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For retirees of the Air Canada family
July 18th, 2009
We first published in October 1995, 14 years ago.
4,333 subscribers
Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson in Victoria, B.C.
Co-pilot - Terry Baker in Nanaimo, B.C.
Flight Engineer - Alan Rust in Surrey, B.C.
our email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Vesta's Jump Seat
 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!
Shirley Schacter sent us this information.
Only in Israel!--well, not quite . . ., but no joke.
The Latest Shoe Security for Airport Travelers: MagShoe
 Making travel easier and with less discomfort...no more having to take off your shoes at the airport! -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL1_EjPVM4o&feature=channel
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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 "Between Ourselves" magazine.
Issue dated May 1966
 On May 10th, a Vanguard lands at Kennedy International Airport, New York to mark the 25th anniversary of the first regular service to that city.
 At a reception on April 14th organized by Air Canada to introduce the company's services, these eight Stewardesses made a great hit with the guests to both the reception and dinner. They all come from Germany prior to joining the Company. From the left flanked by the two RCMP officers - Sgt. Ginther and Const. Kretzer- are: Ingrid Boeker; Katrinao Kogel; Ursula Niehus; Elli Shuiz; Heidi Wilmchen and Ursula Moller all based in Toronto; Ruth Lucke, Flight Service Supervisor and Stewardess Helen Kramer, both of Montréal. Frank Salverda is in the background.
 The 13th Annual System Bonspiel was held in Calgary at the North Hill Curling Club on April 15/16th.
Here are the skips participating.
 Throwing the first stone to open the 13th Annual System Bonspiel is
Fred Pink, Director, Maintenance Base, Winnipeg. The skips, all prepared to boo or praise the throw, are from the left: R. Chatterson, Regina; G. Sigurdson, Toronto; G. Lawrence, Saskatoon; G. Saunders, Lethbridge; M. McGregor, Edmonton; W. Bjarnason, Winnipeg; T. Lawson, Montreal; T. Sokoloski, Calgary; G. Cavanaugh, Moncton; J. Graham, Vancouver, skip of the winning rink; and D. Murdock, Halifax.
The victors and the vanquished pose after their final "down to the last rock" battle. The victorious Vancouver rink are, from the left, seated: Skip Jim Graham, Third Wilf McGregor, Second Roy Aldridge, and Lead Lee Taplin. Runners-up in the main event are the Saskatoon rink, standing From the left: Skip Gary Lawrence, Third Loyd Beckett, second Mel Finan, and lead Brian Littlewood.
A group of friends gathered to honour "Ernie" Crawley, of Saint John who attained 25 years service.third from right, on the occasion of his receiving a 25 year pin.
This was the first 25 year presentation at Saint John.
 Shown from the left are: Hugh McElligott, Saint John; Stewart Rogers, Moncton; A. J. Bruneau, Halifax; Paul Mitchell, Saint John; George Goode, Halifax (who made the presentation);
Crawley; Seldon Drake, Halifax; and William Hegan, Saint John.
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Alan's Space
How the Space Station comes together
I thought it was interesting that with all the news about the delayed launch of the latest Space Shuttle and their docking with the Space Station, that the big news today is that they had repaired a failed toilet.
Shows that with all the technology on the space station, the toilet still is very high on their priority list. Ever been on a flight were a few toilets were unserviceable? If you have then you know what I mean. Funny thing was that sometimes the easiest fix for a broken toilet (on the Airbuses) was to reset all the breakers, like rebooting a computer and they'd all work again!
Below is a link to a really nice animation that shows how the Space Station has come together. You can also click on the image to see it all together in a final image.
Please follow this link for the animation... (once it's finished loading, click on links on right for more info on each section)
More info from NASA here...
Click on image for large version
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This n That
 Only nine 'straight' Douglas DC-6s (as opposed to DC 6B and c-I 18 models) are thought to be in existance, including Line N° 133/MSN 43127 which is ending its days as an emergency training airframe with the fire service at Lanseria, Johannesburg, South Africa. Ordered by SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), it was delivered instead in 1948 to BCPA (British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines) as VH-BPG Adventure. Between 1954 and 1964 it served in New Zealand, first with TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited) as ZK-BFB and ZK-BGB Arawhata, then for three years with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ3632. Sold to a dealer in the USA, it passed to Pacific Western Airlines as CF-PWP, and returned to the US in 1971 with Mercer Airlines, registered N8OMA.A fire-attack career began a year later with Aerial Applicators, and then Sis-Q Flying Service (Macavia International), and T & G Aviation. In 1994, the 'Six' went to Zaire for freight duties with Air Transport Office, operating as 9Q-CPL. After ATO was grounded for supplying UNITA forces in Angola, the aircraft became EL-WNH and was subsequently flown to Lanseria and abandoned. In 2006, the veteran was repainted with 'Vusumzi, I am. We are' titles for a television show called 'A Step Ahead'. (Source Airways)
Terry Champion sends us this information.
 A Lancaster making a rare visit to Western Canada, stopping off at the Alberta Aviation Museum at the City Centre Airport in Edmonton. In a rare appearance in western Canada, the Canadian flying Lancaster is expected to arrive in Edmonton at City Airport on July 31 between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. The magnificent restored bomber, powered by four Merlin V-12 engines, will be based at the Alberta Aviation Museum from July 31 to August 2. The "Lanc" will be on display to the public, except when leaving to fly for appearances at the Cold Lake Air Show on August 1 and 2.
NOTE: Visitors to the Alberta Aviation Museum while the Lancaster is in Edmonton will have a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to see inside the aircraft. Regular admission to the museum will include a ticket to enter the bomber at no extra charge.
For more information see
http://www.warplane.com/
http://www.warplane.com/pages/aircraft_lancaster.html
Terry Champion,
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Where are they now.
 Airbus A340-313X C-GDVW c/n 273 fin 909 sold to AirAsia.
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George Brien sends us this information.
Re NL 1075 and 1076 and Beach Runways.
In 1942, Maritime Central Airways began scheduled service between Charlottetown and The Magdalen Islands.
 Here we have de Havilland Rapide aircraft CF-BNJ taking on passengers at House Harbour. The landing strip was the beach a low tide at House Harbour/Ile du Harve-Aux-Maisons.
This beach runway was used during the 40's until a "real" runway was built on the Adjoining Island of Grindstone Later George sent this - I got a email from MCA Historian Fred Coyle after I sent him the picture above. He gave me some additional info which I thought could be added to my original reply below. I loved the bit about jumping the wheels out of the sand.!!!
"Thanks for the great picture. MCA flew DC-3's as well to the Magdalens and landed on the beach for years until the airport was built and I don't know exactly when that was. I am quite sure they were still doing it in the early fifties. I heard stories about how they'd get stuck in the sand, rev the engines up very high while standing on the brakes, then release the brakes and the airplane would jump out of the hole in the sand."
Peter Baldry sends us this memory.
 Ref: your article Barra (NetLetter nr 1076) - my wife and I (we were single then!!) flew into Barra whilst working for BEA as commercial apprentices - the landing on the beach at Barra was reputed to be safe if you could see the seagull's legs but if you could not this meant the water level was too high to safely land!! True or not - I know not. The Station Manager was a female by the name of Kitty McPherson who also ran the local Post Office.
And this from Bill Sim.
Below a part of an email I received from my nephew's wife. I thought it would be of interest to people that have read your articles in Newsletter 1075 and 1076. I have enjoyed reading your publication since you first started sending it out, keep up the good work. Bill Sim Dorval QC.
"Thanks for sending the article. That's amazing the Barra beach landing was mentioned in your newsletter. George and I both enjoyed landing there very much. I used to fly the Twin Otter, and George the Air Ambulance Islander aircraft for Loganair. It was always a 'soft landing', as the sand, although firm, always 'gave' a little as you touched down. And, you had to check carefully whether the tide was in or out! George had some interesting flights with the Air Ambulance, especially at night, when the firemen used to put out lights to mark the edges of the runway. As the distance apart of the lights varied depending on the pacing of the firemen, it took a skillful pilot to land at night in sometimes very poor weather. Loganair have operated all flights into Barra for many years, however, they are currently franchised to Flybe, which means the Loganair planes sport the Flybe colours right now, but it is still Loganair operating the flights, not Flybe." |
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Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
Terry's Trivia & Travel Tips
Airports you might prefer not to fly to...
1. Mafia Airport (MFA), Tanzania
2. Slave Lake Airport (YZH), Canada
3. Asbestos Hill Airport (YAF), Canada
4. Desolation Sound Airport (YDS) Canada
5. Crooked Island Airport (CRI), Canada
6. Deception Airport (YGY), Canada
7. Broken Hill Airport (BHQ), Australia
8. Warroad Airport (RRT), USA
9. Battle Mountain Airport (BAM), USA
10. Battle Creek Airport (BTL), USA
11. Mysore Airport (MYQ), India
12. Bloodvein Airport (YDV), Canada
13. Storm Lake Airport (SLB), USA
14. Red Devil Airport (RDR), USA
15. Rifle Airport (IRD), USA
16. Deadhorse Airport (SCC), USA
17. Cue Airport (CWT), Australia
18. Alert Airport (YLT), Canada
19. Danger Bay Airport (DGB), USA
20. Colon Airport (ONX), Panama
21. Gaspe Airport (YGP), Canada
Here is the final edited segment of the "Round the world" trip by Sheila Moscoe we started in NetLetter nr 1064
 Hi everyone!
This is probably the last travel letter I'll be sending for awhile, as I don't have a clue as to where I'll go next! We were up early on disembarkation day in Dubai. As we were sailing in, we were just
marveling at the number of high-rise buildings that dotted the skyline in the distance. We could also see the Burj Dubai - tallest building in the world - which is almost completed. So, off the ship we went, picked up our luggage, grabbed a taxi, and headed to the Sheraton Hotel, which was just a hop, skip and a jump from the pier, thank goodness. As we were too early for check in, we bought a bus ticket on The Big Bus Company - hop on/hop off - almost $70CAD for 24 hours! So, with bus ticket in tow, and map in hand we first headed to the bank to change our money to AED or dirham. We didn't have a clue how much anything would cost so it was a guessing game at the ATM. As we walked past one construction site after the other, we realized that these were not being completed and were just left as empty shells. There were boarded up lots with future developments put on hold just about everywhere. However, the metro was still under construction and so the roads and sidewalks were difficult to navigate.
We walked past many restaurants, small shops, narrow sidewalks, met friendly people, and zig zagged our way until we found the museum. This was our pickup point for the tourist hop on/hop off bus. We sat upstairs on the open deck, and with headphones attached tuned into the English translation off we went for a ride for a few hours. At each stop we thought we would get off, but decided just to ride the Red Route which was traversing the Bur Dubai - the older quarter on the left bank of the Dubai Creek. Driving along in the heaviest of traffic, we passed magnificent buildings, hotels, the Gold Souk (market), Spice Souk, the dhows sailing up and down and across the Creek, when we finally disembarked at the Old Covered Souk. We were exhausted by the end of the day and finally made our way back to the hotel. We had a gorgeous room and so spacious, too. Well, any room would be spacious after the ship! The next day, we took advantage of our bus ticket and rode the Blue Route. Now this one took us to New Dubai where most of the buildings have been completed.
Each one was higher than the next, the shopping malls were one after the other, the metro open rail link was completed (but not in use yet). The Dubai Mall has an Olympic size ice rink, walk through aquarium, and of course shops and restaurants. The Mall of the Emirates even has an indoor ski slope, and on and on it goes. By the time we got off the tourist bus, it was nighttime and the last stop was a mall! We looked around, but finally took a taxi back to the hotel. Taxies in Dubai are clean, drivers are in uniform and the meters are accurate.
 Now, I'm saving the best for last. In honour of Shirley's birthday, I had made arrangements for afternoon tea at the 6 star Burj al Arab hotel. This is the one that looks like a sail sitting at the end of a causeway. Well, when we arrived there (reservations are required just to cross the causeway) we felt like royalty. We had never seen such an opulent indoor entrance with high ceilings that reached to the sky. It felt as if the sails were billowing in the wind. There was a huge waterfall with an escalator on either side. We had a beautiful table, and were served champagne right away. Then, out came the goodies. If you've never had afternoon tea before, you must treat yourself! Thank goodness for credit cards!
Afterwards, we went up to the bar on the 27th floor to meet up with our friends who are from Toronto. The woman is actually the daughter of one our Air Canada retirees. By the way, the gal's husband is living in Dubai trying to drum up future business, but because it took so long to get the proper documentation and licenses, etc. and because Dubai is waning now, his sights are on Abu Dhabi. That's the next upcoming emirate to develop. So, you know where I'll go next?!!
Well, all good things must come to an end and so we had to take a cab back to the hotel to pack up for our early morning departure.
When we arrived at the airport, we had never seen a terminal like this one. It was so huge and bright, easy signage, uncluttered, meters and greeters everywhere, that we were able to find the special area for airline personnel to check in. We had the agent tag our baggage to Frankfurt and then on AC to Toronto. We even got a seat right at check in. So, there was no need to worry about standing by at the gate. We were in Terminal 1 which is for the exclusive use of Emirates. They must have had 100s of flights on the departures/arrivals screens. There were 1,000s upon 1,000s of passengers walking along the various concourses with shops everywhere.
Upon arrival in Frankfurt we noticed that there were 2 Air Canada aircraft sitting at the gates. We knew one was for Toronto, but didn't know where the other one was going. After checking the monitors we decided to hoof it to the Ottawa gate. We got there with some time to spare and the agent put us on. We were traveling Business Class on AC, so here we were on an 8 hour flight to Ottawa. The connection to Toronto got us in earlier had we waited for the nonstop flight! Our baggage arrived a few days later with everything intact.
Home sweet home!
Hope you've enjoyed reading my letters.
Hope you're all well,
Love, Sheila
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Smilie
 You Can't Fix Stupid.... The captain of a well known airline was driving when a traffic camera flashed. He thought his picture was taken for exceeding the speed limit, even though he knew he was not speeding. Just to be sure, he went around the block and passed the same spot, driving even more slowly, but again the camera flashed. He thought this was quite funny, so he slowed down even further as he drove past the area, but the traffic camera flashed yet again. He tried a fourth time with the same result. The fifth time he was laughing when the camera flashed as he rolled past at a snail's pace. Two weeks later, he got five traffic fine letters in the mail - for driving without a seat belt. |
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The NetLetter is the longest running newsletter dedicated to Air Canada retirees (since 1995). We are always looking to add Air Canada, Canadi>n, CPAir, AirBC, etc. retirees to our list. Please feel free to forward this email using the links at the bottom of this issue. Those receiving this email (when forwarded) will then have the choice to subscribe to us through those links as well. If you have friends that may want to join us, please send them to our web site at www.thenetletter.org where they can sign up at the top of the page. .
DID YOU KNOW?
ARCHIVES for NetLetters.
NetLetters are located on the ACFamily Network in the forums.
Just go to: http://www.acfamily.net/forums
- Log in (if you aren't already)
- scroll down to News Services.
- Click on NetLetter
You will be able to find ALL NetLetters. There is also a search engine to help you.
For all new articles, submissions and or comments for "The Netletter" please send to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Please add to your Address Books). This e-mail address has been set up so that all of us (Vesta, Terry, & Alan) will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of news for the NetLetter.
To make changes to your e-mail address or to unsubscribe, please see the links below for "Update Profile/Email address" and SafeUnsubscribe. This is now automated so that you can remove yourself from the list or change your email address (or name) without our assistance. We will still do this manually if you have any difficulties.
Many of our members are having difficulty finding these links. You will need to scroll to the bottom of the page, the link is similar to the following image. (The image below doesn't work but your links at the bottom will).
Enjoy!
Your NetLetter Team
(Vesta, Terry, Alan)
PS - Please don't forget that you can click on most of the "thumbnail" images for a larger version of the image.
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We hope you enjoyed this issue. Please feel free to pass this on to another Air Canada retiree by using the "Forward Email" link below. There is an option for them to subscribe to "The NetLetter" as well from the forwarded email. See our web site at: www.thenetletter.org for more information.
Vesta Stevenson, Terry Baker and Alan Rust
The NetLetter Team |
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Our Sponsors
ACFamily Network
Explore China Tours
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Terry, Vesta and Alan at the Pionairs AGM, March 2007
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NetLetter Archives
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Note: We'd like to thank all of our loyal readers who have donated. For those members that were asking where to send a cheque (payable to ACFamily Network). You can send it to;
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Thanks in advance,
Vesta, Terry, Alan
Your NetLetter Team |
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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.
