Wednesday, April 26, 2006

 

A "Blois"t From The Past and a New Specimen at "Jurassic Park"!

Many years ago I worked with a fellow who had gone to school with my younger brother "Gene, Recessive" (you know him as Corey). I had started working for Northway Aviation in 1990, and this fellow, Rob McIntyre, came looking for a job. Well, Jim Johnson, Northway owner, liked my brother Corey and was impressed with Rob, so he hired him. Even after Rob rolled his car the first or second night he was in town, Jim kept him employed, and Rob did an outstanding job. He flew the C-180, C-185, C-206, and Beaver on floats, and then progressed onto the twins, flying the Seneca, Islander, and Navajos. Then he flew Northway's Caravan for a period of time. Bearskin called, and Rob continued his career, eventually flying for Air Nova and Jazz. Guess what, though? He still has "webbed feet", and this summer has chosen to reacquaint himself with the bush and a floatplane. He will be flying for WAM Air Service and Outfitting operating from Matheson Island, flying an "amphib Caravan". I'm sure he will have a "gas". Anyways, he came to the area on Sunday, overnighted at my place, and Monday I took him to meet William Mowat, owner of WAM Air, and also owner of Skyline Maintenance and Avionics. Skyline has a hangar in Gimli, and William was at the hangar. Of course, once at the hangar, trusty "digital" in hand, I went for a stroll!


WAM Air's Caravan C-FLXY meets us as we pull into the hangar at Skyline Maintenance and Avionics, in Gimli. Posted by Picasa


After a quick "clandestine" search, I found LXY's Wipline 8000 "Amhibs"! Nice-looking set! Posted by Picasa


Caravan C-FKLR will also be operated this summer by WAM Air. The "hangar boys" are giving her a "physical" before she "straps on" her amphibs and heads for "open water"! Posted by Picasa


A turbine engine ain't nothin' but a "stove-pipe and a fan"! Posted by Picasa

Then Rob and I went for a stroll along the apron, as FNT Transport also operates from Gimli, and they had another DC-3 at the airport, and it was the one I have never photographed before. After a short search, we hit "pay-dirt"!


A new "dinosaur" at "Jurassic Park"! Posted by Picasa


DC-3! Great "old classic"! Posted by Picasa


"Skookum" landing gear! Posted by Picasa


Previous "livery"......  Posted by Picasa


"Good ship" CF-OOW........ Posted by Picasa


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Then Rob and I returned to Skyline's hangar. We loaded Rob's gear in Caravan LXY, as he and William were going to fly north to Matheson Island. I headed for home as "visions of wobbly-pops danced in my head". Good to have Rob back flying in the area, I am sure there are some more "good laughs" in store! Before I sign off, check out what a "dashing, imposing figure" Rob projected as he stood beside Caravan LXY before departing for a more northerly latitude........."Adios"!


"Bloister" prepares to "blast".......! Posted by Picasa

WEBSITE - WAMAIR Service & Outfitting

WEBSITE - Skyline Maintenance & Avionics Ltd.

# posted by Steve @ 2:09 PM
Comments:
Hi Steve, I can't tell you how excited my boys were to see their dad's picture on your site! They are now your utmost dedicated fans and request to visit your site many time a day to see all the interesting airplane pictures you have posted. They'll have an even better time when they can read!!!

Yours truly
Sophie, Benjamin(4) and Gabriel(2)
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 12:36 AM
 
Sophie, thanks for the comment. I look forward to meeting you and the 2 boys when you come this summer for a visit. Sounds like they are true "red-blooded, fine Canadian boys", interested in aircraft at an early age. When I run across Rob again I will get some more photos for the boys.

Cheers,

Steve
# posted by Blogger Steve : 7:06 PM
 
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