AVRO Museum

Name: AVRO Museum
Address: 229 Avro Lane, Rocky View County, AB, T3Z3S5, CA
Telephone: +1 403-279-7791
Price range: $

Welcome to Avro Museum. Open House: noon-3pm on the 2nd Sunday of every month. Email in to book private tours! V.

Initial research for the replica aircraft project took some 8 years and resulted in the group receiving a multitude of Avro historical technical documents and media references. In honor of this growing collection, the name of the organization was changed to A. Roe Canada Aviation Museum Association (Avro Museum).

05/27/2026

The ARROW II build continues to make steady progress, with teams focusing on several key areas of development and fabrication. Work has been moving forward on the landing gear systems, flight control components, canopy development, fuel system installation, and engine mock-up.

A major area of attention this month has been the main and nose landing gear. As part of the build process, the team identified the need for a design adjustment to ensure the aircraft sits at the correct operating height when on its wheels. This refinement fits well with the planned rebuilding and preparation of the donor aircraft’s main gear (see pictures) before installation.

Progress is also being made on the elevon actuator system. Design and testing are well underway, and once that phase is complete, the fabrication team will begin building a prototype elevon for further evaluation and refinement.

The cockpit canopy is another area showing solid progress. Prototyping and fitment work continue, with particular attention being given to achieving an effective seal for the canopy system.

The fuel distribution system is nearing completion as installation of the remaining fuel and vent lines wraps up. The next steps will prepare the internal wing tanks for later stages of wing assembly.

Work on the engine installation and support structure mock-up is also continuing steadily, with no major issues reported. Overall, the project remains on track, and the team is pleased with the momentum being maintained across multiple build areas.

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

05/19/2026

The Arrow II will be using the civilian version of the Snowbirds' engines.
Thank you to Noah Leon of Moosefuel Media for this video!

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

05/12/2026

For those that can't make it on Sundays or looking for something to do this long weekend, we have an extra open house this Monday, May 18th! Our doors will be open from 12-3pm; entrance is by donation and we welcome people of all ages.

During the open house we have tours run by our volunteers to show you our construction of a 60% scale, piloted replica of the Avro Arrow, lots of information about Avro Canada, and a simulator to try out.

For those interested we will also have our shop open the entire time, that way you can take home keepsakes and merchandise. Our entire store is also available online with pictures, prices, and details.

If you can’t make it to our open house feel free to email us as we can always set up a private tour!

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

05/09/2026

Our breakfast is 3 weeks away!

05/05/2026

This Sunday, May 10th is our next open house! Our doors will be open from 12-3pm; entrance is by donation and we welcome people of all ages.

During the open house we have tours run by our volunteers to show you our construction of a 60% scale, piloted replica of the Avro Arrow, lots of information about Avro Canada, and a simulator to try out.

For those interested we will also have our shop open the entire time, that way you can take home keepsakes and merchandise. Our entire store is also available online with pictures, prices, and details.

If you can’t make it this Sunday, we have a special open house next week on Victoria Day, Monday May 18th.

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

04/30/2026

Part 2 - Mike Cooper-Slipper - Avro Canada Test Pilot

Early in the CF-100 program, Mike tested the high-altitude pressure suit, flying at 40,000 feet. If the cabin depressurized for some reason, it would have been catastrophic to the pilot. The pressure suit would inflate in such an emergency to give the pilot enough time to descend to a safer altitude. There wasn't adequate instrumentation to test the suit with someone in it, so they: had to conduct live trials. At the Center for Experimental Flight Testing in Dayton, Ohio, Mike experienced the stresses of pressure chamber testing and explosive decompression at altitudes equivalent to as much as 65,000 feet.

In 1954, sadly, Mike lost all of his wartime and test logbooks and his pressure suit in a fire at Avro which claimed the jet Lancaster, the flight test Sabre and some CF-lO0s. In 1955, Mike was appointed chief test pilot at Orenda for the new Iroquois engine on the CF-105 Arrow.

The only suitable engine test bed aircraft was a B-47 powered by six jet engines and loaned by the USAF to the RCAF, then assigned to Orenda. In late 1956, Mike and his crew learned to fly the B-47 at a Strategic Air Command base in Wichita, Kansas. With the large Iroquois nacelle attached to the aft fuselage, the B-47 was sensitive to variations in pitch and lacked longitudinal stability among other issues. Designated the Canadair CL-52, it was a challenge to fly.

Conclusion of the article is in the comments...

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

04/29/2026

Part 1: Mike Cooper-Slipper - Avro Canada Test Pilot

(Excerpt from CAHS' FLYPAST, V. 56 NO. 4, "The Flying Career of T.P.M. "Mike” Cooper-Slipper, DFC" From a presentation by Chris Cooper-Slipper and edited by Gord McNulty.)

By the end of the war, after 7 ½ years of continuous flying, Mike had enough. He left the RAF in 1946, with an enviable combat record across four theatres of combat. In the fall of 1947, interested in Ontario government incentives for skilled technicians, he emigrated to Canada aboard a DC-4 headed for Malton. He soon joined Avro Canada, working with Avro test pilot Don Rogers, who had Mike's logbooks. Avro had a contract to overhaul RCN Sea Furies based in Halifax and Mike was the ideal person to fly the Sea Furies.

He became Avro's first post-war test pilot, flying a variety of aircraft including Lancasters, Mitchells and Venturas. Mike gained valuable experience flying Avro's modified Lancaster FM209 test bed, reconfigured with two Orenda jet engines to replace the two outboard Merlins. On several occasions, the crew played cat and mouse with 'weekend-warrior' P-47 Thunderbolt pilots of the USAF from the Niagara Falls ANG base. They never were able to catch FM209.

Part 1 continues in the comments...

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

04/21/2026

It’s National Volunteer Week, and we’re honouring the amazing volunteers who drive the Avro Museum’s mission forward. Whether they’re preserving our collection, leading tours, or working on the Arrow II replica, every individual who dedicates their time and skills is an essential part of our crew.

Thank you, volunteers! You truly are the heart of our Museum!

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Get quarterly updates by signing up for our newsletter at http://eepurl.com/cRctCX

04/14/2026

There has been a lot of misinformation circulating regarding the status of our Arrow II replica project. To clarify, we aim to be ready for rollout by autumn 2027, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Avro Arrow's rollout. Following the rollout, we will begin with taxi trials and eventually move on to flight testing. However, there is still a considerable amount of work to be done to get to rollout, and as is often the case, our progress will depend on funding.

Do you own, operate, or work within the aviation industry? If so, your company could sponsor a piece of the Arrow II. Sponsorship opportunities range from contributing specific components of the aircraft to supporting the broader project needs. By becoming a sponsor, your company will not only gain visibility within the aviation community but also become part of a historic effort to revive a legendary aircraft. This collaboration offers a unique chance to demonstrate your commitment to innovation, engineering excellence, and the preservation of aviation heritage.

Furthermore, sponsors will be recognized in diverse ways according to their level of support, through multiple channels such as our website, events, and publications, ensuring that your support is acknowledged and celebrated. We invite you to contact us to discuss how your company can become a valued partner in this remarkable journey.

Together, we can honour the legacy of the Avro Arrow and inspire future generations of aerospace enthusiasts.

Open House: Second Sunday of every month
Location: 20-229 Avro Lane, Springbank Calgary
Email: [email protected]
Website: avromuseum.ca
Online Store: avromuseum.myshopify.com
Research Hub: https://hub.catalogit.app/avro-museum

Address

229 Avro Lane
Rocky View County, AB
T3Z3S5

Opening Hours

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Telephone

+1 403-279-7791

Website

https://www.avromuseum.com/, http://avromuseum.ca/

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