- Welland Phipps
Welland Wilford "Weldy" "Angayuroluk" Phipps (born:
July 23 ,1922 - died:October 22 ,1996 ) was a military pilot and prisoner of war duringWorld War II , a pioneer bush pilot, inventor and a territorial level politician.World War II
Phills joined the
Canadian Forces and became a fighter pilot inWorld War II . He was shot down and became a Prisoner of War for 2 years. He succeeded in making an escape from his POW Camp.Aviation
Phipps moved to the
Northwest Territories after returning home from the war. In 1953 and founded a business called Atlas Aviation. He invented a new type of Balloon tire that allow an aircraft to land safely on Tundra. The type of tire is known as the "Weldy Special". Atlas Aviation introduced the first regular scheduled airline service to Canada's most northern communities.cite web|url =http://www.nunatsiaq.com/archives/back-issues/week/61108.html | title =My Little Corner of Canada Whiskey Whiskey Papa| author = John Amagoalik | publisher = Nunatisaq News | date =November 8 ,1996 | accessdate = 2007-09-17] He retired from his aviation career in 1972.The Canadian aviation community recognized Phipps many achievements in aviation. He has earned him numerous recognitions, including the Canadian Order of Flight, Order of Polaris and being inducted to the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame.cite web|url =http://www.cahf.ca/Members%20and%20Belt%20of%20Orion/members/P_members.htm| title =P Members| publisher = Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame| accessdate = 2007-09-17] He was also awarded the Trans Canada McKee Trophy twice for excellence in aviation.cite web|url = http://www.nnsl.com/frames/newspapers/1996-11/nov6_96weldy.html | title = A life of adventure ends | author = Richard Gleeson | publisher = Northern News Service | date =
November 6 ,1996 | accessdate = 2007-09-17]Political career
Phipps was elected to the Northwest Territories Legislature to the High Arctic electoral district in the 1970 Northwest Territories general election. He served a single term in office before retiring in 1975.
References
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