­
Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

In NetLetter nr 1327, we had a request from David Postle regarding the late Gordon Rubenok.

David has sent us this update -
I am sorry it has been so long since you were kind enough to publish my photograph showing my father and pilot Gordon Rubenok. The plea elicited some replies and without exception, they all said that he was a pleasure to work with - as indeed my father did too. I don't know whether you publish names but for your information, I heard from (I hope I have not missed anyone out - if I have, I apologise) Clint Ward, Anthon Van Blokland, Lynn Gosney, Doug Fulton and Andy Proulx.

I believe that Mrs Rubenok has also seen the article but as yet we have not managed to make contact, but one day we might.

May I just thank you very much for publicising my request - it is very much appreciated. If ever Gordon Rubenok needed a character reference, he would have no problem from the people who were kind enough to write to me as it would seem that he was a highly respected member of the flying staff.

With best wishes David Postle


Betty Draper sent us an article from the "Winnipeg Free Press" dated September 1939.

Airplane comes to grief. TCA Plane Damaged When Tire Bursts On Muddy Airport.

tmb tire blown on aircraftSwerving about 100 yards across the corner of the landing field, at Stevenson Airport when one of its tires blew out. A Trans-Canada Air Lines plane carrying 10 passengers and a crew of three, on the afternoon of September 2nd dug into the mud on the airport's north/south runway.

No one was injured and the passengers said they were not particularly disturbed by the mishap. They were taken downtown for lunch, then brought back to the airport, where they left for the west on a second aircraft.

The crew comprised of Captain H. Seagrim, First Officer E. Allen and Stewardess Miss G. Leslie. The aircraft had been running east down the runway preparatory to taking off at 3:25 p.m. when the tire blew out. The pilot cut across a corner of the field, near the junction of the east-west and north-south runways. The latter runway had recently been dug up and was muddy and soft from the morning rainfall. Striking the mud, the aircraft came to a stop and leaned over on it's right wing. According to officials, the right wing, three propeller blades and the right landing gear were damaged, but they said the damage was not serious and could be repaired at the TCA shop in Winnipeg.


After reading “Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips” the item on air fares in NetLetter nr 1336,

Maureen Otway sent us this information -
Tidbit of information re the cost of airfares that you mention in the new Netletter. Well when I worked in London for BOAC in the 60's I was sent to Geneva to the IATA head office for a course on airfares and learnt that essentially all airfares are charged at a rate of cents per mile. So in a slow area such as a domestic flight in Canada on a less frequent route it is more cents per mile than it is for a well served route. So it sometimes costs more to go Yellowknife than a trip to London!

So even now that's how the basic costs are arrived at along with "yield management" that all airfares are based on. The cents per mile goes up, and down accordingly.

Makes a lot of sense. Maureen Otway


John Rodger sent us this information -
The photo in Netletter 1336 sent in by Ken Starnes has Bill Sansom as Bud. All good friends of mine great to see it. As you probably know only Bud Clinch is deceased. Bill is enjoying beautiful BGI for a couple of months. Urbino was still at Trans Air as head of maintenance but I heard he may be retiring soon. Del is still living in Pte Claire but has not been well for a while. As far as I know Bob Cofell is living in YYZ.

In a later e-mail John tells us, I looked up Robert (Bob) Cofell on one of the National data bases from Oct 2014 and he is living in Quispamsis NB now.

Cheers John Rodger

(Last minute note: We are sorry to report that Bob Cofell just passed away on March 8, 2016)

NetLetter Subscription

Please fill in the form below to subscribe.
Airline
Referral

Thank you. We hope that you enjoy The NetLetter.
­