After going through the many hardcovers and paperbacks on sale at the Canadian Museum of Flight in Langley, Mel Neidig made a purchase, then went for a walk through the main exhibition hangar
Neidig pointed out the bright yellow Fleet 16B Finch biplane, a 140 Royal Canadian Air Force trainer that he used to pilot back when he was flying for the museum.
“I’ve flown up to Chilliwack and back [in that plane],” said Neidig, who recalled the Finch as fun to fly.
“I enjoyed it.”
Neidig was a commercial pilot with Pacific Western Airlines for 34 years, flying jets like the 737 and 767.
He said he’s always had a particular affection for small, light planes like the older aircraft designs in the museum collection.
He’s been involved with the museum from the very beginning, going back to when Ed Zalesky established the Canadian Museum of Flight and Transportation.
Formed in 1970 out of concern about the drain of Canadian historic aircraft from the country, the museum originally operated at the Zalesky family farm in Surrey.
The museum moved to Langley in 1996.
In August, Neidig celebrated his 90th birthday at the museum with about 100 guests.
“The museum has meant a lot for me,” he said.
On Saturday, Dec. 15, the Canadian Museum of Flight will celebrate the holidays with “Christmas in the air” when Santa flies in from the North Pole.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be pictures with Santa in the hangar, a Christmas craft station, holiday games and the gift shop sale (which will continue till Dec. 22).
Admission for a family of four is $10 and reservations are recommend. Call 604-533-6106.
The museum is located at Hangar #3 5333 216th St.
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The museum and restoration site houses over 25 aircraft ranging from a WWII Handley Page Hampden to a T-33 Silver Star.
Flight-worthy aircraft include the Fleet Finch, a Tiger Moth, SE5A replica, Waco AQC Cabin, Fleet Canuck and the Harvard II.
