Thurston Blakey
Encyclopedia
Thurston "Rusty" Blakey was a pioneering Canadian
aviator and bush pilot.
born Thurston Blakely (December 12, 1911) grew up in Bruce Mines
with an aunt and uncle after being orphaned in childhood. He went to work in 1935 for Austin Airways
, a charter service and flyings school at Ramsey Lake, becoming a licensed pilot in March 1938. Commonly known as "Rusty", Blakey flew for almost 50 years, with over 30,000 hours in single-engine aircraft, without mechanical aid. Over a third of those hours were logged in Austin Airway's Noorduyn Norseman
, CF-BSC. He continued piloting until October 10, 1986, the day before he died.
An aerial photographer whose work included medical evacuation flights and deliveries—not only miners and their equipment, but also supplies and mail to the James Bay
Inuit
—Blakey is particularly notable for his role in aerial firefighting
. In 1948, he became the first pilot to drop dry ice
, which would become a major technique in wildfire suppression.
(C.O.P.A.). In 1992, he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
In his honour, a monument was erected at Science North
, Ramsey Lake, by the Rusty Blakey Heritage Aviation Group. It is the site of an annual Rusty Blakey Air Show.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
aviator and bush pilot.
Biography
The Ravenna, OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
born Thurston Blakely (December 12, 1911) grew up in Bruce Mines
Bruce Mines, Ontario
Bruce Mines is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located on the north shore of Lake Huron in the Algoma District along Highway 17. The town of Bruce Mines has a population of 584 residents. The current mayor of Bruce Mines is Gordon Post.- History :...
with an aunt and uncle after being orphaned in childhood. He went to work in 1935 for Austin Airways
Austin Airways
Austin Airways was a passenger airline and freight carrier based in Timmins, Ontario, and the oldest in Canada.-Code Information:*ICAO Code:*IATA Code:*Call Sign:-Company history:...
, a charter service and flyings school at Ramsey Lake, becoming a licensed pilot in March 1938. Commonly known as "Rusty", Blakey flew for almost 50 years, with over 30,000 hours in single-engine aircraft, without mechanical aid. Over a third of those hours were logged in Austin Airway's Noorduyn Norseman
Noorduyn Norseman
The Noorduyn Norseman is a Canadian single-engine bush plane designed to operate from unimproved surfaces. Norseman aircraft are known to have been registered and/or operated in 68 countries throughout the world and also have been based and flown in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.-Design and...
, CF-BSC. He continued piloting until October 10, 1986, the day before he died.
An aerial photographer whose work included medical evacuation flights and deliveries—not only miners and their equipment, but also supplies and mail to the James Bay
James Bay
James Bay is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean. James Bay borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands within the bay are part of Nunavut...
Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
—Blakey is particularly notable for his role in aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
. In 1948, he became the first pilot to drop dry ice
Dry ice
Dry ice, sometimes referred to as "Cardice" or as "card ice" , is the solid form of carbon dioxide. It is used primarily as a cooling agent. Its advantages include lower temperature than that of water ice and not leaving any residue...
, which would become a major technique in wildfire suppression.
Honours and legacy
Blakey was honored multiple times before and after his death. In 1985, he became a Member of the Order of Canada. In 1986, he was bestowed an Honorary Life Membership in the Canadian Owners and Pilots AssociationCanadian Owners and Pilots Association
The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association is a federally registered not-for-profit association that provides information and advocacy services for Canadian pilots who fly for non-commercial purposes...
(C.O.P.A.). In 1992, he was inducted into Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.
In his honour, a monument was erected at Science North
Science North
Science North is an interactive science museum in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.The complex, which is Northern Ontario's most popular tourist attraction, consists of two snowflake-shaped buildings on the southwestern shore of Lake Ramsey, just south of the city's downtown core, as well as a...
, Ramsey Lake, by the Rusty Blakey Heritage Aviation Group. It is the site of an annual Rusty Blakey Air Show.