NORTH CENTRAL AIRLINES 1978

[klm617]

I have just completed North Central Airlines Summer 1978. This on is most dear to me as this was my favorite airline when I was growing up. When I was about 10 years old I saved up my allowance so I could buy a North Central travel bag and I still have it. Also always made my dad stop by Cherry Capital Airport we would go to Northern Michigan to our summer cabin. In Travers City you could get so close the the aircraft from the observation deck that you could almost touch them. I would like to give a special thanks to my daughter Jessica for spending countless hour imputing the data into the excel spread sheet after school. otherwise this probably would have taken years to complete. She already wants to know what our next project will be. Kris do you still have the Laker 1981 and Luxair 1984 I sent you if not I will send it again along with the NCA 1978. I hope everyone enjoys these flight plans as much as me.

[Christian Page, RAI]

Yes, please resend those - for some reason, the .zip with all the backed up 1980's files that Paul sent me won't open, I've been trying to repair it. Another NCA is cool - the planes are already done, I did the CV-580 and I forget who did the DC-9-30, I think it was Gary Smith. I need to check Aeromoe's, though, I don't know if NCA had DC-9-50s by 1978 or not.

[Andy]

North Central put DC-9-51's into service in April 1976, accoring to Aeromoe.

[klm617]

I also have the DC-9-50 for aardvark in NCA colors

[qxductape]

aspall said:

North Central put DC-9-51's into service in April 1976, accoring to Aeromoe.

Yes that is correct, because I flew on one of the first -51's from KMSP to Stapleton April 22, 1976. I remeber it well because I sat next to the famous skier of the time Billy Kidd on that flight. On behalf of a former "Herman" employee a Big Thanks!

Just a question, on this time table do they list Central Wisconsin or Stevens Point? (KCWA vs KSTE) I know that 1970 timetable had Stevens Point but I helped set NCA OPS at KCWA in late 1969, but I remeber it was a long time before they actually listed it as Central Wisconsin, or Stevens Point-Wausau-Merrill on printed material. Because I know that by 1978 jets were stopping at KCWA and the runway was too short at old KSTE for the DC-9's.

[jetstar]

admin said:

Yes, please resend those - for some reason, the .zip with all the backed up 1980's files that Paul sent me won't open, I've been trying to repair it. Another NCA is cool - the planes are already done, I did the CV-580 and I forget who did the DC-9-30, I think it was Gary Smith. I need to check Aeromoe's, though, I don't know if NCA had DC-9-50s by 1978 or not.

Hi Kris.

I'll re-send the zips tonight!!

Paul

[klm617]

The flights operatrd out of CWA but the were listed in the timetable under Wausau and Stevenspoint. Under the haeding of both cities it says (Flights operated from Central Wisconsin Airport). Did you work for North Central

[Christian Page, RAI]

klm617 said:

The flights operatrd out of CWA but the were listed in the timetable under Wausau and Stevenspoint. Under the haeding of both cities it says (Flights operated from Central Wisconsin Airport). Did you work for North Central

Nah, he just has a sign on his office wall that says 'Would the last person leaving Portland, please turn out the lights?"

[qxductape]

klm617 said:

The flights operatrd out of CWA but the were listed in the timetable under Wausau and Stevenspoint. Under the haeding of both cities it says (Flights operated from Central Wisconsin Airport). Did you work for North Central

Yes I did, at KIWD, as a Ground Service agent, shoveled lots of snow, & Jack of all Trades Master of None. In fact I grew-up on the farm over the West side barb wire fence of the airport. Now I work for Horizon Air, just because I could not live without the sounds of turboprops.
Kris likes busting my chops because of the fact I am still a Jack of all Trades Master of None, and took all the lights out on the "A" Concourse at KPDX Thanksgiving day 2005. That's all right, he said something about himself in a post up at Tom G's forum and it was so bad that Tom had to delete the thread.....

[Christian Page, RAI]

And that would be what, the Tonya thing? Seriously, though, who hasn't made embarassing mistakes? The key is to never admit responsibility... I actually do have a bad habit of saying a bit too much about myself at times, but I've never revealed my "classic" moments - one of these days I will, just so we all can have a laugh.

[klm617]

Some people have all the luck in the world working for NCA living next to the airport. Here I am living almost 40 mile from DTW working for an Automotive supplier. Ah but I probably have one thing going for me I am a heck of a lot younger than you Mr. Ductape lol. One question begs to be asked. The natural progression should have been North Central-Republic-Northwest how did you get side tracked and wind up at Horizon Air. Or did you get upset when Northwest sold the Convairs and quit.

[qxductape]

klm617 said:

Some people have all the luck in the world working for NCA living next to the airport. Here I am living almost 40 mile from DTW working for an Automotive supplier. Ah but I probably have one thing going for me I am a heck of a lot younger than you Mr. Ductape lol. One question begs to be asked. The natural progression should have been North Central-Republic-Northwest how did you get side tracked and wind up at Horizon Air. Or did you get upset when Northwest sold the Convairs and quit.

When I was 14, because I was always hanging around the airport, I started working for NCA (Unofficially) shoveling snow, and cutting the grass, and taking baggage from taxi's to the counter, etc, but I could not do anything on the Air Ops side until I was 16. On my 16th birthday I became an official NCA employee, and then spent every spare moment at the airport. ( Besides I was tired of taking care of cows.) Since the plane RON'd at KIWD, on school days I got to work the 1st flight every morning, and last flight every night. During vacations I worked all the flights. As I neared High School graduation, there was this "thing" going on in SE Asia, and me with a draft lottery #3, I pre enlisted into the Air Force thinking I would still be around airplanes, hopefully C-130's w/ Allisons (Get the connection). But as luck would have it I ended-up in Minuteman Missiles, and stationed at the Wyoming Missile Ranch known as FE Warren. Now that was Fort AD Russell, before that and dates back to Custer's time and a calvary fort. We had no runways, no airplanes, just 2 Hueys, and had the distinction of being the only combat base in SAC with no aircraft. While @ FE Warren my roommate was from PDX, and was then dating my wife of 30+ years, but got interested in another girl. So I wasn't seeing anyone, so he gave me her address, and she became my pen-pal. When I got out, I went to PDX, and 6 months later we were married. So that's how I got to be in PDX, but because of what I did in the AF, I got interested in metallurgy, & welding. I spent 10 years here in PDX, working in a foundry, as a furnace operator & repairman. Then in 1985 my parents who were very old and sick, needed help so I went back to IWD to close-up the farm, and put them in a care home in Northern Wis, and moved to MKE to be close to them. While in MKE I became a welder, & welding robot repairman, and eventually the district Mgr, for a company I think you should be familiar with because they are huge in the Detroit area, AGA Gas, now Linde Gas.
Now in 1998 my Wife's Mother was diagnosed with cancer, so I gave-up my career, and moved back to PDX so my Wife & I could take care of her parents. Now my old roommate from the AF and very good friend, worked for Horizon, on the ramp, so he got me a job. In 2000 Horizon started a new facilities department, mainly to maintain their new OPS Center, and because of my electrical background, I became a technician in that department which I do to this day. That is where the concourse light story comes into play. But at busy times, or sometimes when I need some OT I do a shift trade to work the ramp, just to be near a turbo prop. All this just because as a young boy, from my farm yard, I looked-up every day and saw DC-3's, CV-340's then converted to CV-580's all with that wonderful blue Mallard duck named "Herman" on the tail...... Sorry for the length, but you asked.... BTW: I have never forgave those Philistines @ Northwest for buying Republic, and getting rid of "Herman".