Ontario's Historical Plaques

at ontarioplaques.com

Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques

Austin Airways 1934-1987

Austin Airways 1934-1987

Photo by contributor George Nassas - Posted April, 2006

Plaque Location

The City of Greater Sudbury
On the boardwalk near Ramsey Lake and Science North
100 Ramsay Lake Road


Coordinates: N 46 28.275 W 80 59.670

Map

Plaque Text

Austin Airways, a pioneering aviation firm, played a leading role in the economic development of the Ontario north in the mid-twentieth century. At first its main business was flying Toronto mining executives to remote northern sites. Based in Sudbury after 1938, the airline hauled freight, flew medical evacuations, fought forest fires, trained pilots and transported tourists. In the 1940s, Austin diversified into aerial photography, timber surveying, aerial prospecting, and ice reconnaissance flights over Hudson Bay. One of its pilots, the legendary Thurston "Rusty" Blakey, logged about 30,000 hours in the air during his 49 years with the company. Austin Airways was absorbed into Air Ontario in 1987.

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Posted January 30, 2012
I am Mary Pauli, widow of Bob Pauli. Does anyone remember him. Aircrash of February 28, 1977?

Posted December 29, 2011
mark daly worked as a crewman for austin airways from jan 1976-april 1976 on a dc3. pilots were sykes, bob paulie, bob young, charly twa, des cartner, joe deluce. just a few names i remember, these guys might remember me as i was run out of town at sun up from "great whle river quebec" and flown to timmins on the companies cesna 402 exectutive liner.april 1976, i was 17 years old andwas fooling around with the inuit girls my age.

Posted July 23, 2011
I have wondered about CF'IMQ Ivan Queen Mike. And JHb the canso I have lost my log books for site 500 Winisk. But I do have Austin airways biogrphy history.
Jim Blain .

Posted July 23, 2011
Does anyone have any information on Bob Mitchell,he was brought up in South Porcupine,his father,was a pilot for MacIntyre Mine and the plane was stationed at Porcupine Lake.His friend,was Chuck Charity,George Charity's Son. My name is Donald Lightbody,brought up at Dome Mines LTD. Also,any information about ED AR,he used to fly into Porcupine Lake in around 1929-1930. You can reach me at . Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, Donald Lightbody

Posted January 14, 2011
my grandfather george charity flew for them as well. out of south porcupine...he survived the cf-ilq wreck.

Posted February 21, 2010
worked for austin airways 1980 timmins ontario now live in sutton ontario

Posted January 24, 2009
charlie cambell, ex raf ,south porcupine. did fly ins to austin lake for fishing? 1957 or so? was not a beaver. is my memory fading? i was 12 years old, front seat,dad+brother in back,canoe lashed between pontoons. great memories, recommend a new fly in for me+grand kids?
thanks, bob pyne

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