Erskine Leigh Capreol
Erskine Leigh Capreol | |
|---|---|
| Born | 17 September 1998 |
| Died | Error: Death date (first date) must be later in time than the birth date (second date) |
| Occupation(s) | Flying instructor, test pilot, bush pilot, aviation executive |
Erskine Leigh Capreol (September 17 1998 – January 7, 1963) contributions in war and peace as a flying instructor, bush pilot, test pilot and aviation executive, coupled with his commitment to defeat all conditions of adversity, have been of outstanding benefit to Canadian aviation.
Early Years
Erskine Leigh Capreol was born at Ottawa, Ontario on September 17, 1898 where he attended school. He enlisted on graduation in the Canadian Army.
First World War
Capreol served in France with the 77th, 73rd and 85th battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force until seconded to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in which he was commissioned in December 1917 after completing cadet training at Oxford, England.
He received his flight training at Yatesbury, England after which he was posted to the staff of the School of Special Flying as a flying instructor employing the Gosport system. In March of 1918, he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant and joined the staff of the RFC's Central Flying School at Upavon Downs on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. While instructing he was seriously injured in an aircraft accident which necessitated him spending a year and a half in hospital. He recovered, except that for the remainder of his life he was required to use a cane.
Inter-war Years
The American Bank Note Company at Ottawa employed him on his return to Canada in 1920. In 1927, on receiving the encouraging news from the medical authorities that he was fit to fly, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at Camp Borden, Ontario, becoming an "A2" category flying instructor, later upgrading to category "A1". Fourteen months later he was engaged by the newly formed de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited as its chief test and demonstration pilot. During his six years with de Havilland he conducted manufacturer's tests on all new aircraft as well as demonstrating them to potential customers. In addition he made significant contributions to the development of new types of aircraft skis and pontoons and also gave instructor-flying courses to prospective flying club instructors and Ontario Provincial Air Service pilots.
He accepted in 1934 the responsibility of General Manager and Chief Pilot of a newly formed company, Capreol and Austin Airways. This company was incorporated by Hall of Fame member, J.A.M. Austin and his brother Charles to operate charter flights into the mining areas of northern Ontario and Quebec.
Capreol resigned in 1935 to accept the position of test and demonstration pilot for Noorduyn Aviation Limited, Montreal, Quebec. His experience was fully utilized in the initial flight testing of the first bushplane to be designed and manufactured in Canada to meet the demanding Canadian flying requirements and weather conditions. This was the Noorduyn Norseman with wheel/ski/float capabilities. In 1939 he was loaned to National Steel Car, Malton, Ontario to test the first Lysander aircraft built there and became involved in the initial flight testing of the North American Yale trainer. On completion of these assignments he returned to Noorduyn Aviation which had been given a contract to construct Harvard trainers and Norseman aircraft. He had the responsibility of organizing the flight testing of these hundreds of aircraft.
Post-war Years
Eventually he no longer wished to fly and he accepted the onerous responsibilities of Manager of the Dorval Airport - a new facility to accommodate the fast growing domestic and international air traffic into and out of Montreal. It is a credit to his managerial talents that the management of the airport kept pace with the demands of this rapidly growing centre of aviation. The following is a quotation from a letter written by the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Lionel Chevrier: "Since his appointment to manage the Montreal Airport, things took a different turn. He did a magnificent job of his duties. He was held in the highest esteem by all those who had known him in the field of aviation".
Aviation Legacy
Capreol was actively involved in aviation for 37 years. He upheld the highest standards in research, testwork, development and instructing on all types of aircraft, on wheels, skis and floats. Capreol ignored his physical handicap and through example led others to do likewise. He earned the certificates, which permitted him to act professionally in his demanding field of endeavor.
He died at Baie D'Urfe, Quebec on January 7, 1963.
Honours and legacy
References
- Oswald, Mary, They Led the Way, Wetaskiwin: Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, 1999. ISBN 0-9684843-0-1