Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday, April 26, 2025
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Air Canada CF-TIS Fin #875 McDonnell Douglas DC-8-63 Düsseldorf, Germany - 1974 Photo courtesy of Wolfgang Mendorf |
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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 82 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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56th Annual General Assembly (A GA) |
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The 2025 Interline Celebration
October 1 to 5, 2025
Radisson Blu Resort, St. Julian’s, Malta.
Registration deadline June 15, 2025.
A friendly reminder for any Interline club member planning to attend the 56th WACA Annual General Assembly (AGA). Please ensure that your registration form is completed and signed by your club's President before submission. This is a requirement to confirm your participation in the event.
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29th Czech Airlines Soccer Tournament
 The organizing committee would like to welcome again all participants all over the world into the heart of Europe.
We are very glad to see our old sport friends and also those players joining us for the first time. We try to do our best for you to enjoy the Czech hospitality during next four days.
June 20 to 22, 2025
Prague, Czech Republic
(Editors' Note: Vancouver Air Canada team participated in 2013 - time to revisit!)
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 for more information. |
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Aviation Football Cup
 Marathon is a town in Greece and the site of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, in which the heavily outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians.
Legend has it that Pheidippides, a Greek herald at the battle, was sent running from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory, which is how the marathon running race was conceived in modern times. Today it is part of East Attica regional unit, in the outskirts of Athens and a popular resort town.
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October 2 to 5, 2025.
Marathon, Greece
Registration Deadline: August 15, 2025.
Payment Deadline: August 29, 2025.
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The Moorings Interline Regatta
 The Moorings Interline Regatta has kicked-off sailing season in the British Virgin Islands with exciting races, thrilling parties, and endless fun on the water.
October 21 - 30, 2025.
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Submitted by Linda Reverchon -
Good morning, NetLetter team,
Thanks for the latest edition with the article about our Paris office in NetLetter #1555. I became friends with one of the staff there during the changeover from RES II to RES III in December of 1992. I forwarded this issue to her.
On another subject, I'd appreciate your inserting this query in a future NetLetter:
A friend of mine is reconstructing the life of a friend who attended a convention that took place in Orlando, Florida, in about 1975. Joe inserted “(Pan Am?)” in his query. He has contacted various institutions, 16 in number, without success, this as of early November of 2024. Is there someone who has information about this convention?
Thanks in advance.
Faithful reader,
Linda Reverchon, AC retiree in Abbotsford, BC
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Submitted by Alain Caron -
In reference to the B-747 dance floor, NetLetter #1554. In my earlier days at Air Canada I was a job ticket clerk at Dorval base.
In the beginning of 1970 the new B-747 hangar was built and we did modify the upper deck floor of one of the first Air Canada B-747s. The estimate for this add-on was $50,000 including disco lights. After the floor modification I was among a few people to test this dance door to make sure all was fine for our future passengers.
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Greetings from the Emerald Isle ... and Mike Horan (ex Air Canada).
Just thought you might like to read what's happening over here re: our billionaire techie's new interest.
From fintech to flight path: Stripe’s John Collison charts a new course at Weston.
Billionaire businessman John Collison isn’t just investing in infrastructure—he’s reshaping Weston Airport (serving Dublin) into a hub for light aviation, pilot training, and public service flights. For Collison, it is not just business, it is personal.
"I'm an aviation fanatic,” John Collison says with a grin. As he strolls around Weston Airport, casually reeling off the intricacies and heritage of aircraft engines with the ease most people recite the alphabet, it’s hard to argue.
Collison, the billionaire co-founder of payments giant Stripe, learned to fly at 17—and flying has remained one of his greatest passions ever since. In 2017, he piloted a four-seat, twin-engine, propeller-driven aircraft from Europe to the United States. Today, he still regularly flies his own plane.
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In response to Cliff Cunningham's request for a photo of a Trans-Canada Air Lines Viscount in NetLetter #1555, Robert Langham sent in this photo below of CF-THK, fin #629.
We looked in the history of this aircraft and found that it was delivered to TCA in June 1957, however, it was destined to an unfortunate fate. It was damaged beyond economic repair by a fire on takeoff from Sept-Îles Airport (YZV). The aircraft managed to land back at Sept-Îles, but there was a fatality.
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Pionairs explore Switzerland.
The Toronto chapter of the Pionairs' mini Switzerland fall 1987 tour was a great success. In fact, due to popular demand, the original tour was divided up into two groups - the first one from October 4 through 10 and the second October 11 through 17.
Despite the heavy load factors on flights to Zurich, everyone managed to arrive for their respective tours.
The 49 members on each trip enjoyed a seven-day stay in Weggis, at the lovely first-class Rossli Hotel on the shores of Lake Lucerne. The last group was treated to a colourful fall festival, with more than 100 farmers, dressed in traditional Swiss costumes, and cows, decked out with garlands of flowers and tinkle bells, competed for prizes.
Upon returning to the hotel each evening, the guests found a superb dinner awaiting them. Afterwards, everyone relaxed in the lounge, took part in a sing-along or had a whirl on the dance floor. Before they knew it, the week was over and it was time to leave.
The tours were organized and capably handled by Norm and Blanche Danton.
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 Source: Horizons magazine issue November 1987 |
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Air Canada to Offer Customers Increased Overhead Storage Room with New Airspace Cabin on Airbus A220 Fleet
Air Canada today announced that it will be the launch customer for the Airbus Airspace cabin on the A220 family of aircraft, giving customers more overhead storage space. The first aircraft to receive the new bins are scheduled to be delivered early in 2026.
The A220 Airspace cabin features new XL bins, increasing the overhead capacity of bags by more than 15%, and will also include a new ceiling design and lighting. The introduction of the new Airspace cabin has been timed to coincide with additional Air Canada upgrades including an updated cabin interior and seat back entertainment.
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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 April 1987
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The first Air Canada aircraft arrived in Recife, Brazil in mid-December 1986.
 The life of a Training and Development Supervisor isn’t all that bad, especially for Marty Bruin of Halifax, who recently accepted an assignment in Recife, Brazil to do ground handling training.
Brazil's fourth largest city in the past few years has become a popular vacation spot for Canadians. This winter several tour operators offered all-inclusive tour packages and had contracted an Air Canada B-747 aircraft to be used on the route.
The on-board crew and staff who were on hand to meet the flight are, top to bottom and left to right:
Jim Wonta, Route Operations Supervisor; J. Batista, Purser (on special assignment); Captain Fisher; R. Faughnan, Flight Attendant; A. Nemeth, Purser; J.P. Lalonde, Acting Ramp Service Supervisor; Flight Attendants C. Fernandes Fuente, S. Ebisuaki and M. Van Den Hogen; R.M.Shorthill, First Officer; Flight Attendants F. Brinck, J. Elder Prothasow, H. Ohrner, D. Estey, F. Plamondon, D. Hay; Marty Bruin (Halifax) and A. Jorge.
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Issue dated November 1987
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The Express Ladies fastball team once again captured the title at the 1987 System Fastball tournament in Vancouver.
In the photo team members are, back row, from the left: Ray Gregory, (manager), Maureen Schwarze, Jacqueline McBain, Harriette Van der Venne, Leslie Hirsk, Betty Carter, Jo-anne Love and Paul Trauzzi (coach).
In the front row, in the same order, are: Christine Schultz, Debra Roche, Donna Volpini, Lorraine Longeri and Marsha Legg. Missing from the team photo are Sandy Kerby and Debbie Philips.
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Issue dated December 1987
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Here's the new Horizons team in 1987.
Here at Horizons we are ending 1987 with a team in transition, a new editor, associate editor and secretary.
Johanne Legault, who has been with Employee Communications since 1982, has moved up to became Associate Editor, replacing Michelle Larouche, who has retired.
After a thorough search, through the PVA process and tests, Johanne was chosen for the position because of her superior writing skills, her strong experience in production and her unflagging enthusiasm.
From left to right are: Johanne Legault, Associate Editor; Danielle Vallée, Secretary; Denis Chagnon, Manager, Employee Communications; Linda Sutherland (seated), Assistant Editor and Susan Welscheid, Editor.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Issue dated March 1979
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CP Air's entire West German team in 1979.
The group staffs sales offices in Dusseldorf, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt, gathered in Frankfurt for a three-day technical seminar on ticketing and fares.
Around the table from left, Sales Reps Anna Wrossok and Brigitte Jovic; Passenger Agent Anne Klemm; District Sales Rep Detlef Hinrichsen; Passenger Agent Sylvia Rehbock; Services Training Senior Instructor Jim Redding of Toronto; Accountant Regina Boendgen; Senior Passenger Agents Jutta Castellino and Rita Schnoor; Germany Sales Manager Peter Garms and Cargo Sales Assistant Rotraut Emde.
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Found while scrolling though the Whitehorse Star newspaper
- November 24, 1944: Although the regular scheduled trip to Aklavik was not due until December 16 Captain Will Cormack, Canadian Pacific Air Lines pilot landed at noon on November 19.
- The plane left Edmonton with 1200 pounds of northern mail. It left Edmonton on wheels and on arrival at Fort Smith the wheels were changed to skis.
- This is believed to be the record for airmail service into the Mackenzie river district since its inauguration in December 1929.
- April 26, 1946: Effective May 1, CPA Lodestars will leave Whitehorse at 10.00 p.m. daily except Sunday, arriving in Edmonton at 7:00 a.m. and at Vancouver at 8:30 a.m.
- This will allow for same-day connection to destinations around the world, and also allows passengers from Mayo and Dawson to make direct connections.
- May 17, 1946: Fly to Vancouver in 9 hours, to Edmonton in 7 hours, 45 minutes, with Canadian Pacific Air Lines.
- February 7, 1947: Canadian Pacific Air Lines is advertising new low fares from Whitehorse - $35 to Fairbanks, $75 to Edmonton, and $89 to Vancouver.
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PWA in the year one.
The first, one and only, PWA ticket counter, Res office, freight office and dispatch office upstairs, in the summer of 1953.
Picture shows agents Irene Koonce and Sandy Welbourn expediting flights to Kitimat and Kemano. This first traffic office was located on the Fraser River at Vancouver Airport.
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Issue dated December 1985
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After the strike at Pacific Western Airlines in 1985, we have these happy employees -
 It is busier for Churchill's Working Manager, Cathie Edgar, but the picket line is not hard to cross. There was only one striking employee to picket in Churchill. |
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They Sure Are Smiling in Regina!
 Wolf Walter, Sales Representative in Vancouver and Ralph McDonald, Calgary, weren't sure whether to smile for the camera... |
 ...but after they enticed Ken Jamieson, Coordinator of Flight Dispatch, Vancouver into the picture it was different... |
 ...and that was so much fun, they pulled in Gord Camp, Station Manager, Regina and Glen Kraeling, First Officer. Ken Jamieson makes a final check to make sure they are all smiling. |
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 In Winnipeg, Leo Fournier, Supervisor Line Maintenance; Ted Ranson, Vice President Eastern Region and (Jan) Janmohamed, Maintenance Planner are really smiling because they are inside for a few minutes rather than braving the -25 degree temperatures outside. |
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 In Calgary, Ingrid Schiavetta (left), Sandy Stirling (centre) and Susan Vendreyes are smiling because Marilynn Knoch (editor) has met her performance deadline and will quit bringing a rush copy to Word Processing CAB. |
| Without these ladies and Linda Wilde (missing from the photo) 'PERFORMANCE' would not be published. |
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Air Canada's first ever TV Commercials [PART 1] - From the Archives
Our friend, Henry Tenby digitized Air Canada's historic film archives in 2012, by special arrangement with Archives Canada. This show features the earliest black and white TV commercials produced for Air Canada during the mid 1960s, and feature Air Canada's first jet aircraft of the day, the DC-8.
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Canadian Election Campaign Aircraft: What Are Candidates Flying?
Canada's federal election has once again created leasing opportunities for airlines. However, for this election, the New Democrats have not leased a dedicated aircraft (neither the Green Party nor the Bloc Québécois have ever leased dedicated aircraft).
The Conservatives and Liberals have leased A319s from Air Canada. Fin #251 (Pierre Poilievre) and fin #252 (Mark Carney) have been in the Air Canada fleet for close to thirty years.
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Air Labrador.
The airline was established and started operations in 1948, as Newfoundland Airways operating float-equipped aircraft from a base in Gander, Newfoundland on charter, mail and freight work to northern Newfoundland and Labrador. Its motto was "The Spirit of Flight" ("Esprit du vol" en français).
In March 2009, the company announced they were ceasing flight service to Montreal due to financial trouble. Airline service ended in Newfoundland in May 2009. The airline continued to fly within Labrador and Quebec, as well as St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador until its merger in 2017 with Innu Mikun Airlines to form Air Borealis.
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C-GTMB Beechcraft 1900D
Photo courtesy of Pierre Gillard
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CF-TIS - Douglas DC-8-63/73 - Still Active at age 55
After viewing our 'Featured Video' from NetLetter #1555, Ken Pickford did some internet research looking for still active DC-8s, not more than four of which are still flying in the world. To our surprise he came up with one that has an Air Canada connection.
Ken's comments:
"Former CF-TIS/C-FTIS, AC's 5th last DC-8, delivered as a -63 on February 27, 1970. Fin #875, the 515th of total 556 DC-8s built. It's still flying at age 55 for a Peruvian cargo operator called Sky Bus Jet Cargo, registered OB-2231P.
At AC, it was converted to a -63F freighter in April 1982, then re-engined with CFM56 engines in June 1984, becoming a -73F."
It was acquired by DHL Airways in October 1993 and given US registration N805DH. Operated by ASTAR Air Cargo until June 2012 when it was withdrawn from service and stored at Kingman Airport in Arizona. During its time in storage, it was acquired by Skybus Jet Cargo of Peru.
Re-registered as N805SJ in September 2018 and current registration OB-2231P in September 2022, it has been used on several short term charter leases over the past decade. Returned to service in February 2025 and has most recently made at least 4 round trips in late March between Miami and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP).
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Editors' Note: Our friend, David Varnes, has written an excellent (and more detailed) article on the same aircraft in the most recent issue of 'The Snag Sheet', the monthly newsletter for Canadian Airways Lodge 764 in Richmond, British Columbia. Click the icon to view.
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Air Canada - CF-TIS
Glasgow - Prestwick - April 11, 1976
Photo courtesy of Don Gilham
Editors' Note: Original livery.
Black paint on the nose and company name.
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Air Canada - C-FTIS
(after re-registration)
Dusseldorf - August 4, 1979
Photo courtesy of Udo Haafke
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Air Canada Cargo - C-FTIS
London - Heathrow - October 14, 1984
Just a few months after it was converted from -63AF to -73AF, in June 1984
Photo and comment courtesy of Lewis Grant
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DHL Airways - N805DH
Miami - February 1999
Photo courtesy of Lewis Grant
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DHL Airways - N805DH
Los Angeles - February 15, 2012
Photo courtesy of Danny Grew
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Skybus Jet Cargo - OB-2231P
Miami - March 28, 2023
Photo courtesy of Jack1
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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.
Starting April 10, Brazil is reinstating a visa requirement for citizens of Canada, the United States or Australia. They must now apply for an electronic visa (eVisa) at a fee of US$80.90, valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
This applies to passport holders from those countries who are arriving by air, land or sea.
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Our cartoon appeared in Horizons magazine issue June 1988.
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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.
We do publish corrections (and correct the original article) when this is brought to our attention.
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