About Morningstar
COMPANY HISTORY
Brooker Wheaton Aviation Ltd. was founded in Edmonton in the summer of 1970 by two Edmonton businessmen, Mr. Don Wheaton, Sr. and Dr. Bev Brooker. The Company enjoyed rapid growth due to the "oil boom" economy of Alberta during the 1970s. During this period, the Company expanded into a Cessna sales, service and parts center, a fuel dealership and a full service FBO center.
Company flying activities initially involved cabin class piston and turboprop twins. In the late 1970s, the Company added a Lear 36 and a Hawker Siddely HS-125 to its fleet.
In the early 1980s, the Company--divested of its piston fleet--continued to expand its turboprop and corporate jet fleet and added aircraft leasing to its business. Also during this period, Mr. Don Wheaton Sr. became the sole shareholder of Brooker Wheaton Aviation Ltd.
During the mid-1980s, the Company began flying for various courier companies. Brooker Wheaton Aviation Ltd. expanded in this market in subsequent years with the addition of Fairchild Metroliners and Cessna 208 Caravans.
In July 1990, the Company acquired a contract to operate two Boeing 727s nationwide for Federal Express Canada. November 1991 saw the addition of the Fokker F-27 aircraft for the Federal Express contract.
Additionally, the Company's executive aircraft charter fleet included a Canadair Challenger, Learjet 35 and Beechcraft King Airs.
January, 1992 the Company became Morningstar Air Express with Don Wheaton Jr. and Kim Ward joining the Board of Directors. Both Don and Kim each joined with 50% ownership. Morningstar currently employs approximately 100 people (including contract personnel) of which approximately 50 are pilots, 25 are maintenance personnel and 25 are support services personnel.