About

INSPIRING, EDUCATING, AND ENTERTAINING

Our Museum

The new Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is a world-class facility filled with interactive experiences and inspirational storytelling.

Our goal is to engage visitors with stories of Canada’s aviation and aerospace heritage while providing an environment to inspire future generations of aviators and innovators.

The museum has quickly become a signature attraction in Winnipeg.

Manitoba’s Aviation Origins

Even before its establishment as a city, Winnipeg was the epicentre of trade and commerce for Indigenous nations and travelers headed for all points north. When air travel landed in Western Canada in the 1920s, Winnipeg continued as a gateway for development, eventually becoming the operational headquarters for each of Canada’s first three national air services. From aerial survey and mapping to cargo and passenger transport, to innovation in cold weather flying and rocket science, Manitobans have led the way both nationally and internationally. We recognize the importance of aviation history to Manitobans and have been collecting historically significant artefacts for decades.

We have been curating our large collection of more than 90 historic aircraft, 70,000 artefacts, texts, and photographs for more than 40 years. We started with a small group of visionaries and are now proud to have one of the largest aviation heritage collections in Canada. We are one of only six “Royal” museums in Canada, recognizing the hard work of our team and the partnerships we hold, all to help preserve the legends that aided in shaping the nation that we know today.

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada seeks to honour and commemorate the history of Indigenous Peoples and aviation in Western Canada while engaging with the complex history of travel, trade, and relationships in this place. We are committed to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and to facilitating a safe space for reconciliation to occur.

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada is located on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Lakota, and Dene Peoples, and the National Homeland of the Métis Nation. 

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past, and we dedicate ourselves to move forward in partnership with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

The Building

Our museum was designed by Architecture49 and Reitch + Petch Architects and built by PCL Construction.

At 86,000 square feet, the building houses more than 20 aircraft—six of which are suspended—14 galleries, meeting rooms, classrooms, a boutique gift shop, an observation lounge overlooking active runways, and more.

children throwing paper airplanes

OUR MISSION

We preserve and promote the stories of aviation in western and northern Canada while educating, entertaining, and inspiring.

OUR VISION

We will be an inspirational, world-class destination that tells the story of bush flying, Canadian aerospace, and aviation.

OUR HISTORY

From the dedication of the five founding members – Murray Clearwater, Doug Emberley, Gord Emberley, Al Hansen, and Keith Olson – and with the help of thousands of volunteers, the Western Canada Aviation Museum grew into an award-winning heritage institution dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Canada’s early aviation history.

The aircraft on display reflect the most complete collection of bush aircraft in North America. Our collection is truly national in scope, showcasing the “adventure and innovation” that characterized the early period of Canada’s aviation history. Other examples include military and commercial aircraft that encompass Canadian innovations across the board.

Many pioneering and other significant aviation events and inventions happened right here in Winnipeg and northern Manitoba, making the city an ideal location for a world-class aviation museum. It’s a tale of tenacious dedication, hard work, and enthusiastic vision.

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