This award is presented to the most improved pilot from first year to second year with combination of achievement and effort.
Michel was born on October 1, 1947 in Beauvois en Cis a small town in northern France. From a very young age, Michel developed his interest in flying. While he was still going to school he used to bicycle down the nearest aerodrome and take lessons in gliding. In France, after completing high school, young men are required to do a year of military service for the country. Because of Michel’s interest and training in flying, he was able to skip ‘boot camp’ and work with the air traffic controllers.
Before deciding upon his career he traveled to see other parts of the world. He traveled east through Turkey, Lebanon, crossed deserts into India, up to Kathmandu, through Bangkok and down to New Guinea. He worked in many places as he made his way across the continents and down to Australia where he discovered flying was quite popular. He then returned to France where he trained for his private license in 1970.
After some consideration, Michel came to Canada to start his flying career. He worked nights and weekends at the hospital in Ponoka, Alberta, so that he could take his flying training by day. He retrained to receive his Canadian Private License and went on to get his Commercial License. Although he had a strong French accent to start with, he worked hard, was a very conscientious student and his flight instructor considered him exceptional when it came to the importance of safety. By saving money diligently he was able to buy and airplane so he could put in the required flying hours. Next, Michel obtained his Flight Instructor’s Rating still working at the same time so he could afford it.
From the beginning, he discovered that not only did he love flying but he enjoyed teach it too. His first job as instructor was running satellite schools for Peace Air. Next, he put in many hours and sacrificed many holidays and weekends instructing for a flying school in Ft. McMurray. After gaining this experience, Michel felt he needed his instrument and multi-engine ratings in order to achieve his ultimate flying career. He now had a family to support but his determination and hard work payed off as he was then hired by Selkirk College as a flying instructor in 1979.
Michel enjoyed his job at the College very much and was known for his relaxed and easy manner in which he made learning about flying enjoyable and , at the same time, demanded quality performance. He was a ‘free spirit’ who brightened the days of both his co-workers and students. He also had a deep and dedicated love for flying continually reading and studying to increase his knowledge about flight and to keep up with the new developments in aviation.
Michel died on March 29, 1984 in a mid-air collision which occurred just outside Trail while he was instructing with a student. Although his untimely death was a tragedy hd had worked hard to achieve his dreams and was doing something he loved.
In memory of Michel and what he believed in , this award is presented to a graduating student who has demonstrated a definite flying ability, a genuine love of flying, a strong desire to succeed in his chosen career, and who has exerted a sustained effort to excel in the Aviation Program.