Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Dominion champions Toronto Argonauts were the first football team in Canada to take to the air when they flew to Winnipeg for two exhibition games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The champions made their Western trip in a four-engine Trans-Canada Air Lines plane. The games were played on August 30th and September 1st, 1947.

From the “Between Ourselves” magazine issued June 1944

The official opening of the local T.C.A.R.A. (Trans-Canada Air Lines Recreation Association) at Halifax was marked with a gala party held at the Brightwood Golf Club during June 1944.
(There was no photo available – eds)

Located in the "Horizons" magazine issued February 1981

During 1980, Captain I. H. “Whitey" Kelsey of Toronto completed his 1,000th Atlantic crossing.

His first flight was on a North Star in 1947, and he chalked up number 1,000 on an L1011. The aircraft he flew over the years were varied. He made 272 crossing on North Stars, 452 on DC-8's and 276 on the L1011. In addition "Whitey" also chalked up 25,000 hours of flying with Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada.

Maple Wings helps children

The Canadian Maple Wings, the official name of the TCA Alumni flight attendant group is off to a flying start, in its efforts to help sick children. Barely a year old, the organization raised $10,000 toward the purchase of a Cavitron for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Shown presenting the cheque are, from the left: Former flight attendants Jean Wassmansdorf and Gretchen Marsh; Dr. Bruce Hendrick, Chief Neurosurgeon of the hospital; Claus Wirsig, President of the hospital foundation; former flight attendant Carol Anderson and Flight Service Director Mac Anderson. 

Purchasing & Supply discussing employee motivation and productivity during a workshop.

From the left: Don Ingham, Planning and Administration Director, Dorval; Dan Sweetman, Manager, Material Distribution, Dorval; Walter Ekiert, Technical Purchasing, Dorval; Peter Hodge, Regional Purchasing & Supply Manager - Europe, London; Seated is John Handley, Regional Purchasing & Supply Manager-Western, Vancouver.

Found in the "New Horizons" magazine issue dated August 2004. (Used with permission)

ZIP bids farewell.

The first flight of ZIP took off from Winnipeg to Calgary on September 22, 2002, on time.

The Whitehorse to Vancouver flight September 7th, 2004 marked the final flight of the B737 fleet at Air Canada.

The 12 aircraft were parked and returned to the lessors by that year's end. Although Air Canada didn't originally fly the B737, the company inherited the aircraft when it merged with Canadian Airlines in 2000. Only 737's were used by the low-fare carrier.

Over the years, more than 120 B737's served Air Canada and its predecessor airlines. PWA became the first Canadian carrier to order the 737, with an order for 2 aircraft in October 1966, 6 months before the 737 made its first flight on April 9, 1967. Nordair was next with an order for 3 in January 1967, followed by a CP Air order for 6 in February 1967 (and a 7th that August). However, CP Air was the first Canadian carrier to take delivery and put the 737 into service in October 1968, followed a month later by both PWA and Nordair. By the end of December 1968 CP Air had taken delivery of 5 737s and PWA and Nordair had one each.

Some of ZIP's employees who bid the carrier farewell.

Back row left to right: Doug Godard, Leader, Customer Service; Karey Spenst, Director, People Dynamics; Barb Gwilliam, Crew Planning; Twyla Laakso, Advertising and Promotions Leader; Peter Sills, MOC; Stephen Giles, Cabin Crew.

Middle row left to right: Kyla Barnfield, Inside Sales; Rosina Frusaci, People Dynamics Leader; Heather Howe, People Dynamics Leader; Elaine Punchard, Administrative Assistant, Operations; Joanne Kuchniewicz, Crew Payroll; Jan Wiese, Instructor Developer, Inflight; Maureen Yakimchuk, Inflight Service Standards Leader; Nirmala Jayaraj, Cabin Crew;

Front row left to right; Chad Ykema, Crew Scheduler; Laureen Davies, V.P. Business Planning.

Additional Information from previous issues

In NetLetter nr 1359, we had an article regarding the formation of the T.C.A.R.A.  (Trans-Canada Air Lines Recreation Association) group in Sydney during 1944.

In the "Horizons" magazine issued September 1979, there was an article headlined "New ACRA formed in Sydney" which implies that the former T.C.A.R.A. must have become defunct.

The "Horizons" report follows -

Sydney, Nova Scotia, became the 18th station to form an Air Canada Recreation Association (ACRA). Some 49 members signed up for the annual fee if $12.

The organizations first event was a picnic enjoyed by those of all ages. Upcoming get-togethers include a softball tournament and barbecue followed by an Octoberfest, a children’s party and a Christmas banquet and dance.

The board of directors of the newly formed ACRA shown in this photo seated from the left: Fred Boudreau, V.P.; Cy Wagner, President and Steve MacGillivary, first V.P. Standing from the left: Winston MacDonald, Secretary; Rich Rizok, Program Director; Frank Jones, Treasurer and Naisa Eatten, Membership Director. Missing is Neil MacMullin, Membership Director.