Unique among the attractions in downtown Calgary lurks a beautiful airplane - a Noorduyn Norseman. Although I have seen it several times over the years I finally remembered to bring my camera when I wandered around this May 2015.

Until the new millennium, the Petro-Canada Centre was Calgary's tallest skyscraper making it an easily recognizable part of the Calgary skyline. But at street level the company wanted a strong Canadian symbol to reflect their position as the government's petroleum company. They found it with the quintessential symbol of the modern Canadian adventurer - the bush plane.

Built for the Manitoba Government Air Service in 1946, CF-MAM (serial number N29-26), like so many other hard working bush planes soon began passing through a number of Manitoba and Saskatchewan companies. After flying with Lamb Airways, La Ronge Aviation, Northland Airlines, Courier Trading and Enterprises, Ilford-Riverton Airways, and Gayle Air, CF-MAM's final employment came in Ontario with Ignace Airways.

After its certificate of airworthiness expired in 1981, CF-MAM was purchased for the Petro-Canada Centre and hauled to Calgary where it became one of the first restorations performed by the volunteers at the recently established Aero Space Museum.

The Petro-Canada Centre opened in 1984, and has since changed its name to the Suncor Energy Centre, but CF-MAM remains suspended in the gallery, beside the food court that joins the 215m west and 130m east towers.

Sadly, today's major businesses and airports would never consider incorporating a vintage airplane into their headquarters. Thankfully someone was willing to do so, and the Norseman remains a wonderful focal point.

She stands out with its bright yellow paint in surroundings of concrete, marble and glass but for those driving down 5th Avenue after dark, CF-MAM almost glows in her illuminated gallery. It continues to be a fantastic symbol of our country and our history.