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Saskatchewan's aviation history 1900-65
On August 10, 1912 , flying from the Exhibition Grounds, Glen Martin set a new Canadian altitude record of 6,400 feet. The mark went unchallenged for five years.
The first woman to fly over Saskatchewan was the famed and daring Katherine Stinson (her family later built airplanes) when she thrilled Reginans in June of 1916.
Among the fascinated spectators at these early air displays in Regina was a young man, R.J. Groome, who had his head in the clouds and was determined to be a flier.
His chance came in 1917, when he enlisted in the flying service of that time. He was posted to Camp Borden and later became a flying instructor at Camp Mohawk, Ontario. Groome made the acquaintance of Ed Clarke and, after his discharge from the service in 1918, they combined their resources to buy a Curtiss JN trainer.
Later, they purchased a second and, in so doing, made aviation history. Groome and Clarke called their firm the Aerial Service Company and they built a hangar and an airfield at where the Hill and Cameron intersection now is located.
Groome received the first commercial pilot’s licence issued in Canada, license No. 1. His mechanic, Bob McCombie, was awarded air engineer’s licence No. 1, and the Jenny was licensed as the first commercial aircraft in the country. On that same historic day, the tiny airport also received Air Harbour licence No. 1. Source: CAHS Regina Chapter archives.
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This 'flying' ferry could revolutionize the way we commute.
Swedish company Candela's all-electric, hydrofoiling vehicles could make commutes faster and more comfortable while helping the planet in the process. Source: cnn.com
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Douglas Seagrim has a very special personal memory of CF-TCA
Enjoyed your article on the life of CF-TCA in NetLetter #1545. Just thought I could add a little piece to the story to make it complete.
My father, Herb Seagrim, as one of the first TCA pilots, picked it up at the factory when new in 1938 and brought it to Winnipeg where it began its long career. When that career was over and it was restored to TCA livery and donated to the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa, my father and myself, at that time a Viscount First Officer, arranged a Father/Son flight for the delivery.
Since my Father has long since passed on, it makes me the last person to ever fly it. That also started what turned out to be a trend as I was also involved in the delivery of the Viscount and the DC-9.
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Editors' Note: For NetLetter #1544, we contacted photographer, Adrian Romang, for permission to use one of his photographs of a First Air Lockheed L-100-30 Hercules aircraft.
Mr. Romang (who resides in Switzerland) not only generously allowed us to use his photo but also submitted his article (linked below) published in Swiss Aviation Magazine in September 2008 chronicling his visit to the Northwest Territories.
Text and Images by Adrian Romang. Originally published in German, this version has been translated by Google Translate.
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From it’s hub in Yellowknife, First Air operates two L-100 Hercules to supply several mines in Canada’s North. The 33 Year old C-GUSI has served on all continents.
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Hercules in continuous use
In the far north of Canada, things are booming after enormous deposits of various mineral resources have been discovered in recent years. While a gold and copper mine is being built in British Columbia, the mining of diamonds in the Northwest Territories (NWT) has been in full swing for years.
In Yellowknife, the capital of the NWT, various airlines are stationed, all of which profit from the diamond business. A look from within the cargo department of First Air, which claims to be “The Airline of the North”.
He just introduced himself to me as Tony, he who flies as a flight captain for First Air. I meet him on December 3 at six o’clock in the evening in the common room over a cup of coffee. Instead of a uniform with a tie, which is usually the case for airline captains, a thick Helly Hansen peeks out from under the blue flight overalls.
Outside it has been dark for about two and a half hours, and icy cold at minus 30°C. Tony’s fiber fur has its justification. Immediately I realize that in this rough area of Canada, at least in terms of flying, surnames, titles and good-looking clothes play a subordinate role and other qualities are more important.
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The cargo lashed to the metal pallet is pulled directly from the truck into the Hercules.
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While the autopilot controls C-GUSI, Captain Tony has time to update the calculations and prepare for the night landing on the gravel runway of the Diavik diamond mine.
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The Diavik mine seen from the air. At the top right, the 1600m long runway is visible, providing an idea about the extent of the mine.
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 Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.
At Toronto Pearson, (YYZ) we’re implementing innovative digital solutions to streamline passenger experience.
The YYZ Express App can help you save time and skip the line by booking a time slot for going through security before arriving at the airport.
The Advance CBSA Declaration technology helps returning travellers to expedite customs and immigration; the U.S. Mobile Passport Control App allows travellers to expedite U.S. customs by submitting personal information in advance of travel.
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Changes effective November 13, 2024 to parkade rates at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), including new 30 minutes free.
New parkade rates include a complimentary 30 minutes, so you can park in our parkade for a seamless pick-up or drop-off experience with 30 minutes of free parking. New parkade rates are:
New Gateway valet rates are:
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Travellers flying domestically through Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will now enjoy a smoother, faster security screening experience.
As of September 4, 2024 at YVR, Checkpoint ABC North has reopened with cutting-edge CATSA Plus Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray equipment, making YVR the first airport in Canada to use this advanced security screening technology.
With the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s (CATSA) new system, travellers can move through security screening without the need to remove liquids, aerosols, gels, or large electronics from their carry-on bags, all while maintaining the highest safety standards and enjoying local art and storytelling.
Serving passengers travelling through gates A, B, and C, the newly renovated checkpoint reduces congestion during peak hours and gives passengers more flexibility in how they navigate the airport. These enhancements, aimed at reducing wait times and stress, underscore YVR's commitment to creating a smoother, more enjoyable travel experience for everyone. See also:
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Where are they now?
One Air is a British cargo charter airline founded in 2021. Beginning its operations in July 2023, the airline flies two Boeing 747-400BDSF aircraft and one B-747-400F on charter flights primarily to China and Hong Kong with technical stops in Muscat, Oman. One Air has two Boeing 747-400F aircraft in its fleet. Both began life as Air Canada 747-400 combi aircraft and were later converted to freighters in the early 2000s. The first aircraft received was G-ONEE c/n 024998 ex C-GAGL (photo below), the 6th known operator since leaving Air Canada, and G-UNET c/n 025075 ex C-GAGN the 9th known operator since leaving Air Canada. One Air has commenced operations at East Midlands Airport (EMA). Inaugural flight July 24, 2023 from Jinan, China to Heathrow (LHR). The second freighter, the latest addition to the airline’s fleet, acquired December 12, 2023, on a long-term lease, is a former Air Canada combi aircraft which was later converted to a freighter for Air China. Prior to joining One Air, it was in operation with Aerotranscargo. Source: oneair.aero
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Photo by Simon Butler
Frankfurt - July 1992
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