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Dominion Airways Limited World War, 1939-1945--British Columbia
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Joe Bertalino interview : [Swartz, 1985]

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.