The Little World

No smoking, please.

The De Havilland Heron Mk II has just been rolled out onto the tarmac at Wet Dog Regional – ready to inaugurate the first Wet Dog – Quesnel – Salmon Arm – Milk River service. The company anticipates a steady flow of passengers over this vital route. They are counting on it, as the Heron is on hire purchase from HFC and the payments need to be kept up.

Myrna, the stewardess, is standing by the boarding stairs. She’s ready with the Chiclets gum to help your ears pop as the plane goes up and down and will be making coffee for the passengers later on. For this inaugural flight there will be bear claws and butter tarts served with the coffee…but you’ll have to bring your own on the regular runs.

The  cabin crew – Captain Larry and Second Officer, Doug, are fully trained on De Havilland aircraft, having flown a Mosquito during the war. The fact that they flew it into the ground two times should not be held against them. Third time lucky, eh?

The plane is fully equipped with the latest radio direction finding sets and the crew should be able to receive stations from both BC and Alberta for your in-flight entertainment. Country and Western Day is Thursday. There should be no difficulties finding Quesnel as it is on the Fraser River and the sawmill burners generally put out enough smoke to be seen for 50 miles. Just head for the haze, Larry.

The Transport Department of Canada inspector was a little concerned about the lack of call-sign on the fuselage of the plane but they explained that HFC doesn’t want it painted right now in case it needs to be repossessed and sold on. Less to scrape off the aluminum.

Let us wish the crew and passengers a safe and comfortable trip over the razor-sharp Rocky Mountains – both directions – and a profitable voyage.