Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Speculation increased that Virgin Blue would join the Star Alliance following CEO John Borghetti's presence at the Star CEOs' meeting in Queenstown, New Zealand recently.

Issue dated - September 1962
Musing through the "Between Ourselves" magazine -

Issue dated - November 1981
Extract from "Horizons" magazine

A Christmas Eve Flight - written by Richard Begin (retired Air Canada Flight Attendant) and gleaned from the ACFamily Network.

It was a long time ago on a Christmas Eve flight from YYZ to YHZ on a good old DC8 Standard (sorry but I can't remember the fin number).  The flight was leaving at about 20:00 making it an hour later in "Hafalax".  With a full load of Pax, off we went.  The flight to YHZ isn't a very long one and at about 2.5 hrs., it was just enough time to do a nice bar and meal service. 

At the appropriate time, Cpt. Dodds "pulled the plug" and we started our decent.  Ding, Ding, and I entered the Flt. Deck and was told that the wx in YHZ was somewhat marginal due to warm temps and fog and we're probably going to encounter some good bumps.  "We're going to give it a try but be prepared for an abortion" was his statement.  I briefed the crew, we stored everything, dimmed the lights and took up our positions.

The approach was indeed "bumpy" and everyone on the plane held their breaths and oooohed and aaawed as we rode down. 

From my seat at the very back, I could barely see out through the pax windows but could determine that the Vis was not very good and all of a sudden, we heard the full throttle power of the engines, there was a change in pitch and up we went.  Obviously, that approach wasn't successful.

As we gained altitude, Cpt. Dodds came on the PA and gave the Pax some encouraging words. They went something like this.  "Well folks it looks like the Halifax weather isn't co-operating with us.  It's quite cloudy out there and we've got some turbulence but because it is Christmas Eve and everyone has to be here for this important holiday, we're going to try another landing.  It's our intent to get you home for Christmas." and with that, we began another descent.

In all honesty, all of us were a little nervous, including the crew so in order to help us all deal with it, in what seemed to be about 10 minutes before landing, I got on the PA and suggested that, because it was Christmas Eve after all, we should all sing a carol and with that, I asked everyone to join me and began singing Silent Night.  Everyone earnestly lent their voices and as we flew through the 'bumps' and got closer to Halifax, we landed and finished the carol, as we taxied in towards the terminal building.

Upon deplaning, all the Pax sincerely thanked Cpt. Dodds and the three of us FA's standing at the front during the process even giving us some hugs as they got off.

It was a Merry Christmas for them and a rewarding experience for us.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all on the ACFamily and the NetLetter.

Richard Begin

  

News and articles from days gone by gleaned from various publications from C.A.I.L. and it's "ancestry" of contributing airlines.

Issue dated - November 1998
Extracted from the "Canadi>n Flyer" magazine

Sometimes we receive articles and information that just doesn't fit in our other areas. This is where it goes!

Jim Griffith has sent us this together with some interesting photos of Niagara Falls -

Just to let you know what I've been up to recently.

AirAsia claims to have set a world record of selling over 538,000 seats in one day beating its previous record of 390,000. The air carriers "Mind-Blowing Fare" campaign offered fares on both domestic and international flights from just MYR1 (20 pence sterling) and at one point the airline was selling 36,871 seats per hour. 

CLUB AIMS TO BUILD A DOZEN SPITFIRES
It's an ambitious plan, but a group of pilots based at Enstone Flying Club in the U.K. hopes to build a dozen 90-percent-scale Spitfire replicas by the end of next year. The result will be a "living history" squadron of aircraft that will perform at events around the U.K. The Supermarine MK26B Spitfires will be built from all-aluminum kits by teams of up to 12 builders and pilots. Fractional ownership options from one-twelfth to full ownership of each airplane will be available. Builders also can opt to be trained in formation flying skills. The group hopes to have the squadron ready in time to perform at the Farnborough Air Show in 2012.

JAMES  F. C. ROSE - YOUR Cruise Expert - since 1993
We offer far more than just interline cruises!  We are a full service, international retail travel agency. That means your friends and family can book their vacations with us also. Whether it's a cruise, an all-inclusive resort package, a hotel, a vacation home, airfare, car rental, rail, insurance - whatever - we can make anyone's travel needs a reality!

- There has never been a better time to book a luxury cruise.  Considering the fact that luxury lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Regent offer all-inclusive pricing (including gratuities, alcohol, and even shore excursions in many cases), you will find that you can take a luxury cruise and end up spending less money than many standard cruises. Have a look at the luxury section below and call me for more details!

Asia
December 21 ~ 18 NT ~ Azamara Quest Ports of Call: Singapore 2 days, At Sea 2 days, Klong Toey 3 days, At Sea, Sihanoukville, At Sea, Ho Chi Minh City 2 days, At Sea, Danang, Halong Bay 2 days, At Sea, Hong Kong 2 days.

December 21 Inside $1350, Outside $1800, Balcony $2250, Deluxe $3600.

Bahamas
Celebrity Cruise Lines January 15  and February 5 ~ 9 NT ~ Mercury Ports of Call: Baltimore, At Sea, Charleston, At Sea, Key West, Nassau, Cococay, At Sea 2 days, Baltimore.
January        15   Inside $449, Outside $539, Balcony $899 February       5    Inside $449, Outside $539.

Caribbean
Norwegian Cruise Lines
January 2 - February 2 ~ 10 NT ~ Norwegian Jewel Ports of Call: New York, At Sea 2 days, San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Maarten, Tortola, At Sea 2 days, New York.
January   2     Balcony $999.

January 12, 23, Feb 2 -      Inside $499, Oceanview $599, Balcony $999, Mini-Suite $1199.

For reservations:
http://members.shaw.ca/jamesrose/quote.htm
Usual terms & conditions apply, including these are all per person - based upon at least two in cabin, USA funds, government fees & handling & service charges (none to us) are additional. Prices & availability are NOT guaranteed to last, and can and do change fast and without notice. However, your price is guaranteed once you book & pay.

JAMES  F. C. ROSE - YOUR Cruise Expert - since 1993
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. web site:             http://members.shaw.ca/jamesrose
information: (204) 889-3885 fax: (204) 889-3885 reservation :      (204) 889-3885 & (800) 414-8091
 

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UK air travelers in November saw yet another rise, the third in three years, from £11 ($17.38) to £12 for economy passengers on short-haul flights and from £55 to £85 for economy passengers on long-haul flights. In premium classes, the increase was from £22 to £24 for short-haul flights and from £110 to £170 for long-haul flights.
 

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This is the conclusion of Our Far East Adventure: (Jack and Aureen Morath  -  Continued)

From the UK Pionairs monthly newsletter -
During the last two days at our hotel in Bangkok, there were political demonstrations in the city centre which was some way from where we were staying, so didn't affect us.  There was increased security entering the stores with local people being searched, but not tourists. Cars in the car parks were being checked with mirrors underneath for devices. When we checked our flight back there were 137 seats available on the 747 Thai Airways flight. We had been away a total of three weeks when we took the half hour taxi ride back to the airport which cost around £6. We  checked at the Thai Airways standby desk and the agent advised us to come back at a later time as the flight was almost full! There were only 20 seats available! It seems a lot of people had decided to return home because of the troubles in Bangkok and the country. We returned to the desk as requested an hour before departure. We were glad to get two seats on board, although only four empty seats were left by now. The flight was just over 12 hours to London, leaving at 1340 and arriving at Heathrow 1935 the same day. An excellent three-week trip, and great to meet up with Frank and his crew in Chiang Mai and visiting a new place for us - Taiwan.  Now what new places are in store for the next twelve months?

 

• Chief Pilot - Terry Baker, Nanaimo, B.C.
• Co-pilot - Alan Rust, Surrey, B.C.
• Flight Engineer - Bill Rowsell, Londesboro, Ontario