Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday July 26, 2025
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Singapore Airlines Airbus A330-300 (now Air Canada C-GEFA - Fin 939)
in its original livery at Osaka Kansai Int'l Airport - August 2015
Photo by 'lasta29' |
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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 108 new subscribers so far in 2025.
We now have 4513 subscribers.
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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Submitted by Martin Wilkins,
Hello,
I attended the Global Energy Show in Calgary Recently and Peter Mansbridge was moderating a number of sessions. I boldly went up and introduced myself as I’d heard he was a ticket agent early in his career with Transair in Churchill, Manitoba.
Besides the fact I’d been born in Churchill I had also worked with PWA in a similar role to him, rose through the ranks and was working when PWA bought Transair.
I shared that with Peter in our brief encounter. His response, “No S...?”, we both had a good chuckle ! 🤭
Martin Wilkins, YYC
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Submitted by Maureen Cowling,
 There was a fabulous article in the Winnipeg Free Press, regarding William Rew, retired Air Canada pilot.
I also recognize his wife. She was a former flight attendant, who became a teacher, she taught my son. Her name is Leona Rew.
I’m sure the readers of your excellent newsletter would enjoy it.
Regards,
Maureen Cowling
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Excerpt from the article of July 12, by John Longhurst, that Maureen refers to:
Chiming in with chorus of caring
Forty years ago, on July 13, 1985, Live Aid rocked the world to raise funds for millions of starving people in Ethiopia. And a Manitoban helped make it happen.
That Manitoban was William Rew. He was the pilot who flew a BBC film crew into what was considered the epicentre of the famine in the fall of 1984 so they could provide the world with its first view of the terrible suffering unfolding in that country. It was that coverage which led to Live Aid.
At the time, Rew was on a voluntary year’s leave as a pilot from Air Canada, which had a surplus of pilots at the time. Rew, who had always wanted to spend time in Africa, took the offer and signed up with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), an international Christian organization that provides aviation and communication services for remote communities in the Global South.
Editors' Note: Ken Pickford was curious about the history of the aircraft pictured, see 'Odds & Ends' section for the results of Ken's research.
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Shirlee Schacter shares this information -
The Ontario District Pionairs held their Spring Member Appreciation Luncheon on May 28, 2025, at the Mandarin Flagship in Brampton.
With over 150 attendees, the sold-out event featured great food, prize draws, and lively conversation.
A highlight was the 'Wings of Knowledge Team Trivia', created by District Director, Carla Marraffino (below left), which was well-received and is likely to become a regular feature.
Roger Slauenwhite also displayed a collection of airline memorabilia. This annual partially subsidized luncheon is a token of appreciation for members’ ongoing support.
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Between Ourselves supplement January 1970
Introducing the Boeing 747
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In the Spring of 1971, the first of the company’s Boeing 747’s was to take off from Montreal, bound for Toronto and Vancouver, heralding the start of a whole new era of air travel, and a great leap forward for Air Canada.
Below are a few selected photos from that special issue. Click any photo to view the full page.
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Flight attendants (who will become in-flight service instructors)
inspecting a TWA B-747 on a visit to Montreal.
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Nine abreast economy seating in the wide B-747 cabin.
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated June 1991
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Calgary employees proudly display the Best Overall Performance (1991) plaque received from Geoff Bridges, Vice President, Cargo.
From left to right are: Gene Wawryk, Cargo Manager, Southern Alberta; Dave Tangry, General Manager, Cargo - Western Canada; Gianni Marostica, Manager, Training/Quality and Resource Planning; Eileen Swanson, General Clerk; Dave Taylor, Senior Director, Cargo Marketing; Robert Baron, Cargo Agent; Tony Smith, Station Attendant; Cargo Agents Ken Damant, Bruce Weldrick and Tim Ouellette; Kari Arthur, Cargo Sales Representative; Cor Radder, Lead Station Attendant; Geoff Bridges; Station Attendants Terry Hodge, Don Mayes and Mark Sadler-Brown; Trent Benson, Cargo Agent and Station Attendants Frank Anderson and Dan Carse.
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Issue dated July 1991
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LHR's newest office is in the bag.
Our Heathrow baggage office recently moved to a new landside location in Terminal 3 where it will be accessible to passengers. What makes this move - the fifth in 25 years - different, is that the office was designed by Air Canada's own baggage staff.
With a tight budget and time frame, the staff also helped out with the decoration, carpet laying and furniture moving.
"A big thank you is due to this team of employees," said Peter Baldry, Manager, Airport Services, UK & Ireland. "Air Canada's Heathrow customer care program has demonstrably improved with this new facility and all at a lower cost than staying airside in the previous premises."
The new office opening was celebrated with a suitcase-shaped cake, displayed here by (left to right): Jack Morath, Baggage Services Supervisor; Tony Coleman, Aircraft Services Manager; Tony Keeler, Baggage Agent; Jim Watson, Baggage Agent; Peter Baldry and Baggage Agents Tony Wardlaw, Barry Bryant and Laurie Sandford.
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Issue dated October 1991
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They're No. 1.
You can't accuse Les Patriotes of playing hardball. They would much rather play softball!
The Dorval Power Plant team, which finished up the season with an impressive 17 wins and one loss, also went on to win the ACRA playoffs.
The softball champions shown here are:
Top row, left to right: Mechanics Marcel Comtois, Alain Bernier, Marcel Bréard, Paul Labelle and Bob Peters.
Bottom row, left to right: Mechanics Michel Lariviere, Sylvain Provencher, Sylvain Motard, Réjean Castilloux and Al Coull.
Missing from the photo are: Mechanics Francois Lachapelle, Alain Robitaille, Réjean Massé and Yvan Lajoie.
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Anniversaries in Paris.
During 1991, several employees in Paris celebrated career milestones.
Christiane Mallet, Passenger Agent, (left) shows off her 25-year pin; Michel Schott, Sales and Airport Services Manager - Southern France and Josette Decottignies, Reservations and Ticketing Office Coordinator,
both celebrated 20 years of service while Annick Cardon, Passenger Agent, marked 25 years.
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Issue dated November 1991
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So long, Gilles.
During 1991, fellow employees and friends gathered in Fredericton to say goodbye to Gilles Briand, Station Attendant, who retired after 31 years.
Pictured below, front row, left to right are: Liane Groves, Kay and Gilles Briand, and Bertha Bergin, Secretary.
Back row: Peter Rozee, Certificated Station Agent Il: Ron Groves, Airport Services Manager; Don Bailey, Station Attendant; Claude Bourque, Certificated Station Agent Il and Gary Aylward, Station Attendant.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Issue dated May 1988
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Clennell Haggerston "Punch" Dickins was born in Portage la Prairie. Manitoba on January 12, 1899. His family moved to Edmonton where, in 1917, he joined the 196th Western Universities Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and joined 211 Squadron in France in 1918. When the war ended, Dickins had shot down seven enemy aircraft for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He returned to Canada and became one of the original officers of the Canadian Air Force in 1921.
Posted by the newly formed RCAF to Edmonton, Dickins oversaw testing of the British-made Siskin fighters in winter conditions. With his experience flying in adverse conditions, it was not long before Dickins left the RCAF to join Western Canada Airways (WCA) to fly mail and prospectors.
In August 1928, Dominion Explorers of Toronto sponsored a mining exploratory flight over the unmapped Barrens, a vast area between Baker Lake and Stoney Rapids. Optimistic about its mineral potential, they chartered Dickins with his Fokker G-CASK to fly their team over the territory. This was the first time such a flight had been attempted.
With no radios, updated maps, landmarks for navigation, or outposts to land at in case of an emergency, the party set off from Winnipeg. The party covered more than 4,000 miles in less than two weeks, a feat that would have taken two years by foot or canoe. In recognition of this and other exploratory flights, Dickins was awarded the Trans-Canada Trophy in 1929.
To continue reading the full story click the image below.
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By Ken Pickford:
I did some research on the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter flown by Air Canada pilot William Rew during relief operations in Ethiopia in the early 1980s, mentioned in the Winnipeg Free Press article in the Subscriber Feedback section above. It then had U.S. registration N4226J and was operated by World Vision International. The 574th Twin Otter built, it spent its first three years (1978-1981) with Air Alpes, a small carrier in France that ceased to exist in 1981 after a merger.
After its relief operations in Ethiopia, fleet lists show it was acquired in 1988 by a small regional airline in Kenya, AirKenya, registered 5Y-BGH. It appears to still be with that operator 37 years later. One fleet list shows it as "withdrawn from use", although the last photo in the second link below shows it still in service as late as November 2023 if the date in the photo caption is correct.
The following sites have many photos with its several operators.
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Jinka 1984 by Keith Ketchum
Courtesy of Erik Jóhannesson with thanks
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Airbus A330 Fleet
I wrote about my fondness for the Airbus A330 fleet in NetLetter #1356 back in December 2016. I have always thought that they are a sleek and attractive aircraft and a pleasure to ride on.
At that time Air Canada had only the original eight aircraft (fins 931 to 938) delivered between October 1999 and August 2001. All eight are still active in the fleet at 25 years old. However, due the the retirement of B-767s and anticipated market growth, the fleet has now grown to 20 aircraft. The additional 12 were all originally ordered and operated by Singapore Airlines.
The first four (fins 939 (pictured below) to 942) were acquired by TAP Air Portugal in 2017 before being acquired by AC in 2019. The remaining eight (fins 943 to 950) were acquired between December 2020 and April 2024 after various leases. The average age of the newer aircraft is around 15 years.
I see on the AC website fleet list page that there are two A330 interior configurations. I believe 17 of the 20 A330s now have the new interiors with new seats in all cabins, matching the "Signature" business class and Premium Economy products on the B-777s and B-787s.
The last 3 ex-Singapore Airlines A330s, acquired in 2023 and 2024, still have the old ex-Singapore Airlines cabins with 2-2-2 business class seats and no premium economy cabin.
Those aircraft appear to mainly be assigned to international routes with less premium demand and to some transcon and transborder routes.
When used on longhaul international routes, the business class seats are sold as Premium Economy. The new interiors will presumably be installed in those three aircraft when maintenance time permits.
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TAP Air Portugal CS-TOU at Lisbon
Photo by Gustavo H. Braga
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Air Canada C-GEFA at Toulouse
Photo by Markus Eigenheer
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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.
A Tax applies to each person travelling to Baja, Mexico.
Tourists visiting the state will have to pay MX$470, or approximately C$34, before entering the state.
It only takes a few minutes to complete the online form, which allows you to provide information and pay the fee for up to nine individuals at once.
You’ll need to provide your passport number, as well as your arrival and departure dates. You can also choose the currency in which you want to pay (USD, CAD, GBP, EUR).
Once you pay the fee, you’ll then receive an email with a QR code, which you can present at ports of entry, such as airports, seaports, and border crossings.
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A Concorde is Scrapped
Present location – Dugny, La Bourget Airport, Paris, France.
Owned by The Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace
This Concorde known as Fox Delta was withdrawn from service after the closure of the Paris-Dakar-Rio route, leaving the aircraft surplus to Air France fleet requirements for one less Concorde.
Fox-Delta was the chosen one as it was the aircraft that had its airframe repaired after it suffered a heavy landing in Dakar 5 years previously, in November 1977 (the landing was at 14 feet per second against the standard 10 fps limit and caused the rear tail bumper wheel to be crushed.)
Fox-Delta was broken up in 1994, at Charles de Gaulle, Paris, after being out of service for 12 years.
Due to the length of time being stored outside, the airframe had suffered from serious corrosion.
The rest of the fuselage was moved to Dugny, close to the taxiways at Le Bourget. To this day some of the remains of this Concorde can still be viewed in this location.
For the full story and photos see:
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Photo by Jean-Pierre Bazard - August 1981
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Our cartoon by Dave Mathias first appeared in "Between Ourselves" magazine issue February 1968.
The caption reads "Maybe I shouldn't congratulate you Mr. Finchly, but you are the 300,000th passenger to lose his luggage on Air Apparent."
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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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