"His work as a pioneer in the fields of aeronautical engineering and research contributed significantly to the laying of a sound foundation for Canadian aviation and has been of outstanding benefit to the Nation.”
Ernest Stedman
"His work as a pioneer in the fields of aeronautical engineering and research contributed significantly to the laying of a sound foundation for Canadian aviation and has been of outstanding benefit to the Nation.”
Ernest Walter Stedman was an excellent engineer and during the First World War he received a number of appointments. They included: Resident Inspector of Contractor Works in 1914; from 1915 to 1916 he designed aircraft at the Admiralty and Technical observer; and in late 1916 he became Squadron Technical Officer. In 1922 he established the Aircraft Inspection Department at Camp Borden, Ontario, which saw to the airworthiness of all aircraft in Canada.
In 1939, the British Commonwealth Conference used his estimate as to how much it would cost to build and maintain a system of training bases. As Director of Technical Services of the RCAF, Stedman was at the centre of every major technical development which the RCAF established, including the development of Canada's first jet-engine.
Born: 23 July 1888, Malling, Kent, England Died: 27 Mar 1957 Awards: CB, OBE
