A new attraction was unveiled last night at the KF Centre for Excellence.听
A meticulously restored 1948 de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, named 鈥楳iss El鈥 in honour of B次元官网网址B次元官网网址 Hotel Eldorado, has joined the aircraft on display at the Centre for Excellence.听
鈥淭his iconic Canadian aircraft embodies a rich history of innovation, resilience, and community spirit,鈥 states a release.
First manufactured in 1947, the de Havilland Beaver, with its sturdy design and short take-off and landing capabilities has been used primarily as a bush plane, for both cargo and passenger purposes. More than 1,600 of the planes were made before production at the original assembly line ceased in 1967 and many are still in service worldwide.听
In 1987, it was named one of the Top 10 Canadian engineering achievements of the 20th Century by the Canadian Engineering Centennial Board.听
The 60,000 sq.-ft Centre showcases achievement and innovation in the aerospace industry in the Okanagan, and celebrates the aviation community. It aims to inspire interest and participation in aerospace, and supports career development and training.听
鈥淚 think the vision we have here is to give young people a better understanding of all the opportunities there are in aerospace,鈥 KF Aerospace founder Barry Lapointe said when the Centre, designed in the shape of an airplane, was opened in August 2022.听
The Centre features a number of rare and vintage aircraft, including a flight-capable Second World War-era Mosquito fighter-bomber, as well as many exhibits and hands-on displays such as a flight simulator. The Centre is at 5800 Lapointe Dr, just north of YLW.听
KF Aerospace is the largest privately-owned employer in the Okanagan. Lapointe founded the company in 1970 and its operations now include aircraft maintenance, engineering, flight operations, leasing, and military pilot training and defence programs.听