On October 21, 2002, Marcel Gauvin, treasurer, and I went to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) global headquarters in downtown Montreal to participate in the induction, among other things, of the Ailes de l’Espérance at the Panthéon de l’Air et de l’Espace du Québec.

These enthronements (one of our members prefers to talk about canonizations) are the initiative of the Fondation Aérovision Québec de Saint-Hubert. The aim is to highlight the exceptional contribution of men and women who have significantly influenced the development of aeronautics in Quebec. Photos of the members inducted since 2001 are displayed on the second floor of Dorval airport. The Panthéon de l’Air et de l’Espace du Québec will find its final location in the future Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace du Québec in Saint-Hubert, the most historic airport in Canada.

At this event, we had the opportunity to meet several members, pilots and ex-administrators of the Ailes de l’Espérance. In front of the audience gathered in the ICAO premises, I had the honour of receiving, on behalf of the organization, the commemorative plaque of inauguration.

Once again, we thank the Fondation Aérovision Québec and its president, Jacques Laframboise, for the tribute paid to our organization, and we feel very honoured by the recognition given to all the valiant pilots of the Ailes de l’Espérance, for their work done in the Amazon in often heroic conditions.

André Franche
(extract from bulletin Printemps 2003)