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( For retirees of the new Air Canada family)
Number 567 Mar 10th, 2001, 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
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. We welcome.
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. Victoria Ewert sends us this bio and information -
I am glad to hear that I can communicate to Air Canada retirees and can exchange
informations especially about travel. I am a widow of an Air Canada employee and
I want to keep in touch with the retirees to keep the memories alive. I am not that old yet -
I was only 31 years old when my husband passed away 10 years ago.
He was only 3 months short of his retirement for 25 years of service. He died of lung
cancer but Air Canada have been helpful to me until now.
Myself and my son who is now 12 years old, travel to other countries 2 times a year.
If any member wants information about the whole Asia, Europe, Caribbean, I can be
of help. ALso, if there is any AC retirees who wants to travel to Edmonton anytime
of the year, I offer a family house Bed and Breakfast at $50 per day per person or $70
per couple. I have 3 fully furnished bedrooms set aside for B&B with bathroom and
sitting rooms. It is only 20 minutes drive to the International airport and to the
West Edmonton mall. There could be retirees who wants to attend the 2001 World Summer Olympic to be held in Edmonton on August 3-13th, the tract and field event will
be held walking distance from our house. It is a first come first serve basis, so anyone
interested have to e-mail me at <mailto:
All the hotels are already fully booked and reserved.
I am planning to go to Tobago, Trinidad in April - is there anyone who have been to this place?
I need tips. Victoria Ewert
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. Subject: Denis Brackman
My father (AC retiree), Denis Brackman, passed away December 19, 2000
after a very brief but brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Frances and his son, Howard (me). He was 63.
(Howard tells us that his mother can be emailed at
Sincerely, Howard
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. From: Myron Olson.
Subject: GIMLI GLIDER
We told you about 767-233 fin 604 C-GAUN being put into storage.
Fred Spriggs sends us this comment -
As a matter of interest, if I'm not mistaken, FIN604 is the 767 that made
history when it landed safely at the Gimli, Manitoba, racetrack (airport)
(Fred's information is correct - eds)
Myron tells us -
Having flown this a/c on many occasions, used to joke that one could
feel the finger indentations in the control wheel after this incident.
In fact thought the registration GAUN was applied correctly.
Gimli Arrival UNpowered!
This feat obviously did not go unnoticed,
they named CYYZ in his (pilots') honour. :-)
Myron Olson <
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. Found on the internet.
BRITISH AIRWAYS SAY THANKS, BUT NO THANKS ON SUPER JUMBO...
In what could be a big blow to Airbus' Super Jumbo program, British
Airways has announced that it is not interested in the double-decker
A380 after all.
FLIGHT TESTING IN THE NEWS:
Bombardier's CRJ900 made its first flight from the Montreal, Canada,
Mirabel International Airport.
LAST MD-11 LEAVES THE FACTORY:
Under the tearful eyes of some former McDonnell Douglas employees, the
last MD-11 with the Douglas name was delivered on February 22. The aircraft
was purchased by German carrier Lufthansa and ends another chapter in
aviation history. The MD-11 is a modification of the original tri-jet DC-10 design,
and the Lufthansa jet is the 200th and final MD-11 made.
The Douglas label disappeared after Boeing acquired the company in 1997.
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. From: Gordon Dalziel
This came from Brian Dunn
LIGHTNING STRIKES BA PILOT
A BRITISH Airways pilot yesterday told of his terror when he
was struck by lightning inside the cockpit of a packed jet he was flying at
5,000ft. Senior First Officer Richard Adcock, 45, was preparing to land in
driving rain when he saw an almighty blue flash, heard a crackling noise...
and felt a massive thud deep in his chest. It was followed by the sickening
smell of his burning flesh. Lightning had struck the plane's glass
windscreen. And because Richard's arm was touching it, the bolt surged
through and drilled a hole the size of a five pence piece in his chest.
Richard, captaining the Boeing 757 with 160 passengers and crew,
doubled up in agony, temporarily losing the use of his right arm completely.
But he managed to hand the controls to colleague Mike Tarry, 55. And
despite the state of his pal, Mike landed successfully.
The drama happened as the Boeing - call sign "Kilo-Lima" - was
completing its flight from Heathrow to Amsterdam. Planes, like cars,
are safe during thunderstorms because the bodywork acts as a
cage keeping the electricity on the outside. But Richard's arm brushing
the screen at the crucial moment caused a million-to-one freak accident.
In a dramatic account of what happened next, Richard told a friend:
"I had just throttled down as we came in to Amsterdam. I had my arm
leaning next to the windscreen and all of a sudden there was a huge
bang and flash. "Right away I knew I'd been hit by lightning. It was a
bit like being kicked by a horse in the chest from the inside out.
"I felt a severe pain in my shoulder and I couldn't use my arm.
"It was very frightening and I asked my skipper to take over.
Agony ... Richard is hit in the chest "One of the air hostesses came in
asking what the noise had been because she knew it wasn't a familiar
plane sound. "But she said only two or three passengers had noticed
anything at all so mercifully there was no panic. " Medical tests later
showed that Richard suffered a "burn wound in his chest consistent
with an electrical discharge."
In his official report to BA bosses, Richard also revealed: "When I felt a
heavy thud in my chest I was disorientated for a few seconds. I realized
that the aircraft and indeed I had been struck by lightning.
"Mike asked me if I was all right and I said I was not and asked him
to take control. "I then realized I could not move my right arm and
told Mike. I was effectively incapacitated at this point. "Mike flew
the aircraft making his own flap and gear selections informing me
what he was doing all the time. "On arriving, two paramedics boarded
the aircraft. I was given an ECG and my blood pressure
was taken." Richard, who is married and lives in West Sussex,
went on: "Accompanied by Mike, I was taken to the medical centre.
"Due to the irregularities with my ECG and high blood pressure,
the doctor telephoned a cardiologist at a local hospital. "I was told that
I was fit to fly back to London Heathrow as a passenger the next day
but not to operate as crew. I was later examined by a doctor who found
a burn mark on my chest. He found me unfit to fly." It is believed
Richard escaped more serious injury because he was wearing
rubber-soled shoes. But the accident, in October last year, has
caused other problems. Richard - who has flown for 25 years,
15 with BA - was originally off work for a fortnight. But on his first
return to the air, a scheduled flight to Edinburgh, he became ill again
suffering from an irregular heartbeat. He had to get his captain to take
over before he was taken to hospital for tests.
Richard now has to wear a heart monitor and is currently on long-term
sick leave. But he hopes to return to flying next month if he passes a
stringent health check. A BA colleague said last night:
"He has always played to win, whether it's golf, clay-pigeon shooting or
flying. " He's very determined and he was determined to get that
plane down safely. "Now he's determined to return to flying as soon
as he can. "The hole in his chest looks as though someone has inserted
a red-hot drawing pin into it and it is still surrounded by burn marks."
A BA spokesman said: "We have never heard of a case before where
a pilot or crew member has been struck by lightning while in a plane.
"Aircraft are occasionally hit by lightning but they are designed so that
the electrical charge is safely dissipated. This was a one-in-a-million
freak occurrence and fortunately it all turned out well in the end.
"We hope the pilot can resume flying as soon as possible."
The incident was probed by the Air Accident Investigation Branch
who issued a report yesterday. Richard, an ex-RAF pilot, added:
"A lot of my colleagues can't believe how lucky I've been and are
asking me what my Lottery numbers are. "But I'm not that lucky ...
and certainly wouldn't want to go through that again."
Gord Dalziel
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. Terry's travel tips.
From Dargal
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To book this very special deal please call James at 1-800-690-3223, ext. 101
Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars per person (based on
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For more information on other specials, contact us at:
DARGAL Interline 1-800-690-3223 (North America)
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RESORTS
Here are some other great resort deals. All rates listed
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All rates are ppdo US$ for 4 days/3 nights.
CANCUN...Golden Paradise (All-Inclusive)...$195
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PLAYA DEL CARMEN...Bravo Club El Mandarin (All-Inclusive) ...$265
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. Smilies.
From: Dave Fernie <
Subject: FW: Maintenance reports.
Never let it be said that Ground crews and Engineers lack a sense of
humor.
Here are some actual maintenance complaints/problems, generally known as
squawks, recently submitted by QANTAS Pilots to maintenance Engineers.
After attending to the squawks, maintenance crews are required to log the
details of the action taken to solve the problem.
Here are some examples.................
P ? The problem logged by the Pilot
S ? The solution and action taken by the Engineers.
..............................
P ? Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S ? Left inside main tire almost replaced.
P ? Test flight OK, except autoland very rough.
S ? Autoland not installed on this aircraft.
P ? No. 2 propeller seeping prop fluid.
S ? No. 2 propeller seepage normal ? Nos 1, 3 and 4 propellers lack normal
seepage.
P ? Something loose in cockpit.
S ? Something tightened in cockpit.
P ? Dead bugs on windshield.
S ? Live bugs on back-order.
P ? Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 FPM descent
S ? Cannot reproduce the same problem on the ground.
P ? Evidence of leak on right main landing gear
S ? Evidence removed.
P ? DME volume is unbelievably loud
S ? Volume set to more believable level
P ? Friction lock cause throttle levers to stick.
S ? That is what they are there for.
P ? IFF inoperative.
S ? IFF is always inoperative in OFF mode.
P ? Suspected crack in windscreen.
S ? Suspect your right.
P ? No. 3 engine missing.
S ? Engine found on right wing after brief search.
P ? Aircraft handles funny.
S ? Aircraft warned to "Straighten up, Fly Right and Be Serious".
P ? Target radar hums.
S ? Reprogrammed target radar with words.
P ? Mouse in cockpit.
S ? Cat installed.
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please add to your Address Books.
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Why not check out the Air Canada Retired Employees Web Site
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Part of the ACFamily Network
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