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Vesta's Jump Seat
 Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us!EARHART' STAR SWANK TO COMPLETE PILOT TRAINING The mystery of Amelia Earhart's disappearance over the Pacific in 1937 is a familiar story, but outside of aviation circles, her other accomplishments are less well known. A new film that opened recently, Amelia, starring Hilary Swank, explores Earhart's life as a pilot, leading up to that famous final flight. The Ninety-Nines, the women's pilot association that Earhart helped to launch, is holding events around the country to celebrate the opening of the film, in hopes that it will help spark interest in general aviation. Swank spent about 19 hours learning to fly after she agreed to take on the role and said that she hopes to complete her private pilot training. "It takes all of your senses; you're completely immersed," she said at a news conference in New Jersey, where she met with pilots from the Ninety-Nines and displayed one of the Lockheed Electras that flew in the film. "It was exciting to learn something new that really was challenging." Check this web site for more information. www.foxsearchlight.com/amelia/ |
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What's Happening
New Coffee Club Meeting in the Fraser Valley -  As most of you know (I hope), the Pionairs have regular monthly meetings for Coffee across the country. There is a new one just started and their second (ever) meeting is on Monday, Nov 16, 2009 in Abbotsford at 9:30 AMFor complete information see: www.pionairs.ca/en/fraser-valley.html Check the Pionairs new web site at: www.pionairs.ca for other meetings in your area. Quarter Century in Aviation Club  The Quarter Century of Aviation Club (Vancouver) is having it's second Meeting/Dinner of the year on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009 starting at 5:00PM. It's a real deal at $20 for roast beef, schnitzel, salad, dessert, coffee and tip included. Their web site has just been updated with all the meetings for this season (October to April) and they'd love to see you there. Full information can be found at: www.quartercenturyclub.ca |
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Air Canada News
 Hamilton Sundstrand has been awarded a 10 year Comprehensive Accessory Repair/Exchange for (18) B777 aircraft.The Pionair's Newsletter sent out the following invitation for volunteers to work at YVR during the Olympics. Air Canada is looking for volunteers from within Air Canada's retiree group to help them deliver the best possible experience for their customers. From February 9 to March 3 and March 12-21, 2010 bilingual volunteers are needed to provide French language support at Vancouver (YVR) Airport. If you are interested in volunteering please download the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Volunteer Application Form which is available on the Pionairs Website. The notice included a number of photographs of the Olympic Torch Relay. Fred Coyle sends this information - I was there and had my picture taken with the Torch. I am with my good friend Roger Skillings, the number 11 Torch Bearer for Canada.  This picture was taken in Esquimalt, where Roger did his run. |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
 Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Musing through some older "Between Ourselves" magazines Issued November 1946 Here we have a photo of as many of the Goose Bay staff as could be assembled.  Reading top to bottom: Padre Ross (standing), Carl Werbisky, Cab Cole, General Hamilton, and Fatboy Tribe. The other row, top to bottom: Swifty Millar, Baldy Affleck, Cass Brown, Pop Farmer and Flatspin Irwin. Jet Cotton was at the camera controls.Issue dated December 1946 The personnel of Staff Records in Winnipeg.  Sitting, left to right - Hannah Rea, Millie McManus, Grace Horrocks, Vera McGrath Standing, left to right: Alf McGowan, Don Hunter (Chief Clerk), George Gilbert.The 19th Passenger Agents class graduated from Winnipeg. Here they are at a dinner in the Fort Garry hotel which accounts for those satisfied expressions.  Back row, 1 to right: Chuck Gobson (instructor), Ron McLeod, Armandi Lalande, Bill McNutt, Geo. Walker, Flo Perkins (Instructress), Pete Turecki, Ross Kimmerly, Bob Henderson, Don Westman (Instructor). Middle Row, left to right: Sedura Wickstrom, Marg Gallagher, Jackie Kennedy, Dale Veitch, Vera Budnikoff, Peggy Paxton, Peggy Ferguson, Mary Fitz-James, Donna McLeod,Roberta Arklie. Sitting, left to right: Bob Kerr, Roy Oliver, Bill Donaldson, Ron O'Brien. Missing: Gloria Mullholland, Phil Bogue, Jack Balfour, Jack McLeod.On November 1st, the inaugural flight between Victoria and Seattle took place with DC-3 equipment.  Here we have this group of stewardesses assigned to this service checking out the route. Kneeling are: Doreen Wilson and Betty Matthews. Behind then are: Helen Saisbury, Irene Sheehan, Rita Wiggins and Monica Giles. September 15th, the overseas service was extended from Prestwick. Prior to this date passengers continued on from Prestwick via Railway Air Services to Northolt airport.  This photo is of the Lancaster on the ramp at LHR. Prior to the DC-4M's (North Star), begin services, the staff consisted of two. Here we have their photo - l to r; Bill Wilkins and Gil Minorgan in front of the "office".From "Horizons" magazine issued May 1972 In this issue was the announcement that the "Horizons" will replace the "Between Ourselves" employee magazine which has been in existence since 1941.  With a new format, 11 x 17 instead of 8 x 11 size, as being issued twice a month. Company employees were used for the company's advertising.  Here are the three advertisements In the illustrations Stewardesses Carole Beaulieu and Christine Fahrenbruch. Purser Bernard Chalmel in the centre with Christine in the background. Passenger agent Russelle Gardiner is shown on the right.The 747 First Class lounge is getting a new look by personnel at Dorval. The Finishing and Upholstery Shop is putting the finishing touches here.  Left to right; Pierre Aquin, Gerry St-Georges, Lyle Lafleur and Gerard Michon.  Station Attendant Dougall McCormich presents a bouquet to Ground Hostess Allison Chase at Toronto, while Passenger Agent Gail Lenehan awaits her turn.Many new services were inaugurated with the North Star aircraft including Prestwick, Shannon, London, Paris, Dusseldorf, Florida and the Caribbean.  Here is the crew on the inaugural service to Shannon prior to departure. (Unfortunately they remain anonymous - unless you can help - eds) A junior" with 25 years Company service?  That was the situation for Station Agent Bob MacDonald of Victoria when he received his pin recently. All the other seven agents at Victoria have at least 25 years service, in fact two of thorn have 31 years, one 29, and one 28. Bob is shown being congratulated by District Manager Stan Mooney, right. Others in the photo are, from the left: Station Agents Alan Hopkins, Harvey Currie, Ron Matthews, Alvin Clayton, and Art Brown; Customer Service Manager John Innes; Agents Charles Mackie and Bob MacDonald and CSM Alan Wilson.And a similar ceremony for Cargo Agents at Dorval, but only a five year pin here. A mass presentation of five year pins was made by Len Tardif, Cargo Service Manager, Dorval recently to a number of Cargo Agents who reached the anniversary.  From the left are: Cargo Agents R. Archambault, Claude Loiselle, Gaetan Lavoie, Gerry Shore, Bernard Morel, Richard Leroux, Jim Gervais, and Fernand Bujold; Tardif; and Cargo Agents Charlie Davies and Andre Pelletier. |
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Where are they now,
Air Canada has sold three B747-233B to Hartford Aviation Group for part out. These aircraft have been in storage at Marana since October 2007.C-GAGA fin 306 c/n 20977 C-GAGC fin 308 c/n 21354 C-GAGA fin 307 c/n 21627 |
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Star Alliance news.
 Aegean Airlines expects Star Alliance membership to take effect next May. Brussels Airlines is "set and ready" to enter the Star Alliance, with the formal accession scheduled for Dec. 9 in Brussels, October 27th Continental Airlines joined Star Alliance and becomes the 25th member. |
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Alan's Space
 Retirement from the Airlines & Pan American Slideshow
I have a double whammy for you this week (no extra charge) first a very funny joke posted on the ACFamily Network from "Kenway" and then a slide show compilation for PAN AM. Retirement from the Airlines We have a cockpit mock-up in our house: When I mention to my wife that I miss flying, being retired, she puts me in the mock-up around bed time for 8 hours. She has a chair in a closet, puts on the vacuum cleaner to simulate cockpit air noise, has a dim nite-lite to simulate cockpit lighting, serves luke-warm chicken with cold vegetables on a tray. When I get sleepy and attempt to doze off, she knocks twice loudly on the door to simulate the F/As entering the cockpit. Then after 6 hours she turns on a flood light directly in front of me to simulate the sun coming up when approaching 20 west. I then get a cup of coffee that has been in the coffee maker all night. Finally she lets me out and I have to get in the back seat of her car while she runs morning errands to simulate the bus ride to the hotel. When we get home I tell her I am ready for bed and the bedroom door is locked for an hour to simulate the hotel rooms not being ready. When I promise to never "complain" about being retired, I am allowed to enjoy my "layover" and go to bed. Oh, and one more thing, she talks to her friends loudly outside the bedroom door to simulate the hotel maids chattering in the hall in their native language. After two hours of sleep she calls the phone next to the bed from her cell and says this is crew scheduling. (from Kenway) PAN AM Slide Show
 Click on image for slide show
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
 Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.Noorduyn Norseman On December 21, 1945 this aircraft type was registered to Canadian Pacific Airlines as CF-BHU. subsequently it was registered to Territories Air Service, Edmonton, Alberta on November 26, 1949. August 2, 1951 registration was to Associated Airways Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta. 1955 found it registered to Pacific Western Airlines. December 12, 1958 registration was passed on to Ontario Central Airlines, Kenora, Ontario. This is the version shown below.  Unfortunately this craft cashed and was destroyed at Sachigo Lake, Ontario on June 19, 1974 . The pilot had selected an empty fuel tank. The pilot and one passenger were injured and one passenger killed. |
 For the Vickers Viscount aficionados - Jack Stephens sent us this information and photos which he received from a contact - Subject: Information Regarding Fate of PP-SRN Hopefully this email will help complete the story of Vickers Viscount PP-SRN. We're residents of Pedreira-SP, the last location of this formidable aircraft. On May 16th, 1993 a group of some young men decided to "burn" the plane to have some fun. Before that, on a unknown date of 1979, the plane was put on display on a hill, known as "Christ's Hill", available for tours and open to population. As you may see, on the first picture , it was a beautiful location. T  his photo was taken in the mid-80's by a friend of mine.  After the fire (Pedreira does not have fire brigade), the wreckage was sold to a local junkyard, and it's engines were sold by the equivalent of 250 US Dollars to an unknown person..Thanks Clovis Cassiani / Tiago Magalhaes Herman Kuipers has sent us this information - Someone has done a great job of compiling vintage airline and aircraft pictures and showing them to a perfect soundtrack by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Check this web site - www.funstufftosee.com/goodbye.html Harvey Bergen shares this memory. Your article (NetLetter nr 1092) on the Piper Cub being held together with duct tape reminded me of a flight from Montreal to Vancouver in a 727. There was an air leak around the Captain's window (which was a plug type window - the window was larger than the hole so the window would seat against the rim) so the mechanic taped the window edges of the hole with duct tape. When finished, I noticed a piece of tape projecting forward onto the forward window with the leading edge of the tape facing toward the front of the aircraft. I watched that piece of tape all the way to Vancouver as a very small piece ripped back, but the rest of that duct tape stayed fastened against the 400 knot wind generated by the motion of the aircraft. Red Green may be onto something when he recommends duct tape - it is some tough tape. Cheers Harvey Bergen Capt (ret'd) Barney O'Connor sends us this correction to a name in the photograph YEG Jun 1961 printed in NetLetter nr 1091 - Under TCA/AC People Gallery YEG 1961.The name spelt as DELORES DePowa is spelt wrong. It should be spelt as "Dolores dePaiva" who now lives in Richmond B.C. Regards Barney O'Connor; her brother in law. Also A retired AIR CANADA employee. (Sorry Dolores, the names had been hand written, and eyesight not what is was - eds) |
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This n That.
Montreal readers might be interested in the activities of the Montreal Chapter of CAHS; thus the following news release: Everyone is invited to attend the regular meetings of the Montreal Chapter of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, which meets on the third Thursday of each month (except December and summer months), at 365 St. Louis Ave., in Pointe Claire. Meetings begin at 11:00 AM and a light lunch is available, for the voluntary landing fee of $5.00. This month the meeting is on Thursday November 19 and the speaker will be Frank Henley, who will explain the logistics of moving staff and materials to the James Bay Hydro-Electric Project. For further information DRUNK PILOTS ESCAPE DISCIPLINE An Indian newspaper, the Mail Today, is quoting an unnamed retired airline pilot as saying that senior airline pilots commonly turn up for work drunk and almost never get disciplined because they are too "precious." The newspaper points out that there is no law against flying drunk in India, although pilots suspected of drinking are prevented from getting into the cockpit. An Air India flight from Mumbai to New York was delayed Monday when one of the four pilots checked in tipsy. A replacement was found, and the flight took off 45 minutes late. The unnamed source told the newspaper the pilot will probably be back in the left seat as soon as he sobers up |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
 New and improved ZED agreement signed with Continental Airlines (CO). This ZED agreement is now effective, which means that you will be able to process your ZL paper tickets for yourself, spouse, dependent children under 24 and ZM for your parents directly on the Employee Travel Website. ZED Fares Pricing Changes Effective October 2, ZED Fares have changed, representing a decrease in the pricing of most zones, as shown in the Table below. For full details, please go to the Employee Travel Service website at www.travel.aircanada.com and click through to News & Policies > Policies > ZED-Personal Travel on OAL > General Guidelines, Rules and Pricing. The following is reprinted from the National Pionairs Newsletter U.S. TSA Secure Flight Program. As of October 31, 2009, all airlines flying to, from or within the USA including Air Canada are required under U.S. Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight Program, to collect certain mandatory Secure Flight Passenger Data (SFPD) 72 hours prior to departure, for new reservations for all flights to, from or via the United States. For all bookings made within 72 hours of departure, the information must be collected at time of reservation. These mandatory SFPD items are: full passenger name as it appears in the official travel document, date of birth and gender. A redress number (unique number that may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for passengers that share the same of similar name as someone on the US watch list), must also be added to each PNR if provided by the customer. The purpose of the Secure Flight Program is to facilitate watch list matching and enhance the ! security of domestic and international commercial air travel. The Secure Flight requirement also applies to non-revenue bookings - please ensure that if your travel plans include flights to/from the United States, the Advance Passenger Information form located on aircanada.com and on the Employee Travel Site is completed with the required information at least 72 hours prior to your departure. (Note: Passport information must be included with the current online APIS application until November 5). Effective November 6, the application will accept partial information and redress number. This means that after November 6, you will not be required to enter passport information 72 hours prior to departure. If SFPD is not collected on time, the airline is subject to significant fines. |
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Smilie
Vern Swerdfeger has sent us a string of smiles which we will have in subsequent NetLetters. Here is the first one -From the Midsummer edition of "Between Ourselves" magazine issued 1945. The Trials of a Stewardess In civilian air circles a "short" is a non-priority passenger who must be removed from a flight if a priority passenger comes along. If possible, what is known as "protection" is given him. Arrangements are made to continue the journey by a later flight, by train, pony cart or whatever is available. Recently a young Stewardess, unfamiliar with flight vernacular, went to work for TCA. An hour out of Winnipeg she received by radio the following instructions: "Prepare to remove shorts at Toronto. No protection." For awhile she was quite unhappy about it all. |
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Vesta's Jump Seat
Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us! 30 Year Reunion in 2010 April 23 - 25, 2010 Place: Vancouver Date: weekend of April 23 - 25, 2010 Location: Marriott Pinnacle in the heart of downtown Vancouver. See: http://cmwa.acfamily.net for more info. |
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A Pittance of Time
 On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable. When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect. Do you have two minutes? If so click on the link below. To find out more about the song, Terry Kelly and the video, please visit this link.  Click on image for video |
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Our first 70 years.
1973 - March 15th - Inaugural L1011 service Toronto to Vancouver. |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Steve Polak in Toronto has several photos of co-workers from the ramp at Toronto and placed on his Facebook site. Steve has allowed us to share them.  Here is a photo from the "Rampage" magazine issued February 1st 1989 Sam Massara, Malcolm Brown, Dino Vessio and Steve Gomachlick.  Here is a photo from the "Rampage" magazine issued March 1st 1989 This is Hahn Han a marksman extraordinaire.  Here is a photo from the "Rampage" magazine issued November 1st 1989 Bert, Joe, Barry, Jim and Chris admire the new shoes of Janier's. Musings from "Between Ourselves" magazine Issue dated January 1944 Here we have the St. John's ticket office staff.  Left to right - Front row - Walter Bennett, Dorothy Bishop, Margaret Pike, Reginald Beck. Second row -Leonard Earle, Lucy Noonan, Phyllis Rowsell, Patricia MacKenzie, Clarence Houlton. Missing is Angus Crane.Issue dated February 1944  By Harry Cooper a former traffic representative of our Toronto Royal York office. The writer's impressions of a Trans-Atlantic flight, which were written enroute. The eastbound crossing was made in an R.A.F. Transport Command Liberator, modified for passenger service. The return west bound flight was made on December 3 in the Lancaster TCA-100 of the Canadian Government Trans-Atlantic Air Service. The TCA pilots were Captain M. B. "Jock" Barclay and 2nd Captain "Kelly" Edmison.LEAVING BRITAIN "Our primary 'met' forecast recommends a daylight departure from the United Kingdom and a route to Dorval via Labrador. It's 'chocks away' at 12:00 noon, British Standard Time and a few minutes after takeoff we're over the sea and the shoreline is falling away in the distance behind us. A few small islands just north of Ireland are soon below us and then a large convoy is sighted, steaming for a British port. Now we are out of sight of all land and settling down to a 10-hour flight over the sea. THE CLOUDS "Our weather map indicates that in the first two zones we can remain at 8,000 feet, then we will have to climb high over a frontal condition, perhaps to an altitude of over 20,000 feet. Spread below us is a magic carpet of fluffy clouds. The sea is completely blotted out from our sight by this solid cumulus cloud bank which rolls far out to the horizon. The tops of the clouds are rising up to meet us and now we are starting our climb 'over the top'." As we go up and up, the oxygen supply comes on and the passengers are busy adjusting their oxygen masks. At 15,000, Jack Frost artistically decorates the outside of the windows of the cabin with crystal-like designs and the temperature in the cabin drops considerably. We can see our breath now and the warm flying suit is appreciated. Still the clouds rise like white mountains ahead of us and we are now at 20,000 feet. But still that cloud bank rises. Our pilots gradually climb our great ship higher-now it is 22,000-now 24,000 and finally we have conquered the cloud formations at 26,500 feet. The Lancaster's four mighty power plants still drive us forward 4 miles a minute and at this great speed we have soon crossed over the weather and are descending on the other side. Gradually we drop down to 8,000 feet. THE ARRIVAL "All day we have been racing the sun but now we are falling behind for it is sinking beneath the horizon and the sky a mass of brilliant colour. Soon it is ark and with the frost gone from the cabin windows, the stars and moon and out in the cold, clear night. Presently there are lights ahead; then we are over a huge airport. We are circling a field, making our letdown and then captain Barclay 'three-points' the big craft perfectly and we roll up to the hangar. We are at Labrador. "The westbound Trans-Atlantic flight is completed. We are 4 hours from Dorval and home. The final leg of the flight is uneventful and service No. CMW-8 has been completed. Several hundred pounds of freight, 3,800 pounds of mail and 8 passengers have been delivered without incident across the North Atlantic. And so it goes on-day after day-modern aircraft providing swift air transportation, conquering space, spanning oceans and linking continents-yes, making history and a better world tomorrow Musings from "Horizons" magazine March 15 wasn't just another work day for this flight crew who worked the inaugural L-1O11 flight from Toronto to Vancouver, There were smiles all around in anticipation of doing their part to enter the day in the Company history book.  Front row, from the left: Ayn Slatford, Wayne Howlett. Jane Prouse, and Deanne McGowan.Back row: Karen Nodwell, Marion Ewart, Manny Eiberger. Denise Wills, Chris Toyne. Barb Scott and Charles Tanne. |
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Alan's Space
Be-200 MULTIPURPOSE AMPHIBIOUS AIRCRAFT
The basic configuration of the Be-200 amphibious aircraft is intended for fighting forest fires using fire extinguishing fluids. While doing this, the aircraft can fulfill the following tasks: - stop and restrain the spread of the big forest fires by developing the protecting strip due to multiple drops on the fire edge; - extinguishing the small fire and fire which is only starting to develop; - delivery of fire brigades and fire extinguishing equipment to the fire region by landing on preselected water area of aifield, and return to the base. A particular feature of the Be-200 aircraft, when compared with the other amphibians, is that it has fully pressurized fuselage, which allows to fulfill a lot of missions. The aircraft is fitted with flight/navigation and communication equipment allowing the navigation and flight control at all flight phases in adverse weather conditions at any season, day and night. Be-200 will be equipped with the new avionics complex ARIA-200 which meets the requirements of ICAO category III of joint Russian-American production by ARIA JV (Allied Signal Aerospace, USA and NIIAO, Russia). The interior for the Be-200 amphibious aircraft firefighting configuration is developed by AIM Aviation Fliteform. Passenger and combi configurations are on the list as well. While designing the Be-200 amphibious aircraft, the designers took into account the design experience and test results of the biggest jet amphibian A-40 "Albatross" which set 148 records. Apart from the basic - Firefighting version, the following aircraft versions will be manufactured: · Transport; · Passenger (Be-210); · Search & Rescue · Ambulance The aircraft can also be developed in executive version. Be-200 amphibious aircraft designing is based on FAR-25 requirements that will allow to facilitate the certification in compliance with FAA and JAA requirements. On December 27, 2000 the Be-200 amphibious aircraft obtained the tpye noise certificate number СШ 118-Бе-200. On August 10, 2001 the Be-200 obtained the type certificate for restricted category aircraft. number СТОК 201-Бе-200.  Click on image for video
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.We have just about gleaned all we can from our source of the various Canadian magazines donated. |
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Allan Gray has located some photos taken by his father-in-law Don Hunter Unfortunately, there are no identifications for the employees, nor the exact location, either YWG or YUL.  Here is a North Star and DC-3 in the hanger probably YWG  A DC-3 at YWG.  DC-3 at the terminal in YWG.  Maintenance in the 1930's  Heavy maintenance for the North Star.  Preparing DC-3 for departure at Winnipeg.  Flight Simulator.  DC-3 engine check at YWG. |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
 Terry will be back next week! |
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Vesta's Jump Seat
Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us! |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. We go way back for this edition of "Between Ourselves" Issue dated March 1943 Aviation history? No but the stock-in-trade of our winged misses, the stewardesses. Initial entrance to their exclusive company calls for rigid specifications of age, height, and weight. Only registered nurses need apply. And only the unmarried. From the ranks of the many applicants that make themselves known to our Supervisory Stewardesses, Miss M. Dickson and Miss M. A. Halstead, through personal interviews, hand-pick the final few who are to make the jaunt to Winnipeg for a month of initiation and instruction. So you see, our girls are nearly as tailor-made as the trim uniforms they wear. Chosen carefully to fit an important job, they fit it well, making perhaps the closest contact of all with the public we serve, and identifying our T.C.A. name with good service and good-will. Below, you see the second largest stewardess class in the history of T.C.A., assembled for their graduation dinner on February 11th. With lectures, familiarization flights, and exams all behind them, they have now been posted across Canada to assume their new duties.  (left to right, top row) Dorothy Barton, Toronto; Theresa Mulligan, Vancouver; Cecile Savage, Winnipeg; Priscilla Kavanagh, Ottawa; Audrey Chowne, Vancouver; Ina Molyneaux, Toronto. (Second row) Dorothy Gilmore, Moncton; Ethel Thompson, Vancouver; Jean Collins, Winnipeg; Miss M. Dickson (Chief Stewardess); Rosamund.Shankel, Halifax, Alma McDougall, Toronto. (Front row) Jean Lillian Gray, Winnipeg; Muriel Wright, Vancouver; Faye Hart, Toronto; Catherine Kennedy, Westmount, Quebec.In October a meeting of Traffic and Operations staff was held in Winnipeg. In General Operations officers.  From left to right: (Standing) W. S. Thompson, Montreal, 0. T. Larson, W. J. Dalby, F. H. Fulcher, R.E. Deyman, Toronto (Sitting) D. H. McLeod, Editor "Between Ourselves"; E. B.Patton, Toronto, F. E. Pope, Lethbrifge; A. W. Loke, W. Munroe, New York, A. P. Wilson, New York, W.G.. Courtney, Toronto, J. T. Moore, Calgary, S. S.Sime; Halifax, H. D. Honing, Winnipeg, W. C. Wood, H. B. Anderson, W.R. Campbell, Ottawa, D'arcy McLeod, Edmonton; C. E. Woolley, Toronto; G. A. MacMillan, Winnipeg, F. P. Alward, G.R.. Wilson, Montreal.On the steps of Winnipeg's Fort Garry Hotel.  From left to right: (Top Row) D. R. MacLaren ; W. S. Thompson, Montreal; W. W. Fowler, Moncton; J. T. Bain, F. M. McGregor, Toronto; W. F. English, Dr. E. Dwyer, Winnipeg; T. M. Shields, Winnipeg; E. W. Stull, Lethbridge; J. H. Sandgathe, Lethbridge; J. T. Dyment, Winnipeg. (Front Row) P. W. Baldwin, Winnipeg; E. P. Wells, S. S. Stevens, R. F. George, J. A. Wilson, 0. T. Larson, B. A. Rawson, A.M Sutherland. The Trans-Canada Air Lines Joint Co-operative Committee was set up in 1937, and here are the 1943 members.  (From left to right, standing) H. Bennett. Finishing Shop; C. Frankard, Instrument Shop; J. L. Armstrong, Air Engineer; A. M. Sutherland, Assistant Superintendent Maintenance; W. G. Fanstone, Millright (Chairman); W. Cook, Finishing Shop; F. R. Malley, Accessory Shop; W. G. Johnson, Stockkeeper. (In front) H. Penston Propeller Shop; H. Pickering, Engine Overhaul Shop; M. Banks, Radio and Electrical Shop; E. J. Kiely, Aircraft Mechanic; N. R. Paulley, Metal Shop; M. Heggen, Carpenter Shop.Here we have the 1942-43 Curling Champions of the T.C.A.R.A. On March 2nd they concluded a triumphant march with their eleventh successive victory , as against no defeats.  Left to right. Charlie Johnson, Rene Baudru (skip), Fred Wood and Bill Harvey. |
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Alan's Space
Bear vs Airplane (thanks Rob)
Bear attack 2009 (We're not sure if this is true or not, or whether the aircraft ever flew, but it's a good story anyhow...) Apparently a bear attacked this plane while parked in a remote field up in Alaska. The owner had not cleaned out the inside after a long fishing trip and the bear smelled it. He had 2 new tires, 3 cases of Duct Tape and several rolls of cellophane delivered. Then went about repairing the plane so he could fly it home. Gutsy, to say the least. Or stupid.  Click on photos below for larger pictures and full story.  |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.Musings from the "Info Canadi>n" magazine Issue December 17th, 1990  Here we have this photo of the staff in Auckland, but unfortunately, no identifications. Issue dated April 10th 1991 These Melbourne employees show their reaction to find the initial listing on the Pegasus with code-sharing with Qantas.  Left to right -Mel Corfee, Sales Rep; Beverley Cree, Senior Passenger Agent; Eddie Wise, Passenger Agent and Jacquie Brownlee, Sales Secretary.Issue dated April 24th 1991 Canadian suspended flights between Canada and San Juan, Puerto Rico April 27th |
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During the scanning of some old copies of "Between Ourselves" we came across an article regarding Keflavik which mentioned Gordie Aitchison as having been posted there, so we asked him about it and this was his response.   Dear Terry, My,My, you are going back a long way! I was not aware of such an article and frankly I can' even remember reading "Between Ourselves" in 1949!! Must be something to do with age! Yes, I was in Keflavik in 1948 and I was there because I was stationed there from perhaps March thru September of that year and a very interesting and happy time it was for me. I joined TCA PIK in November 1947 and about the end of that year one of the few Canadian staff remaining at PIK was posted up to Keflavik (who was there before that, I know not). However I understand that his performance may have been found to be wanting because two months later, Davy Davidson, stalwart if ever there was one, was asked to go up and relieve him. However, Davy was shortly required down in London so a month later, March. At this time, I was asked to go and join him in Keflavik to which I agreed subject to the proviso that I would be relieved by end September when I wanted to be back in Prestwick for my wedding. The Company meanwhile had been searching for a manager and by mid-April he arrived and Davy departed leaving me with the new manager, Gus Campbell, Licensed engineer, and George Anthony mechanic, these last three all being Canadians. The new manager, Bill Russell was a grounded First Officer, a very fine fellow, with a wife and a very young daughter back in Montreal, both of whom he missed terribly, and in addition he was far from being a well man and by mid-August, after already having been hospitalized twice. He returned to Montréal leaving Gus and myself in joint charge of the station. To assist me, a further member from PIK was posted in, one Al Gallacher, a few years my senior in age who had been a Wing-Commander with RAF transport Command, latterly in the Far East, and a character if ever there was one with stories to tell of court martial from personal experience. Shortly after his arrival, a Lockheed Hudson appeared on the airfield, having been recently been purchased as war-surplus by a local Icelander. The owner had somehow heard that Al had flown Hudsons during the war and asked him to teach him to fly this machine, to which Al agreed. However Al wanted to do a local test flight first and asked me to be his 2nd dickie, an invitation I accepted (having been a Fleet Air Arm pilot I was not unaware of the perils of aviation!). Gus had also been approached to look after the maintenance of the aeroplane but after a very short inspection, declared that he wouldn't touch it with a bargepole!! Shortly thereafter, we did the test flight quite uneventfully and landed without incident while Gus, who had tried to dissuade us from this venture had been visualizing how to word the signal to Montreal in the event that the entire operations staff at Keflavik failed to return! When I left at the end of September as planned, Al was still continuing to take the owner for flying lessons and since I bumped into him again many years later, I am forced to the conclusion that the flying course was successfully completed without injury or fatality!. At around the same time as Bill Russell had to leave, George Anthony's period of duty at Keflavik expired and he was replaced by a mechanic from the overhaul shop at Winnipeg. This turned out to be a disaster. He knew the engines inside and out but nothing of the rest of the aircraft and had no experience of trouble-shooting, an essential requirement for a line-station mechanic. Despite valiant efforts by Gus to tutor him, there was apparently little progress and both parties were unhappy. Efforts to resolve the situation on my way home via Dorval by approaching a higher level of management came to naught due to Company/Union contracts which were apparently unbreachable. Seniority was king and suitability of absolutely no account. A very unfortunate situation. (We will continue this saga in another NetLetter, stay tuned! - eds) |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
 Terry's away on (another) cruise, but has left a few weeks of information and photos for us to use.He'll be gone for a few more weeks... |
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Vesta's Jump Seat
Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us!A MALE PILOT IN UNKNOWN TERRITORY - THE STORY OF THE WOMEN'S WORLD FORMATION FREEFALL RECORD BY A HOPELESS MALE PILOT  Jump For The Cause (JFTC) just set a record on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, for the largest female-only formation parachute jump of 181 women. The previous record was 150 women about three years ago for the same breast cancer research cause. This year's event raised just under a million dollars, almost twice the previous JFTC record-breaking formation total. Check out the story at: http://www.avweb.com/news/skywrite/JumpForTheCause_FreefallRecord_201260-1.html and their web site at: www.jumpforthecause.com |
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Our first 70 years.
 1946 - Nov 19th - CF-TEK is the first North Star aircraft to be delivered.Capt. R.J.Baker brought the aircraft to Dorval. 1972 - Nov 12th - The first of a regular DC-8 freighter service out of Copenhagen operated. 1973 - Jan 1st - enRoute, the in-flight magazine created for the exclusive use of passengers has been revamped. The new issue will be bilingual and include, for the first time, paid advertising which will help with the costs of producing the magazine. |
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Air Canada Current News
 Air Canada becomes the first North American airline to release a free BlackBerry® application providing travellers with BlackBerry devices convenient and easy real-time access to a wide-range of flight information including; retrieving electronic boarding passes, tracking flight information in real-time, receiving notification of itinerary changes and obtaining other details about Air Canada flights. |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.  YEG June 1961 Harry Armstrong, Sadie Hughes, Gabriel Johnson, Gerry McHale, Barb Messenger, Angela Simon, Betty Anderson, Barb Park (Hildebrand), Bill McPherson, Elaine Tait, Norm Selwood. Cliff Andrews, Ashley Thomas, Dick McCullough, Gloria Gloves, Marion Sinclair, Mary Martin, Delores DePowa, Dan Saul, Alex Pentaul, Grant McCarty, Doug Stewart, Corrine Rent, Gerry Chaffe, George Pike, Jean Cunningham, Richard Hillker Mary Gilmour, Micky Barringan.  YEG Oct 26th 1960 Back: Sadie Hughes, Jean Zrien, Betty Anderson, Lois Barry, Joanne Switzer, Grant McLarty, Doreen Carpenter, Jean Cunningham, Mary Cunningham, Jane Cooper. Centre: Lesley Edgar, Marguerite Fisk, Gloria Irwing, . Front: Les Lafebvre, Corrine Kent, Ester Chong, Bernice Whiteley, Marg Anderson, Mavis Usher. From the "Horizons" magazine Issue December 1972 November 5th celebrated 20 years of service to Germany for the first time, extending the Montreal-London, England to Dusseldorf using the 40 seat North Star.  Here is a photo of the inaugural arrival in Germany.It was business as usual following the official opening of the biggest ticket office on Bay Street Toronto, but agents and management took time to record their participation in the ceremony.  On the left of the counter, from the left are: Jim McFarland; Reg Brewster, Don Stanbridge, Doug Powell, Sandy Mcintyre. Reservations Agents shown are, from the left: Judi McKinnon, Mary Doherty, Peter Robinson, Georgina McConaghy, Jean Bilanski, Marilyn Reynolds, Kay Rooney, Martin Barry, and Jim Halls..From "Between Ourselves" magazine Issue January 1947 TCA's 1000th Atlantic Crossing. Officials of TCA who were present to give the history-making flight an appropriate send-off, and members of the crew of the aircraft. F  ront row: S. Hewitt, J. L. Hood, H. J. Symington, W. S. Thompson, D. Mathias, G. Wilson, Back row: Purser-Steward J. Champagne; Navigator G. Stringer; Radio Officer Frank Brusatore; First Officer M. Mclnnis and Captain J. G. Hames. |
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This n That.
57 years ago the jet age began when a B.O.A.C. Comet 1 was on the first scheduled flight from London to Johannesburg. In command was Capt.Trevor Marsden. |
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Alan's Space
(Thanks to Ken Bjorge and Bill Wood and Rob Hemmett for sending these photos and story to us)
AVRO Lancaster C-GVRA There's only two of them still flying in the world and one of them flew over Saskatoon to promote the Canada Remembers Air Show in August 2009. The Avro Lancaster, one of the most famous bombers of World War 2 entered Saskatoon air space, went around with a low fly past at the airport and then circled around and above the city before leaving for Ontario on 3 August 2009. Thousands of Canadian aircrew served with the RCAF and the Lancaster Squadrons. Over 400 Lancaster MK X's were built in Canada and shipped overseas for flying duty. Throughout the entire world, only two still fly today, one in England and one in Canada. The bomber is one hundred and two feet long and just under 70 feet wide. It can reach top speeds of 287 miles and hour and has four Rolls Royce Merlin Engines. The fly past is a tribute pass to our veterans and a farewell salute to the Cameco Canada Remembers Air show. Note: I've kept the images below (when you click on them) to full size as they are exceptional and could be used as wallpaper.     Click on images for larger photos.
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.Vern Swerdfeger has sent us this information. On September 16th CF-CPY, the largest weathervane in the world, was lowered from its pedestal at the airport in Whitehorse and moved to its new home in front of the Yukon Transportation Museum. It's still a weather vane but not directly on the airport.  Here we have some photos of CF-CPY while it was on and also down off the pedestal this past July. The lady in the pictures is the curator of the Yukon Transportation Museum. The guys were applying silver tape to the raven-pecked holes in the fabric control surfaces. Perusing the "Info Canadi>n" magazine Issue dated November 14th 1990  Canadian's first B747-400 made its first test flight from Paine Field, Washington on November 7th. and scheduled for delivery Dec 14th. Why are these people smiling?  Because this bin isn't full of garbage, it's full of aluminum cans recovered by flight attendants for recycling. J Dickson, left, Alcan Aluminum, Louise Audet,flight attendant, Roberto Solarino, In-flight Standards and Procedures, Malcom Metcalfe, Environmental Affairs, and Sarah Austin-Smith,flight attendant, were on hand when the first container in the flight attendant recycling project was filled in Vancouver. Other bases in the project are Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg. The program is organized and run by volunteers from the flight attendant group and management. 23 Canadian Airlines employees travelled to Fort Worth for the Ninth Annual World Airline Road Race (WARR) in October.  Here is the group of 18 runners. (Sorry no identifications were supplied. Any offers? - eds) But they did come 5th out of the 40 teams entered. Issue dated November 28th, 1990 Canadian announces they will begin service Vancouver and Taipei - Hong Kong with DC-10-30 equipment commencing December 5th. as a result of a new code-sharing agreement with China Airlines. |
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Kath Lockhart sent us these comments referring to the Prestwick information in NetLetter nr 1090 My late husband was Station Manager at Prestwick as of April lst 1952. I can still hear Jimmy say "Nae bother lass" when I wondered if he could find a Christmas tree for me. He did and I decorated it in a cold living room in a lovely old house called The Glen. Roy was also very involved in Nartel long before we met and spent part of one year in Bermuda. We married in April of 1950 and moved to Montreal due to this service no longer managed by TCA. You are filling in some blanks for the family, and I am glad to be on the mailing list with thanks for your efforts. So many of the names in this Netletter are old friends...Jack Ross, Ian Edwards and of course the famous Jimmy, along with a few others. The group in Victoria, Vesta, was mostly for friendship and lasted for a fairly long time. I think the last gathering had six members there. Kath Lockhart Here we have the rest of the information that Alan Dakin sent us, the first part was in NetLetter nr 1090 ALAN FRANK DAKIN - I started with TCA on June 30, 1960 until September 30, 1960 as a learner 1 in the Sheet Metal shop as summer temporary help. Doing different chores and helping any mechanic who needed help as well as painting stands. I left in October as their was no jobs available for me. My father got me a job in the Printing Services Department. I started on November 6, 1967 and stayed there until retirement on July 1, 1999. I ran all different machines - collator, bindery, printing presses - colour - black & white, then worked my way up to the Xerox machines in 1992. I was a Xerox operator from June 1992 until July 1, 1999. Also worked the afternoon shift from 8 ½ years as a Lead Operator - we worked four days a week - 10 hours a day with Friday off. I ran Xerox Machines and ordered paper. Ran Xerox 9200, 9400, 9900, 5090 & Docutech 135.  One of my co-workers was Kevin Horan.  And in the group is Andrew Bartram, Frank Butler, (partly hidden), Jessie Bonner, J.P.Hall and Rena Brunnelle (back facing) When it was decided by Air Canada to sell the Printing Services department to Xerox in April 1999. I could of stayed and worked in stores or go to an offsite location and work for Xerox doing the same job which I decided to do - and stayed there for 5 ½ years. I retired from Xerox in March 2005.  Here is a photo of me receiving my 30 year pin from Jean-Pierre Hall, my Manager. I flew each year and took quite a few tours in Europe, Switzerland (3 times) Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hawaii & Vancouver & the Rockies. I have flown on different aircraft DC-8, DC-9, L-1011, 747, & 767. I visited Florida with my late parents for 13 years in October each year. A trip they both enjoyed especially my mother. I have spent a bit of time in England with my Uncle & Aunt who lived in Hounslow (near Heathrow Airport). My Dad took me to Derby & Nottingham (where I was born) and showed me around all Robin Hood & Sherwood Forest, the area where I lived before coming to Canada. I worked on the introduction of the Boeing 747 as a volunteer, and was on the special flight I think in 1973 to Ottawa and back which was enjoyable.  Here is the certificate issued to everyone. Also on March 31, 2007 was involved at the Dorval Maintenance Base with the introduction of the new Boeing 777 that was truly a special event for all employees, families, retirees & friends. I was on the executive of The Montreal Interline Club for a number of years (I think 14 years but not too sure) helped at our dances then published our "On the Wing" newsletter every month. After that I joined ACRA - Montreal, as Ways and Means chairman - ran Flea Market in Spring & Fall, as well as help to organize two or three very successful New Year's Eve Parties in the mid 1970's. They were a lot of hard work but lots of fun. Then I became Membership Chairman for at least 10 years. I enjoyed my years doing all this extra work then I decided to leave as my mother was ill and not too well. My Mother died in March 2006. I have met and enjoyed all the friends that I made over the years and try to keep in touch with some. Others have passed away. One of my father's & mine is Gerald Wolfe who worked in Maintenance Training as Manager before he retired in 1982. He lives in Waterloo, Ontario with his daughter as his wife Marjorie is in a home nearby. I have know them for over 50 years as well always spent Christmas & New Year's together until they moved away when Gerry retired to Kitchener, Ontario. Photography is a hobby of mine that I enjoy, just like my father & late uncle in Nottingham, England who was a professional who worked for the local newspaper. I still love to take photographs and have moved into the digital format now which is a lot of fun and enjoyment. I also like gardening a bit, riding my bike and sightseeing. I enjoyed working for TCA/.Air Canada it was a great company to work for and enjoyed all the extra benefits that their was. Saw great places and was able to take some fantastic pictures of other places far from my home CANADA. I Was very fortunate to win in the first ACRA Photography Contest - 3 first place awards. Was able to go to Winnipeg for the system winners that year. So Between my late father and myself - we have a total of 57 years, 7 months. My dad had 25 years, 11 months & I had 31 years, 8 months. I have seen a lot of changes over the years and are proud to have been able to enjoy it all. As well I have all my father's and mine TCA/AC pins as well as others things books, photos as well as plaques. Lots of great memories to last a long time. Thank you very much to all the employees, friends and associates, management, executives of TCA/AIR CANADA. Yours very truly; Alan Frank Dakin. Retiree - Air Canada. |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
 Marshall Baldwin sends us this correctionIn (Net)letter 1090 Terry mentions using the Canada Line to the airport. The bus from Horseshoe Bay to downtown Vancouver is through 2 zones. The senior fare would be $2.50,except after 6:30 pm weekdays and all day Saturdays & Sundays and Holidays, when it would be $1.75 Caesar Hotels Airway Vacations has this offer - 4 Nights Dublin with confirmed air from us$399* Flights to Ireland from the East Coast are priced more than us$500 roundtrip this winter, but we are offering a new Dublin package that includes roundtrip airfare from New York City and four nights at the three star Regency Hotel for us$399* per person. This package is available from Jan. 1 - March 10 or it can be booked for spring travel, March 11 - April 30 from us$499* per person. Departures can also be made from Boston for an extra us$50 per person, or Chicago for us$60 more Book by Oct. 23. Package available for groups. per person price based on double occupancy, airline taxes are additional. These deals move quickly...CALL TODAY! 1 800 422 3727 www.caesarhotels.com |
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Vesta's Jump Seat
Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us!In October 1995 Terry and I and with Alan after months of putting our various communication knowledge together finally sent our first NetLetter to a selected number of Air Canada retirees like ourselves. And here we are still together 15 years later and with 1,000 plus issues and over 4,500+ loyal readers with some of them also being dedicated contributors to our credit and we are still going on strongly. This is what the very first issue looked like. This communication is an attempt by two Pionairs, Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker to establish a 'netletter' of interest to, principally, Pionairs who have email addresses. As Pionairs, our only contact for information is through the company newsletter - Horizons - and the 1-800 number for CIC daily info, which seems to refer us to various CIC pages for which we have no access. The contents of our 'netletter' can be anything which is considered of interest to ex Air Canada types, permanent employees and relatives. Subjects can be information on good accommodations, inexpensive trips or, maybe, someone you may have lost contact with. This 'netletter' is not sponsored by the executive of Air Canada Pionairs, but is intended to make use of the new technology to dispense information which may be of interest. We welcome comments and information - non controversial - which can be included in subsequent 'netletter's, but NOT advertising. Here goes ... . Reminder - Single status retirees must nominate their travel partner for 1996 by completing and returning the Travel Entitlement form by Oct 16 1995. . Industry Travel announces that, effective Oct 1/95, Revenue Canada will be implementing the Aviation Travel Tax upon the service charge for passes. Details on how this will be applied will be advised through Horizons. Airlines in Canada are vigorously opposing this tax. . Effective Oct 1/95, K.L.M. are no longer part of the MEDTA system, therefore ID50% and ID90% tickets will no longer be issued until a new agreement is negotiated. Tickets issued prior to Oct 1/95 will be honoured. . New Non-revenue dress code - effective Oct 1/95. Air Canada will adopt a more casual dress code for its non-revenue and reduced rate (ID) customers in order to have a better balance with the attire worn by many of the revenue customers. For travel in Executive class, men will no longer be required to wear either a jacket or tie, and women are no longer required to wear either stockings or hosiery. Attire in Executive class should be in the mode of casual business. That means clean jeans can be worn in Hospitality, but don't expect to be upgraded! This now makes it extremely difficult to spot fellow 'cons' who may have a better priority that you! . The Travel Partner program consists of SPACE AVAILABLE, HOSPITALITY class tickets which can be used on any AIR CANADA routes ONLY. This excludes the use on either AC Connector, Continental or code-sharing partners. . A BBS operating in the YVR area called ACRA Airlines BBS can be contacted on 1-604-541-1878, this BBS is run by an Air Canada employee and has excellent information available including the latest Air Canada flight schedule which can be downloaded. . The Vancouver Island Pionairs fall luncheon Place: Princess Mary Restaurant, 358 Harbour, Victoria Date: Tuesday October 24th 1995 Time: Cocktails 11.30 am Buffet 12.30 pm Price: $15.50 per person by October 16th 1995 Cheques payable to Air Canada Pionairs Mail: c/o Saville Hambleton 1657 Barrett Drive, Sidney, BC, V8L 4Z1 . That's it for this time, please we need your input, comments and email addresses of any others interested to Vesta Stevenson email ...................................................................... . GREETINGS . . FROM . . BEAUTIFUL B.C. CANADA . ...................................................................... |
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Quarter Century in Aviation Club - Vancouver
The October scheduled meeting of the club is on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. The club includes airline employees from all areas of aviation meeting as friends to share their experiences and memories. If you wish to join the club, you must have 25 years in aviation (any airline, any job) and the membership fees are $15/year. Guests are welcome, you are not required to join the first time you attend. When: October 20, 2009, Social - 17:00 hours, Dinner - 18:00 hours Dinner: Chicken, Schnitzel and Pumpkin pie, and coffee (buffet style) is sincluded.t Cost: The cost is $20 per person including tips and taxes. Beer, wine is extra. Where: The Austrian Vancouver Club, 5851 Westminster Highway, Richmond.B.C. Guest Speaker: Mr. John Lovelace of "Wings Over Canada" |
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Air Canada News
 Lufthansa Technik has been awarded a 10 year contract for Total Component Support for (6)B777-200LR and (16)B777-300ER aircraft.(Source SpeedNews Oct 2/09) |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. In the August edition of the monthly newsletter issued by the Pionair District of the United Kingdom including Western Europe was this article which we thought would be of interest - Gordie Aitchison has kindly written the following article in our series of reminiscences. I joined TCA on 4th November 1947 at the back end of a large staff expansion TCA had been operating 8-seater Lancastrians since 1943 as the Canadian Government Trans-Atlantic Air Service, but from June 1947 had been operating 40-seater North Stars albeit M1s on loan from the RCAF. This required a vast increase in the number of staff needed to handle the extra capacity and while from inception nearly all the staff had been Canadians from early 1947 the policy was to repatriate most of the Canadians and take on local staff. Jack Ross. retired RCAF Wing Commander. was the Prestwick Station Manager in November 1947. Most of the Canadian staff had gone home by this time leaving only the Maintenance staff which included Don McNaughton, Don Tuttle and at least one other. Gordie Ghent and Randy Conan were the sole remnants of Flight Dispatch which had recently moved to Shannon. The only others were Ian Edwards. a likeable Newfie who was Passenger Agent in charge and Jack Ross's right-hand man. Keith Marshall. Station Clerk and Bob Tribe, weight and balance agent. Mr Ross's policy was to recruit ex-service personnel only and on 4th November. 1947. I and three others were taken on as Passenger Agents at £8 per week. Ken Crinkley, like myself, was ex-Fleet Air. Arm aircrew. Ian McManus was ex-Major Indian Army and there was another army chap who soon decided the air line business was not for him. We were joining a staff who were relatively new to the job. Most of them having been taken on not too long before June of that year. The staff we were joining included Marion McDonald. Mr Ross's secretary Ellen Thom a steno in the General Office and Jimmy Douglas storeman who had been employed since 1943. The more recently hired staff included passenger agents Ernie Lapham. RAF Armament Officer Johnnie Johnston RAF flying Instructor Al Gallacher. Transport Command pilot. Robbie Robertson. ex-RAF pilot. John Clowes. ex-army major: Bob Prentice. ex-RAF and Ian Gardner. ex-RAF pilot. Davy Davidson was the oldest of the group and a real stalwart who seemed to know the answer to everything and who seemed to concentrate on weight balance and ramp handling of the aircraft. There were also two girls. Jean Brown and Joan MacFarlane. university graduates. who were classified as Receptionists and whose job was to look after the passengers' welfare. With delays extremely common (up to 2 days was not unknown) and passengers piling up, their job at times was no sinecure. Commissary was headed by Ray George with Johnny Macrae, Matt Miller. Lancaster pilot, and Mary Cunningham. Bill Mcelland. ex-RAF and Jim Syme. ex-army were the cargo boys although they were still then officially employed and paid by Canadian National Express. The reservations office was also at that time based in a hut on the airport and their staff included Don MacLean. ex-RN MTBs and Archie Murphy. ex-RAF. assisted by girls whose names now fail me. Two more come to mind, one being the Passenger Sales Manager for Scotland who was David Bryce Buchanan. ex-Fleet Air Arm pilot (who in time. of course. became VP Europe) The other last but by no means least was Jimmy Farquahar our driver and a character who could make just about anything and repair just about anything, and was a most valuable and willing older man. TCA's North Star M2s had not been due for delivery until June 1948 while as early as 1946 other transatlantic airlines had already been operating with DC4s and Constellations. These were impossible competitors for TCA's Lancastrians so to meet this it was decided at very high level that TCA would be loaned the first 6 RCAF M1s in June 1947 until the M2s came along a year later. The Ml was really only a Merlin-engined DC4 while the M2 was pressurized and had square windows which was then a very unique feature. For a year TCA operated these M1s and at the end of that year, returned 5 of them to the RCAF having lost one in a landing accident at Halifax which although catching fire, resulted in no loss of life and an award to the Purser (Jackie Trigg?) for his gallant lifesaving efforts.  To complement this article, we have this photo from "Between Ourselves" issued MidSummer 1952. The staff at Prestwick had a get-together to mark Traffic Rep Arch Murphy's fifth anniversary with TCA and took the opportunity to have this group photo taken. At back from left to right: Robbie Robertson, Jean Macfarlane, Ian Gardner, Henry Thow, Jean Brown Gil Paton, Kay Russell, Joyce Young and Gillian Calderhead.. Front from left to right: Arch Murphy, Eve Hunter, Crawford Burns, Jenny White!ock and John Clawes. And from the issue dated April 1949 we have these two photos - Two TCA reception clerks left to right Joan McFarlane and Jean Brown. and from left to right Joyce Young, Don McLean, Chris Agnew and Eve Hunter.   |
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This n That.
The 'Father of Flight' still living in 1851 With over 1.7 million inhabitants, Yorkshire, U.K., is the largest of the new 1851 census counties.  Sir George Cayley, an engineer considered among the most significant figures in aviation history, was one of Yorkshire's most famous residents at the time. He discovered the four aerodynamic forces of flight - weight, lift, drag, and thrust - which form the basis for the design of modern planes. He also designed the first glider to successfully carry a human being; replicas of which have been built and flown by modern aviation enthusiasts, including Sir Richard Branson.Cayley served as MP for Scarborough for the Whig party between 1832 and 1835 and he helped found the Royal Polytechnic Institution, which survives today as the University of Westminster. On census night in 1851 we find him at Brompton Hall, the Scarborough family home and estate he inherited from his father. His wife Lady Cayley, their son, their daughter-in-law, two granddaughters and no fewer than 12 servants are listed alongside him. (Source: www.findmypast.com) |
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Alan's Space
9-11 FLIGHT PATHS
Comment - "This is awesome to watch - truly amazing. I often wonder why air traffic control did not scramble some fighter jets when they saw all of these planes veering off their flight plan at the same time; 9-11 FLIGHT PATHS.Note: The following are not my comments, but taken from email we recently received. I have never seen this before. Note that the two jets that hit the World Trade Center actually crossed enroute. I wonder if the original plan was to have them all strike their targets at the same time? And they did it all with U.S. aircraft, US flight schools, and a few box cutters." Response from Air Traffic Controller: Amazing alright, would like to see all traffic depicted at the same time. The collision avoidance systems would be busy, as I would expect the terrorist controlled aircraft must have crossed many flight paths. Still an incredible accomplishment knowing the end result. I can not imagine anyone being that brain washed and at the same time accomplish such a complicated task in cold blood. One possibility is the airspace controlled by each sector or workstation are designated in two ways. Geographic boundaries and in addition by altitude. For example I may be controlling traffic from 10,000ft to 25,000ft in a sector which lies above your airspace which is designated from the ground to 9,000ft. Controllers enable altitude filters so they don't have to see all data in adjacent sectors as it confuses the picture of aircraft in your altitude strata.The altitude filter doesn't erase all data but reduces the targets to a symbol which indicates it is not in your airspace, and naturally if the terrorists had switched off part of the transponder system they would not have shown up as controlled aircraft at all. The 9/11 Commission report is now available online. Data on each flight and each segment as it unfolded is included. Google 9/11. You will note they picked aircraft that carried a lot of fuel. Terry's Note: You may notice that the level 9,000 to 10,000 is not covered, I asked this question, and this level is where the controllers pass off flights and they can both see the screen at the same time. Follow this link for the full story Click on the arrows in the right column to the left of each flight...The one that shows them all in action is most interesting. It reveals how well the plan had been developed, barring departure delays.
 Click on image for flight path similation
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts.From the "Info Canadi>n" magazine Issue dated August 29th 1991  Here we have this photo of Eva Prytula and Pat Parsons at theVancouver Group Express office. 
No, the bridge is not for sale!
This is Keith Pope's introduction to London, England taking up his new position as General Manager UK. His processor is Alan Tremblay on the right who is returning to Canada.Issue dated August 15th 1991 Canadian announced the sale of five A310-300 aircraft to Polaris Aircraft Leasing Corp of San Fransico. Three delivered this month, one next month and the third in December. These aircraft have been leased to Kuwait Airways and Canadian will perform the maintenance and flight crew training. Canadian also intends to sell two B767-300ER due for delivery next year. October 27th, Canadian entered into a code sharing agreement with Varig of Brazil. In May Marg Scott an Aircraft Cleaner at Vancouver discovered $10,000 cash on board a Canadian flight from Hong Kong. Here she receives a $100 certificate for her honesty presented by Duncan Watson, Senior Supervisor Cabin Services.  Last year Marg found $25,000 on a Cathy Pacific flight arriving from Hong Kong, also on another occasion she found a VCR and a camcorder. (We wonder of she plays the lotteries! - eds) |
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Alan Dakin has sent us some information and photos to pass along - My father Norman worked as a mechanic in the Tire & Finishing shop from August 18, 1948 and retired on August 30, 1974 after 25 years & 11 months of service with both T.C.A. & Air Canada. Worked in the old tire shop on the second floor near the terminal building. They had to carry the tires & brakes upstairs until the new Maintenance Base was build in the late 1950's and was officially opened in December 1960. Here we have some photos of the official opening that Alan sent us.   They then moved to the new modern and up to date tire shop with more room & up to date equipment. The atmosphere and working conditions were so much better in the new building and everything was on the same level. My father enjoyed working for TCA/Air Canada and took the (4) of us back home to England quite often. My Mother, sister & myself enjoyed going home even though I didn't remember too much as I was only 5 years old when we came to Canada In August 8, 1948. My sister Carol (now deceased) was born here in Montreal in 1951. We flew on North Star, Super Constellation & Douglas DC-8's back home stopping in Shannon, Ireland, then on to Heathrow. I remember going with my father to work sometimes on Saturday when he worked overtime helping out whenever I could. In those days everybody knew everyone and there was a friendly atmosphere then. I also remember driving with my Dad when there was no Cote de Liesse just fields and no homes or factories. Believe me it was a bumpy ride. I used to go and see the old TCA planes in the hangar often. Remembering the Viscount, Vanguard, before the jets took over DC-8, DC-9, 727 all the way up to the jumbos 747. I also saw the Lockheed 10A a few times in the hangar at the base.  I have photos of it in the 25th Anniversary Logo with my father beside it. Seeing that my Dad was a mechanic he often worked on his car and built our garage and sun porch on our house that he bought in May 1949 in Lachine, Quebec. He was also handy with tools and had a workshop in the basement where he spent many evenings & weekends building things like bookcases, stereo cabinets etc. Before that, during the second world war he served with the British Air Force and was stationed in different parts of the world. He was in England, Canada, USA, Caribbean & Malta. I remember him always telling me a story about the aircraft carrier "The Wasp" that he was on in 1942 one week before it was sunk by the Japs. He also worked on the Spitfire aircraft. I can remember when we first came to Montreal and lived in the East end for (9) months before moving to a new house in Lachine we walked everywhere or took the streetcar. We did not have a car until mid-1950's. My father was on the Board of Directors of the Airport Credit Union as a Loan Officer for a number of years. Also my father was a avid amateur photographer a hobby that he enjoyed. My Father retired in August 1974. Here is his plaque from the company and pins. He passed away on June 20, 1991.   We have these photos of some Tire shop employees in the '60's G.Quesnel, Johnny Douville, Charlie Gold, Jor Cool and a group of three including Norm Dakin and John Chambers. (Alan has also sent his bio which we will have next time - eds)      |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
 With the Canada Line from Downtown Vancouver to the airport, those living on Vancouver Island have another alternate route to Vancouver Int'l Airport. On a ferry from Monday thru Thursday, except holidays, senior BC residents travel free. Then take the 257 bus from Horseshoe Bay Ferry terminal, get the senior (concession) rate of ca$1.75, get a transfer ticket, and hop on the Canada Line from downtown to the airport. "JP" has posted this information on the ACFamily Forum under LHR Hotel accommodation - Hi I have just returned from a trip to the UK. I stayed almost exclusively at Travelodge hotels in LHR, Bicester, Birmingham and Gatwick. I can vouch for the "good value" of this accommodation. There is only one problem if you use their "Super Saver" rate and that is there is no refund for unused accommodation but you can change the dates at the same hotel for a fee of £5.00. I managed to secure a Super Saver rate at the Travelodge LHR (on the Bath Road) for £39.00 plus breakfast £5 (buffet style, cooked breakfast, all you can eat). Overall, I found this and the other properties to be of excellent value. JP Here is the sixth and final segment of a tour of north and southern Ireland as a package tour with Trafalgar coach lines - IRELAND TOUR May 2nd thru May 13th., 2009 Wednesday May 13th Today, after breakfast, which Dawn skipped as she was not feeling to good, we say our last goodbyes, exchange email addresses, and take our coach to the airport. By now Dawn felt a lot better. There we said farewell to our driver, David, and our tour manager, Bernard. We had a couple of hours before our flight, so retired to a café in the terminal with another couple who had a few hours before their flight, and we discussed all sorts of things, from home, life to our recently completed tour. We had no trouble with our carry-on as we had decided to check them both right through to Vancouver. The flight was the short one back to Amsterdam and was only half full. While shopping in both north and south Ireland, some stores will convert your expense, when using a credit card, into Canadian funds. On arrival at Amsterdam gate D, we had just 25 minutes to get to our next gate F, which was quite a trek, as we remembered from our arrival over a week ago. We made the gate in good time, but they did not start the check in until 30 minutes after the posted time. The delay was due to the usual security check of the chairs and accoutrements in the lounge, and then everyone had to go through the security check. Our full flight on the MD11 to Vancouver was just excellent, comfortable. Lunch was Shepherd pie on a bed of rice and a salad. Mid afternoon we were served with an ice cream and, just before our arrival at Vancouver, we were served with a salad and hot carrot soup the first time we have ever been served hot soup on an aircraft. Upon arrival at Vancouver, we were streamed, as Canadian passport holders, into a new system where the passport was scanned by a machine similar to the check in kiosks, and then the customs form was inserted and returned with the names printed on it from the passport, and that magical number. All very simple, and we proceeded direct to the carousel for our luggage. The new arrangement can be confusing to the first timer and the elderly. This system will replace the normal "interview" by an immigration/customs officer in time for the 2010 Olympics,. Our luggage arrived safely, and we left the customs hall and called for our jitney to the Accent hotel where we had an interline rate of ca$65.00 we had decided to overnight as we had been traveling for many hours. As we had been well fed on the flight, all we wanted was tea as take out from the adjoining Pancake restaurant. We checked the flight availability for Vancouver to Nanaimo on Jazz, and there was space. Thursday May 14th. We got the 07:00 jitney to the airport after getting our boarding passes from the kiosk in the motel foyer. At the airport we had a muffin and tea from Timmies, and went down to the gate for our flight, after calling our neighbour who promised to collect us from Nanaimo airport, where we arrived at 10:00. It was good to get back home after an excellent and memorable trip to Ireland, and it only rained twice - the first time was three days, and the second four days, but the last three days were in glorious sunshine. |