We have welcomed 34 new subscribers so far in 2023.

We wish to thank everyone for your support of our efforts.

Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.

We invite you to visit our website at www.thenetletter.net/netletters to view our archives.

Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.

We always welcome feedback about Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge) from our subscribers who wish to share current events, memories and photographs.

Particularly if you have stories to share from one of the legacy airlines: Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Airlines, CP Air, Pacific Western, Maritime Central Airways, Eastern Provincial, Wardair, Nordair, Transair, Air BC, Time Air, Quebecair, Calm Air, NWT Air, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Georgian and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.

Please feel free to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.

Thanks!

The Pionairs UK / EC District AGM will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Wraysbury Village Hall, Staines-Upon-Thames TW19 5NA.

Tea /coffee service begins at 10 a.m. with the meeting commencing at 10:45 a.m., followed by a light finger buffet afterwards.

Our district covers UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East, Australia and New Zealand.

From Dan Holmes -

I always enjoy reading the Netletter and seeing things from my past at Air Canada.

I got a chuckle reading Ralph Quick’s item in NetLetter #1503 on a NOTAM concerning a runway closure in Mumbai for recarpeting.

He wondered what kind of carpet they were using.

Seems obvious to me – 'flying' carpet of course. 

Best regards, 

Dan Holmes

Allan Gray sent in the photo below for identification -

Ken Pickford advises -

The aircraft in the photo is a BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) Boeing 377 Stratocruiser in the original bare metal livery.

Can see BOAC identification and their famous 'Speedbird' logo on the forward fuselage and large Union Jack on the tail. Note small 'FLOOD RELIEF' markings on rear fuselage below the windows, so it obviously participated in transporting relief supplies during the major Manitoba floods in the spring of 1950. The aircraft would have been almost new then.

BOAC took delivery of 10 Stratocruisers in 1949 and 1950. They also acquired United Airlines' fleet of 6 in 1954 when UA disposed of their Stratocruisers after only 5 years in service.

They were used almost exclusively on United's LAX/SFO - Hawaii routes and were replaced by the faster Douglas DC-7 in 1954.

P.S. A couple of items on the 1950 Manitoba flood disaster.

www.cbc.ca/player/play/1459183171917

www.gov.mb.ca/mit/wms/rrf/historical_1950.html

Ken

Janice Harvey sent in the following -

"My father, John M. Wilton, was the TCA Manager in Lethbridge, Alberta from 1942-1960, and then Air Canada in Vancouver, British Columbia from 1961 until his retirement in early 1970 after 31 years of service. I have some old photos which I’d like to share or donate to aviation history, if possible."

We will be publishing the series of photographs over the next few NetLetter issues. 

TCA Winnipeg, Manitoba 1942.

John Wilton is on the far right.

TCA / Western Airlines office located in the Marquis Hotel, Lethbridge, Alberta.

John Wilton is on the left in the back row.

The featured video in NetLetter #1503 of the Avro 748 brings back a memory for me.

In April 1976, I was seconded to Antigua to run the computer section for Leeward Islands Air Transport Services, the local airline. Their equipment were 8 Islanders, a Trislander and several Avro 748.

Whilst there, a crew, some with wives, of engineers and mechanics from the UK were sent to perform a spar change to these aircraft. Due to the salty air they were operating in, this modification was urgently required. The exercise took about 9 months.

To keep the crew occupied - and out of the bars - we organized various activities with them including ten-pin bowling, cricket & soccer games against the locals, BBQ's and a cruise around the west coast of the island. One of the cricket teams I captained consisted of several wives and, to keep the game lighthearted, I had every member take a spell at bowling, much to the annoyance of several of the male opponents, when facing a female bowling, particularly when they were given out by hitting a fly ball, which was duly caught.

There were no declared results of such matches, only an excuse to visit a bar by both teams. Each morning, I would take two of the children to the school, which I passed each day during the week, to save their parents from having to doing it.

Terry Baker.

Air Canada Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver more benefits to their air freight customers around the world.

The MoU, which builds on the airlines’ strategic commercial partnership announced last year, was signed at Emirates Headquarters in Dubai, UAE by Nabil Sultan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Cargo and Matthieu Casey, Managing Director Commercial, Air Canada Cargo. 

Under the terms of the MoU, Air Canada Cargo and Emirates SkyCargo will work closely on a number of initiatives, which include expanding cargo interline options and block space agreements, pending any required regulatory approvals. These enhancements aim to offer freight customers of both airlines access to more capacity on a larger combined global network.

Full story @ media.aircanada.com

• 2017 - February 16
  • Direct service between Montreal and Shanghai begins with B-787 Dreamliner equipment.

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 August 1955 

Code words are forgotten for a moment while this graduating class of Passenger Agents (Tel) pose with Instructor R. V. Davies, at the right, after completing the basic course.

From left back row: A. W. Parsons, YYC; Miss K. R. McArdle, YUL; Miss M. A. McManus, YWG; J. A Finlay, YVR; D. C. Hardy, YYC; G. Brown, YOW.

Middle row: A. H. Kritzer, YWG; Miss S. Y. Tkach, YQG; R. R. Johnson, YYZ; Miss K. Parkes, YOW; Miss A. A. Stadnyk, YYZ.

Seated: Misses C. Nemeth, YCY; A. McCrudden, YYT; E. Maloney, YOW and M. M. Ouellet, YUL. 

Editors' Note: A source of curiosity for us is that one member of the graduating class was from 'YCY' which, today, is Clyde River Airport in Nunavut. We expect it was probably a typo for YYC (Calgary).

Found in 'Horizons' magazine

Issue dated August 1972

Human beings are not the only creatures taking to the air in record numbers this year.

Because of the shipping industry's move to containerization, Air Canada has been carrying ever increasing numbers of animals.

Between March 1971 and that year-end, 32 chartered cattle shipments were flown between Eastern Canada and points in Europe, the Caribbean and South America and 1972 looks to be the biggest year yet. By the end of June, 31 cattle shipments alone were flown to overseas markets in Italy, Venezuela, Brazil, Guyana, Jamaica and Greece.

The demand isn't restricted to cattle alone. This year, the company has flown horses to France and Belgium, pigs to Cuba and calves to Africa. Shipments have also included elephants and eels and, in some cases mixed plane loads of cattle and pigs.

The United States Air Force and Olympic Airways teamed up with the Company at Heraklion Airport to unload the first shipment of calves on the island of Crete.

The DC-8 cargo aircraft unofficially stole the show when it landed at the Greek island's main airport during ceremonies marking inauguration of the airport. Accustomed to disembarking tourists of all nationalities, guests and local dignitaries seemed more interested in Air Canada's arrival and hurried over to watch the 286 'Canadians' being unloaded.

The double-deck stalls in the freighter were unloaded by U.S. airmen of the Heraklion air base, supervised by Athens Sales Manager Ianni Souvaliotis. He is seen (dark glasses) welcoming the crew while the unloading operation begins. 

The Toronto-based crew of Captain Gus Crocker, First Officer Dan Parker and Second Officer Howie Jacobs flew the Crete cattle charter.

Do these scenarios sound familiar?

The refurbished and redecorated cargo terminal at Kennedy International Airport was cause for celebration on completion of the project recently.

The reception, which featured imported Canadian beer, oysters, and cheese, was attended by over 200 interliners and air freight representatives.

Shown enjoying their new air-conditioned office are, from the left: Cargo Sales Representatives George Hoban and John Craddock; Secretary Emma Bishon and Hugh Burgoyne, Cargo Sales & Service Manager. 

The exterior photo, shows the office located in the trailer, with cargo area in the building in the background. 

Among those attending the party at the oyster bar, from the left: Cargo Agents Tom Fehrington, Larry Torto and Gil Leipa. 

Attendees at the party included, from the left: Mike O'Connell, Personnel & Services Supervisor; Nick Vero, Cargo Service Terminal Supervisor; Jack Dorsch, Airport Customer Service Duty Manager and Laurie Davis, Personnel & Administration Manager.

Posted by Diana Sampson

CP Air's newly built three jet hangar, at Vancouver Airport April 4, 1970.

This photo with the caption: "Enormous new hangar, the largest in Canada accommodates three jets at CP Air's new $24 million Vancouver Airport operation centre.

The hangar and office complex covers an area equal to three football fields. The immense building is already being used and is scheduled for official opening later this month."

In 1987, following an intense pitch process, Ove Brand Design (now part of Publicis Groupe) was awarded the rebranding of Canadian Pacific Airlines - to become Canadian Airlines International - following the acquisition by Pacific Western Airlines.

What followed was the redesign of over 5,000 branded assets including the liveries of the entire fleet of airplanes including those of all regional partners, in-flight products and commissary items, airport counters and signage, uniforms, and design standards for all corporate and marketing communications.

Much of the success of the new identity was attributed to Ove's solution in making the word mark bilingual by replacing the "a" and "e" in Canadian (Canadien in French) with the designer motion mark saving the airlines costs and logistics in having to use a separate signature for each language.

Editors' Note: We researched our library of publications (scanned by Terry Baker) and found a few excerpts, below, from 'Flash Info' editions from April 1987.

From the "InfoCanadi>n" magazine.

From 'Flash Info' - April 1987

Airport signs to be in place in time for April 26 startup.

Canadian Airlines signage will be placed at airports throughout the system by April 26.

The temporary signage will be put in place during the light traffic hours Saturday night in order to greet the first Canadian Airlines passengers Sunday morning.

It is expected that some permanent, illuminated signage will be installed within the airport terminal buildings in Vancouver, Calgary, both Edmonton airports, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, St. John's and Los Angeles by the April 26 deadline. Temporary signage will be displayed at all other locations.

George Hickey, who is heading the transition team, said that a critical timeline is currently being prepared for installing the new identity at all of the airline's facilities. The signage installation program is being implemented internally by Properties and Facilities. 

Along with other aspects of the new corporate identity program, on April 26 flight crews will begin identifying themselves 'Canadian flight #' in all air to ground communications.

A new in-flight magazine entitled 'Canadi>n' will debut May 1, replacing the publications 'Empress' and 'Skyward'.

The close alliance of  Canadian Airlines' commuter and commercial partners will be  reflected in the new livery of their fleets. Time Air, Norcanair, Calm Air and the yet to be named Ontario commuter will  be repainted with a blue belly separated from a sky white top by a thin red stripe. The Canadian Airlines International logo will be prominent on the aircraft tail.

Each individual airline's name will appear in large blue italic letters on the rear section of the aircraft. 

A Time Air Dash 8 will be the first of the commuter aircraft to lift off with the new livery. It is expected to be airborne Tuesday, April 28. Calm Air and Norcanair are both planning to have at least one aircraft painted by July 1. The combined total of approximately 40 aircraft operated by Canadian Airlines' commuter partners is expected to be repainted within the next two years.  

Time Air DHC-8-300, registration C-GLTA, with Boeing 767-300, registration C-FXCA, in background. 

Photo by Ken Fielding at commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File

New livery takes wing

The first aircraft sporting Canadian Airlines International's new livery went into service on March 31, 1987. C-FCRD (Fin #t 912), a DC-10-30, departed Vancouver as Flight 68 destined for Toronto.

By mid-April, three B-737's and one more DC-10 will be flying the new Canadian colours. The entire fleet is scheduled to be repainted within the next two years.

C-FCRD (Fin # 912) at Vancouver shortly
after being painted in the new 'Canadian' livery.

Note the CP Air fin in the background.

Photo courtesy of Gary Vincent

From the Propliner magazine September 10, 2021.

Aeromaritime Douglas DC-6B F-BHMR (c/n 43842) taxies onto the apron at Liverpool (Speke) Airport on May 14 1968, conveying a party of visitors to the local Dunlop facility from Paris Le Bourget. This aircraft was delivered new to Canadian Pacific Air Lines as CF-CUO in January 1953, and arrived in France in June 1959.

Leases to a number of carriers included service with Air Afrique, Continentale Europe Aero Service and Air Djibouti, before the aircraft was sold to Bellomy Lawson as N47058 in April 1975.

Ending her career with Aerosol in Colombia as HK-3847X, she was broken up at Villavicencio in 1994 after suffering a heavy landing. With thanks to Ray Draper for capturing this moment high above the Speke apron.

Editors' Note: CF-CUO, Fin #431 "Empress of Lima", delivered January 17, 1953. Sold to UAT, France June 3, 1959.

Lifecycle at rzjets.net/aircraft

From the Propliner magazine 2021 Annual edition.

Another stunning image that features in the 2021 edition of the Propliner Annual is Angus Squire's enchanting shot of Aer Lingus ATL-98 Carvair El-AMP (c/n 6) "St Albert" taxiing at Heathrow Airport on August 23 1966.

This aircraft later served with Eastern Provincial Airways as CF-EPX, but sadly crashed at Twin Falls, Labrador, on September 28 1968, just months after entering service.

See NetLetter # 1460 for more about this aircraft. 

Copies of Propliner magazine can be ordered at:

www.propliner.co.uk

San Diego to Montreal in Air Canada A220-300 business class!

Posted by SANspotter.

Name this propeller aircraft – 

Answer below in Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips

Montreal Alouettes Boeing 737-200, Chartered through Nolinor Aviation.

The Montreal Alouettes are the first team in CFL history to have their own plane. The Alouettes’ Boeing 737-200, chartered through Nolinor Aviation, features bold livery showcasing the proud Alouettes’ brand as it ferries the Canadian football team during away games.

Nolinor Aviation, the largest airline offering specialized commercial charter flights in Canada, signed an agreement with the Montreal Alouettes to be the club’s official charter flight partner for the next 10 years.

Source: www.skytrac.ca

Editors' Note: C-GNLW is a 38 year-old Boeing 737-200C first delivered to Yemen Airlines in July 1984. 

Canadian Armed Forces CC-150 Polaris still in service

The aging fleet of CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A310-300) military transport aircraft have been in the news lately. I first wrote about this fleet in NL #1338 in March 2016, focusing on the specific aircraft (Can Force One) painted in special livery and primarily used to transport the Prime Minister. 

All  five of these aircraft were originally delivered to Wardair between November 1987 and September 1988 and, as was a Wardair tradition, were named in honour of Canadian aviation pioneers. They transferred to Canadian Airlines after the acquisition of Wardair. 

They were sold to DND in late 1992 with Canadian Airlines retaining a maintenance contract to service the aircraft.  I remember seeing them in the Vancouver Ops Centre maintenance base when we merged in 2001.

Air Canada has (to my knowledge) continued the maintenance contract ever since, based in Trenton, Ontario. The 35+ year old aircraft are due to be replaced after serving Prime Ministers, Governors General, various VIPS and the RCAF with distinction for over 30 years. It seems to be quite appropriate that they began their service named for a group of distinguished persons in aviation history.

References:

www.canada.ca/en/air-force

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_CC-150_Polaris

See also:

RCAF replacing planes used for prime minister's travel, refuelling aircraft @ www.cbc.ca/news/politics/rcaf-two-new-air-craft

The five aircraft, in order of original delivery date, are: 

Photo by Bomber Pilot @ commons.wikimedia.org/wiki

Photo by Simon Butler @ www.flickr.com/photos

Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.

Answer to 'Name this propeller aircraft'  in 'Odds & Ends'.

The Lockheed L-188 Electra is a four-engine, turboprop airliner manufactured by Lockheed. It was smaller, quieter, faster, and more economical to operate than the then current four-engine piston aircraft. The Electra can take off fully loaded and make multiple flights without the need to refuel.

In 2023, there are 21 registered in Canada, a mixture of L188A and L188C models. They are currently operated by Airspray, Buffalo Airways and Conair as fire-fighting tankers or as freighters.

In the past they have been operated by several other Canadian carriers including Pacific Western, NWT Air, Nordair and Canadian Airlines (the latter two operators as ice-patrol aircraft for the Canadian government).

Those still operating in Canada are the only remaining airworthy Electras in the world of the 170 built between 1957 and 1961.

Those of you with an interest in the Super Constellation aircraft and, in particular, the Trans-Canada Air Lines CF-TGE presently on view at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, may wish to view these web sites:

www.rbogash.com/connie.html
www.rbogash.com/connie_story.html

Bali's Abandoned Boeing 737 To Be Turned Into Stunning Luxury Villa

Felix Demin, an entrepreneur, purchased a Boeing 737 in 2021 from an Indonesian company (Mandala Air) that closed in 2014, with the goal of creating a luxury villa in Bali. It will be able to start receiving guests in March 2023.

A night on board will cost you about $7300 USD.

Source: SimpleFlying.com

Editors' Note: Photo is an artist's conception, not the actual aircraft. 

Posted by Gordon Olafson on Facebook

Transair Argosy and Lambair DC-3 CF-BFV (rh airstair door only) in Shamattawa First Nation, located in northern Manitoba near Hudson Bay, 1975+ - Scanned from a slide.

Studio apartment for rent in Nice, France – across the street from the yacht club.

Murphy bed, sofa bed, washing machine, fully equipped kitchen, internet, TV, phone, air conditioning, balcony.

For my AC colleagues (retired, active): CDN $475 - $575 per week depending on season plus a one-time cleaning fee of 50 Euros.

For more information and pictures please contact me:

Danielle Bergeron, AC Flight Attendant:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the 'terminal'?

Anonymous