Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, Winnipeg

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada, located in Winnipeg, is a major institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Canada’s rich aviation heritage. Originally established as the Western Canada Aviation Museum in 1974, the museum began with a modest but growing collection of military and civilian aircraft and initially sought a home at Saint Andrews Airport. It soon found a more central location in downtown Winnipeg, and by 1975 had already acquired 25 aircraft.

In the mid-1980s, the museum moved to Hangar T-2 at Winnipeg International Airport. Planning for a new, modern facility began in 2013 with Reich&Petch, and the museum received its "Royal" designation in December 2014. After closing its Ferry Road site in 2018, construction of a new 8,000-square-metre building started in May 2020 with federal support and was completed by August 2021 near the Winnipeg airport.

Inside the spacious hangar and mezzanine, visitors can explore aircraft both on display and suspended from above. The museum features one-of-a-kind aircraft, military jets, bush planes, and commercial airliners, all organized into thematic zones such as Canadian Innovation, Northern Connections, and Military Skies. Interactive areas like Experience Flight and the Mechanics Workshop provide engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages.

In addition to its impressive exhibits, the museum houses one of Canada’s largest aviation reference libraries, containing an extensive collection of books, technical manuals, periodicals, blueprints, and over 40,000 archival items-including rare photographs, films, and audio recordings.

The Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada stands as a significant cultural and educational institution, offering a deep dive into the stories and technologies that have shaped Canadian aviation.