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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

The NetLetter #1179

The NetLetter
 For Air Canada Retirees

 (part of the ACFamily Network)

 

September 10, 2011 - Issue 1179
 
First Issue published in October 1995!
(over 5,400 subscribers)
In This Issue
CAHS Upcoming Events
Pionair Meetings and Events
ACRA Upcoming Events
Women in Aviation
Our first 70 years
Star Alliance News
Reader Submitted...Photos
TCA/Air Canada People Gallery
Alan's Space
Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc
Reader's Feedback
Odds & Ends
Terry's Trivia
Smileys
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Greetings!
Terry Baker

We welcome you to allow the NetLetter to be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC, Wardair. etal. and share your experiences with us!

The NetLetter is an email newsletter published every weekend and contains a mixture of nostalgia, current news and travel tips. We encourage our readers to submit their stories, photos and/or comments from either days gone by or from present day experiences and trips. If we think that the rest of our readers will enjoy it, we will publish it here

We also This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in regard to anything we post here. Many readers have commented with additional information, names and personal memories from the photos and articles presented here.

The NetLetter, which is free, is open to anyone that wishes to subscribe but is targeted to retired employees from Air Canada, Canadian Airlines and all the other companies that were part of what Air Canada is today. Thanks for joining us!

Terry & your NetLetter Team
CAHS Upcoming Events - Compiled by Alan Rust
 
CAHSThe CAHS (Canadian Aviation Historical Society) has started their regular meetings again now that September is here. Meetings are now posted on their web site.

If you are at all interested in Canadian aviation history, then we encourage you to attend a meeting or visit their web site at: www.cahs.ca

Pionair Meetings and Events - Compiled by Alan Rust

Pionairs LogoThe Air Canada Pionairs have ongoing Coffee Club Meetings in the following Districts; Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Okanagan, Edmonton, Calgary, Man-Sask, SW Ontario, Central Ontario, Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia - P.E.I., Newfoundland, UK - E.C. and the USA - Caribbean. For full information, click here.

Meetings provide an opportunity to meet old friends, learn the latest news regarding Air Canada and your  pensions or hear a variety of guest speakers speaking on topics of interest to retirees.

ACRA Upcoming Events- Compiled by Alan Rust
ACRA  LogoRetirees Welcome!

The following events are available for retirees through ACRA, the Air Canada Recreation Association.

ACRA Badminton 2011 - Montreal 

Where: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
When: Thursday, September 29 to Saturday, October 1, 2011 

For more inforation visit: www.acrabadminton.org.uk 

 

Retirees Welcome!

AGM 2011 VancouverAre you aware of an ACRA Event that is open to retirees? Please use the online form by following this link to submit your ACRA Event. (ACRA Events only please)

Women in Aviation - Compiled by Terry Baker
Elizabeth Muir is doing research on
Pat Eccleston
, one of the first stewardesses in Canada for a children's book on women and flight in Canada. She is looking for the following: birth and death dates, married name, and any other information about her. She also writes: "I understand that Barbara Ann Scott, the Canadian figure skater, was also a licensed pilot. I would appreciate any information about her as a pilot." You can contact her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 416-469-5097
(source CAHS newsletter Aug 2011)
Our first 70 years - Compiled by Terry Baker
Trans-Canada  Air Lines/Air Canada

 

  • 1956 - October - Fly Now - Pay Later plan introduced. Sudbury Travel Agent Sales Office sold first plan.
  • 1974 - Econair Canada Holidays Ltd renamed Venturex Ltd.
Star Alliance News - Compiled by Terry Baker
 
Star AllianceThe first FareFinder app has been launched; iPhone app to access member carrier fares. Following the recent successful launch of its Navigator iPhone app, the Star Alliance network has now become the first airline alliance to introduce an easy and simple to use fare finder mobile application.
 
Reader Submitted Photos - Compiled by Terry Baker
Readers PhotosReader Submitted Photos - The photos and information below was sent to us by our faithful readers. If you would like to send us some old photos you have lying around. we will consider them for publication in a future NetLetter. We prefer good quality airline related photos, with descriptive text included with the submission.

durban Planning on a visit to South Africa? Alan Evans, who lives in Durban, sent us this weather update - 

Yes I know you guys have seen it all before, but this is South Africa and only 60-80 kilometers from my home in tropical Durban.


We have had the most incredible cold (9c) few days with thousands of trucks incapable of getting through, jackknifing and motorists spending night and days stuck on mountain passes and desert freeways. The harbours are feeling the effects as trucks are not getting through to supply ships now waiting with heavy penalties. The military is attempting to rescue drivers and bull dozers are being dispatched to tow and dig out the truckers in so getting the blocked freeways clear. More coming they say.?. The ocean weather is very rough with swell and waves meeting 5-6 meters. A cargo ship has been washed ashore on one of the beautiful Durban North beaches.

durban-2

fredclipper Kevin Carey has sent us this information -
Fred Clipper (in the middle) who is/was the first member of the Pionairs recently (July 2011) celebrated his 100th birthday at his home in Bermuda.


Fred must like the life style in Bermuda. He still takes no medicine but has admitted he takes a baby aspirin everyday but only because his doctor insisted. Fred worked for TCA in Bermuda and has been collecting his pension for the past 36 years.


In the picture are Thomas and Jannet Tricarico (Jannet is the Past President of the Pionairs as of September 1, 2011) Fred Clipper, Duncan Dee (Air Canada's COO) and Kevin Carey (Director, Pionairs USA, Caribbean and Latin America) who all went to Bermuda to help honor and celebrate Fred's historic day.


Regards, Kevin Carey Director, Pionairs USA

TCA/Air Canada People Gallery - Compiled by Terry Baker
 
TCA/Air Canada  LogoMusings from the "Between Ourselves" and "Horizons" magazine, an Air Canada publication from years gone by, and various in-house magazines.
Issue dated - October 15th 1956
Extracts from the "Between Ourselves" magazine -
propshop PROP SHOP: Winnipeg. So far, propellers are still the only way our Company aircraft have of pulling them through the air. In photo Andy Gervais, left, and Harold Praznik are seen assembling a Viscount propeller unit.
presentation A GROUP PIN PRESENTATION to Calgary flight personnel took place recently. Check Pilot Dave Moir is shown making the awards to, left, Capt. G. Stuart, Capt. G. Rubenok, Capt. J. Dutchak, Capt. B. Raymond. F/O G. White,  Capt. P. White, F/O L. Herman, F/O P. Rogers, F/O H. Deighton and Capt. J. Chambers.
madeleine Madeleine Marquet was the first French employee at the Paris office to receive a five year pin. This photo has A.J.Gauthier making the presentation at the Scribe Hotel Paris.

Issue dated - November 15th 1956
masspin ANOTHER MASS pin presentation took place recently when eight members of the Vancouver station stall received their service awards from Station Manager E. P. Wells. They are shown, from the left, top row: A. B. Austin (10 A years), S. J. Somerset (10 yew's), R. J. Morse (10 years) and H. L. Davey (5 years). Bottom row: E. A. Allardice (10 years), E. P. Wells, J. F. Woods (10 years) and E. L. Pisko (10 years). Missing from the picture is P. E. White.

Issue dated - March 1974
Found in the "Horizons" magazine -
murraylaw When Murray Law Manager Bahamas retired after 34 years company service the  Nassau staff would not let him withuntil they could present him with a gift  Shown during the presentation ceremony are, from the left: Anthony Delaney; Queenie Mingo; Alvira Thornpson; Donna Sherman; Jennifer Cates; Jacqueline Duncombe; Murray; Fairie Kraft; Daphne Adderley; Don Aranha and Louis fames lsaacs, Jr.

Issue dated - April 1st 1974
From the "Horizons" magazine -

Two scheduled flights were marked for special treatment April 1 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Company's inauguration of transcontinental service in Canada.  

On flight 105 westbound and flight 136 eastbound, regular passengers as well as special guests were served special birthday cake, and issued flight certificates to record the occasion.


Among the special guests on the eastbound anniversary flight were Captain Bill Barnes (retired) who was the First Officer aboard the original flight; and Tom Kirkham, Manager, General Services, Calgary, who was the first full time passenger agent in Vancouver, and handled the inaugural flight.


On the westbound flight were former Company Captain George Lothian and his wife, a former Stewardess; Mrs. Donovan, formerly Miss A. Brunelle, a Stewardess on one of the first legs of the early flight; and Mrs. M. Turnbull, formerly Margaret Wilson, who was a Stewardess on the Winnipeg-Vancouver leg of the first flight.


In 1939, two twin-engine 10-passenger Lockheed 14H2 aircraft took off from Montreal and Vancouver to inaugurate the Company's once-daily transcontinental service. Even before the service began however, the late C. Howe, then federal minister of transport, expressed doubt whether one schedule would be sufficient to cope with the heavy passenger traffic expected.


The 2,500-mile journey between the two cities took about 16 flying hours, and stops were made at Lethbridge, Regina. Winnipeg, Kapuskasing, North Bay, and Ottawa, with connections at North Bay for Toronto.


Both of the inaugural flights of April 1, 1939 were dogged by bad weather. Flight Two from Vancouver terminated in Ottawa due to snow conditions and passengers continued their journey to Montreal by train, while - Flight One from the east was delayed 34 hours at Lethbridge by icing conditions over the Rockies.


While disappointing to the crews, the delays were accepted casually by the passengers, who praised the captains for "their good judgement", according to news paper reports of the day.


Pilots on the little Lockheeds would head westbound out of Vancouver over the Gulf of Georgia while gaining altitude before turning eastward to cross the Great Divide, or "The Rocks" as they called it. Westbound flights out of Lethbridge would turn to the east to ride the flow of air which cascaded down the eastern slopes of the mountains and bounced off the prairie floor, giving lift and precious altitude to the planes for the mountain crossing.


Maximum altitude of the Lockheeds was 17,000 feet and the passengers and crew wore oxygen masks. Box lunches were served by the stewardess who worked alone in the tiny cabin.

Alan's Space - by Alan Rust
Alan's Space
Alan Rust
Remembering 9/11
Many of our readers were working on September 11, 2001 and I was as well. Ten years ago already. It doesn't seem that long ago. I retired in October 2002 and remember that day very well.

September 11, 2001 will always be remembered by our generation and we will have that day imbedded in our memories just as we remember JFK's assassination, Landing on the Moon, John Lennon's murder, Lady Diana's accident, etc. Most of us remember those days and where we were at the time. In 50 years most of us reading this will be gone, but what will the next generation remember?

Below are two links from two images, the first is a link to a slideshow with photos of the Twin Towers from the day they were built to that tragic day in September 2001. The second link is to a video about the World Trade Center Memorial. After clicking on the link be sure to click the "expand" button in the bottom right corner to go full screen for better viewing.
Remembering 911

 

The second image below is linked to a video about the 9/11
World Trade Center Memorial
(submitted by Dan Wilson)
911 Remembered

9/11 Remembered

Canadi>n/CP Air/PWA, Wardair, etc. People & Events
- Compiled by Terry Baker
CAIL TailsNews and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and it's "ancestry" of contributing airlines.
Issue dated - November/December 1970
Found in the "PWA Keeping Posted" magazine -
cv640mtce CV640 Maintenance course. Left to right: Bob Mok, Jin Walters, George Clifton, Terry Watson, Jim Whelan, 'Jose' Marthensen and Ted Semple. Instructor Dick Day in rear.  
reservations Reservations Graduates, November 6, 1970. Left to right Jenny Tarnas, Wendy Harvey, R. Ray, Mathew Forber, Sharon Foulis, Yvonne McMillan, Brian Green, Gail Robertson, J. McKenzie, Pat Kellert and Wendy Wardle. Instructor K. J. Pearson in rear.
cv640pilots CV640 Pilots re-qualifying course. Left to right: Captains J. Parker, Bill Campbell and Instructor J. R. Burns.

fortmcmurray Two views of the terminal building at Fort McMurray in 1970. Memories anyone?
fortmcmurray-1
Reader's Feedback - Compiled by Terry Baker
Reader's Feedback
Every week we ask our readers for their stories or  feedback on what they have read here in previous issues. Below is the feedback we have received recently.

Karen Fulcher sends this comment after viewing the article in Alan's Space NetLetter nr 1177 - loved the photo journal of the aircraft and models - one can't help wonder however, how cute those tattoos will be when the models reach retirement!!!

secretary In NetLetter nr 1177 under Readers submitted photos, we had this unidentified photo.

 
This prompted Doris Perry to sends this information - The  secretary (we were called clerk-stenos back then) is Joan Nunn (nee MacLaren). We worked in the Operations Department and were friends. We lost contact with the passing of time.  She was a lovely, gracious person but, unfortunately, passed away, either this spring or last year (my memory is not what it was!!).

 

Doris (nee Perry) 

Odds & Ends - Compiled by Terry Baker
 
Odds & EndsSometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Sharon Stout writes-

I'm an AC retiree and my husband, Ian Stout, writes novels. His first one, "Necessary Larceny", came out in 2007 and is still available at many Chapters stores and at most libraries across Canada. You can check his website out at www.writerstout.com


Missing in ParadiseIan's new book "Missing in Paradise, will be launched on Sept 26, 2011. The launch party is at the Quality Inn on Bronte Road south of the QEW. (about a hundred yards south). The restaurant and banquet services there are operated by Mike Paralovos who, would you believe, is married to Ann Paralovos, an AC agent at YYZ. (we try to keep these things in the family)


The party starts at 7:30 p.m. and goes until Mike kicks us out. No entry fee, free wine and nibbles and a couple witty speeches. (at least we hope they're witty)


All are welcome and if it's anything like the book launch of Ian's first novel, it should be a lot of fun. We know a large contingent of Toronto AC staff will be there. (as they were at the first launch) and we would like to invite any who missed the first launch to come along for this one.


Thanks, Sharon Stout, YYZ. 


And from the UK Pionairs monthly newsletter comes this article -
Vic Grant contacted us to advise that he could be our oldest retiree at 94 years of age. He says he enjoys our newsletter and had over 30 years' service with Air Canada.  After Air Canada he ran a company called Standard Aero which was a Canadian Aviation company in Ashford Kent.  He retired in l980 to Evesham, and then travelled back and forth to Winnipeg every year. His wife, Sheila, passed away in 2008 after 66 years of happy marriage. Thanks for that, Vic 


One of the biggest spoils of war taken by the rebels in Libya was opened up to the media on the weekend. Muammar Gaddafi's private A340 has been turned into a kind of ridiculous retreat for rebel leaders, although the irony of their latest occupation doesn't appear to be lost on them. Clad in fatigues but perched delicately on overstuffed leather furniture, the rebels gave media a glimpse into Gaddafi's sense of personal style. The aircraft cost $74 million in 2003.
Check the web site www.telegraph.co.uk.

 

 

BBC News: Gaddafi's Luxurious Airbus 340.
BBC News: Gaddafi's Luxurious Airbus 340.
Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips - by Terry Baker
Terry Baker
Terry Baker

Checked baggage policy update. Consistent with the baggage polices of other major carriers, Air Canada is revising its checked baggage policy for tickets issued on/after September 7, 2011, for travel on/after October 11, 2011 for customers with an Economy Class ticket as follows: For travel between Canada and the United States, a first bag fee of $ 25CAD/USD applies;  For travel between Canada/USA and Africa, the Middle East and Russia/ Asia and Australia/ South America a second bag fee of $70 CAD/USD applies.

The second baggage fees already in place for Economy Class travel to/from the Canada, USA, the Caribbean, Europe and India will remain unchanged; aircanada.com has full details.


There are no changes to the employee baggage allowance policy, posted on the Portal's Employee Travel site under News and Policies > Baggage. (Source Daily)


viscount-hannover For the Vickers Viscount affectionado -
Viscount 814 D-ANAB retired from Lufthansa is now as "Flugzueg Cafe" restauraunt in Mercedesstrasse1, Hannover-Ricklingen, Germany.


Smileys - Compiled by Terry Baker
Smileys
As we surf the internet and back issues of airline magazines we regularly find airline related jokes and cartoons. Below is our latest discovery.
 
mathiascartoon Yet another cartoon by Dave Mathias from the "Horizons" magazine issued January 1974.
 
(Reminds us of the Aussie comedian who had the same problem - eds)



Disclaimer: Please note, that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network  necessarily endorse any of the airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the NetLetter, see you next week!
 
Sincerely,

Your NetLetter Team
 
First published in October, 1995
  • Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
  • Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
  • Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario
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