We have welcomed 91 new subscribers so far in 2023.

We wish to thank everyone for the continuing support of our efforts.

Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.

We invite you to visit our website at www.thenetletter.net/netletters to view our archives.

Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.

We always welcome feedback about Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge) from our subscribers who wish to share current events, memories and photographs.

Particularly if you have stories to share from one of the legacy airlines: Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Airlines, CP Air, Pacific Western, Maritime Central Airways, Eastern Provincial, Wardair, Nordair, Transair, Air BC, Time Air, Quebecair, Calm Air, NWT Air, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Georgian and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.

Please feel free to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.

Thanks!

2023 CP Air/Canadian
BC District Reunion
September 15-17, 2023
Chemainus, British Columbia

Register Now! Deadline July 15th, 2023

New Location!

Chemainus in the Cowichan Valley - An amazing location and it will be easier to get there from either of the ferry terminals, Nanaimo Airport and Victoria.

We will do everything possible to help with transportation from any of the terminals or airport.

Check out Chemainus using this link: www.visitchemainus.ca 

54th World Airlines Clubs Association
(WACA) Annual General Assembly.

October 1 - 6, 2023. 

Amman, Jordan

Staying in the 5-Star Amman Marriott Hotel, participants will enjoy a city tour, a full day tour to the famous Red Rose City of Petra as well as visiting the ancient city of Jerash among other planned activities.

Post-AGA Tour: Jordan, Kingdom of Time Immediately following the 54th AGA, an optional six-day or four-day tour to see the wonders of Jordan will take participants to the historical cities of Kerak and Bethany, the famed Wadi Rum and the famous Dead Sea as well as the resort city of Aqaba (on the 6-day package).

Airline employees and retirees are reminded that in order to participate in one of the WACA events listed below, they must be members of an interline/airline club affiliated with WACA or be WACA members-at-large.

Check www.waca.org.

For detailed itineraries and registration forms for the above please send an e-mail to Keith Miller: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds kicked off the 2023 airshow season in early June. The last performance is in October.

View the schedule at skiesmag.com

Jack Morath of the UK Pionairs sends this -

I noticed in the latest NetLetter #1511 a few of the airline initials and their names for each one.

It reminded me of the ones we used many years ago, although I think you put some of them in your NetLetter some years ago.

• BOAC - Better on Air Canada.
• BEA - Back every afternoon or Britain's excuse for an Airline.
• SAS - Sex and satisfaction.
• Take a chance and fly Air France.
• Finnair is what they fly on.
• Aer Lingus - Air Fungas.

On the Transatlantic some of the airlines were as follows:

• TWA - To walk across.
• TCA - To crawl across.

Jack

From Sam Longo AME, A&P -

Hello,

Richard Kruszka, a US subscriber, was interested in Nordair and the smaller airlines.

Might I suggest that he pick up a copy of my book, 'A Wrench in the Wings, Life Lessons from an Aircraft Mechanic' chronicling my adventures working for Nordair in the 70's as well as Air Canada later in my career.

Available in Amazon.ca and Amazon.com (USA)

Keep up the great work on the Netletter!

Cheers,

Sam Longo AME, A&P

Posted on the "Un-Official" Air Canada Staff & Alumni Group by Andy Rowan.

Bit of nostalgia from my early years at AC Cargo LHR…… reckon it would be mid 80’s.

From the left: Margaret Spencer, Nishi ??? , Tina Kidd (front), Terry Smith, myself and Christine Barnes.

Kerry Gentile, (photo centre) Communications Operator, Dorval, is the first woman in the company to graduate from the Certificated Load Agent program in 1977

During the past two years, certificates have been awarded to more than 760 employees, 470 of whom were already qualified in Load Dispatch with the other 290 qualifying by writing the Load Dispatch Certificate examinations.

Source: Horizons magazine, October 1977

Mary Lou Rust has sent us this information -

'Come Fly with Me' mural unveiled at Langley, British Columbia Regional Airport.

To celebrate Langley’s history of flight, Langley Regional Airport (YNJ)’s new mural features the 'Flying Seven' – a group of BC’s first female pilots that all flew out of Langley airport.

“The mural is designed to honour the strong history of flight in the Langley area and entice the viewer to join them in celebration. The piece depicts the famous flying seven.

Seven women aviators bucked the trend and flew at a time when female pilots weren't accepted. Although they were denied entry into the military, they pushed to help, raising funds for the war effort, and dropping pamphlets from their planes to aid the cause.

Led by Rosalie "Rolie" Moore, the flying seven broke barriers and showed the world the can-do spirit of Langley! Our mural depicts Rolie, as well as portraits of the other six, in front of a dynamic cloudscape, planes fill the sky, and the portraits are framed by the activity.”

The creators of the mural, 'Come Fly with Me,' Randi Hamel, Taj Jamal, Kelly Mellings and Allan Whincup of Pulp Studios, were awarded the project in response to their submission for a call for artists to paint a 30 ft x 80 ft exterior wall of the new building at the Langley Airport.

The final mural image was refined over the fall of 2022 and preparations were made to paint the mural during a week of dry, warm weather. The artists started painting on Wednesday, May 31 and finished the project on Monday, June 5, 2023.

Source: Township of Langley

For Air Canada retirees who have access to ACAeronet.

If you receive notice of a pension audit, you may find it a confusing experience to respond via Aeronet or mail.

Our Terry Baker recently contacted the HR for some clarity concerning this process and received the following instructions.

How to access the Pension Secured Mailbox via ACAeronet site:

1. Access HR Connex homepage via acaeronet.aircanada.ca portal log on.
2. Click the 'Retirement' tab.
3. Under Pay and Pension, click on 'DB Pension Plan', (illustrated above).
4. A new screen will appear. In the upper right corner, click on the 'Bell' icon that shows a red dot. On the new screen, click the 'Secured Mailbox' and to review any documentation received.

Completing the audit form:

• If you are completing the audit process, once you have downloaded the form and completed it, you can upload it back in the Secured Mailbox for faster processing via the 'Upload Documents' green button.
• You need to upload ALL pages including the cover page (total of 4 pages).
• The cover page serves to authenticate you and ensures that the completed audit is reviewed and indexed to your Pension Profile.
• Alternatively you can either fax to 1-866-517-7075 or mail back ALL pages via regular post to the HR Connex Pension Team at:
  • HR Connex Pension
  • PO Box 7650, Station B
  • Toronto, ON M2K 3B5

Summer service resumption Nanaimo (YCD) non-stop Toronto (YYZ) commences July 24, 2023.

Source:ycd.ca

Reserve your seat on SAS’ first electric flight 2028

On June 2, 2023 SAS opened seat reservations for its first-ever commercial electric flight in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. SAS invites travelers to join in writing this next chapter in aviation history with 30 seats available for reservation on each of the three inaugural flights – which are expected to take place during the course of 2028. 

SAS' goal is net-zero emissions by 2050. An important part of achieving this goal is to develop and use technological innovations such as electric aircraft on shorter trips.

"Since its inception in 1946, SAS has been one of the pioneers in the airline industry, being for instance the first commercial airline operator to fly over the North Pole to significantly shorten flight time between continents. A groundbreaking activity for which SAS received the Columbus Prize. The fact that we can now invite our passengers to the next major milestone in the future of aviation is a natural continuation of that pioneering spirit and a significant step on our journey towards more sustainable aviation," says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. 

Source: www.sasgroup.net/newsroom

Found in 'Horizons' magazine

Issue dated January 1977

Calgary firefighters receive Fidos.

Ramp Service Supervisor Ron Cunningham and Station Attendant Jim MacCullough put 143 Calgary employees through their paces in a local firefighting course.

The eight-hour exercise began with a morning classroom session utilizing slides and films to illustrate firefighting techniques followed by a tour of the ramp area. Students focused on fire control panels on the various aircraft auxiliary power units and fire control of mobile units.

The afternoon 'hands on' field training featured the use of 30-pound portable extinguishers and the 350-pound wheeled unit. All participants fought four types of fire - basic trench, gravity spill, obstacle and large area spill.

On completion of the final training session, the instructors were presented with model fire hydrants in appreciation of their efforts. Ron was awarded the Golden Fido Award while Jim received the Silver Fido hydrant.

Members of the final training course, seen during the presentation, are, from the left: Tony Sokoloski, Ramp Service Supervisor; Dave Mayer and Gary Dawson, Station Attendants;
Ron Cunningham, Ramp Service Supervisor; Bob Cyr, A/Commissary Agent; Jim MacCullough, Station Attendant; Weldon Stacey, Passenger Service Supervisor; Don Graham, Aircraft Services Manager; Arlie Olson, Customer Service Manager and Peter Jones, Station Attendant.

Issue dated October 1977

London wins system soccer.

London, England dethroned 1996 winners, Montreal, to capture top spot in the second annual system soccer championship, held in Montreal last September.

Among the crowd of some 200 spectators, President Claude Taylor agreed that London appeared to be an early favourite during the first-round play. With a hard won 2 - 0 victory over Vancouver, London drew a bye to the final.

Meanwhile, Montreal showed the same class play which led the team to last year's championship by defeating a much-improved Toronto team 1 - 0. Montreal advanced to the final against London by defeating Winnipeg 8 - 1, while Toronto continued in consolation play to trounce Winnipeg 7 - 0 and Vancouver 4 - 0.

The London - Montreal final saw the Montreal host team give up an early one goal lead to leave the first half tied at 1 - 1. London dominated play with five answered goals in the second half to defeat the exhausted Montrealers 6 - 1.

Bill Ramage, Director, Technical Training & Publications Maintenance, presented the system soccer trophy to Rick Snape, London team captain. The London players also received the Labatt's gold medal from Harvey Hutton, Superintendent, Power Plant.

Cliff Murray, Regional Cargo Manager, Vancouver, presented the Doug Russell runner-up shield to Jim Queen of the Montreal team while Hal Walker, Employee Services & Suggestions Manager, passed the consolation trophy to Jim Langdon of the Toronto squad.

Our photos shows the London team at the awards banquet with Harvey Sutton, Superintendent, Power Plant on the left.

Editors' note: Unfortunately no names were captioned for the photo.

Issue dated April 1991

Dexter Ching was an eighteen year veteran, in 1991, of Canadian Airlines in Honolulu.

He has worked on the Ramp, in Passenger Services and in Cargo. Dexter was also the Chairman of the Board of the Interline Club of Hawaii.

At that time the membership of 800 people represents all areas of our industry, including Flight Attendants, Maintenance, Reservations, Pilots, Passenger Services and Cargo.

CPA at Honolulu was a 24 hour operation with most of our flights being serviced at night and contract operations being handled at peak times during the day.

Shown here is Edward Grant, Cargo Agent, hard at work in the Honolulu sunshine.

Posted on the 'Un-Official' Air Canada Staff & Alumni Group by Evan Macleod.

Western Canada Airways' first office at Hudson. The man in the doorway is J.A. McDougall, Treasurer of Western Canada Airways (1926).

Canadian Airways Limited was a Canadian regional passenger and freight air service based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

It was founded by James Armstrong Richardson Sr. in 1926 as Western Canada Airways (WCA), was fully established in 1930 following WCA's acquisition of a number of smaller regional competitors.

At its peak, Canadian Airways had a total of 51 aircraft of various types that provided both regular scheduled service between settlements as well as charter service to bush locations.

In 1942, Canadian Airways was absorbed into the fledgling Canadian Pacific Airlines, following Richardson's death three years earlier.

Posted by Ernest Gutschik Aviation -

PLAY Airlines launched daily service from Reykjavik to Hamilton with their Airbus A320neo's.

Fly Play (styled as PLAY) is an Icelandic low-cost airline headquartered in the country's capital of Reykjavík. It operates a fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft with a hub at Keflavík International Airport.

In July 2019, two former WOW air executives, Arnar Már Magnússon and Sveinn Ingi Steinþórsson announced the formation of a new airline, tentatively named WAB air ("We Are Back"). In November 2019, WAB air rebranded as PLAY, and the hiring of operating staff was initiated. 

Reviewing PLAY Airlines Flight From Canada To Iceland

Posted by Narcity, this video is trip review by a couple of young ladies who flew on the inaugural flight from Hamilton International Airport in Canada to Reykjavik, Iceland.

Canadian Aviation Historical Society (CAHS) - Regina Chapter.

Excerpts from Saskatchewan Aviation Chronology 1930-39.

July 5, 1930 - Official opening of Moose Jaw’s airport, located on the site of what’s now the federal Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) compound in The Band City's west end. It was the site of a gala flying meet with everything from balloon-bursting to aerobatics, with around 16 aircraft appearing -- a remarkably large number for such a young industry.

September 15, 1930 - Official opening of the new Regina airport, timed to coincide with the arrival of the aircraft of the Ford Reliability Air Tour, an endurance test of aircraft flying a huge circuit around North America and gaining contest points, from a starting point at Detroit. This odd cavalcade (which included a Sikorsky S-38 flying boat, an early Cessna monoplane and several sleek Lockheed Vega high-wing monoplanes) arrived from Brandon in one of the 'black blizzards' sadly typical of the 1930's. Parked on the ground, these aircraft stretched for a half-mile.

February 1939 - Trans-Canada Air Lines began intensive training for the launch of its cross-country passenger flights. Among its stewardesses were two with Regina roots: former nurses Helen Kilby MacAdam Harding, daughter of former Anglican Archbishop M.M. Harding (she was born and attended school in Regina) and Lucille Garner, daughter of Colonel and Mrs. A.C. Garner, Regina. Garner was TCA’s chief stewardess, the first Canadian air hostess and in charge of training at Winnipeg. She passed away in 1999. 

to view the full article. 

NASA announced on Monday June 12, 2023, that the aircraft to be produced through its Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project will be the agency’s next X-Plane.

Designated the X-66A, the modified MD-90 will feature “long, thin wings with engines mounted underneath and a set of aerodynamic trusses for support.”

Designed to “inform a potential new generation of more sustainable single-aisle aircraft” the X-66A transonic truss-braced wing concept is expected to consume up to 30 percent less fuel and produce fewer emissions than current best-in-class aircraft. 

Source: AVWeb.com 

Les Ailes du Nord / Northern Wings

US subscriber Richard Kruszka inquired (NetLetter #1512) about a few little-known airlines that had once operated in Canada. He mentioned Pem Air, Northern Wings, International Jet Air and Wagner Aviation. Sounded like fun to see what we could find. 

For this issue, we will focus on the airline referred to as 'Northern Wings', which is the English translation for 'Les Ailes du Nord'.

This turned out to be quite a challenge as info on this airline is scarce and I could not nail down a definitive timeline or fleet list.

As per AirlineHistory.co.uk, it appears to have been formed sometime in 1946 and the Quebecair Wikipedia page lists it among airlines that were acquired during the 1960's. 

Numerous mergers and name changes were taking place during the formative years in aviation and service to the north so it is difficult to say who was the actual owner of the small airline. 

Also, perhaps unsurprisingly, I did find a Facebook  group (click the image below) dedicated to Les Ailes du Nord. 

See also timetableimages.com for photos of timetables and schedules.

Does anyone have any additional info or personal memories to share?

Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.

During a recent trip from Vancouver (YVR) to Ottawa (YOW) I managed to get into Premium Economy and this was the meal provided. Although the breakfast was adequate, the omelet was probably made with a bantam egg!

Vancouver Interline Club - February 28, 1961. 

A formation meeting of the Vancouver Interline Club was held at the Newsmen's Club on February 28, 1967, with 12 airlines represented.

Present were Norman Gloag, United Airlines; Irene Kunc, Pacific Western Airlines; Rob Meijer, Sabena; Ron Groves, Scandinavian Airlines; Tania May, Air India; Doug McGregor, Air France; Gord Ashmore, Qantas Airways; Evelyn Dunning, Canadian Pacific; Dan Shaw, BOAC; V. Patterson, Japan Airlines; Ken Richardson, Alitalia and Alma Kelly (airline association not indicated).

Norm Gloag was chairman of the meeting and in this capacity, he outlined the purpose of the meeting.

The first step was to elect a slate of officers with the following results:

• Evelyn Dunning as President.
• Ron Groves as Vice-President.
• Alma Kelly as Secretary.
• V. Patterson as Treasurer.

The Vancouver Interline Club remains active to this day.

Source: VancouverInterlineClub.ca

Past President of the Vancouver Interline Club, Nigel Cole, advises that he and other members of the Club recently enjoyed a sponsored afternoon tea courtesy of Perx Interline Vacations.

On May 5, 2023 the Club undertook a return cruise to Alaska on the Crown Princess. To mark the occasion each member on the cruise received a complimentary travel bag courtesy of Vancouver Interline Club. All in all, Nigel says, it was an excellent event for our members who participated in this group cruising experience.

Pacific Coastal Airlines announce the introduction of two new routes at the Nanaimo Airport, further enhancing its commitment to connecting communities and providing convenient travel options for passengers.

Starting Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Pacific Coastal Airlines will operate daily non-stop flights on the Nanaimo (YCD) – Vancouver (YVR) South Terminal and Nanaimo (YCD) – Kelowna (YLW) routes, utilizing the 19-passenger pressurized turboprop Beechcraft 1900 aircraft.

This aircraft offers passengers comfortable seating, a spacious 6-foot cabin height, and ample cargo capacity, ensuring a pleasant and convenient travel experience. 

Source YCD.ca

Ambient 1: Music for Airports is the sixth studio album by the English musician Brian Eno, released in 1978 by Polydor Records. It is the first of Eno's albums released under the label of ambient music, a genre of music intended to "induce calm and a space to think" while remaining "as ignorable as it is interesting".

While not Eno's earliest entry in the style, it is credited with coining the term. The album consists of four compositions created by layering tape loops of differing lengths, and was designed to be continuously looped as a sound installation, with the intent of defusing the tense, anxious atmosphere of an airport terminal.

Eno defined his approach in opposition to "canned" Muzak and easy listening practices. The album was the first of four albums released in Eno's Ambient series, which concluded with 1981's Ambient 4: On Land.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine credited the album with defining the ambient genre. In 2016, Pitchfork ranked it the greatest ambient album of all time.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambient_1

News from the Paris Air Show.

De Havilland Canada launches the DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G.

On June 19, 2023, at the Paris International Air Show, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (De Havilland Canada) announced the launch of the DHC-6 Twin Otter® Classic 300-G™ with combined purchase agreements and letters of intent totaling 45 aircraft.

“For over 50 years, the DHC-6 Twin Otter has stood alone as the most reliable and versatile aircraft in its class,” said Brian Chafe, CEO of De Havilland Canada. “After extensive consultation with our customers, we are poised and proud to take this iconic aircraft to new heights with the new DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G.”

Source: dehavilland.com/en/news/

Airbus Lands Record A320 Order

India-based airline IndiGo signed a firm order for 500 A320 family aircraft on Monday at the 2023 Paris Air Show.

According to Airbus, the deal represents the largest single purchase agreement in the history of commercial aviation. In addition, the agreement brings the total number of aircraft IndiGo has on order from Airbus to 1,330.

Source: www.AVWeb.com

Posted on the 'Un-Official' Air Canada staff & Alumni page

Linda Rose posted this on May 24, 2023.