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_| TCA |_ B E T W E E N Y O U R S E L V E S
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> CANADA <
>_./|\._< for Air Canada retirees
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Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson
http://www.acra.ca/between/vesta/
Co-pilot - Terry Baker
http://www.acra.ca/between
number 303 date Aug 27th, 1998 1st Published in October 1995
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. We welcome Frank Farrugia retired Cargo Agent lives in Mississauga, Ont
email:
Robert Leonard retired Manager Onboard Technology & Cabin
Environment,
lives in Beaconsfield, Que email:
Darryl Richmond lives in Brampron, Ont.
email:
Pierre Sigmen lives in Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que
email:
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.WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHERE IT'S GOING ON.
(Compiled by Chief Pilot - Vesta)
Thursday August 27, 1998
Toronto PIONAIRS Woodbine Race Track $27.00 pp
includes buffet lunch
Vancouver Island Pionairs monthly ComoxValley
call Ralph Tisdall at 250-338-5788 or email
Friday August 28, 1998
Ottawa, Pionair KoffeeKlatsches AT 10 AM Weekly,
Family Restaurant, Carlingwood Shopping
Tuesday September 1, 1998
*NEW* EDMONTON Pionairs Coffee & Chat - Smitty's Lounge,
Kingsway Garden Mall 10 am
Kelowna/Vernon Pionairs monthly 10am Coffee&Chat at Muffin Break.
Penticton monthly 10:am Coffee&Chat at Tim Hortons,
Cherry Lane Shopping Mall
Wednesday September 2, 1998
**NEW** ST CATHERINES Pionairs/and other Retirees
@10am Sweets & Crepes Cafe on Ontario St, at Lakeport.
A small group of retirees meet up to solve some of the world's
problems. ALL retirees Welcome contact Colin Bailey 935-3970
Thursday September 3, 1998
Montreal, Pionairs monthly Lunch at Chenoy's Pte Claire
Friday September 4, 1998
Okanagan Pionairs Fall Wine Tour & Luncheon at Summerhill Estate Winery
contact Bob Horsman 250-492-6976
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. Bob Bartlett sends us his bio -
Retired from Flight Dispatch Air Canada at Toronto Dec of 1991.
I started with TCA in the Sales department in 1956 at Halifax working
at Shearwater as a Passenger Agent. I joined Flight Dispatch at Kelly
Lake in 1960 and served at Halifax, Montreal, and Toronto.
I am presently living in Georgetown, Ont. My email address is...
and we have one from Merle Johnston -
(My husband) Russ joined TCA in Nov 1942 and worked in the
Instrument Shop, then in the Training Dept., followed by a transfer
to Flight Operations in Dorval in 1956 and lastly to Halifax to start
a new job as Customer Service Analyst.
He retired in 1970 (and passed away several years ago).
As for me. I joined TCA in Nov 1947 as Secretary for the Director of
Training (Sandy Sandgathe) and moved on with him when he became
Executive Assistant for the Winnipeg Base. I resigned in Oct 1955 and
Russ and I moved to Halifax from Montreal in 1960. On arrival in Halifax
I was asked to work part time in the Regional Office when needed and as
a result I worked in every department in Operations and Sales.
I too am now retired.
Merle Johnston Her E-Mail is
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. Bill Norberg is at it again - another story for us -
Subject: An airline story about Viscounts.
It has been a while since I sent you an airline story and thought you
might find this one interesting:-
The selection of the Viscount aircraft by Trans Canada Airlines in
the early 50's was a bold decision yet it turned out to be a good one
for that period in the airline's development.We had been operating the
North Stars for over 5 years by the time they arrived on the scene and
they were quite a contrast to the North Star aircraft in a number of ways.
Not the least of these was the cabin noise levels which had plagued the
North Star since its first flight.
What a thrill it was to have my first test flight in a Viscount at Dorval.
I can still remember my amazement at the quiet cabin conditions. That is
however not what I wish to talk about.
I was Supervisor Aircraft Mechanical Performance Analysis when the first
technical data on the Viscount started to make its appearance in our area.
My background at that time was basically in the electronic, radio and
electrical aspect of aircraft systems. I was to learn from this information
that the Vickers Corporation had decided to use aluminum wiring in a
number of the circuits requiring large size electrical cables as a weight
reduction measure.
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read that. The house building
industry had tried aluminum wiring after the war with unsatisfactory
results. The relatively soft wire did not take well to pressure connectors
and high resistance joints were commonplace. As most people know such high
resistance joints in electrical circuits can become quite hot, oxidizing
the joint and making the resistance even higher. This of course again
increases the heat generated until it can literally catch fire if not
ignite surrounding material. When I challenged it I was advised that they
had taken special precautions to prevent such problems and not to be
concerned. I was still suspicious.
This was around 1953. Some 16 years later my worst fears were confirmed.
I was at this time Director of the Winnipeg Maintenance Base responsible
for the maintenance of the Viscount fleet. On April 7th 1969 a Viscount
aircraft returned to Sept Isles P.Q. due to a fire in # 1 engine. The
aircraft landed successfully even though molten aluminum was dropping from
the aircraft just before touchdown.
The fire had damaged a number of the controls to the engine and it was
impossible for the flight crew to shut down the outboard engine. As a result
the aircraft kept moving in a circle as the passengers and crew were
deplaning. While all managed to exit the aircraft one person was killed as
a result of being run over by the nose wheel of the circling aircraft.
I was immediately advised of the incident through our alert procedures and
we gathered our engineering and technical staff in the conference room to
review what we knew and what could be the possible cause of such a terrible
incident. Once information began to filter in my suspicions were immediately
directed to the heavy wiring in the engine starter circuits. It was
aluminum wiring about 1/2 inch in diameter. It did not take us long to
establish it as the prime suspect and immediately began tests to confirm
our fears. My worst fears in 1953 had become a reality in 1969. We had to
conduct a series of tests to validate the wiring joints in all the fleet
and to replace any that were showing the slightest amount of high
resistance.
It is like the old saying......"Never ignore a hunch".
Bill Norberg <
(If any of you have any memories relating to any of the stories from
Bill, we are sure he would like to hear from you - eds)
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. Our Chief Pilot - Vesta thought you might find this interesting -
A 90% SOLUTION FOR THE Y2K PROBLEM
An official of the General Accounting Office (GAO) has told a
panel of the House Science Committee he doubts that the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) can adequately revise its computer
software before the year 2000 deadline (at which time software
containing two-digit year codes will produce incorrect date
calculations). Although an FAA spokesman argues that the FAA will
have 90% of its systems certified by March (leaving only the
other 10% to be corrected by the end of 1999), Senator Bob
Bennett (R- Utah) says: "I wish I could say I'm confident in the
claims of the FAA. But given GAO's scathing reports, the FAA's
assertions that it has made such tremendous progress are very
questionable." (USA Today 7 Aug 98)
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. Found on the Internet.
FIRST CLASS PERKS?
NWA may have beaten the other air carriers to the punch by being the first
to offer a shot at salmonella to its first class passengers.
The airline has received a warning from the FDA over the storage temperature
for chicken meals served to the high-dollar pax.
The Feds will inspect again in 30 days to make sure the fowl hasn't gone
foul. An airline spokeswoman stressed it was an "isolated incident" and
that corrective action has been taken.
PERMANENT IMC AT PBI TOWER?
It's bad enough when controllers turn down your request for a direct
routing sending you to on a vector to Hector.
It's even worse when they complain they can't see. New windows were
installed in the control tower at West Palm Beach, Fla., in May.
The allegedly hurricane-proof windows are also apparently see-through
proof. Controllers say looking through them is like wearing someone
else's glasses. The FAA has checked and says the windows do not present
a safety hazard and will stay where they are. Anyone seen the aspirin?
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. In NetLetter we told you about the Prestwick Close Golf Tourney, here's
more news -
When: Arrive Oct 4th, golf 5th & 6th, depart Oct 7th.
Where: Fairwinds Golf and Country Club, Nanoose, Vancouver Island, BC.
Cost: Golfers $255.73 pp dbl and Non-Golfers $234.33 pp dbl.
Each couple will be assessed $35.00 to cover the Hospitality Room,
Hot and Cold Canopies and Prizes.
The package includes 3 nights accomodation at the Schooner Cove Resort,
3 full breakfasts, 2 dinners and 2 rounds of golf with cart at Fairwinds
Golf and Country Club. Tours will be arranged for non-golfers if desired.
So far we have 19 Air Canada couples confirmed and if there are any other
golfers or non golfers who would like to come and join us, please call
Ralph Tisdall, 388 Nim Nim Ave., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 3W3 Tel. 250-338-5788
Fax 250-338-5788 0r E-mail
If there are any interested but are unable to join us this year in Oct.
please get in touch with Ralph to enter your name for the 30th Anniversary
in 1999. The Anniversary Tournament might be held in P.E.I.
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. Terry's travel Tips.
Special air fares for interliners -
Fiestafare Mexicana Airlines space available to show airlines personnel
and families the many faces of Mexico.
us$100.00 return between Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark,
San Antonio, San Francisco, San Jose and any destination within Mexico.
Additional stopovers or connections within Mexico are us$25.00 each.
Fiestafare Latino, us$50.00 added to the Fiestafare Mexicana for space
available between Mexico City and Guatemala City or San Jose, Costa Rica.
US and Mexican taxes are additional.
Contact any Mexicana office for full details.
If Northwest Airlines are part of your future travel plans -
NWA MACHINISTS TALK, BUT PLAN TO WALK: NWA could be edging closer to
a strike. It doesn't mean a strike is imminent, however.
US AIRWAYS E-TICKET RIDE: It wasn't a pleasant ride, but according to
pax, everyone was managing to maintain a semblance of control until a
flight attendant became hysterical and started crying over the plane's
public address system. US Airways Flight 623 hit unexpected turbulence
Friday over Penn., giving passengers a shake, rattle, and roll-filled
ride. The 737 landed safely in Pittsburgh, where 10 people were treated
for minor injuries. Pax say the plane dropped, sending food carts and
passengers flying. "It was basically just all over the place," said
passenger Dan Malloy. "The thing that clinched it was the stewardess
crying."
(Don't wish to be rude here - but belt up! - eds)
Herman Kuipers tells us -
We have acquired a laptop computer and are planning to use Email as well
this winter (during my travels) and my Email address will remain the same.
In the U.S., Email services are available through JUNO (www.juno.com)
free of charge and without having to pay an ISP.
This may be worth passing along as a travel tip to those visiting the
U.S. this winter.
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. That's it for this time, please we need your input, send
comments and email addresses of any others who may be
interested to Vesta with a copy to Terry.
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| Between Yourselves |______________ \______====== )-+
| NetLetter | ---|/-- |
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Copyright 1998 by Vesta Stevenson & Terry Baker.