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Air Canada: Inaugural flight to Singapore
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Bill Norberg sent us this information in 1999 regarding the Vickers Viscount.
Replacement of the lower wing spar caps in the Viscount could be compared to removing the backbone from a fish, replacing the backbone and then putting the fish back together again in a condition fit for whatever fish do. It was a complex task and the Winnipeg Maintenance staff headed by Sam Purves and Bill Bagley did a marvellous job to carry out these replacements and still keep the fleet operating.
The "GAG" cycle referred to in the wing spar deal had effects in another area of the Viscount structure, namely the fuselage skin. Every time the aircraft took off and landed the aircraft went through a pressurization cycle. This differential pressure applied over the total fuselage area naturally applied stress and eventually fatigue forces throughout the aircraft structure. The moisture condensation problems present in aircraft due to the extreme temperature differentials adds another factor. Moisture can build up in various areas and if the areas are not adequately treated metal corrosion can occur. As corrosion is cumulative, the amount of corrosion present will tend to increase with age of the aircraft. This corrosion when combined with the "GAG" cycle created problems.
Throughout the life of the Viscount it became necessary to replace a number of the fuselage skins for this reason. If the skins were not replaced the maximum cabin pressure allowed would be reduced. This of course would restrict the operation of the aircraft as well as affect the comfort level for passengers at high altitude flight conditions. This again increased the maintenance costs for this aircraft in its later years. The introduction of the DC-9 aircraft provided an aircraft that was not only more productive in terms of passengers and average speed but was less costly to maintain. The DC-9 was designed and built with the concept of 'maintainability' in mind and was to benefit from the lessons learned from these early aircraft such as the Comet, Viscount, BAC-111 etc.
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Air Canada Bids Farewell to Last CRJ-200
Air Canada has officially retired the last CRJ-200 aircraft from its regional fleet.
The final flight of the type, registered as C-FEJA, took place on June 6, 2024 and was operated by regional carrier Jazz Air.
The CRJ-200, which had been a workhorse for the airline’s regional operations, completed a round trip between Toronto Pearson and Montréal before being ferried to storage in Kingman, Arizona.
Source: airlinegeeks.com
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Photo by Tony Hisgett
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine |
Issue dated June 1985
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During 1985, the Canadian Maple Wings Association capped another busy year of community activities with its fifth annual general meeting being held in May.
The gathering was a practice run for the next year's special flight crew reunion in honor of the airline's 50th anniversary.
Consisting of former TCA and Air Canada flight attendants, each of the 12 Maple Wings chapters across Canada enjoyed an active year, making donations to charitable causes of their choice. Members of the Guelph "Golden Triangle" chapter are shown, standing from the left: Bev Stevens, Barb Kieswetter, Doreen Campbell, Betty Gillap, Carmel Kennedy, Audrey Peloso, Andréa Dowsley, Gretchen Marsh, Lou Grant, Colleen Price, Gaye Ennet, Marie Clancy, Betty Ann Beaty, Helen McEwan and Leslie Yake. Seated from the left are: Elinor Skinner, Marg Knox, Eleanore Hulland, Joan McFadden, Patricia Barry, Doris Singleton, Pauli Reid and Margaret Miller.
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Issue dated July 1985
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Caring is sharing.
Representatives of all branches met in Montreal to plan the 1985 Employee Campaign for Funds. Last year's 1984 drive was the most successful yet with 61 percent of the employee population participating and more than $700,000 pledged. Shown at the Montreal meeting are, standing from the left: Louise Yaniri, Government & Public Affairs; Richard Gendron, Mirabel; Jim McGowan, Maintenance & Engineering; Pauline Noël, Passenger Marketing, International; Johanne Guérin, Finance; Larry Mak. C&SS; Jack Kantor, Honorary Chairman; Warren Reeves, In-Flight; Nan Kirkwood, Human Resources; Sylvie Lefebvre, Cargo: Barney Weiner, Marketing & Planning; Denise Martineau, Passenger Marketing, North America; Gail Ellis, Campaign Coordinator and Gerry Philbrook, Manager, Industry Travel & Employee Services.
Sitting from the left. are: George Desormeaux, Maintenance & Engineering; Rhanda Spotton, U.S.; Pam Rodricks, Ontario; Denise Tappert, Facilities & Supply; Suzanne Beaulieu, Québec; Gino Marricco, Dorval Airport and Lynda Bowles, Transportation Services.
Missing from the photo are: Gail Skidmore, Atlantic; Captain Dave Jones, Flight Operations; Joyce Grassby. O/General Counsel; Antoinette Steede,. Executive Offices and Bev Lewis. Western Canada.
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