Showing 142 results

The collection consists of interviews pertaining to the aviation history of Western Canada and related subjects.

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.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Lock Madill RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-03-07 SUMMARY: William Lock Madill was an early aircraft maintenance engineer. Initial training with the RCAF. Member of the Private Aircraft Club. Test pilot for Boeing of Canada during WWII. Helicopter Engineer post war. TRACK 1: Lock describes his first flight in 1927, entry into the RCAF and service at Jericho Beach Air Station in 1931, with description of activities at the air station. Description of working at Turner Boat Works following 1931 cuts in RCAF. [Note: Track 1 was part of a "trial interview" done to practice interview techniques. Much of it is repeated on Track 2.] TRACK 2: Lock describes his first flight and entry into the aviation industry. Joining the RCAF and recollections of Camp Borden, 1929. Jericho Beach Air Station in 1930. Rebuilding a Cirrus Moth with Harold Turner in the mid-1930s. The activities of the Private Aircraft Club in Vancouver in the 1930s. Test flying for Boeing Aircraft of Canada during WWII. CALL NUMBER: T4210:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Lock Madill RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-06-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Returned to Turner Boat Works, Coal Harbour. Instructed at Brisbane Aviation. Carpet business. January 7, 1952 joined Okanagan as engineer, very small company, flew up to Kemano and worked there for three years. Background to Kemano. Typical day. Nechako Dam closing. Maintenance on helicopters. Flying conditions, winter. TRACK 2: Mid-Canada Line operations with S-58. Background on Mid-Canada Line. Largest helicopter in Canada. American's lack of success on project. Problems living at Kemano. Dominion Government surveys in B.C., Y.T., and N.W.T. B.C. topographic surveys. Chasing bears; bugs; cleaning helicopters with Coca-Cola. Logistics of surveys. Salvaging Otter with S-58. Work in the shop. CALL NUMBER: T4210:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Lock Madill RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-06-03 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Carl Agar. Humour on the job. Atmosphere at company. Salvage operations. Aklavik. Team effort. Attitude of others in aviation to helicopters. Crash near Banff. Camp life. Evolution of helicopters. Technical developments. TRACK 2: Support of helicopter operations. Hiller 12 helicopters. Winter operations and duties. Vancouver Island work. Kemano ice melting operation. Helicopter operations and accident in New Brunswick. Rebuilding wrecks. Radio. Heaters. Bird strikes. Ferry flights.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Humphrey Madden RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-03-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Humphrey's early background, commencing flying in 1928, getting his own plane in 1930. Starting a flying business in Victoria and Vancouver, then moving to Kamloops and Trail. Joining the 1931[?] Canada Air Pageant. Barnstorming in Ontario and Nova Scotia. TRACK 2: Ferrying a Stinson to Hudson. Flying for Starratt Airways. RCAF ferry and transport flying during WWII.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0007 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Joe Bertalino RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-03-11 SUMMARY: Joe Bertalino was an early aircraft maintenance engineer, the first Vancouver employee of United Airlines. Served on the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Maintenance Chief at Abbotsford. Joined Department of Transport as Airworthiness Inspector post WWII. TRACK 1: Meeting Lindbergh at Spokane airport in 1927 and starting an aviation career. Moving to Vancouver and working for Dominion Airways. Barnstorming around Kamloops with Humphrey "Hump" Madden in 1931. Working at Vancouver airport in the early 1930s. The "cent-a-pound" days. Gliding activities at Vancouver airport. United Airlines; commences airline service to Vancouver. Working for United then Trans-Canada Airlines. TRACK 2: Starting up the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Activities at Vancouver, Victoria, Boundary Bay, Caron, and Abbotsford. Working for the Department of Transport, post war. Inspection of homebuilt aircraft. Accidents on the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Reminiscences of the Boeing flying boats. CALL NUMBER: T4210:0008 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Joe Bertalino RECORDED: Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-03-11 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Joe Bertalino began flying and ground school with Dominion Airways at Lulu Island. Bill Templeton spurs on airport development. Background on Dobbins and Dominion Airways. Four Dobbin Brothers. Helped assemble Gypsy Moths. Loss of seaplane. After Vancouver put up hangar, transition from Lulu Island to Sea Island. Life at Lulu Island (Lansdowne) airport. Competition. Accident with Stinson. Flying training and night school. Evolution of Aero Club of British Columbia. Original hangar use and buyout. TRACK 2: Temporary hangar at Lansdowne, changing aircraft from wheels to floats. Offices in hangar. 1931 Air Tour. 1930 Air Tour. First autogyro at Vancouver. Rosco Turner's record flights. Other record flights from Vancouver. References to post war Ministry of Transport Inspectors.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Charles Perkins RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1985-03-29 SUMMARY: Charles Perkins was a member of the original Aero Club of British Columbia, 1915-16?. Instructor with Royal Flying Corps in Canada 1917-18. Gave up flying in 1918. TRACK 1: The first aeroplane in Vancouver. Organizing and financing the Aero Club of B.C. Training for the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto area. Reverts back to the Aero Club of B.C. and helping to build an airplane in "Scrimm's factory". Bridging the sloughs to get the plane to a field at Pitt Meadows. Moving to Texas to train Americans. Teaching stunt flying and talk about his accidents. TRACK 2: Control method in Curtiss aircraft. Early aircraft construction and flight characteristics. Description of "stunting". Difference between modern light aircraft and the Curtiss Jenny.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Cecil Coates RECORDED: North Vancouver (B.C.), 1985-04-03 SUMMARY: Cecil Coates ran boat service in Kootenay Lake district, 1920s. Learned to fly with Dominion Airways, 1928. Became aircraft maintenance engineer. Worked for Canadian Airways. Started own business, Coates Aircraft, at Vancouver in 1935. Went bankrupt in 1952. Worked as storeman on Kemano project subsequently. TRACK 1: Early biographical information. Working on the Kootenay Lakes. Meeting Fred Dobbin and commencing flying. Training as an Air Engineer. Working for Canadian Airways on Vancouver-Victoria service. Commencing business as Coates Aircraft. Aircraft maintenance during WWII. TRACK 2: Wartime maintenance contracts and conditions. Post war transition to boat building. The collapse of Coates Aircraft. Comparisons of aircraft of today (1985) with those of pre war times.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Gretchen Matheson RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1985-04-04 SUMMARY: Gretchen Matheson (nee Mathers) was a commercial pilot from 1953-56. Continued instructing 1956-79 on part time basis. Full time instructor 1979 - present (1985). Qualified flight test examiner. Former director of Abbotsford Air Show. Director of B.C. Aviation Council. TRACK 1: Learns to fly with Chilliwack Flying Club, 1951[?]. Training Air Cadets at Chilliwack, 1952. Full time commercial flying Wetaskiwin, 1953-56. Return to full time instructing in 1979. Comparisons of students, flying equipment and training of the 1950s and 1980s. The influence of sexual discrimination in flying. TRACK 2: Blank.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Rollie Pierce RECORDED: Port Coquitlam (B.C.), 1985-04-10 SUMMARY: Rollie Pierce (nee Moore) was a stunt pilot in the 1930s for the Aero Club of British Columbia. TRACK 1: Becoming interested in aviation, hanging around the airport and learning to fly with Columbia School of Aviation. Flight test requirements. Comparison of flying in England to flying in Canada. Forming the "Flying Seven" and the activities of the group. Activities at the Vancouver airport in the; late 1930s. Returning to flying after the war. Comments on Hal Wilson. Instructing post war. Stunt flying for Aero Club, 1937-49. Comments about her flying instructors "all special people". TRACK 2: Blank.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0013 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Daniel McIvor RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1985-04-10 SUMMARY: Daniel McIvor was an aircraft pilot and airline executive. RCAF 1940-45. L & M Air Services, Vernon, 1946-49. Pilot for Queen Charlotte Airlines, Pacific Western Airlines, MacMillan Bloedel. Executive positions with PWA. TRACK 1: Dan's first flying experience at Fort William. Names of early fliers he associated with. Memorized eye chart to pass aviation medical. Commences building a home-built aircraft, but war intervenes. Joins RCAF. Describes readiness of RCAF for war, early confusion and activities as aircraft mechanic. TRACK 2: Obtains pilot's license in order to remuster as pilot. Flight training at Regina, 1940. Witnesses a mid-air collision. Completes training and sails to England via Iceland. Describes life on the troopship. Posted to Wellington bomber OTU in England but develops ulcers. Works as instrument fitter for a while then is returned to Canada. CALL NUMBER: T4210:0014 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Daniel McIvor RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1985-04-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Upon return to Canada, manages to return to flying. Serves with #8 Bombing and Gunnery School, transfers to ferry flying. Describes the various aircraft flown. Demobilized in 1945 and tries various jobs in the Okanagan Valley. Becomes a commercial pilot and works for L & M Airways in Vernon. Describes charter flying work and effect of the 1948 Fraser River flood. Moves to Queen Charlotte Airlines when L & M goes broke. Resigns following incident at Zeballos when a Stinson is damaged in a windstorm. Joins Pacific Western Airlines. Experiments in waterbombing and fire control. Description of PWA activities of the 1950s. CALL NUMBER: T4210:0015 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Daniel McIvor RECORDED: Richmond (B.C.), 1985-04-10 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Transfers to MacMillan Bloedel as a pilot. Undertakes rescue operations near Vancouver. Early impressions of fighting forest fires. Extinguishing fires with paper bags of water. Start of waterbombing in B.C. Flying Sir Edmund Hillary around B.C. Works on firebombing in the Martin Mars for 7 years then returns to PWA as manager of small aircraft. Becomes manager of Hercules operation of small aircraft. Becomes manager of Hercules operation and finally organizes Boeing 707 cattle charters to Europe. TRACK 2: Blank.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0016 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Edgar Batchelor and Arthur Seller RECORDED: Langley (B.C.), 1985-05-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Art and Ed discuss the establishment of Skyway Air Services in Langley and its growth to a large crop spraying, firebombing and training operation. The reasons for withdrawing from the spraying and firebombing and the brief interlude with sailplanes. Ed discusses changes in flight training and gives some flying anecdotes. TRACK 2: Ed describes incidents during his flying career. Art talks about incidents influencing Skyway's growth. Ed and Art talk about changes over the years and personal satisfactions. Art comments on his early flying career.

CALL NUMBER: T4210:0017 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Edgar Batchelor and Arthur Seller RECORDED: Langley (B.C.), 1985-05-12 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Art finishes talking about his flying prior to 1947. Ed talks about his flying from 1934-47, the war years and meeting Art Seller. TRACK 2: Blank.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Helen Bristol RECORDED: Point Roberts (Wash.), 1985-04-26 SUMMARY: Helen Bristol (nee Harrison) learned to fly in England. Instructed in South Africa, 1936-38. Instructed in England, 1939, and Canada, 1940-42. Ferried aircraft with Air Training Auxiliary 1942-45. Instructed in B.C., 1946-69. TRACK 1: Learning to fly in England in 1934. Obtaining seaplane rating in Singapore in 1935. Flying commercially in South Africa, 1936-38, England, 1939. Returns to North America and gains commercial pilots license in U.S.A. and Canada before outbreak of war. Refused entry into RCAF and BCATC. Finally accepted into Air Training Auxiliary and spends most of war ferrying aircraft in England. Description of aircraft and flying procedures. TRACK 2: Flies trans-Atlantic on return home from leave. No flying jobs for women post war, so drives cab until hired on to demonstrate Percival aircraft across Canada. Settles in B.C. and continues flying career as an instructor. Discusses students, training methods and sexual discrimination.

SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : William McLeod RECORDED: Surrey (B.C.), 1985-05-15 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: William McLeod was raised in Ladysmith, always interested in aviation. 1936 correspondence course. Flying instruction with Foggin Air Service at Sea Island, 1938. Joined RCAF as mechanic. Transition to pilot. Bombing and gunnery school. 4 squadron at Ucluelet. Post war work at Sea Island, 1945. Joins Bill Sylvester's B.C. Airlines. Queen Charlotte Airlines, 1946. Flew Stranraers. Flying on the B.C. coast. TRACK 2: Marriage breakup. First student at Okanagan Helicopters. The first helicopters. First job at Kispiox. Getting helicopter license. Mountain flying techniques. Took first Sikorsky S-55 to Kemano in 1952. The Kemano/Alcan project. Original pilots. Instructors. Influx of American pilots. Shell oil. Training RCAF pilots. Manager at Pacific Western Airlines Helicopters. Left PWA in 1959 and worked as a contract pilot. Returned to commercial flying. Other helicopters flown.

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0001 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : James Campbell RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-09-02 SUMMARY: James Campbell was born October 25, 1905 in Bannockburn, Scotland and migrated to Vancouver in May, 1912. Worked as a railway engineer, then as a mechanic for Hoffer-Beeching Shipyard (1928) which bec;ame Boeing Aircraft of Canada with whom he stayed until 1941 when he started his own business. TRACK 1: Describes his early work experience and the early days at Boeing Aircraft of Canada. TRACK 2: D;escribes Boeing Aircraft of Canada's plant and the aircraft they built in the early 1930s.;

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0002 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : James Campbell RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-09-02 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: James Campbell talks about the Boeing Totem flying boat and flying operations in Vancouver in the 1930s. Discusses the Boeing shipyards. TRACK 2: Discusses working conditions at Boeing and t;he changes which occurred when World War II approached. Also talks about the Boeing primary glider.;

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0003 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Lawrence Arthur Dakin RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-06-09 SUMMARY: Lawrence Arthur Dakin was born in Nanaimo on November 3, 1915. Moved to Vancouver at age 18. Took course at Vancouver Tech, Vancouver Aero Tech. Worked for Len Foggin (later Foggin's Flying Service). ;Became aircraft mechanic and later a pilot. TRACK 1: Discusses early life, starting in aviation with Vancouver Aero Tech and Len Foggin. Comments on Aero Club of British Columbia and Hal Wilson. TRAC;K 2: Other Vancouver fliers. Gilbert's Flying School. Tommy Jones. Flying fishery patrol with Canadian Airways. The Boeing Totem. Working for Coates Aircraft.;

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0004 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Lawrence Arthur Dakin RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-06-09 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Discusses some of the local pilots of the 1930s. Joining Canadian Pacific Airlines and wartime flying in Northern Alberta and B.C. TRACK 2: Post war flying with Canadian Pacific. The B.C. co;ast and the North Pacific.;

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0005 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Harold E. Davenport RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-07-25 SUMMARY: Harold E. Davenport was born in 1902 and came to Canada from Britain in 1915. Commenced working for Canadian Air Force in 1923. One of the original employees of Pacific Airways in 1926. Ran own compan;y, Aircraft Service of B.C. from 1929-35. Work for White Pass Company in Yukon, 1936-41. Joined Pan American Airways, 1941. Maintenance supervisor for CP Airways, 1942-47. Retirement as inspector for ;Department of Transport, 1947. TRACK 1: Discusses the activity at Jericho Beach Air Station 1923-26. The founding of Pacific Airways. Flying fishing patrols. TRACK 2: Problems with Liberty engines an;d early flying incidents. Starting his own business in 1929. Aero Schools of Vancouver, the Glider Club of Vancouver, and Aircraft Service of B.C.;

CALL NUMBER: T4259:0006 SUPPLIED TITLE OF TAPE(S): Pioneer Profiles project : Harold E. Davenport RECORDED: [location unknown], 1985-07-25 SUMMARY: TRACK 1: Activity at Vancouver Airport in early 1930s. Moving to the Yukon and the changes aviation brought to northern living. Joining Pan Am then moving to CP. The Anyox riot of 1932. TRACK 2: Earl;y flying activity at Lulu Island Airport and the move to Sea Island. Glider flying in the 1930s. The value of experience.;