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Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter Since 1995

Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter

Since 1995

facebook logo 100x100Rob Rowe posted this memory on the CPA Facebook web site on  March 8, 2021

tmb cpa cf cpqOn January 30, 1971, this was the view my family and I had from the windows at the check in desk at Sydney’s Kingsford-Smith airport of DC-8-63 CF-CPQ.

Obviously the flight to Fiji did not depart. The previous evening, the flight was cleared to land and at the end of the landing run was instructed to, “Take exit right. Switch to 121.7.” (the ground frequency).

The CP crew said, “Roger.” The controller saw the landing lights sweep towards the taxi way and turned his attention to the other end of the runway, granting a Trans Australian 727 permission to take off.

With the Australian accent, the CP crew misheard the direction as, “backtrack if you like,” and turned 180 degrees and began to backtrack on the runway. When the two captains realized they were going to collide, the DC-8 powered up and turned toward the grass. The 727 rotated and got airborne. The underside of the 727 hit the vertical stabilizer of the DC-8, breaking it off. 

The Australian pilot lost much of his hydraulics and immediately declared an emergency, telling the controller he had hit the DC-8. The CP crew steered back to the centre line and noticed landing lights of another plane on approach to land. readmore orange160x65


Norm Foster shares his "Memorable trip" with us -

It started with an aperitif to wet the appetite, followed by Beluga Caviar and Vodka. An appetizer featuring lobster tails was nicely completed when the Silver Trolley Service offering a prime rib of beef ready for carving arrived.

The earlier selected Beaujolais Superior complemented this main course and lastly the pastry tray arrived along with French champagne. Satiated, Susan unfastened her seat belt and made her way up the circular staircase to visit me on the B-747 flight deck, and to say goodnight, before turning in. Sleeping for the remainder of the trip, when she was awakened for breakfast, we would be descending into Paris.

First Class service on a B-747 Atlantic flight was very special and was an appreciated upgrade for Susan, through the welcomed discretion of the In-Charge-Flight Attendant and crew. Paris being the favorite city for both of us, she would, on occasion, join me in what amounted to a 2 day mini vacation to Europe.

This particular flight was partly to make up for a previous trip gone wrong. Sometime earlier we had planned the same trip and Susan had joined me in the 1 1/2 hour drive to the airport.

Unfortunately, at departure time, the aircraft was completely full and my fallback position of having her ride on the flight deck was unavailable due to it being occupied by my students. Pushback from the gate with Susan waving forlornly from the departure lounge was made worse knowing that she now faced the 1 1/2 hour drive back to Niagara, alone. I had some making up to do.

This reparation trip went smoothly with Susan firmly ensconced in First Class and following her goodnight visit to the flight deck, I relaxed and looked forward to our time in Paris. The attraction of the City of Lights was very familiar to us, but we never tired of its charms. Re-visiting the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Rodin’s Museum, L’Orangerie et al, once again filled our days and the bistros and cafes our stomachs. For us, just wandering the streets and boulevards of Paris is enough, and yet, never enough.

Our 2 days drew to a close and we were spending our last evening on the balcony of our Paris Hilton hotel room, which faced the Eiffel Tower, 2 short streets away. We had just toasted another wonderful Paris visit when it began.

The most spectacular display of fireworks, centered on the Eiffel Tower and rivalling anything on this side of the Atlantic. Although as surprised and awe struck as Susan, I quickly recovered and presenting my glass again for toasting, offered…. “I arranged this display for you to atone for the trip you missed!”

Epilogue:

It took Susan (and I) a few moments to realize that the fireworks were in celebration of Bastille Day. I had to share the cause for this amazing display with the French Revolution. 

Norm Foster

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