Vesta's Corner
For those following the Clipper story it can be found by following this linkand/or we will carry next segment in NetLetter 1015. I thought this article may be of interest - Airline flies jumbo jet powered by biofuel Feat is hailed as progress in reducing carbon dioxide emissions Virgin Atlantic has carried out the world's first flight of a commercial aircraft powered partly by biofuel. The Boeing 747 flew on Sunday February 24th from London's Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, with one of its four engines using a mixture of coconut oil and babassu oil. Had the engine failed, others would have been capable of getting the plane to its destination, the British airline said. One concern was that the fuel might freeze, but mid-flight, Captain Geoff Andreason reported via satellite telephone that all was well, and he went on to complete the journey. Critics have said that cultivating crops to make biofuel is not sustainable and will lead to reduced land for food production. Biofuels are typically produced from plant oils and, ideally, have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. The chief scientist of the environmental group Greenpeace, Doug Parr, called the 747 flight "high-altitude greenwash" and said even producing organic oils to make biofuel could lead to deforestation and massive greenhouse gas emissions. Virgin Atlantic spokesman Paul Charles said the flight demonstrated that, by using a substitute for conventional jet fuels, it's possible to produce less of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. "Some of us in the industry are actually doing something about reducing our carbon emissions. I don't think that's a gimmick. It's progress," he said. Charles said it would take weeks to analyze the data from Sunday's flight. Richard Branson, the airline's president, said his company worked with Boeing, GE Aviation and Imperium Renewables for the past year to "prove that biofuels can be used at 30,000 feet [9,140 metres] without freezing." |
Bytes and Pieces
You may have already seen this video, or stills captured from it, on a news broadcast. Shot by an amateur at Hamburg, Germany, the video shows a dramatic landing attempt on Fuhlsbuettel Airport's Runway 23 in strong and gusty crosswinds. (Various news reports about the incident mentioned gusts with windspeeds of up to approximately 150 mph.) At one point the tip of the left wing of the Lufthansa Airlines A320 briefly touches the ground, just before the crew initiated a go-around. According to various news reports, the aircraft later landed safely, but minus one winglet. A story about the incident on CNN.com quoted a Lufhthansa spokesman who said that the plane "is already back in service." The incident happened on Saturday (March 1, 2008) as the aircraft was arriving on a scheduled flight from Munich with more than 130 people on board. The weather conditions were caused by a powerful winter storm that swept across Europe over the past weekend. The weather disrupted air traffic at Hamburg, and several other locations, causing many flight delays, and several diversions. Congratulations to the crew for their successful handling of such a challenging situation. TTYL, Alan Rust |
Canadi>n/CPAir/PWA, Wardair, etc. Events & People
In NetLetter nr 1012 we made mention of the book "Travel's My Game" by Bert Ollivier. The book has now been issued and is available from Bert Ollivier. A synopsis can be viewed by searching for "Travel's My Game" on the internet. Cost is ca$22.78 and includes GST, packing and postage within Canada. Cheques made out to Bert Ollivier and mailed to 3839 King Arthur Drive, Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6B9 Marlie Kelsey tells us that the first YXYCP Reunion was held at Parksville from Sept 26 thru 28 2003. For those of you who missed it, or enjoyed it,here are the details of another being planned - Okay you Sourdoughs! We're back at it for a rolicking good time this fall. For anyone who ever worked in YXY (and a few others from the BC District) and for any flight crews who passed through our fair city on a regular basis you are invited to YXYukon 2008. Dates: September 26-28th, 2008 Location: Quality Resort Bayside Inn Parksville, BC (35 Rooms have been blocked under YXY Reunion Rate $99.00 Oceanview rooms- call direct to reserve) 240 Dogwood St Parksville, BC V9P 1E1 (250) 248-8333 www.qualityresortparksville.com Registration Cost: $75.00 per person ( Includes Wine & Cheese Welcome Friday night, Banquet & Dance Saturday night & Goodbye Brunch Sunday morning- Does not include, room cost or golf or Zodiac trips or spa) HOW TO REGISTER ( Space may be limited so register early Maximum for dinner is 112 people) There will be an Early Bird Draw. Two people will win their $75.00 registration fee back. ALL entries received before July 1, 2008 will be entered to win a free Registration. Reserve your spots NOW by sending your cheque payable to: Pat Besier 2812 Wedgewood Dr Duncan, BC V9L 6B1 (250) 748-7567 Email: Please include the following information: Name, Phone number, Mailing address, Email address Position ( Agent, Ramp, Pilot, F/A, etc) Dates you were in YXY MEMORABILIA- If you have pictures to share (that we don't already have on the website) please send digital copies to : Phil Kelsey at We'll include them in a slide show. We will also have a sheet for you to fill out which will be sent to you once we have heard back from you. If you didn't come to the 2003 YXY reunion have a look at our Website at http://cedarcoast.ca/yxycp We had a lot of fun!!! There is something about working up north. We may not see each other for years but the time slips away when we are all together. See you 8 months. Marlie, Pat, Phil and Brian Marlie Kelsey Pictured is your committee l to r - Donna MacFarlane, Brian Walsh, Pat Besier, Phil Kelsey, Marlie Kelsey From the final edition of "Expressions" the Nordair in-house magazine December 1986 - Photo of Boreal Airways/Mont Laurier Aviation Seaplane base at Cache Lake near Chibougamau - 1956 and these four pictures. |
Readers Feedback
From: Murray PhippsSubject: NetLetter 1008 Picture Edmonton Staff Bunny Blakley came up with the names of almost all of the Edmonton staff in the group photo at the Edmonton Municipal Airport as pictured in the NetLetter 1008. Bunny spent some 40 years with TCA/AC and added a few more years with Time Air & Canadian.She believes that the picture was probably taken in the summer of 1947 and not 1945. This is based on the fact that some of the people shown didn't start with the company until the fall of 1946 and that this picture with the girls in their summer dresses would point to a summer day. It is interesting to note that a couple of years later in mid winter the airline transferred the entire Western Control office and most of the Space Control agents and Teletypists from the chilly Edmonton Municipal Airport to frigid Stevenson Field in Winnipeg .Since this office was staffed around the clock when the last shift finished in Edmonton the next shift started in Winnipeg.That was quite a move for some 20 or more young employees and their families. Now to the picture: Front Row reading from the left: 1 Jack Jackman (DSM) 2 Harry Slater (stn mngr) 3 Aida Bradley (tkt ofc) 4 Vera Herbert ( teletype) 5 Joyce Carson (teletype) 6 (Janet Butcher (teletype) 7 Vivian - ?? (teletype) 8 Ruby MacMurdo (wcx) 9 Mary Cunningham (teletype) 10 Hazel Fowler (tas) 11 Minnie - ?? (radio) 12 Elenor Sveen Charles (tas) 13 Harry Schofield (wc mngr) 14 George Bailey (teletype mngr) 2nd Row - 1 Stan Stanton (wcx) 2 Gus Carnahan (wcx) Jo 3 Chomlak Mitchell (teletype) 4 Peggy Campbell 5 Bunny Blakley (tas) 6 Elaine Mclaughlin (teletype) 7 Marion Slater Jones 8 Ruth Krull Williams (tas) 9 Mona Adamson (secretary) 10 Cec Davidson (radio) 11 Jack Charles ( arpt tkt ctr) 12 Fred Kirkman (wc) 13 Bob Livingstone 3rd Row - 1 Len Rachuk (wc) 2 Doug Stewart (tkt macdonald htl) 3 Johnny Lee (wc) 4 Jerry Mchale (wc) 5 Charley Tillbrook ( radio) 6 Freddy Domries (radio) 7 Sid Pearce (wcx) 8 Karen Jones 9 Jack Burgess 4th Row - 1 Stan Harris 2 Carl Peterson (maintenance) 3 ?? 4 Earl Gerow (crew chief) 5 ?? 6 Frank Heim (maintenance) 7 Gord Thoms ( supervisor maintenance) 8 ?-- Gilbert (maintenance) 9 Sid Willis (crew chief) Murray Phipps - In NetLetter nr 1012 we published a photo of a L1011 "Fly by wire" submitted by Jerry. Vesta questioned the authenicity of the photo, and this is, in part, the email exchanged - Subject: RE: Re: L-1011 My 1st impression of this photo is that "it's a lucky shot" next "it's a hoax" but if it's true photo then what's the story behind it, please. From Jerry You are right about the photo. It was just a lucky, unintentional shot of L-1011 on approach to YYZ. The security in those years was not as it is now. As for the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, I am not a member yet. I want to finish my Spitfire first, presently getting the engine for it. As the former Air Force officer I am involved in the CZECH AIRMEN ASSOCIATION. (http://www.csletci.cz/) Every year I spend about 5 months in Czech Republic. We are working now on the DVD of the history of the Czech Republic Air Force. Many of our pilots were trained in Canada to fight in Britain during WW 2nd. I am trying to get any copy of their involvement which could be in Canada, USA and Britain, archives. I tried to send the E-mail to their museums, but did not get an answer. Do you know anybody I should contact? Thanks. Jerry Website: www.javifix.com This story by your co-pilot was in NetLetter nr 267 I recall a story I read in a book called 'Survival In The Sky' - It was called 'Luckiest Man Alive', about a 20 year old co-pilot and test observer, called Harry Griffiths, who was a brother of Maurice, a Trans-Canada Air Lines pilot in Toronto. Harry's job was to test flight the Boston A20 aircraft prior to being flown across the Atlantic to the RAF. On the 21st December 1942, Harry was checking such an aircraft with pilot Sid Gerow. The plane took off from Dorval and flew across the Lake St. Louis. The engines were throttled back, in turn, and feathered each propeller in turn and then restarted the engines, this to ensure reliability incase one engine failed during the Atlantic trip. Harry was in the nose and had removed his parachute due to space restrictions, and then checked the instruments in the cockpit, finally, while crawling back into the nose to check the bomb sight, the lower hatch gave way and Harry found himself hanging underneath the aircraft. The pilot guessed what had happened but could not leave the controls as automatic pilot was not available, and he knew Harry could not hang on too long, nor could he land the aircraft, so he flew low over the ice covered Lake St Louis, and Harry fell out. A farmer witnessed this event and saw this 'package' roll across the frozen lake for about half a mile before it spun to a stop - thinking it was a practice bomb, but the 'package' moved and the farmer realized that someone had fallen from an aircraft. Harry's limbs and body were badly bruised, but not a bone broken. |
Help Wanted
Subject: To Down Under and Back.Geoff is requesting help. I have a request, my Travel Partner and I are planning a trip to the U.K. and on to Australia Sept. 2008. to visit Family. Our proposed Itinerary would be Vancouver- London, stopover 2wks. London- Perth, stopover 3wks. Perth- Adelaide, stopover 10 days. Adelaide-return -Vancouver. I am 85, my Travel Partner, my brother-in-law is 81, this will be our Swan Song. Problem is I have never attempted an enterprise such as this before and don't know where to start. Are there any World Wide Travelers out there who might help? With great expectations, and appreciation I respectfully await the avalanche of suggestions. Greetings to all TCA./AIR CANADA fellow travelers. Geoff. |
Terry's Travel Tips
"This is to inform you that, if an employee is bumped off a flight and if there is another flight of same destination, the gate would then list the employee for the next flight on the same day. However, if there are no flights on the same day, employee then has to list on the Employee Travel Website. Thus, the gate agent would not be able to make a booking for the employee, the next day. Therefore, under special circumstances the gate agent would have made a booking." Air Canada Vacations new and additional summer services to sun holiday destinations include: Toronto-Turks & Caicos; Holguin, Cuba; Varadero, Cuba; and to St. Lucia Montreal-Santa Clara, Cuba and to Montego Bay, Jamaica Vancouver-Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico; Cancun, Mexico, and to Maui Remember, all employees/retirees can purchase discounted Air Canada Vacations packages featuring confirmed air and hotel through the Employee Travel site on the Portal. BAA receives okay to hike Heathrow, Gatwick charges more than 20% The UK Civil Aviation Authority is allowing BAA to raise charges at London Heathrow and Gatwick by more than 20% next year. In its final decision on price controls at LHR and LGW for the five-year period ending March 31, 2013, CAA is increasing the price cap at Heathrow by ?2.44 ($4.92), or 23.5% in real terms, to ?12.80 per passenger for the year starting next month. Charges in the four subsequent years could rise by 7.5% per year above inflation. At Gatwick, the price cap is set at ?6.79 per passenger in 2008-09, a 21% increase in real terms from the current cap. Charges in the next four years are allowed to increase 2% above inflation annually. (Before you ask - we do not know how, or if, this charge will affect the charges on our passes - eds) |