aviation - the past, present and future of flight

T

he Douglas DC-8 was Canadian

Paci c Airlines’ (later CP Air)  rst

jet type. The carrier can be traced

back to being formed during World

War Two. The Canadian Paci c Railway

had been a stakeholder in Canadian

Airways since it was established in 1930.

Nine years later, the railway company

decided to get more into the airline

business, fully acquiring Canadian Airways

and nine other small carriers from across

the country. They were united as Canadian

Paci c Airlines, which started operations

on July 1, 1942 – the 75th anniversary of

Canadian Confederation.

Legendary Canadian bush pilot Grant

McConachie was the general manager and

later president. He was instrumental in

EMPRESS

OF THE SKIES

CP AIR’S DC-8 GAME-CHANGER

The Douglas DC-8 played a pivotal role with Canada’s second

biggest airline for over two decades. Andrew H Cline

details the type’s career with this carrier.

20 Aviation News incorporating Jets August 2018

Douglas DC-8-53, CF-CPM, in the original livery worn by the type in Canadian Paci c service. via Caz Caswell

20-25_cp_airDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 20 05/07/2018 15: