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From: Terry Baker <
To:
Reply-To:
Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 660 Feb 5/02 -- The NetLetter
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 14:30:07 -0800
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T H E _| TCA |_
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N E T L E T T E R > CANADA <
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 660, Feb 5th, 2002. We first published in October 1995.
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson - Co-pilot - Terry Baker
To get in touch with either editor/pilot our email address is
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. Nice to know.
Message from Charles Mackie -
Today I received a Phone Call >From Global TV aand a E mail from Terrance
McKeown of Lightship Media Ltd of Richmond BC,
advising me of aTV Broadcast and I will quote the message,
Our documentary "On Wings and Dreams" : The Men Who Built Canadas
Airlines"(which we were previously calling "Daredeveils and Dreamers") will
have its first broadcast on Global Television at the following times:
Global Ontario, Quebec Feb 13 at 10.00PM
Global Calgary/Edmonton Feb 15 at 10.00PM
Global Regina/Sask?winnipeg Feb 14 at 9.00PM
Global B,C, Feb 13 at 10.00PM
Unquote
I believe they have taken a lot of their material from Peter Pigotts recent
Book called "National Treasure a History of Trans Canada Airlines." I recently
purchased the book and found it most comprehensive of all the Political goings
on in the early days of TCA and a lot of names which bring back a lot of fond
memories of those days. In the book they even a few of my early aviation
experiences
In case anyone is interested in Purchasing the book it is put out by Harbour
Publishing, PO Box 219 Madeira Parrk BC V0N 2H0
The ISBN # 1-55017-268-9 Cost around 35.00. I believe that the book is in a lot
of Libraries at present altho the book has only been published for a short whil
It sounds like the TV programs will be a series. so dont miss it.
Everyone Keep Healthy and Happy
Charles Mackie
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" ' "
. News from the districts.
Changing of the guard at Vancouver Island Pionairs.
After serving a term of 2 years and 8 months, John Jeffries is stepping
down as District Director to be succeeded, effective February 1st, by Wally
Lamond who lives in Comox
Wally and wife Pat can be reached at
Wally will announce appointments of other positions in due course.
Production of the newsletter will be in the hands of Terry Charles of Nanaimo.
The interests of the Courtenay/Comox Pionairs will be handled by Eric Van
der Holt taking over from Murray Phipps.
The USA District Semi-Annual meeting will take place Saturday May 11th during
the Pionairs Annual General Meeting in Halifax.
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" ' "
An appeal for assistance -
Hi Everyone,
My name is Jean Helms Mills (Hatfield) and some of you may know me because I
worked for Air Canada YHZRR for 17 years (1973-1991). As well, I come from an
Air Canada family. My Father Phil Helms worked for 31 years at TCA in YQM YYZ
and YHZ
and AC and my Mother Sue Helms (Black) worked in YUL & YQM in the early 1950's.
Currently, my brother Stephen Helms is on the ramp at YHZ.
In 1991, I left Air Canada to return to university and last year I obtained
my Ph.D from Lancaster University in the UK. I am an Assistant Professor of
Organizational Behaviour at Acadia University in Wolfville NS. Since leaving
AC, I have tried to find a way to combine my research interests with my
airline background. To that end, my husband Albert Mills, who is a Professor
of Management at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, and I, have been
succesful in getting a federal government (SSHRC) grant to conduct research
into the history of male and female employment with TCA and Air Canada.
Through our research with AC we're trying to identify the establishment and
recreation of employment practices that led to barriers for female
employment. By talking to employees past and present, we would like to hear
your stories of what worklife was like during your time with AC, to see how
things have changed over the years. Therefore,we are particularly interested
in getting the impressions of both men and women of what it was like to work
for the airline at any given point.
Through this research we hope to (a) develop policy that will help
organizations to improve employment equity, and (b) write a new history of Air
Canada that reflects
the voices of the men and women of all levels of the company. We would like
to interview former AC employees from across Canada. Each interview will
last around one hour and you will remain anonymous, if you wish. If you are
willing to be interviewed please contact us either at any of the following:
email address:
mailing address: Site 18, Comp B3, RR #1, Wolfville, NS B0P 1X0
telephone/fax: Home: [902] 542 7078
We will also have researchers doing interviews for us on the west and east
coast.
Also, for further information on us. please see the following homepages:
<http://business.acadiau.ca/Fac&Staff/Facultywebs/jmills/home.htm>http://bu
siness.acadiau.ca/Fac&Staff/Facultywebs/jmills/home.htm
http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~amills
Jean Helms Mills, Ph.D.,
Assistant Professor,
F. C. Manning School of Business Administration,
Acadia University,
Wolfville,
Nova Scotia
Canada B0P 1XO
Email:
Tele: [902] 585-1285
Fax: [902] 582-1057
Albert J. Mills, Ph.D.,
Professor, Management/VP (Communications) ASAC
Department of Management,
Frank H. Sobey Faculty of Commerce,
Saint Mary's University.
903 Robie Street,
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3L 1E3
Email:
Tele: [902] 420 5778
Fax: [902] 420 5119
Home Page:
<http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~amills/>http://husky1.stmarys.ca/~amills/
ASAC Web Site: <http://www.asac.ca>http://www.asac.ca
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" ' "
. Duane Frerichs of RAPCAN eMailNews sends this -
From:
Subject: Seafari 2002
If you own a sailboat and would be interested in cruising the Bras D'or Lakes
of Cape Breton during summer 2002 read on:
This proposal is by RAPCAN members YUL and East.
PIONAIR MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.
The present flotilla consists of:
Bob Pearson - Contessa 26 (YSU)
Bob Hyndman- Beneteau 24 (Souris)
Scott Price - Hughes 40 (YUL)
Brian Roberts -Nordica 20 (Antigonish)
Seafari will originate at the YSU Yacht Club.Proceeding via Souris P.E.I.
through Canso N.S. to the locks at St.Peters to enter the Bras D'or
Lakes.Participants may join the flotilla as we proceed along this route.
After cruising the lakes for one week participants may exit via St. Peters or
via Sydney.Consideration will be given to a side trip to the Magdelen Islands
for those exiting via YQY.
It has been recommended by an old salt from Souris that the best dates
weather-wise would be the last week of July through the first two weeks of
Aug.This is supported by a young salt from Cape Breton.Guess who!
Please indicate in order of preference your choice of 2 week segments from
July 1 to Sept.30.
These plans are preliminary and all inputs are welcome.
Please indicate your intentions ASAP, there are no obligations.
Submit intentions, inputs and I.D.to Seafari co-ordinator Fred Deveaux via
e-mail at
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" ' "
. For those of you unsure just who is sending this, it is Jim McKeachie,
retired PR for CP Air.
Some time ago, a very professional Vancouver TV writer/producer, Melanie Wood,
contacted me for help in turning out a documentary on Grant McConachie. I was
able to give her some info. and references to other sources.
She has just called to advise that the program will be aired in mid-February
across much of Canada.
You may be interested in seeing it.
Here is the broadcast schedule for the McConachie show, entirled "On Wings and
Dreams":
Global Ontario Feb. 13, 10 p.m.
Global Calgary/Edmonton Feb. 15 10 p.m.
Global Regina/Saskatchewan/Winnipeg Feb. 14 9 p.m.
Global BC Feb. 13 10 p.m.
(Just in case any of you had not heard, another former CP Air president, Ian A.
Gray, passed away in North Vancouver on Jan 24, after a long bout with kidney
dialysis, etc.)
Kind regards to all. Jim McKeachie
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" ' "
. With the better weather approaching, soon be time for the L10A CF-TCC to
get airborne. We thought you may want to read this -
"Lots more pedaling!"
That's how Captain Gerry Norberg describes the difference between flying our
vintage 1937 Lockheed L10A and his regular day job at the controls of an A320.
"Lots of right rudder is required on take-off to counteract the force of the
propellers," said Gerry. "Once the speed starts to increase and you can feel
the
controls getting lighter you apply quite a bit of forward elevator pressure to
bring
the tail up. And when the airspeed reaches approximately 80-90 miles per hour
and
if the aircraft is trimmed properly it will takeoff without too much back
pressure on
the control column."
Landing also requires lots of hand-foot activity, said Gerry. As the speed
drops, it
takes considerable strength to hold the tail up to maintain airflow over the
rudders.
Once the tail wheel touches, it gets really busy for the pilots. Hands and feet
come
into play to apply rudder, brakes, aileron and thrust if it's needed.
This classic aircraft, the fifth L10A to enter service with TCA back in 1937,
is
similar to the one used by Amelia Earhart on her ill-fated attempt to
circumnavigate
the globe. The exterior is polished aluminum, giving rise to the old
description of
"40,000 rivets flying in formation". The flight deck is cozy, with the
WWII-type
control columns dominating the area. The furnishings are sparse and functional.
Both pilot's seats are non-adjustable, so that short pilots have cushions and
tall
pilots have to scrunch down to look through the windshield.
On the ground the aircraft has a nose-in-the-air aspect of about 20 degrees,
forcing an uphill walk to reach the cockpit. One of only four L10As still
flying, it is
not only the oldest aircraft in our fleet but curiously, was also the first to
be
equipped with an ultra-accurate GPS navigational system. The passenger cabin
shows more signs of thirties-style art deco luxury, with no arguments from the
passengers regarding seat selection as each seat is both an aisle and a window.
Although originally equipped to fly up to 10 passengers, during its regular
flying
service days it was used mainly as a freight transporter and training aircraft.
In its
twilight years it now takes to the skies flying passengers on "joy rides"
throughout
the country to raise money for the company-sponsored Dreams Take Flight
program. All the crews both ground and air, who operate, maintain and handle
the
flights are volunteers who donate their time and skills for this worthy cause.
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" ' "
. Reminder -
"Name the Tail Contest" presented by the ACFamily Network
This is a fun contest to test your knowledge of 50 airline aircraft tail
graphics.
You can Win one of these four great Canadian Aviation Books...
- "Ace McCool -- Collector Edition"
- ALTIMETER RISING: My 50 Years in the Cockpit
- AVIATION MEMOIRS: A Love Affair With Flight
- NATIONAL TREASURE: The History of Trans-Canada Air Lines
(Contest closes 2359 GMT February 23, 2002)
Visit www.acfamily.net/contest to see more information and contest rules.
*******************************************
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" ' "
. Those North Stars!
N. A. Barbour sends this memory -
Even in my dotage I remember well the name Bruce Allcorn; unfortunately I
must take issue with him regarding his views on both the TCA DC4M2 and the
'Bristol Freighter'. Like Bruce, I flew the North Star, as F/O and
captain, (and Super Connie) over a period of 9 years, interrupted by a
short stint on the Bristol .
While the "Flying Merchant" did not have quite the capacity of its big
sister, the DC6, I doubt the latter could really carry 300,000 pounds of
cargo, the weight of a DC-8 - obviously a typo ! However, Bruce is more
seriously slanderous in saying the "cross-over" exhaust system "destroyed"
the TCA North Star and "dramatically reduced the GTOW and cruise airspeed".
I flew both versions, and cannot recall any significant change in
performance, Max T/O weight (80,200 lbs) or airspeed. This would have been
most conspicuous in the tropics, where I flew the cross-over North Star for
years, and found it performed very well.
Some credit where it's due - from a "sadly uneducated expert".
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" ' "
From: "James P. Jamieson" <
Subject: Sentimental Value...
My family left Prestwick Scotland for Winnipeg on Friday April 12th, 1963 on
flight TC853 originating in London with connections to Prestwick , Winnipeg,
Toronto and Vancouver.
Since my family emigrated to Canada on that flight I am interested in getting
more information.
Apparently the flight was delayed 4 hours in Prestwick, Scotland because of
mechanical problems, but I was wondering if it would be at all possible to get
more information on the flight.
I would be interested in the aircraft history (DC-8) as well as crew members.
James P. Jamieson
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" ' "
. From the RAPCAN eMailNews issued by Duane Frerichs -
From: " Ron Stewart" <
Subject: flashback
I find since retirement I have a tendency to delve into the past a lot more
than I used to,which
probably inspired me to write this.
Anyhow I'm pretty sure the year was 1947....the local airport which
bordered on our family farm was staging an airshow.
Most aircraft there were types you would expect to see at that
time....Piper Cubs,Tiger Moths,and I'm sure the DOT or whatever they called
themselves then flew in a Beech Staggerwing.
But the star of the show arrived later, when a TCA DC3 landed and taxied in
to the ramp.....it was the BIGGEST...SHINIEST airplane I had ever
seen.....I could even walk under the wing without ducking....the main gear
was almost as tall as me!
This huge monster was piloted by Captain Des McCabe...and did he ever look
awesome in that uniform!
Des's father was the manager of the local Bank Of Montreal where my sister
worked. Because of this she was invited for a local flight along with other
dignitaries. I can't remember which emotion was strongest ...envy or hate
for my poor sister, who didn't seem to care one way or the other if she
went or not.
From that day on I never had the slightest doubt about what career I
wanted to pursue....mind you there were times when it didn't seem very
realistic, but as the result of a lot of good luck I had the honour of
being Des's first officer on the DC8 in the 60's....and he still looked
awesome in that uniform!!
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" ' "
. Smilie found by Lawson (Trem) Tremellen..
A photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of
agreat forest fire. Smoke at the scene was too thick to get any
goodshots, so he frantically called his home office to hire a plane.
"It will be waiting for you at the airport!" he was assured by his
editor. As soon as he got to the small, rural airport, sure enough, a
plane waswarming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and
yelled, "Let's go! Let's go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind
and soon they were in the air.
"Fly over the north side of the fire," said the photographer, "and make
three or four low level passes."
"Why?" asked the pilot.
"Because I'm going to take pictures! I'm a photographer, and
photographers take pictures!" said the photographer with great
exasperation.
After a long pause the pilot said, "You mean you're not the instructor?"
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" ' "
. DID YOU KNOW?
That you can read or retrieve back issues of "theNetLetter" ?
Just visit our web site at:
http://www.acfamily.org/netletter
and click on the "Archives" button.
This area is only open to "the NetLetter" subscribers and you will
need the following password to enter -
User Name: netletter Password: vesta
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