Pearson and Quintal Will Join Aviation Hall of Fame
The pilots of the famous Gimli Glider will be honoured together at a ceremony in Calgary in September 2027.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Canada
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Captain Bob Pearson and First Officer Maurice Quintal will be inducted into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame. This recognition honours their actions during the emergency landing of their flight in July 1983.
Why it matters
The recognition acknowledges the pilots' extraordinary skill in landing a passenger aircraft that had run out of fuel. The Hall of Fame updated its rules to permit the joint induction of the two airmen.
The 1983 flight carried 61 passengers from Montreal to Edmonton before forced landing in Gimli, Manitoba, located 80 km from Winnipeg. The aircraft successfully landed 43 years ago despite a fuel information system malfunction.
The players
Bob Pearson
He is a captain who served as a pilot during the emergency landing of the flight known as the Gimli Glider.
Maurice Quintal
He was the first officer on the flight and was instrumental in the safe landing before his passing in 2015.
Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame
This organization celebrates the history of aviation in Canada and maintains the registry of significant contributors to the field.
The details
Pearson and Quintal safely landed a Boeing 767 on a runway occupied by go-kart racers by utilizing their knowledge of the former Royal Canadian Air Force base. They famously performed a slip manoeuvre to angle the plane sideways and reduce their airspeed to reach the landing site.
Timeline
The emergency landing of the Gimli Glider occurred in July 1983.
First Officer Maurice Quintal died in 2015.
The pilots will receive the award in Calgary in September 2027.
Travel Outlook
The Gimli Glider landing remains a defining event in Canadian aviation history, and this induction underscores its enduring legacy. The recognition marks a shift in institutional policy to properly honour the joint efforts that prevented a disaster.
Those interested in aviation history can plan to visit the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame to see the updated exhibits regarding this historic flight. Visitors should monitor official announcements for the exact dates of the September 2027 ceremony in Calgary to avoid scheduling conflicts.
The takeaway
The recognition of these pilots highlights the importance of expert airmanship during critical equipment failures. Travellers can appreciate the rigorous training standards that define modern aviation safety.
What happens next
Captain Bob Pearson and the family of the late Maurice Quintal will attend the induction ceremony in Calgary in September 2027.
Further reading
For more on the history of aviation across the country, visit Canada.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBC News.
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