Chasing Fighter Jets at KF Excellence Centre
- DHRUVI GOHIL
- Nov 30
- 2 min read
The KF Excellence Centre is Kelowna’s hidden gem for aviation enthusiasts—a place where historic fighter jets, WWII engines, and interactive displays come to life. Stepping inside feels like walking through decades of flying history, engineering brilliance, and the stories that shaped Canadian aviation. It is located along with the Kelowna International Airport. I took a bus to reach the airport and walked for 15 minutes to reach the KF Excellence Centre.
At the entrance of the KF Excellence Centre, two massive Convair CV-580 air tanker aircraft displays greet you as you walk in. After entering, I passed through the reception area, where the staff guided me toward the museum section. I explored several fighter jet models and various armed-forces artifacts, including historical books, aviation tools, and original uniforms.
The ground floor is divided into a North Wing and a South Wing. I came across stunning aircraft, including water-capable planes and classic propeller models.
There were also engines from WWII aircraft, such as the JT8D, a dual-spool turbofan engine. My favourite among them all was the Bristol Centaurus engine which is a powerful British air-cooled, 18-cylinder radial engine developed during WWII, known for its reliability, massive horsepower, and used in several iconic aircraft such as the Hawker Sea Fury.
It’s one of the largest and most advanced piston engines ever built. Ahead of that area, two full aircraft cockpits were on display, along with the ceremonial gun that was fired during the opening of the Kelowna (YLW) airport.
In the North Wing, I saw planes like the Canadair CL-13A Sabre MK.5, which played a significant role in aerial combat and the Cold War era around 1954.
The South Wing showcased more fighter aircraft, including the De Havilland Mosquito B35 (VR796 – “Freddie”), a remarkable fighter-bomber. There were also engines such as the Rolls-Royce RB.41 “Nene” turbojet, first run in 1944 and used in aircraft like the Hawker Sea Hawk and the Canadair CT-33 Silver Star, among others.
On the upper floor, there was a beautiful viewing gallery that overlooked the entire airport runway. From the balcony, I watched several planes land and take off, which made the experience even more memorable. This level also featured a cozy library filled with books, magazines, photographs, and historical material focused on aviation, flying, and air warfare. Throughout the museum, the walls were covered with framed photographs of aircraft and wartime scenes.
I also had the chance to sit inside the flight simulator, which was an incredible experience. It was set up in a small room equipped with screens, mechanical controls, and surround sound. It genuinely felt like I was piloting a propeller aircraft. There was a large display showing real-time air traffic from around the world, along with another screen that listed all the incoming and outgoing flights at the Kelowna airport. The seating area was designed to look just like actual passenger seats on an airplane.
They invited me to take home a few old fighter-jet magazines, and I gladly picked them up to learn even more about these aircraft. It was truly an incredible place to appreciate the beauty of aviation.
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