Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 August 10, 2024 |
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Harmony Airways B-757-28A Registration C-GMYE at Toronto, September 15, 2005 Photo courtesy of George Trussell |
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Dear Welcome to The NetLetter, established in 1995 as a dedicated newsletter for Air Canada retirees.
We have evolved into the longest running aviation-based newsletter for Air Canada, TCA, CP Air, Canadian Airlines and all other Canadian-based airlines that once graced the skies. The NetLetter is self-funded and is always free to subscribers. It is operated by a group of volunteers and is not affiliated with any airline or associated organizations. The NetLetter is published on the second and fourth weekend of each month. If you are interested in Canadian aviation history, and vintage aviation photos, especially as it relates to Trans-Canada Air Lines, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International and their constituent airlines, then we're sure you'll enjoy this newsletter. Please note: We do our best to identify and credit the original source of all content presented. However, should you recognize your material and are not credited; please advise us so that we can correct our oversight. Our website is located at www.TheNetLetter.net Please click the links below to visit our archives and for more info about The NetLetter. |
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We have received a few inquiries lately concerning subscribers' personal information that appears at the end of our newsletters.
The software used to generate the email tailors each newsletter to the specific subscriber.
The NetLetter that you receive is addressed to you personally. You see the opening salutation, 'Dear First Name', at the beginning of the newsletter and then your name, email, city, province/state/county and country if you agree to provide this info when you subscribe.
Subscribers see their own info only; no one sees info related to other subscribers.
We appreciate having this info so that we may create content for specific regions. We are pleased to say that we now have subscribers from all over the world.
Please see our subscriber charts on our web site to view a breakdown of our current subscriber locations.
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 We do occasionally receive requests for contact info on one of our subscribers, usually from a subscriber who wishes to contact an old friend.
Our policy is to refer the request to our subscriber so that they may choose whether or not to contact the requester.
We never give out a subscriber's email address.
Also, we do have internet security software installed on our website to prevent your email addresses being used for nefarious purposes.
Thank you for subscribing. We always do our best to protect your privacy.
Wayne
for The NetLetter Team
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 We have welcomed 69 new subscribers so far in 2024.
We wish to thank everyone for the continuing support of our efforts.
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 Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.
Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.
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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.
We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.
Thanks!
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 A few scheduled Pionairs events.
Source: Pionairs district Summer newsletters.
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Ottawa District -
Ottawa - Gatineau Pionairs - ACRA Golf Tournament
Date: August 19, 2024
On site registration: 10:00 AM
Start time: 11:30 AM
Venue: Meadows Golf and Country Club
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UK & International District -
The 2024 Christmas Lunch will be held at the Best Western Ship Hotel in Weybridge on Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Larry Johns, President of the Pionairs, will be our guest of honour, so please make a note of this event
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Central Ontario District -
The 2024 Christmas Lunch, scheduled for Wednesday December 4, 2024 at the well-loved Lionhead Golf and Country Club.
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Check www.Pionairs.ca or contact your local District Director for additional details. |
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A few kind words from Judy McKay -
Greetings!
I’ve been a subscriber of the NetLetter since 1995 and applaud all your efforts.
I’m particularly impressed with 3 of the articles in NetLetter #1538 - I consider them human interest stories.
- The picture of John and Jessie Ryan, heartwarming.
- Women in Aviation by Pierre Gillard - Christiane F/A on Air North, very informative & interesting.
- Alan Evans from South Africa’s report by Phillip King regarding the establishment of Pearson.
Hopefully, more subscribers will send you more human interest stories.
Sincerely,
Judy McKay
Editors' Note: Obviously, we agree with Judy's last comment!
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Ralph Webb sent in the following comments on Wayne's article in NetLetter #1538 -
Gentlemen,
I was interested in your short article on the Boeing 757 in the most recent NetLetter.
I have always thought that Boeing missed the boat on this aircraft as had they put the development into re-engining and updating it as they did on the B-737-8, they may have avoided the issues that that airframe presented and the huge expense associated with it.
To clarify a point, the Boeing 757 with the Rolls-Royce RB211 engines was operated by Harmony Airways, a company operating out of Vancouver for five years in the early 2000's.
Ralph Webb,
Retired CP/AC
Editors' Note: See Wayne's Wings below for more on Harmony Airways B-757 fleet.
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C-GMYC on approach to YVR July 10, 2006
Photo by Aero Icarus
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Jack Morath shares this information and photo –
'LHR Baggage Breakfast' meetings started off with Baggage Agents only and met every week. Later, a few other colleagues joined in and we now meet every Tuesday morning.
Not everybody makes it every week, but a great bunch of lads attended our May 14th weekly get-together where the photo below was taken. Also included are a few other Air Canada colleagues including Peter Hodge and Mike Berry.
Pictured below are:
Standing from the left: Mark Potter, Tony Keeler, George Cover and Jack Morath.
Seated from left front are: Chris Coven, Mike Berry, Peter Hodge, Chas Maxwell-Ellis, Mick Corley, Roy England, Mike Hawkins, and Steve Hodder.
Missing from picture is Owen David.
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Here is a photo taken in recent days of Chrono Aviation's Boeing 737-219C, C-GTVO, on approach at Saint-Hubert. .
As the B-737-200's become rare, they should gradually disappear to make way for a new B-737-800 which Chrono Aviation will use to serve Iqaluit four times a week starting in August 2024.
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...and the Vickers Viscount CF-THG.
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During my visit to the Coulson Aviation site near Port Alberni, British Columbia, we observed the Boeing 737-7L9, N7841A, still wearing Southwest Airlines livery.
This is, for the moment, stored outside without its engines. Shortly, it will be converted into a water bomber and will thus become the largest aircraft in Coulson's fleet.
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Steve Charlton sends this to update the C&SS gang at YUL mentioned in NetLetter #1538.
In the C&SS Dorval list of names, "Moe ?" was 'Moe Dixon'. You might also mention Steve Rzepecki and Doug Mallory, same gang.
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Arnold Broese-van-Groenou sent us this tale in October 1999 -
Gopher at one hundred and fifty feet.
On May 22,1988, First Officer Bill Wickett and I were departing Calgary. We were heavy, and it was warm. Combined with the altitude of Calgary which was over 3,500 feet, it meant a long and high speed take off run.
Our departure was to the North. It seemed to take forever to gain momentum. Finally, with the end of the runway approaching, and at an enormous ground speed, the moment to rotate arrived. As I rotated the B-737 into a flying attitude, my visual direction shifted from the runway, and caught sight of a hawk.
It was flying from left to right. The hawk, no doubt, was surprised at this machine leaving the ground and climbing into its domain. As we lifted off, with the nosewheel still thrumming from its high revolutions, I could see that this was going to be a “ Close Encounter of the Bird Kind.” 
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In 2003, Sandy Sandzuik sent us these memories of working in North Bay -
I joined TCA at North Bay in the fall of 1961. It is a wonderful and pleasant reminder of my own start with this great airline.
I remember working out of the small Transport Canada Terminal/TC weather /TC Air Radio building; no larger than a modern day storage room.
We did by that time have Viscounts but had to board the passengers as they checked in because there was not enough room to hold the 44 passengers in the terminal. It was a great experience to work on a small station. Everyone became a member of the team and did whatever had to be done to get the flight out on time.
We had a gentleman on our station who was number one on the national seniority list of Station Agent 11's, his name was Lew Releeder.
Flights scheduled through YYB included to and from YYZ - YXR - YUY - YVO - YOW - YUL. Since those were the only flights through Earlton (Timiskaming Regional) Airport (YXR) Earlton, naturally the Station Agents had some spare time on their hands.
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- 1985 - January 15 -
- Inaugural service between Toronto - Bombay.
- 1986 - April 27 -
- Inaugural service between Toronto-Manchester, UK with B-747.
- 2024 - April 3 -
- Longest route inaugurated Vancouver - Singapore with 787-9 C-GYJW.
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Air Canada: Inaugural flight to Singapore
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Bill Norberg sent us this information in 1999 regarding the Vickers Viscount.
Replacement of the lower wing spar caps in the Viscount could be compared to removing the backbone from a fish, replacing the backbone and then putting the fish back together again in a condition fit for whatever fish do.
It was a complex task and the Winnipeg Maintenance staff headed by Sam Purves and Bill Bagley did a marvellous job to carry out these replacements and still keep the fleet operating.
The "GAG" cycle referred to in the wing spar deal had effects in another area of the Viscount structure, namely the fuselage skin. Every time the aircraft took off and landed the aircraft went through a pressurization cycle.
This differential pressure applied over the total fuselage area naturally applied stress and eventually fatigue forces throughout the aircraft structure. The moisture condensation problems present in aircraft due to the extreme temperature differentials adds another factor. Moisture can build up in various areas and if the areas are not adequately treated metal corrosion can occur. As corrosion is cumulative, the amount of corrosion present will tend to increase with age of the aircraft. This corrosion when combined with the "GAG" cycle created problems.
Throughout the life of the Viscount it became necessary to replace a number of the fuselage skins for this reason. If the skins were not replaced the maximum cabin pressure allowed would be reduced. This of course would restrict the operation of the aircraft as well as affect the comfort level for passengers at high altitude flight conditions. This again increased the maintenance costs for this aircraft in its later years.
The introduction of the DC-9 aircraft provided an aircraft that was not only more productive in terms of passengers and average speed but was less costly to maintain.
The DC-9 was designed and built with the concept of 'maintainability' in mind and was to benefit from the lessons learned from these early aircraft such as the Comet, Viscount, BAC-111 etc.
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Air Canada Bids Farewell to Last CRJ-200
Air Canada has officially retired the last CRJ-200 aircraft from its regional fleet.
The final flight of the type, registered as C-FEJA, took place on June 6, 2024 and was operated by regional carrier Jazz Air.
The CRJ-200, which had been a workhorse for the airline’s regional operations, completed a round trip between Toronto Pearson and Montréal before being ferried to storage in Kingman, Arizona.
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Photo by Tony Hisgett
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated June 1985
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During 1985, the Canadian Maple Wings Association capped another busy year of community activities with its fifth annual general meeting being held in May.
The gathering was a practice run for the next year's special flight crew reunion in honor of the airline's 50th anniversary.
Consisting of former TCA and Air Canada flight attendants, each of the 12 Maple Wings chapters across Canada enjoyed an active year, making donations to charitable causes of their choice.
Members of the Guelph "Golden Triangle" chapter are shown, standing from the left: Bev Stevens, Barb Kieswetter, Doreen Campbell, Betty Gillap, Carmel Kennedy, Audrey Peloso, Andréa Dowsley, Gretchen Marsh, Lou Grant, Colleen Price, Gaye Ennet, Marie Clancy, Betty Ann Beaty, Helen McEwan and Leslie Yake.
Seated from the left are: Elinor Skinner, Marg Knox, Eleanore Hulland, Joan McFadden, Patricia Barry, Doris Singleton, Pauli Reid and Margaret Miller.
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Issue dated July 1985
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Caring is sharing.
Representatives of all branches met in Montreal to plan the 1985 Employee Campaign for Funds.
Last year's 1984 drive was the most successful yet with 61 percent of the employee population participating and more than $700,000 pledged.
Shown at the Montreal meeting are, standing from the left: Louise Yaniri, Government & Public Affairs; Richard Gendron, Mirabel; Jim McGowan, Maintenance & Engineering; Pauline Noël, Passenger Marketing, International; Johanne Guérin, Finance; Larry Mak. C&SS; Jack Kantor, Honorary Chairman; Warren Reeves, In-Flight; Nan Kirkwood, Human Resources; Sylvie Lefebvre, Cargo: Barney Weiner, Marketing & Planning; Denise Martineau, Passenger Marketing, North America; Gail Ellis, Campaign Coordinator and Gerry Philbrook, Manager, Industry Travel & Employee Services.
Sitting from the left. are: George Desormeaux, Maintenance & Engineering; Rhanda Spotton, U.S.; Pam Rodricks, Ontario; Denise Tappert, Facilities & Supply; Suzanne Beaulieu, Québec; Gino Marricco, Dorval Airport and Lynda Bowles, Transportation Services.
Missing from the photo are: Gail Skidmore, Atlantic; Captain Dave Jones, Flight Operations; Joyce Grassby. O/General Counsel; Antoinette Steede,. Executive Offices and Bev Lewis. Western Canada.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Finally the conclusion of the DC-6 story started in NetLetter #1531 through 1538.
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Everts Air Cargo writes another chapter.
As part of the disposal of the Conair DC-6 fleet, C-FCZZ was put up for disposal, and by Bill of Sale dated August 18, 2000, Conair Group sold the aircraft to Tatonduk Outfitters of Fairbanks, Alaska, for $215,000.
The Canadian registration was cancelled that day, and on August 23 the aircraft was registered to its new owners as N9056R and ferried from Abbotsford to its new base at Fairbanks.
Tatonduk Outfitters is the company which uses the trade name of Everts Air Cargo, an airline very familiar to all 'propliner' enthusiasts.
N9056R was overhauled at Fairbanks, all of its fire-bombing equipment removed, and converted back to pure freighter status. It was painted into Everts Air Cargo colour scheme and received its C of A on April 20, 2001, one of a fleet of eight DC-6s and two C-46 Commandos flown by the airline at the time.
However, it was to remain parked at Fairbanks for a time, while its four Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials were sent to Miami for overhaul. |
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Posted on Facebook by Stephanie Claytor - Memories of Pacific Western Airlines
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Three views of the Bristol Britannia.
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CF-CZX at Amsterdam, 1961
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Vancouver in front of the 'Britannia Hangar'
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Also Vancouver - circa 1958-61
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A couple of Canadian Pacific Air Lines ads from Japan
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Videographer John Desramaux has posted a series of four videos entitled 'Nordair A Tribute - Un Hommage' on YouTube.
Each video consists of a slideshow of Nordair photos set to music. Click the image below to view.
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History of a DC-3.
Built as Skytrain 42-93482, delivered to US Army Air Force on May 24, 1944 assigned to the 5th US Air Force in Australia, arriving Brisbane October 25, 1944.
It served in the Pacific theatre of operations, subsequently serving at Tacloban in the Philippines. It was sold on September, 23, 1946, possibly in the Pacific area, as it became XT-823 with Civil Air Transport in Formosa (now Taiwan), later being re-registered B-823.
On November 22, 1955, it was registered as CF-MCC with Maritime Central Airways in Canada, later going to Wheeler Airlines on August 1, 1958. On June 27, 1961 it was sold to Canadian Aircraft Renters Ltd. at Toronto. Sudair of Montreal, purchased the DC-3 on August 19, 1964.
Nordair bought it on September 1, 1971. On November 11, 1973, it returned to the USA as N14636 with Trans New England. In June 1977 it was sold to Nutmeg Commercial of Hartford, Connecticut.
SCS Air Transport (JLR Air Transport Inc.) was the next owner, followed by S. E. Bird of San Francisco, California, in June 1979. JLR Air Transport of Brownsville, Texas, took registration of the DC-3 again on October 22, 1979, and it was bought by its present owner in February 1981.
Source and additional information:
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Harmony Airways
Subscriber Ralph Webb makes a very good point (see Subscriber Feedback section) concerning the B-757.
In my article from our last issue, I neglected to mention the five B-757's operated by Harmony Airways based in Richmond, British Columbia. As I was working in YVR during their years of operation, I certainly do remember seeing them while I was wandering around the ramp.
As per the Wikipedia page for Harmony (aka HMY Airways), it began operations in November 2002 and was wholly owned by business man David Ho. It ceased operations on April 9, 2007.
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- C-GMYC - Fin #801 -
- Acquired November 2002, broken up 2009
- C-GMYD - Fin #802 -
- Acquired October 2002, broken up 2008
- C-GMYE - Fin #800 - (Photo in issue header)
- Acquired July 2005, still active with DHL Austria (photo below)
- C-GMYH - Fin #812 -
- Acquired July 2003, purchased for parts by FedEx August 2010, broken up 2016
- C-GTSN - Fin #803 -
- Acquired February 2004, also flew for these carriers based in Canada, Odyssey International, Nationair, Air Transat, Zoom Airlines and Kelowna Flightcraft.
- Purchased for parts by Cascade Spares January 2021.
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OE-LNI DHL Aviation Boeing 757-28A
Milan, Italy - May 27, 2023
Photo courtesy of Raoul Andries
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| Terry's Trivia
& Travel Tips |
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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.
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Continuing the tales of the tails -
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Answer to the tails in NetLetter #1538 -
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The Lancaster FM213 made a triumphant return to Goderich, Ontario on Friday, June 14, 2024 landing 60 years to the day after it first landed in Goderich.
Crowds packed the Goderich Regional Airport to see and tour the plane.
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Remember the Douglas DC-5 – the forgotten aircraft.
In the end, only 12 Douglas DC-5's were ever built, of which four went to KLM, three to the US Navy, and four to the US Marine Corps.
Following the war, production of the Douglas DC-5 never resumed as there was a massive surplus of C-47's, a military version of the Douglas DC-3 aircraft.
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Self-driving robot pods are being rolled out to help passengers navigate through YVR.
Developed by Vancouver-based A&K Robotics, the pods will improve accessibility at the airport, ensuring all passengers can move through the terminals confidently.
The “Cruz” self-driving pods are equipped with mapping software, guaranteeing accurate and efficient mobility to amenities throughout the facility.
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Another cartoon sent in by Caz Caswell from his collection, dated April, 1993 –
Editors' Note: Caz pointed out that the scrapyard in the background; are the airlines that ceased around the time.
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Wayne, Ken & Terry Richmond, British Columbia - December 2019
(Bob Sheppard was not available for the photograph) |
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Wayne, Bob & Ken Richmond, British Columbia - December 2023
(Terry Baker was not available for the photograph) |
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We wish to honour the memories of
Vesta Stevenson and Alan Rust. They remain a part of every edition published. |
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E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted):
The historical information as well as any other information provided in the "NetLetter" is subject to correction and may have changed over time.
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