Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

1994 - May -AirBC timetable from Arthur Ng collection.

AirBC was formed in 1980 and became an Air Canada Connector in 1987 when AC purchased 85% of the regional airline.

It was consolidated with Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Alliance and Canadian Regional Airlines into Air Canada Jazz in 2002.

From the "Between Ourselves" magazine issued July 1943

The caption read -

This is Newfoundland's first airmail stamp. In the background is St. John's, the picturesque harbour city and capital of Newfoundland, and over it, of course, hovers a Lodestar. Air Transportation has marked the beginning of new progress for Newfoundland, a development in which TCA is playing a vital part.

Wheeling into the gate at Montreal’s International Airport, the company's first Boeing 747 CF-TOA fin 301 c/n 20013 as seen following its delivery flight from Seattle on February 26th under the command of Captain Bill Benson. Completing the flight deck were Captains Wendy Reid and Eric Jokinen.

A Family Affair - When Captain Bill Benson brought the company's first Boeing 747 into Montreal on its delivery flight from Seattle, his family was present to bid him welcome. Seen in the 747 cockpit photo are 10 year old Leslie, 15 year old Mark and Mrs. "Casey" Benson.

The third annual general meeting of the Properties and Facilities branch was held in June at Montebello, Quebec.

A three day event which brought a lively discussion under the theme of "Action v Reaction". In our photo we have, back row from the left: Fraser O'Shaughnessy, Mervyn Powell, Hugh McMillan, George Smith, Vic Findlay and Lyle Raverty.

Middle row from the left: Steve Clark, Jim Donaldson, Bill Nagy, Conor Megannety, Dave Heton and Garry Millar.

Front row from the left: Ralph Drabinsky, Gail Salter, Dan Moss, Manuel Osorio, Len Martell, Betty Christie, Bob Carpenter, Carl Gyra ?, ?, ? Hucato, Dominic Fiore, Frank Bogert, Denis Midgely and John Harper. (Can anyone supply the missing names - eds)

From the "Horizons" magazine issued June 1980.

Preparing for the digital avionics.

Changes in technology will see digital avionic systems incorporated into the next generation of aircraft. The company's new aircraft will carry several dozen micro-computers to aid flight crews in the performance of their duties. In preparation for the future, Maintenance Technical Training is conducting courses on the micro-processors for the avionics shop personnel. Here are the group from the #5 course.

Back row from the left: Bert Widdop, Bill Sikma, Jim Mooney, Helmut Beyeler, Paul Coates, Chris Gateway, Louis Maheux and Marius Martineau.

Front row from the left: Instructor Barry Wilson, Les McMahon, Roger Desgagne, Clive Bebbington, Murray Richards, Bob Smith and Michel Stucky.

The Antigua staff shown here are,

From the left: Donna O'Donoghue, Cordell Isiah, Maurice Antonio, Blondelle Luke, Winston Gordon and Lucinda Cumberbatch. Missing from the photo are Jackie Challenger and Les Nanton.