Home     Aircraft Images      Airshow Reviews     Positive Images      Profile      Links       Website Updates      e-mail

Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame legend, George Neal passed away at his home in Toronto on 4 April 2016. George Neal was 97 years old and still lived in the home he was born in at Downsview, Ontario. Less then a year ago, on 22 June, 2015 George Neal entered the Guiness Book of World Records as the oldest active licensed pilot in the world. Mr. Neal received his Canadian pilots license in 1936.

Before World War Two, George Neal was employed by deHavilland Canada as an engine mechanic. During the war years he served as a civilian flying instructor for the BCATP where he accumulated over 2,200 hours of flight time. In 1947, he returned to deHavilland Canada and was one of the first Canadian pilots to be qualified on the first RCAF jet fighter, the deHavilland Vampire. Working for deHavilland Canada Mr. Neal test flew and demonstrated most of the company’s designs including the Chipmunk, Beaver, Twin Otter, Caribou, Buffalo, Dash 7 and Dash 8. He retired in 1983 as Director of Flight Operations. During his aviation career he logged over 15,000 hours in 150 types of aircraft.

George Neal also restored and built several vintage aircraft that included a Sopwith Pup and Hawker Hind for the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum where he was the museum’s chief test pilot for many years. He flew both the museum’s Pup and Avro 504 for the museum. He also owned and regularly flew a deHavilland Chipmunk and Hornet Moth.

Home     Aircraft Images      Airshow Reviews     Positive Images      Profile      Links       Website Updates      e-mail

Welcome to www.airic.ca Photography by Eric Dumigan. The following terms and conditions apply to your use of the Website. Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using the Website. You are not permitted to re-transmit, distribute or commercialise the information or material without seeking prior written approval from Eric Dumigan For written permission to use the information or material from this site, please contact Eric Dumigan.

.