Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

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Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 803 Dec 23/03 - The NetLetter
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 14:44:25 -0800
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T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   >  CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)


Number 803  Dec 23rd., 2003 We first published in October 1995.
Circulation: 2700+
Circulation: 2700+


Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot  - Terry Baker


To get in touch with either editor/pilot our  email address is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

=================================================================

Vesta and I wish to thank those readers who sent us submissions for our
NetLetter during this past year. Please keep 'em coming!
We wish to acknowledge the support from RAPCAN, Pionairs and the acfamily
support network for allowing us to use articles published in their
newsletters and, in particluar, to the acfamily network for the support and
assistance in arranging the issuance of our NetLetter through their mail
service.
Finally, we wish you all a very happy, safe holiday season and the very
best for year 2004.
Thank you.

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. Need to know.
Employee Travel news – parents now have unlimited travel privileges. In our
effort to make positive improvements within the Employee Travel program, in
2004 we will change the Parent Pass program so that parents may enjoy
unlimited travel on the Air Canada network. As a result, in January you
will no longer need to book their travel as an AC ZED fare and your parents
trips will no longer be part of the annual partner allotment of 10. Stay
tuned for more 2004 Employee Travel changes which will be communicated shortly.

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. Nice to know.
THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT FEES COLLECTED
EITHER ON THE TICKET (TICKETABLE) OR AT THE AIRPORT AT TIME
OF DEPARTURE.

ALL AMOUNTS ARE IN CA$ AND ALL TICKETABLE AMOUNTS ARE
COLLECTED WITH THE TAX CODE SQ. ALL TICKETABLE AMOUNTS ARE
SUBJECT TO THE TAX OF THE PROVINICE THE SQ IS USED.

CITY                                         TICKETABLE   AMOUNT
YAM  SAULT STE MARIE (ON)      YES           $10.00
YCG  CASTLEGAR (BC)                YES           $ 7.00
YEG    EDMONTON-Intnl (AB)        YES          $15.00
YFC    FREDERICTON (NB)           YES          $13.00 
YGP    GASPE (QC)                      NO           $10.00   
YHM    HAMILTON (ON)                YES          $10.00
YHZ     HALIFAX  (NS)                  YES          $10.00
YJT      STEPHENVILLE (NL)         NO           $10.00       
YLW    KELOWNA (BC)                YES         $ 8.00
YMX    MIRABELLE (QC)               YES         $15.00 
YOW   OTTOWA (ON)                  YES         $15.00
YQB   QUEBEC (QC)                    YES        $10.00
YQK   KENORA (ON)                    NO          $ 5.00
YQG   WINDSOR (ON)                  YES       $10.00
YQI   YARMOUTH (NS)                  NO         $10.00
YQL   LETHBRIDGE (AB)               YES        $ 5.00
YQM   MONCTON (NB)                   NO         $10.00
YQR   REGINA (SA)                       YES       $10.00
YQQ   COMOX (BC)                        YES      $ 5.00
YQU   GRANDE PRAIRIE (AB)       YES      $8.00
YQY   SYDNEY/GLACE BAY (NS)   NO        $10.00
YQX    GANDER (NL)                      YES      $12.00
YSJ    SAINT JOHN (NB)                  NO       $15.00
YTS    TIMMINS (ON)                      YES      $10.00
YTH   THOMPSON (MB)                  YES     $10.00
YUL    DORVAL (QC)                       YES    $15.00
YVR   VANCOUVER BC                  NO      $ 5.00 TRVL WITHIN BC/YUKON
$10.00
TRVL WITHIN N.A.
$15.00
INTL TRAVEL
YWG  WINNIPEG MB                     YES     $10.00
YXE    SASKATOON (SA)               YES     $ 5.00
YXJ     FORT ST.JOHN (BC)            YES     $10.00
YXU    LONDON (ON)                     YES     $10.00
YXX                                                         $ 5.00
YYC   CALGARY (AB)                  YES     $12.00
YYD    SMITHERS (BC)                             $15.00
YYG    CHARLOTTETOWN (PE)      NO      $10.00
YYJ     VICTORIA (BC)                   YES     $ 8.00
YYT  St. JOHN'S NF                      YES     $10.00
YYZ TORONTO ON                       YES     $10.00 FOR ORIGINATING PAX
$ 8.00
FOR CONNECTING PAX
ZBF BATHURST (NB)                    YES     $12.00


EXEMPTIONS
1. INFANTS UNDER 2 YEARS OF AGE FOR WHOM NO TICKET WAS
PURCHASED (EVEN THOUGH A NO COST TICKET MAY HAVE BEEN
ISSUED IN THE NAME OF THE INFANT)
2. TRANSIT/TRANSFER PASSENGERS (NEXT POSSIBLE CONNECTION:
24HRS - INTERNATIONAL/4 HRS DOMESTIC/TRANSBORDER)
EXEMPTION NOT APPLICABLE TO YYZ.

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. George Brien sends us this -
How's good is your memory. Were you with
TCA in the 40's as a pilot/Flt Radio/Navigator??
If you qualify take a look at this URL
http://users.froggy.com.au/vk2zio/museum/ra1b.htm
The RA1-B Acft Rcvr that I have (still in working condition)
came from TCA surplus in the mid 50's. The last
modification was dated 1949/ YUL Radio Shop.
What aircraft was it used in? My guess was the TCA Lancaster
as the companion Transmitter Bendix TA-12 was spotted at
the Greenwood Military Museum as part of the RCAF Lank
equipment, but they used a RCA receiver with it.
The prototype of the RA1-B was installed in Amelia Earhart's
Lockheed 10 Aircraft shortly before her attempt to fly around
the world. Perhaps TCA also installed it on their Lockheeds?
Five years of searching has turned up lots of info but
no data on its history with TCA. This is likely the last
chance to validate the history of these radios, as memories
and time passes.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. Found on the internet.
Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, on 16th Dec 03 announced
100,000 Seats at 1903 prices of just 10 shillings (50p) (inc taxes) to
celebrate 100 years of powered flight on 17th December 03.
(We hope this event will 'get off the ground'! - eds)

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. Air Canada news.
Air Canada confirms 90 aircraft order. As part of our previously announced
North American fleet strategy, we have reached agreements in principle to
purchase 45 Bombardier and 45 Embraer aircraft. A decision on an additional
15 aircraft will be made following further negotiation. 

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Air Canada no longer maintains archives. An unfortunate result of the
Company’s financial situation has been the closure of its archive
department. The expense of overseeing and maintaining the collection was
simply too costly to continue. To ensure the artifacts that represent our
collective history found a good home, we have donated the Air Canada
archives to the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa. Anyone who wishes to make
a donation, or has an inquiry about the archives, should contact Fiona
Smith-Hale at the Canada Aviation Museum by phone at 613-993-2303 or by
e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. However, all our archival photographs and
publications remain in the care of the Multi-Media department. For
information about archival photographs contact Brian Losito at 514-422-6778
or Johanne Legault at 514-422-5907 about AC publications.
John Rodger sends this update to the memorabilia article in NetLetter
802 -
The meeting (referred to) is planned for the week of the 19th of Jan.
Thanks John

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. Star Alliance news.
US Airways President and CEO David Siegel told staff the airline
anticipates earning up to $75 million per year in incremental revenue once
it is "fully participating" in the Star Alliance

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Notice: Vancouver Island Chapter Canadian Aviation Historical Society
members and friends,
Please Note, The January chapter meeting has been changed to, Tuesday,
January, 27, 2004. The meeting will be the 4th Tuesday of the month, rather
than earlier.
This meeting will inlude the chapter Annual General Meeting. Anyone
interested in being nominated to the executive, please contact Stoney
Jackson, 250-478-7567
or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The executive will also be making arrangements for a speaker. Anyone
interested in telling their story at one of our chapter meetings should
contact Stoney at the above
number to get on the list for 2004.
All other particulars are the same as before, the meeting to be held at the
BC Aviation Museum, 1910 Norseman Road, at 13:00 hours in the Norseman
room, with lunch
for those interested, at Mary's Bleue Moon, 11:30 hours, prior to the
meeting. Contact Stoney if planning to come for lunch.
Jackie Frampton,

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. Dargal tells us about these deals -
*** CHINA REGAL CRUISES ***

Introducing China Regal Cruises! This exciting cruise line boasts three
elegant, state-of-the-art vessels: Princess Jeannie, Princess Elaine and
Princess Sheena. Built in Germany in 1993, the three sister ships are the
only European-built passenger vessels plying China's rivers and the only
ships designed to western standards of safety and refinement.

Dargal's great rates INCLUDE all land excursions! Land excursions are
incorporated into each cruise, offering a land-side view of China.
Passengers will experience China's great modern cities as well as its tiny
villages, which have remained unchanged for thousands of years.

Upstream Itinerary ~ 5 Nights: Wuhan, China; Sailing; Three Gorges, China;
Wushan, China; Wanxian, China; Chongqing, China
Double Occupancy Cabin from $427, Suite from $1051
Sailing dates available from March through November 2004.

Downstream Itinerary ~ 3 Nights: Chongqing, China; Fengdu, China; Badong,
China; Sandouping, China; Wuhan, China
Double Occupancy Cabin from $427, Suite from $1051
Sailing dates available from March through November 2004.
*** MEXICO ***

January 6 ~ 10 Nights ~ Holland America ~ Statendam
ITINERARY: San Diego, California; Cruise Pacific Ocean; Manzanillo, Mexico;
Acapulco, Mexico; Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico;
Mazatlan, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; At Sea; San Diego, California
Inside $599, Outside $699
Book up to 2 additional staterooms for your Family & Friends at these
special Dargal rates!
Friends & Family Inside $769

January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23 ~ 4 Nights ~ Royal Caribbean ~
Monarch of the Seas
ITINERARY: Los Angeles, California; San Diego, California; Catalina Island,
California; Ensenada, Mexico; Los Angeles, California
Jan 19 & 26: Interior $179, Oceanview $209
Feb 2, 9, 16 & 23: Interior $199, Oceanview $229

February 9 ~ 11 Nights ~ Celebrity ~ Mercury
ITINERARY: San Diego, California; At Sea; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Mazatlan,
Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; At Sea; Acapulco, Mexico;
Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico; Manzanillo, Mexico; At Sea; San Diego, California
Inside $650, Outside $700

February 29 ~ 7 Nights ~ Carnival ~ Carnival Pride
ITINERARY: Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA; At Sea; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico;
Mazatlan, Mexico; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; At Sea; Los Angeles (Long Beach), CA
Interior $609, Oceanview $689, Balcony $849
Friends & Family can book up to three additional staterooms!
Friends & Family Interior $649, Friends & Family Oceanview $729, Friends &
Family Balcony $889

*** PANAMA CANAL ***

January 18 ~ 14 Nights ~ Royal Caribbean ~ Legend of the Seas
ITINERARY: San Diego, California; At Sea; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; At Sea;
Acapulco, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; At Sea; Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica; At
Sea; Cruise Panama Canal; Cristobal Pier, Panama; At Sea; Oranjestad,
Aruba; At Sea; Miami, Florida
Oceanview $899

January 18 ~ 14 Nights ~ Celebrity ~ Infinity
ITINERARY: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; At Sea; Oranjestad, Aruba; At Sea;
Cruise Panama Canal; At Sea; Manta, Equador; At Sea; Lima (Callao), Peru;
At Sea; Arica, Chile; Valparaiso, Chile; Valparaiso, Chile
Inside $100, Oceanview $1200, Suite $3500

January 23 ~ 10 Nights ~ Holland America ~ Rotterdam
ITINERARY: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; At Sea;
Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; At Sea; Cruise Panama Canal; Gatun
Lake, Panama; Cruise Manzanillo Bay; Colon, Panama; Puerto Moin, Costa
Rica; At Sea; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Inside $599, Outside $699
Book up to 2 additional staterooms for your Family & Friends at these
special Dargal rates!
Friends & Family Outside $999

Cruises: Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars per person (based on double
occupancy). PORT CHARGES ARE INCLUDED.
Taxes, fees and Dargal’s $20 Service Charge per room are additional. All
rates are subject to change, availability and eligibility. All offers apply
to new bookings only, are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without
notice.
For more information on these and other Dargal Interline specials:
Call Toll Free: 1-800-690-3223
International Toll Free: (International Access Code)-800-2832-7425
Fax: (250) 861-3283

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. Smilie.
From Vesta -
Two fantastic pilots were trying to land an airliner at a new field. On
the first approach, they touched down on the edge of the runway, but soon
ran out of asphalt and had to go around. On the second attempt, the
co-pilot stood on the brakes, but again, the plane ran out of runway, and
the pilot had to go around again. On the third attempt, the co-pilot again
stood on the brakes, while the pilot applied full- reverse thrust. Amid a
cloud of tire smoke and screaming engines, the plane slid to a halt just
before running off the runway. The pilot turned to the co-pilot and said,
"Man, that's the shortest runway I've ever landed on." The co-pilot
replied, "Yeah, but did you notice how damn wide they made it... s'gotta be
2 friggin' miles!"

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Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 802 Dec 17/03 - The NetLetter
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 16:54:24 -0800
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T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   >  CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 802  Dec 17th., 2003. We first published in October 1995.
Circulation: 2700+


Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot  - Terry Baker


To get in touch with either editor/pilot our  email address is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
================================================================
. Need to know.
Employee travel to Delhi. The recent embargo on all space available
personal travel from Toronto to Delhi was lifted on Nov. 29, however please
be advised travel will be difficult due to heavy passenger loads and
unexpected payload limitations. Even if flights show space available, you
may not get on because of revenue cargo shipments affect the maximum weight
limitations of an aircraft. As mentioned in previous Daily texts, due to
high seasonal passenger loads an embargo on all space available pass travel
from Delhi to Toronto will be in place for the period of Dec. 20, 2003 -
Jan. 31, 2004. Non-revenue travel from India during this peak travel season
will be additionally difficult as other carriers are also experiencing
heavy flight bookings. We have been told that Saturday and Sunday travel
will be especially challenging. If you’re still planning to travel to
India, we recommend you plan alternate routings and have the appropriate
tickets for your back-up travel choices ordered and with you before you
begin your trip, as ZED fare ticketing is not possible in Delhi.

More employee travel news - Travel profiles will be refreshed in January
2004.  On Jan. 19, 2004, all active and retired employee travel privilege
holders’ profiles will be updated with the 2004 pass allotments. As a
result, all travel completed and billed before Jan. 18 will be considered
as part of your 2003 allotment of passes. Any travel completed and billed
on or after Jan.18 will be deducted from your 2004 allocation. As an
additional employee travel update, the partner pass program will not
change, except that now employees or retirees have the ability to nominate
a partner or non-dependent child at anytime during the year.  Single
employees/retirees will, however, only be able to change their nominated
partner twice during the year. Also, the parent pass program will be
changed to offer parents unlimited travel on Air Canada, so the ability to
book AC ZED travel for them will be removed.  This means that your parents
trips are no longer part of the partner allotment of 10.  Other 2004
Employee Travel changes will be communicated to you shortly.

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. Nice to know!
Computer purchase program now available for employees. IBM has struck a
deal with Air Canada to be the exclusive supplier of personal desktop and
laptop computers to employees and retirees under the Employee Computer
Purchase Program, with discounts of 7 to 15 per cent off regular rates. New
packages will be offered six times a year. Dell and Gateway are no longer
part of the program. The program is open to all active and retired AC
employees (in Canada only), including subsidiaries. Payroll deduction is
not available. To view IBM’s offers, visit www.ibm.ca/epp/corporate, and
enter your User ID, which can be your name or your Air Canada ID number, or
call 1-888-315-7408. Current specials are also listed on Aeronet/Tools and
References/Employee Computer Purchase Program.

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. Remember when?
50 years of flying to Jamaica – time to celebrate. Fifty years ago on
Dec. 17, Air Canada, then known as Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) inaugurated
weekly air service between Canada and Montego Bay, Jamaica, using the
40-seat propeller-driven Canadair DC-4M “North Star.” At that time, Air
Canada was only the second airline to fly to Jamaica, after Pan American.
The flight time from Toronto was 11 hours with a stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
An indication of what a big event this was in the community was that the
local newspaper listed the names of the 11 passengers who arrived that day.
(If any reader has any info on this flight ie fin #, members of the crew,
we will be happy to print the information - eds)


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. Star Alliance news.
The member airlines of Star Alliance, the global airline network, have
today agreed on a plan to implement global electronic ticketing
capabilities by the end of 2004.

United Airlines parent UAL Corp. announced late yesterday that it had
secured $2 billion in Chapter 11 exit financing contingent on the US
government's guaranteeing a major portion of the loan

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Subject: Bermuda Sky Queen NetLetter nr 800 -
Don Demeza reports - I was a radio operator in Goose Bay on duty the
evening in 1947 that saw the Bermuda Sky Queen run out of fuel and land in
the Atlantic about 500 miles from Newfoundland. They were communicating on
my frequency so I was obviously listening intently. I recall that they said
the waves were 18 feet and we had a North Star overhead the crew of which I
believe watched the landing - I think the flying boat disappeared twice and
then re-appeared. By the time they were rescued all onboard were seasick.

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. Fraser Muir sends this response to the memorabilia article in NetLetter
801 -
John Rogers, President of Pionairs is at present finalizing a meeting with
the management of the Aviation museum, the meeting is planned for January
10th; he has asked me to try to attend. The fact that they have agreed to a
meeting is of course a step in the right direction.
FraserM.

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Marlie Kelsey sends this information -
Very sad news. YXY was the heart of the CP Air BC District operation and a
major part of the history of Western Canada aviation. It is an indication
of the sad state of affairs in the airline industry that this is happening.
Some of these laid off employees have more than 20 years working for the
company in Whitehorse! They are true Yukoners and have been loyal employees
of both CP Air and Air Canada though all the ups and downs.
Air Canada lays off 10 employees
by Stephanie Waddell
A Whitehorse Star Archive story originally published December 10, 2003

Air Canada spokeswoman Renée Smith-Valade says the layoffs of 10 Air Canada
customer sales and services employees in Whitehorse are a reflection of Air
Canada’s cutback last month to one flight a day here.
The layoffs will take effect Jan. 7, she said in an interview early this
afternoon.
As the company restructures, it is looking at the demand in markets across
the country.
In Whitehorse, it has meant a reduction from two flights a day on the
Whitehorse/Vancouver route down to one. The layoffs are a result of the
decision to cut the service in half.
The layoffs won’t take effect until Jan. 7 because Air Canada wanted to
accommodate the busy holiday season in December, Smith-Valade said.
“It’s an unfortunate reality,” Zip president Steve Smith said of the
layoffs coming from the restructuring.
Zip Air is an Air Canada company which flys the Whitehorse/Vancouver route
daily. While Zip performs the duties of serving the territory, the local
employees are from Air Canada.
Smith noted that next summer, Zip is planning to move back to two flights
each day for the busier season.
“We’ll review the future demand,” Smith-Valade said of offering an
additional summer flight.
At that point, employees who were given layoff notices effective in early
January could be given the opportunity to come back.
“They haven’t been fired,” Smith said.
Smith-Valade said the collective agreement between the airline and its
employees allows for “bumps” where laid-off employees, depending on
seniority, could move elsewhere in the company.
Often, that can mean moving to another region.
The most senior employees to be laid off are also the first to be called
back if there is a recall.
Smith noted the layoffs won’t impact the flight schedules nor the ZIP
service coming into and out of the territory.
While he couldn’t speak specifically to the details of the layoffs because
it is an Air Canada move, he stressed that Zip’s service to the territory
wouldn’t be impacted.
“It’s going to be a bleak Christmas,” NDP Tourism critic Gary McRobb said
this morning.
The announcement comes just a week after North American Tungsten closed its
Cantung mine just inside the N.W.T. border where approximately 100 Yukoners
were employed.
Now the news of local Air Canada layoffs has left McRobb wondering where
the hope is for Yukoners. He already knows of numerous Yukoners who have
left the territory for work elsewhere.
“There’s no sense of hope,” Liberal Leader Pat Duncan agreed this morning.
McRobb pointed out that during Premier Dennis Fentie’s time in opposition
with the NDP, he criticized then-premier Duncan for not moving forward with
a trade and investment fund.
Now that he’s the premier, he doesn’t seem to be doing anything about it,
McRobb said.
He also noted that “a heftier winter works program” could help the
territory through the season.
“FireSmart only goes so far,” he said of the brush-slashing program.
For Duncan, the matter comes down to what the government is doing to
generate excitement about the Yukon. There’s nobody on flights coming into
the territory, she said, because there’s no excitement.
She pointed out that during her term as premier, the Liberal government
pushed for a pipeline route through Alaska into the Yukon along the Alaska
Highway, which generated interest in the territory.
“There (were) people travelling here,” she said.
The layoffs at both Cantung and Air Canada will also hurt the retail sector
in the territory.
“People are watching their pennies,” Duncan said.
It also doesn’t help that the Canadian dollar is high, which could mean
fewer Alaskans doing their shopping in Whitehorse, she noted.
Meanwhile, Fentie and Community Services Minister Glenn Hart are trying to
get their concerns for the airline workers through to Air Canada.
Fentie spoke with Smith earlier today, noting the slashes in staff in
Whitehorse doesn’t mean a flight reduction.
As with laid-off Cantung employees, Fentie said, the government is working
to expedite employment insurance benefits.
He is also hoping that Yukoners won’t take the “dimmest” view on the
situation. On the positive side, another local carrier has come into the
market over the past couple of years.
Air North is now servicing a Whitehorse/Vancouver route six days a week and
a Whitehorse/Calgary/Edmonton route three days a week. That addition to Air
North’s service has employed a number of Yukoners, Fentie pointed out.
He is hoping to speak to the employees to get ideas on what the government
can do to improve the situation.
Meanwhile, Whitehorse isn’t alone in experiencing Air Canada layoffs. Since
Air Canada has begun its restructuring, numerous employees have been let go.
“It’s been an ongoing process,” Smith-Valade said.
She did not have an exact number of layoffs across the country because some
employees who were initially laid off have been recalled.

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Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 801 Dec 11/03 - The NetLetter
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 11:50:35 -0800
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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)


Number 801  Dec 11th., 2003. We first published in October 1995.
Circulation: 2700+


Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot  - Terry Baker


To get in touch with either editor/pilot our  email address is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
=================================================================

. Must know.
Permanent residents of Canada who have been allowed to enter Canada as an
immigrant but who has not become a Canadian citizen MUST be in possession of
the new and mandatory permanent residents card to re-enter Canada on and after
January 1st., 2004.
Cost of this document is c$50.00 Existing permanent residents must be in Canada
to apply for the PR Card. Applications and information kits are available at
www.cic.gc.ca or by calling 1-800-255-4541. Permanent residents currently
located outside Canada and who will be returning after December 31st., 2003
should visit a Canadian visa office to obtain a limited-use travel document.

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. Nice to know.
Toronto ­ San Jose, Costa Rica: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays starting
Dec.1.
Toronto ­ Cancun, Mexico: Introduction Dec. 13 of an early afternoon flight.
Toronto ­ Aruba: Second weekly flight starting Dec. 21.
Toronto ­ Grand Cayman: Increase to 4 flights weekly Dec. 15.
Toronto ­ Nassau, Bahamas: Increase to daily Dec. 15.
Toronto ­ Barbados: Increase to two daily flights starting Dec. 12.
Toronto ­ Antigua: Increase to twice weekly with a Sunday flight starting Dec.
14, in addition to Saturdays.
Toronto ­ Turks & Caicos: Increase to twice weekly with a Saturday afternoon
flight starting Dec. 13, in addition to Saturday mornings.
Toronto ­ Port of Spain: Increase to three times weekly with a new Friday
flight starting Dec. 5, in addition to Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Toronto ­ Fort Lauderdale, Florida: New afternoon daily departure starting Dec.
13 for a total of three daily flights.
Toronto ­ Miami, Florida: Starting Dec. 12, a new evening flight for a total of
four daily non-stop flights.
Toronto ­ Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina: Depart Wednesdays,
Fridays and Sundays starting Dec. 3. Flight continues on to Buenos Aires.
Toronto ­ Havana, Cuba: Tuesday, Thursdays and Sundays starting Dec. 2.
Montréal ­ Guadeloupe: New Sunday flight starting Dec. 14, in addition to
Saturdays.
Vancouver ­ Kona, Hawaii: Starting Dec. 14, new flights departing Sundays.
Vancouver ­ Honolulu: New afternoon departures starting at 2:40 p.m. daily and
at 5:00 p.m. three times weekly.
Vancouver ­ Maui: Increased to daily Dec. 5.

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. Vesta found these items -
CANADA (WHERE ELSE?) HOSTS ICING STUDY
Well, every place has to be famous for something and Montreal's propensity
for freezing drizzle has earned it the starring role in a new aircraft icing
study. Researchers from North America and Europe, including NASA and
Canada's National Research Council, will be loading five airplanes full of
high-tech gear to see if they can better predict icing conditions. The $2.4
million Alliance Icing Research Study will run from now until February. The
decked-out airplanes will fly from Ottawa, Cleveland, Ohio, and Bangor,
Maine, to Montreal at different altitudes when icing conditions are likely,
and the data will be compared.

ROUND-THE-WORLD PILOT LANDS IN ANTARCTICA
British pilot Polly Vacher landed her single-engine Piper Warrior in
Antarctica on Monday, about halfway through her solo flight circling the
globe via both poles. Vacher, 59, left Scotland in May, headed north across
the pole, then flew across Alaska, North America and South America en route
to the Antarctic peninsula. She plans to fly to McMurdo research station
sometime this week, then return home via New Zealand, Australia, Asia and
Europe, finishing up next March. The trip is raising money for World Wings,
an English aviation organization that provides flight training to the
disabled. In 2001, Vacher flew around the world, raising $317,600 for the
group.

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. Fraser O'Shaughnessy sends this information, reprinted from the Pionairs
newsletter
Subject: Letter to National Post
We thought you would be interested in seeing the following letter from Pierre
Jeanniot.
November 27, 2003
The Editor
The National Post
Dear Sir:
Since when is taking bread from the mouths of pensioners, widows and orphans
fair game for Canadian big business? The UCC’s stated opposition to giving Air
Canada pension plan members priority in the airline’s restructuring plan, as
demanded by the OSFI (National Post, Nov. 21, 2003) is neither morally nor
legally justified.
The UCC (unsecured creditors committee) represents such Goliaths as Shell
Canada, IBM Global Services, CARA Operations, and, until a separate agreement
was negotiated, GE Capital Aviation Services. Their assets and resources amount
to many billions of dollars.
The OSFI (Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions) represents,
in this case, 18,000 Air Canada retirees whose modest pensions are very often
the sum total of their lifetime savings as wage earners and salaried employees.
Most have no other resources.
When Shell, IBM and the others extended credit to Air Canada, either to secure
profitable sales or as an investment, they did so it in the full knowledge that
such business decisions entail a certain degree of risk. Not one, I’m sure, of
Air Canada’s 18,000 pensioners ever thought for a moment that his or her
obligatory contributions to the company pension plan was ever at risk.
Air Canada was founded by the Government in 1937 as TCA to "act as an
instrument of national policy". It was directed to serve many unprofitable
routes, domestic and international. To allow room for private enterprise, it
was capacity restricted on the transcontinental market and not allowed to serve
lucrative Pacific routes. Despite such handicaps, Air Canada grew to become one
of the world’s ten largest airlines and contributed greatly to the advancement
of commercial air transportation through its many technological innovations.
Until recently and for most of its 50-year history as a Crown corporation, Air
Canada returned a profit to its Canadian taxpayer owners, contrary to popular
belief.
I, like all my colleagues, was immensely proud to work for the national
carrier. Like the railway pioneers that came before us, we considered ourselves
nation builders. We accepted wages and salaries – and pensions – that did not
compare well with private enterprise in the expectation that after a lifetime
of serving the national interest we would enjoy a modicum of financial security
in our old age.
Air Canada retirees are not to blame for the airline’s current difficulties.
And as the "pionairs" they most aptly describe themselves, their stake in the
national carrier deserves the highest priority.
The law clearly supports the OSFI demand. The National Post article points out
that money owed to the pension plans is "not subject to compromise" under the
Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. And a pending amendment to legislation
would see pension shortfalls repaid in full in the event of plan termination.
The UCC’s threat to bring the issue before the courts would once again delay
and even endanger Air Canada’s restructuring. The Goliaths should not be
allowed to jeopardize the well being of 18,000 pensioners and 40,000 current
employees for the sake of a smaller write-off.
Pierre J. Jeanniot, O.C.
Former President and Chief Executive Officer - Air Canada
800 Place Victoria, Suite 1148
B.P. 113
Montréal, Québec H4Z 1M1
Tel: (514) 874 0202
Copy: The Right Honorable Jean Chretien
The Honorable Paul Martin
The Honorable David Collenette
The Honorable Maurizio Bevilacqua
Mr. Nicholas Le Pan
*
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. Fraser Muir sends this information regarding the airlines memorabilia -

All the memorabilia, except the items and the Exhibit-showcases (which are
still setup in the lobby of the old Zellers Building in YUL), all the rest of
the items have been sent to the Aviation Museum in YOW.
What the conditions were agreed upon, I have no idea.
Regards Fraser M.

We wonder what control our airline will have over the memorabilia, especially
when one sees the following headline -

Concorde fans spent $1.3 million for artifacts at BA
auction.

When PanAm went into bankruptcy, the trust company of the company had the
obligation to maximise the value of the assets that were left, which included
the memorabilia. The interested ex-employees formed an historical foundation
established to preserve the history of PanAm and this foundation then went into
the public forum of an auction of what was really their birthright. Fortunately
they had the winning bid.
(Just food for thought - eds)

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. Air Canada news.
Air Canada has unveiled a Boeing 767
aircraft sporting a two-by-27-metre logo of Star Alliance, the
world's
largest air transportation network that extends Air Canada's
network to
a total of 680 airports in 127 countries and offers Aeroplan
members
reciprocal benefits with 14 of the world's leading airlines. To
create this
flying billboard, 29 Air Canada technicians used 200 litres of
paint during
the normal course of scheduled maintenance. Several more Air
Canada
aircraft, including an Airbus A340 operated on international
routes, will
be repainted in Star Alliance livery in the coming months.

Air Canada reports November traffic. According to preliminary traffic figures,
Air Canada flew 2.4 per cent fewer revenue passenger miles (RPMs) in November
2003 than in November 2002. Overall, capacity decreased by 5.3 per cent,
resulting in a load factor of 69.2 per cent, compared to 67.1 per cent in
November 2002; an increase of 2.1 percentage points.

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. Terry's travel tips.
This from Vesta -
FRUITCAKE NOW SECURITY THREAT
If you're travelling by air this holiday season, forget the fruitcake.
At least as carry-on luggage. That's the advice of the Canadian Air
Transport Security Authority.

The Radisson Calgary Airport Hotel offers more than just a comfortable room. If
you’re going to be in Calgary anytime during Dec. 19 - 26 and need a place to
stay, then the Radisson Calgary Airport Hotel has a great deal for you. They
are offering guests a “Friends in Need” promotion which is the low-rate of $49
Cdn per room, per night and a $10 Cdn Deerfoot Outlet Mall gift certificate.
Not only will you benefit from this special rate, but $12 Cdn will be donated
to Discovery House Violence Prevention Society for each night booked. This is a
great way to save money and help a Calgary charity during this holiday season.
For reservations or more information, call (403) 291-4666 or (800) 333-3353.
For more details about Discovery House, call (403) 670-0467.

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. Smilies.
In his book, "Sled Driver," SR-71/Blackbird pilot Brian Shul
writes: I'll always remember a certain radio exchange that occurred one
day as Walt (my back-seater) and I were screaming across Southern California
13 miles high. We were monitoring various radio transmissions from other
aircraft
as we entered Los Angeles airspace. Though they didn't really control us,
they did monitor our movement across their scope. I heard a Cessna ask for a
readout of its ground speed."90 knots" Center replied. Moments later,a Twin
Beech required the same. "120 knots" Center answered.
We weren't the only ones proud of our ground speed that day...as almost
instantly an F-18 smugly transmitted, "Ah, Center, Dusty 52 requests ground
speed readout." There was a slight pause, then the response, "525 knots on
the ground, Dusty." Another silent pause. As I was thinking to myself how
ripe a situation this was, I heard a familiar click of a radio transmission
coming from my back-seater. It was at that precise moment I realized Walt
and I had become a real crew, for we were both thinking in unison. "Center,
Aspen 20, you got a ground speed readout for us?" There was a longer than
normal pause ... "Aspen, I show 1,742 knots." No further inquiries were
heard on that frequency.

In another famous SR-71 story, Los Angeles Center reported receiving a
request for clearance to FL 60 (60,000 ft). The incredulous controller, with
some disdain in his voice, asked, "How do you plan to get up to 60,000 feet?
The pilot (obviously a sled driver), responded, "We don't plan to go up to
it, we plan to go down to it." He was cleared

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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
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please add to your Address Books.
This e-mail address has been set up so that both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.
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Your attached message has been delivered to the 2162 members and
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From: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
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Reply-To: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Subject: [The NetLetter] NetLetter nr 800 - Dec 6/03 - The NetLetter
Date: Sat, 06 Dec 2003 15:04:11 -0800
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Number  800 Dec 6th.,  date  2003. We first published in
October 1995.
Circulation: 2700+


Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot  - Terry Baker


To get in touch with either editor/pilot our  email address is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
================================================================
. Must know.
Important information to employees travelling to Chile. Effective
immediately, anyone travelling to Chile will be required to pay a
“Reciprocity Tax” upon arrival in Santiago, Chile. The tax is payable in US
currency and cash only, and applies to all adults, children and infants.
Exemptions apply to holders of student visas issued by the Chilean
government and transit passengers who have not cleared immigration. The tax
is valid for multiple entries for the validity period of the passport. For
full details, log on to the Employee Travel Site at
www.travel.aircanada.ca, click on “News and Policies” and “News

Bring paper flight coupons as back up - regardless of where you travel
to. It would appear that there is still some confusion as to when and where
paper coupons are required. To avoid any confusion, employees are
encouraged to always carry a paper coupon with them in the event of a
travel change to a non-DCS station - a station not handled by Air Canada -
such as Orlando, Florida. In some instances if you don’t have a paper
ticket when one is required, you may be refused travel. Furthermore, to
save costs under CCAA, the company continues to accept both old and new
flight coupons. It’s not worth the risk, especially during the busy holiday
season. As a friendly reminder, paper coupons need to be signed for anyone
travelling under the active or retired employee’s travel profile, whether
that person is accompanied or not, and dependents or a designated partner
travelling unaccompanied have to be registered on the flights prior to
travel to ensure proper handling.

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. Nice to know.
FedEx is there to help with your holiday shipments. Planning to ship gifts
to family and friends for the holiday season, and you need to get them
there on time? Good news, FedEx, Air Canada's preferred courier provider,
offers all active and retired Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, Air Canada
Vacations, ZIP and Destina™ employees with a minimum of six months service
a discount on all shipments. To take advantage of this service, you or your
spouse must present a valid Air Canada picture ID or a photocopy at any of
the FedEx shipment locations. To avoid the peak holiday crunch or shipment
delays, you’re encouraged to drop off your packages anytime between 10 a.m.
- 2 p.m. before Dec. 17. Please note that specific FedEx locations may
limit interline shipping to 90 minutes prior to the station closing. For
more information on FedEx services, visit their website at www.fedex.ca
(for Canada) and www.fedex.com (for the U.S.), or call them at 1-800-GO-FEDEX.


Air Canada launches major expansion to Latin and South America and
inaugurates services to San Jose, Havana, Santiago and Buenos Aires. With
the departure Dec 1st flight AC1252 en route to San Jose, Costa Rica, Air
Canada launched a major expansion of new services to Latin and South
America. This morning, Air Canada inaugurates three times weekly flights to
Havana, Cuba, our fifth Cuban destination, and this evening, we will
inaugurate non-stop service to Santiago, Chile with convenient same plane
service continuing on to Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a result, Air Canada
becomes the first international carrier to return to Buenos Aires as
Argentina’s economy rebounds.

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. Help wanted.
Subject: Montego Bay.
Kathrine O'Neill of our Employee Communications sends this request -
I'm wondering if you'd be able to help me with an historical fact.
Montego Bay is about to celebrate 50 years of operation (Dec 17, 1953)
and is hoping to put together enough information for a press release so
that they can get some coverage in the local newspaper. Unfortuneatly,
we seem unable to put our hands on any information about this route and
its launch. I haven't been able to find any reference to it in the '53
or '54 issues of Between Ourselves or any other historical references we
have on hand. We're trying to find out what type of aircraft was flown,
how long it took, about how many passengers, routing, that sort of
thing.
Thanks for your help.
Kathrine O'Neill   Employee Communications  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Vancouver Inland Chapter of The Canadian Aviation Historical Society has
arranged for a table at Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe, 11:30 am, Tuesday, December
9, 2003.
Meet and enjoy the company of other aviation history buffs over a holiday
lunch. Great atmosphere! Great Company!
No meeting in December. Next meeting January 13, 2004, at the British
Columbia Aviation Museum, in the Norseman Room, at 1:00 pm.
Confirm lunch on December 9, with Stoney Jackson, 250-478-7567,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jackie Frampton, 250-544-2183, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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. FOFS Group update from Shirlee Schacter -
The 2003 Reunion Luncheon of the Computer & Systems Services-Friends of
Front Street - "FOFS" Group,  (now an annual event), took place in Toronto
on November 29th, 2003, and was a roaring success with over 100 former C &
SS'rs in attendance.  If you are eligible to join in on the festivities
with the "FOFS" Group, please get in touch with Shirlee Schacter at:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get on the list for future get-togethers.
(Just for your info, we have names of 350 former C & SS'rs but still need
contact information for roughly 20 percent of that number.)

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. More Help wanted!!!
Fraser Muir, a past president of the Pionairs sends us this appeal -
One thing that's on my mind...video taping as many of the original
employees as possible....can you help me line up some volunteers.....everyone
I speak to react in the same way....WOW!! what a great idea.....and then they
don't do anything about it....and I can't do it alone.
I have the ability to have the video tapes; copied, and will be compiled in a
"Living History" of Canadian aviation History, as I am asking to have
retirees from all airlines, from weekend pilots, bush, regional, and mainline
airlines; pilots, maintenance, ramp workers, agents...as long as
they worked in the business.
You can email him at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further info...

Does anyone have any experiences to relate as regards travel to Orlando
and/or Tampa
and pros/cons of staying at a Disney resort or off site (budget wise and
convenience)?
I understand that the Disney Resorts give a 50% airline employee rate. Does
the employee
(retired employee) need to be travelling with the family members (spouse,
non-dependent
daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren) to have this rate?
Which Disney resort would be the best to stay at with children,
grandchildren (ages 8 &5)?
Any information that would help before we make our reservations would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
You can e-mail us at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Competitive News:
Quebec’s new regional airline getting ready to fly. Gilles Filiatreault, a
former Air Canada manager, launched his new Quebec regional airline on Nov.
30. As reported in The Gazette, the Quebec City-based carrier, called Val
Air, will serve Quebec, Montreal, Rouyn-Noranda and Val-d’Or three times
daily with Bombardier Dash-8 propeller planes. The carrier is negotiating
for the right to offer its clients frequent-flyer points through the
Aeroplan program.

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Henry Anderson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. sends this interesting information -
From the Irish Times -
An Irishman's Diary by Arthur Quinlan.
Fifty-six years ago this month the United States Civil Aeronautics Board
began investigating the events behind the greatest ocean rescue operation in
aviation history. It involved the last flying-boat to leave the County of
Limerick port of Foynes after more than a decade of successful operations.
On the Monday afternoon of October 13th, 1947 a four - engined Boeing
charter plane with 69 people on board left Foynes. Its immediate
destination was Gander Lake, Newfoundland, the usual terminal on route to
the United States. But the Bermuda Sky Queen was forced to come down in
mid-Atlantic after running out of fuel. The mainly inexperienced crew of
the 42-ton flying boat had not taken into account the full force of the
Atlantic head-winds. In addition, the plane's load was 5,000 lbs over her
maximum weight - the equivalent of 25 people plus their baggage.
Experienced staff at Foynes had already expressed surprise at the length of
the passenger list. BOAC and PanAm, using similar aircraft, never carried
more than 35 passengers and sometimes fewer, depending on the weather and
the fuel load required. The 60 aboard the Bermuda Sky Queen were almost
double the greatest number of people ever carried on a flying boat across
the Atlantic. They included 20 men, 30 women and 12 children, including 2
babies, as well as the crew of 7.
In the early hours of darkness the following morning, they found themselves
stranded in mid Atlantic 960 miles from Foynes, without the slightest hope
of reaching the east or west coast. They had flown 960 miles from the Co
Limerick port.
The flying boat's skipper, Capt Charlie Martin, a wartime US Navy pilot,
realising that Gander was out of reach and there was no way of going back to
Foynes, had sent out a distress message. His supply of petrol was running
low and he decided to set down on the ocean close to the weather ship
'Charlie'. An Air Canada Skymaster heading for Prestwick picked up the
distress message and the pilot, Capt Steven Albulet relayed the message. It
was also picked up by another aircraft, by the Irish radio station at
Valencia and most important of all, by Capt Paul Cronk of the US coastguard
cutter 'George M Bibb'. When he was told that there were 69 persons on
board, he could not believe it. The ensuing rescue operation lasted for 48
hours with not a single life lost.
On that Sunday afternoon at Foynes I (author) had boarded the Bermuda Sky
Queen - formerly the PanAm 'Capetown Clipper' to interview Capt Martin, for
this was to be the last flying boat to leave Foynes after a decade of
aviation history. It was a charter flight owned by American international
airways and most of the passengers were British, including oil company
representatives returning to the Caribbean with their families. The
Americans included the crew of an oil tanker recently delivered to British
and four young UN secretaries returning to headquarters in New York. I
played cards in the beautifully furnished flight lounge with some of the
crew before taking my leave of them. The overcrowding of the 'Bermuda Sky
Queen' was partly attributable to the fact that shipping passages between
Europe and the United States were totally booked out with the great rush of
emigrants and GI brides. What few airline seats were available were booked
out for months because the 'Skymaster' aircraft, which had then begun to
trickle through Shannon, carried only 40 passengers. The US Civil Aviation
Board held an investigation into the 'Bermuda Sky Queen' affair. The
charter company was closed down and the owners charged with engaging in
foreign transport of passengers without authorisation. Investigators found
that the flight engineer had manuals which showed that on the power setting
which he recommended to the pilot, it would have been impossible to reach
Gander Lake. The pilot and navigator were found to have based their air
speed on the flight plan of a previous crossing. No blame was laid on the
Shannon meteorological department. Capt Martin has his pilot's license
restored because of his gallant work in the rescue operation. He then
continued to work as a full pilot for many years with a leading US carrier
but never flew into Shannon again. Capt Cronk and his crew were decorated
for their work and the passengers were given a heroes welcome when they
arrived in Boston on the 'George M. Bibb.'
Before leaving the scene, the cutter shelled the flying boat so that it
would not be a danger to navigation.
(The Air Canada Skymaster mentionmed was probably a Canadair North Star of
Trans-Canada Air Lines - eds)

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.  Found on the internet.
CANADA (WHERE ELSE?) HOSTS ICING STUDY
Well, every place has to be famous for something and Montreal's propensity
for freezing drizzle has earned it the starring role in a new aircraft icing
study. Researchers from North America and Europe, including NASA and
Canada's National Research Council, will be loading five airplanes full of
high-tech gear to see if they can better predict icing conditions. The $2.4
million Alliance Icing Research Study will run from now until February. The
decked-out airplanes will fly from Ottawa, Cleveland, Ohio, and Bangor,
Maine, to Montreal at different altitudes when icing conditions are likely,
and the data will be compared.

Ryanair, Europe's No.1 low fares airline, on 3rd December 2003 launched 4
new daily routes from London Stansted to AUSTRIA, ITALY, GERMANY and SPAIN,
with fares starting from an incredible GBP19.99.

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. Terry's travel tips.
Apartment Specials in us$
Now is a great time to try one of our apartment rentals as we can offer these
apartments at a greatly reduced price. For these specials, your dates need
to match exactly with the dates listed below.
Paris Penthouse Apartment
Dec 12-Dec 21 (9 nts) Any 6 or more nts of these 9 nts at $115/nt
up to 4 people.
Dec 21-Dec 26 (5 nts) at $120/nt up to 4 people.
Any other available nights for November and December are $120/nt
with a 5nt minimum stay required.
Paris Historic Apartment
Dec 23- Dec 28 (5 nts) at $700 total up to 4 people
December Interline Special- Any 5 nt stay for $600 w/extra nts at
$100/nt up to 4 people.
London #41 Apartment
Dec 15-Dec 21 (6 nts) $92/nt up to 4 people
Dec 21-Dec 27 (6 nts) $100/nt up to 4 people
London #43 Apartment
Dec 15-Dec 21 (6 nts) $92/nt up to 4 people
Dec 21-Dec 27 (6 nts) $100/nt up to 4 people
Here are the places you want to see without the worry of making all the
arrangements.  Whether you choose a guided Paris or Rome
program or a more  exotic location like South Africa or China the details are
taken care of for you.
The Wild Scenic Mpumalanga  Roundtrip from Johannesburg
Luxury Air conditioned  vehicles  6 day/5 nt     $769
Our World Through One  Country  Johannesburg to  Cape Town
Luxury Air conditioned vehicles, Airplane  13 day/12 nt $2029
Paris for the First Time  Paris local- metro, bus  5 nts   $619
Luxury Canal Barge  French Countryside  Luxury Hotel Barge
7 nts      $899
Best of Germany.  Austria, Switzerland  Motor Coach  13 days/12 nts
12 breakfast    2 dinners   $1839
Scenic Heart of  Europe  Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Motor Coach   7 days/6 nts   6 breakfast   2 dinners    $1019
Call Aero-Marine Interline Tours and Cruises
Telephone:  1-800-All Aero
(1-800- 255-2376)

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. DID YOU KNOW?
ARCHIVES for NetLetters.
NetLetters are now located in ACFamily.net/forums area
Just go to: http://www.acfamily.net/forums
- Log in (if you aren't already)
- scroll down to Member Services
- Click on NetLetter
You will be able to find ALL netletters.
And there is a research engine to help you.
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Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net
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