Courtesy Roger M. Smith
Roger L. Smith in 1934, around the time he flew an airplane for the Ayer’s Cliff Fair

The story of Captain Roger L. Smith

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Captain Roger Lovewell Smith, an aviation pioneer from Coaticook, holds a cherished place in the history of both the Eastern Townships and Canadian aviation. His journey began with youthful dreams inspired by Charles Lindbergh and took flight into a lifetime of notable achievements. One of the most memorable parts of his legacy was the joy he brought to fairgoers at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair by offering plane rides that sparked dreams of flight for many in the community.

Smith’s fascination with aviation began at the age of 15 after seeing a photograph of Charles Lindbergh. He soon found himself working as a mechanic and test pilot for Continental Aero Corporation in exchange for flying lessons. By the time he turned 16, he had performed his first solo flight in an OX-5 Travel Air E-2000 biplane, becoming one of Canada’s youngest licensed pilots. At 19, he was the youngest commercial pilot in the country, and he quickly made a name for himself barnstorming across Canada, including offering $2 rides at events such as the Ayer’s Cliff Fair.

During the Ayer’s Cliff Fair, Smith would charge $2 per passenger for a short ride in his biplane, allowing passengers to experience the thrill of flying over the event and the scenic landscape of the Eastern Townships. Kelly M. Smith, Roger’s son, recalled that the plane rides became a local sensation, with Captain Smith frequently parking his Travel Air E-4000 biplane at Elmwood Park near the family’s cottage by Lake Massawippi. “There’s even a postcard showing my dad and uncle with the plane in the background,” Kelly noted in an Aug. 26 interview. “He used to park his airplane near the fairgrounds, and people would flock for a chance to fly.”

The impact of these flights extended far beyond the momentary thrill they offered to passengers. Kelly recounted a touching story from later in his father’s life, when a chance encounter revealed just how profound this experience had been for one young fairgoer. “One day, while building our house outside of Ottawa, a man came by and told my dad that his first-ever flight had been at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair,” Kelly shared. “The man described the pilot, and my dad, now in his 60s, went upstairs, returned with a pair of boots, and said, ‘These were the boots I wore.’ It was such an incredible connection.”

According to a short biography provided by Kelly, Smith’s passion for flying didn’t stop at local fairs. In 1939, he joined Trans-Canada Airlines (now Air Canada) and quickly rose through the ranks. Within a year, he became one of the first captains to fly the entire breadth of Canada, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He also trained pilots for the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II and took part in trans-Atlantic missions, transporting secret cargo and military personnel during the Battle of the Atlantic.

Roger Smith’s career highlights are numerous. In 1946, he flew Canada’s first all-express trans-Atlantic cargo load, and in 1961, he set a world trans-Atlantic speed record, completing a Winnipeg to Prestwick, Scotland, flight in under seven hours. He retired in 1971 after a stellar career but continued flying well into his 80s, amassing over 27,000 hours in the air by the time he officially stopped piloting aircraft at 86 years old.

His contributions to aviation were recognized in 2003 when Captain Roger L. Smith was posthumously inducted into the Quebec Aviation Hall of Fame. In 2011, his hometown of Coaticook further cemented his legacy by naming a street after him, Rue Roger-Smith.

Kelly shared that his father’s love for flying never waned. “Even after he retired, he would find ways to be in the air. It was in his blood,” he said. Captain Smith’s long and distinguished career remains an inspiration not just for aviation enthusiasts but for anyone who has ever dared to follow their dreams.

Captain Roger L. Smith’s name remains synonymous with aviation innovation in Quebec, but for the people of the Eastern Townships, he is perhaps best remembered for the $2 rides he offered over Ayer’s Cliff Fair—a thrilling introduction to the world of flight that inspired many, just as a picture of Charles Lindbergh had once inspired him.