Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995 December 27, 2025
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CP Air DC-10-30 C-GCPC (fin #901) being prepared for lease to Varig Photo by Gary Vincent
March 1979 |
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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 146 new subscribers so far in 2025.
We now have 4546 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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 John Rodger and YUL District Director, Ingrid Young, sent us a group of photos from their Christmas Luncheon held November 20 at Golf Dorval.
We are posting half here, look for the rest in our next issue.
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Québec executive committee:
Helene Racicot, Rose Page, Mae Wilson, Ingrid Young,
Lucie Champagne, Georges Bujold, John Rodger & Ted Page
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Golf Dorval Chief Chuck Bowman (left) with,
Lucie, Helene, Ingrid, Nicole & John
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Mae Wilson, Anita St.-Germain, Gail Ellis,
Yolande Nakamachi & Maryse Poirier
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Sue Deis, Angie Mechellsen, Wayne Pelling, Rose & Ted Page,
Jackie & Bob Boudreau
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Deborah Ryan, Allen Ryan, Georges Bujold,
Ingrid and Ansil Young & June Keene
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Helene Racicot, Ingrid Young & Ghislaine Lacasse
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September 1, 1937 - This Day in History: First Trans-Canada Air Lines flight departs Vancouver. Federal government decided to launch its own airline in 1937, as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways.
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.
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Trans-Canada Air Lines Lockheed L10A CF-TCC Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1937.
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January 24, 2008 - The Gimli Glider retires
C-GAUN (fin #604) , the Boeing 767-200 better known as the Gimli Glider, took its final voyage from Montreal (YUL) to Mojave Airport (MHV) with original pilots Bob Pearson & Maurice Quintal aboard.
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December 16, 2007 - Air Canada's inaugural non-stop service between Vancouver (YVR) and Sydney (SYD) launched, using a Boeing 777-300ER to provide the first daily, direct Canada-Australia link, solidifying its Pacific presence.
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April 3, 2024 - Air Canada: Inaugural flight to Singapore. Click the image below for the a video commemorating the event.
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Found in 'Horizons' magazine
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| Issue dated August 1996 |
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The Air Canada Flying Pirates of Vancouver returned from an international ice hockey tournament in St. Petersburg, Russia, sponsored by Aeroflot Airlines.
Back row, left to right: Keith Joy, Mike Bradley, Dann Ball, Greg More, Glen Hogan, Mike Minty, Phil Passingham and Jack Davidson.
Front row, left to right: Wayne Dick, Hugh Tait, Ken Woods, Murphy Johnston, Dan Dubuc, Ron Fontaine, John Jumper and Ziggy Zippel.
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Central Mountain Air employees took part in a two-week training session at Air BC in Vancouver. Among other things, they learned all the intricacies of a computerized system.
Pictured are, from left to right, front row: Carol Coderre, Smithers; Linda Martin, Fort St. John; Candace Demoline, Smithers and Muriel Peers, Smithers.
Back row: Suzanne Marshell, Vancouver; Irene Stuart, Instructor Air BC; Norm Griffiths, Watson Lake; Gay Looker, Dease Lake and Caroline Sparks, Watson Lake.
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Riding for a good cause.
In 1996, a team from the Heathrow commissary department raised over £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation when they participated in the annual London to Brighton bike ride.
The 58-mile ride attracts about 20,000 cyclists each year and raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for the foundation. The Air Canada team decided to participate after a colleague Ken Ayres underwent a life-saving operation to replace a heart valve.
In this photo from left to right: Brian Cropper, Pat Prince, Russ Baldwin, Jayne Clinch, Steve Bignell, Jane Hodges, James Skerrit, Dave Clinch and Ralph Jones.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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A look back at 1949 Hong Kong & Tokyo flights.
- Equipment: Canadair Four aircraft.
- Frequency: Once a week from Vancouver at 00:05 Monday.
- Number of passengers: 40.
- Flight time: 30 hours to Hong Kong.
- Refuelling stops: Anchorage, Alaska - Sheyma in the Aleutians.
- Fares:
- Vancouver - Tokyo: $1,287 return ($16,854 in 2025)
- Vancouver - Hong Kong: $1,437.50
- Tokyo - Hong Kong: $310.85
- Food: Carefully chosen menus, full-course meals, attractively served on a rigid table at your seat are a feature of your Empress of the Air cruise. Shining napery, gleaming flatware, of course.
- Seats: Cunningly contrived for your comfort, whatever your mood, your foam-cushioned seat is as versatile as your body.
- Want to lean back? Push a button and relax. Snooze a little? Pull out your own footrest. Stretch full out, touch the button for a feather light, pastel-hued blanket and there you are!
- Sales:
- Shortest time across the Pacific.
- Full-course meals. Fully adjustable seats. Two washrooms.
- Stewardesses who speak English, Japanese and Chinese.
Editors' Note: No charge for adjustable seats!
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From CPAir News magazine
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Issue dated September 1977
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Aloha greetings were conveyed to Winnipeg in August in Hawaii promotion highlighting winter season Boeing 747 service. Kanani O' Pua trio from Maui performed in shopping centres and Eaton's department store and in media appearances.
Trio visited CTO - from left: Anna Dizon, who seems to have airport agent Leo Roy already dreaming of Hawaii; Susanne Machnik, sales office; Betsy Hinau, Elizabeth Crockett, chatting with Don Thompson and Barry McNish.
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Issue dated March 1978
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Pineapples and parkas don't usually go together but when the former are shipped jet-fresh from Hawaii to Winnipeg in mid-winter the affinity becomes clear. Passenger agent Wendy Shale checked one of the juicy tree-ripened pineapples when first shipment arrived in Winnipeg on B-747 direct from Honolulu.
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Follow along as 'Walk with me Tim' tries out Air Canada's Business Class from London to Toronto.
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Apple Air (Airbus)
Welcome aboard our converted A320 Airbus!
Welcome aboard our remarkable Airbus experience, where the legacy of an ex-Etihad A320 merges with the innovation of modern living to offer an unparalleled Airbnb getaway. This aviation marvel has been thoughtfully converted into a self-contained sanctuary that retains its majestic air travel charm while introducing comforts and luxuries for a stay that’s anything but ordinary.
As you step inside, you’re greeted by an open-plan living space, ingeniously crafted within the original fuselage. Here, two single beds and a convertible sofa bed promise restful slumbers, complemented by the cozy ambiance of a space that’s been both newly carpeted and thoroughly insulated - ensuring warmth and comfort no matter the season.
The interior boasts a fully-equipped kitchen, ingeniously integrated amidst authentic aircraft features, including operational cabin doors, Etihad and Air France branded storage, and aisle dolly trolleys, blending culinary convenience with a dash of novelty.
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Arrival at the Gate: A Poem
Arrival at the gate, the plane comes to a stop
Engines shut down, the ground crew brings a hop
Stairs to the plane, for passengers to descend
Remain seated, until the seatbelt sign does end
Disembarking now, the cabin crew directs
To baggage claim, with all their bags and objects
Meanwhile, the ground crew unloads the cargo and baggage
Using a conveyor belt, to the baggage claim, it passes
Sweep of the cabin, a final check is done
To make sure no personal belongings are on the run
The plane is secured, ready for the next flight
Arrival at the gate, an orderly and smooth sight.
January 17, 2023 by ACYYZ58
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CP Air's 'first' DC-10?
I first delved into the CP Air DC-10 fleet back in 2016 NetLetter #1345. While browsing through some issues of CP Air News from 1979/80, I found a few articles on the introduction of the fleet and the circumstances of the delivery of the first three aircraft.
Registrations C-GCPC (fin #901) and C-GCPD (fin #902) were delivered in 1979, however for economic reasons, CP Air decided to lease both aircraft to Varig Airlines of Brazil to mitigate financial issues caused by the 1970s oil crisis.
Excerpt from CP Air News February 1979:
Calvin Cates and Bruce Austen, both of ramp services, Vancouver airport, made an enthusiastic personal inspection in January of CP Air's first DC-10. The pair flew to Los Angeles and then interlined to Long Beach where George Smith, CP Air's on-site supervisor of quality control, took them on tour.
They took the first pictures (C-GCPC below) of the plane in CP Air's colours, which it will wear even though it is slated to be leased in its first year of operation. Leasing negotiations are continuing. The airplane, meantime, is scheduled to arrive at Vancouver Ops Centre in March.
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Fin #901 was returned off lease to CP in April 1980 and named 'Empress of Quebec' followed by fin #902 in June, named 'Empress of British Columbia'.
The first DC-10-30 to enter service for CP was registration C-GCPE (fin #903) delivered in November 1979 and named 'Empress of Alberta'.
Excerpt from CP Air News November 1979:
The first of CP Air's new DC-10-30s goes into service shortly and to celebrate the arrival of the new wide-bodied tri-jet, special employee familiarization days will be held in Vancouver and Toronto.
The DC-10-30 will make short familiarization visits to Montreal and Ottawa December 4 and Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg at a later date.
In its first few weeks of operation, the new wide-body will be used exclusively for ground and in-flight training, followed by some limited service as substitute aircraft on transcontinental routes.
Then it will begin flying between Canada and Italy. Three more DC-10-30's will go into service next year.
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C-GCPE (fin #903) the first DC-10 to enter CP Air service
at Vancouver, November 2, 1979
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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.
More defunct airlines of Canada.
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Hawkair was founded in 1994 in Terrace, British Columbia, as a remote area cargo service airline.
In those days it flew mining equipment to isolated gold mine sites in Northern BC using a Bristol 170 Freighter.
In August 2000, the company added passenger service with the leasing of their first Dash-8 aircraft. One month later, the company was flying scheduled service between Terrace and Vancouver.
In March 2010, Hawkair was purchased by the parent company of Central Mountain Air and Northern Thunderbird Air.
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Hawkair Bombardier Dash 8-100,C-FCJE, landing in Vancouver
Photo by Biggerben
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City Express was an airline based in Ontario from 1971 to 1991, which operated passenger services in eastern Canada and the northeastern United States.
It was founded by Joseph Csumrik in 1971 as Otonabee Airways based in Peterborough, Ontario. It began scheduled service in 1975. In 1980 the company was renamed Air Atonabee.
In 1984, Air Atonabee was acquired by Victor Pappalardo and reorganized into City Express. The airline relocated its base to Toronto Island Airport (now Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport YTZ) where it began STOL (short takeoff and landing) service. City Express ceased operations in February 1991. Source : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Express
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City Express Saunders ST-27, C-FFZP at Montreal (YUL)
Photo by Alain Rioux
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Air Maritime was a Canadian airline that existed from 1982 to 1984 and was owned by Eastern Provincial Airways (EPA).
The airline was short-lived and used the Hawker Siddeley HS 748 to Maine from Halifax. They had to contract employees from EPA as they didn't have their own employees other than the management team. It operated a total of 4 HS 748 aircraft.
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Air Maritime Hawker Siddeley HS 748
Photo by Alain Rioux
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Issue dated March 1981
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Our cartoon is by Dave Mathias. The caption reads "Really Orville. When you said the job entitled you to a company vehicle, I naturally thought ....!"
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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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