Skyjack and Cooper Equipment Rentals Help Repair Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary

Skyjack was on site with longstanding customer Cooper Equipment Rentals in Calgary, Alberta, repairing damage caused by harsh Canadian weather. The Hangar Flight Museum, dedicated to promoting the evolution of flight, is being repaired with the help of an SJ63 AJ articulating boom.

“The damage caused by an extreme Canadian winter wreaked havoc on The Hangar Flight Museum this year and called for a replacement cover on the tent hangar,” said Clint Austin, rental representative at Cooper Equipment Rentals. “Our booms are on rent to the museum for two weeks and includes two SJ63 AJs, SJ46 AJ and SJ45T. They’re using the COVID shutdown period as a time to not only replace the damage done this winter, but other necessary renovations to the museum.”

The SJ63 AJ has a working height of 69 feet, 7 inches (21.21 meters), up-and-over capabilities of 27 feet, 6 inches (8.38 meters), and is equipped with Skyjack’s SPEEDYREACH functionality. The SPEEDYREACH open-center knuckle riser design enables operators to lower the fly boom to ground level to restock on materials or supplies and return to full height without lowering the riser section – increasing on-site efficiency.  

"Thankfully, none of our aircraft were damaged during the severe snowstorm or windstorms that hit our tent hangar this winter and spring,” said Brian Desjardins, executive director at The Hangar Flight Museum. “The repairs currently happening with both of our buildings are structural and will help us keep our artifacts safe for years to come. While we are closed, we are using the time effectively to work on these important construction projects, so we'll be able to open our doors when the mandatory closure is lifted. We have new exhibitions planned, additional artifacts have been donated to us recently, and we have other improvements happening at The Hangar that will greatly improve the visitor experience. We've really missed having visitors at the Museum and hearing their reactions when they see our collection up close."

Preserving artifacts to help tell the story of the evolution of flight is the main purpose of The Hangar Flight museum. In addition to the work mentioned above, the museum is also launching a 50/50 draw to help raise funds for their “Treat the Trusses” campaign, to replace its 80-year-old roof supports.

“Airplanes are such an important part of innovation throughout history, and The Hangar Flight Museum is dedicated to telling that story,” said Malcolm Early, vice president of marketing at Skyjack. “Seeing our equipment on site lending a lift to help them continue that narrative really spoke to me as an airplane and history enthusiast.”

To see the work done by The Hangar Flight Museum, or to help with its fundraiser, visit www.thehangarmuseum.ca.