with making the website as progressive and interesting as possible. The site is attracting other members of the military and aviation buffs from the public. It appears that we are meeting our objective of telling the story of Army aviation.

What have we done? A visit to the website will show amongst other things, the following items:

An updated “Home” screen, a dedication to Bob Heitshu, several new articles including a well research paper contributed by LCol (Ret’d) Dean Black, Editor of Air Force Magazine, a very interesting account by Joe Oakley about an event in a C45, an account by Robin Hellar-Symonds from the UK, and a updated Memoriam section where John Dicker and John Heitshu are managing the listing of all our pilots who have taken the Last Flight.

With the passing of Bob Heitshu, we have reorganized our editorial board to continue managing the site. Yours truly is now Chairman of the Board with John Dicker as website Coordinator, Doc Hopper is our research Director and John Heitshu remains as our very capable website manager.

We still need your aviation story(ies) or biography (as it pertains to army flying), photos and any videos you might have. They all add to a great Canadian military story and history which few know about. Help us complete the picture as best we can.

A reminder, if you haven’t had your log book archived or you possess one from one of our pilots who has taken his Last Flight, our 150th Anniversary project is still underway. The details for archiving a log book at the Canadian Air and Space Museum are on the website. The bottom line is – get on with it, time is a wasting!

Finally, we enjoy hearing from you and we take your comments to heart. Keep the cards, letters and emails coming.

Yours truly,

Vic Coroy
Chairman, Website Editorial Board
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: July 30, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: John
Last Name: Dicker
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
All Pilots,

Regret to notify all that Maj (Ret'd) EHP (Pierre) Garneau RCAC passed-away in YOW 12 Jul 17 at the age of 94. Pierre was a student on No.1 AirOP and Liaison Pilot Course, graduating in Mar 49. This course was run by 444 AirOP Sqn (RCAF) at Rivers. The Sqn was later re-designated as the Light Aircraft School (LAS) 1 Apr 49. Fellow students on that course were Fred Wagner, Bill Hall, Rudy Ulrich and Dave Struthers. Further details on Pierre can be found in a previous post to this website dated 18 Nov 15 in both the "New" and "CJATC/AATTS" sections, entitled "Canadian Army Aviation Memories" authored by LCol(Ret'd) John Dicker. Pierre was the epitome of an officer and gentleman and his loss to the Canadian Army Aviator Band of Brothers is indeed most significant.

Our sincere condolences go out to the Garneau family on this very sad occasion.

John Dicker LCol(Ret'd)
Co-ordinator Canadian Army Aviation website

Added: July 19, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
All Pilots,

Sadly I must report that, BGen (Ret'd) Bob Heitshu took his last flight at 2300 Friday evening (2 June 17), His wife Wendy and his family were at his side. Tentative plans are for a family funeral before a reception at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.

Bob will be remembered not only as a distinguished Gunner officer but also his service as an Air OP pilot with 1 Air OP Flight, Camp Petawawa. Bob also served as the long standing Chairman of the Canadian Air OP Association until it was stood down. Latterly, he was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Army Aviation website and served as the Editorial Committee Chairman. BGen Bob Heitshu was a staunch supporter of all things related to army aviation and was determined that our history would not disappear. We will miss a great comrade along with his guidance and leadership.

Our sincere condolences go out to Wendy and his family.

Vic Coroy
Coordinator
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: June 7, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
All Pilots,

Sadly I relay the message that Bill Pollock has taken his last flight yesterday evening. When I receive more details, I will pass them on to you. Many of us who had the privilege of knowing Bill enjoyed an association with him as a friend, comrade, exceptional army and CF pilot, and a helicopter instructor to name a few hallmarks of his legacy as a gunner officer and pilot.

Our sincere sympathy to Marg and Bill's family

Vic Coroy
Coordinator
Canadian Army Aviation Website

Added: May 21, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: John
Last Name: Dicker
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Good Morning Don and on behalf of the Website Co-ordinator LCOL (Ret'd) Vic Coroy, thank you very much for your email on the subject of Capt RA "Rusty" Willet.

Rusty was indeed a Canadian Army aviator having graduated from Light Aircraft Pilot Course (LAPC)No. 44 in Dec 1966 at the Canadian Joint Air Training Centre (CJATC) at Rivers MB. He along with Capt Gerry Buck were both Black Watch (RHC)and the only two RHC Officers out of 24 Infantry Officers to qualify for the Canadian Army Flying Badge.

You can find Rusty's LAPC photo by clicking on the CJATC Section on the Home Page of the Canadian Army Aviation website (the crest second from the end on the right). Then on LAS and AATTS. Scroll down to LAPC 28-44 Graduation Photos and names CJATC Rivers Manitoba and go to LAPC 44. There you will see Rusty's Picture.

Also, Rusty flew at one time with Recce Tp in Germany. On the Home Page again, click on the Armoured Corps Crest second from the left, then scroll down to RCAC Helicopter Troop Photos and then scroll down to the last two photos titled 4 Tp C Sqn Royal Canadian Dragoons Lahr 1972 and you will see Rusty in both those photos.

I hope the foregoing isn't overly onerous Don, but I am sure you are interested.

Thank you for your input and interest in the Canadian Army Aviation Website.

John Dicker LCol (Ret'd)
Assistant Co-ordinator

Added: May 15, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Don
Last Name: Chipman
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
I recall Rusty Willett in 427 Sqn, ex- The Black Watch as perhaps having been an army pilot. He wore an RHR hat badge.

Added: May 15, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Terry
Last Name: Spurgeon
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Ex 429 Sqn. Mobile Command. RCAF Cap't. (ret'd). Based in St.Hubert. Fond memories of the Army pilots I met and flew with.

You have a nice website and I am sure I have stuff to contribute.

Hello Joe!

Added: May 13, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Robin
Last Name: Helliar-Symons
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hi,

Very much a shot in the dark, but I would welcome any information that anyone might have on RAF 665 Squadron (RCAF), as I own an Auster AOP5 which was flown by them during the squadrons short life near the end of WW2.

Added: May 11, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Vic
Last Name: Coroy
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Gary,

Regarding your query, our Director revisited the Canadian Army Aviators listing again and checked the status of Bob Lovett. We find that although he flew with 450 Sqn during the pre-unification period he was not awarded the Army Flying badge. He flew as a navy aviator and wore the CF wing. As a result he won't appear on the army flyers listings.

Our thanks for your interest.

Vic Coroy,

Coordinator
Candian Army Aviation Website

Added: May 10, 2017

Submitted by
First Name: Gary
Last Name: Younghusband
E-mail: Contact

Comments:
Hello. Enjoyed the pilot's list. You may wish to add Capt Bob Lovett. He was a former Naval pilot who ended up with 1THP/450 Sqn Det Namao in the late 60s. He was killed in the 1974/75 Chinook crash.

Added: May 10, 2017