Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday, August 24, 2024
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Air Ontario Convair 580 C-GDTC London, Ontario - August 1983 Photo by Eduard Marmet |
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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 welcomed 72 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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Aviation historians and enthusiasts have certainly been following news stories about the restoration and final flight of the Hawaii Martin Mars before it is placed on permanent display at the B. C. Aviation Museum in North Saanich, British Columbia (near Victoria International Airport, YYJ).
A couple of our frequent contributors Anthony Herben and Larry Milberry, have composed the following tributes to this aircraft.
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From Anthony Herben -
The End of an Era for the Mighty Martin Mars
On Sunday, August 11, the mighty Hawaii Martin Mars conducted its last flight. Between 6,000 and 7,000 hours were spent preparing the aircraft to fly again on its final voyage.
Pilots and engineers were brought out of retirement to fly it one more time. The red and white Martin Mars had its last fire fighting season in 2015. The huge water tanker fought fires in BC, and other provinces for more than half-a-century. The Martin Mars could dump more than 27,000 litres (6000 Imperial gallon) of water on a fire.
The Martin Mars was donated to the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich, near Victoria, BC. The aircraft departed from Sproat Lake, outside Port Alberni at approximately 4:00 pm on Sunday, August 11, and flew to Patricia Bay. The Martin Mars made several flyovers of Port Alberni, Campbell River, Powell River, Courtenay, Nanaimo, Duncan, Ladysmith, and Crofton. 
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From Larry Milberry -
Martin Mars “Hawaii Mars” Joins the BC Aviation Museum
August 11, 2024 was a Canadian aviation milestone when Martin Mars C-FLYL “Hawaii Mars” was delivered from its historic base at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island to the British Columbia Aviation Museum at Victoria International Airport (CYYJ).
After flying its farewell tour between Campbell River and Victoria with several communities between, it landed on schedule at about 1800. The weather was fine, the Snowbirds provided a spectacular escort, and the crowds along the route were mightily impressed!
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| See 'Featured Videos' below for more. |
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Submitted by new subscriber Gordon Haines regarding the LHR reunion photo in NetLetter #1539 -
My name is Gordon Haines and I was the owner of Ground Aviation Handling Ltd in the UK and worked directly alongside the Heathrow baggage staff since 1981. Although I wasn’t an Air Canada employee I always felt and was treated as part of the organization.
My company was responsible for AC’s mishandled baggage deliveries through the UK, Co-mail services, First and Business Lounge staff, Terminal buggy services as well as Airside short connection transfers.
Over the many years of working with AC at LHR I become personal friends with many, many employees ranging from the station manager to ramp staff and everyone in between. On a recent visit back to the UK (I now live in Nanoose Bay, British Columbia) I was treated to a surprise get-together by some of the baggage agents and we all had a great time catching up.
Following on from that get-together, Jack Morath suggested dropping you an email and gave me your email address so that I could make contact and see if it would be possible to join the mailing list.
Editors' Note: We are very happy to add Gordon to our subscription list.
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Steve Charlton who retired from Computer & System Services (C&SS) YUL shares this information -
 All-in-all, after working 6 years at IBM and 30 at Air Canada, I'm certainly enjoying this thing called retirement.
I enjoyed my career, and having been nominated twice for the Air Canada Award of Excellence, I guess I contributed as well.
I enjoy travel - I've been to all 7 continents and Japan was my 105th country!
After retirement, I published a 2-volume cookbook for men, wrote a short science fiction story to please my son, centered around my alma mater (University of Western Ontario), and have spent quite a bit of time recently, writing my autobiography, an activity that gives me great pleasure, and which I would recommend to anyone else to do, before one's memory goes for retirement as well.
Click the book cover to view Steve's books listed on Amazon.
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Below is a photo of a former Trans-Canada Air Lines Vickers Vanguard, registration CF-TKC, after being acquired by Europe Aero Service and registered as F-BTOX.
We see it here at Le Bourget, Paris (LBG) in October 1974 with a livery which leaves no doubt about its Canadian origin.
Origin: Pierre Gillard collection.
Editors' Note: Only 45 Vanguards were built. TCA was the largest of only two original customers with 23, plus 21 for British European Airways and one prototype.
With the Vanguard somewhat late going into service and medium range jets like the Boeing 727 on the horizon, few airlines were interested in large 4-engine turboprops by the early 1960's.
Air Canada disposed of the Vanguards between 1969 and 1972. Several of the Vanguard's smaller and more successful predecessor, the Viscount (almost 450 built, 51 for TCA), remained in AC service until 1974.
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Referring to the story originally published in October 1999, that we reprinted in NetLetter #1539, entitled ' Gopher at one hundred and fifty feet', Elle Park shared this story with us.
Arnold Broese-van-Groenou's story about the near miss of a hawk and a gopher reminded me of a collision on takeoff out of Winnipeg.
We were flying a DC-9. Just after liftoff there was a thump and a shudder. We decided to leave the aircraft just as it was. It was flying without any change in anything. No indication of any change on the engine instruments, controls were smooth ... so don't change anything.
Then there was a horrible stench throughout the inside of the aircraft. We asked the tower to put the glasses on us while we flew by, first to view the right side then to view the left side.
As they could not see anything, we decided to land and let Maintenance look us over. After shutting down, line maintenance came on board holding the wing of a large hawk. The wing was nearly 18" long. (We still measured in inches and feet back then).
So the hawk had to measure better than three feet across. The bird had struck midway up the oleo. Most of the winged creature had gone through the port engine. As the air conditioning came off the engines, the bird was cooked and the feathers singed; hence the terrible smell.
We decided to take the DC-9 off the ramp, run it to take-off power for the max. time, shut down, open the clam shells and inspect the engine.
Everything checked A-OK in NASA (NACA) terms. The decision was to carry on to YYZ. After take off, we told everyone we were having boiled owl, or roast hawk for lunch, and wouldn't you know we had ... chicken.
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Northern Lights Aero Foundation announces 2024 ‘Elsie’ recipients
Zoey Williams First Officer B-777 at Air Canada.
Zoey started her flight training at the age of 15. Her career to date has seen her as a flight instructor, a pilot in the north and an airline pilot. She has completed an Advanced Diploma in Aviation Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics and Aviation Management and a Master’s in Business Administration, specializing in aviation and international business. Zoey is a board member of the Urban Pilots Network, encouraging and educating young people from urban communities about opportunities in aviation.
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Click the image below to view Zoey's
video on the Air Canada YouTube channel.
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Pack your appetite
With over 100 refreshed recipes, exciting snacks and beverages, and the convenience of our expanded meal pre-ordering service—we’re taking dining to new heights.
Cheers, travellers! Your Economy experience is getting an upgrade! Air Canada is delighted to introduce premium complimentary snacks, featuring homegrown Canadian favourites, to all customers on all flights.
The airline is also expanding its complimentary beer and wine offering to customers on flights within Canada and the U.S., alongside a selection of $5 spirits, through the end of this year.
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 for the latest posts at the Air Canada Media Centre. |
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 Click the logo to open the Air Canada YouTube channel. |
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated July 1985
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Now that's service.
Toronto's 'Rendez-vous' restaurant was the scene of a gathering of 11 Flight Attendants who were all marking their 25-year service anniversaries. The luncheon celebrated 275 combined years of service not to mention the numerous shared experiences.
In the photo are, from the left: Judy Van Rees, Flight Attendant; Martin Fleet, Flight Service Director; Flight Attendants Arlene Perritt and Gwen Mosca; Marion Clark, Purser; Flight Attendants Ethna Plaskes, Donna Gibbs, Jo-Anne Ridler and Helen McEwan; Walter Van Beek, In-Flight Service Base Director, Toronto and Flight Attendants Pat McAllister and Winnie Patterson.
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Issue dated August 1985
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Geneva gathering.
 When Chairman Claude Taylor visited Geneva, he stopped by the office to meet the staff.
Shown in the photo taken to commemorate the occasion are, from the left: Jacques Gras, Manager, Western Switzerland; Station Agent Beat Haldimann; Passenger Agent Gérard Furgler and Claude Taylor.
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Haiti cargo service.
Air Canada Cargo concluded an agreement with Air Haiti to wet lease a DC-8-73 to operate between New York and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, beginning July 22, 1985.
 Some of the people who are associated with the service which operated twice weekly are shown in this photo taken at JFK.
From the left, are: George Hoban, General Sales Agent; Brian Ganley, Cargo Supervisor; Tom Kelley and Pete Newell, Cargo Agents; Jason Troncale, Cargo Sales & Service Manager; Francis Myrtil, Air Haiti; Hank Fleming, Lead Cargo Agent and Gerry Brown, General Sales Agent.
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Issue dated October 1985
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Summit walks.
During 1985, a group of European employees take the opportunity to hoist the Canadian flag atop Mount Spirstock (7,152 feet) in central Switzerland.
 The third annual hike was organized by Rolf Weinmann, Manager, Switzerland, a strong believer in 'Participation'.
This year's summit surmounters are, back row, from the left: Ilona Stickler, Passenger Agent, Frankfurt; Joan Lovegrove, Passenger Agent, London; Mr. and Mrs. Sieben, South African Airways and Continental Airlines, respectively; Heidi Lang, Reservations & Sales Office Supervisor, Frankfurt and Rolf.
Front row, from the left: guests Miss and Mrs. Christener; Passenger Agents Taili Englert, Frankfurt; Shirley Dunn, London; Martina Steffl and Marion Linder, Frankfurt.
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During 1985, Ottawa Station Attendant Harry Sulley had a Newfoundland connection that a group of his colleagues won’t soon forget.
Harry's cousin, Joe Antle, his wife, Marg and their family took on the task of entertaining 25 Ottawa employees and a couple from Toronto for a weekend of "some of the finest hospitality imaginable", said Harry.
The group spent the first night at the Antle home in St. John's. Next morning, the bunch descended on the Antle cottage at Brigus Junction to savor "some good old Newfoundland moose, seal meat, wild rabbit, fresh salmon, local lobster and yes, even cod tongues", explained Harry.
The weather cooperated by enabling the group to enjoy a full weekend of swimming, water skiing and just plain sun bathing.
The Antles got to know the group when they went along on a ski trip to France last March 1985. Plans which were originally drawn up at a ski resort in Les Arcs, became a reality on a beautiful August 1985 weekend.
The entire assemblage wishes to express its heartfelt thanks to the Antles for "taking a chance on having a bunch of mainland crazies for a weekend at their home and cottage"
Shown at the cottage are, from the left: Odette Dom-Pierre, Laurie Pennell, Marg Antle, Ceka Michaelis, Louise Bedard, Jennifer Sulley, Laura Antle, Patti Dube, Pat Sulley, Gloria Allen (with dog), Sharon Antle, Charlotte Tilley, Peter Morris, Joe Antle, Jr., Jim Trottier, Hugh Smith, Gerry Power, Tim MacDonald, Dave Machaelis, Harry Sulley, Jim Seath-Smith, Wally Pennell, Bill Malone and Jim-Bob Weedon.
Now that summer was over, thoughts were turning to another ski season.
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During 1985, President Pierre Jeanniot visited Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth to meet employees, travel and tourist representatives along with government and business leaders.
During a coffee meeting at the Cargo terminal in Chicago, he had a chance to meet several staff members. While in Dallas/Fort Worth, he presented Wally Heckman, Airport Manager, with his 20-year service pin. A highlight of his Texas visit was a staff breakfast where Jeanniot was presented with a traditional Texas belt buckle.
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 Shown in Chicago are the following: Stan Gorak, Margo Rodriguez, Jeanniot and Tony Velasquez. |
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 Shown during the Dallas/Fort Worth staff visit are, from the left: George Mullener, Jeanne Evans, Jeanniot, Judy Stephens, Linda Price, Stan Heller, Denise Hammons, Wally Heckman, Bob Perreault and Frank Pesce, seated. |
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Issue dated April 1985
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Six-week pregnancy yields a big baby
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It’s hard to believe, but it takes only about six weeks to assemble a new B-737-300, “from the first nuts and bolts until it's flying.”
Such is the efficiency of the Boeing production line. “After you've built 1,200 of an aircraft type you get it down to an art," a Boeing spokesman explained.
These photos of CP Air’s first 737-300 were taken in February and March. Although it takes only six weeks to physically assemble one, the required lead time for an airline to get a place on the production line in order to acquire one is 13 to 14 months.
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A row of tubes on the Boeing production line...
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... begins to take shape as a fleet of airplanes.
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First of the B-737-300s goes into service
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CP Air became Canada's first B- 737-300 operator on April 12, 1985 when it formally took delivery of the ' Empress of Ontario' registration C-FCPG (fin #751).
George Dyer (centre), CP Air’s director, contracts, formally takes delivery of the company’s first B-737-300 at Seattle’s Boeing Field. At left is Roy Peterson, regional director, Boeing; and at right, Lowell Houtchens, director, Canada sales, Boeing.
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 Found on Facebook |
Posted by Jim Harris -
 Coffee with "old" maintenance buddies in Kelowna April 11, 2024 from the left: Jim Harris, Hasse Marthinsen, Frank Wolfenber, John McMillan, Wayne Drews and Peter Voetmann. |
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Posted by Bob Howe -
 CP Air Operations Centre at Vancouver International airport (YVR) circa late 1960's. |
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Posted by John Desramaux
Dated April 2 1980 - A Nordair crew posing on the tarmac: S/O Charlebois, flight attendants Grenier and Hatrick, Captain Red Martindale, flight attendants Rose, Cousineau, Dobsceck and Fish.
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The final flight of the Coulson Aviation Martin Mars to Victoria, British Columbia to its resting place at the British Columbia Aviation Museum on August 11, 2024 was captured by several YouTube videographers.
Below is a link posted by our favourite videographer, Alex Praglowski.
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Posted on the BC Aviation Museum YouTube channel -
Dewatering the Mars - Navigating the jetty and narrow launch
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The Airplane Restaurant.
Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Airplane food isn't always the best except on this airplane! The Airplane Restaurant is a Boeing KC-97 tanker turned restaurant seating 42 passengers for a meal.
The tanker includes memorabilia and pictures from aviation throughout the years. The Airplane Restaurant is perfect for a meal and a ride through aviation history.
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History of a DC-3.
Built as Skytrain registration 42-92995, construction number 12857, and delivered to the US Army Air Force on March 27, 1944, being assigned to the North African Wing of the US Air Transport Command on April 24, 1944.
It was returned to the USA on August 20, 1945, going to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation on June 5, 1946. As NC44587 it went to West Coast Airlines, Fleet No. 101, on November 6, 1946.
A lease to Canada with Pacific Western Airlines as CF-ONH took place on April 17, 1962. It was back with West Coast Airlines on August 6, 1963, registered N44587, and went back to Pacific Western Airlines again as CF-ONH on March 15, 1964.
Air West next bought this DC-3 and it again became N44587. The Aerodyne Corporation of Renton, Washington, purchased the transport on January 28, 1969, and it was registered to them on April 9, 1969. Aerodyne went out of business and 12857 stood derelict at Renton from May 1974 until purchase by Salair, who today operate a fleet of DC-3 transports out of Seattle and Sacramento airports on cargo services.
Registered as N44587 and, in 2002, was owned by Alta Leasing Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Great Lakes Airlines becomes Air Ontario
In NetLetter #1487, (June 10, 2022) I explored the history of Great Lakes Airlines and I thought it would be a good idea to continue the evolution of its history.
Originally founded in 1958 as a niche market regional airline, by 1975 Great Lakes Airlines was having financial issues and was purchased by a group of businessmen and merged with Austin Airways but continued to operate as an independent carrier. Its centre of operations was moved from Sarnia to London, Ontario in 1977.
In 1981 the name was changed to Air Ontario and the regional airline began to see some growth, still operating a fleet mainly of Convair 580 turboprops, it expanded to Ontario's neighbouring provinces and two U.S. destinations (Cleveland and Hartford).
I think it is quite an ironic piece of history that Air Canada and Pacific Western Airlines entered into a partnership equally splitting 49% of the Air Ontario shares in 1986; now also operating de Havilland Canada Dash 8's which could be used to operate flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ).
The first jets operated by Air Ontario were the Fokker F28 Fellowship as an Air Canada connector in the late 1980's when the airline became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air Canada.
In January 2001 during the flurry of restructuring of the Canadian aviation industry, Air Ontario was absorbed, along with other regional airlines, into Air Canada Regional Inc. which would be branded as Air Canada Jazz.
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Air Ontario C-FGRM DHC-8-100 at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport
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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 our tale of the tails -
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 (Click to view larger image)
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Answers to the tails in NetLetter #1539
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(Click to view larger image)
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Interline travel deals from Dynamic Travel and Cruises -
 We Have New Cruise Offers including an Onboard Credit Offer from Azamara and Italian Christmas Market Tour at an Incredible Price! |
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Inaugural flight from Prince George to Terrace, was on May 2, 1951 by Central BC Airways using an Avro Anson Mk. V.
Central British Columbia Airways changed its name to Pacific Western Airlines in 1953.
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YYZ humble beginnings.
From humble beginnings to Canada's largest airport! The first passenger flight landing at what was then called Malton Airport, an American Airlines DC-3 from Buffalo touched down on August 29, 1938 at 13:10. The first of many landings.
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As demand for air travel grew, new terminals and runways were quickly added. The first modern terminal, Aeroquay 1, was opened in 1964. Its innovative circular design was intended to handle up to 3.5 million passengers.
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When it was closed in 2004, Aeroquay 1 was handling almost 9 million passengers each year. To meet growing demand, Terminal 2 was opened in 1972, Terminal 3 in 1993 and a new Terminal 1 in 2004.
Today’s Pearson operates out of two terminals designed with a linear concept; Terminal 1 and 3. Terminal 2 was demolished in 2008.
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Another cartoon by Caz Caswell from the Top Gun Air collection,
dated June 1993.
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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 honur 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.
We do publish corrections (and correct the original article) when this is brought to our attention.
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