­
Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

==================================================================
|
|\^/|
T H E                    _| TCA |_
_|\| AIR |/|_
N E T L E T T E R   >  CANADA   <
>_./|\._<
|
( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)

Number 545 Dec 22nd, 2000,  We first Published in October 1995


Chief Pilot - Vesta Stevenson   -      Co-pilot  - Terry Baker

To get in touch with either editor/pilot our  email address is
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


=================================================================

Vesta and I have enjoyed this year and we can brag about our  growing mailing
list in the past year.
Thanks to all our readers for their Christmas greetings and best wishes.

*
/^\
o/o o\o              Christmas Greetings from
/* o *\                   Vesta and Terry.
o/  \U/  \o
/ o     o \
o/!!!!!0!!!!!\o
-------
XXX###
###SSS

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Need to know.
Partner travel reminder—employees must make the initial reservation.
The Employee Call Centre (ECC) is receiving calls from parents and partners
asking for original listings to be created for space available travel.
It is the responsibility of employees/retirees  to make the initial listing for their travel
partners. Once enroute, partners are permitted to call the ECC.
For reservations, self-ticketing employees/retirees on the active payroll should
call General Reservations at (888) 247-2262—
ensure you use the correct T423 Parent/Partner tickets.
Non self-ticketing employees should call the ECC;
Canada/US (800) 413-1113 for partner tickets.
If based outside North America, call the local Reservations office.

Brian Dunn in the YYZNEWS reports -
Air Canada is trimming its international flying because bookings are lower than expected.
The carrier will be dropping its twice-weekly Montreal-Tel Aviv route for the balance of the
winter schedule and is cancelling on an adhoc basis other flights on trans-atlantic routes
if loads are poor.
This is in an effort to bring up the overall load factor and yields on remaining flights.

The GTAA (Greater Toronto Airports Authority) is proposing charging a $7 fee for every
passenger transiting through Pearson airport starting in 2001.
Local passengers boarding will be dinged with a $10 departure fee.
This is the first time that transiting passengers are going to be hit with a tax and the
GTAA is currently negotiating with all of the airlines on the methodology to collect these
new fees.  It will be built right into your ticket price as opposed to having to pay it separately
like most other airports do across the country.

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. News from the Air Canada Pionair districts.
Subject: Christmas Luncheon..
..Merry Christmas to you folks from the Halifax and District Pionairs.
We had a great Christmas Luncheon on the 12th Dec, sold 100 advance tickets,
unfortunately had a couple of noshos but it was a nice event for everyone seeing a lot
of old friends and the weatherman co-operated at least until the Luncheon started and
then the "rains came", but it beats snow at least for our crowd.
In closing we wish you all a Safe and Happy Holiday Season and Best Wishes for the
New  Year.
All the best...Ken McLeod, Halifax..

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. From Alan Rust,  Web Administrator,  AC Family Network
MEMBERSHIP
I'm happy to say that the popularity of the AC Family site is still growing steadily.
We now have over 2500 registered members and more are being added every day.
You can help us by putting the word out to fellow employees and retirees about the
WWW site. For eligibility requirements for the ACFamily Network please see:
www.acfamily.net/faq/eligible.html

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. From the YYZNEWS issued by Brian Dunn -
The first Canadian Regional F-28 in the new AC livery (C-FXTA) made an appearance
at YYZ today as well.  Carries "Canadian Regional" titles, but otherwise in the basic
'AC' colour scheme.
Canadian Airlines newest 767-300 (C-GHLA) FIN656 entered service on
December 14th from Vancouver- LAX and return.
FIN655 was due to fly from Greensboro NC (GSO) to Montreal last Saturday but the ferry
flight was cancelled at the last moment.

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Remember when?
In August 1961, a DC8-43 with RR Conway engines which was destined to be
delivered to Canadian Pacific Airlines was over the Edwards AFB to test a
leading edge modification when it dived and achieved a speed of 660.6 mph,
making it the first commercial jet to exceed the speed of sound.
Registered as C-FCPG c/n 45623 fin 602 sold to FBA Corp Apaloka, Florida on
17th Mar 1980 who then sold it to - appropriately enough - Concord International.
The aircraft was broken up for spares at Opa Locka in 1981.

Regina Airport, Saskatchewan is 3 miles west of the city. Trans-Canada Air Lines
began its first transcontinental air mail and passenger service between Montreal and
Vancouver, with Regina as a regular stop in 1938. In Nov 1952, North Star aircraft
were introduced.

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. George Mills sends us this story -
I enjoyed reading Bill Norberg's recollection of the overhaul of the DC-8 Conway
engines. It is even more interesting because TCA/Air Canada has always been a
leader or innovator, not to mention inventor in many areas of the industry.
Bill's admission that stubborn attitudes towards the use of JP-1 vs JP-4 is
refreshing as we all know of cases where that "head in the sand" attitude did exist.
I hope Bill will continue to contribute anecdotes from his experiences as he was
such a valued member of TCA/Air Canada and has a rich collection of stories.
I concur with his statement that Air Canada has always provided a high quality of
maintenance. I was always proud to fly the aircraft that Maintenance put on the
line and of the association that we enjoyed.

Perhaps you may find this story interesting, from the time I was involved with
Flight Operations Training as the Director.

During the late 1970's we had entered into negotiations with the Japanese
domestic carrier, Toa Domestic Airlines, (TDA) to conduct airborne training in
DC-9 aircraft. It was much to the credit of Air Canada that we continued this
relationship into the 1990's.
TDA had a large program to train pilots from the YS-11 to the DC-9.
One of the problems in training in Japan was a lack of airspace or airport
accommodation for training flights. As many might know, slot times for aircraft
movements are required at nearly all large Japanese airports. This put a large
constraint on Training departments. At this time, and for some years thereafter,
Japan was not keeping up with the rest of the world in the recognition of the
value of Flight Simulators. They were still requiring that training be duplicated in
the aircraft almost hour for hour. The rest of the world however was working towards
the goal of Zero Aircraft Training, and beginning to achieve this through the Advanced Simulation Program. To accomplish the requirements of TDA and the
JCAB (Japanese Civil Aviation Board) they contracted offshore airlines to conduct
their training. Each pilot was required to spend between 16 to 18 hours of actual
flying training in a DC-9. Our flight instructors were the training pilots with TDA
instructors as observers on progress check flights. A JCAB inspector was present
on the final check ride. I had negotiated a pretty lucrative contract with TDA and
Air Canada was happy to be paid in US dollars which were deposited in our
New York bank.
As time went on, and the program was running smoothly, I had read in a trade
magazine that TDA was not doing particularly well financially. I had some
concerns as we were making good money from this training effort and I worried
that TDA might wish to look elsewhere. Sure enough, one day I received a message
that they wished to meet in my office in Montreal.
Two representatives from TDA arrived, one from Flight Operations and one from
Finance. The Flt. Ops. man started off by greeting me with a deep bow and
said: "We are very embarrassed" I asked why that might be and he replied:
"Flight Operations is very happy with Air Canada but Finance Department have
big trouble"!! I immediately recognized what the problem might be and said:
"Well I think I understand. I guess if I was having some financial difficulties I might
have to be looking for training elsewhere." At that, the Flt. Ops. man replied:
"Oh, but Captain,-- we are like MacArthur-- we shall return!!" Great sense of humour I thought!
Footnote: TDA went south of the border to an airline which is now defunct.
They took one class of trainees through the program and then came hightailing
back to Air Canada. At one of the receptions we had for a graduating class a
JCAB inspector took me aside and said:
"You know, the best off shore training that TDA has ever received has been from
Air Canada!" A great compliment, and one which expanded my pride in all the
instructors and staff of Flight Operations Training.
George Mills <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Continuing the sage of the Vanguard - from the eMailNews issued by
Duane Frerichs -
From: "Mike Hart" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Two more personal events come to mind while on the Vanguard:
the night in Miami during the Easter holiday congestion when
Capt. Syd Baker REVERSED about 200' into our parking spot at the
old terminal with only #1 engine running, and the night when Capt. Cy
Thompson touched down on a very slippery runway in Stephenville with
about 20 degs. of crab due to a strong xwind. He then selected the
appropriate reversers one at a time to keep the old girl perfectly aligned.
I was impressed!
Tony Gordon told about his time with BEA when they hit a flock of
seagulls right after airborne and managed to land again in 200' ceiling
while shutting down and restarting various engines due to over-temping.
They gathered SIX pick-up truck's full of birds off the runway.
Now THAT'S my kind of airplane!

From: "Bill Norberg" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Subject: The famous Vanguard aircraft!
I have found it interesting to read about the various pilot reactions to the
Vanguard aircraft we operated in the 60's and beyond. The stories reminded me
of the situation with the 12 blind men and the elephant. Each while experiencing
the elephant, had a different view of what an elephant was.
So it seems with the Vanguard. The sales people loved it because of its capacity.
The cargo people loved it for its belly compartment capacity and it seems pilots
loved it because of its cockpit spaciousness and being able to walk around the
pilots seats.
The maintenance people certainly saw it as a challenge primarily because of the
performance of the Tyne engine. I think the Tyne engine had the worst
unscheduled removal rate of any aircraft we have operated. At the height of its
operation we were experiencing about 33 to 35 unscheduled engine removals
per month for cause. Considering there were between 80 to 92 operating engines
in the fleet this was a very high number. The power plant shop had to produce
between 1.2 to 1.5 engines per day to keep up with operating demands.
This was also the only aircraft I have ever heard of that had an "anti rattle"
campaign to eliminate annoying cabin noises. At one point the cabin superchargers
had to have a chain mail jacket placed around them to contain fragments in event
of a catastrophic failure.
This aircraft was the only one that could carry a spare engine in its belly
compartment.
Yes it was truly an unusual aircraft and has many interesting memories
attached to it.                  Keep the stories coming.

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Tom Martin sends us this -
From: "Tom Martin" <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Interesting to see the note from Bill Norberg in the latest NL re Tech Services
contracts and the Engine Shop experience with the CP Conways, particularly since
Phil Wittingstall's name showed up as a new subscriber in the same NL.
My recollections of the Wardair contract are that Eddie O'Keefe and I were sent
to YYZ to meet the new Wardair 747 and negotiate a contract.  With us we had a letter
from Dave Tennant giving guide lines - ha!.  In effect the letter said we should have a
markup of not less than 0% or more than 100%.  I kept the letter until I retired, just for fun,
but Eddie in particular and I to a lesser extent received a fair amount of flak from some
colleagues as to why we were doing business with the competition.
The answer was simple, either we did the work and made some money or they would
go elsewhere.  Good to see in the latest Horizons that the contract work is alive and well,
thanks no doubt, as Bill said, to our dollar.
Tom Martin retired YULJZ

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Terry's travel tips.

Cruises from Dargal Interline -
*** EXCLUSIVE RATE ***
Western Caribbean ~ 7 Nights ~ January 6, 13 & 20 ~
Commodore Enchanted Isle New Orleans return
Inside $299, Outside $399, 3rd & 4th $29

*** WORLD CRUISE ***
A world cruise has always been the ultimate travel adventure. But like any
vacation, it's not just where you journey that matters, but how. The Royal
Princess, christened by Princess Diana, is one of the most beautiful ships
afloat with the sleek silhouette and terraced observation decks that have
brought her rave reviews since being introduced in 1984. Royal Princess'
lavish floor-to-ceiling windows make her perfect for cruising many of the
world's most noted sights. Explore many nations, all from the comfort of
your ship. A world cruise is the experience of a lifetime you don't want to
miss!

72 Nights ~ February 15 ~ Royal Princess
Fort Lauderdale/Florida, At Sea, Cartagena, Panama Canal, At Sea,
Manta/Ecquador, At Sea, Lima/Peru, At Sea, Easter Island, At Sea,
Papeete/Tahiti, At Sea, Pago Pago/American Samoa, At Sea, At Sea, Fiji, At
Sea, Auckland/New Zealand, Bay of Islands, At Sea, Sydney/Australia, At Sea,
Great Barrier Reef/Australia, Cairnes/Australia, At Sea, Bitung/Indonesia,
At Sea, Manila/Phillipines, At Sea, Hong Long, At Sea, Ho Chi Minh
City/Vietnam, At Sea, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur/Indonesia, At Sea,
Cochin/India, At Sea, Bombay/India, At Sea, Salalah/Oman, At Sea,
Luxor/Karnak/Egypt, Suez Canal, Cairo/Giza/Egypt, Jerusalem/Nazareth/Israel,
At Sea, Athens/Greece, At Sea, Naples/Capri/Italy, Rome/Italy
* Outside (Obstructed) from only $3449! *

OR... take just a portion of this extraordinary cruise!

30 Nights ~ February 15 ~ Royal Princess
Sail from Fort Lauderdale to Sydney
* Outside (Obstructed) from $2269 *

19 Nights ~ March 18 ~ Royal Princess
Sail from Sydney to Singapore
* Outside (Obstructed) from $1354 *

23 Nights ~ April 6 ~ Royal Princess
Sail from Singapore to Rome
* Outside (Obstructed) from $1624 *

Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars per person, based on
double occupancy, and subject to availability and eligibility.
Applies to new bookings only. Port charges and government taxes are additional.
Offers are capacity controlled and may be withdrawn without notice.
For more information on these and other specials, contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "

. Smilie.
Holiday air travel
A couple went to the airport for a vacation and stopped at the luggage check in.
The man looked up and saw some mistletoe hanging above them, so he leaned
over to kiss his wife. She was surprised and asked her husband why he did that,
and he pointed up to the mistletoe.
They turned to the baggage handler and said that they thought the mistletoe
was a good idea, but they had never heard of it at an airport, was there any
significance to it.
He looked at them and said, "It's there so you can kiss your luggage good-bye".

and from stories heard at travel agencies - supplied by Edie Etheridge -
A man called and asked if he could rent a car in Dallas. When I pulled up
his reservation, I noticed he had a 1-hour lay-over in Dallas. When I asked
him why he wanted to rent a car, he said, "I heard  Dallas was a big airport,
and I need a car to drive   between gates to save time."

|
'---o-o-0-o-o---'
" ' "
Important reminder, for all new articles, submissions and or comments
for the "The Netletter" please send to:
Our joint e-mail address is:    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 both of us (exclusively)
will get an automatic copy and so we can keep up with the continuity of
news for the NetLetter.

Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
http://www.acfamily.org/acrew/
Part of the ACFamily Network

================================================================
Mailing of 'the NetLetter" is a service of the ACFamily Network
**************http://www.acfamily.net **************
================================================================







NetLetter Subscription

Please fill in the form below to subscribe.
Airline
Referral

Thank you. We hope that you enjoy The NetLetter.
­