SkyTalk December 2012

YOUR AIRPORT & SEA ISLAND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Merry Christmas & a Prosperous 2013 skytalkonline.com

DecemBeR 2012

Santa takes to the skies with special needs kids

airlines:

Air North’s millionth passenger PG

First Nations street banners adorn YVR’s roadways

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profile:

The special Santa flight was made possible by corporate contributions from Air Canada, Servisair, Gate Gourmet, Esso Avitat and Jazz Aviation.

Tower talk with Brent Bell PG

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travel talk:

Everyone knows Santa usually flies with his reindeer, but thanks to Jazz Aviation and a wealth of generous supporters, a group of special kids got the chance to accompany St. Nick on a very unique assignment.

Special needs kids from Canuck Place, Variety Club and SOS BC Children’s Village boarded Jazz Aviation’s Santa Flight plane for a tour of the city earlier this month. This was the second year for the event.

See SANTA page 3

Decking the check-in hall at YVR

Michelle Stoney (left) from Hazelton and Valerie Malesku (right) from Queen Charlotte City are congratulated by Anne Murray (centre), vice president, community and environmental affairs at Vancouver Airport Authority and chair of the Board of Directors for YVR Art Foundation.

Artfully decorated Christmas trees line the International Terminal check-in area throughout the holiday season, thanks to local Lower Mainland elementary school students who participated in the Airport Authority’s 14th annual tree-decorating contest.

Some 30 classes visited YVR between November 24 and 28 to bedeck trees sponsored by local businesses with

This summer, Vancouver Airport Authority and YVR Art Foundation launched a street banner contest to celebrate First Nations art in B.C. For many visitors, Vancouver International Airport provides the first and last impression of British Columbia. The airport has long reflected the beauty of the province and its diverse landscape through unique architecture and design, as well as its world-renowned Northwest coast First Nations art collection. The commitment to capturing B.C.’s unique sense of place and cultural heritage inspired this first-ever street banner contest.

B.C. artists of First Nations origin were invited to participate, and 14 artists from across B.C. submitted original designs. In

Maya Museum opens in Cancun PG

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PG

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aviation history:

Flying Boats

car talk:

Bond and Aston Martin PG

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handmade ornaments.

YVR travellers and employees are invited to vote by donation for their favourite trees.

Trees with the most votes will earn students great prizes from sponsors including Richmond Aquatic Services, Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge, Staples and Care Pest Control.

Now in its final year, the

tree-decorating contest supports Quest Food Exchange and its efforts to supply Christmas dinner and holiday cheer to low income families across Metro Vancouver.

The Airport Authority wishes to thank all schools, students and businesses that have made the Christmas tree-decorating contest so successful during its 14-year tenure.

www.aviationworld.net

Shop Online or see our full line of Gift Ideas in-store. www.aviationworld.net * YVR is the international aeronautical designation for Vancouver International Airport.

the end, two winners were chosen: Valerie Malesku, from Queen Charlotte City and Michelle Stoney from Hazelton.

Valerie Malesku is of Cree ancestry and has lived in Haida Gwaii for the past 40 years. Her art is inspired by many legendary Northwest coast artists including Captain Gold, Robert Davidson, Reg Davidson and Bill Reid— whose iconic sculpture The Jade Canoe resides in YVR’s International Terminal. Malesku has worked with many traditional styles of art including carving, button blankets and jewellery. Her banner design incorporates land, sea and sky with eagles in flight. Her work can be found in galleries around B.C. and has been displayed internationally as far away as New York.

See BANNERS page 3

Health YVR

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*ALL FINANCE AND LEASE OFFER ON APPROVED CREDIT. 0% FINANCING, 6 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS, NO MONEY DOWN ARE ON SELECT MODELS, AND ON APPROVED CREDIT. VEHICLES NOT EXACTLEY AS SHOWN FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES. FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY. ALL OFFERS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. **TO QUALIFY FOR CASH FOR CLUNKERS VEHICLE HAS TO BE 2006 OR OLDER AND BE REGISTERED FOR 3 MONTHS. (PICKUP TRUCKS ONLY) PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE REG. FEE OF $549, TAXES AND LEVIES DUE UPON SIGNING.

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Your Airport & Sea Island Community Newspaper December 2012 Vol. 19 | No. 11

Website: www.skytalkonline.com

SkyTalk is owned and published monthly by Westco Marketing Ltd., for the travelling public and the 24,000 people who make up the airport community at Vancouver International Airport.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without the written

Airport Butler provides curb to cabin service An all-new customized meetand-greet service has landed at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Airport Butler launched on December 1 and provides passengers departing, arriving and connecting through YVR with one-on-one personal assistance.

Customers can be transferred through YVR via mobile cart, assisted with check-in, shopping and dining choices or expedited directly to their gate.

Santa

Airport Butler offers madeto-order travel services to suit a range of customers.

Inexperienced travellers looking for basic direction, seniors who need an extra hand and business travellers making quick connections can all benefit

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Airport Services

from Airport Butler services.

Packages vary in price depending on the unique needs of each customer.

More information on Airport Butler can be found at airportbutler.ca or by calling 1-855-8229868.

Continued from page 1

permission of the publisher.

“Apparently, we’re not the only ones taking advantage of last-minute flight deals.”

Banners

RICHMOND OFFICE:

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Suite 306 - 5400 Airport Road South Richmond, BC V7B 1B4 Tel: 604-736-6754 Fax: 604-736-6750 Email: jstewart@westerndriver.com SkyTalk is distributed through dedicated racks in Vancouver International Airport’s Domestic and International Terminals and Aiport South, plus all Sea Island businesses. The publication is also distributed at Richmond hotels and to the Richmond community through Richmond City Hall, Richmond Oval, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Public Library, and Community Centres. Each issue can be accessed online each month at www.skytalkonline.com.

P UB L I S H E R:

Patrick Stewart 604.644.9067

It was an early Christmas present for a group of special needs kids and their families, who got an opportunity to fly with Santa.

It was an early Christmas present for the children and their families which became a reality, thanks to former Canuck Place founder and Vancouver organizer Joanne Griffiths.

The day, which consisted of two separate flights, was filled with excitement for everyone and made possible by corporate contributions from Air Canada, Servisair, Gate Gourmet, Esso Avitat and Jazz Aviation.

The event would also not be

possible without personal donations from individuals—pilots Mike Gatey and Jane Etzcorn; Jazz organizer John Dooley; head elf/gift bag sponsor Bill Trimble; and Santa’s biggest helper/friend Mike Griffiths who has assisted Santa playing his special role.

“Because there are a lot of things that aren’t accessible to these children, it’s a really special opportunity for us to hear the sights and sounds and the

excitement of the holidays,” said a mother of one of the children.

Jazz employee Mike Griffiths helped sum it up best: “On flights like these it’s always about the joy. To take families and make them smile, release them [from their concerns] for 45 minutes, is in and of itself one of the greatest pleasures I have here at Jazz.”

For more information about the event, contact Joanne Griffiths at 604-807-0347.

Email: pstewart@ westerndriver.com A S S O C I AT E P UB L I S H E R:

Joan Stewart 604.736.6754 Email: jstewart@ westerndriver.com C O N T R I BU T I N G WR I T E R S :

Peter Kutney, Jack Schofield, Bernie Pawlik CARTOON:

Jerry King C R E AT I V E / PR O DU C T I O N :

Jim Martin PH O T O GR A P H Y:

Jim Jorgenson, Tariq Jamil, Mike Tate & Associates, Jack Schofield, Sebastian Kriete, and others.

ASSOCIATION OF AIRPORT PUBLICATIONS P.O. Agreement #1676261

Printed on Recycled Stock using vegetable based inks Please recycle this product.

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Community

Vancouver Airport Authority board welcomes new director John Currie Vancouver Airport Authority Board chair Mary Jordan recently welcomed John Currie to the community-based Board of Directors.

“John Currie is a tremendous addition to the Airport Authority’s community-based Board of Directors,” said Jordan.

“His accomplishments in business and support for the local community will complement the leadership of our Board and help ensure that Vancouver International Airport remains a premier global gateway and a local economic generator.”

Currie brings extensive cor-

John Currie, new board director of Vancouver Airport Authority.

porate financial experience to the Authority Board as the execu-

tive vice president and CFO of lululemon athletica Inc., as well as previous experience as CFO of Intrawest Corporation. He also serves on the board of Coastal Contacts Inc. and is a chartered accountant.

Vancouver Airport Authority is governed by a board of 14 directors. Nine directors, with key ties to the local community, are appointed by eight nominating entities. Up to five directors are appointed by the Board from the community at large.

The Airport Authority president and chief executive officer also serves as a director.

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a Safe Place...

Please visit us on International Arrivals Level 1, or contact us by phone: (604) 303-3010 or email: ldaggett@shaw.ca www.yvrchaplain.com

Michelle Stoney became interested in art through her grandfather who is a master carver. Stoney, who is of Gitxsan ancestry, was first recognized by YVR Art Foundation for her artistic ability in 2001 as the recipient of a YVR Art Foundation scholarship. She pursued art fulltime at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. During her time there, she learned how to meld contemporary art and new techniques with the traditional First Nations art she learnt from her grandfather. Stoney based her banner design on the ‘weget’ (a

raven), a favourite character that can transform into anything. In her winning design, the weget is mid-transformation into a plane.

Valerie Malesku and Michelle Stoney’s banners were unveiled at a ceremony at YVR on December 4.

Millions of passengers travelling through YVR each year will enjoy these outstanding tributes to Northwest Coast art and aviation. Banners will hang along Grant McConachie Way, YVR’s departures and arrivals ramps and throughout airport’s parkade.

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Keeping travel spirits bright The weather outside may be frightful, but that doesn’t mean your holiday travel can’t be delightful. Here are a few tips to keep your festive spirit intact while in transit.

Go online and save some time. Flight status, online checkin, the latest weather info, security restrictions and airport dining options are all available at yvr.ca.

Visit the website before you leave the house so you know what to expect.

Remembering to pack your mitts and gloves is almost as important as remembering that restrictions still apply for liquids,

gels and aerosols in your carryon luggage. Be sure to check the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority’s website for the latest packing do’s and don’ts at catsa. gc.ca.

While tempting, don’t wrap gifts before packing; they may need to be inspected during security screening.

Have a transportation plan.

On-airport parking is available this season at just $39.85 per week, one of YVR’s lowest rates yet. The Canada Line is another great option, whisking travellers and their bags from downtown Vancouver or central Richmond

to YVR in less than 26 minutes.

Arrive early. Keep those spirits bright by arriving with plenty of time to get to the gate. Our dining, shopping and children’s play areas will keep families occupied until boarding time.

Forgotten someone on your list? From locally-made ceramics at Crafthouse to the latest golf wear at the PGA Tour store, YVR has an incredible array of gift options in the public areas of the airport.

Questions? YVR’s 24-hour Customer Care staff and Green Coat volunteers are always on hand to help.

Red 2 meets the man in the red suit

YVR was a proud sponsor of the 2012 Rogers Santa Claus Parade Grand Marshals, the 2012 Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes. Members of the YVR community handed out candy canes and reflective safety stickers to more than 300,000 spectators, who were wowed by Red 2, the airport’s new striker aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.

Hampers of food for the holidays

Peace on earth, and cheap parking to all This holiday season, YVR will offer some of the lowest priced parking in its history.

Customers parking in YVR’s long-term lot will pay just $9.96 per day or $39.85 per week.

The holiday special will be available to customers leaving the lot any time between December 25 and January 6, 2013.

The holiday season is one of the busiest

travel times of the year at YVR, with thousands of passengers and pieces of baggage travelling through the airport every day.

This holiday special is one way the Airport Authority is hoping to help customers balance holiday expense with the convenience of on-airport parking.

For more details, visit yvr.ca

The YVR community came together and donated 260 Holiday Hampers to Quest Food Exchange, helping families around Metro Vancouver enjoy a Christmas dinner.

Pictured here are two members of Marquise Facilities, who collected the Corporate Challenge prize on behalf of their team.

PEACE ON EARTH, AND CHEAP PARKING TO ALL. > YVR LONG-TERM PARKING LOT Airport parking $39.85 per week + taxes.

When exiting between Dec. 25 and Jan. 6, 2013.

See yvr.ca for details.

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Air North boards millionth Boeing passenger

Last month, Air North’s one-millionth passenger received a complimentary round-trip airfare and accommodation package as a thank-you from the airline.

Last month, Air North boarded its millionth passenger since beginning Boeing 737 service between Whitehorse, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton 10 years ago.

The millionth passenger was Wendy D., who boarded Flight 505 on November 21 from Whitehorse to Vancouver.

A resident of Vancouver, she was awarded a complimentary round-trip airfare and accommodation package in Whitehorse as a thank-you.

“It’s awesome to celebrate our millionth passenger in the same year as our 35th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of Boeing 737 service,” said Sharon

Miller, manager of reservations.

“We can only call ourselves ‘Yukon’s Airline’ because of our loyal passengers and the support of Yukoners.”

Since 2001, Air North has increasing the number of passengers flying in and out of the Yukon by 75 per cent, and has lowered fares by more than 25 per cent.

A recent study by RP Erickson and Associates found that in 2011 Air North’s economic benefit to the territory represented almost four per cent of territorial GDP. One in 15 Yukoners, including the Vuntut Gwitchin First

Nation, hold an equity or employment stake in Air North.

“Flying a million passengers in 10 years is a major milestone for Air North and the Yukon,” said Joe Sparling, Air North’s president. “We’re continuing to grow, and we expect to pass the two million-passenger milestone within five years.

This is a point of pride for all 300 employees at Air North and we hope that all those who invested in the airline and have flown with us feel equally proud of what Yukoners have been able to accomplish.”

Kisik Aerial Survey receives Aboriginal Business Award Richmond-based aerial survey firm Kisik Aerial Survey Inc. was recognized at last month’s 2012 B.C. Aboriginal Business Awards. The BC Aboriginal Business Awards were launched in 2008 to honour and celebrate the positive impact Aboriginal businesses have on British Columbia’s economic development.

Kisik (pronounced Keesik) received an outstanding achievement award in the Business of the Year category (two- to 10-person enterprise).

Kisik is the only 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and qualified Aboriginal supplier of aerial survey work in Canada. The company was founded by Teara Fraser, whose inspiration to pilot the skies came during a trip to Africa in 2001. After flying her first solo flight in February 2002, she obtained her commercial pilot’s licence and has been flying

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR CHRISTMAS TREE & PRIZE SPONSORS Teara Fraser (right), president and owner of Kisik Aerial Survey, receives the outstanding achievement award from BC MLA Ida Chong, at the 2012 BC Aboriginal Business Awards.

commercially ever since.

Fraser started Kisik in 2009, and holds the positions of person responsible for maintenance, chief pilot, operations manager and accountable executive. A deep commitment to leadership and safety inspired her to establish the Aviation Leadership Forum in 2008. She also serves as the executive director of the B.C. Aviation Council.

The BC Aboriginal Business

Awards are presented by the BC Achievement Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and supported

by New Relationship Trust, BC Hydro, Teck, Encana and Spectra Energy.

Detailed information about the awards and a list of winners is posted on the foundation’s website at bcachievement.com.

Four BC tourism businesses receive awards Four British Columbia businesses were among the 12 organizations and individuals honoured last month by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as recipients of the 2012 Canadian Tourism Awards.

Held last month, the Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada’s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

“These outstanding tourism

icons have demonstrated ingenuity, perseverance and determination on the path to success and are a testament to Canada’s world-class tourism industry,” said TIAC president and CEO David Goldstein. “Not only have they excelled through their extraordinary vision and hard work, but these business leaders are also drivers of economic growth and job creation in Canada. The industry congratulates them on their success and on this exceptional achievement.”

The 2012 B.C. business recipients are:

Air Canada Business of the Year Award: Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver WestJet Social Media Initiative of the Year Award Tourism Victoria - Escape Your Everyday Campaign Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award: Maple Leaf Adventures, Victoria Delta Hotels and Resorts Traveller Experience Award: CMH Summer Adventures, B.C. and Alberta.

For a list of all recipients, visit tiac.travel.

A.A. Advertising

MCW Consultants Group

Absolute Spa Group

Metropolitan Fine Printers

BG Urban Café

Quantum Murray LP

Capilano Suspension Bridge

Spring

CARE

Stantec Architecture

CDS/Priority Baggage

Staples, Sweden Way

Coca-Cola Refreshments DDB

The Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Fortune Way Group

The Paradies Shops

HMSHost

Towers Watson

Hudson Retail Group ICE Currency Exchange

Urban Impact Recycling Ltd.

Kasian Architecture

Vancouver Airport Authority

KOHO Restaurant

Vancouver Aquarium

LS Travel North America

Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Marquise Facilities

SSP of Canada

World Duty Free Group Young Electric Ltd.

> HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM EVERYONE AT YVR.

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Appointment

Stewart Steeves appointed CFO, Vantage Airport Group George Casey, president and CEO of Vantage Airport Group— formerly Vancouver Airport Services—has announced that Stewart Steeves will assume the role of vice president, finance and chief financial officer for Vantage, following his successful tenure as president and CEO of Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) in the Bahamas.

NAD was formed as a public-private partnership between Vantage and the government of the Bahamas to privatize the national airport, transform operations to financial self-sufficiency, improve customer service, and complete a $500-million capital redevelopment and improvement program.

“We’re pleased to welcome Stewart back to Vantage’s head office in Vancouver, after his time at Nassau’s airport as CEO and, prior to that, as CFO,” said Casey. “He brings a wealth of experience at airports both here in Canada and overseas. His

Stewart Steeves, new vice president, finance and CFO for Vancouver-based Vantage Airport Group.

experience in airport financing, investment, corporate strategy and commercial negotiations will be put to good use as we leverage the strength of Vantage’s people and network of 12 airports to build value in our portfolio.”

Prior to joining NAD, Steeves was the vice president, finance and chief financial officer for Hamilton International Airport Limited (also part of the Vantage Airport Group), where

he was responsible for finance, accounting, engineering, human resources, information technology and commercial development.

Steeves holds a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (Civil Engineering) from the University of Toronto, and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.

He is also a chartered financial analyst (CFA), a professional engineer (P.Eng.) licensed in the province of British Columbia, and holds private pilot licenses with both Transport Canada and the FAA. The position of president and CEO of NAD will be filled

by Bahamian Vernice Walkine, who is also a Vantage employee and the first woman to hold the post. She is expected to take over the top executive spot at Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport in March of 2013. Walkine is currently vice president of marketing and commercial development with NAD.

herefor you!

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a Quiet Place... ...for quiet reflection, prayer, meditation ...to relax, listen to music, eat your lunch, read a book. a Safe Place...

Please visit us on International Arrivals Level 1, or contact us by phone: (604) 303-3010 or email: ldaggett@shaw.ca www.yvrchaplain.com

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Meet the Securiguard Security Management Team at YVR Securiguard’s vision for YVR is to provide world-class customer service to the millions of people who fly through Vancouver every year, while also implementing leading edge and internationally recognized security measures.

Our comprehensive training program draws upon the expertise of team members who have implemented similar policies and procedures in cities throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

Securiguard is pleased to announce that Mark McKay has joined our YVR Security Management Team in the newly created role of Manager, Safety and Security.

Mark comes to Securiguard with over 18 years of experience in the following areas, which includes time spent in high risk locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan: Security and Safety Operations Aviation Security and Safety Crisis Management Law Enforcement Investigations

Our On-Site Management Team includes: Eran Lavie

YVR Security Branch Manager

18 years of expertise in airport and marine

security for some of the largest international airport and port facilities.

Perry Burritt

YVR Airside Escort Manager

12 years providing large scale transportation and

logistics including the 2010 and 2012 Olympics.

Mark McKay

Manager, Safety and Security

18 years in security and safety operations for organizations worldwide.

Our Management Support Team includes: Branko Bejo

BA, CPP General Manager

20 years of security and business management,

and consulting expertise.

Security Operations

Jennifer Gee

Curriculum Development

15 years managing client/employee relations and

Mark will provide enhanced safety and security compliance

BA Director, People and Culture

multi-unit teams across Canada.

for both the YVR Primary Security Line and Airside Escort

Yaniv Enoch

Safety Program.

15 years providing tactical training for

Corporate Trainer

governments and corporations around the globe.

Securiguard.com

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Health YVR

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By Dr. Amy Nunrha, DMD This monthly Health & Wellness column features medical, dental and health information from a variety of trained professionals.

Send us a question that you would like answered on any of these areas of health and wellness.

This monthly Health & Wellness column features medical, dental and health information from a variety of trained professionals. Send us a question that you would like answered on any of these areas of health and wellness.

Teeth clenching: causes and treatments Q: I’ve started to clench my teeth when I’m really focused on a task, it’s not stress related just the start of a destructive habit.

I don’t notice that I’m doing it until it’s too late and I’ve given myself a jaw ache. I’d love some tips on breaking the habit and how to get rid of the pain associated with it before it turns into something more serious.

A: Clenching your teeth puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw. Clenching may contribute to headaches, tooth pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, especially if you are also grinding your teeth (bruxism). Many people clench and/or grind without being aware of it. It is common for people to clench when they are focused on a task, such as writing a report or lifting weights. Many people also grind and/or clench while they sleep.

During the day, if you know there is a particular activity during which you clench, take breaks from this task. For example, if you know that you clench while working on the computer, set a timer every 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, check your clenching. You may also want to open and close your jaw several times. If you notice that you have been clenching and your jaw is sore, gently massage the jaw joints. You can also relax the jaw muscles with a heating pad or warm washcloth.

I would also recommend wearing a mouthguard during activities which cause you to clench. A mouthguard is a piece of horseshoe-shaped plastic which is worn either over your upper or lower teeth. A mouthguard will absorb the forces caused by the muscles of the jaw when you clench, resulting

The dental mouthguard is a protective device that covers the teeth and gums to prevent and reduce injury to the teeth, arches, lips and gums.

in less jaw pain and less damage to your teeth and surrounding structures. A custom mouthguard is not overly bulky; you should be able to close your lips over it when it is in place. Although you can buy an over-the-counter mouthguard at most drugstores, a custom one, fabricated by your dentist, will fit the best and is covered by most dental insurance plans. A custom one is also the most comfortable if you need to

wear it while sleeping.

Botox can also treat clenching by relaxing the jaw muscles so that the clenching forces are greatly reduced. The Botox is injected into these muscles using a very fine needle so the pain associated with the injection is minimal. The results of Botox therapy will last anywhere between three to six months. Some people find that the effects last longer after multiple treatments.

Dr. Amy Nunrha has treated many clients who clench and/or grind with mouthguards and/or Botox therapy. She is the primary practitioner at the Vancouver Airport Dental Centre, located in the Domestic Terminal, Level One, 604-276-2121.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF GRINDING AND/OR CLENCHING down, flattened, fractured

Why Stay In A Hotel Room When You Can Have Your Own Suite?

Take more of your life with you when you stay with

and/or chipped headache/migraine your sleep partner

make a grinding noise when you sleep time ing noise

opening your mouth wide joint

Congratulations to Charlie, who sent in this health and wellness question and is the winner of $25 YVR Bucks.

muscle contractions, not ear problems

WIN $25 YVR BUCKS

inside of your cheek WHEN TO SEE YOUR DENTIST aged or sensitive jaw, face or ear, especially in the morning

Send us your health and wellness question and if published, you will automatically win $25 YVR Bucks that can be spent at any YVR shop, restaurant or service provider.

Email jstewart@ westerndriver.com or fax 604-736-6750.

Central Mountain Air receives Outstanding Philanthropist Award

The Hope Air Outsanding Philantrhopist Award presented to Central Mountain Air—(from left) John McKenna, president and CEO of Air Transportation Association of Canada; Douglas McCrae, president and CEO of Central Mountain Air; and Doug KellerHobson, executive director at Hope Air.

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When Tanya’s nine-year-old son Ethan was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, a form of cancer, she didn’t know how she would get them from their home in Fort St. John to BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. “I’m a single parent and couldn’t pay for the flights to get us to his intensive chemotherapy treatments in Vancouver, which were on-going over several months in 2010.”

Tanya turned to Hope Air, a nation-wide charity that arranges free flights for low-income Canadians to get to healthcare.

Hope Air turned to Central Mountain Air, which donated some of the flights Ethan and Tanya needed to get Ethan to specialized pediatric oncology care at BC Children’s Hospital.

“Because of Central Mountain Air’s tremendous support of Hope Air over the years, we have selected them as the 2012 recipient of the Hope Air Outstanding Philanthropist

Award presented to a member of the Air Transport Association of Canada,” said Hope Air’s executive director Doug Keller-Hobson.

Hope Air’s mission is to arrange free flights for lowincome Canadians to get to specialized medical care that is not available in their local communities. For more than a decade, Central Mountain Air has been an intrinsic part of what Hope Air does, donating almost 1,350 flights since 1997.

This year, Central Mountain Air has donated 87 flights to Hope Air Clients—individuals and families in desperate need of a timely and cost-effective means of travel to important medical care.

The Outstanding Philanthropist Award was presented to Central Mountain Air at the Air Transport Association of Canada’s annual conference, held in Vancouver last month.

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DECEMBER

Tower talk with manager Brent Bell

$

ing aircraft operating under visual flight rules, including helicopters from the three helipads on the airport’s south side and float planes that use the Fraser River as its runway. That responsibility also extends to float planes that operate within YVR’s tower zone.

YVR also experiences more than its fair share of fog, adding an additional layer of complexity.

In good weather, air traffic controllers have one of the best views of the airport and surrounding land, but fog limits almost all visuals.

“The level of collaboration and cooperation that exists between Vancouver Tower and the Airport Authority is unique amongst airports and air navigation service providers in Canada and around the world,” said Brett Patterson, director, airside operations, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Brent’s leadership and vision have resulted in YVR having an enviable safety record that is amongst the best in Canada and the world.”

A few key events stand out to Bell during his career at YVR.

579

Including fees & taxes

Brent Bell, manager of Vancouver International Airport’s control tower.

1986: One year after he started at NAV CANADA, Expo 86 was held throughout the Lower Mainland. Bell remembers the time as a period of celebration; some NAV Canada employees even got to ride in an old Concorde.

1995: On October 19, Bell had just relieved a fellow air traffic controller in the South Tower position when the PA system announced that a DC-10 was having difficulty with take-off.

Bell pushed the crash alarm for the first and only time in his career. He remembers experiencing everything in slow motion as he continued to push the crash

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Canadian Air & Space Museum launches $500,000 fundraising campaign

Profile

Brent Bell has one of the best views at YVR. Situated in Vancouver International Airport’s control tower, he has been manager of the tower since 2007.

Bell started working at YVR for NAV CANADA in 1985. During his time, he has seen and been a part of many of the exciting events that have helped shape the airport and Metro Vancouver.

In his current position, Bell is responsible for ensuring the airport’s control tower continues to operate as one of the top towers in Canada. Given high traffic volumes, the complexity of the airspace in and around YVR and a solid safety track record, the tower regularly earns top ranking.

One of the reasons air traffic control at YVR is so challenging is due to the unique needs presented by the airport’s location. YVR’s proximity to the Fraser River creates a number of distinct challenges not encountered by other Canadian airports. In the tower, air traffic control has a specific position dedicated to overseeing the South Terminal. The sole responsibility is manag-

2012

alarm, thinking it hadn’t worked the first time. Thankfully, a serious crisis was averted and all passengers and crew escaped with no serious injuries.

1996: The new control tower opened, and YVR’s parallel runway and terminal expansion were completed. Not only did air traffic controllers get a much better view, but they also got a significant upgrade to technology in the tower.

2010: The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games saw an extraordinary sense of teamwork across the airport community. Bell and his team worked with Vancouver Airport Authority and many other partner organizations to see how many aircraft they could welcome to the airport during the month-long Games.

Vancouver International Airport’s control tower has one of the best safety records in the country. Bell jokes that if there was an air traffic control competition, his team would enter.

He doesn’t elaborate further—but these guys might just win!

The full-scale replica of the Canadian Avro Arrow features many authentic-looking components including landing gear constructed by the Messier-Dowty, the original Arrow primary landing gear sub-contractor.

The Canadian Air and Space Museum has launched a fundraising campaign to preserve its collection of Canadian military history displays, artifacts, archives and aircraft.

The priceless collection has been stored in freight containers since September 2001, when the museum’s lease was terminated by its landlord Downsview Park.

The plans are to re-open the museum in the future, but in the meantime funds need to be raised to ensure the safety and preservation of the existing collection.

Phase 1 of the fundraising campaign has a goal of $500,000, which will be primarily directed to two immediate needs: i) Preserving the museum’s collection that now sits in 44 freight containers. Sizable indoor storage space needs to be found, with proper

environmental conditions, for the contents to be unloaded before winter weather sets in. Afterwards, monthly storage rental fees needs to be covered. ii) Paying to construct a temporary hangar to store the Museum’s two most precious items—the only fullscale metal replica of the Avro Arrow and the City of Toronto’s WWII Lancaster Bomber. These are the only items remaining at the Downsview location, since there is no current storage available for them due to their size.

The fundraising campaign is on-line at indiegogo.com/ casmuseum.

There are several donation levels to choose from, starting at $5.

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WestJet celebrates receipt of 100th Next-Generation 737 Marking yet another milestone in the airline's nearly 17-year history, WestJet has received its 100th Boeing NextGeneration 737 aircraft.

The WestJet plane will sport the hashtag #100Boeing737NG to celebrate the milestone and as another way for guests to connect with the airline on social media.

"The growth of WestJet over the past 17 years is truly remarkable," said Brad McMullen, vice-president of North America sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are pleased to see the 737 play an integral role in WestJet's success. WestJet has made the Next-Generation 737 the foundation of its fleet and has established a strong operational

track record with the airplane."

WestJet launched in 1996 with three Boeing 737-200s and operated a total of 23 200-series aircraft before retiring the last one in December 2005. It took delivery of its first Boeing NextGeneration 737 in June 2001 and today, its fleet of 100 aircraft consists entirely of NextGeneration 737 aircraft.

"This Next-Generation 737800 marks a major milestone for our airline," said Gregg Saretsky,

WestJet's president and CEO. "The Boeing 737 is a key component in our growth strategy and its excellent reliability, operational efficiency and range have enabled us to expand our trusted brand throughout North America, Central America and the Caribbean."

WestJet's Next-Generation fleet has flown more than 1.6-billion kilometres, which amounts to 10 trips to the sun or 41,000 rotations around the earth.

Upcoming Events

First annual Air Canada Athlete of the Year Award goes to Christine Sinclair Air Canada has named Canadian women’s soccer player Christine Sinclair as the recipient of its first annual Air Canada Athlete of the Year Award.

As recipient of the award, Sinclair receives two complimentary Executive First tickets to anywhere in the world Air Canada flies as well as yearlong Super Elite membership privileges for two in Air Canada’s Altitude program.

A Burnaby, B.C. native, Sinclair has spent 13 years with Canada’s women’s national soccer team. Participating in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and honoured as a nominee for World Player of the Year six times. She is a two-time Olympian and led the 2012 London Games with a record-setting six goals, helping the team to win a bronze medal and earning herself the honour of carrying the flag at the Closing Ceremonies.

“Christine is a true ambassador for sport in Canada,” said Air Canada president and CEO Calin Rovinescu. “Her performance, leadership and courage have come to the fore on many occasions and have been a source of pride for many Canadians, leading to an unprecedented interest in women’s soccer in this country.

Her outstanding accomplishments are the inspiration for the creation of the Air Canada Athlete of the Year Award, an annual award to be voted on in the future by our customers.

By recognizing leadership, excellence and inspiration among our nation’s athletes, it is our hope that Canadian youth will strive for the highest ideals of performance, a value we share as Canada’s flag carrier.”

Beginning in the fall of 2013, Air Canada’s customers will be invited to vote for the Air Canada

Christine Sinclair, Air Canada Athlete of the Year.

Athlete of the Year; details of the award program will be announced next year.

Air Canada has a long history of supporting amateur and professional sport in Canada. The airline has been a supporter and official airline of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic teams since 2006, and for more than 25 years, a sponsor and transporter of many of Canada’s NHL hockey teams as well as Hockey Canada.

Canada’s aviation associations join forces

Email your event information to jstewart@westerndriver.com

January 17-19, 2013 Pacific Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Association 30th Year Celebration & 31st Annual Maintenance Symposium Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel, 7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC The theme is “Doing it Right Even When No One is Watching: The Sign of a Professional.” For more information, visit pamea.com.

March 18-20, 2013 CHC Safety & Quality Summit Westin Bayshore Hotel, 1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver, BC The theme for 2013 is “Improving Safety in Aviation.” For more information, visit chcsafetyqualitysummit.com.

April 11, 2013 British Columbia Aviation Council AGM Details TBA. Visit bcaviationcouncil.org.

Canada’s aviation associations have joined forces to create the Canadian Aviation Associations Forum (CAAF).

Citing a need to develop a new strategic framework to promote growth of the aviation industry in Canada, the CAAF has pledged to work with the federal government to strengthen the industry.

The forum’s initiatives include the promotion of a streamlined regulatory amendment process and further implementation of performance based regulations that benefit the Canadian aviation industry and the travelling public.

“Aviation associations are uniquely positioned to have their fingers on the pulse of the issues that need to be addressed across the country,” said George Petsikas, president, National Airlines Council of Canada.

“Together, we play an essential role in ensuring Canada’s air services network is effective and can facilitate national economic activity and commerce.”

The Canadian Aviation Associations Forum plans to hold biannual meetings. Topics of discussion will include: The importance of establishing a cohesive National Air Transport Policy.

Ensuring that cost benefit analyses and international benchmarking are conducted when developing regulations.

Ensuring an appropriate “pilot pipeline” and pilot training program.

Improvements to Transport Canada’s management of oversight requirements and certification services.

“There is no question that to be internationally competitive in the 21st century, nations require a viable national and international air transportation system,” said John McKenna, president and CEO, Air Transport Association of Canada. “We urge the government to stop treating the industry as a source of public revenue and start treating the sector as an economic engine that drives our

economy and is a key enabler of trade and tourism.”

Participating organizations in the Canadian Aviation Associations Forum include: Canada (ATAC) - atac.ca

-aqta.ca berta.com Council (BCAC) - bcaviationcouncil.org Association (CBAA) - cbaaacaa.ca (MAC) - manitobaaviationcouncil.camp9.org Canada (NACC) - airlinecouncil.ca Association (NATA) - .natayzf.ca Council (SAC) - www.saskaviationcouncil.ca

May 12-15, 2013 International Association of Airport Executives Canada FOAM Conference 2013 Saskatoon, SK Details TBA. Visit iaaecanada.org.

October 15-16, 2013 2013 Airline Information Mega Event Hyatt Hotel The Hyatt Regency Vancouver, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC Mega Event will also include the Mega Awards Gala Dinner sponsored by Visa.

The best Ancillary IT Solution and the Best Ancillary Campaign will be recognized, among similar awards for loyalty and social media. For more information, visit airlineinformation.org.

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New immigration program for skilled tradespeople To address Canada’s growing demand for skilled tradespeople, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has announced a new Federal Skilled Trades Program.

The program, which is being launched on January 2, 2013, will have criteria built around four requirements to ensure applicants will have the right skills and experience needed to succeed in Canada.

In order to qualify, applicants will need to: 1. have an offer of employment in Canada or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory to ensure that applicants are “job ready” upon arrival; 2. meet a basic language requirement; 3. have a minimum of two years of work experience as a skilled tradesperson, to ensure that the applicant has recent and relevant practice as a qualified journeyman; and 4. have the skills and experience that match those set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC B) system, showing that they have performed the essential

duties of the occupation.

“The new Skilled Trades Stream will help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “For too long, Canada’s immigration system has not been open to these in-demand skilled workers. These changes are long overdue and will help us move to a fast and flexible immigration system that works for Canada’s economy.”

In order to manage intake, avoid backlogs and ensure fast processing times, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will accept up to a maximum of 3,000 applications in the first year of the Federal Skilled

Trades Program.

Eligible occupations will include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, and pipefitters, among others. CIC is currently working with the provinces, territories and federal government partners on the list of skilled trades’ occupations that are experiencing acute labour shortages and which will qualify under the program. This list will be announced prior to the program opening on January 2, 2013.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program will complement other avenues already in place for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada, such as the Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Programs.

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Aerospace Review highlighted at Canadian Aerospace Summit The importance of aerospace trade was highlighted at the conclusion of the 2012 Canadian Aerospace Summit, held earlier this month in Ottawa.

The summit, which was sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), drew a recordbreaking attendance and played host to more than 650 participants, including foreign delegations from Russia, Mexico, Spain, Ukraine and Poland, among others.

An Aerospace Review, commissioned by the federal government and led by former cabinet minister David Emerson, proposed strong and urgent government action for Canada’s aerospace industry to maintain its global leadership position.

The Aerospace Review includes recommendations that the Government of Canada: demonstration projects and collaborative research;

tion agreements with traditional partners like the United States and Europe, and emerging powers like China and India; ing to sell aircraft to the government make firm commitments on the industrial and technological benefits that will flow to the Canadian economy as a result of the sale; and es and territories, academic institutions, and unions to promote studies in science and engineering, and careers in the aerospace and space sectors.

Emerson said the 10-month strategic review is “not intended to gather dust over the next few years but actually, hopefully to have some tracks with key decision makers in government.”

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, said the federal government is

committed to building on its partnership with AIAC to create “the industry of tomorrow.”

“That is why I launched the [Aerospace] Review in the first place. And it is why I am working with my Cabinet colleagues to give the findings the consideration they deserve,” said Minister Paradis.

David Schellenberg, chairman of the AIAC and CEO of B.C.-based Conair Group, Inc. and Cascade Aerospace said the AIAC Board is already working on a post-report strategy, “part of which will include aligning our committee structure to advance work on skills issues, research and technology development and other priority areas identified in the report.”

As the world’s fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada’s aerospace sector generates more than $22-billion, exports 80 per cent of its output, and dedicates more than 20 per cent of its manufacturing activity to research and development.

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Top 10 islands to visit during the festive season

Fiji—Coconut trees line the many sandy white beaches found on the Fijian islands.

The festive season is best enjoyed spending time with family and friends, but for those looking to get away for the holidays, nothing beats escaping to an island, especially one that embraces the season with local flare.

The travel experts at online travel site Cheaplights.ca has made a list of Top 10 Islands to Visit during the holidays, where the chance of a White Christmas is highly unlikely but the celebrations are second-to-none.

Whether you are planning to spend the holidays with family, friends, a loved one or all of the above, experiencing the season at one of these islands will be one of the best gifts you could ever give them, and yourself.

Easter Island, South Pacific For those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, consider a visit to Easter Island (or Rapa Nui).

Tucked away in the South Pacific Ocean, this is said to be the world’s most remote inhabited place. It is home to those mysterious, massive statues—moais— that were carved between the 10th and 16th centuries. This is a magical, windswept island of rugged terrain, wild horses and sacred myths – no better antidote to (or escape from) the hurlyburly of Christmas time.

The Bahamas Endless sun, sparking blue waters and sugar-soft pink sand abounds on the more than

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Lindisfarne—The 16th century castle located on Holy Island, Northurmbria, is accessible from the English mainland at low tide by means of a causeway.

700 islands that range from New Providence (the capital is Nassau) and its neighbour, Paradise Island. If you’re there at the end of December/start of January you can look forward to temperatures of between 21 and 23 degrees. Bahamians go big on New Year’s Day, that’s when Junkanoos—street parades with music—take place on many of the islands.

Montserrat, Caribbean This tiny emerald, volcanic, island has a fascinating history.

It was discovered and named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and colonized in the 17th century by Irish Catholics from St Kitts. The island’s culture is a fusion of Irish and African tradi-

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tions and there’s no better time to experience this than during Festival, which takes place between mid-December and early January. Calypso competitions, the Festival Queen pageant and a parade of costumed troupes on New Year’s Day as well as dancing in the streets pretty much guarantee a Christmas to remember.

Lindisfarne, Northumbria, England A visit to Lindisfarne or the Holy Island is an adventure at any time of year. This tiny speck of an island off the north-east coast of England is ethereal, beautiful and ancient.

In 635AD St. Aidan came from Iona, an island off the coast of Scotland, and founded his monastery on Lindisfarne. The castle and ruins of the old priory face the North Sea and at high tide the island is cut off from the mainland. At low tide, visitors can walk across the sands, tracing an ancient route called Pilgrims’ Way. Trinidad and Tobago These islands are some of the Caribbean’s most diverse, with African, Indian, British, Chinese, French, Spanish and Portuguese influences. At this time of year, the fusion of all these influences creates colourful and joyous celebrations. Carolling is given a Caribbean twist. Groups of parranderos sing traditional Spanish songs at festivals around the islands and go from door to door on Christmas Day. Fruit cake and an eggnog-type drink are seasonal treats. The New Year ushers in the start of Trinidad’s annual Carnival season, often described as the greatest show on earth.

St. George Island, Florida The best island, close to continental North America, just might be St. George Island, off the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s not nearly as crowded as the islands off the Florida peninsula, has amazing seafood and one of the best beaches in the world.

Popular with families and nature lovers (it’s a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles that lay their eggs between May and

Easter Island—Although the large stone statues, or moai, are often identified as Easter Island heads, the statues have torsos, most of them ending at the top of the thighs. Some upright moai have become buried up to their necks by shifting soils.

October), the festive season temperatures hover around the very comfortable 20-degree mark.

Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada Saltspring Island, which lies between the British Columbia mainland and Vancouver Island, is a noted destination for art lovers and food lovers, outdoor adventurers and those who like to be pampered. The island even has its own currency, which is accepted by most local merchants for their goods and services. Activities during the season include Santa arriving by ship and float plane, a variety of craft fairs and a special cocktail created for Christmas called the Glowtini.

The Åland islands, between Finland and Sweden If you crave a White Christmas, the Åland islands located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Finland are a good place to visit. Markets and buffets feature

warming Swedish and Finnish delicacies and the outdoor activities—skiing, horse riding, trekking, ice baths and saunas— promise a wholesome, healthy holiday.

Ischia, Italy Ischia is the biggest island in the Bay of Naples. Known for its curative spas, it is an isle of more than 100 bubbling springs and sulphurous waters that has been attracting visitors since the 8th century. The beauty of holidaying at Ischia at Christmas time is that after indulging in delicious Italian fare, one can access the myriad of wellness treatments available to get back in shape.

Fiji, South Pacific Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago, off the coast of Denarau, is home to some of the country’s most popular islands. There are villages, resorts, bars and fantastic snorkelling, swimming and kayaking off the islands sandy white beaches.

Consult your travel agent or visit yvr.ca for flights to these and more destinations.

Trinidad and Tobago—Members of a costume band parade on the streets of Port of Spain, Trindad, during the island’s carnival season.

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Travel Talk Kuala Lumpur ranked Multi-million among top 10 cities dollar Maya Museum opens in Cancun for shopping As the countdown to the official end of the Mayan calendar on December 21 begins, a new museum dedicated to Mayan history and culture has opened in Cancun, Mexico.

After six years of construction and an investment of $15-million, 70 per cent of which was contributed by the federal government through the National Institute of Anthropology (INAH), El Museo Maya de Cancun showcases three exhibition halls that are home to 350 archaeological artifacts that took 30 years to procure, relics that have never been on display and new discoveries from recent excavations.

The Mexico Tourism Board has been promoting end-of-theworld tourism all year through the website Maya Mundo 2012.

The site focuses on historically significant places along the Yucatán Peninsula, information on how the Maya understood the world and the real mean-

A recent survey by U.S. news network CNN ranked Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia fourth in a survey of the top-10 best shopping cities in the world, ahead of well-established shopping hubs such as Paris, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The top-three best shopping cities in the survey were New York, London and Tokyo, respectively.

The judging was based on four categories comprised of ease of getting around, value, variety and experience.

Kuala Lumpur scored a total of 30 out of a maximum 40 points: 6 points for getting around, 10 points for value, 8 points for variety, and 6 points for experience.

According to CNN International’s travel website, CNNgo, Kuala Lumpur’s impressive score came from its winning combination of high quality shopping, affordable prices and reliable sales, which can stretch for several months, citing 1Malaysia Year-End Sale as an example.

The 1Malaysia Year-End Sale held this year from November 10, 2012 to January 1, 2013, aims to encourage shoppers from all over the world to come to Malaysia to celebrate the last two months of the year with a fabulous shopping experience. Shoppers have 55 days to take advantage of great discounts and special offers put together by various shopping malls nationwide.

Shopping is a lucrative sector of Malaysia’s tourism industry, holding the second biggest share of tourist expenditure after accommodation.

Year round events include the Royal Langkawi International Regatta in January, the Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix in March, the Malaysia International Shoe Festival in April, Colours of Malaysia Cultural Festival in May, Malaysia’s Summer Contemporary Arts Tourism

Festival, Malaysia Annual International Gourmet Festival in October and the Summer and End of Year Mega Sales Carnivals with many other notable events throughout the year.

Caption Kuala Lumpur, the capital and most populous city of Malaysia has 66 shopping malls and is the retail and fashion hub for Malaysia. Suria KLCC (pictured) is one of Malaysia’s premier shopping destinations.

Tourism Malaysia Canada Facebook sweepstakes als to Malaysia this year; in fact, tourist arrivals are up roughly fourper cent for the first six months of the year compared to 2011,” said Kausar Kassim, vice president, Tourism Malaysia Canada. “To continue this momentum we have launched the Fly to Malaysia promotion, which we expect will help increase interest in Malaysia even more so.”

To enter the sweepstakes, participants must like the Tourism Malaysia Canada Facebook Page and complete

an online registration form from December 10, 2012 to January 6, 2013 by visiting the Tourism Malaysia Canada Facebook Page located at facebook.com/ TourismMalaysiaCanada.

The sweepstakes promotion is open to residents of Canada, ages 18 and over. The winners will be selected in a random drawing on or about January 7, 2013 and notified by e-mail or phone.

Visit tourismmalaysia.ca/ component/content/article/198 for more information.

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Air China has received the bronze award for Business Excellence from the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), a non-profit business association that provides its members with assistance and information on trade and investment issues.

The award was presented last month at the CCBC’s 34th annual meeting in recognition of Air China’s product and service enhancements, as well as the airline’s contributions towards closer cooperation between Canada and China in the areas of economic cooperation, cultural and trade ties.

In recent years, Air China’s offices in Canada have provided assistance in trade and economic development between China and Canada.

In addition, the airline has improved service levels, launching a Phoenix Business Class product at the end of 2011, and increased air service from Vancouver to Beijing.

Air China is the only mainland Chinese airline eligible for

Pictured receiving the bronze award for Business Excellence is Xu Junhong (left), general manager Air China Vancouver office; and China’s Ambassador to Canada, Zhang Junsai.

Canada’s Transit Without Visa program (TWOV), providing more choice and convenience for Chinese nationals travelling via Vancouver to the United States.

The airline also provides self check-in kiosks at Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which facilitates faster and more convenient passenger check-in.

Air China also works closely with Tourism BC in the development and promotion of specially

designed tourism packages for the Chinese travelling public visiting B.C. The Air China Vancouver sales office actively participates in local associations, Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade.

In the future, Air China has plans to work with the Canadian Exporters Association and Canadian Manufacturers Association.

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Miguelito are located on Kukulkan Boulevard in Cancun’s Hotel Zone. Tickets cost around $5 for access to both the museum and San Miguelito site.

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Tourism Malaysia Canada has launched Fly to Malaysia sweepstakes on Facebook, which will give one grand prize winner an opportunity to visit Malaysia with a free flight from Canada to Kuala Lumpur.

The promotion runs from December 10, 2012 – January 6, 2013.

Additional prizes include an iPad2, and two $300 gift cards from The Bay. “We have seen a steady increase in both interest and arriv-

ing behind the countdown to December 21, 2012—the end of old beliefs that usher in an era of new understanding.

Next to the Maya Museum, the San Miguelito archeological site recently opened as well. This location was inhabited more than 800 years ago until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

The Maya Museum and the archeological site of San

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DECEMBER

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Government revamps international travel website As part of the Government of Canada’s new approach to online services and accessibility, all federal government international travel content and services have now been merged into a single website, travel.gc.ca.

The newly revamped website is designed to help Canadians find, easily and efficiently, the information they need to travel or live abroad safely and to make informed decisions.

In addition to the website, a new mobile application, Travel Smart, is available, which allows Canadians worldwide to access Government of Canada information and services on international travel.

The website is supported by a social media presence distributing the latest travel advice, crisis updates and emergency contact information, which can be accessed through Twitter, Facebook, RSS feeds and email updates.

Canadians should check travel.gc.ca before travelling, and while shopping abroad, for information on what can be imported into Canada and on how to properly declare goods to avoid penalties or seizure.

There is also a section outlining what kinds of goods, including some food, plant and animal products, cannot be brought back to Canada.

10 Home Security Tips for Snowbirds How to protect your home while vacationing during the winter months With the winter months upon us, many people are gearing up to move south for the winter.

What people forget, is that winter is the perfect time for thieves to take advantage of empty homes (think: Home Alone). In the winter, people are constantly leaving their homes unattended, whether it’s for a warm destination, or visiting family during the holidays. In the hustle and bustle of the season, people often make careless mistakes. Plus, the emergence of social media is constantly blurring the lines between sharing personal details for fun,

and putting yourself in danger.

Weiser has come up with these 10 easy tips for protecting yourself and your home during vacation this winter.

“It’s important to ensure your home is protected if you are going away for a lengthy vacation,” says Steve Kolobaric of Weiser. “People think planned burglaries are things of the movies, but they can happen. The best thing to do is to take some simple measures before you leave, so you can relax with peace of mind knowing your home is safe.”

Check out these simple tips

for protecting your home while you’re away this winter or holiday season: 1. Don’t update any statuses or “tweet” the dates that you are going away. Also, be sure to utilize the privacy settings on social media sites correctly to ensure that strangers are not seeing things you didn’t intend for them to see.

2. Lock your doors 24/7. 50 percent of all break-ins are through unlocked doors!

3. Help the police help you!

Make sure you keep your street address visible. If affixing numbers to your house, they should be at least four inches high, reflective and visible from the street.

4. Don’t post photos of the new 52” TV you got for Christmas, and then post your vacation destination right after.

5. Backyard secure? Consider installing a fence and plants fast-growing bushes as extra barrier around the exterior of your home.

6. Be careful when using the “check-in” feature on Facebook, and be weary of apps that share your location to others. The new generation of apps broadcasts your location at all times to friends -- and in many cases to people you don’t even know. And unlike the previous generations of applications that required you to check in to a venue, these apps are persistent unless you pause them or turn them off.

7. Been at the same house for a while? Replace your outside locks as you’ve probably given out your house key a lot through the years.

8. Don’t post anything online about how frustrated you are because your front door doesn’t shut properly, or about how you’re getting new windows installed over the weekend.

9. Got deadbolts? Most burglaries are the result of forced entry. Make sure all exterior doors have deadbolts with at least a 1” throwbolt.

10. Be careful to monitor what your children are posting i.e.: “Parents gone all week!

House to myself!”

For more information on home security, visit www.weiserlock.com

www.skytalkonline.com

|

DECEMBER

2012

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Teardrops for the flying boats

SKYTALK

• 15

Aviation History

By Jack Schofield

I am writing a novel. Fiction, but based on fact. There are airplanes involved, of course, with the events portrayed taking place from June 1943 to June 1960.

While researching the period to provide an authentic background for the adventures of my protagonist(s), one of the aircraft I came across was the Short Sunderland flying boat. Little did I know that these beautiful aircraft were put into service, during the Berlin Airlift (June 1948-May 1949), trucking goods for beleaguered Berlin between Hamburg harbour and Havel Lake in the Western Allies zone of Berlin.

Those massive four-engine boats had a cavernous hull, which allowed for more than nine-thousand kilograms of cargo on that short haul. Descriptions of the Sunderland triggered my memories of the pre-Second World War era of flying boats from which I garnered the love of aircraft.

That had to be the most romantic era in aviation, when Boeing and Martin flying boats in the livery of Pan American Airlines flew the Pacific routes out of ‘Frisco to Hawaii and across the North Atlantic to Lisbon and Marseilles. This Yankee Clipper service, as it was known, was conceived and pioneered in the U.K. by British Overseas Airlines (BOAC) with its Empire class flying boats— originating from the military version named the Sunderland.

The Empire class aircraft operated from Portsmouth, England to such romantic ports of call as Bombay, Calcutta, China and the Middle East.

Aboard these four-engine giants, passengers were afforded a level of service never before, or since, provided by an airline.

Competing with the great steamship lines of the day—Cunard

U.K.-based Shorts aerospace company built great aircraft, the Sunderland being one of their best.

The Caroline Mars was destroyed during Typhoon Freda at Victoria, B.C. on October 12, 1962.

White Star and the P&O Cruise Line—the fledgling airlines boasted of short duration flights, coupled with the glamour and convenience of travel by air.

The glamour of flight was bolstered with wonderful posters advertising travel to exotic destinations and stars of the silver screen were also co-opted to promote the airline’s services.

Indeed, as war clouds appeared on the horizon, then-famous movie star, Leslie Howard (Gone with the Wind), was one of the passengers killed when a BOAC Empire flying boat was shot down by a German Messerschmitt while departing from Gibraltar.

The flying boats of yester-

year included bunks for each passenger, similar to those on the Pullman railway cars. Flights meant many hours, or even days, aloft. Arriving refreshed from a night’s sleep over the Pacific, one could honestly claim to have slept with the stars.

Of course, you would have to be a member of the one per cent to afford the price of admission, and the likes of thee and me were left to dream over the posters.

During the Second World War, the U.S. Navy initiated flights to Hawaii with the famous Martin Mars flying boats, which became the daddy of them all during the Pacific war. Those six Mars plied between the U.S. and the South Pacific on a regular

basis carrying troops and supplies in, and the war-wounded out.

They did so for the duration of the Pacific war without a single accident or incident and became legendary for their service.

An interesting feature of this wartime service was the tradition of the highest-ranking officer aboard the Mars being required to assume the job of chief steward. Wounded doughboys returning stateside were amazed to be waited upon by admirals of the fleet and generals of the army.

One of the two remaining airworthy Mars flying boats, the Philippine Mars is presently being restored to its US Navy configuration complete in olive drab paint, and will fly back to

Pan American China Clipper ad poster.

its original home to become a much-revered static display. The present owner, Wayne Coulson, of Port Alberni, B.C., is doing the restoration and figures it will be ready to fly home in April 2013.

The sister ship, Hawaii Mars, will soldier on in service as a water bomber for the Coulson Group in Port Alberni.

Oh, back to my fictional novel. Guess what the Sunderland flying boats were hauling into

Berlin? Windsor brand, packaged salt from Canada! That salt had long been advertised with a little kid in a raincoat standing under an umbrella to boast of the “freeflowing” quality of the stuff from Canada, and it was now free flowing into Soviet-blockaded Berlin.

What I consider a fitting end for the storybook era of flight, when flying boats were the kings of the skies.

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16 •

SKYTALK

|

DECEMBER

2012

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www.skytalkonline.com

Boeing breaks 737 single-year record for orders and deliveries

Delta Air Lines orders up to 70 Bombardier regional jets

Bombardier’s CRJ NextGen Series family of aircraft are operating in more than 50 countries on six continents and, on average, a CRJ aircraft takes offer every 10 seconds somewhere in the world.

Boeing has reached a record for 2012 year-to-date 737 deliveries with the delivery of its 377th Next-Generation 737.

The delivery of the airplane, a 737-900ER (Extended Range) with Boeing Sky Interior for United Airlines, topped the previous record of 376 deliveries set in 2010.

Drawing from years of research used to design the interior for the 787 Dreamliner, the

737 Boeing Sky Interior features new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that draw passengers’ eyes to the airplane’s windows, giving passengers a greater connection to the flying experience. LED (light emitting diode) lighting enhances the sense of spaciousness and also allows the airline to change the colour in the cabin during the flight.

Additionally, larger pivoting

overhead stowage bins add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passengers room to store a carry-on roll-aboard near their own seat, adding convenience and extra legroom.

Other design features include an intuitive placement of switches and call buttons. Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call

button.

Along with the record set for deliveries in October, the 737 has also broke its own record for net orders in a single year when it topped the 2007 record of 846 orders. Net year-to-date orders for the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX total 1,031 airplanes.

This is the first time in the single-aisle jetliner’s history that it has logged more than 1,000 orders in a single year.

Delta Air Lines has secured an order for up to 70 CRJ900 NextGen regional aircraft from Delta Airlines valued at approximately US$3.29-billion.

The agreement is based on a firm order for 40 aircraft and options for 30 more planes to be operated by Delta’s regional carriers.

“We selected Bombardier’s CRJ900 NextGen aircraft specifically because it is proven to be the most cost-efficient jet aircraft in its class for our operations and this regional jet satisfies perfectly the agreement that we have made with our pilots to add 70 more 76-seat jetliners to our fleet,” said Ed Bastian, president, Delta Air Lines. “We have selected the CRJ aircraft for our restructuring plan based on the strength and reli-

ability of their performance with our Delta Connection carriers over the years.”

Delta Connection carriers currently fly 466 CRJ Series aircraft, making it the world’s largest CRJ aircraft fleet.

Bombardier has recorded firm orders for 1,775 CRJ Series aircraft, including 314 CRJ900 and CRJ900 NextGen aircraft.

Worldwide, CRJ Series aircraft are in service with more than 60 airlines and more than 30 customers operate corporate variants of the aircraft.

CRJ Series aircraft have transported more than 1.2-billion passengers, logged more than 34-million flight hours and been involved in more than 28-million takeoffs and landings.

A Farewell John Mould was a friendly face who never failed to greet all of those who passed through his post.

All of us at Securiguard felt accepted and acknowledged by him.

He made us feel like family and that we were always welcome.

WE WILL MISS HIS MANY GREAT ATTRIBUTES His Smile His Friendly Greeting His Kindness His Humour His Generosity and Understanding A memorial service was held by the YVR community on Friday, Nov 23 to remember John and commemorate his considerable contributions.

The Securiguard Team

www.skytalkonline.com

|

DECEMBER

2012

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SKYTALK

Non-stop to London Heathrow

virginatlantic.com

• 17

18 •

SKYTALK

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DECEMBER

2012

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www.skytalkonline.com

Neighbourhood Restaurant Guide 5

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

4

Try something different today for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The following restaurants are at or within five minutes from YVR, and most offer airport employee discounts. salads – Arrivals Level 2 and

(Before Security)

Departures Level 3

t Starbucks: Coffee, pastries, t A&W: Breakfast served daily – Bacon

and soups – Departures Level 3 t Fortune Wok: Asian cuisine –

‘n Egger with real bacon and real eggs, hash browns, French Toast.

organic tea and coffee. Also serving Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte, Chai Tea, Frappuccino, Iced Tea and Fruit Smoothies. Take out and catering.

(604) 303-7547

t Flying Wedge Pizza: Pizza, salads

sandwiches – Departures Level 3.

Terminal) #118-4440 Cowley Crescent.

t Tim Hortons: Coffee, pastries,

Also, hamburgers, fries, beverages,

sandwiches, soup – Arrivals Level 2

including A&W’s famous root beer.

t Toshi Teppanyaki: Japanese cuisine

Breakast, lunch. (604) 231-9822 OVER THE BRIDGE(S) 5

– Departures Level 3

t Jugo Juice: Juice, smoothies, wraps &

Airport South

Nestled in the heart of Marpole,

t Airside Café

only 5 minutes from YVR. Lunch:

paninis – Departures Level 3. t Subway: Sandwiches, salads & wraps – Departures Level 3 t Swiss Chalet: Rotisserie chicken – Arrivals Level 2 t Tim Hortons: Coffee, pastries, sandwiches, soups – Arrivals Level 2 and Departures Level 3 t Toshi Teppanyaki: Japanese cuisine – Departures Level 3 pastas, rice bowls, stir-fries, entrées Departures Level 3 t Wok ‘N Roll: Chinese & Japanese cuisine – Departures Level 3 INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL (Before Security) t Hanami Japanese Restaurant: Dim Sum & Japanese cuisine – Departures Level 3 t Koho Restaurant & Bar: Casual dining – Departures Level 3 t Galiano Bakery & Café: Breakfast, sandwiches & pastries – Departures Level 3 t Burger King: Breakfast, burgers,

(opposite Million Air) 350-5400

Monday-Sunday 11am-4pm; Dinner:

Airport Road South

Sunday-Thursday 4pm-10pm, Friday

airsidecafe@gmail.com

& Saturday 4pm-11pm; Brunch:

YVR’s only restaurant with a view of

Saturday & Sunday 9am-3pm. Closed

aircraft maintenance!

on statutory holidays. Tapas, classic

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

pastas, steaks, seafood, vegetarian

MON-FRI: 8am to 4pm Airside

meals, stir fries, burgers, sandwiches,

Breakfast $4.99

wraps, pizzas, salads, soups and more.

Two eggs, two sausages or ham or

Reservations (604) 261-7779 4

bacon Airside Lunch from $3.99

t White Spot: Burgers, fresh salads, from the grill and desserts –

Cravings Restaurant & Lounge 8804 Osler Street, Vancouver

t Harvey’s: Breakfast, burgers – Departures Level 3

1

t Skyway Restaurant (YVR South

Departures Level 3

Open 5am-10pm. Departures Level 3

CANADA LINE

CANADA LINE

DOMESTIC TERMINAL

3

Mr. Pickwick’s Fish & Chips

Soups, Salads, Burgers, Fries,

8620 Granville Street, Vancouver

Sandwiches and Daily Specials.

Lunch, dinner, British pub foods and

t The Flying Beaver Bar & Grill 4760 Inglis Drive. Located on the water, inside Harbour Air Seaplanes Terminal, near Vancouver Airport South. Incredible location, great food, good service & good value.

Open seven days per week 11am to midnight, weekend breakfast from 9am.

(604) 273-0278. t The Sideslip Café #100-5360 Airport Road South.

Located at Esso Avitat. Open 6am-10:30am for breakfast and until 3pm for lunch. Serving homemade soups, sandwiches and paninis and daily specials. Fresh baked pastries,

fresh seafood. Open 11am- 8:30pm.

(604) 266-2340 2

Offering the comforts and convenience of both a coffee shop and a restaurant. The Well feels like your favourite sports bar and trendy lounge all in one. Comfy chairs, lots of televisions and weekly food and drink deals make each day special. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

(604) 244-8500

Shark Club 10253 St. Edwards Drive, Richmond (next to Sandman Signature Hotel).

As the day progresses so does the atmosphere at Shark Club. Come for a casual lunch, happy hour drinks or catch your favourite team on our big screens. When the weekend arrives enjoy a nice dinner and then hit the dance floor. Seven Days a week, 11am-2am. (604) 276-2609

t The Suburban Well Food & Drink #108-5188 Westminster Highway (corner of Westminster & Tiffany).

t The Boathouse Restaurant 8331 River Road, Richmond Lunch, dinner. 11am-10pm.

(604) 273-7014 RICHMOND HOTEL RESTAURANTS t Best Western Abercorn Inn 9260 Bridgeport Road Highlander Restaurant: Open for lunch and dinner, serving a variety of high-quality continental and world cuisine. Lunch 10:30am-2pm; dinner 5pm-9:30pm. (604) 270-7576. t Delta Vancouver Airport 1500 Cessna Drive 3

Pier 73 Restaurant: Located behind the hotel and suspended

BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY NOW! Holiday Party Trays

25% OFF

Present Coupon. Not valid with other offers. Expires Jan. 17, 2013

Enjoy $10 OFF

Free Birthday Meal

2

above the Fraser River in the heart of a 138-slip Marina. Great destination for casual lunch meetings, relaxed

Up to $30

Valid for Lunch or Dinner Present Coupon & Valid I.D. Not valid with other offers.

Expires Jan. 17, 2013

With a minimum purchase of $30.

With a minimum purchase of $60

Excludes Tax and Tip. Not valid with any other special.

Expires Jan. 17, 2013

Excludes Tax and Tip. Not valid with any other special.

Expires Jan. 17, 2013

140-12251 No. 1 Road, Richmond, BC

604-271-8896 www.yokohamabc.com

with friends. Kids Menu. Sunday to Thursday 11am-12am. Friday and Saturday 11am-1am (kitchen open until midnight). (604) 968-1178 t The Fairmont Vancouver Airport (at YVR) –3111 Grant McConachie Way Jetside Bar: Offers a selection of appetizers, snacks and shared food.

(604) 248.3281 Globe@YVR: Award-winning signature restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and featuring a special holiday menu.

(604) 248-3281 t River Rock Casino Resort 8811 River Road The Buffet – breakfast 6:30am-10:30am, lunch 11am-2pm, dinner (604) 247-8573 The Buffet at River Rock – Seven minutes by Canada Line to all you can eat buffet, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch or Breakfast for $14.95. Newly renovated, The Buffet at River Rock highlights fresh local produce and offers culturally diverse and traditionally inspired dishes with complimentary selected beverages.

8620 Granville St.tVancouver

604 266-2340

Meal

Enjoy $20 OFF

dinner gatherings, or evening drinks

www.mrpickwicksbc.ca Open Daily 11am-8pm

l

ia Spec

8 9 .

7 $

2 Piece Cod & Chips

The Best Fish & Chips in Town

BC, : Eat Drink Member of The Culinar y e, Ocean Wis ety BC, The ci Tourism So e Network Green Tabl

www.skytalkonline.com

(604) 247-8900 t Sandman Signature Hotel

1

Denny’s – breakfast, lunch, dinner.

(604) 271-5252 12251 #1 Road

dining.

Next door to The Burger Bar, located

(604) 276-1180

behind Papi’s. Specializing in gourmet Claudette Piacenza is the Market at

Harold’s Bistro & Bar –

Papi’s proprietor and operator. Her

breakfast, lunch, dinner. Full menu

love and passion for Italian culture

of contemporary cuisine, wide

and foods are evident in the wide

selection of award-winning B.C.

variety and selection of the ever-

t Vancouver Airport Marriott Hotel 7571 Westminster Highway The American Grille—American cuisine enhanced with regional flavours.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, from 6am-10pm. (604) 232-2804 t The Westin Wall Centre,

5

Her passion for her endeavour is exemplified on a day-to-day basis to all of the markets regulars and newcomers. Drop by the market Monday through Saturday to see what is new, trendy and fresh. Hours of Operation: Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm. (604) 277-7444. t Yokohama Teppanyaki Sushi & Steakhouse 140-12251 No. 1 Road

3099 Corvette Way

Authentic Japanese cuisine served at

The Apron – minutes away from

their Teppan Grill, where your dinner

Vancouver International Airport &

is cooked to perfection right before

nestled on the banks of the Fraser

your eyes. Open Mon. to Fri. 10am to

River.

10pm.

For reservations, call (604) 238-2105.

Weekends 11am to 9:30pm.

(604) 271-8896.

Solution for DECEMBER Crossword.

t Paesano’s

• 19

growing inventory in the market.

Vancouver Airport

STEVESTON

SKYTALK

Mediterranean fresh food to go.

7551 Westminster Highway

6:30am-11pm. (604) 233-3969

|

t The Market at Papi’s

Chop Steak Fish Bar – casual

wines, beers on tap and spirits. Open

2012

winter 4-course menu. Dinner from

10251 St Edwards Drive

t Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

DECEMBER

and seafood specialties. Special 5:30pm.

(604) 276-2853

|

250-12240 2nd Avenue at Bayview Steveston’s one and only Italian restaurant, celebrating 30 years of

3

Visit Pier 73 restaurant With lounge & Patio on the Water Beautiful Marina Views

serving authentic Italian cuisine.

Open daily at 11:30am. Reservations recommended. (604) 270-9252. t Steveston Seafood House

Contact us to host your celebration!

3951 Moncton Street Celebrating 32 years of fine dining

New Year’s at The Pier

Ring the New Year in style at Pier 73 Restaurant and Lounge, the perfect waterfront spot for your New Year’s festivities, with dancing through to 2013.

Dinner or dancing—we have a package to suit your needs.

Coming only for dinner—Pier 73 will offer regular dining until 6pm.

Dinner and Dancing includes a fabulous buffet with a chef-attended carving station, late night appetizer buffet, champagne toast at midnight, and much more.

Dress to impress or just come casual.

CASUAL DINING @ VANDUSEN GARDEN

TRUFFLES FINE FOODS GARDEN CAFÉ Our new location is proudly situated inside the recently completed Visitor’s Centre at VanDusen Botanical Garden, surrounded by both domestic and exotic flora, and frequented by researchers and amateurs alike.

37th & Oak Street, Vancouver | Open daily from 7am-5pm www.trufflesfinefoods.com

Seating for the festivities at 7pm and the entertainment will go till the night is over.

Room rate packages starting at only $169 including dinner for two, or dining for $50 per person.

pier73reservations@deltahotels.com for reservations or call us at 604 968 1178.

Great deals For our loCal Guests!!

Contact us at

pier73reservations@deltahotels.com 5 Minutes froM YVr Main terMinal Complimentary Parking for reservations, contact us at pier73reservations@deltahotels.com free airport shuttle every 20 minutes from YVr to the Delta

at the Delta Vancouver airport Hotel 3500 Cessna Drive, richmond, BC V7B 1C7

604.276.1954

www.deltavancouverairport.com

Fundraisers sports teams retirements Birthdays rehearsal dinners Corporate events And muCh more!

20 •

SKYTALK

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DECEMBER

2012

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www.skytalkonline.com

Car Talk James Bond and Aston Martin form an iconic relationship

t Licensed Technicians t Auto Body Repairs & Painting (all makes & models) t We handle ICBC Claims t Private Insurance Claims t Valet Courtesy Cars Available t Free Estimates t Drop Off and Pick Up Mon-Fri: 7:30am-6pm Sat: 9:30am-3pm Unit 150-5731 Minoru Blvd. Richmond

604.278.5121

TPVUITFBTBVUPCPEZ!TIBX DB t 'BY

Photo courtesy Sony Pictures: Daniel Craig as James Bond with a 1964 Aston Martin DB5.

Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time, opening in Vancouver on November 9.

Part of what has made James Bond into James Bond is his choice of transportation. Bond’s had many ways of getting around

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over the years, but there is one car in particular that says 007: the Aston Martin DB5. The car makes a welcome return to the screen in the 23rd James Bond adventure, Skyfall. “We’ve flirted with other cars from time to time, but we always do come back to Aston Martin,� said producer Michael G. Wilson. “It’s a signature car for Bond and a classic one, his own personal one.�

And there’s no Aston Martin more closely tied to Bond than the DB5, the 60s-era production model that Bond first drove in Goldfinger. For this film, this nod to Bond’s history not only would appeal to the fans, but make sense for the story. This is the sixth Bond film that the Aston Martin DB5 has been featured in: it first appeared in Goldfinger way back in 1964 and subsequently appeared in Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never

Dies, and Casino Royale.

Actor Daniel Craig, too, fell under the spell of Bond’s classic car. “I love them, and this story was the perfect platform to reintroduce the DB5. The film is about Bond returning to his roots and confronting old demons, so it felt right. We get some good use out of it, too.�

And in Skyfall, Bond could not ask for a better location to see what the car can do: Glencoe, Scotland, has an iconic landscape – the mountains contain some of the oldest sedimentary and volcanic strata in the world. These mountains served as a beautiful backdrop for Bond and M’s drive through Glencoe’s scenic roads.

But the classic Aston Martin is not the only motor vehicle on screen. For the opening sequence, Bond chases a henchman of the villain through the streets of Istanbul. The chase required a fleet of twelve Land

Rover Defenders and sixteen Audi A5s, all modified and reinforced in different ways to the requirements of the stunt and camera departments. Two of the Defenders had driving ‘Pods’ fitted to the roof of Eve’s car, allowing Naomie Harris to concentrate on delivering dialogue while being driven by former ‘Stig’ Ben Collins at 50 mph through the packed streets of town.

Later in the chase, Bond and the henchman ride Honda CRF250R motorcycles. The bikes were modified and dressed for the film – the henchman steals his from a policeman, while Bond commandeers another from a merchant.

The Honda bikes are also featured off-camera – since only a motorbike could keep up with the action, the filmmakers used the same motorcycle to carry the cameras.

One Stop Hobbies 33228 S Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC 604-852-6497 www.onestophobbies.com Burnaby Hobbies 5209 Rumble St, Burnaby, BC 604-437-8217 BC Shaver & Hobbies 742 Fort St, Victoria, BC 250-383-0051 www.bcshaver.com Magic Box Hobbies 2105 West 37th Ave, Vancouver, BC 604-264-1746 AVF Hobbies 1620 Dundas St. East, London, ON 519-451-1833 www.avfrc.com

'PS NPSF JOGP DBMM %BWF t &."9 )0##: Photo: Francois Duhamel, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

www.skytalkonline.com

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DECEMBER

2012

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SKYTALK

• 21

28 women cram into a Mini and make it into Guiness World Records

A team of gym members from East Sussex, England have smashed two Guinness World Records world records for the number of people inside both a classic Mini and a 2012 MINI. Twenty-eight flexible ladies crammed their way into the MINI Hatch at Potters Fields Park, London as part of the eighth annual Guinness World

Records day on November 15, 2012.

The team broke their own previous record of 27 people, which they set in Eastbourne in 2011.

The ladies made full use of every inch of space available in the MINI, including the dashboard, the footwells and they even managed to squeeze four

Auto Repair and Maintenance

By Bernie Pawlik

New trends in automotive lighting Change is a constant and on vehicles there are always new advances. One rapidly advancing area is in automotive lighting, with the biggest change being a move away from filament bulbs. This technology has illuminated every corner and interior of cars since cars were invented (with the brief use of gas lamps in the very early years).

The latest technology is xenon headlamps and LED (light-emitting diode) lamps.

Many new vehicles, especially in the high-end market, sport much of this technology.

Have you noticed the lighting systems on new cars? Compare, for example, a 50-year-old VW Beatle with six-volt electrical system. You could barely see the VW’s taillights, and the road illumination by the headlamps was a tenth of what modern xenon and LEDs provide.

There are many benefits to these new lighting technologies.

They are much brighter, use far less electricity and, in the case of LED lights, switch on instantly, which when being used in brake lights provide a significant safety advantage.

LED and xenon lamps are much more durable than their filament predecessors, however they cost substantially more to replace.

Xenon bulbs can cost more than $200, while many traditional headlamp bulbs cost in the $10 to $20 range.

LED light assemblies will rarely need replacement because they have so many individual LEDs, however they are very expensive.

Perhaps as they become more common, less expensive options like re-manufactured units or repairs may become available.

In spite of these extra costs, the advantages of better illumination, lower power consumption and increased longevity are worthwhile.

people in the boot.

As soon as they celebrated their first record the ladies dashed off to Britian’s ITV studios to attempt the second record live on TV show This Morning where, by squeezing a staggering 23 ladies into a classic Mini, they managed to beat the previous record by two people.

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The automotive lighting difference in 50 years—the ‘60’s VW has tiny taillamps in comparison to the 2012 Audi with its larger versions that typify today’s vehicles.

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22 •

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SKYTALK

DECEMBER

2012

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Fling Wing SERVICES

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tells the definitive story of British Columbia’s key role in the development of the commercial helicopter. The early history of Okanagan Helicopters and the advent of heli-logging coupled with adventures from 45-year veteran fling wing pilot, Peter Barratt, who put the ‘fly’ in fly-fishing, and launched a new name in the industry—West Coast Helicopters.

Email Jack Schofield at: coastdog2@shaw.ca

Coast Dog Press

www.skytalkonline.com

Name that Aircraft

Send the correct name of this aircraft (make and model) and you could win a

$50 Gift Certificate for Cravings Restaurant

8808 Osler Street (Oak & 72nd Avenue) Vancouver, BC Send your answer by: Email jstewart@westerndriver.com; Fax (604) 736-6750; Mail 306-5400 Airport Road South, Richmond, BC V7B 1B4.

A draw will be made from all correct entries received by January 2, 2012.

The winner’s name will be published in the January edition of SkyTalk and at www.skytalkonline.

Last month’s winner: Barb Boman, Vancouver Answer:

Airbus A300

The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world’s first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies. Launch customer Air France introduced the type into service on 30 May 1974. Production of the A300 ceased in July 2007, along with its smaller A310 derivative.

ACROSS 1 Ripple or current 5 Weighing machine 10 Doctrines 14 Operatic solo 15 Walks back and forth impatiently 16 Groan 17 Heliolatry (2 words) 19 Sport played on horseback 20 Comes from a chicken 21 Franklin flew one 22 Participant in a violent disturbance 24 Sea eagle 25 In basketball, a two-handed throw 26 Wave 29 Beginnings 30 Runs an engine in neutral 31 Involuntary contraction 32 A Kwa language in Nigeria 35 Aspersion 36 Parisian subway system 37 Visual organs 38 Animal companion 39 Bog hemp 40 Small brown birds 41 A Formosan language 43 Polished reflective surface 44 Plant runners 46 Sacks 47 Capital of Bahrain 48 Shove 49 Propel oneself over snow 52 Black 53 Aristocracy 56 Clod 57 U.S symbol 58 City in Norway 59 Throw

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

MEXICO VACATION PROPERTY FOR RENT

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DECEMBER

2012

60 61

Vaulted projections on a building Objective

DOWN 1 Lack of difficulty 2 Medicine 3 ____-dong 4 An erratic deflection 5 One of the seasons 6 Hereditary social class (Hindu) 7 Dull pain 8 Garland 9 A style of coffee 10 Tariff 11 Fortune teller 12 Moundbird 13 Sound of derision 18 Gumbos 23 An individual unit 24 Pitcher

Part Time Ad Sales

For further details, photos and reservations, please contact Richard (250) 924-8479; richardgraham@shaw.ca

SKYTALK

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CrossWord

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Rent a family vacation home by the beach in the picturesque fishing village of Sayulita, Mexico.

Located just 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport, Sayulita’s blend of beaches, shops, restaurants & activities makes it the perfect destination for a Mexican Vacation. The home has 3 bedrooms with private bathrooms and sleeps up to 8 people. Great for a family or group of friends. The house is in a complex with other vacation homes and has a shared pool and beachfront courtyard. You can rent the whole house or individual rooms. t t t High Season (Nov.1 to May 31) Entire House: Daily $150; Weekly $875; Monthly $3,000 Individual Rooms: Daily $75; Weekly $450; Monthly $1,500 t t t Low Season (Jun.1 to Oct. 31) Entire House: Daily $100; Weekly $525; Monthly $1,500 Individual Rooms: $50; Weekly $275; Monthly $750

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Work your own hours to a monthly deadline.

Richmond location.

25 26 27 28 29 31 33 34 36 37 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 48 49 50 51 54 55

Trap A small tuft Inactive Given to excess in consumption Relating to sight Tractor trailers Bingo-like gambling game Soviet Union Hawaiian volcano (2 words) Goes astray Chamber Human being (archaic) Leans Compresses with violence A small cold-water silvery fish Forbidden subject or thing Type of trumpet Hogs Neither good nor bad (2 words) A Chadic language Image of a deity Short sleep Pig

See solution for December crossword on page 19.

Must enjoy dealing with retail and business clients and

ACCOMMODATION for RENT

have the motivation to achieve set goals.

Previous sales experience an asset.

Training for the right applicant.

Call

604 644 9067

ONE AND TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS With balcony, ht, hw, cable, parking, storage locker and elevator.

Coin laundry on each floor. Steps to transit, schools and shops. 10 minutes to YVR. Very quiet building. No pets, no smoking. Lease from $885 per month.

604-241-3772