The KF Centre for Excellence is inviting the community to step aboard one of aviation’s most legendary stories this June with the premiere of Odyssey 86 – 90 Years of the DC-3: a special evening celebrating the enduring legacy of the Douglas DC-3 and the remarkable Canadians who flew it around the world in 1986.
Taking place Tuesday, June 9, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, the event will feature the premiere of a new short documentary film produced in partnership with award-winning director Ryan Tebbutt of Edge Digital Media. The film shares the story behind the legendary Odyssey journey — an around-the-world flight created to celebrate Canada’s Expo 86.
At the heart of the story is the iconic Douglas DC-3, an aircraft that transformed global aviation.
First taking flight in 1935, the DC-3 changed the way people and goods moved across the world. During the Second World War, it became a vital military aircraft, transporting troops, cargo, and medical supplies across challenging terrain and into remote locations. Following the war, the aircraft helped launch the modern era of commercial aviation by making passenger air travel more reliable, accessible, and comfortable.
Nearly 90 years later, the DC-3 remains one of the most beloved and recognizable aircraft ever built.
The Centre’s own Odyssey DC-3, painted in the historic “Spirit of Vancouver” Expo 86 livery, now serves as a living tribute to that legacy and the adventurous Canadian crew who embarked on an ambitious global mission nearly four decades ago.
In June 1986, the aircraft departed Abbotsford and travelled across the globe, visiting dozens of cities and countries to promote Expo 86 to an international audience. The journey captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts around the world and demonstrated the reliability, spirit, and global reach of the DC-3 aircraft.
Event Details
Odyssey 86 – 90 Years of the DC-3
Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: KF Centre for Excellence
Tickets: $38 per person
Reserve Your Seat Today
Guests are encouraged to reserve early, as space is limited.
The documentary features interviews with key members connected to the original journey, including Barry Lapointe, KF Aerospace Founder and Chairman, original Odyssey crew member Doreen Olson, mechanic Dale McNarland, and D’Arcy Barker, who provides technical and historical insight into the aircraft’s lasting impact.
Guests attending the premiere event will experience:
- The first public screening of the new documentary film
- The launch of a brand-new DC-3 exhibit at the Centre
- Rare historical stories and behind-the-scenes insights from the Odyssey adventure
- Access to the Centre’s beautifully restored Odyssey DC-3 aircraft
- An evening of aviation history, storytelling, and community celebration
The new exhibit explores the aircraft’s influence on military operations, commercial aviation, engineering innovation, and Canadian aviation history through immersive storytelling, archival imagery, and short-form video installations.
More than a celebration of an aircraft, Odyssey 86 – 90 Years of the DC-3 is a tribute to the people who pushed boundaries, connected communities across continents, and inspired future generations through aviation.
