Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday March 22, 2025
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Canadian Pacific Airlines
Canadian-built Consolidated PBY-5A Canso
CF-CRR at Prince Rupert, British Columbia |
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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 71 new subscribers so far in 2025.
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.
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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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Anthony Herben provides some clarification regarding the difference between 'Trans-Canada Air Lines' and 'Trans-Canada Airway(s)'
This is in reference to the story in NetLetter #1553, ' Trans Canada Airways: A Look Back at 1939' In 1937 Trans-Canada Air Lines operated out of Lethbridge, Alberta, the airline’s western Canada hub.
The attached story talks about Trans-Canada Airways. This was not a name used for Trans-Canada Air Lines, but a reference to building the airways across Canada, hence 'Trans-Canada Airways.'
Also known as the Trans-Canada Air Route System. I have enclosed an article about the Trans-Canada Airways (linked in the references below).
As mentioned on page 5 of the article, surveys were conducted in 1928 to build the 'Trans-Canada Airway'. I hope your readers will understand where the confusion lies.
Regards,
Anthony
Editors' Note: We were concerned about the confusion before publishing the article.
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Additional References:
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Submitted by Lorne Paterson -
This was the very best hotel in Waikiki, period! I stayed there for the first time in the early sixties and several times thereafter including our honeymoon.
The grounds were beautiful with the pool and the lagoon to swim in. The restaurant was super, but the best was the Tiki Bar which was the gathering place for many of the local Hawaiians.
They loved to sing and the atmosphere was unbeatable. I still remember the piano player, his name was Val Nolesco. He brought the place to life every time he played. It was actually even cheaper for airline staff when I first went there, $6.00 per night including the Tuesday night Mai Tai party.
There was a parrot in the open air lobby who was always drunk after eating the cherries from the numerous drinks. Every night at sundown a group of Hawaiians serenaded the guests. They would walk along the path singing Hawaiian songs. It was really beautiful.
Sadly the land became too valuable and was bought out by the Hilton Hawaiian Village and was torn down. A real loss to the real Waikiki. Only the lagoon remains and we got to walk it a while back.
It brought back very fine memories. I was Station Operations and Maintenance Manager in HNL from 1986 until 1992 and thought about it many times. At 82 it still lives on
Lorne Paterson
PS: The old expression "Last one out turn out the lights" applies to two maintenance people from Canadian Airlines, Dave Parkinson and I.
On April 1st, 2001 Dave and I signed the Canadian Airlines aircraft over to AC and retired. There were no more Canadian aircraft.
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Submitted by Alan Mulholland -
To answer David Hykle’s question in NetLetter #1553 about the B-727 parked outside the YWG Maintenance hangar in the 1990s, it was a Worldways aircraft.
We had performed a 'D' Check on the aircraft right around the time Worldways went bankrupt. We held the aircraft in lien due to non payment for what seemed like several years. I can’t remember the registration or fin number.
Hope this helps.
Regards, Alan
Editors' Note: We have not been able to identify the specific aircraft, however, as per rzjets.net, we did find that three B-727-82s have flown in Worldways Canada livery.
The photo below, taken by our friend Caz Caswell, of C-GWGP at YYZ, September 18, 1989.
Note by Caz: It was some months before Worldways got around to putting the tail logo on.
Photos (with full livery) of the other registrations are available at the links below:
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Clarence Ash shares this photo -
John Smerdon supplied the photo and asked me to pass it on to you.
Taken May 4, 1959, at Malton Airport, Toronto (YYZ) marking the first day of Canadian Pacific Airlines transcontinental service using the Bristol Britannia turboprop with routing Montreal-Toronto-Winnipeg-Vancouver
Left to right: Bob Harvey, Peter Taylor, Peter Donaldson, John Smerdon, Harry Campbell and Jim Lowrie.
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Pierre Gillard shares this information -
For the first time in 2025, I took a few pictures of planes at the Saint-Hubert airport. Nothing very glorious, actually, but simply the De Havilland Canada DHC-8-106 C-FETB that was doing engine testing. This plane is still supposed to become the flying testbed for Pratt & Whitney Canada's future hybrid engine. It is currently in the care of Chrono Jet and WAAS Aerospace.
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Two Air Canada AC Jetz NHL charters spotted by Edouard Painchaud at Saint Hubert (YHU) airport.
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C-FKPT Fin #225 Montreal Canadiens January 11, 2025
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C-FMSX - Fin #232 Vancouver Canucks
January 5, 2025
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Suggested by subscriber Aron Charad -
Does anyone remember seeing this in our early B-747s?
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Posted January 22, 2023 by ACYYZ58
'The Lone Wolf' Claude Taylor
Claude Taylor, a man of great renown
President and CEO, his title did abound
From Air Canada's reservation agent to its head
He led the company, as many were led
A graduate of McGill, an industrial accountant true
He rose through the ranks, his leadership grew
From 1976 to 1984, he was the boss
And chairman of the board, no matter the cost
But his time at the top was not yet done
In 1990, he returned, until 1992 he won
The hearts of his employees, he was well liked
A man of great integrity, his actions spoke true
And his influence extended far beyond the air
President of the International Air Transport Association, a leader with great care
Honorary degrees from universities he received
A Commander of the Order of St. John, his accomplishments achieved
But his greatest honor came in 2006
When he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, for his great feat turning Air Canada into a world leader, his legacy will stay
Forever in the Aviation Hall of Fame, Claude Taylor's name will remain.
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Air Canada Is Recognized as One of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2025
Air Canada was once again named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2025. It is the seventh time in 10 years Air Canada has received this recognition.
"We are very proud to be recognized again for our longstanding workplace diversity. As a global company connecting Canada to over 55 countries across the six inhabited continents, we have long subscribed to the importance of reflecting the best of Canada to our employees, customers and stakeholders," said Arielle Meloul-Wechsler, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer and Public Affairs at Air Canada.
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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 January 1985
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Cessna takes crew to work.
There are times when airline operations are far from routine, and improvisation is called for, often at a moment's notice.
Such was the case when four flight crew in Zurich were needed to work the Paris-Zurich portion of Flight 870. As no convenient scheduled flight was available, a Cessna 401 was chartered to get them to their plane on time.
In Paris the crew posed for a photo in front of the Cessna and the Zurich-bound B-747.
Shown from the left are: the pilot of the Cessna; Captain Moe Labine; First Officer Ron Hudson; Second Officer Ron Tretsell; Flight Attendant Ingrid Bobzin; Purser George Brabant; Flight Attendant Elizabeth McLaughlin and Flight Service Director André Claude.
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Issue dated February 1985
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New VP pays a visit.
Bill Rowe, during 1985 was appointed Vice President, Sales and Service, Canada, had been busy getting acquainted with his new staff, and on a trip to Montreal, he met informally with employees at Alexis Nihon Plaza.
Shown, from the left, are: Rudy Romagnino, Agency and Interline Sales Manager; Michèle Sansoucy, Sales Representative; Margot L' Espérance, Customer Relations Representative; Jacques Marquis, Sales Representative; Bill Rowe; Diane Langelier, Secretary in Sales; Marie Théoret, Secretary in Customer Relations; Ghislain Tremblay, Customer Relations Correspondent and Suzanne Beaulieu, Secretary to the General Manager, Quebec.
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Issue dated October 1986
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Meet the Hong Kong staff.
From the left are: Jonathan Chan, Matthew Chan, Rebecca Fung, Debbie Tse, Henry Mak and Anita Leung.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Issue dated July 1970
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Canadian crew - Canadian aircraft
Carry Royal Party to Northwest Territories Centennial.
A carefully selected 10 member all-Canadian crew, under the command of Captain R. B. Mackie, flew Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne nearly 3,000 miles through the Arctic.
These photos were taken Sunday, July 5, 1970, just before the aircraft left Vancouver to go to Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit) to pick up the Queen. The two ladies pictured with the Maintenance crew travelled to Inuvik and Yellowknife to look after the interior cleanliness of the aircraft.
The Flight Crew, left to right: Purser J. Bisaillon; Chief Purser Doug Hatch; Flight Engineer Verne Robertson; Stewardesses Lois Duffy, Bonita Snyders, Frances Moore, Hilma McLeod and Sharon Gray; Captain J. Lightbown and Captain R. Mackie.
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for the full article. |
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The full Maintenance Team (no particular order): George Szabo, Barry Bernard, Gary Wilson, Bruce Lowden, Ralph Webb, Ruth Smith, Wilf Giles, Ben Haylett, Irene McLeod, Hugh Porter, Al Snider, Ken Payne, Tom Larson, Ken Whitlock and Hinnis Armstrong. Missing from picture is Les Coe.
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 Crew who installed the furnishings (no particular order): Gary Wilson, George Szabo, Barry Bernard, Les Coe and Bruce Lowden. |
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 The chefs: Bernie Muller, Harry Davies and Bill Crossan. |
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Nationair Canada operated charter as well as scheduled passenger services in the late 1980s and early 1990s from bases in Montreal and Toronto, with seasonal bases in Quebec City as well as flights out of Hamilton, Ontario to London, England. At one point, Nationair Canada was Canada's third largest airline, after Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International.
The company was founded by Robert Obadia, a former head of charter operations at Quebecair.
The airline was owned by its parent company Nolisair, which also owned Technair, an aircraft maintenance company. The airline's headquarters were located in the Nationair Canada Building at Montreal-Mirabel International Airport (YMX) in Mirabel, Quebec.
Its fleet consisted of 30 aircraft over time.
Douglas DC-8-50CF - 1
Douglas DC-8-60 -11
Boeing 747-100 - 5
Boeing 747-200 - 4
Boeing 757-200 - 10
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Boeing 747-200 - April 1990
Photo by Alain Durand
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DC-8-63 - June 1987
Photo by Eduard Marmet
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Boeing 757-200 - March 1991
Photo by Michel Gilliand
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Pierre Gillard sends us this information -
Nolinor announced an agreement with Natilus, an aerospace producer based in San Diego, California, that is currently developing Blended-wing Body (BWB) aircraft.
The agreement covers the reservation of positions for Kona-type aircraft, a turboprop designed to operate on gravel and unpaved runways as short as 800 meters.
With an announced payload of 3.8 tons, this aircraft is to be classified in the same category as Pascan's Saab 340B which can carry 3.4 tons.
However, thanks to its revolutionary design, its fuel consumption will be reduced by 30% compared to current aircraft. As for its range, it is estimated at 900 nautical miles (NM). We can't wait to see these Kona in Nolinor's colours!
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The Canadian Pacific Canso
The Consolidated Model 28, more commonly known as the PBY Catalina (US Navy designation), is a flying boat and amphibious aircraft designed by Consolidated Aircraft in the 1930s and 1940s. In Canadian service it was called the ' Canso'. Terry recommended that I read an article written by Captain Dennis Baxendale and posted at www.vintagewings.ca/stories/first-love
Excerpt from the article:
'First Love — The Canadian Pacific Canso' is a story about an airplane owned by Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1958, in amphibious aircraft built in the 1940s in Vancouver, Canada for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The aircraft was called a PBY by American fliers, a Canso by Canadians in the air force and a Catalina by the British. After the war, several Canadian-built Cansos were sold to civilian airlines and four were purchased by Canadian Pacific.
Reconditioned and outfitted for up to 20 passengers. The four ex-RCAF Cansos purchased (CF-CRP, CF-CRQ, CF-CRR and CF-CRV), CF-CRR (RCAF serial 9767) had the most outstanding combat record ,with 162 Squadron, RCAF.
Click the image below to enjoy the full article. Thanks to Dave O'Malley of Vintage Wings for permission for us to use their content.
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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.
Spain enthusiastically built a $1.1 billion airport outside Madrid.
In the sun-scorched plains of central Spain sits a monument to ambition gone awry. Ciudad Real Central Airport with its gleaming terminal, pristine runway, and modern control tower, stands as a cautionary tale of economic hubris.
Built for over €1 billion (around $1.1 billion) during Spain’s construction boom of the early 2000s, this once-promising transportation hub would later earn the ignominious title of “ghost airport” after being auctioned off for just €10,000 (~$11,000) roughly the price of a steel Rolex Submariner watch.
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Extracted from issue dated May 1968
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Colourful Career of CF-TCA
Peripatetic Orphan Flies into History
by B. R. Cormier
The polished aluminum Lockheed L-10A now sitting at the Dorval Base began life with Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) in October, 1937 pretty much in its present, restored condition. But in between its arrival as TCA's first new aircraft and its reacquisition as a retiring pioneer lays countless thousands of miles and a career unparalleled in aviation history.
Given the Canadian registration CF-TCA, it immediately entered service in 1937 with Trans-Canada Air Lines, the fledgling forerunner of the Company today. It flew the 122-mile Vancouver-Seattle route and others before being sold to the Department of National Defence on October 12, 1939 after logging 1,977 hours of TCA flying time. 
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Additional info regarding the remarkable career and preservation of CF-TCA
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Doug Seagrim shares his personal memory of CF-TCA
My Father, Herb Seagrim, who joined TCA in 1937, on the first pilot course, was sent to the Lockheed factory in Burbank California to pick up CF-TCA (in 1937) and bring it to Winnipeg where it began its career.
Because of that, when it was restored and delivered to the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa he was to do the flight, sort of a farewell gesture.
At that time I was a Viscount pilot with the airline so it was decided that we would make it a father-son event and keep it in the family.
As a result, I got to fly it to Ottawa and became the last person to fly it. Later, I also got to do the delivery of the Viscount CF-THI making me the last person to fly it as well and giving me a total of five aircraft in the Museum that I have flown.
From Doug Seagrim -
Retired Captain, TCA/Air Canada.
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Extracted from issue dated November 1968
Historic journey ends at Ottawa
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Final flight of the company's first aircraft, was made to the National Aviation Museum at Ottawa International Airport where it was handed over by Executive Vice President Herb Seagrim.
Seen above at the ceremony with Seagrim are the Honourable Gerard Pelletier, State Secretary, the Honourable James Richardson, representing Transport and Dr. David Baird of the Museum.
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 for the full article. |
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This Day in History: First Trans-Canada Air Lines flight departs Vancouver
On September 1, 1937, the first Trans-Canada Air Lines flight took off from Vancouver.
But it wasn’t flying across Canada — it was a short hop to Seattle. TCA’s first commercial passenger flight across Canada from Montreal to Vancouver wasn’t until April 1, 1939.
The Seattle flight was a big deal. The federal government launched the airline on April 10, 1937, and started operating in September after buying an established route, and two planes and their crews from Canadian Airways, a private company that was owned by James Richardson in Winnipeg.
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June, 1938. Two Lockheed 14 transports ready to take off for Vancouver, the western terminus of Trans-Canada Air Lines. The planes, part of a fleet of 10, were powered with two Pratt and Whitney geared Hornet engines of 850 HP each.
They were designed to carry 11 passengers, two pilots and a flight attendant, and have a top speed of 250 mph. The Maple Leaf emblem, insignia of the Dominion line, can be seen on the nose of the ships.
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Our cartoon by Caz Caswell is from the
Top Gun Air collection of February 1991
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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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