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NetLetter #1352 | October 10, 2016 |
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Transair Boeing 707
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Dear Reader,
Welcome to the NetLetter, an Aviation based newsletter for Air Canada, TCA, CPAir, Canadian Airlines and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.
The NetLetter was created in 1995 by Vesta Stevenson (RIP) and Terry Baker and 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. Our website is located at www.thenetletter.net
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ACFN/NetLetter News
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In October 1995, we started issuing the NetLetter. This year, October 2016, is our 21st anniversary.
Here is the first issue from October 1995...
This communication is an attempt by two Pionairs, Vesta Stevenson and Terry Baker to establish a 'netletter' of interest to, principally, Pionairs who have email addresses. As Pionairs, our only contact for information is through the company newsletter - Horizons - and the 1-800 number for CIC daily info, which seems to refer us to various CIC pages for which we have no access. The contents of our 'netletter' can be anything which is considered of interest to ex Air Canada types, permanent employees and relatives.
Subjects can be information on good accommodations, inexpensive trips or, maybe, someone you may have lost contact with. This 'netletter' is not sponsored by the executive of Air Canada Pionairs, but is intended to make use of the new technology to dispense information which may be of interest. We welcome comments and information - non controversial - which can be included in subsequent 'netletter's, but NOT advertising.
Here goes ...
Reminder - Single status retirees must nominate their travel partner for 1996 by completing and returning the Travel Entitlement form by Oct 16 1995.
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Coming Events
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15th Annual Friends of Front Street (FOFS) Reunion
When: Saturday, October 22, 2016
Time: from 11:30 am to 16:00 pm.
Where: Hooters on Carlingview - Airport Strip YYZ, 171 Carlingview Drive, Toronto (Etobicoke), ON M9W 5E8
 It's that time of year again!!! Time to renew old friendships over a drop or two and enjoy a varied lunch menu - (individual tabs, of course).
The days are flitting by so let's not let this year go by without seeing each other. We look forward to seeing you soon! (spouses welcome, of course)
Shirlee Schacter & Bob Newson
RSVP - email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
call me at 416-785-1271
Thanks, Shirlee |
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Air Canada News
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- Beautech Power Systems, of Texas purchased two ex-Air Canada E190s (013/015) from Nordic Aviation Capital; a third is planned.(source SpeedNews Sept 16/16)
- Air Canada has started construction of a new $90m maintenance and training hangar at Toronto Pearson Airport. The 11,800m2 facility will have capacity to hold three widebody and two narrowbody aircraft and is scheduled for a 2018 completion. (source MRO Network Daily Sept 23/16)
- Air Canada plans to launch daily Vancouver-Taipei and 3X-weekly Toronto-Mumbai flights using Boeing 787-9s in 2017. The Vancouver-Taipei route, which is slated to launch June 8, 2017, is subject to government approval. The Toronto-Mumbai service has gained regulatory clearance and will start July 8, 2017. (source ATW daily news Sept 28/16)
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Reader Submitted Photos
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Barry Crawford shares this -
 Attached is a photo taken on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at our Staff Celebration Day.
I am celebrating 30 years of service this year. I will have a total of 40 years of service in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities by 2018. An incredible journey! |
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TCA/AC People Gallery
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Extracted from "Between Ourselves" magazine issue dated January 1970.
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 This issue was a special edition which coincided with the visit of a production model B747 which the company had on order.
The photo has the Flight Service Instructresses, from the left: Francine Poitras, Anna Johnson, Shirley Cormier and Kay McIntyre as the 747 visited Montreal.
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Issue dated June 1967
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ACRA Executive elected.
The following personnel were elected or re-elected to positions on the Montreal ACRA Executive for a two-year term of office.
President - L. Bussiere, 1st V.P.- P. Robertson, 2nd V.P. - E. Corrigan, Secretary - Miss C. Daoust, and the following Chairmen - Membership - G. Richards, Social - A. Goland, Publicity - G. Thompson, Social Activities - I. Breault, Ways & Means - H. Legace, Employee Purchasing - R. Patten, Sick Visiting - Miss D. Cullen, Sports Chairman - R. Theoret.
(There was no photo available – eds)
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Issue dated May 1970
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 New Montreal ACRA executive for 1970 ending March 31st 1971.
Shown standing are from the left:
Len Brault, 1st VP; Gord Thompson, Publicity, Peter Robertson, President; Lou Bussiere, Treasurer; Con Canavan, 2nd VP; Bill Cosgrove, Membership.
Seated L to R: Art Goland, Social; Monique Delisle, Secretary; Lillian Cattle, Sick Visiting; Frank Sahajda, Sports.
Missing was Horace Lagace, Ways & Means, Reg Gelsthorpe, Special Activities and Ted Lloyd, Employees Purchasing.
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Found in the "Horizons” magazine issue dated July 1980.
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 Chicago Reservations Sales Agents, from the left: Valeria Puglisi, Michelle Guest, Debbie Murphy and Cathy Juric rode and worked in the American Cancer Society's Bike-A-Thon to help raise money. The group was joined by teams from several other carriers serving Chicago and airline employees alone raised $8,000.00 USD.
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A milestone was marked in the Dorval Metal Shop when its last two foremen received their 35 year service pins.
 Fellow workers dropped in to witness Karl Domaratzki, General Foreman, P/P Metal and Weld present the pins to J. J. Demers and J. L. Charron.
Shown in the photo from the left: G. Charbonneau, G. Phillips, J. J. Demers, K. Domaratzki, J. L. Charron, T. Humberstone and A. Gautier. Together they represent 252 years of company service.
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Alan's Space
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 Dubai World Record Eagle Flight
(Submitted by: Brian Dunn)
An Eagle's flight from the top of the world's tallest building to his handler below. On Saturday, 14th March, 2016 an eagle was fitted with a camera and released from the top of the 2,715 foot Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
The eagle has no idea where the tiny speck of land was that his handler is standing on or what it looked like among all of the other islands and buildings and people. Somehow from that altitude, the eagle actually picks out and recognizes the trainer from all of the other objects, people, etc.
You can see him looking, looking, looking for the trainer, completely invisible to a human eye and the camera, then fold his/her wings and then drops like a bullet straight to that trainer... very cool.
What surprised the experts is not only how efficiently the eagle spots his trainer from that altitude, but how smooth its flight is with no camera shake whatsoever, even when it goes into a power dive at 170 km/hr.
I've linked to the full 5 minute version below. The quality is excellent and the best part is when the eagle spots his handler in the last 30 seconds (5:20) and goes into a full dive.
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CPAir, Canadi>n People Gallery
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Extracted from the Canadi>n Info:Cargo magazine issue dated August 1991
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This group met in Santiago, Chile for a regional meeting.
 From the left, sitting: Willy Mackinson, Buenos Aires; Jaime Pumarino, Santiago, Arnaldo Pacora, Lima; Pablo Baceti, Sao Paulo.
Standing: Raul Cifeuntes, Santiago; Cecil Tarris, Buenos Aires; Tom Kirk, Calgary; Peter Dowling, Santiago; Juan Orosco, Lima; and Randy Lopaschuk, Calgary.
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Issue dated October 1991
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 From the air, Iqaluit's airport terminal formerly called Frobisher Bay, appears as a bright yellow LEGO creation. It seems to be the only relief against the endless, treeless, desolate looking landscape. At ground level, however, dozens of colourful and exquisite plants and lichen thrive in the patch of black earth which blankets the solid granite land.
Iqaluit employees are accustomed to bejeweled mink-wrapped, jet setters who arrive in private jets and think nothing of spending $1000 to $2000 for an Inuit soapstone carving or $30 a kilo for smoked Arctic char, purchased at the airport terminal.
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 The Time Air team from Comox were winners of the GAD trophy, being presented by John Gibson, GM, Cargo Sales & Service West
From the left: John Gibson, Donna Perrault, Ken Godfrey, Len Smith and Keith Johns.
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 Wayne's Wings
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 Transair Inc. - Winnipeg's Hometown Airline
NetLetter reader Rachel Rosenberg sent in the following comment:
“Loved seeing the old Nordair livery in this month's newsletter. However, I would also love to see the Transair logo in amongst the other logos in the CPAir, Canadi>n People Gallery. It was an important part of Canada's North and would like to see it recognized by you fine folks, please and thank you.”
Ms. Rosenberg makes an excellent point. Transair certainly played an important role in Canada’s aviation history.
Central Northern Airlines began service in 1947 based in Manitoba. CNA acquired ‘Arctic Wings’ in 1955 and the merged airline became Transair Ltd. In 1956. Lead by former RCAF pilot Ron Turner and operating a variety of aircraft types (including a Bristol 170) Transair established many routes deemed as not profitable by the larger airlines. Acquiring four B737’s in 1970 and two B707’s in 1964 the airline expanding into charter service to the Caribbean, Europe, Florida and Hawaii.
In April 1973 Transair became the first airline in North America to hire a female First Officer, Rosella Bjornson. She also became the first female member of the Canadian Air Line Pilots Association.
Pacific Western Airlines bought the majority of Transair shares in 1977 but due to continued losses it was absorbed into PWA and ceased to exist in December, 1979.
Click the links below for more detailed information on Transair's distinguished history.
Transair Page at Wikipedia
Transair: A Look Back at Winnipeg’s Hometown Airline
Historic Fleet at RZJets.net
Rosella Bjornson at Women in Aviation
PWA Employee Alumni Site
Transair (Canada) Facebook Page |
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Reader's Feedback
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Betty Draper sent us information from The Leader-Post issued January 2nd. 1935. (as reported by the Canadian Press)
 Arctic Aviators honoured by the King.
King George VI recognized the two most famous north-land flyers in Canada in the New Year's honours list. He bestowed membership in the Order of the British Empire upon Clennell H. (Punch) Dickens and Wilfred Reid (Wop) May both of Edmonton. |
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Odds and Ends
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MTU Maintenance Canada has named Helmut Neuper as its new president and CEO. Taking up the role this month, Neuper joins MTU in Canada following nearly three years as chief operating officer at Airfoil Services. (source MRO Network Daily Sep 22/16) |
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Terry's Trivia and Travel Tips
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- More carriers and Business Class ZED fares are now available through www.myIDTravel.com on select carriers.
- United Airlines Employees are now required to use myIDTravel to purchase ZED fares and list for flights.
ZED fares in Business Class
- Aegean Airlines SWISS, LOT, Lufthansa, SAS and United Airlines now offer ZED fares in Business Class. These fares are subject to certain Conditions. More information can be found on the Employee Travel Site under News and Policies > ZED Personal Travel > General Guidelines Rules and Pricing.
- Reinstatement of ticketing agreements with Air Inuit and LIAT: Emplovees can now purchase ZED fares and Iist for flights.
- New ZED~ agreements with Frontier Airlines, Jet Blue, Virgin America and British Midland Regional.
Employee Travel are aware that many employees are eager to see interline agreements with COPA, TAP, as well as many others, and they are working hard to make that happen.
Check for regular updates in THE DAILY as new carriers come onboard.
(source The Daily is available at acaeronet.aircanada.ca) (We assume retirees are also eligible – eds).
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Smileys
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 We found this cartoon in the August edition of the LAX Pionairs newsletter.
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Terry Baker | Alan Rust | Wayne Albertson
NetLetter Staff for 2016
(you can read our bios at www.thenetletter.net/history)
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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.
Disclaimer: Please note that neither the NetLetter or the ACFamily Network necessarily endorse any airline related or other "deals" that we provide for our readers. We would be interested in any feedback (good or bad) when using these companies though and will report the results here. We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link.
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