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Vesta's Corner
 Why not allow the NetLetter be your platform, and opportunity, to relive your history while working for either TCA, AC, CPAir, CAIL, PWA, AirBC etal. and share your experiences with us! |
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Air Canada - our first 70 years
A journey that began in 1937, ended on October 15th, 1968 when the Company's first aircraft, CF-TCA , made its last flight. The aircraft was donated to the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa.  We have this photo of the delivery crew from "Horizons" issued November 1968. 1968 Ten L-1011's ordered worth us $175 million.The first six due in 1972. The company agreed to provide financial, operational and management services to create Air Jamaica (1968) Ltd. to commence flying on April 1st 1969.
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TCA/AC People Gallery
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier "Horizons", should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Musings from "Horizons" Issue dated November 1968 The Viscount was about to depart the Lakehead airport when the crew were contacted by the control tower requesting help to locate an overdue small aircraft. Radar contact had been lost due to the aircraft flying too low. After takeoff, the crew made radio contact with the lost pilot. The Viscount crew plotted a bearing and, by flashing their landing lights, made visual contact, and were able to guide the aircraft to a safe landing.  We have this photo of the crew Capt. McCowan, F/O Owen Griffith and Flight Dispatcher Ron James taken at YWG. Issue dated November 1968  The last Vickers Vanguard scheduled flight from Kingston departed October 26th 1968 under the command of Capt. H.Holland. Unfortunately there are no names for the crew were mentioned, although each member was presented with a souvenir. Issue dated January 1969  Quebec City staff gathered to listen to a talk on Sales revenue. Here are some of the attendees. Special winter equipment was officially handed over to Dorval Line Maintenance by the Ground Equipment Maintenance Dept.  Here is a photo of the participates. A record 600,000 pounds of freight was carried by the company out of Frankfurt during October 1968.  Our photo is of the staff at Frankfurt.  A reception marked the inauguration of all-freighter DC-8 service linking Europe with Calgary was held on November 13th 1968 when the first freighter touched down at Calgary. |
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Bytes and Pieces
 A wonderful lifeI just watched "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Steward this week for the upteenth time. I think it's a great movie. I thought the article below, sent to me by a friend, would be a good way to end 2008. I hope you do too. Someone asked me, "Do you like being old?" I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it). - Author unknown |
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Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
Over the past months we have been publishing various photographs from earlier in-house magazines, should any photos prompt a memory in seeing one of them, feel free to send us your comments and thoughts. Dirk Rindermann is asking for help here. I am trying to see if anybody remembers my Mother from Wardair back in the early/mid '60's? I am trying to find a picture of her in uniform or in the work. She is originally German, and lived in Edmonton, and Vancouver... Her name is Ingrid Rindermann (1st Marriage) (born name: Schulmeister). I would be very happy if somebody could put me in touch with a picture of her or more information such as an old website of Wardair flight attendants etc. Best regards, and thanks from Germany! Dirk Pickings from the "CP Air News" magazines. Issue dated March 1982. CP Air donated a Conway engine to Toronto's Central Technical College for use by aviation shop students. Wardair supplied the tractor to tow the logistic stand donated by Air Canada.  Pictured here are Bruce Nelson (Wardair), Laurie Bunton, Albert Chu,and Carl Kruyff of CP.  A conference of Agency reps was held in YVR. Here are the participants. The Montreal sales team meet to celebrate their 1982 achievements.Issue dated April 1983  From the article headed "Meet our Machine Shop guys" we selected this photo. Live test runs of the CP Air Cargo Computer Control System, nicknamed C-4 was successfully completed on Mar 22nd at SFO and LAX. About 250 employees have trained to operate the system. Issue dated September 1983. Under the heading "The Great White Shark" is a report of a 42 foot long, helium filled B-737 billed as the "world's largest inflatable airplane". Arranged by CP Air Holidays for the Pacific National Exhibition, vandals damaged a wing and it had to be returned to the manufacturer in Japan for repair.  Our photo shows the B-737 flying without its wings, pending repair. Issue dated January 1984. In September 1981, B-727 were retired from service have now been purchased by Dan-Air of the U.K. |
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Reader's Feedback
Rob Giguere sends this information referring the photo in NetLetter nr 1047. Just a quick note....The Newsletter is terrific and a great read for all! The Canadian Pacific aircraft CF-CZK depicted as a DC-3 on the DEW line is actually a Super C-46C, Curtiss Commando, with quite a colorful history. The aircraft was originally bought by the USAF as 78678 (c/n 22501/CU2610) and moved to Foreign Liquidation Commission Apr 10, 1948.
As I understand it, this was one of 8 C-46's that CP purchased to service the DEW line and in March 1963 was the last of the C-46's removed from the Canadian Pacific registry. Have a Merry Christmas. As always thanks for keeping us all up to date. Rob Giguere Cecil Kipfer also spotted the difference between the DC-3 and C-46 and wrote: The "DC-3 CP-CZK, shown on the DEW Line in Netletter #1047 is actually a C-46.The DC-3 does not have a retractable tail wheel. I used to fly them on the DEW Line for Maritime Central Airways. Great Newsletter. (C. Kipfer) (Air Canada ret.) Peter Baldry sends us this information referring to NetLetter nr 1046. Seeing the article re Concorde I have a model of Concorde in AC colours - 1000 models were "struck" and the guy who ordered them (made near Birmingham) gave me one on his return to Canada. I had got to know him quite well on his regular trips and the model was from him to our newly born son, Martin. Martin was never allowed to "own" it !!! It is in my study as I write this. On the back of AC placing the intention to order/operate Concorde the LHR AC employees (who were rostered off duty!!) went on a day trip to Filton to have a guided tour of the plant and walk threw the full sized mock-up in their factory. Interesting times they were. |
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Where are they now.
Airbus A340-300 C-GDVW fin 909 c/n 273 is leased to AIRASIA X for operations into London Stanstead commencing March 2009. |
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This and That.
Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter has added two DC-10-30F's making the return to Canada since retirement of this type since retirement by Canadian Airlines International. The aircraft, ex DAS and Varig, are being used for a contract with Canada Post between Vancouver and Hamilton, Ontario. Boeing 787 watchers will see some "action" at the Everett plant by mid-to-late February, insiders say, with word from the factory floor indicating that the first aircraft, ZA001, will have all fastener issues resolved by the end of this month and will be rolled out for repainting at the end of February. |
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Terry's Travel Tips
 passengers may request the use of the "Mail-It-Home" Program. Upon request, a C.A.T.S.A. employee will escort the passenger to the "Mail-It-Home" desk, where the prohibited item will be surrendered to an Airport Authority Guard. The passenger may then purchase a pre-stamped "Mail-It-Home" envelope for ca$3.00, address the envelope, and return it to the guard. The guard will then place the prohibited item in the envelope, seal it, and deposit it in the Canada Post mailbox located in the main terminal. Wherever you travel to during the holiday season, I do hope it is an enjoyable experience and that there are not any weather or mechanical delays, and that you arrive safely. This is an amazing deal to Dublin that saves you hundreds of dollars off the cost of putting this deal together yourself Interline deal from Caesar Hotels Airway vacations. For only us $399* per person: Round trip airfare to Dublin from New York, Washington, DC or Boston 4 Nights at the 3 star Regency Hotel Dublin (5 - 6 night packages also available). Full Irish breakfast each morning. Transfers to and from the airport. *per person price based on double occupancy, airline taxes are additional. These deals move quickly...CALL TODAY! 1-800-422-3727 |
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Smilies
 "I want to be an airline pilot", answers little Johnny. "I'm sorry" the teacher responds, "You can't do both." |