Canada Aviation and Space Museum

Overview

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum, located at Ottawa/Rockcliffe Airport in Ottawa and operated by Ingenium, is Canada’s national aviation history museum. Established in 1964, it houses over 130 aircraft and artifacts ranging from early bushplanes to Cold War jets and iconic exhibits like the Avro Arrow and the Canadarm.

Exhibits & Highlights

Visitors can explore collections that span civil and military aviation, including rare bush-planes, Second World War fighters, the nose of the Avro Arrow, the first Canadarm, and a full-scale model of Alouette-1 satellite. The museum delivers immersive experiences such as flight simulators, cockpit demonstrations, and seasonal flight experiences like helicopter rides and biplane flights.

Accessibility & Visitor Info

Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed only December 25. Admission varies by age (adult ≈ CA$16.75), with free entry between 4–5 p.m. and discounts including the Canada Strong Pass and CAA members. The museum is fully accessible—automatic doors, elevators, accessible parking, assistive devices, and self-guides in PDF/BRF formats are all available.

Organizational Details

The museum is managed by Ingenium—Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, a Crown corporation headquartered in Ottawa. Ingenium oversees three national museums: the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, and the Canada Science and Technology Museum.

Additional Context

The Canada Aviation and Space Museum is recognized as one of the world’s finest aviation collections. Its exhibits engage with Canada’s aviation heritage from 1909 to present, and it forms part of a broader national effort to preserve and promote scientific and technological heritage through both physical and digital platforms.