Established in 1994, the Midnight Sun Fly In was a biennial celebration that brought pilots and aviation enthusiasts from around the world to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. Nestled on the shores of Great Slave Lake, the event honored the region’s rich aviation heritage while providing a unique opportunity for camaraderie, adventure, and exploration under the summer’s endless daylight.The event was the brainchild of Yvonne Quick, who founded the Midnight Sun Fly In Association alongside Roger Zarudski, Mike Stevens, Mike Piro, and Jeff Rocher. Their vision transformed Yellowknife into a hub for aviation festivities, attracting visitors eager to share in the spirit of flight and celebrate the community’s deep connection to the skies.Over the years, the Fly In became renowned for its vibrant program of activities, which included rig exhibitions, fly-out picnics, scavenger hunts, presentations, hangar tours, and lively feasts with entertainment. These events fostered a sense of community among attendees while showcasing the unique character of northern aviation.The Midnight Sun Fly In hosted its fifteenth and final gathering from July 6–9, 2023, capping off three decades of friendships forged in the thrill of aviation. Though the event has come to an end, its legacy lives on as a cherished chapter in the story of northern aviation and the community that grew around it.The Midnight Sun Aviation Fund wishes to honour the following pioneers of aviation in the North:Jim AdamsNeil J. ArmstrongPeter AustinFrank AveryRay BaertClem BekarJohn BidwellErnie BoffaKenn BorekEustace BowhayW. Leigh BritnellMatthew Aaron BromleyDaryle Ray BrownNorman Charles Muffitt (Bush)Norman ByrneMerlyn CarterCarl ClouterJ.C. Armstrong (Corky)Bruce Edward CornockAndrew CruickshankWayne DeakonMike DemeltC.H. (Punch) DickinsTom DownesJoyce DunphySteve EnglandBob (Robert Parsons) EngleJim EsbickGeorge Harold “Mike” FinlandDave FloydBarry FrainElmer FullertonHuby GauqueCapt. Stan GitzelGeorge GormanBill GranleyDuncan GrantPaul HagadornDon HamiltonDavid Henry HareMarten HartwellCliff HealeyBob (Robert Murray) HeathBill HettrickHenry HicksBob JensenTrevor JonassonWalter (D.W.) KellyHank KoenanMike KrutkoCam LancasterDon LandellsPaul William LaserichWilly LaserichGordon MacleodCedric MahBobbie MarkleW.R. (Wop) MayChuck McAvoyJames McAvoyChuck McLarenStanley Ransom McMillanArchibald Major McMullenRon MoeRick Muyres (Derick David)Bob O’ConnerFrank O’ConnorTed OliverMyron Dale Alfred OlsonDanny PagottoRocky ParsonsMike PiroWarren PlummerMark RangerLorne RankinLen RobinsonChuck RossPaul RossetBlair RutherfordBob RyanArnie (Arnold Roderick) SchrederManley Allen ShowalterJim SmithBruce SprungNicole Francis StaceyMike StevensKen StockallKeith SylvesterDale TingleyJim TownsendJohn TumchewicsKevin WangMax WardGlenn Boyd WarnerJason WattTony WattierDana WentzelJake WoolgarIf there is a pilot you believe should be added to this list, please reach out to information@ykcf.ca