We have welcomed 106 new subscribers so far in 2021.

We wish to thank everyone for your support of our efforts.

Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.

We invite you to visit our website at www.thenetletter.net/netletters to view our archives.

Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.

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, 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.

Please feel free to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.

Thanks!

Keith Miller, WACA Administration Manager, World Airlines Clubs Association, sends us this update regarding events for WACA.

The dates of the events shown in the WACA website that you have kindly published in the NetLetter #1464  are, unfortunately, no longer applicable and have been postponed until 2022. 

The info on the WACA website will be updated as soon as possible.

WACA events during the 53rd Annual General Assembly (AGA) are now planed for the following dates:

• Pre-AGA tour will take place from May 8 to 15.
• The AGA from May 15 to 20.
• The Post-AGA tour from May 20 – 24.

Plane to See:

Abbotsford International Airshow back in 2021 as drive-in event. 

Organizers of a popular British Columbia airshow are adapting this year’s event so it falls within the boundaries of provincial health measures but also permits fans to attend the display of aviation talent.

It’ll be called 'SkyDrive', turning the show into a drive-in affair where attendees can enjoy the airborne feats of aerobatics from the comfort of their own 20′ x 20′ parking space on the airfield.

The three-day event will be held at the Abbotsford International Airport and runs from Friday, August 6 to Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Tickets are priced between $99.00 and $199.00 per ‘carload’ of people (just like the ’50's movies!)

Source: abbotsfordairshow.com

Air British Virgin Islands Interline Regatta.

The 2020 Interline Regatta unfortunately had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

For 38 years, The Moorings Interline Regatta has kicked-off sailing season in the BVI with exciting races, thrilling parties and endless fun on the water.

Originally established for members and friends of the airline industry, this annual event has grown into an international celebration attracting boaters and spectators of all types and skill levels.

The next Interline Regatta will be held October 12 - 21, 2021. 

Source: moorings.com/regattas-and-events/interline-regatta

John Rodger asks:

Does anyone know about the origin of this pin? It was found in a lake near Lachute, Quebec (my home town) by a friend of ours who happened to be a flight attendant for WestJet.

It would be great to find out if it was an award of some kind.

Thanks,

John

Tony Walsh, retired Air Canada, Airport Ops Services sent us these photos -

"I thought readers of The NetLetter might appreciate these sharp photos, taken and shared by airliner buff, Craig Austin Shipman, of Air Canada's TCA-Retro livery A-220-300 (C-GNBN), (Airbus-Bombardier Mirabel built) at Chicago O'Hare (ORD) on a scheduled flight operation.

Also, this collectable publicly-shared 2-view rendering of the same airliner by ace aviation tech artist André Plourde of Nicolet, Quebec"

Northern Lights Aero Foundation announces 2020 award winners.

Engineering Award – Kathryn Atamanchuk, P.Eng., MBA, PMP, FEC:

After completing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Manitoba in 1999, Kathryn began her career at StandardAero as a T56 Service Engineer.

In her 13 years at StandardAero, Kathryn gained experience in both technical and engineering leadership roles while also completing an MBA.

For the last 8 years, Kathryn has been an Engineer-in-Residence and Industry Partnerships Facilitator for the Price Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba.

Kathryn is passionate about women in engineering and aerospace. In 2019, Kathryn completed a Master’s of Science in Biosystems Engineering where her research focused on understanding career persistence of women in the engineering workforce.

Source:
northernlightsaerofoundation.com/2020-award-winners

Go Canada Go

Air Canada is launching a new special livery just in time for the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The new livery is plastered on one of the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The aircraft is set to enter general circulation with Air Canada before being placed on the airline’s Tokyo Narita route during the Olympic Games.

Source: Simple Flying

Click the links below to view the aircraft captured by YouTube videographers.

for the latest updates on Air Canada's fleet of aircraft. 

Six years ago, Brussels Airlines launched a special hand-painted livery dedicated to beloved national cartoon 'Tintin'.

It was just the first of their 'Belgian Icon' series.

Now our member airline has a series of five arty aircraft bringing the colours of their home country to the skies.

November

Found on the Vickers Viscount Network Facebook page

Jerry Olenko has posted these three photos of Air Canada Viscounts being scrapped in a field near the West end of Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, Canada in the 1970s.

These pictures were found on a friend's hard drive and show the last days of the magnificent Vickers Viscount in Winnipeg.

Also posted was CF-THI National Museum of Science and Technology - November 1969 to January 2000. Donated by Air Canada for preservation in TCA livery.

Taken at Rockcliffe Airfield, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada November 18, 1969 just after its arrival from Dorval. The ferry crew were, left to right:

Captain R. A. (Bob) Coneen and First Officer D. B. (Doug) Seagrim. The aircraft was officially handed over on the following day.

Photo source Douglas (Doug) Seagrim.

Found in 'Horizons' magazine

A marathon run.

A team of Air Canada runners participated in the 1992 Theatre Calgary Road Race.

The event, to raise funds for Theatre Calgary, consisted of 10 legs between six and 11 miles. The Air Canada team completed the race in just over 10 hours, finishing 75th in a field of 100 teams.

The runners pictured here are, from left to right: Customer Sales and Service Agents George Smith, Barb Naugler and Rene Hale; Al Barbaro, Station Attendant; Chuck Regehr, Maridee Coulter, Purser; Greg Fletcher, Wendy Clark, Passenger Sales Supervisor; Gaylene Lewis, Customer Sales and Service Agent and (kneeling) Brent Bromhead, Station Attendant.

Missing from the photo are: Jamie Naugler, Station Attendant; Bob Johnson, Glenda Wiens and Denise Gaudreault, Customer Sales and Service Agents.

Issue dated December 1997.

November 1997, 185 years of service celebrated at YWG.

An anniversary dinner was held earlier this year in Winnipeg for In-Flight Personnel.

Left to right: Linda Meckling (30 years), Marie Reid (25 years), Carole Stiller (25 years), Judy Smith (25 years), Linda Ross (25 years), Linda Flanagan (30 years) and Linda Bjorkland (25 years).

December 10, 1997 marked the official launch of Air Canada's extensive program of support for the Canadian Olympic Association.

At a press conference in Hangar 6400 at Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Olympic officials, and Air Canada representatives witnessed the unveiling of the Airbus 340 which will carry Canada's Olympic hopefuls. What a sight!

The official plane of Canada's Olympic Team was adorned with giant decals of a hockey goalie, wearing the Canadian team colours, and a yellow outfitted downhill skier. The decal operation on the plane's tail area took six people and approximately 15 hours to install.

Created from 3M Aircraft, a self-adhesive product specially designed for use on aircraft, these decals stand as high as a two-storey building, measuring 15 metres long and eight metres high. The plane was in service until March, 1998 for destinations served by the A340 aircraft. 

The technical team which handled the decoration of the official plane of Canada's Olympic team worked meticulously under tight deadlines.

Pictured, left to right are: Lucien Martin, Michel Mainville, Daniel Lortie, Dieter Jakubzig, Michel Truchon and Daniel Lacroix.

Starting up new U.S. stations.

In 1997, the progression of the 'Open Skies Project' led to the start-up of eight new Air Canada stations in the United States.

Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Milwaukee were added to the long list of Air Canada destinations. These inaugurals required a great deal of work and team effort.

Pictured are some members of the Cleveland team, left to right: Al Zeller, Susan Sefcek, Mel Lang, Dreya Wiggins, Lucia Valletta, Lisa Welty, Sally Cleary, Abby Morse, Joe Marcoli, Gordon Zickefoose, Darnice Morton, Jack Kmal (Continental Ramp Agent); Bob Mawhinney and Chuck Bushley.

Posted by Roy Davidson on the Time Air Historical Society Facebook page -

Three decades before Time Air, another recognizable airline put aviation roots down in Lethbridge. Trans-Canada Air Lines became Air Canada in 1965.

My grandfather, Richard Roy Davidson, getting on the first scheduled, trans-mountain flight from Lethbridge to Vancouver, 1939.

First attempt turned back around Nelson, BC due to icing. Second attempt reached Princeton and turned back.

Third attempt successful at 12-13,000 feet. 

Vancouver-based flight attendants Gaye Dierks, left, and Nicola Stokes, right, examine the "Aerokit" toy which will be included in Canadian's program in December 1987. Bill Kirk, Manager, Duty Free Sales, looks on.

Here are the participants in the first Canadian Airlines European Region meeting, assembled in the Italian resort of Sardinia.

Back row, from left, Gary Meixner, Director, Marketing, Europe; Rene Devleschoudere, Manager, France, Belgium and Africa; Michael LeBas, Manager, Marketing Planning, Europe; Peter Allchin, General Manager, Schiphol Airport; Geoff Dickson, Route Planner; Fulvio Fusco, Passenger Sales Manager, Central and Southern Italy; Maurizio Piperno, Passenger Sales Manager, Italy; Alfredo da Costa, Manager, Portugal; Bruce McWhirter, Director, Marketing, North American regional routes; Rene Syrenne, General Manager, Sales, Benelux/France; Rob Stundebeek, Regional Manager, Cargo, Europe; Onno Wiersma, Cargo Sales and Service Manager, Benelux; Klaus Lehmann, Cargo Manager, Germany; Tim Darcovich, Manager, U.K./Ireland; Bert Ulrich, Manager, Switzerland.

Front row, from left, Dennis Myttenar, Manager, Sales and Service, Europe; Allan Tremblay, General Manager, Sales, Europe; Martin Gross, Passenger Sales Manager, Germany/Austria; Flemming Timmermann, Manager, Scandinavia; Gideon Thaler, General Sales Agent, Israel; Ed Valka, General Manager, Italy; Fulvio Saudelli, Manager, Cargo, Italy; Herminio Simoes, retired; Peter Garms, Manager, Germany, Austria, German Democratic Republic and Turkey; Dan Cotter, Vice President, Europe, Africa and Middle East; Turid Blom, Sales Manager, Sweden and Finland; Rick Spruyt, Sales Manager, Holland.

Our first 'Featured Video' has been posted on YouTube by Don Riep who lovingly narrates this concise video (7:05) history of Canadian Pacific Airlines. 

Left and below are a few screen captures taken from the video.

Click any of the images to view. 

Bristol Britannia

Class of '73

Our next video is posted by John  Stewart of footage at Prestwick Airport, circa 1980's showing arrivals of a Wardair DC-10 and an Air Canada L-1011.

John Meaning sent us this -

I thought you would be interested in this story I found on MSN:

Celebrity Passengers and Caviar at 55,000 Feet: What It Was Like to Fly Concorde in the '70's.

View the Condo Nest Traveler site for the original story.

Very interesting,

John

A Canadian airline.

Perimeter Aviation was started in 1960 by William (Bill) J. Wehrle, as Canada’s first private Instrument Flight Rating (IFR) school.

In 1964 Perimeter bought their first hangar at the Winnipeg International Airport to start servicing aircraft, and acquired a Beech 18 to begin flying charters.

By 1967, company offerings included a flight school, charter services, and an aircraft maintenance facility.

The year 1976 was important for Perimeter, the company was approached by Transair to purchase their northern interior flight routes along with two Twin Otter aircraft, which resulted in instant growth, forcing the company to expand from 25 employees to 100 almost overnight. 

Source: perimeter.ca/about-us/history

On June 21, 2021, Transat AT announced the end of a special committee charged with reviewing takeover bids, adding that billionaire investor Pierre Karl Peladeau has withdrawn his offer to purchase control of the tourism provider due to lack of shareholder interest.

Source: Flightglobal.com

The Starship - Boeing 720

In the early 1960's, just before The Beatles arrived in North America, pop music seemed to be dominated by several 'Bobby's' (nothing to do with the London, England police force). 

'Bobby' Darin, Goldsboro, Rydell, Vinton, Vee and Curtola (a Canadian) were the equivalent of modern day 'Boy Bands'.

What does this have to do with aviation? Among this list was a singer / TV host named Bobby Sherman who, after his music career, turned out to be quite an enterprising  business man. 

In 1973, Sherman and his manager purchased a Boeing 720, registered to 'Contemporary Entertainment' and converted it for the private use by music artists while on tour. Possibly the first aircraft ever configured specifically for rock bands. Today many airlines, including Air Canada's 'Jetz' , operate a fleet of specially configured aircraft for lease by entertainers, sports teams etc. 

Registration N7201U, delivered to United Airlines in 1959, was the first Boeing 720 ever built. United Airlines wanted a short range B-707 for domestic routes, so Boeing built the modified model to supply their requirement. 

The first band to lease the aircraft was Led Zeppelin for the North America leg of their 1973 tour (again in 1975).  Followed by Elton John (four tours), Alice Cooper, Bob Dylan and The Band (I saw this show at the Montreal Forum), Deep Purple, The Allman Brothers (two tours), The Rolling Stones and Peter Frampton. Other lessees included John Lennon, Frank Sinatra, Sonny & Cher and Olivia Newton-John. Interesting that neither Jefferson Airplane nor later spinoff Jefferson Starship are among the bands in the list! 

It is a shame that this aircraft was not preserved, we can only imagine the parties that it hosted! The Starship had several ownership changes from 1977 through 1979 until it went into storage and was dismantled for parts starting in July 1982.

Additional info and references:

The Starship at Wikipedia at Wikipedia

Boeing 720 at Wikipedia

Full list of Boeing 720 fleet at rzjets.net

Histories on the B-720 at:

aerotime.aero/24240-boeing-720-first-flight

samchui.com

Click the image to view a YouTube Video by Simple Flying.

Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.

Answer for the mystery airline in 'Odds and Ends'.

BRA Braathens Regional Airlines was a Norwegian-owned Swedish airline founded in 2016 and one of the largest domestic airlines in Sweden.

The actual operators of all of its flights however are its sister companies Braathens Regional Airways and Braathens Regional Aviation. The brand BRA is the successor of Malmö Aviation and Sverigeflyg. The company has its headquarters in Stockholm. BRA suspended all operations on April 6, 2020.

Source:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRA_Braathens_Regional_Airlines

Our cartoon, by Dave Mathias, appeared in the "Between Ourselves" magazine issued June 1964.

The caption reads:

"Never mind what IATA will do if you don't charge excess - just remember I can replace you with a button!"