Ten Things you may not know about Air Canada(Source: Globe and Mail, March 2014)I happened to come across an interesting article from the Globe and Mail.
In his latest book, Air Canada: The History (Dundurn), Peter Pigott shares an incredibly detailed account of our national airline, from its birth in 1937 as Trans-Canada Air Lines to its bankruptcy – and recovery – in the early 2000s. Here, he reveals 10 things you may not know about our national airline. |
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McDonnell Douglas DC-8
The DC-8 was a pivotal addition to the Canadian aviation industry in the early years of the “Jet Age”. Developed to compete with the Boeing 707 it was the choice of both Trans-Canada Air Lines and Canadian Pacific Airlines for transcontinental expansion to European and Asian destinations..
The first to enter service for TCA was Fin# 804 (CF-TJD) delivered on February 7, 1960. A total of 43 aircraft flew in TCA and Air Canada liveries. From my research, I believe that Fin# 817 was the first to be sport the “Air Canada Rondel” and carried Queen Elizabeth II back to the U.K. after a Royal tour Canada in 1964.
The first to enter service for CP Air was Fin# 601 (CF-CPF) delivered on February 22, 1961 and proudly named “Empress of Vancouver” after Canada’s gateway to the Asian market. A total of 13 aircraft flew in CP Air livery, however, all of which had been transferred to other operators by the formation of Canadian Airlines International Ltd. in 1987.
My first flight as an AC employee was on a “Stretch” DC-8 and I have always remembered the “Fishtail” effect on take off when sitting in seats at the rear of these aircraft due to the long, thin fuselage.
Air Canada passenger service on these aircraft ended in 1983 but they continued to be of service in all Cargo configuration right up until 1994. Attached is a YouTube video posted by Ryan Bomar showing Fin# 867 departing LAX in January 1992. This particular aircraft was later leased to DHL Worldwide Express and ASTAR Air Cargo under registration N801DH until retired in May 2012 after 43 years of service and is now basking in the Arizona sun at the Kingman Air Field.
Sources: Wikipedia, www.planespotters.net
Note: We are in the process of building a Historical Fleet area on the ACFamily Network where we will be inviting you to submit photos, stories and information about the DC-8 and the rest of Air Canada's fleet. This will also be expanded to other Canadian Airline aircraft in the future as well.
Trivia Question - does anyone know why the first delivered aircraft was "804" and not "801"?
Extracted from the "Between Ourselves" magazine issue dated November 1959.
An ode to TCA
Pat Frate of Passenger Traffic, Montreal, received a birthday card from his young sister Kathie which contained the following poem she had composed.
The very best way to get by
Really sir, is to fly
Another thought to keep in mind
Not every airline is so kind
So seek TCA and that you'll find
Canadians always like to know
All different places where to go
Never do they have any trouble
As TCA is for ever on the double
Do remember and don't forget
A good airline is hard to get.
A lot of them are always late
Isn't TCA right up-to-date?
Really now, we can't deny
Living high means to fly
Is many places you will see
No one is busy as a bee
Except good old TCA
Sending people right on their way.
I saw this headline in the 21-17th July 2015 issue of the "Flight" magazine, soon after I had read the book "Coerced" by Dana Griffin, a fictional novel which has the theme about the fatigue of aircrews.
A new company tour package was introduced by Air Canada in November 1st, 1979 titled "London Without Cash" which allows vacationers to start, rather than end their holidays without cash. No reason to return with a clutch of credit card flimsies. For ca$499, the package included air are, hotel accommodations for seven nights, sightseeing trips, museum admissions, theatre tickets, subway and bus passes, tips and taxes, brandy nightcaps, morning newspapers right down to four pre-stamped post cards to send home - all this could have been had by employees at 10% discount.
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Betty Draper has located some more information of the early days in aviation in Canada. From the Leader-Post issue March 1st 1938. Regina, Saskatchewan |
 Through fog at three miles a minute. (Notice the registration at CF-AZY and the Trans-Canada Air Lines emblem on the nose - eds) |
 This photo shows the arrival of Regina's air mail on Tuesday March 1st, 1938. At the left, a mechanic is shown unloading bags from the plane, while George Bennett, postal employee, holds two bags. At the right is shown Leo LaBelle, Regina postmaster, with Herbert Seagram, centre, and Robert M. Smith, youthful pilots who flew the machine from Winnipeg to Regina and westward. |
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Plane Circles Regina 45 Minutes in Fog As Mail Tests Start. Other planes turn back. The westbound machine flew into Regina along the radio beam emitted from the old radio range station on Dewdney Avenue. When the new station south on the no. 6 highway was in operation the beam will guide the planes right into the airport doing away with delays occasioned in landing. (To be continued in NetLetter nr 1326 – eds) |