Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 February 28, 2026
|
|
|---|
Air Club International Boeing 747-200 - C-GCIH Photo by Torsten Maiwald |
|
|---|
Dear Welcome to The NetLetter, established in 1995 as a dedicated newsletter for Air Canada retirees.
We have evolved into the longest running aviation-based newsletter for Air Canada, TCA, CP Air, Canadian Airlines and all other Canadian-based airlines that once graced the skies. The NetLetter is self-funded and is always free to subscribers. It is operated by a group of volunteers and is not affiliated with any airline or associated organizations. The NetLetter is published on the second and fourth weekend of each month. If you are interested in Canadian aviation history, and vintage aviation photos, especially as it relates to Trans-Canada Air Lines, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International and their constituent airlines, then we're sure you'll enjoy this newsletter. Please note: We do our best to identify and credit the original source of all content presented. However, should you recognize your material and are not credited; please advise us so that we can correct our oversight. Our website is located at www.thenetletter.net Please click the links below to visit our archives and for more info about The NetLetter. |
|
|---|
 We have welcomed 15 new subscribers so far in 2026.
We currently have 4556 subscribers.
We wish to thank everyone for the continuing support of our efforts.
|
|
 Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.
|
|
|
We always welcome feedback about Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge) from our subscribers who wish to share current events, memories and photographs.
Particularly if you have stories to share from one of the legacy airlines: Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Airlines, CP Air, Pacific Western, Maritime Central Airways, Eastern Provincial, Wardair, Nordair, Transair, Air BC, Time Air, Quebecair, Calm Air, NWT Air, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Georgian and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.
We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|---|
 |
|
Aviation Expo 2026 SEA, taking place July 8-11, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport.
|
|
|
|---|
|
Doug Davidson adds his comments to Terry's piece on new regulations for Canadians entering the United Kingdom.
I note your comments re Canadians now requiring an ETA to enter U.K. That is pretty slick and easy to do.
However....much worse is that British ex-pats must have a British passport to enter U.K. as of 25th February. We were on a cruise a couple of weeks ago and got talking to some Aussies, It's all over the Aussie papers but I have seen not a peep here.
In both countries, of course, there are thousands of folks born in U.K. Or, who were born of British parents. They cannot, repeat cannot, enter U.K. with a Canadian passport and an ETA. They must have a British passport.
This news is only just spreading and processing times are backing up badly. People have booked trips and will not get their passports in time.
It puts Air Canada on the spot. I assume that anybody denied entry will have to be brought back. So if you try to board with a Canadian passport and your place of birth shows as Aberdeen or Aberystwyth, you will be denied boarding.
|
|
Terry's additional comments:
Neither British passports or certificates of entitlement are automatically issued to people who obtain citizenship, which means some dual nationals have never applied for them, even if they have lived in Canada for decades.
Both documents take several weeks to obtain and there are costs too. A British passport costs around £100 for an adult, while the certificate of entitlement costs £589.
See the following links to additional info:
|
|
|
|---|
|
 On April 1, 1960, Trans-Canada Air Lines (now Air Canada) revolutionized Canadian aviation by inaugurating its first transcontinental jet service, utilizing Douglas DC-8 aircraft between Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.
This new service significantly reduced travel time to 6 hours and 15 minutes, a major upgrade from the 17-hour, 35-minute propeller flight that first linked the coast 21 years earlier.
|
|
Key Aspects of the April 1, 1960 Jet Age Milestone:
- The Aircraft: The service featured the Douglas DC-8, marking Air Canada's entry into the jet engine era for civil operation.
- The Route: The flight launched from Montreal, stopped in Toronto, and continued to Vancouver.
- Speed Advantage: The DC-8 service was almost twice as fast as previous propeller-driven, non-stop, or multi-stop options from the 1950s.
- The Transition: This marked a major shift in the "piston to jet" power era for the airline, which, at the time, was still known as Trans-Canada Air Lines before officially becoming Air Canada in 1965.
|
|
|
|---|
|
Found in 'Horizons' magazine
|
|
Issue dated May 1978
|
 |
|
National Pionairs first meeting.
 More than 250 retirees, spouses and widows attended the founding meeting of the Pionairs at the Sheraton Hotel in Miami Beach to formally adopt a set of bylaws organizing an association of company employees in retirement.
The group enjoyed themselves to the fullest, in the business sessions, at the ocean, around the pool, at the receptions and banquet, but more particularly in renewing old friendships and making new acquaintances.
The meeting also elected its first executive, naming Martin Betts as President.
Mr. Betts is pictured at left with company President Claude I. Taylor who was named an honourary member of the Pionairs.
Below:
The newly-elected first executive of the Pionairs is shown, from the left front row: Dave Clarke, secretary; Martin Betts, President; Bill Spratt, first vice president.
Back row: Denny Brendon, second vice president and Scott Bradell, treasurer.
|
 |
|
|
Purchasing parting
J.A. Stephens, Director, Purchasing & Inventory Aircraft Support, standing in full view right of center in the dark jacket, is shown with some of the Purchasing staff which feted him in honour of his retirement coming up on August 1.
He chalked up a 19-year company career and for the past year and a half has served as President of the ATA Purchasing Committee.
|
 |
|
|
Mighty Mites
 Sales Representative Bruce Deitsch, right, sees off the OB Mites on their New York-Toronto journey to participate in the Orillia Mite Hockey Tournament.
Organizing the trip was worth it for Bruce. The Oyster Bay team buried all comers showing their 'mite' at the Ontario games.
|
|
|
Company personnel and the 'Eurobalade' summer staff are easily identified at the Paris CDG Airport with their red jackets and distinctive clipboards.
This is part of a series of improvements being taken to handle the many passengers expected in and out of this ever popular tourist destination.
From the left are: Alain Ausseur, Air Canada Station Coordinator, CDG.; Denyse Rivest, Hostess; Jean-Pierre Juppé, Airport Customer Service Manager; Hostesses Anne Pakianathan, Claudie Cauchy, Sophie Maudennet and Daniel Bregère, Air Canada Station Coordinator, CDG.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Issue dated July 1996
|
|
Co-workers in Winnipeg offered congratulations to Mechanic John Trinder who celebrated 25 years of service.
From left to right: Wayne Mosionier, Foreman; Curtis Kletice, Certificated Aircraft Technician; John Trinder; Ken Creran, Mechanic; Certificated Aircraft Technicians Oly Durey and Dom Celone; Colin Trinder, Mechanic; Ian Baker, Certificated Aircraft Technician; Don Fontaine, Mechanic; Bob McCormick, General Foreman; Colin Shabaga, Mechanic and Dennis Galbraith, Foreman.
|
 |
|
|
|---|
CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
|
|---|
 |
|
Issue dated February 1986
|
|
Farewell! Aircraft 744.
C-FCRE stripped of its CP insignia but still dressed in orange, was ferried to Amsterdam on December 17, 1985 to be exchanged for a PIA DC-10-30. The four CP Air 747-200s were exchanged for four Pakistan International Airlines DC-10-30s, more appropriately sized for the CP route network.
Crew, from left: Second Officer Al French, Captain Dick Spratt and First Officer Bill Dunn, chief pilot B-747.
|
 |
|
Editors' Note: This aircraft has been preserved at the ' Runway Street Food' plaza in Pattaya, Thailand. See NetLetter #1511 for more on its history.
Thanks to Dirk Grothe for giving us permission to share the photos below. Visit www.digroaero.com to view more of his photos.
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
Air Atlantic, the newest commuter partner of Canadian Pacific Air Lines, will begin operations in Newfoundland and the Maritimes on February 28, 1986.
Flights will be designated as CP flights, using number ranges 400-409, 436-439, and 460-469.
Services will begin with two leased de Havilland Dash 7s, which will be joined by two new 37-seat Dash 8s in the summer.
Editors' Note: Air Atlantic Dash 7 aircraft were an interim solution until delivery of their first Dash 8s. It functioned as feeder for Canadian Pacific Airlines and later Canadian Airlines International throughout Atlantic Canada and offered limited service from that region to Quebec, Ontario and New England. It ceased operations in October 1998. Source: Wikipedia.
|
 |
|
|
Issue dated April / May 1986
|
|
Long-range fuel tanks installed - 13 honoured for outstanding efforts
Appreciation plaques were presented to 13 maintenance personnel at Vancouver Ops Centre last month in recognition of their outstanding jobs in converting two of CPAL's DC-10-30s into extended-range DC-10-30ER aircraft
Plaque recipients were, from left, Bob Mundie, aircraft planning; Steve Leggatt and Blackie Cretain, sheet metal; Kevin Carrick, aircraft maintenance; Lloyd Hillier, sheet metal; Ken Goosen, Jerry Ruge and Jerry Sveinungsen, engineering; Dave Parkinson, avionics; Chris Marshall, engineering; Roy Sturgess, senior vice president, operations, who made the presentations; Jack Cooke, director, aircraft and component maintenance; and lan Simpson, material planning. Unavailable for the photo was Bill McMillan, engineering.
|
 |
|
|
|---|
|
More defunct airlines of Canada
|
|
Airtransit was a Canadian airline that provided short take-off and landing (STOL) service between Ottawa and Montreal with a fleet of six DHC-6 Twin Otters.
A subsidiary of Air Canada (then a Crown corporation), the airline operated from 1973 to 1976 before closing due to poor business.
|
 |
|
DHC-6 Twin Otter - CF-CSY
August 20, 1975
Photo by Piergiuliano Chesi
|
|
|
Alberta Citylink was an airline based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. It operated domestic passenger service for Air Canada as an Air Canada Connector air carrier via a code sharing agreement.
Its main base was Medicine Hat Airport, with a hub at Calgary International Airport. Founded in 1996, ceased operations January 2011.
|
 |
|
British Aerospace BAe-3112 Jetstream 31
Calgary - June 30, 1998
Photo by Paul Davey
|
|
|
Arctic Sunwest Charters was a charter airline based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. It operated passenger and cargo charter services in Canada's Arctic, with wheel, ski and float equipped aircraft.
Its main base was Yellowknife Airport and also operated a float base on Great Slave Lake near the Yellowknife Water Aerodrome. In 2013 it was fully integrated into its affiliate Summit Air.
|
 |
|
C-FASY Arctic Sunwest DHC-5 Buffalo
June 5, 2010
Photo by CambridgeBayWeather
|
|
|
Air Alliance was a Canadian regional airline based in Quebec City, Quebec, which was operational from its formation in 1987 until 1999, when it was absorbed into Air Nova.
The brand name Alliance was then used by Air Canada until 2011 to refer to its eastern Tier III operation by Air Georgian.
Editors' Note: This Dash 8 was operated by Air Ontario, Air Alliance and Jazz at different points in its life. It would eventually be scrapped in 2005.
|
 |
|
C-FVON - De Havilland Canada DHC-8-102
Ottawa - May 20, 1993
Photo by Alain Rioux
|
|
|
|---|
Aircraft of many colours
We've been looking into defunct airlines of Canada quite a bit lately and, when I was checking out the fleet of the short lived ' Air Club International', I came across one of their B-747s with a fascinating lifecycle.
Boeing 747-200 line #289 was originally delivered to Singapore Airlines in March 1976, as per Planespotters.net. It remained in service until 2002 with several airlines.
Its Canadian connection began in August 1992 when it was leased by Nationair Canada (registration C-FNXP). It was then sub-leased to Garuda International and Cathay Pacific before being returned to Potomac Capital. It was later leased to Air Club International (header photo) (registration C-GCIH) in June of 1994 . Returned in October 1995, it was leased to Tower Air (USA) and then Transjet Airways of Sweden.
It was stored in 2002 after Transjet ceased operations. The aircraft was subsequently acquired by Oscar Diös and converted into ' Jumbo Stay', a hostel and hotel located inside the decommissioned Boeing 747-200 aircraft at Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden. It had 33 rooms, 76 beds, and officially opened in January 2009. In March 2025, the owner declared bankruptcy and closed the hotel.
|
 |
|
Original livery with Singapore Airlines
Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport - November 1981
Photo by Ken Fielding
|
|
 |
|
Jumbo Stay hotel
Stockholm Arlanda Airport - September 2019
Photo by Bahnfrend
|
|
|
|---|
| Terry's Trivia
& Travel Tips |
|
|---|
|
Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.
|
 Some of the many Interline deals from Dynamic Travel and Cruises.
Please note that to view the information on most of the details you must be logged into the website InterlineTravel.com
All prices in US$.
Call 800 766-2911 to book!
OBC = Onboard Credit per cabin based on double occupancy.
pp = per person
|
- 7 to 9 Night Cruises - $25 OBC on Inside Cabins - $50 OBC on Oceanview Cabins - $150 OBC on Balcony Cabins and $200 OBC on Suites.
- 10+ Nt Cruises - $50 OBC on Inside Cabins - $100 OBC on Oceanview Cabins - $200 OBC on Balcony Cabins and $300 OBC on Suites.
- Azamara - 10 Nights From Vancouver to Whittier on June 22 on the Azamara Pursuit - Balcony cabin just $1,970pp.
- Carnival Cruise Line - 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Seattle on Apr. 28 aboard the Carnival Spirit - Balcony cabin from just $994pp.
- Celebrity Cruise Lines - 7 Night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver to Seward in May aboard the Celebrity Summit - Balcony cabin from just $850pp.
- Cunard Cruise Lines - 7 Night Alaska Cruise sailing round-trip from Seattle aboard the Queen Elizabeth on May 14. Oceanview cabin just $868pp.
|
|
|
|---|
|
From 'Lots more mirth with Mathias.'
|
 |
|
|
|---|
Wayne, Ken & Terry Richmond, British Columbia - December 2019
(Bob Sheppard was not available for the photograph) |
|
|
|---|
Wayne, Bob & Ken Richmond, British Columbia - December 2023
(Terry Baker was not available for the photograph) |
|
|---|
We wish to honour the memories of
Vesta Stevenson and Alan Rust. They remain a part of every edition published. |
|
|---|
Subscription Management
Each copy of our newsletter is addressed to each individual subscriber. The info below is visible to you only and not to other subscribers.
We presently have the following subscription info in your profile.
First Name: Last Name: Email: City: Province/State/County: Country:
If you feel that this info needs updating, please click below to edit your info.
Modify my profile Please note: You cannot change your email address, please contact us directly should you wish to do so. |
|
|---|
E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted):
The historical information as well as any other information provided in the "NetLetter" is subject to correction and may have changed over time.
We do publish corrections (and correct the original article) when this is brought to our attention.
Disclaimer: Please note that the NetLetter does not necessarily endorse any airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers.
We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here.
We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link. |
|
|---|
If you feel that The NetLetter does not apply to you
please click below Unsubscribe We thank you for your past support. |
|
|---|
|
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
