Bush pilots--British Columbia--Correspondence, reminiscences, etc.

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Bush pilots--British Columbia--Correspondence, reminiscences, etc.

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Bush pilots--British Columbia--Correspondence, reminiscences, etc.

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Bush pilots--British Columbia--Correspondence, reminiscences, etc.

13 Archival description results for Bush pilots--British Columbia--Correspondence, reminiscences, etc.

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Bruce Brown interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], [196-?] SUMMARY: In an oral history interview with Imbert Orchard, floatplane pilot Bruce Brown discusses his experiences flying to and around the Queen Charlotte Islands, and the dangers presented by high winds, low visibility, rough water, mountains, and unruly passengers. [Note: This summary is based on incomplete notes in the file.]

Barney Boe interview

CALL NUMBER: T0319:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Flying in the 1930s PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1940 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Barney Boe tells the story of his Trans-Canada flight in a Fleet II aircraft in 1930. Anecdotes about learning to fly, 1930. TRACK 2: More on learning to fly. Early flying in the Lower Mainland of B.C. More on the 1930 Trans-Canada flight. Boe's personal philosophy on personal knowledge and experience. More on the Fleet II aircraft. Anecdotes about emergency landings on Stave Lake and Alkali Lake.

CALL NUMBER: T0319:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Bush flying in British Columbia, 1930-1960 PERIOD COVERED: 1930-1960 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1976 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Techniques of bush flying described. Boe's crashes in McLeese and Williams Lake. Quit flying, ca. 1960. General comments about flying. TRACK 2: Flight from Seattle to Chicago with W.E. Boeing, 1930. Description of Chicago Air Show, 1930. Comments about W.E. Boeing. Anecdotes about flying in B.C. (end of interview).

Earl Gerow interview

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : R. Earl Gerow RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-03-04 SUMMARY: R. Earl Gerow was an early aircraft maintenance engineer who worked for Canadian Airways and Trans-Canada Airlines. TRACK 1: He describes the early flying activities at Burns Lake and his entry into aviation business as a mechanic. Bush flying activities of Canadian Airways 1930-36. The Paddy Burke search in 1930 and other significant aviation incidents. TRACK 2: Further descriptions of early bush flying operations around Burns Lake area with references to other operators. Transfers to Trans-Canada Airlines upon its formation and gains A.M.E. licence. Describes the changes from bush operations to airline and the development of Trans-Canada Airlines from 1938 onward. Air Canada today from the operations point of view.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : R. Earl Gerow RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-03-04 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Description of early airline service between Vancouver and Seattle. Description of accidents and incidents at Vancouver airport. TRACK 2: Blank.

Maurice McGregor interview : [Stoddart, 1978]

CALL NUMBER: T3222:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early aviation : Maurice McGregor RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Maurice McGregor discusses: his background- born in Victoria in 1911, attracted to the romance of flying after the Lindbergh flight; learned to fly from friend Hal Wilson- description of his first day of flight school; getting his private license, then his commercial; 1930- barnstorming out of Ladner, Roscoe Turner story, aerobatics; establishing his own flying school in Vancouver, but never really succeeding with that; operating a flying school in Victoria at Gordon Head; training Chinese pilots at this time- got to know the Chinese community, so he was asked to go to China to teach flying, but could not go because he was accepted by the R.C.A.F. for a navigation course; Prime Minister Bennett cut back on money for aviation, many people laid off; desire of many non-permanent R.C.A.F. men to go to China. TRACK 2: Maurice McGregor: China offered new opportunities for young pilots, ones that were not available in Canada -- but government in Canada would not allow pilots to go; government's cancellation of mail contracts; first air shows- Lulu Island in 1930, Trans Canada Air Pageant; worked briefly for Airland Manufacturing Company; Paddy Burke crash- he almost went on that flight; Ernest Eve- started the Ford Tri-motor operation, McGregor's father also involved in this company; became an officer in the 111 AC Squadron, R.C.A.F. non-permanent in Vancouver- involved doing tactical exercises, instrument flying, aerobatics; search-and-rescue missions; maps were very poor when he first started; many forced landings; surviving in plane crashes- needed to be tough; flying up the coast in the early '30s; fishery patrol. CALL NUMBER: T3222:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early aviation : Maurice McGregor RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Maurice McGregor: anecdote at McKay Lake- mechanical difficulties, tricky maneuvering; engine problems a few times- adventures connected to these experiences; getting involved in hauling fish from the north- experience with a snowstorm while bringing fish down to Kenora, competition between companies involved in this business, story about snarling huskies in a search-and-rescue; came back to the coast to open a base at Burns Lake- difficult days in the Depression; flying in dangerous weather conditions; anecdote about falling 30 feet out of a plane during a near fatal landing. TRACK 2: Maurice McGregor: more on story about the landing in which he and his passengers fell into the water; growth of Canadian Airways; making the transition from being a bush pilot to a commercial pilot; working for TCA after it took over Canadian Airways; he flew the Vancouver-Seattle route for TCA; moving to Winnipeg to deliver mail; became captain on the first official night airmail service on the Vancouver-Winnipeg route; trained by Americans for awhile; became supervisor of area between Winnipeg and Vancouver; outbreak of war- his role in training pilots, selecting radio range sites; then moved east, supervised various other regions during war. CALL NUMBER: T3222:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Early aviation : Maurice McGregor RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Maurice McGregor: more on the growth of TCA- expansion of passenger flights; anecdote about flying Senator Gray Turgeon in 1935; expanding TCA service to all over the world; getting lost in Brazil right after the war; expanding to the Caribbean in 1948; after being with TCA for 15 years, he joined Canadian Pacific as director of development- first task was to negotiate agreements with foreign countries so CP could fly to these places; CP could not survive on travel to the Orient alone; going over to Pakistan to help them establish a first class airline- difficult, but interesting experience. TRACK 2: Maurice McGregor: more on his experiences in Pakistan and setting up an airline in this country; going back to B.C. and establishing his own company that concentrated on flying up the coast; selling his line to Northwest Industries; favourite planes he flew; impressions of CP Air, Air Canada; final thoughts about aviation history in B.C.. (End of interview)

Gordon Ballentine interview : [Stoddart, 1978]

CALL NUMBER: T3219:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Ballentine discusses: background -- born in Vancouver, first interest in airplanes; got involved with an airplane club and met Don MacLaren; first job for MacLaren was as a crew man in; 1928; learning to fly; rebuilding an old H boat; met Harold Davenport; fisheries patrol; losing planes and pilots in the early days; story of the Queen Charlotte Islands crash that he was in when he was a crew man- quite an adventure; aircraft technology at the time (early 1930s); Queen Charlotte Islands -- seeing an Albino crow. TRACK 2: Gordon Ballentine: anecdote about Moresby Island incident; fisheries patrol- worked there in the summer, even when he was a Canadian Airways pilot in 1938 and 1939; enjoyed the fisheries work; Indians in the Queen Charlottes and northern Vancouver Island; first pilots were all with the Royal Canadian Air Force; Aero Club stories; flying in the Cariboo; the Zeballos gold rush; ski flying planes vs. flying float planes; describes some characters of early aviation in B.C.; competition between Yukon Southern and Canadian Airways; coastal flying was more prevalent at the time; flew Junkers through Winnipeg in WW II; operations in the interior were very small; weather conditions when flying are very important; early radio communication. CALL NUMBER: T3219:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Ballentine discusses: patrolling the fishing industry; little drinking on planes; mechanic not always on flight; air engineer exams- he passed, but never really did mechanical work; merging of different airlines; longevity of engines; planes he flew with Canadian Pacific; de-icing process- some bad experiences with ice. TRACK 2: Gordon Ballentine: continuation of a story about flying across the Rockies; search and rescue operations; did not expect to make money out of flying -- he just loved it; only damaged a plane once, in 1938; Canadian Airways ran a very good operation; description of his first flight, and his first solo flight; glider school- how it started, his involvement in it; Aircraft Charter Services; competition between airlines; story about flying a commercial plane after he retired; as a young pilot, he was very cautious; landing a plane in very poor visibility. CALL NUMBER: T3219:0003 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Ballentine discusses: story about former attorney-general Wismer; carrying a hidden gun; during war, you had to guard all the airplanes; guns were eventually not carried by pilots; differences in training now and in the early days of aviation- learning through soaking up the knowledge of others; different medical standards today; airplanes were much more individual in the old days; Canadian Airways sent him down to Seattle to take a course- learned a lot; Canadian Airways- a very good operation; the Flying Seven -- women pilots; bombing practices using flour; barnstorming; merging of different airlines. TRACK 2: Gordon Ballentine discusses: the Prince George run- he had sole discretion over how he got there; differences in aircraft; radio equipment description; oxygen on planes; uniform he wore as a pilot with Canadian Airways; lay-over period between flights; Lloyds, the insurer of airlines used to have a lot of say in airline operation; weight of load was not a precise science; getting lost on the way to Zeballos; searches; pilots were the 'individuals' of their generation; opinion of the union; solo bottles. CALL NUMBER: T3219:0004 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gordon Ballentine discusses: the one time he flew after having a couple of drinks; Zeballos gold rush story- very bad weather, shipping gold out; survival equipment; pilots needed to be sensible in the old days; overloading of smaller aircrafts is a big problem. (End of interview) [TRACK 2: blank.]

R. Earl Gerow interview

RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Earl Gerow discusses: his background- born in Saskatchewan in 1913, introduced to aviation in 1930; learned to service a plane, got a job as an apprentice at Burns Lake; logistics of the 'food drop'; Canadian Airways pulled out of Burns Lake, he lost his job; then hired on with Pacific Airways to pick up miners; education in the aviation industry; hired on to Trans Canada Airlines (Air Canada) in 1938 and stayed there until his retirement in 1977; the McAlpine expedition; description of weather, environment, living conditions of Burns Lake; seeing his first plane; never got his pilot's license; equipment used at Burns Lake; United Air Transport; numerous small airlines in the north at the time. TRACK 2: Mr. Gerow discusses: the differences in dealing with bush planes and dealing with regular airline planes; first memories of working for TCA in Winnipeg; more on logistics of Burns Lake operation, and Burns Lake itself; black flies and mosquitoes; bush schedule was tough, but more flexible than regular airline employee schedule; period when TCA carried mostly cargo and few passengers; effects of war on airline -- some pilots to the air force; beginning of TCA -- difficulties, challenges. (End of interview)

Harold E. Davenport interview : [Stoddart, 1977]

CALL NUMBER: T3182:0001 PERIOD COVERED: 1915-1925 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Harold Davenport discusses: immigration to Canada, 1915; south Vancouver, 1915-19; childhood and youth in south Vancouver; began work for Jericho Beach Air Station in 1923; worked as a flight; engineer/mechanic; history of the Jericho Beach Air Station; Davenport's first flight and forced landing. Description of the Air Station, ca. 1923. Personnel. Description of early aircraft, especially HS2L flying boat. Physical layout of the station. Military competitions. Early flights on the coast of British Columbia. TRACK 2: Harold Davenport: Jericho Beach Air Station personnel, ca. 1923; equipment at the air station; the station's pigeon loft; more description of the Curtis Wright HS2L flying boat. The first flight from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, July 1923. Description of the trip. Great interest shown in aircraft. Fisheries patrols in the 1920s. Discussion of fishermen's offences and the use of aircraft to patrol the Upper Coast area. Being forced down on the first flight to the Queen Charlotte Islands, 1923. CALL NUMBER: T3182:0002 PERIOD COVERED: 1923-1930 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Harold Davenport discusses: flying in the Queen Charlotte Islands, 1923; forced landings and engine problems in the Prince Rupert area; more on the Queen Charlotte Islands; inspection of Junkers aircraft in Hazleton, 1923; radio communications around Prince Rupert, 1924; crash landing in Milbanke Sound, 1924. TRACK 2: Harold Davenport: conclusion of the air crash story; storm damage to flying boats; around-the-world flights, 1924; formation of Pacific Airways Limited, 1926; the training of pilots in the 1920s; flying anecdotes, 1920s; flying on the upper coast; makeshift repairs to aircraft and aircraft engines. CALL NUMBER: T3182:0003 PERIOD COVERED: 1924-1941 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Davenport's comments on early around-the-world flights. Early aerial photography in British Columbia, 1920s. Visiting Namu, 1926. Western Canada Airways buys Pacific Airways, 1928. Description of various aircraft in the late 1920s. Anecdotes about air crashes, late 1920s. Staff of Western Canada Airways, Swanson Bay, 1928. Radio communications. Anecdotes about radio communications. More on Swanson Bay. Fatal air crash near Butedale, late 1920s. TRACK 2: Description of Swanson Bay. Davenport opens Aircraft Service of British Columbia at Vancouver Airport, 1929. Minoru Park Airport, Richmond, B.C.. Davenport's great faith in flying boats. Reservations about modern aircraft. Went to Whitehorse to work for White Pass and Yukon Route, 1936-41. Flying in the Yukon. Anecdotes about early pilots. Gliding at Vancouver Airport, 1930s. Anecdote about flying B.C. Provincial Police to Anyox to quell riot, 1933. CALL NUMBER: T3182:0004 PERIOD COVERED: 1933-1967 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1977 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Continuation of the story of Anyox, B.C., strike and riot, 1933. Inspection discovering structural damage to the aircraft, 1933. Davenport went to Whitehorse, Yukon, to work for White Pass and Yukon Route, 1936. Work for WP&YR Air Division, 1936-41. Established repair and maintenance in Whitehorse. Description of Whitehorse, late 1930s. Transportation in the Yukon. Boats on the Yukon River. Many pilots killed in air crashes. Anecdote about sick Indian child. TRACK 2: More on sick Indian child. Superstitions about the bad luck of religious men. More on the development of air travel in the Yukon. Instrument flight. Davenport observed large meteorite, 1938. Japanese goodwill flight to Whitehorse, 1938. Anecdotes about flying. Davenport's brush with 'gold fever'. Davenport's later career in aviation: Pan American Airways, CP Air, Department of Transport as an inspector. Felt badly used by CP Air. Established maintenance schools. Davenport spent 45 years in field of aviation in Canada. (End of interview)

Walter Gilbert interview

CALL NUMBER: T3221:0001 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Walter Gilbert discusses: his background- born in eastern Ontario in 1899, getting involved with the Royal Flying Corps of Britain in WW I, experiences in the war in France, came back in 1919; moving out to B.C. as soon as he returned to Canada; no active flying in 1919-20 in B.C.; Don MacLaren- started Pacific Airways at this time; differences between flying in the war and 'flying boats'; doing fisheries patrol, 1923-24; summers in Bella Bella and Prince Rupert; after 1927, he flew mainly in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon; takeover of Western Canada Airways by Canadian Airways; description of different types of airplanes; did not want to be part of Canadian Pacific after merger. TRACK 2: Walter Gilbert: description of Vancouver when he first arrived after WW I; getting to know Don MacLaren; fish patrol memories of the early 1920s; Queen Charlotte Islands experiences- first time many Indians had ever seen an airplane; no radio in the early days; fishery patrol for 7 years; ;then based out of Fort McMurray; weather conditions in the north; never had serious accidents; Lindbergh- flight anecdote, friendship.;

CALL NUMBER: T3221:0002 RECORDED: [location unknown], 1978 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Walter Gilbert discusses: the grandfather route; Ginger Coote; Zeballos gold rush; more on Vancouver in 1921; clothing he wore as a pilot in open cockpit planes; loyalty to employer definitely existed; salaries; he was first president of Central British Columbia Airways- partner was Russ Baker, company started in early 1940s, did not do well business-wise; Alaska Highway surveying; did not like CPA- too many rules, not enough camaraderie; engine failure story- engine conked out near Fort McMurray. TRACK 2: Walter Gilbert: describes mountain goats in early days; occasional trouble with planes flying up to Alaska; anecdotes about Russ Baker; his first wife could fly- part of the 'Flying Seven'; Ginger Coote; book called "Arctic Pilot" by Walter (helped by Kathleen Shackleton)- no longer published; Helen Bristol; description of small towns on the coast, near Prince George; mosquitoes and black flies; weather conditions. (End of interview);

Cyril Charter interview : [Swartz, 1985]

CALL NUMBER: T4265:0022 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cyril Gladstone Charter RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-04-09 SUMMARY: Cyril Charter was born on November 11, 1916. Pioneer aircraft engineer. Retired as maintenance supervisor at CP Air. TRACK 1: Discusses early life, Columbia School of Aeronautics, and Coates Aircraft.; TRACK 2: Working for Boeing Aircraft of Canada and moving to Northern Airways in Carcross.; CALL NUMBER: T4265:0023 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cyril Gladstone Charter RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-04-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Operation around Carcross and Atlin in late 1930s. Moving to CP Air. TRACK 2: Blank.; CALL NUMBER: T4265:0024 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cyril Gladstone Charter RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-04-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses Columbia School of Aviation, the Flying Seven. TRACK 2: Discusses Wells Air Harbour and Tommy Jones' repair shop. Boeing Aircraft of Canada.; CALL NUMBER: T4265:0025 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cyril Gladstone Charter RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-04-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses early personalities in aviation around Vancouver. TRACK 2: Discusses early aircraft salvage jobs in Northern B.C. and Northern Airways.; CALL NUMBER: T4265:0026 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cyril Gladstone Charter RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-04-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Gives more information on Northern Airways. TRACK 2: More about flying in Northern B.C.;

Saturday at Shaughnessy, 1953-07-18

SUMMARY: SIDE 1: Highlights of a Saturday afternoon radio show recorded at Shaughnessy Hospital for evening broadcast on CKWX. Format consists of recorded interviews with veteran patients, hospital staff, and; officials of the Mount Pleasant Legion (Branch 177), interspersed with musical requests. This episode includes an interview with patient Ginger Coote, a veteran aviator of World War I and World War I;I, who talks about his experiences as a bush pilot in the Fort Nelson area. Royal Canadian Navy veteran Stanley Carr talks about convoy duty in World War Two. [SIDE 2: blank.];

Pat Carey interview

CALL NUMBER: T4265:0015 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Pat Carey RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-07-25 SUMMARY: Pat Carey was born in England on September 13, 1903 and was an early B.C. bush pilot. TRACK 1: Early life and moving to Chilliwack in 1909. TRACK 2: [No additional documentation provided.];

CALL NUMBER: T4265:0016 - 0018 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Pat Carey RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-07-25 SUMMARY: [No content summaries available for these tapes.];