With so much territory unsuitable for surface travel, it was up to aviation to unite the country and bring the distant regions the opportunities for social and economic progress that would make them part of Canada.

The Hall has an extensive collection of personal items and memorabilia related to inducted members, including such material as licenses, logbooks, uniforms, insignia, medals, trophies and awards, documents, correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs.

The Hall of Fame also awards the Belt of Orion and the Order of Polaris each year at its annual induction dinner, to an organization notable for its contribution to Canadian aviation.

The 79 original members included all Companions of the Order of Icarus, all who had been awarded the Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy, all recipients of the Victoria Cross in aerial combat, Alexander Graham Bell and F.W.

"Casey" Baldwin for designing and building the Silver Dart, and Group Captain John Emilius Fauquier representing the Second World War RAF Bomber Command and Flight Lieutenant George Frederick "Buzz" Beurling representing the Second World War RAF Fighter Command.