Astro Compass

Description: A black astro compass with white and red numbering and letters. Attached to the base is a level and a mechanism for mounting the compass. On the middle level is a dial that can be used to shift the centre of the compass. Written in black lettering on the very top of the compass is "DECLINATION".

Description: A black astro compass with white and red numbering and letters. Attached to the base is a level and a mechanism for mounting the compass. On the middle level is a dial that can be used to shift the centre of the compass. Written in black lettering on the very top of the compass is "DECLINATION".

Narrative: This artifact is from a man named Tom Owen McLean, whose partner passed them on to Chris LaSha after his death at the age of 52 in November 2002. Tom was born in Smithers in 1950 and recieved his post secondary education in Alberta at SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering. He held a commercial pilot licence and for a time flew for Central Mountain Air. in bush planes. He later worked in their engineering department. For the last nine years of his life, he was retained as one of 48 Design Approval Representatives by Transport Canada. He was involved in approving changes to fixed and rotary wing aircraft. His father Bruce McLean was a navigator bombardier on a lancaster bomber during World War II. The artifact is from this era.