The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Historic Hangar 14 Reopens, Honouring Aviation Legend Janusz "Zura" Zurakowski
Above image: Hangar 14 at Ottawa International Airport (left). Renowned test pilot Janusz “Zura” Zurakowski, chief development pilot for Avro Aircraft, being celebrated after the maiden flight of the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow. Image courtesy Library and Archives Canada. The Department of National Defence marked the reopening of a historic aviation facility on March 27, …
Hangar 14 at Ottawa International Airport has reopened and been rededicated in honour of Janusz "Zura" Żurakowski, a celebrated Canadian test pilot associated with Avro Canada and the Arrow program.
The event marked the consolidation of the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE) into a single upgraded facility, bringing together personnel, aircraft, laboratories, and engineering functions under one roof.
The renovated hangar spans about 6,600 square metres and includes modern office space, aircraft laboratories, testing zones, and expanded maintenance and storage areas to support ongoing testing and evaluation of military aircraft and equipment.
Hangar 14, originally built in 1955 and designated a federal heritage building, underwent a multi-year renovation completed under a 93.6-million-dollar contract awarded in 2021 to Pomerleau Inc. The project created roughly 150 jobs during construction.
The relocation of AETE operations to Ottawa is anticipated to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by about 58 percent, or roughly 3,000 tonnes, due to greater use of fuel-efficient aircraft and simulators for proficiency training in collaboration with Transport Canada.