By Haley Cvar
Aviation history will take centre stage in Gimli on Sept. 6 when supporters gather for a fundraising dinner in honour of the world-famous “Gimli Glider.”
The event, hosted on the second floor of the Gimli Recreation Centre, will include a meet and greet, dinner, and an evening of stories from special guests. Among those attending will be retired Capt. Bob Pearson, the pilot who brought Air Canada Flight 143 safely to the ground in Gimli in 1983, and Pearl Dion, a passenger on the fateful flight. Guest speaker Brendan Yanta, director of system operations control for Perimeter Aviation, will share insights on today’s aviation industry.
“We are always pleased with the public support through their attendance at our annual fundraiser,” said Barb Gluck, chair of the Gimli Glider Exhibit. “Each dinner ticket sold goes towards keeping the Exhibit operating so that our volunteers can continue to educate visitors from around the world about the famous Gimli landing.”
Tickets are $100, with a portion eligible for a CRA donation receipt. Proceeds will support the Gimli Glider Exhibit, which continues to preserve and share the story of one of the most remarkable emergency landings in aviation history.
On July 23, 1983, Air Canada Flight 143 was en route from Montreal to Edmonton when it ran out of fuel midway through the journey. A miscalculation during refueling — partly due to Canada’s ongoing transition to the metric system — left the Boeing 767 carrying only half the fuel it needed.
With both engines dead at 41,000 feet, Pearson and first officer Maurice Quintal were forced to improvise. Using a combination of glider techniques and quick decision-making, they guided the powerless aircraft toward Gimli, where a decommissioned air force base offered the best chance for a landing.
Unbeknownst to the crew, the strip was being used that day as a drag racing track. As racers and spectators scattered, Pearson touched down the plane on the tarmac, avoiding catastrophe. Although the nose gear collapsed, the aircraft came to a halt without fatalities. The dramatic save earned international acclaim and cemented the “Gimli Glider” as a symbol of skill, composure, and a little bit of luck.
More than four decades later, the Gimli Glider Exhibit stands as a tribute to the incident and the people who lived through it. Located in Gimli, the volunteer-run museum displays artifacts from the flight, including the aircraft’s ram air turbine that provided crucial power during the descent.
“With very special guests, Capt. Pearson, the pilot, and passenger Pearl Dion, we are always reminded of how extraordinary that day was for aviation, and how important it is to preserve these memories,” said Gluck.
She added that organizers are looking forward to the restoration of a cockpit artifact acquired for the Exhibit.
“We are looking forward to the restoration of the acquired cockpit artifact and installing it within the new Commemorative Park area at the landing site,” she said. “This current project will ensure that visitors to the Gimli area will have access to the history at all times, along with the information provided with the large section of the famous aircraft.”
The annual fundraising dinner has become a highlight for aviation enthusiasts and community members alike, offering an opportunity to hear directly from those who played a role in the extraordinary event. Organizers say the evening not only raises funds but also helps ensure future generations understand the significance of the Gimli Glider story.
Tickets are available until Aug. 29 at the Gimli Glider Exhibit or online at www.gimliglider.org.
