First time into the Belchers, February 1964, crosswind was not a problem, there were miles of "runway" to be had. Photo is not at the Belcher Island post, but you get the idea. HBC DC3 CF=-ETE.

The exercise briefing would sound like this; "write down what I signal to you and I'll take it from there!"

First, I am not a pilot. That being said, here are a couple of experiences with the workplace drug testing that has been in force south of the border for more than 15 years. 1) I'm doing midnight shift. Son is long haul trucker, stopped at a weigh scale in Illinois. When asked for his paperwork, dri...

Water Methanol as utilized with RR Dart engines has two functions depending on the engine model and rating. First is power recovery, to return the engine to its rated takeoff power in high/hot conditions eg HS748-2. Second, power augmentation (boost). Increases takeoff power to the rated output irre...

Two shots of CF-ARI through the ice at Goldfields SK (my home town). Photos taken by my dad late '30's. According to Rex Terpenning, she was salvaged and returned to service, and later came to grief at Waterways due to fuel system mismanagement.

Freighters are the best! The passengers (read cargo) doesn't bitch about every little thing, doesn't plug the toilets or puke on the floor. As well, the crews are usually better to work with.

A couple more "Big Bellanca" photos. On the ice after a sucessful forced landing. Photo by W. Katchur, pilot.
The engine change under way, New Years Holiday trip 1962. Engineer George Fournier, helpers Leo Fournier, Ross Taylor, Bill Lewco.

switchflicker wrote:What a mess. Mud all over the place and up the fuselage. That refueling procedure might raise a few TC eyebrows if this was done by todays regulators.

Sounds like a "city boy" comment. Look around, that's the bush circa 1970 or so in the early spring. Mud happens, but it will wash off.

Where to begin to answer that one.....Prop blades, fan and compressor blades, horizontal stab L/E, elevators, anything sticking out of the bottom of the fuselage ie; anti-collision lights, antennae, breather/vent tubes, cooling fan inlets, apu shrouds. They all get whacked at one time or another, an...

Hawker Tomtit, a trainer type.

Here's a shot of BTW undergoing an unscheduled engine change on Lake Winnipeg, south of Berens River January 1962. George Fournier was the engineer in charge, with learner mechs Leo Fournier and yours truly. Spent a few fun-filled days wrestling with the old girl before it was airworthy again. Had a...

What agreat video presentation. The scenery and camera work is first rate. I watched it twice.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but it would have been nice if the fact that the Beaver and Otter were DeHavilland products, designed and built in Canada, had been mentioned somewhere.

The only really hard landing I sat through in the Dak, including 5 seasons of Arctic wheel-ski ops, happened when the left seat knob disregarded some hints about the quirks of the particular aircraft. It was an ex MillardAir three with the massive fairing and gear doors. The right seat pilot caution...

Not again. Once upon a time a second signature was required if the fan cowls were opened.

It's been 51 years, but they look about right.

An M&C pedestal for sure.

A minute-perfecr recreation of a Vedette exists in the Western Canada Aviation Museum in Winnipeg. The story is posted below. CF-MAG was built in 1929 and placed in storage until it was purchased by the Government of Manitoba in 1934, along with 5 ex-RCAF Vedettes (for $1 each) to be used for forese...

G'day O.K. folks let's play accident investigator. I have a Fleet Finch Mk. II here from No. 13 ELementary Flying Training School at St. Eugene, Ontario. Based on what you see, what do you think happened. I will post results from the Accident Investigation Board tomorrow. Cheers...Chris It appears,...

Here's another example of our security apparatus at work; My youngest is white, blondish, hazel eyed,6'6" 300 lbs, and (my bad) shares the name of a fat, black african dictator who was/is on trial for crimes against humanity, and he gets pulled aside fairly often. No luck getting off the "list" so f...

Yes, Herb was one of a kind! In fact, his "Herbert the Pervert" nickname was hung on him by Wally Katchur, summer of 1963. I crewed as towerman (flight engineer) on a three man Canso out of YYQ that summer. "Walter the Assaulter", and "Roscoe the Rascal" made up the rest of the merry band. Later tha...