Ribbon Cutting Celebration For The Hawaii Martin Mars Water Bomber

On Friday, September 20th, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich, BC, celebrated the successful arrival of the Hawaii Mars Water Bomber to its final resting place. As one of only two remaining in the world, this historic aircraft is now a permanent fixture at the museum.

The event was marked by a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, with Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, cutting the ribbon. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders instrumental in preserving this iconic piece of aviation history for British Columbia and Canada. These included representatives from Victoria International Airport, the Institute of Ocean Sciences, Coulson Aviation, Nickel Brothers, and many others whose contributions made the event possible.

A special highlight of the celebration was the recognition of the Snowbirds, who accompanied the Hawaii Mars on its final flight, a spectacle witnessed by tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts. Coulson Aviation was also honored for their generous donation of the aircraft to the museum, and Nickel Brothers were acknowledged for their remarkable effort in transporting the massive plane from the water, across the airport, and into its new home.

Guests enjoyed presentations and had the exclusive opportunity to step inside the Hawaii Mars to experience firsthand the sheer scale of this aviation marvel and the immense scope of the project that brought it to the museum. The event was a fitting tribute to a true national treasure.

Moreno Aguiari

Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.

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