Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

For Air Canada Retirees
(Part of the ACFamily Network)

Reader Submitted Photos -  The photos and information below have been submitted to us by our faithful readers.  

Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Help Wanted...

Val Frost is researching the Royal Air Force Ferry Command which operated during WWII.

To date, RAF Ferry Command has been referred to as, considered as, and believed to have actually been, a "top secret" organization. However, I also found to back this up by an article - also verified as to authenticity - that RAFFC was a "covert" operation, thereby justifying the "secrecy" end of things.

So... we have it verified that is was a "secret" operation. We have evidence that a radio operator had to sign a "secrecy pledge" prior to being hired by the RAF FC at Dorval.

I'm pretty sure that my father, David Harry Archibald, would have had to sign one of these "secrecy pledge" papers - but I don't recall his actually saying so. The subject just never came up.

What I need to know and have searched hi and low for, is evidence that someone else working in maintenance on the bombers at Dorval did in fact have to sign a "secrecy pledge.

If anyone has a relative who worked for the RAFFC and could shed any light on the signing of a "secrecy pledge", Val would like to hear from you. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Comment from Alan - Please... no "if I tell you I'll have to kill you" comments. (because I was first) 

Due to the recently introduced anti spam law by the Canadian Federal Government, which eventually could carry a heavy penalty, we will not be providing any interline deals until we update our mailing list to ensure we have "express consent" from all subscribers. This will be done over the coming months through the ACFamily Network. We suggest you Google for Dargal, Perx, Ceasars Interline, Interline Allstars, KVI Travel or Time-4-Travel for your future Interline travels.

In one of the smartest marketing campaigns this year, US ultra-low cost carrier Spirit Airlines has launched a "hug the haters" promotion. 

Spirit CEO Ben Baldanza, who is also one of the smartest airline CEOs out there and who regularly makes fun of himself and his (nicely profitable) airline, says in the press release recently issued,  "We want to change the way people think about air travel and educate them about the Spirit way of traveling. We're going to Hug The Haters. They can share their frustrations with flying, and in return, we're going to give them 8,000 FREE SPIRIT Miles, which gets them very close to an award flight."

And those Fort Lauderdale, Florida based folk have come up with an entertaining video: The song, which admits many of its passengers seem to hate them and send them hate tweets, includes the wonderful line: "It's a cheap seat for a cheap ass."

And they invite people to go to www.Hatethousandmiles.com to "let go of their hate" and learn why and how Spirit keeps their costs low so they can go... even if, as the song says, some people would rather eat glass.  

So far, there have been no reports of delays at security checkpoints, but Heathrow and Manchester have advised passengers to keep their electronic devices charged up and be prepared as these may be checked at the security entrance and/or the gate prior to boarding.  

Thank you for your letter
regarding 802,
We're really very sorry
to have inconvenienced you
Sometimes these things do happen
(that's no excuse, it's true),
But when fog is the culprit
there's little we can do.
Nonetheless, your message
has come through loud and clear,
We"ll pass it on to everyone
of that, you have no fear.
Our staff is always conscious
of announcing each delay,
But in the "thick of battle''
we miss some anyway.
So your poem will be published
in our monthly magazine,
Reminding each employee
(even those behind the scene).
That for 'The Competition''
to truly make its mark,
We must inform our passengers,
not keep them in the dark.
Once again we thank you
for the effort and the time
you took to tell your story.  

Derek Buckell refers to NetLetter nr 1303 - Hi gentlemen, from England, much as I enjoy your publication, I cannot let you get away with the picture of a so-called English pub sign!

It is not an English pub, in fact it looks like somewhere in Quebec, with the French signage on the pavement, sorry sidewalk, and the overhead traffic lights and road sign.   

Thanks again, Derek Buckell (regards to all my friends and ex colleagues in the Pionairs)

Alan Rust decided to do some in depth investigation and came up with this result - "We're both wrong, this pub is in Coquitlam just outside of Vancouver... I found it on Google Maps  (follow this link if your interested)" 

(We would point out that it was the sign that was in English, we did not speculate as to the location - eds)

Vern Swerdfeger has sent us some photos of English Pub signs. Here is one.