Taras Alex “Al” Kapty (1937 - 2003)
Al Kapty was born in Warspite, Alberta. He was named for a Ukrainian poet as his grandfather immigrated to Canada from the Ukraine.1) In 1957, Al Kapty worked as an accountant for Okanagan Helicopter's head office in Vancouver. He moved to Dawson in 1960 to join Klondike Helicopters and learned the business from the owner Pat Callison. He was accountant, parts man, base manager, and finally vice-president of the company. After a short stint in Calgary, Kapty returned to the Yukon in 1967 to start his own helicopter company, Trans North Turbo Air. Al was general manager up to his death. His business was burned to the ground twice and he rebuilt.2)
Al Kapty helped found the Northern Air Transport Association (NATA) and served as a founding president of the Yukon Transportation Association. Al was active in the Air Transport Association of Canada (ATAC) and served five terms as a board member.3)
In 1995, ATAC made Al Kapty an honorary life member and awarded him for his years in aviation and his work with the association.4) Kapty was chair of the Implementation Review Committee and the Yukon Placer Committee for over eighteen years beginning in 1985. The Klondike Placer Miners’ Association honoured him as the Klondike Placer Miners’ Association 2004 Miner of the Year. He was awarded the Order of Polaris in 2006 in recognition of his advancement of aviation history.5)