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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 783 Aug 18th., 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
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. News from the districts.
. News from the Districts.
In the U.K. Pionairs recent monthly newsletter is an article which stated -
........10 years ago we announced the first North American trip which
was to Niagara Falls 'Festival of Lights' .......
This prompts the following comment from your co-pilot -
These North American trips are an annual affair arranged by a small team
led by Jack Morath and his wife Aureen. Many hours of research and on the
spot investigations take place before the final arrangements are made for a
busy and interesting two day visit.
Some of the cities which have endured their presence, have been Ottawa,
Quebec City, Niagara, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Boston, Pigeon Forge,
Halifax. The group is usually about 50, which includes several Canadian
based Pionairs who act as interpreters!. Travel to the various events is by
a rented school bus, which keeps everyone together, and provides an
atmosphere which far surpasses that of the school children normally
carried! Although each trip is only planned for 2 days, many arrive early
and/or stay on to extend their visit.
This year the North American trip is to Washington D.C. on Sept 24/25th -
I shall be there to renew old aquaintances.
Although these N. A. events have been during the last 10 years, their roots
go back to the early sixties when Jack and myself arranged for some sort of
diversion for us office workers at London Heathrow Airport. These were
arranged for an evening and some were pitch-n-putt, horseback riding, 10
pin bowling or BBQ. The highlight being an evening spent on a boat,
floating down the Thames, complete with a live band, dancing and gallons of
booze. - called the 'Riverboat shuffle'.
During the repair of the DC-8 fin 813 involved in the 'Cabbage Patch'
incident, a group of Boeing engineers were seconded to carry out the
repairs. We arranged for some diversionary events such as 10 pin bowling,
softball, cricket, darts pub nite and soccer games with them.
Jack and his team have regularly organised local trips during these past
years - theatre evenings, a factory tour, a coach to watch the London to
Brighton car rally, trips to the Continent to visit the supermarkets,
another to the WWII battle fields and, recently a visit to the London Eye.
The U.K. Pionairs has to be the most active district, and the Pionairs are
kept up to date by their monthly newsletter.
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. Comment from Ted Tierney.
Captain Norberg's "Hangar Queen" in Netletter 272 relating to the Vanguard
belly landing resulted in that particular aircraft to serve sometimes as a
convenient and immediate local source of replacement parts to service the
rest of the TCA Vanguard fleet.... However perhaps it could be mentioned...
that whoever it was that rightfully dubbed the plane as the Dorval "Hangar
Queen" was (and hopefully is) quite a wit. For how sad to think that
his/her thoughtful motives be lost on anyone.
For as maintenance procedure required that any aircraft part on removal be
pinpointed by a prominent tie-on yellow tag as highly noticeable. Needless
to say, with this longstay airplane although deep in the hangar eventually
became an idle mass of a motionless yet vibrating, fluttering and rustling
yellow. Like a Queen Bee, as it's so many active companions buzzily droned
around in a hive of buzzinesslike activity.
and a memory from Ted -
Howard Hughes would have held his head in his hands in despair if he were
to witness one of his beloved Connies reduced to the following task.
One day while assisting in the deicing, (more like light snow removal) from
a Viscount being urgently readied for dispatch to the Apron. A Connie
taxiing passing by, stops directly in front of this same Viscount. Turning
tail-on.
A touch on the throttles.........and hey presto......... all
gone......clean as a whistle......all snow blown immediately from all the
gulleys and seals saving 1/2 an hours work.......just like that.......as
Tommy Cooper used to say.
Anyway apart from that... was reading through the Netletter and came across
the entry about the Vickers Vanguard with the Skydrol hydraulic fluid
causing seal failures and leakages. Well while only a little snippet it
happened in those far off days that myself and another (English) crewmate
Reg Yates got a drip of Skydrol in our eyes.
Fairly irritant, so we just had to pay a visit across the road to the
medical centre. The nurse applying eyewash using an eye cup in the usual
manner with Reg receiving attention first. Then without warning the loudest
and most definitely English rendition of "drink to me only wi-ith thine
eye-eyes and I-I will pledge with mine" rang through the room. Despite the
pain in my eye couldn't help but burst out laughing hardly needing the
eyewash after that. Ted Tierney.
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. Found on the internet by Vesta -
FORGET SYNTHETIC VISION -- FLY BLIND BY FEEL
A system intended to enable pilots to fly accurately even when blindfolded
is being tested this month at Canada's Institute for Aerospace Research
(IAR) in Toronto. The system, developed by U.S. Navy Capt. Angus Rupert,
uses stimulators embedded in a pilot's vest to produce tiny vibrations that
move around the torso in the same direction that the aircraft is moving. The
inputs are said to be easy to interpret and help pilots sense their position
in the absence of visual cues. Initial tests suggest the tactile system
reduces both pilot workload and spatial disorientation when flying in
degraded visual conditions.
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. Not all bad news!.
Margaret Cantwell shares this information -
We are getting so much bad publicity right now from people ! Two friends
of mine arrived from England via Air Canada to Vancouver then on Victoria
flight on Aug. 16th/03 . I asked them how it was and they said everything
was excellent. !! Food, service and the flight. Absolutely no complaints.
They said even Vancouver airport was much better than last trip in 01 They
return to Brtian next week. They have been over numerous times as Mr.
Oakley's Mum and Dad live in Victoria. I was delighted to hear it was all
so good with our Company. Cheers, Margaret C.
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. Walter W. Jacyk took a trip to Kyoto, Japan, the trip, which started on
Sept. 30, 2001, ending on Oct. 9, 2001, was the most memorable we had ever
undertaken...
We thought, perhaps, it would guide anyone contemplating a trip to Kyoto.
To quote Frommer's Travel Guide: "If you go to only one place in all of
Japan, Kyoto should be it. Not only is it the most historically
significant town in the nation, this former capital was also the only major
city spared from the bombs of World War II." That was good enough for us.
So the adventure began.
We boarded Flight AC3035 out of Toronto to Osaka, with an 80 minute stop
in Vancouver.
The flight was very pleasant, and the service was excellent. Time went by
very quickly, and we soon touched down at Kansai Airport. Travelling light
has its advantages. In no time at all we were outside the terminal, purchasing
tickets from a dispensing machine for the Air Port Limousine bus to Kyoto.
As it turned out, our transportation was right there, as if waiting just
for us, ten paces away.
The trip took 1hour 40min., and the fare 2300 Yen per person (Can $31.50,
about $13.50 Can.\Y1000 ). We were dropped off at Hotel Keihan, and checked
in at the El Inn Kyoto Hotel, adjacent to our drop off location.
We were very pleased with this Western style Hotel, and stayed there for the
duration, nine days. The rate for a twin room was 12000 Yen (Can. $164),
Tax incl.. Visa cards were accepted. The room was spacious and air
conditioned. Two very comfortable beds and nicely folded white kimonos on
each bed,
which were replaced every day, along with the sheets. The room also
contained a Telephone, TV, hair dryer, tea making facilities, with Japanese
green tea bags supplied. Two sets of trouser presses were located near the
elevator, and could be brought into the room when required.
The bathroom was small but spotless, with a bathtub and shower. It was
comforting to see a sticker above the sink:"Water safe to drink." The water
was not only safe to drink, but it was very soft and tasty, with a lot of
flow behind it.
In fact, when filling the tub, one had to watch over it, as it would fill
very quickly. It was a treat to have a bath or a shower. The water was like
nothing we have ever experienced in the past. The Hotel Restaurant provided
a great breakfast buffet from 0700, for 780 Yen pp, Tax incl. There is a 5%
Tax on most
purchases.
Across the way from the Hotel stood the magnificent Kyoto Station, looking
deceptively unimpressive from the south side. Just short of 1/2Km long, 10
storeys high. It is strikingly modern and high tech. A beehive of activity,
with subways and trains coming and going. Countless little Restaurants,
Café's and
stores on the lower and ground levels. A Hotel on the second level, the huge
Isetan Department store, which goes all the way to the tenth floor. The
products sold there were expensive, but of the highest quality One could
spend more than a day exploring this uniquely designed structure, and get
lost more than once. The City Tourist Information Office, located on the
second floor of the Station, on the north
side, known as Karasuma exit, was very helpful. They provided us with all
the necessary maps and advice.
Local transportation was excellent, and for 220Yen one can travel the length
of the route. If more than two round trips per day are anticipated, it
would be advisable to obtain a day pass from the City Tourist Information
Office. The cost: 500 Yen, allowing one to hop on and off the bus at any
time. We found
this mode of transportation more than adequate. The day pass for the bus and
subway service costs Y1000. The main Bus Station is on the north side of
Kyoto Station. Prior to exiting the bus, the coins are dropped into the
slot machine, which displays the amount deposited. If you find yourself
with bills only, a change machine is provided at the front of the bus,
which should be accessed at the earliest convenience, so as not to impede
the flow. When choosing the subway, one has to take care not to end up on a
train heading out of town, since the ticket dispensing machines for the
subway and trains are located side by side, and the absence of English
information makes the task quite demanding.
Another Tourist Information Centre is located across from Kyoto Station's
Karasuma exit, in the Kyoto Tower Building. Detailed map of
the City and colourful sightseeing brochure listing Kyoto's most impressive
sites can be picked up there. Trip bookings can also be made at that location.
We found the people very polite and well dressed. Shabby attire was non
existent. There is a great deal of bowing going on, whether it's coming or
going, and it is done in a very dignified manner. One catches on rather
quickly to this rather nice custom. The school children were very well
behaved. On one occasion,
as we were passing a school, we observed numerous students with their
teacher, all wielding sweeping brushes, including the teacher, and doing a
superb job of cleaning the sidewalk outside the school perimeter. It
suggested to us that those children were learning a valuable lesson.
The city has a population of 1.5 million. It has many impressive Temples,
Shrines and Palaces. Some have an admission fee, others are free. Museums
and Art Centres were well worth the visit. It was educational to say the
least. From time to time we would see the ladies in their beautiful kimonos,
gracefully going about their business. We also visited the Geisha district
in the evening, with its narrow streets. Every step in that city was a
discovery. The longer we stayed, the more comfortable we felt. Personal
safety was not an issue.
Toward the end of our vacation, we took a day trip to Nara, since it's even
older than Kyoto, and was also the Capital of Japan at one time, for a
short while. We enjoyed it very much. However, we found Kyoto unbeatable.
For anyone considering a trip to Japan, which I highly recommend, it is
important that
they obtain a good travel booklet and develop a plan before setting off. It
is also wise to carry some cash on hand, as some establishments do not
accept credit cards.
On your return trip, at Kansai Airport, be sure to obtain the Departure
Tax ticket from the dispensing machine for Y2650, prior to entering the
Security Check area. After that relax and let the Airline be your Tour
Guide home.
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. Terry's travel tips.
Dargal Interline is offering two sailings at unbeatable, rock bottom rates
aboard the Carnival Glory, the newest and largest ship to sail from Port
Canaveral.
The Carnival Glory offers all kinds of new benefits: more deck space, more
clubs, lounges and shops, a new family entertainment area with a teen club
and video game room plus a reservations-only supper club for those
leisurely, romantic dinners.
Plus you can book up to 3 additional cabins for your Family and Friends at
an Interline Plus rate.....Share the Fun and Excitement with them!
August 23 ~ Carnival Glory ~ 7 nights ~ Eastern Caribbean
Port Canaveral, Bahamas Private Island, "Fun Day at Sea", St. Thomas/St.
John, St. Maarten, 2 "Fun Days at Sea", Port Canaveral
Inside $299, Oceanview $499, Balcony $549
and for your Family & Friends
Inside $339, Oceanview $539, Balcony $589
August 30 ~ Carnival Glory ~ 7 nights ~ Western Caribbean
Port Canaveral, Key West, "Fun Day at Sea", Belize City, Cozumel,
Progreso/Merida, "Fun Day at Sea", Port Canaveral
Inside $399, Oceanview $499, Balcony $599
and for your Family & Friends
Inside $439, Oceanview $539, Balcony $639
==================================================================
Cruise Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars per person (based on double
occupancy). PORT CHARGES ARE INCLUDED. Government taxes/fees 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
Check out Air Canada Vacations’ sunny deals every Wednesday and Friday. If
you feel the need to take a break and want to see what kind of specials Air
Canada Vacations® has to offer, check out its site on Wednesdays and
Fridays. Available for Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and Air Canada Vacations
employees and retirees. Call (514) 876-0760 or toll free at 1-877-752-5510
for details. Then, grab your towel and lotion and you’re done!
LABOUR DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL
$98.00 CAD PER UNIT!!
MONTREAL TO TORONTO
Available Anytime for FOUR nights,
between 28 August and 8 September
OR
28 August and 22 SEPTEMBER, 2003
Price Includes: 800 KMS Preparation Fee: Airport Transfer and vehicle
preparation (first supply of propane and toilet chemicals) Additional
Driver Convenience Kit: dishes, cookware, pillows, linen, towels, sleeping
bags, and cleaning equipment. Additional Driver V.I.P. Loss Damage Waiver
(Insurance) Extra nights $50.00 per night plus taxes. FULL PAYMENT DUE UPON
BOOKING - NON REFUNDABLE Not Included Fuel, Taxes, Camping Fees, and extra
kms. Please Note: All Bookings are based on Availability and All One Ways
are on a request basis.
LABOUR DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL
$198.00 CAD PER UNIT!!
CALGARY TO VANCOUVER ONE WAY
Available Anytime for FOUR nights,
between 28 August and 17 September
LIMITED UNITS AVAILABLE
Price Includes: 1200 KMS Preparation Fee: Airport Transfer and vehicle
preparation (first supply of propane and toilet chemicals) Additional
Driver Convenience Kit: dishes, cookware, pillows, linen, towels, sleeping
bags, and cleaning equipment. Additional Driver V.I.P. Loss Damage Waiver
(Insurance) Extra nights $50.00 per night plus taxes. FULL PAYMENT DUE UPON
BOOKING - NON REFUNDABLE Not Included Fuel, Taxes, Camping Fees, and extra
kms. Please Note: All Bookings are based on Availability and All One Ways
are on a request basis.
CANADREAM CAMPERS FALL SPECIAL!
$98.00 CAD PER UNIT!!
CALGARY TO TORONTO ONE WAY - 10 NIGHTS
27 September - 30 October, 2003
PACKAGE INCLUDES:
· 10 nights to leisurely discover our Canadian provinces from Alberta to
Ontario.
· 4000 KMS
· Convenience Kit: dishes, cookware, pillows, linen, towels, sleeping bags,
and cleaning equipment.
· Preparation Fee: Airport Transfer and vehicle preparation (first supply
of propane and toilet chemicals)
· Additional Driver
· V.I.P. Loss Damage Waiver (Insurance).
· Extra nights $50.00 per night plus taxes.
FULL PAYMENT DUE UPON BOOKING - NON REFUNDABLE
Not Included Fuel, Taxes, Camping Fees, and extra kms. Please Note: All
Bookings are based on Availability and All One Ways are on a request basis.
Canadream Campers Fall Special
$98.00 CAD per unit
TORONTO OR MONTREAL TO CALGARY
16 October - 30 October, 2003
· 10 nights to leisurely discover our Canadian provinces from Alberta to
Ontario.
· 4000 KMS
· Convenience Kit: dishes, cookware, pillows, linen, towels, sleeping bags,
and cleaning equipment.
· Preparation Fee: Airport Transfer and vehicle preparation (first supply
of propane and toilet chemicals)
· Additional Driver
· V.I.P. Loss Damage Waiver (Insurance).
· Extra nights $50.00 per night plus taxes.
FULL PAYMENT DUE UPON BOOKING - NON REFUNDABLE
Not Included Fuel, Taxes, Camping Fees, and extra kms. Please Note: All
Bookings are based on Availability and All One Ways are on a request basis.
http://www.startrips.tv
GO TO Hot Summer Motorhome Deals
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. Smilie.
Sent to us by B McCormack
A pilot is flying three people in a private plane - a Tibetan lama, and Bill
Gates (the smartest man in the world), and a hippie. Suddenly the pilot
announces to his three passengers: "I have bad news for you. The plane is
going to crash. We have to bail out now. Unfortunately, we have only three
parachutes. And since I am a terrific pilot, and I don't see any reason why
I should die, I am taking one of them. Good luck!" And with that, he jumped
out of the plane. Bill Gates said: "Since I am the smartest man in the
world, and very valuable to civilization, I am also going to take a
parachute and save myself." And with that, he leapt out of the plane. The
lama said to the hippie: "I have already lived a long and fruitful life and
have no need to live longer. Therefore, you may take the remaining
parachute." "Relax, mannnn," said the hippie, putting the parachute on to
the lama's back. "The smartest man in the world just jumped out with my
backpack."
Regards
Geoff
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Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:
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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