Bob Cameron, a local aviation historian and retired commercial pilot, was sworn in as the Yukon Administrator on Monday.

Born in Edmonton, Cameron, is the eldest son of Gordon Cameron, who served as Yukon Commissioner from 1962 to 1966.

Part of Cameron's new role as the territory's administrator is to carry on the functions of Yukon Commissioner Doug Phillips, if Phillips – appointed at the end of November – is unable to fulfill his duties.

Contacted at his home this morning, Cameron, 65, downplayed the appointment.

"I'm a little surprised how much attention it's getting; it's not the commissioner's job, it's simply a backup for the commissioner,” Cameron told the Star.

"It's very low-profile, and I thought it wasn't such a big deal.”

Cameron described his late father's appointment to Yukon Commissioner, nearly 50 years ago, as far more important.

"He was the first Yukoner to get the job in a long time,” said Cameron, adding that George Black, appointed in 1912, was the first Yukoner ever named to the job.

"Commonly, it was a position that went to Ottawa bureaucrats in the twilight of their careers ... so when my dad was appointed in 1962, that broke the pattern and Ottawa went back to appointing locals, and not only locals, but non-bureaucrats.”

Like his father, an aircraft mechanic and commercial pilot, Cameron pursued a career in aviation.

Now retired, Cameron recently finished a book about the Yukon's commercial aviation history and is working on restoring two vintage planes – a 1928 Fairchild and a 1937 Waco.

"They're two projects I've had on my mind since I was a kid,” enthused Cameron. "The Waco's sitting here in my front yard right now, in fact.”

"They're both long-term projects. The Fairchild is fully assembled and on display in a museum, but without fabric,” added Cameron.

In a statement released after Cameron's Dec. 22 appointment to Yukon Administrator, Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan said Cameron is the right man for job.

"Mr. Cameron spent his formative years living in the Yukon and brings his firsthand knowledge of the Yukon and enthusiasm for the history of the territory to his role.”