Edward Soye

Poster artwork for the Aviation Cultures Mk VIII Conference in Canada, 17-20 June 2026, Kelowna BC with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society and the KF Centre for Excellence.

The Call for Papers for the full AvCultures Mk VIII conference has been extended to 5 Feb! So you can still submit your paper and join us in person in Kelowna Canada at the Centre for Excellence, or online, in June. -JDK

The entry form is here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Next Saturday I'm looking forward to joining @avculturesconf.bsky.social for "Logbooks and Avdocs". During this free, online event, an international lineup of speakers will examine a range of aviation documentation. It should be a fascinating conversation!

See: aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

I’ve sometimes described flying vintage aeroplanes as akin to time travel.
It’s fascinating to fly a 1940s RCAF elementary trainer one day and a modern, CT-156 Harvard II the next. Despite evolving technology, modern military flight training owes a structural debt to its early 20th century origins!

This is going to be a fascinating discussion about aviation documentation and related historical publications. Interested in participating? Follow @avculturesconf.bsky.social or visit aviationcultures.org for more details!

Two men, JDK, left and Phil Vabre, right, mug for the camera with exaggerated expressions as they look at a couple of old aviation manuals, in front of a bookcase. Text reads: '8 November 2025, Online on Zoom, Logbooks & AvDocs, Aviation Cultures Spotlight'.

Spotlight on Logbooks & AvDocs – Call for Papers. Closing date 31 August 2025!

@philthyavnurd.bsky.social, @jdkightly.bsky.social (me!) of Aviation Cultures present this event on 8 Nov, free, online. We want your input! Ideas, papers, Qs, prompts: let us know.

aviationcultures.org/spotlights/l...

An image with a background of aviation documents 'Aviation Cultures Conference logo, 'Spanning the Globe', and the test 'Aviation Cultures Spotlight Logbooks & Avdocs'. It'll be on 8 November 2025.

First up on 8 November 2025, is 'Logbooks & AvDocs, A Toolbox for Researchers’. Field experts will talk about finding and interpreting logbooks and other aviation docs. If you're an aviation researcher or enthusiast it'll help! Zoom, online, with a live Q&A at the end, so a date for your diary!

Three posterettes, one with two men (James (JDK) and Phil over reacting to 'Logbooks & AvDocs' in front of a bookcase, and dated 8 November 2025. Below is a man on a typewriter sitting in an aeroplane cockpit, with the title 'Print the Legend' and 27-28 February 2026. Last is the previously seen poster for the full Aviation Conferences Mk.VIII Conference with the Canadian Aviation Historical Society at the KF Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, Canada, and online, 17-20 June 2026.

It's happening! Aviation Cultures' team announce 2 Spotlight events to join the previously announced Mk.VIII Conference.

The Spotlights are free and online. With topic experts on aviation writing, you don't want to miss them! Stay tuned for details, experts, and maybe YOU can contribute too? -JDK

The countdown to Aviation Cultures Conference Mk.VIII is on! It's a pleasure to be working with @jdkightly.bsky.social and the whole @avculturesconf.bsky.social team to help organize the group's first Canadian event. 🇨🇦🤝🇦🇺 More details to come, including with a Call for Papers in the coming months 📝

I'm very excited that Aviation Cultures is officially going to be making it's Canadian debut in 2026!

Typically, the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan bestows honours unto so many worthy recipients across the Province. It was a distinct privilege to serve as Aide-de-Camp yesterday as Her Honour was invested as a Dame of Justice in the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.

Edward Soye in flying kit stands with a WWII era NAA Harvard '43' and a modern turboprop Harvard trainer, also '43' as part of the commemoration of Canada's WWII contribution to training the British Empire's airmen. History and currency!

Delighted to welcome @edwardsoye.bsky.social Soye to the @avculturesconf.bsky.social team as my co-organiser for AvCultures Canada in mid 2026. He has fantastic hands-on & academic aviation experience! We've complimentary outlooks, both having global aviation passions centred on Canada & Australia.

Book Banning in Canada Is Quiet, Systemic, and More Effective than Ever | The Walrus Our libraries are being purged in the name of protecting kids

In drafting my bio blurb for here on Bluesky, it felt important to flag the value of books. On that theme, I recommend the recent articles linked below. Both delve into the dangers of deleting history, knowledge and people’s stories.

www.theatlantic.com/culture/arch...

thewalrus.ca/book-banning/

Hello Bluesky!

I'm passionate about aviation history - whether in an archive or in the cockpit. I travel widely to experience both the past and present of many modes of transportation. And, I try to appreciate all history and heritage in the context of diverse cultures and lived experiences.