Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 Saturday, August 23, 2025
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Canadian Pacific Air Lines
DC-8-51 - CF-CPN
Location and copyright status unknown |
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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 113 new subscribers so far in 2025.
We now have 4515 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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World Airline Road Race
September 18-20, 2025
The World Airline Road Race (WARR) is a not-for-profit society, run by volunteers, who put on an event each year for airline industry professionals from all corners of the world.
Our goal is to provide a worldwide athletic event, promote travel within the airline industry and foster friendships and co-ordination between airlines. All airline associates, their family and friends are welcome to participate in WARR.
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Subscriber Kate Guillermet asks -
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) opened on April 1, 1974. I was working for Air Canada at that time.
We were a good team and used to go out together from time to time to have a drink and dinner in a bowling alley. We really had fun. Unfortunately I don’t have any photos of those happy days. Do you have any photo of CDG team in the seventies?
With kind regards,
Kate Guillermet
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Editors' Note: We checked Horizons issues from 1974 but did not find any photos of Kate's group.
The April 1, 1974 issue did open with the following:
One of the first Company flights into the new Charles de Gaulle Paris airport is seen positioned at Satellite number three, right. On the left is part of the main terminal building.
On the eve of the Company's switch over to the new airport from Paris Orly Airport (ORY), a walkout by ground personnel there created some delays as well as a B-747 diversion to Brussels.
However, the strike was quickly settled in negotiations with a labour relations mediator from Headquarters. At issue were travel or relocation problems created by the switch over. ORY and CDG are on opposite sides of the city, about 30 miles apart.
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Newfoundland historian, Cliff Brown sent in the following -
 Some of your readers may be interested to know about a new publication entitled – Aviation's Holy Grail, The First Crossing of the Atlantic by Air.
It is the full story behind the famous air race between Britain’s private sector and the American navy.
In 1919 seven airplanes and one airship were part of the quest to be the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean by air - the Holy Grail of aviation at that time. Their departure point - the island of Newfoundland.
Within a month, in the spring of that year, three planes were forced down into the icy waters of the North Atlantic, another crashed on take-off (twice), a fifth quit the race altogether, and a blimp broke her moorings and drifted unmanned out over the Atlantic, never to be seen again. One American and one British plane succeeded in crossing. Both, but for different reasons, could claim they won the race.
Click on the book cover to view at Amazon.
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Half a century ago, Air Canada's first Boeing 727, registration C-GAAA - fin # 401, rolled off the Boeing assembly line. It was delivered in September 1974 and entered service on the 'Rapidair' triangle in October.
Below are a few photos, extracted from Horizons magazine, of its construction and delivery.
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During assembly at Boeing's Renton factory.
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Rolling off the assembly line on August 23, 1974
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Cockpit and cabin crews of the B-727 delivery flight pose with some of their passengers on arrival at Dorval October 1974.
From the left are: Captain Murray Wallace, Second Officer Supervisor Peter Carver, Second Officer Peter Wallace (son of Murray Wallace), Captain Norman Beauchamp, Flight Attendant Renata Schmidt, President Ralph Vaughan, Boeing President Malcolm Stamper, Flight Attendant Gloria Boucher, Chairman Yves Pratte, Flight Attendant Claire Gosselin and Purser Bernard Claudel.
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Air Canada Expands Landline Luxury Motorcoach Service, Connects Kingston, Ontario to its Global Network
Air Canada today announced the expansion of its multi-modal Landline service that will enable customers at Kingston Norman Rogers Airport to seamlessly connect with its global hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
The new luxury motorcoach service, with features such as spacious leather seats and fast, free Wi-Fi, will begin operating September 23rd with two return trips daily that are conveniently timed for connections to and from flights across Air Canada’s worldwide network.
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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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- 1992 - May 23 -
- Service between Toronto and Berlin commenced.
- 1993 - May 3 -
- Inaugural service Toronto and Houston with A320 equipment under the command of Captain John Sturdy.
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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Issue dated February 1992
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In-Flight prepares for the B-747-400
On the wing of the simulator, at the new In-Flight Training Centre in Dorval, we see the training instructors, from left to right, standing:
Flight Attendants Alain Grenier, YYZ; Ron Allain, YHZ; Mark Adams, Purser, YYZ; Flight Attendants Arlene Murphy, YYZ; Michel Casavant, YUL; Chantal Viau, YYZ; Mark Olivier, YUL; Bonnie Simpson, Purser, YVR and Flight Attendants Ravi Zilka, YYC and Carol O'Connell, YYZ.
In the front row, kneeling, from left to right:
Christian Aveline, Training Supervisor, Dorval; Paul Bouchard, Supervisor, B-747-400 Program, Dorval; Flight Attendants Christiane Mineau, YUL; Jacques Johnson, YWG and Linda Valiquette, YUL.
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A320 a hit in Bermuda.
Air Canada's A320 has some new fans after its recent inaugural flight to Bermuda. The airline is the first carrier to fly the A320 into Bermuda and the news media were out in full force to cover the special event.
Ian Davis, Manager, Bermuda, was also on hand for the event and admitted, "It was amazing to see the reaction of our staff to this brand new aircraft. You could see that they were (and still are) very proud of the fact that we have begun flying A320s into Bermuda."
Celebrating this special event were, left to right: Gary Parker, Route Contribution Manager, Caribbean; Marc Rosenberg, General Manager, Passenger Sales, US & South; Customer Service Agents Janet De Silva, Lynette Harris, Eric De Silva, Polly Peters, David Lambert, Felicia Pike, Carol Ramsay and Ian Davis.
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Issue dated March 1992
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A pat on the back for U.K. ticketing team.
The United Kingdom Reservations group has been increasing the number of tickets sold directly to the public, thus saving Air Canada a substantial amount in commissions each year. In 1991, the group grossed $6.2 million in sales and saved over $560,000 in commissions.
Shown here celebrating a successful start to 1992 are, from left to right: Customer Sales & Service Agents Elaine Martin, Sarah Ramage, Theresa Coakley (coordinator), Jane Simmons, Phil Evitts, Liz Hanna, Jane Nelson, Gulshan Dhanjal and Dawn Solomon.
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Issue dated May 1992
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A Viennese treat.
An old Viennese pub was the scene for a party held in honour of Senior Customer Sales & Service Agent Ingeborg Stingl, who retired after 17 years of service.
She is pictured here with her colleagues, back row, left to right: Hans Sittler, Personnel Manager, France and Central Europe; Klaus Jagschitz, Passenger Agent; Christian Lenz, Airport Services Manager and Monika Weissmann, Cargo Agent.
Middle row, left to right: Henry Mazuruk, Sales Agent. Warsaw; Ingeborg Stingl; Angelika Hammer-Schloesser, Manager, Austria and Southeast Europe and (sitting) Nora Castrini, Passenger Reservations Agent.
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Issue dated September 2002
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Life on the ramp is anything but dull.
Excepts from a story by Tamara Goertz.
A Station Attendant is sometimes inaccurately portrayed as having a dull job of unloading and loading aircraft.
In reality, the occupation, which is the most dangerous in the airline industry according to Labour Canada, is multi-faceted, and almost all baggage handlers have a gripping story to tell.
Station Attendant crews consist of four employees, including one Lead Hand. Attendants also work in bag rooms, sorting and stacking suitcases into containers and tub-carts.
Baggage handlers not only handle baggage but freight as well, including every imaginable type of live animal. Trainer-CSM Chris Mann was alone, or so he thought, while unloading a bulk-hold of an L-1011 in Calgary.
"Each time I put something on the belt someone pulled a glove out of my back pocket. It turned out to be a mink in a cage," he laughed.
Whatever the duty, most station attendants agreed the job is spectacular in the summer, especially in a country that without a doubt is well known for its not-so-subtle winter weather.
Below, Air Force One arrives in Calgary for the G8 Summit, left to right: Station Attendants, Jim Noel, Paul Steele, Tamara Goertz, Barry Hibbard and Steve Ellis.
Click the image to read the full unedited story.
Editors' Note: At the time of publication, Tamara Goertz was a Station Attendant in Calgary and a freelance journalist for various newspapers and magazines.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Found while scrolling though the Whitehorse Star newspaper -
October 16, 1942 - A distinguished party arrived in Whitehorse this week to get a bird's eye view of the Yukon Territory and Alaska as the guests of Canadian Pacific Air Lines Ltd.
Mr. Grant McConachie, general manager of the CPA western division was at the controls and Captain Don V. Patry was co-pilot, with Miss Ethel Hailes as stewardess.
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From the "Canadi>n Flyer" magazine.
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Issue dated November 1998
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Calgary players hold heads high.
Our Calgary slo-pitch team captured second place in the B Division league championships after a hard-fought season.
Front row, left to right: Bob Wilson, Cindy Chrunyk, John Wright, Wes Takeuchi and Karen Marcoux (with a fan), and Monique Armstrong.
Centre, left to right: Barb Robson and Marg McPherson.
Top, left to right: Dave Steinhauer, Craig Ingbrigtson, Greg MacMillan, Peter Casement, Rae Ross, Ron Ewashkiw, Karen Relja and Ron Dipasquale.
Missing from the lineup for the final weekend, but who assisted in the team's second-place finish, are Brian Saunders and Walter Relja.
Honourable mention goes to Debbie Wood for keeping score. A special thanks to the remaining 14 players on the team's roster for their participation throughout the year.
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Issue dated January 1999
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Fifty years ago, Canadian Pacific Air Lines spread its wings across the Pacific; in the north to Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong and in the south to Honolulu, Fiji, Auckland and Sydney.
As ambitious as the inaugural flights were, they were in the vanguard of several far-reaching changes that took place in 1949.
Wingwalkers author Peter Pigott takes a look at the historic decision to fly to the Orient.
The year 1949 was a momentous one for aviation worldwide. Within its span, Major Charles "Chuck" Yeager set a speed record of soaring 13,000 feet per minute, the Berlin Airlift culminated with 2.3 million tons of cargo delivered, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) retired the last of its flying boats and in Toronto, the Avro Canada Jetliner ushered in the era of jet transport.
Away from the headlines, the semi-bush carrier Canadian Pacific Air Lines embarked on a course into the unknown, charting a future that would shrink an ocean and govern its fortunes for the next five decades.
The process began when Grant McConachie was appointed President of the air branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In November 1948, the irrepressible McConachie caught a Pan American Airways DC-4 to Sydney, Australia and obtained a temporary permit from the Australian Prime Minister himself to land Canadian Pacific aircraft at Mascot Airport.
Click the image below for the full story.
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The Pratt & Whitney Boeing 747SP, specifically the flying testbed version, is a rare and unique aircraft. It's a shortened version of the B-747, known for its extended range and is powered by four Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines. The testbed variant is even rarer, featuring a fifth engine mount for testing new engines in flight.
Here's why it's notable:
- Limited Production: Only 45 Boeing 747SPs were ever built.
- Testbed Functionality: The Pratt & Whitney version has a fifth engine mount for testing new engines in flight, allowing for testing in real-world conditions.
- Rare Airworthy Examples: Pratt & Whitney owns the last two airworthy B-747SPs.
- Engine Testing: This aircraft has been used to test various engines, including those for the Airbus A220, A320neo, and others.
- EAA AirVenture Appearance:
- Pratt & Whitney's B-747SP testbed was a featured attraction at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025.100th Anniversary.
- The appearance coincided with Pratt & Whitney's 100th anniversary celebration.
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The first Douglas DC-8
While discussing DC-8 history, Ken reminded me that the first DC-8 ever built had been briefly leased to Canadian Pacific Airlines for one year in the 1960s. We touched on this in an article for NetLetter #1456 on March 1, 2021.
MSN 45252 Line # 1 was originally registered N8008D and made its maiden flight on May 30, 1958 at Long Beach, California.
It was leased to National Airlines in June 1961, then sold to Trans International Airlines in June 1962 who sub-leased it to Lufthansa in May 1965.
It was subleased to Canadian Pacific in October 1966, registered as CF-CPN, fin # 600 and christened 'Empress of Santiago'.
It was sold to Delta Air Lines in October 1967 where it returned to its original registration (N8008D) and assigned fin #800. It served Delta until acquired by Aeroméxico in April 1979 and re-registered as XA-DOE and named 'Quintana Roo'. Its career ended when withdrawn from service and stored at Marana Pinal Airpark (MZJ) in January 1982.
Interesting that it was stored for almost 20 years before being broken up in 2001. It is a shame that it had not been bought and preserved by a museum.
Editor's Trivia Note by Ken Pickford:
"There's one visible feature of that aircraft that is non-standard and was inherited from the prototype when it was re-engined with JT3D turbofans. It retained the original engine pylons used on the series -10/20/30/40 series.
Those pylons had a flat bottom due to the thrust reverser design that slid back and forth on rails along the bottom of the pylon when deployed and contained the thrust reverser and also served as a noise suppressor.
The JT3D engines on the -50 and -61 models had different reversers that ejected from vanes on the sides of the engines and didn't need the flat bottomed-pylons. The -62/-63 series had a new more streamlined engine nacelle design (and various wing changes) with clamshell-type reversers at the rear of the engine again."
Information sources:
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Trans International Airlines livery
N8008D at London Gatwick Airport
July 23, 1966
Photo by RuthAS
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Delta livery - 1967 - 79
at John Glenn International - Columbus, Ohio
February 1971
Photo courtesy of Bob Garrard
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Last operator, Aeroméxico registration XA-DOE,
at Miami - June 1981
Photo courtesy of Gary Vincent
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Storage at Marana Pinal Airpark
April 24, 1991
Photo courtesy of Felix Goetting
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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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Starting in 2026, Hawaii will be the first U.S. state to charge visitors a climate impact fee or “green fee.” The new fee is set to raise the transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75 per cent to a total of 11 per cent.
Tourists booking hotels or short-term rentals in Hawaii will have to pay the added fee starting next year. And for the first time, passengers on cruise ships that port in the state must also pay the increased fee to promote “equity across the tourism industry.”
Other places charging tourists an environmental tax include the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, known for its nightlife, marine life, and luxury resorts. Visitors must pay the Embrace It Tax, which costs C$34 per person. Funds will go towards environmental protection and infrastructure.
Tourists arriving by cruise ship to the popular Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini must pay €20 (C$32) per person until Sept. 30, after which the tax will be reduced to nearly half.
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A recent inter-provincial trip taken with an economy return fare:
Base price of $364.50 ballooned to $526.14.
You wonder why - well here are the add-ons:
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$60.00 |
| Air Travel Security charge Canada (adult) |
$18.92 |
| GST |
$23.17 |
| HST |
$4.55 |
| Airport improvement fee (Adult) |
$55.00 |
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Bombardier’s 'Revolutionary Breakthrough' Sparks Outrage as New Jet Leaves Climate Advocates Fuming Over Supersonic Speed.
In a groundbreaking move that promises to reshape the landscape of business aviation, the Bombardier Global 8000, the fastest civil aircraft since the Concorde, is set to debut with unparalleled speed, luxury, and sustainability features.
The Bombardier Global 8000 has set a new standard as the fastest civil aircraft in the skies today. With a top speed of Mach 0.94, or approximately 721 mph, it surpasses all contemporary competitors. This speed, powered by two GE Aerospace Passport engines, ensures not only rapid travel but also reliability and efficiency. The aircraft’s design focuses on aerodynamics and power, promising a performance that stands unparalleled in the aviation sector.
One of the standout features of the Global 8000 is its impressive range of 8,000 nautical miles (about 9,206 miles).
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Issue dated March 1999
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Our cartoon is by Jake Visser.
The caption reads "The oil consumption has been kinda high on this puppy, so we plumbed the lav pump to the oil tank and filled the lav with oil. So, if your oil pressure drops, flush!"
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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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