The NetLetter
For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)
May 10, 2014 - Issue 1299
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First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
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NetLetter Past Issues
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Donation Information
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Send cheques payable to "ACFamily Network" to:
ACFamily Network
#800 - 15355 24th Ave, Suite 523
Surrey, BC V4A 2H9
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Welcome to the NetLetter!
We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair, etal and share your experiences with us! 
Terry Baker and the NetLetter Team
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| Star Alliance News |
 Air India's preparation for integration with Star Alliance network is on track. The Indian flag carrier is set to become the 29th member of the alliance in a few months. TAM and US Airways no longer part of Alliance network. As of March 31st 2014, both TAM Airlines and US Airways no longer form part of the Star Alliance network. The decision of the two airlines to leave the Alliance follows the completion of their respective mergers and was the expected result of the continued consolidation within the airline industry. |
| Air Canada News |
The following Air Canada services will (or have already) shift(ed) to "Rouge" Airbus A319 services:
Daily Vancouver
- Las Vegas April 28
- 4X-daily -Los Angeles May 1
- Daily -Anchorage May 16
- 4X-daily -San Francisco July 1
- Daily -Phoenix Dec. 17.
Services shift from Calgary
- Daily - Las Vegas April 28
- 2X-daily - Los Angeles May 1;
- Daily - Phoenix, Dec. 17.
Services from Toronto:
- Daily - San Diego has begun;
- Daily - Phoenix May 4, increasing to 3X-daily for winter season.
 Air Canada has finalized an order for 61 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft as part of its single-aisle fleet renewal program. The order, valued at $6.5 billion at current list prices, is part of an agreement for 109 aircraft announced in December comprising 33 - 737 MAX 8s and 28 - 737 MAX 9s, as well as 18 options and 30 rights to purchase additional 737 MAXs.
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The company Signed an agreement with Boeing to implement the Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox to support maintenance operations for its 767, 777, 787 and 737 MAX fleets.
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Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to offer customers wi-fi connectivity on-board aircraft across North America with service offering email, internet and access to mobile device apps! On April 9th 2014, on flight AC 107, at 35,000 feet en route to Calgary, we announced from one of our Wi-Fi equipped aircraft that Air Canada became the first Canadian carrier to offer customers in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Women in Aviation - Compiled by Terry Baker |
Betty Draper dug out this article from a 1939 newspaper -
Regina, Sask. August, 1939 - Mrs Clara Bell Glbson of Yorkton. has just completed her 12th trip around the world - she goes every year - so Trans-Canada Air Lines traffic men were pleased when she said her flight from Vancouver to Regina by T.C.A. was "more than a thrill; "it was just about the most delightful travel experience I've known''. They felt she ought to know. She saw the two world's fairs, one in New York and the other in San Francisco. But she said they didn't give her the thrill that flying over the Rockies at 11,000 feet did.
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| Upcoming events |
 The Canadian Aviation Historical Society is having it's 51st National Convention and AGM in Regina, Saskatchewan on June 4-7, 2014. For more information visit www.cahs.ca/2014-agm
 2014 ACRA Systems Softball Tournament in June. This year's ACRA Systems Softball Tournament will be held in Toronto from June 10 - 12. We are hoping for a good turnout from all bases. The cutoff date for entry is May 10. Complete details and team packages are available at www.acra.ca or by contacting Kirkland Mckenzie, Tournament Host, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Geoff Nicholas, Tournament Chairman, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to seeing you there.
(Sorry we were late sending out this newsletter, hopefully they will extend the entry date)
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| People Finder - compiled by Alan Rust |
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 Looking for Bob Fuhrmann
(submitted by Mel Bartlett)
There have been many requests to put people in contact with other NetLetter readers. Please could you put my request in for Bob Fuhrmann of LA to get in touch with me. He was mentioned in an earlier edition so I assume he reads them.
Myself and my softball teammates from LHR have attended his coed tournaments. My late wife and daughter even flew to LAX for a weekend for his 2nd wedding! I'd really like to hear from him again before we both buy the farm!!! Regards, Mel Bartlett.
(Bob's photo was in NetLetter 1122, May 29, 2010)
Note: Please reply to this NetLetter if you can assist in locating these people. The NetLetter is happy to act as a messenger but never gives out anyone's email address or any other information without their permission.
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| TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker |
 Below we have musings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, Air Canada publications from years gone by, as well as various in-house publications. The NetLetter has been fortunate enough to have our readers donate vintage Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada publications from as far back as 1941 to share with you. These have been scanned and are being prepared for presenting in a special area of the ACFamily Network for archival and genealogy research.
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 Early photo at Vancouver Airport sent in by Doug Robinson.
A group of Trans-Canada Air Lines ground crew c1937.
(I think they look like milk men - Alan)
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Issue dated - November 1978
Some items gleaned from the "Horizon" magazines.
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 The Fun Lovers regained the title of Air Canada House Fastball League champions in season 1978 following a three-year hiatus. The team from Place Ville Marie had to be better than ever to win because the League recently acquired two new tough contenders, the Airport Ramp and Base Stores teams. All three had to face the always competitive Boy Pilots, Jet Jockeys and Power Plant groups during the season. Despite their name, the Fun Lovers took their fastball very seriously.
The Fun Lovers are shown, back row from the left: Pat McDonald, team captain, Ted Saito, Wayne McLay. Garry Bocking and Paul Garratt.
Front row. from the Ieft, are: Bob Irwin, Ben Besner, Bill Ross, Bob Tole, Vic Wozniuk and Norm Curley. Missing from the photo are Brian MacDonald and Reg Prawdzik.
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 All in the family...
After 38 years of flying. four years with the RCAF and 34 years with the company. Captain Herb Russell, left seat, brought this B747 into Vancouver International Airport for the last time on September 29th 1978. On board was some very special "cargo", his four sons. three of whom are commercial pilots.
From the left are Kent, a DC-9 pilot with the company; youngest son Dave was in training lo be a bush pilot; Hebb a company pilot on DC-8s and Lee who was a B737 pilot with Pacific Western Airlines. The family was met by relatives and friends as they left flight AC149 and were taken to a retirement celebration in Captain Russell's honour.
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 Captain Penrose retires
The whole crew of Flight AC195, arriving from Toronto and Winnipeg, turned out to congratulate their Captain as this was a special flight for Captain Bob Penrose, his last before he retired after 35 years with the airline. Bob is shown with his wife, Mary, who was on hand to greet the flight upon arrival in Vancouver. Rather than spend his retirement days on the golf course, Captain Penrose has been heard to say that he intends to keep his hand in the aviation business.
(Unfortunately, the names of his crew are some sort of secret - anyone? - eds)
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 St. John's TriStars take championship -
The St. John's TriStars capped a successful 1978 season by capturing the Civil Service Softball League championship. Taking the best of seven finals in four straight games, the team took top honours for the first time since its association with the league in 1974.
The TriStars are pictured, standing from the left: Cheerleaders M. Browne, B. Browne, J. Barron, B. Feehan. R. Symonds. P. Cochrane. J. Browne, O. Warren and M. Power.
Front row from the left: K. Fardy, J. HurIey. B. Power, K. Hood, D. Squires and Coach Jim Walsh. Missing from the photo are J. Walsh, Jr and R. Arns.
Duncan remembers a special flight
Flying was old hat for Ottawa Lead Station Attendant Ken Duncan long before he joined the company in 1960. In December 1946 he was a passenger on the 1,000th flight of the Canadian Government Transatlantic Air Service operated by Trans-Canada Air Lines between Montreal and the United Kingdom. It was a trip he will never forget. ''We
went on a Lancaster," recalls Ken. In commemoration of the occasion he received a silver ash tray from TCA President H.J. Symington. He still had it along with the baggage tags and ticket coupons when we sent this story to the "Horizons" magazine, and was saving them until the company's 50th anniversary in 1987.
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| Alan's Space - by Alan Rust |
Canadian Lancaster to fly to England in August
Canada's WWII Lancaster bomber will soon be heading across the Atlantic to join the only other airworthy plane of its kind for a series of special flights over the U.K.
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton plans to fly its vintage Avro Lancaster to England in August. Together with the Royal Air Force's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) Lancaster, it will be involved in a month-long flying tour in the U.K. before returning home to Hamilton in September.
The last time Lancasters flew together was 50 years ago over Toronto, at RCAF Station Downsview. The RCAF flew a special formation of three of the bombers in April 1964 to mark their retirement from service.
The sight of two Lancasters flying in formation once more is a "once in a lifetime opportunity, something that will never happen again," said Al Mickeloff, spokesman for the museum in Hamilton, which owns the Canadian Lancaster. "We don't expect to ever do another trip like this."
The Museum has just finished auctioning off the opportunity (on eBay) to fly as a crew member on the Avro Lancaster when it goes to England in August. Bids started at $40,000 and the auction closed today with the winning bid reaching $79,100.
Click on image below or follow this link for full story and slideshow.
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Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker
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 News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and its "ancestry" of contributing airlines. |
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Issue dated - October 1990
Items from the "INFO:CARGO" magazine -
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 Departing Toronto every Friday starting November 2, 1990 the nonstop wide body service to Mexico City, makes Canadi>n the only scheduled carrier offering this service from Toronto. CP Air previously served Mexico City from 1953 to 1981.
September 23, 1990 marked the opening of the first Cargo Telephone Sales and Service Centre located in Toronto. The Montreal Centre was opened October 1st and the Calgary Centre had a start up on November 18th. Plans were being formulated for a Centre in Vancouver.
This (poor) photo is of the staff at the Toronto Centre. (But no identifications - eds).
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 However, in the December issue, the Calgary team were not so secretive, here they are - identified - The new Calgary Telephone Sales and Service Centre team!
Seated from left: Charlene Dube, Ciaran Ralferty, Kathy Zerr, Tiffany Smitz, Cargo Agent.
Standing from left: Darcy McCrimmon, Randy Gyles, Grant Sauerberg, Gytte Ebbesen, Barry Hobson. Cargo Agents: Murray Olson, Supervisor; Bruce Fowler, Chris Rampp, Cargo Agents.
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 These energetic Canadi>n Air Cargo employees participated in the World Airline Road Race in Fort Worth, Texas on October 6th, 1990 a very competitive annual race to all airlines in the world.
In this photo - courtesy Gillian Fishman - from the left: Mike Cairns, Werner Mueck, Winfried Hartmann, Gillian Fishman and Debbie Iversen.
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| Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker |
Every week we ask our readers for their stories or feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.
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Comments received from Sandy Lager - Hi Guys The photo's submitted by Robert Arnold (NetLetter nr 1294) are, I think, of a test rig for the early Janitrol heaters. What aircraft it came out of would only be a guess on my part. The North Star would have used several similar ones as would the Constellation and the DC3. I am sure there is someone out there familiar with this unit.
Also, there is a restoration project underway of a North Star at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Perhaps they could help with identifying this unit.
Sandy Lager, Retired, Aircraft Maintenance, Halifax
and Ken Collie kicks in with this observation...
Robert Arnold asks for help identifying the contraption in the photos; it is not a Herman Nelson. The heater unit looks very much like a Sundstrand heater used in some smaller aircraft such as the Piper Aztec, a close copy of the gasoline heater used in the older VW Beetle. This unit is mounted on a shop cart and is ingeniously rigged up. I wish I had had one on many frozen occasions up north. Ken Collie
Robert Austin has come up with this suggestion - Re: Photo 6924 in NetLetter 1295 from Robert Arnold. This appears to be equipment used by the NDT (Non-destructive Testing) branch of Aircraft Inspection. It is a dolly that can hold the radioactive emitter in any position to take X-ray photos of aircraft components. The striped wand is the aiming device.
Robert Austin, Retired Technician, Ground Equipment Engineering
Referring to the photo in NetLetter nr 1294 under Odds and Ends,
Early photos of Vancouver airport sent in by Doug Robinson - Sprott-Shaw Waco 10 and two Gypsy Moths at Vancouver Airport, (Lansdowne). c1920,
Don Robinson sends us this comment -
I've seen this photo described before as Vancouver Airport (Lansdowne). Although Vancouver did eventually buy property for the airport on Sea Island, prior to that time aircraft used the Minoru Racetrack, not Lansdowne, as an airfield.
In NetLetter nr 1292 under "Reader Submitted Photos" Karoly Wagner sent us a photo of two Instrument shop employees at Dorval receiving their 25 year pins. Unfortunately, we have wrong identifications, as pointed out by John Rodger in this information - Keith Kelly called to tell me there was an error in the ID's on this photo : Joe Lemieux, General Foreman Instrument Shop is in the middle and on the right is Ralph Tilling.
Robert Arniold responded to the information supplied by John Rodger in NetLetter nr 1298. This refers to the photo originally submitted by Robert Arnold in NetLetter nr 1295 - I had a close look at TCA photo 6924 with a 10 power loop and yes there does appear to be what might be a piece of x-ray film taped in place above the line up pointer. What I am curious about is where is the apparatus that actually takes the x-ray or is it all contained in this portable unit. When I think of x-ray equipment I think of this huge bulky piece of equipment like you would find in a doctors office but then again a dentist's x-ray machine is quite small and compact and can zero in on the small piece of x-ray film in your mouth. John Rodger seems to have a handle on what he is talking about so I shall label the photo as the Muller X-ray Tube. Thanks for this, another photo ID'd.
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Odds and Ends.
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 Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!
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Russ Brown has sent us this appeal for help -
I have received this request from the head of the Van Horne institute at U of C.
"I have a student who wants to understand the style/content of labor negotiations with AC which he is comparing with that of BA (British Airways) for a Masters thesis at the University of Manchester. Can you give me some pilot and flight attendant contacts he can speak to!! I would really appreciate your help here.
Peter Wallis President & CEO"
If anyone can help they can send me an e-mail address at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I will forward that address to the Van Horne. thanks, Russ Brown
Ea rly photo of Vancouver Airport sent in by Doug Robinson. World War II ranked as a period of expansion for the airport. In 1940, the City of Vancouver leased the airport to the Federal Government. New facilities included hangars, a Royal Canadian Air Force base and barracks, gun emplacements and a major aircraft manufacturing plant for the Boeing Airplane Company. Throughout the war, the airport was a major center for air defense, munitions manufacturing and Royal Canadian Air Force training.
Ken Pickford sends his observations - Re #1295, the photo in the "Odds and Ends" section of the early landing at Vancouver refers to the date as "c1929". It was much earlier. Several sources say 1910, which seems much more in line with that very primitive aircraft.
For one reference see: www.canadianflight.org/content/history-flight-bc-0 same in Wikipedia. Date given was March 25, 1910.
Regards, Ken
Betty Draper found this 1942 article in a Vancouver newspaper -
VANCOUVER - Local Trans-Canada Air Lines officials said Saturday the line would carry the oldest passenger in its history Monday when a 95 year old G.C.Smith takes off from here for Winnipeg. Mr Smith. who recalls the days of covered wagon travel on the prairies. has been visiting relatives in Vancouver. After a few days in Winnipeg he will proceed by train to Boissovain, Man., where he was once the clerk.
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
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 Vancouver International Airport (YVR) named #1 airport in North America for the fifth consecutive year by Skytrax World Airport Awards in Barcelona, Spain on March 26, 2014. This marks only the second time in award history that any airport has earned top ranking five years in a row. YVR also remains one of the world's best airports, the only North American airport included in the global top 10.
Last year we booked a package for a February vacation in Honolulu. The seats on the Air Canada B767 has a 2-3-2 arrangement in economy. We selected, had confirmed, a window and aisle seats 26K/H. Upon check-in we had been re-assigned seats in the center, 25 D/E, and the third passenger was split from their partner by several rows, even though they had selected two seats together.
For our return flight, we had selected, and received confirmation, two seats 26A/C, but were again re-assigned seats in the center 16 D/F, both aisle seats - when we pointed this out at check-in, the agent did not know why the re-assignment, nor why we were being split, but told us they would block the center seat to give us the whole 3 seats. We are sure we will never get a reason for the re-assignment, but some passengers were very upset to say the least.
Our flight arrived back at YVR 45 minutes ahead of schedule and had to remain on the aircraft until the customs and security opened at 05:00.
Be aware that the overhead bins are very shallow, and carry-on luggage has to be placed across the space rather than end on, therefore taking up more space. Now that the airline charges for checked baggage, passengers seem to be cramming in as much as possible into their carry-on until they bulge ominously and making it even more difficult to stow the luggage in the overhead bin.
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| Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker |
As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.
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 This appeared in the "Horizons" magazine dated November 1978. The author, Aidan Larkin, was Airport Customer Service Manager, Shannon and had spent 26 years of his life on earth in the employ of the company at the time of this writing.
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The NetLetter is an email newsletter published (usually) once a week and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here.
We also welcome your feedback in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.
The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
Sincerely,
Your NetLetter Team
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Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.
E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted) - The historical information as well as any other information provided here is subject to correction and may have changed over time. We do publish corrections when they are brought to our attention.
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First published in October, 1995
- Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
- Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
- Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
To contact us, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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