1914Which Second World War fighter pilot successfully completed the flight testing of Canada's first supersonic aircraft in 1958?
Janusz Zurakowski, a legendary Polish-Canadian test pilot based in Malton, Ontario, was the first to successfully flight test Canada’s pioneering supersonic aircraft, the CF-105 Avro Arrow, in 1958. Renowned for his skill and courage, Zurakowski helped propel Canadian aviation onto the world stage at a crucial moment in Cold War history. On March 25, 1958, he piloted the Arrow RL 25201 prototype beyond 1,600 kilometers per hour, proving the viability of the country’s most advanced jet. Today, his legacy endures in Barry’s Bay, Ontario, where a statue and park honor his singular contributions to aeronautical innovation.
