The Trans-Canada Trophy, also known as the McKee Trophy, is awarded by the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute to a Canadian citizen who has made an outstanding, contemporary achievement in aerospace operations, whether a single act within the year prior to the award or a sustained level of performance over a period of several years. The award was founded in 1927 by James Dalzell McKee (1893–1927) and is the oldest aviation award in Canada.[1]
The figure atop the Trans-Canada Trophy (McKee Trophy).
In 1926, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Squadron Leader Albert Earl Godfrey and McKee flew together in a Douglas O-2BS seaplane from Montreal, Quebec to Vancouver, British Columbia.[1] During the course of the flight it was decided a "Trans-Canada Trophy" would be created to commemorate the flight. In appreciation of the RCAF and the Ontario Provincial Air Services, McKee presented the trophy, requesting it be awarded each year to the person who best advanced aviation in Canada. McKee also provided an endowment for a replica to be given to each winner.[1]
The trophy was deeded to the Crown in the person of the Department of National Defence, which controlled all aspects of aviation at the time, both military and civil.[2] In 1971, the administration of the McKee trophy was transferred to the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute.
2006 John Aitken, NRC Institute for Aerospace Research
2007 Captain Gordon Lemon, Canadian Armed Forces
2008 CF Cormorant, 19 Wing, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, Captain Sean Morris, Captain Rob Mulholland, Flight Engineer Cpl Derek Agnew, SAR Tech MCpl Kent Gulliford, and SAR Tech Sgt Yves St. Denis, Canadian Armed Forces
2009 Mr. Larry Dufraimont, Bombardier Aerospace
2010 Captain S.C. Mullins, Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre(O)
