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HAY RIVER
A Northern aviator who played an integral role in the development of the industry in the NWT has been immortalized as the namesake of the Hay River Airport.

The late Merlyn Carter stands beside his most used floatplane, preparing to tie up the aircraft. One of the early aviators of the North, the Hay River airport is being renamed in tribute to Carter. - photo courtesy of Dean Carter

The airport was recently renamed the Merlyn Carter Airport. Carter was a beloved community member and respected Northern aviator who died in 2005, said his daughter Kandee Froese.

A private ceremony unveiling the commemorative plaque will be held this Friday, Feb. 17, followed by a public service at the legion.

Only months after Carter and wife Jean had been honoured and recognized as honorary lifetime members of the Northern Air Transportation Society in April 2005, Carter was killed. He was mauled by a black bear on June 15, 2005.

Dean Carter recalled a story his father loved to tell, of nearly plummeting over Virginia Falls on a floatplane because the motor wouldn't start. Merlyn Carter had many tales of flying aircraft into remote communities all around the North.

"He would be remembered as a bush pilot, but what he was known for was his personality," Dean Carter said. "He was a very happy natured person and a prolific storyteller. He had an excellent memory. And in the stories he told, there was always something funny."

Born in 1934, Merlyn Carter came to West Channel in 1952 at age 18 to help his father in the commercial fishing business, but moved quickly into an aviation career that became his life. He banked more than 25,000 flying hours. Half of these were on the DeHavilland Single Otter aircraft, in which he was one of a few pilots with that level of experience. Most of his flights were on floats or skis, for water and snow landings, respectively.

In 1962, Merlyn and Jean founded Carter Air Services Ltd., and Merlyn became a mentor for many aspiring commercial pilots including Joe McBryan and Perry Linton.

Carter was still very active before his death. He took fishers out to his family-owned fishing camp on Nonacho Lake.

The naming of the Hay River airport after Merlyn was something that came as a surprise to his family.

The patriarch was never one to seek the limelight, so the family felt humbled and honoured, said Dean.

Dean followed in his father's footsteps. He works as a pilot, so does his brother, Myles – a commercial pilot – as does his sister Kandee Froese, who is station co-ordinator for the airport now named after her father. Although Dean is based in British Columbia but he still makes frequent trips up to Yellowknife. The North is still considered rugged frontier by many, but Dean said it's nothing close to the adventures his father described.

"When he first came up here they didn't have much of a main runway," Dean said. "I consider myself a bush pilot, but the bush pilots of today aren't the same as the ones I knew when I grew up. Dad used to land his planes on the West Channel."

Airport manager Kelly O'Connor said he only met Merlyn a few times. They talked about how to park planes and other pertinent topics; a few exchanges which he said gave him a sense of Carter's character and experience.

"Northern airports have a history of naming their airports after pioneer aviators," said O'Connor. "I think it's a great name for the airport. It's not named after a politician like the Toronto airport. He was all about aviation and early aviation in Hay River."

There will be a public opening commemorating the renaming at the Hay River Legion at 3:30 p.m. this Friday. Buffalo Airways owner Joe McBryan and mayor and council will be in attendance. Premier Bob McLeod was attempting to make arrangements to attend as of press deadline but was not confirmed.

Signage depicting the airport's new name will be erected as early as the summer.

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