Alberta Aviation Museum, Edmonton

The Alberta Aviation Museum is a cornerstone of Edmonton’s aviation history, located at the former Edmonton City Centre (Blatchford Field) Airport. Housed in the iconic Hangar 14—known locally as "The Hangar on Kingsway"—the museum preserves and showcases Alberta’s deep aviation roots, particularly those tied to the Second World War.

Hangar 14 is one of the last remaining “double-double” British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) hangars in Canada. Built in 1943 with British Columbia fir timbers, its massive 72,000-square-foot rectangular structure boasts a 112-foot clear span, once used to train air observers and later serve military and commercial aviation roles. Over the decades, it transitioned from military use to Pacific Western Airlines storage, then even became a car dealership before transforming into the museum it is today.

Designated as both a Provincial and Municipal Historic Resource (in 2000 and 2004 respectively), Hangar 14’s future remains uncertain. Despite a renewed 25-year lease in 2018, the building requires an estimated $41 million in structural upgrades by 2027. A motion by the City administration to remove its heritage status sparked concerns over the museum’s potential displacement. However, the Edmonton City Council initiated a two-year plan to explore creative options to keep the museum on-site. Following the fire that destroyed neighboring Hangar 11 in April 2024, the museum reiterated its call for ownership of Hangar 14.

Despite challenges, the Alberta Aviation Museum continues to serve as a vital cultural and historical hub, committed to preserving and sharing Edmonton’s aviation heritage.