|
Ken Starnes sent us several photos of his recent visit to The KF Centre of Excellence at Kelowna International Airport (YLW). Located at 5800 LaPointe Drive, it is shaped like a fuselage and the wings of an aircraft. The centre sprawls 60,000 sq ft and is estimated to reduce carbon by 1,753 metric tonnes. Folding glass hangar doors make a 115‘ clear span to allow aircraft such as the Convair CV 580 and the DC-3 to enter the hangars. It was the dream of Barry LaPointe 52 years ago; twenty-four year old Barry had $7,000 in his pocket and a dream. On March 25, 2021 ground was broken for the future site of KF Centre for Excellence. KF Aerospace is now the leading aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company in Canada. Below are a few selected photos of the De Havilland 98 Mosquito B Mark 35. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
Friday, March 31, 2023 Buehler Aerospace Skills Center Source: |
|
From the early days of Trans-Canada Air Lines |
|
We go back in time in case some readers are interested in genealogy information on their families. We peruse the early additions of the 'Between Ourselves' magazine. |
|
Issue dated November 1948 |
|
1948 - December 1 - Inaugural North Star 'Skyliner' service, Montreal - Toronto - Tampa, Florida - Nassau, Bahamas - Kingston, Jamaica - Port of Spain, Trinidad and return using North Star equipment. |
 |
|
At Sydney, Nova Scotia the Trans-Canada Air Lines Recreation Association (TCARA) was reorganized. A complete new slate of officers was brought in consisting of Al McWilliam, President; Jack Stuewe, 1st Vice-President; Frank MacDonald, 2nd vice-president; Isobel Bezanson, secretary and John Connolly, Treasurer. It looks like a good season. |
|
Personality of the month
Harriette joined TCA in April 1946, when we opened our Chicago service, and advanced through the positions of Telephone operator and Passenger Agent to become a Sales Representative in January of this year. Taking over a man's job isn't new to Harriette. Her background in aeronautics was gained during the war when the Civil Aeronautics Administration trained women as Airport Control Tower Operators in order to release the men for duty in the Armed Services. Harriette was assigned to the control tower and held forth for two years. |
|
Issue dated December 1953 |
|
The beginning of November 1953, Toronto became an originating and terminating point for trans-Atlantic flights for the first time. Initial plans call for the dispatch of one overseas flight a week out of Toronto and the arrival of another from London and Prestwick, and to mark the introduction of this new service to the public, there was a ceremony at Malton Airport. Until November 1953, all TCA's overseas flights turned around at Montreal, connections with domestic flights being made at that point. Flags of the countries served by TCA were on parade at the ceremony carried by 6 stewardesses and two guides. |
 |
|
Passengers for TCA flight 532 of November 3, 1953 were piped aboard at Malton Airport by members of the Georgetown All-girl Pipe Band. It was the first trans-Atlantic flight to originate at Toronto, operating once-weekly. |
 |
|
|
|
February 2, 2021 from Propliner 2021 magazine. Cunard Eagle Airways leased Douglas DC-6B VR-BBQ (c/n 43844) from Canadian Pacific Air Lines in March 1961. Seen here at Heathrow Airport in the summer of 1961, this aircraft was re-registered G-ARWJ on February 25, 1962, before returning to CPAL in December 1962 as CF-CUQ 'Empress of Buenos Aires'. The aircraft was lost in tragic circumstances on July 8, 1965 when a bomb exploded in the toilet whilst the aircraft was en-route from Vancouver to Prince George. Another splendid shot from the collection of Angus Squire, to whom we offer our sincere thanks. |
 |
|
Rare colour picture of TransAir Avro York CF-HAS (ex-MW290) on a snow-covered apron, possibly at Winnipeg Airport. Purchased from the Royal Air Force by Spartan Air Services on March 23, 1955, the York was ferried from storage at Kirkbride to Prestwick on July 20, 1955, and following the award of her C of A on August 21, 1955, the aircraft was ferried to Canada. CF-HAS was initially flown by Spartan carrying survey equipment to remote sites in northern Canada, before being sold to Arctic Wings for DEW-Radar Line support flying. In April 1956 the company was taken over by Central Northern Airways, following which the name of TransAir was adopted. Although retired from service in December 1962, the York survived for a number of years afterwards in store at The Pas Airport, Manitoba, until being destroyed by fire in July 1970. |
 |
|
Posted by Time Air Historical Society September 10, 2022.
A very special event happened for a number of the Time Air family, nearly 35 years ago. In October of 1987, Time Air was the official carrier of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, on their tour of Saskatchewan. Below are the members of the crews that served on this tour. Sheldon Simpson posted this comment - I remember this. There was a special seat and table made for the Royal party. Rod Ross posted this memory - If my recollection is correct, the Lethbridge Maintenance (Tony McCartan?) constructed a special seat for the Queen and it was stored/sitting in the hangar till 1993 when we moved out of the hangar. |
 |
Posted on Facebook