Help Restore and Display the Recovered Cessna 180
Donation protected
You have seen and heard recent press reports of an airplane being retrieved after 60 years in Peter Pond Lake in Northern Saskatchewan. Pilot Ray Gran and conservation officer Harold Thompson were on board the Saskatchewan Government Airways Cessna 180. Their loss is mourned by their loving families and the communities around the lake.
Sixty years ago the technology to find and raise the wreck either didn’t exist or was not available. However, about a year ago Linda Kapusta, Ray’s daughter, and her husband Don organized a search using modern sonar equipment. The aircraft on the bottom of the lake quickly appeared on the screen.
On February 13th, a first meeting was held to organize the recovery crew for the Cessna 180 in Peter Pond Lake. Present were David Bisson, Jim Russell, Brad Christensen, David Bykowy, Don Miller, Martin Schultz, Tom Coates, Dale Tiedeman, and Dorrin Wallace. Discussion was had about the possibility of a first dive in March of this year. It was decided upon Government permission we would go ahead with the project. David Bisson was to be the lead in organizing equipment and doing the dive. David's knowledge and expertise were recruited for the project.
Don Kapusta and his crew from Ontario, as well as Dorrin Wallace, Saskatchewan Aviation Museum President, bush pilot, businessman, and proud friend of the northern community planned and lead the recovery procedure. The badly- damaged wreck was raised and trucked to the museum building at Hangar 5 at the Saskatoon airport.
When the convoy of trucks and other vehicles left the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre hangar we weren’t sure of the outcome, but we were certain that all groups shared the goal of honoring the memory of two good people who died serving their community.
At the request of the northern community the aircraft will remain in the museum hangar on display for the next year after which restoration will begin.
The museum needs your gift to cover the restoration and display costs of restoration and on-going costs.
Please contribute to our “Go Fund Me” page, or contribute directly to the museum. You can reach us at [phone redacted].
Sixty years ago the technology to find and raise the wreck either didn’t exist or was not available. However, about a year ago Linda Kapusta, Ray’s daughter, and her husband Don organized a search using modern sonar equipment. The aircraft on the bottom of the lake quickly appeared on the screen.
On February 13th, a first meeting was held to organize the recovery crew for the Cessna 180 in Peter Pond Lake. Present were David Bisson, Jim Russell, Brad Christensen, David Bykowy, Don Miller, Martin Schultz, Tom Coates, Dale Tiedeman, and Dorrin Wallace. Discussion was had about the possibility of a first dive in March of this year. It was decided upon Government permission we would go ahead with the project. David Bisson was to be the lead in organizing equipment and doing the dive. David's knowledge and expertise were recruited for the project.
Don Kapusta and his crew from Ontario, as well as Dorrin Wallace, Saskatchewan Aviation Museum President, bush pilot, businessman, and proud friend of the northern community planned and lead the recovery procedure. The badly- damaged wreck was raised and trucked to the museum building at Hangar 5 at the Saskatoon airport.
When the convoy of trucks and other vehicles left the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre hangar we weren’t sure of the outcome, but we were certain that all groups shared the goal of honoring the memory of two good people who died serving their community.
At the request of the northern community the aircraft will remain in the museum hangar on display for the next year after which restoration will begin.
The museum needs your gift to cover the restoration and display costs of restoration and on-going costs.
Please contribute to our “Go Fund Me” page, or contribute directly to the museum. You can reach us at [phone redacted].
Organizer
Saskatchewan Aviation Museum
Organizer
Saskatoon, SK