Thanks for the memories Beech18. 2 takeoffs from the dolly.Superior Airways
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, North Shore, Rudder Bug
Re: Superior Airways
Thanks for the memories Beech18. 2 takeoffs from the dolly.
Re: Superior Airways
October 07, 2021
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was given to me by a good friend who was with Severn Enterprise
at Pickle Lake in 1975.
Looking out on Pickle lake with a number of aircraft tied to the Severn
Enterprise dock. The leaves on the trees on the other side of the lake appear
to be starting to turn colour, so this photo looks like it may have been taken
in September.
On the right side of the dock is Beaver CF-FHO serial #50.
Today FHO is flying in Minnesota as N218RD.
The Beech 18 right in front of the Beaver is CF-ZQR.
The Otter is CF-GBX which was later sold to Central Air Transport.
The Cessna 185 is CF-YZC. YZC was a leased Cessna 185.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was given to me by a good friend who was with Severn Enterprise
at Pickle Lake in 1975.
Looking out on Pickle lake with a number of aircraft tied to the Severn
Enterprise dock. The leaves on the trees on the other side of the lake appear
to be starting to turn colour, so this photo looks like it may have been taken
in September.
On the right side of the dock is Beaver CF-FHO serial #50.
Today FHO is flying in Minnesota as N218RD.
The Beech 18 right in front of the Beaver is CF-ZQR.
The Otter is CF-GBX which was later sold to Central Air Transport.
The Cessna 185 is CF-YZC. YZC was a leased Cessna 185.
Re: Superior Airways
November 07, 2021
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in Pickle Lake by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
The photo was taken in the fall of 1976.
CF-YZC landing at Pickle on what looks like a very nice fall day. This Cessna 185
was leased by Mr. Wieben and the photo was taken from the Severn Enterprise
dock of the 185 landing.
Although they aren’t aircraft operated by Superior Airways or Severn Enterprise
there are a few other aircraft in the photo taken of CF-YZC landing.
There is a Patricia Air Transport (PAT Air) Otter tied to the near dock in the photo.
The Otter at the near dock could be CF-JIK. It looks like some engine work is being
done on the Otter as it appears the left side cowl panel is removed
Otter CF-HAS is a possibility at the far dock.
The Beech 18 has polished engine cowls and black cells over the wings.
Not sure the registration on the Beech. Looks like it has two blade propellers so
that eliminates Hooker Air Beech 18’s CF-TBA or CF-VCC.
This Beech could be CF-TBH. There’s no paint except for red wing tips and black cells.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in Pickle Lake by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
The photo was taken in the fall of 1976.
CF-YZC landing at Pickle on what looks like a very nice fall day. This Cessna 185
was leased by Mr. Wieben and the photo was taken from the Severn Enterprise
dock of the 185 landing.
Although they aren’t aircraft operated by Superior Airways or Severn Enterprise
there are a few other aircraft in the photo taken of CF-YZC landing.
There is a Patricia Air Transport (PAT Air) Otter tied to the near dock in the photo.
The Otter at the near dock could be CF-JIK. It looks like some engine work is being
done on the Otter as it appears the left side cowl panel is removed
Otter CF-HAS is a possibility at the far dock.
The Beech 18 has polished engine cowls and black cells over the wings.
Not sure the registration on the Beech. Looks like it has two blade propellers so
that eliminates Hooker Air Beech 18’s CF-TBA or CF-VCC.
This Beech could be CF-TBH. There’s no paint except for red wing tips and black cells.
Re: Superior Airways
December 07, 2021
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 CF-WYR landing at Pickle Lake.
WYR flew for Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise for many years beginning in the
late 1960’s. Floats every summer and skis every winter. Severn Enterprise was the
company named painted on the aircraft.
After leaving the company WYR flew for Bearskin Airways and then in British Columbia.
WYR returned to Northwestern Ontario and operated out of the Ft. Frances area.
It was there that this Beech 18 was written off in a landing accident while operating on
floats.
The last place WYR was seen was at Kuby’s Aircraft in Kenora. It was parked in the
storage yard with no wings or tail. It had a white fuselage, large blue speed line and
a narrow red speed line at that time.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 CF-WYR landing at Pickle Lake.
WYR flew for Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise for many years beginning in the
late 1960’s. Floats every summer and skis every winter. Severn Enterprise was the
company named painted on the aircraft.
After leaving the company WYR flew for Bearskin Airways and then in British Columbia.
WYR returned to Northwestern Ontario and operated out of the Ft. Frances area.
It was there that this Beech 18 was written off in a landing accident while operating on
floats.
The last place WYR was seen was at Kuby’s Aircraft in Kenora. It was parked in the
storage yard with no wings or tail. It had a white fuselage, large blue speed line and
a narrow red speed line at that time.
Re: Superior Airways
January 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 off the water in Pickle Lake.
This Beech 18 could be one of a number of Mr. Wieben’s Beech’s. Because it
doesn’t have extended wing tips it eliminates CF-WYR, but it could possibly be
one of three other aircraft. CF-YDV, CF-YQB or CF-ZQR.
I’m leaning towards CF-YDV for the following reason. YDV was the only
Beech 18 in the fleet that had a narrow white stripe painted on the inboard side
of the red wing tips. Looking at the photo it looks like there is a narrow white
stripe on the leading edge on each wing.
YDV began its flying career with Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise in 1972.
Most of its flying was done out of Pickle Lake. The aircraft was equipped with
a cargo door.
In 1975 YDV was listed for sale for $42,000.00 with floats and skis. A copy of the
For Sale ad was posted in this thread on July 07, 2018.
I don’t know when the aircraft was actually sold and left the company.
The Beech 18 register indicates YDV was operated by St. Andrews Airways in
Manitoba in 1978.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 off the water in Pickle Lake.
This Beech 18 could be one of a number of Mr. Wieben’s Beech’s. Because it
doesn’t have extended wing tips it eliminates CF-WYR, but it could possibly be
one of three other aircraft. CF-YDV, CF-YQB or CF-ZQR.
I’m leaning towards CF-YDV for the following reason. YDV was the only
Beech 18 in the fleet that had a narrow white stripe painted on the inboard side
of the red wing tips. Looking at the photo it looks like there is a narrow white
stripe on the leading edge on each wing.
YDV began its flying career with Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise in 1972.
Most of its flying was done out of Pickle Lake. The aircraft was equipped with
a cargo door.
In 1975 YDV was listed for sale for $42,000.00 with floats and skis. A copy of the
For Sale ad was posted in this thread on July 07, 2018.
I don’t know when the aircraft was actually sold and left the company.
The Beech 18 register indicates YDV was operated by St. Andrews Airways in
Manitoba in 1978.
Re: Superior Airways
Feb 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 CF-ZQR taxing into the Pickle Lake dock. The back end of the floats look
like they may be a bit low in the water, so it appears a load is being brought in.
CF-ZQR was based in Pickle Lake during the summer of 1976.
The identity of the aircraft further out on the lake is not known.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Beech 18 CF-ZQR taxing into the Pickle Lake dock. The back end of the floats look
like they may be a bit low in the water, so it appears a load is being brought in.
CF-ZQR was based in Pickle Lake during the summer of 1976.
The identity of the aircraft further out on the lake is not known.
Re: Superior Airways
Just found this forum, a great read!
I work in the Operations Division at Minneapolis/St. Paul Intl' (KMSP) have taken on a personal project to document the history of the commuter airlines that served KMSP between the late 1960s and late 1990s. My goal is to provide a short profile of each carrier, along with any relevant photos, route maps, advertisements, etc. that I can find.
I am trying to track down information about Superior Airways and the scheduled service it provided between Thunder Bay and MSP before being purchased by Austin.
Any information or insights any of you have would be greatly appreciated!
I work in the Operations Division at Minneapolis/St. Paul Intl' (KMSP) have taken on a personal project to document the history of the commuter airlines that served KMSP between the late 1960s and late 1990s. My goal is to provide a short profile of each carrier, along with any relevant photos, route maps, advertisements, etc. that I can find.
I am trying to track down information about Superior Airways and the scheduled service it provided between Thunder Bay and MSP before being purchased by Austin.
Any information or insights any of you have would be greatly appreciated!
Re: Superior Airways
ralstonnb
The YQT to MSP service that Superior Airways operated was after I had
left the company so I don't have any information about that service.
Possibly contacting the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Center
in Thunder Bay may help.
beech 18
The YQT to MSP service that Superior Airways operated was after I had
left the company so I don't have any information about that service.
Possibly contacting the Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Center
in Thunder Bay may help.
beech 18
Re: Superior Airways
March 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 or 1977 by a good friend and is posted here with
permission.
Cessna 180 CF-HDE on the water in Pickle Lake. HDE was leased by Mr. Wieben
in the summer of 1973 for a few seasons operating on floats only. When the
Cessna 180 arrived in Sioux it was in very nice condition with a pretty nice
instrument panel in it.
The floats on the aircraft were Edo 2870’s. HDE flew out of Sioux Lookout for two
summers before moving to Pickle Lake. HDE was built in 1953.
I believe when this photo was taken CF-HDE was flying for another company in
Pickle Lake.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 or 1977 by a good friend and is posted here with
permission.
Cessna 180 CF-HDE on the water in Pickle Lake. HDE was leased by Mr. Wieben
in the summer of 1973 for a few seasons operating on floats only. When the
Cessna 180 arrived in Sioux it was in very nice condition with a pretty nice
instrument panel in it.
The floats on the aircraft were Edo 2870’s. HDE flew out of Sioux Lookout for two
summers before moving to Pickle Lake. HDE was built in 1953.
I believe when this photo was taken CF-HDE was flying for another company in
Pickle Lake.
Re: Superior Airways
I was able to obtain some newspaper clippings about Superior's scheduled service to MSP from the Thunder Bay Public Library.
Using this information, I have prepared the attached profile about Superior. I am still hoping to find a photo of a Superior DC-3 used for the MSP service to include.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Using this information, I have prepared the attached profile about Superior. I am still hoping to find a photo of a Superior DC-3 used for the MSP service to include.
MSP Commuters_3-7-22_Superior.pdf- (314.11 KiB) Downloaded 298 times
Re: Superior Airways
April 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Otter CF-GBX landing at Pickle Lake. Over the years GBX was normally based in
Pickle Lake, but did operate from all of Mr. Wieben’s bases when it was required.
Winter months it would be in Nakina, Armstrong, Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and
Wiebenville at different times. GBX was changed over from floats to skis in
Thunder Bay.
The Cessna 185 taxing in is CF-YZC
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here with permission.
Otter CF-GBX landing at Pickle Lake. Over the years GBX was normally based in
Pickle Lake, but did operate from all of Mr. Wieben’s bases when it was required.
Winter months it would be in Nakina, Armstrong, Sioux Lookout, Pickle Lake and
Wiebenville at different times. GBX was changed over from floats to skis in
Thunder Bay.
The Cessna 185 taxing in is CF-YZC
Re: Superior Airways
May 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at the Severn Enterprise base in the bay at
Sioux Lookout in February 1972.
Beech 18 CF-ZQH is parked in front of the maintenance shop for engine work.
The lower left cowling has been removed and Herman Nelson ducts can be seen
providing some heat while the work is being done. The aircraft would have
taxied off the ice and up the ramp to get to this spot. The lake is about
25 or 30 feet straight back from the tail.
ZQH flew off the snow packed runway in the bay each winter.
ZQH was only flown on wheels
Besides the Beech 18 in this photo a lot of other base items can be seen.
The maintenance shop and warehouse are the same building with an interior wall
between them. The A-Frame used to change all the aircraft over from floats to skis
is visible as is one of the runway rollers seen behind ZQH that is used to pack the
snow on the ice runway.
Right behind the roller is a metal I beam rising to the right in the photo. That
belongs to the original Slate Falls Airways and is part of the hoist used to lift aircraft
out of the water for changeover from floats to skis and for float repairs. The metal
covered building with the large chunk of snow on the roof was at one time Slate Falls
Airways maintenance shop and a storage building. When Slate Falls built their hangar
at the Sioux Lookout Airport this building remained the warehouse, but also became
the storage area for all the outboard motors and outpost camp supplies.
The building was later damaged by fire and a lot of equipment was lost.
If you look closely you can see Slate Falls Airways in red letters on the roof.
This photo would more or less be looking east into the bay and it was taken from an
area where the Severn Enterprise 80/87 avgas pumps and oil shed were located.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at the Severn Enterprise base in the bay at
Sioux Lookout in February 1972.
Beech 18 CF-ZQH is parked in front of the maintenance shop for engine work.
The lower left cowling has been removed and Herman Nelson ducts can be seen
providing some heat while the work is being done. The aircraft would have
taxied off the ice and up the ramp to get to this spot. The lake is about
25 or 30 feet straight back from the tail.
ZQH flew off the snow packed runway in the bay each winter.
ZQH was only flown on wheels
Besides the Beech 18 in this photo a lot of other base items can be seen.
The maintenance shop and warehouse are the same building with an interior wall
between them. The A-Frame used to change all the aircraft over from floats to skis
is visible as is one of the runway rollers seen behind ZQH that is used to pack the
snow on the ice runway.
Right behind the roller is a metal I beam rising to the right in the photo. That
belongs to the original Slate Falls Airways and is part of the hoist used to lift aircraft
out of the water for changeover from floats to skis and for float repairs. The metal
covered building with the large chunk of snow on the roof was at one time Slate Falls
Airways maintenance shop and a storage building. When Slate Falls built their hangar
at the Sioux Lookout Airport this building remained the warehouse, but also became
the storage area for all the outboard motors and outpost camp supplies.
The building was later damaged by fire and a lot of equipment was lost.
If you look closely you can see Slate Falls Airways in red letters on the roof.
This photo would more or less be looking east into the bay and it was taken from an
area where the Severn Enterprise 80/87 avgas pumps and oil shed were located.
Re: Superior Airways
was this who bought the tail from the burned carcus of FHO after it burnt? seen pics of the mess on the ice at eldon after the firebeech 18 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 8:19 am October 07, 2021
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was given to me by a good friend who was with Severn Enterprise
at Pickle Lake in 1975.
Looking out on Pickle lake with a number of aircraft tied to the Severn
Enterprise dock. The leaves on the trees on the other side of the lake appear
to be starting to turn colour, so this photo looks like it may have been taken
in September.
On the right side of the dock is Beaver CF-FHO serial #50.
Today FHO is flying in Minnesota as N218RD.
The Beech 18 right in front of the Beaver is CF-ZQR.
The Otter is CF-GBX which was later sold to Central Air Transport.
The Cessna 185 is CF-YZC. YZC was a leased Cessna 185.
Re: Superior Airways
1ajs
Neil Airds sight has the history of FHO.
In the history notes it mentions an incident at Eldon Lake winter of 1965/66.
Destroyed by fire. Remains purchased by Superior Airways and rebuilt.
beech 18
Neil Airds sight has the history of FHO.
In the history notes it mentions an incident at Eldon Lake winter of 1965/66.
Destroyed by fire. Remains purchased by Superior Airways and rebuilt.
beech 18
Re: Superior Airways
my grandma has photos of it burnt my grandfather took. ive also got the orig owners manual for fho
Re: Superior Airways
June 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken on the ice in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here
with permission.
In the background is Superior Airways Beaver CF-ODD. ODD was based in
Pickle Lake in the winter of 1976. The Beaver is still in the Department of
Lands and Forest paint scheme. ODD is on straight skis.
Although not an aircraft operated by Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise the
main aircraft in the photo is Hooker Air Service Otter CF-HAS. HAS is under
going repairs to the aft end of the fuselage and tail ski after being damaged
during ski operations. The Herman Nelson Heater is providing heat while the
repair is being carried out.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken on the ice in 1976 by a good friend and is posted here
with permission.
In the background is Superior Airways Beaver CF-ODD. ODD was based in
Pickle Lake in the winter of 1976. The Beaver is still in the Department of
Lands and Forest paint scheme. ODD is on straight skis.
Although not an aircraft operated by Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise the
main aircraft in the photo is Hooker Air Service Otter CF-HAS. HAS is under
going repairs to the aft end of the fuselage and tail ski after being damaged
during ski operations. The Herman Nelson Heater is providing heat while the
repair is being carried out.
Re: Superior Airways
Beech18, you and the others have some fantastic pictures and stories of Superior Airways. They bring back a lot of great memories for me, as O.J. Wieben was my grandfather. I'm one of Pete and Robbie Taylor's sons. I can definitely corroborate some of the stories, such as strapping engines and stuff to the pontoons of bushplanes and changing them out on the ice at Pickle Lake and so on. My dad putting the plane's leg through the fuselage on a hard landing is also true. Some of the others are a little far-fetched of course, such as my dad pulling the landing gear up while on the ramp at TBay, and so on. The story about him dragging the tie-down tire is true though, even the flipping the bird and the tower asking where he was towing it to parts 
O.J. passed away when I was almost 10 years old and by that time our family (Pete and Robbie together, and the three kids) had moved to Cranbrook (not for any of the reasons described in this thread, a lot less boring than that), where my parents built-up and ran an aviation maintenance/charter/other services business for a number of years there before going their own ways. Pete was indeed high up at Superior Airways, and was actually vice-president, before we left. My Mom, Robbie, was also working in the business at that time too, naturally.
As I was pretty young when O.J. was doing his thing I don't remember him as well as some people, but his single-mindedness (see workaholic and a strong personality) and flying skills stood out, but also the aircraft salvage skills and problem-solving he and my father (and others) were doing at times. I'm not talking day-to-day maintenance stories (I've heard the comments about that stuff too). But the ability to salvage and repair aircraft is something O.J., Pete, and my Uncle Don Wieben were really bloody good at. Don is still at it too. He and his friends went up to Inuvik, NWT and dragged a crashed Canso from a lake to the MacKenzie River and floated it down to Hay River, on a barge. They then removed the wings and transported it on a truck to Fairview, Alberta where they restored and flew it again. Removing the wings and putting a plane on a flatbed is something I've done a few times myself helping out my dad as a teenager, but nothing like that scale of work.
Link to Don Wieben Canso Restoration story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -1.4166853.
My mom, Robbie was an awesome pilot, no doubt about it, and she went on to become quite notable and won the Elsie McGill award in 2011. She was also recognized in books for her flying more than once, particularly for her Search and Rescue work in the Kootenays as part of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program. And she did a lot of work with the 99s, the female pilot organization. My mom actually wrote her Master's thesis (social work) on sexual harassment in the aviation industry, as it was a subject she seemed to have a lot of experience with unfortunately. She did pass away in 2012, but I still have a lot of flying memories about her. My dad eventually ended up in Senior Management for Air BC/Jazz (maintenance) and then a executive jet company in the Lower Mainland before retiring.
You also know about my aunt Liz (Wieben) and she was a long-time instructor and so on at Lakehead University and herself the recipient of an Elsie McGill award, among many other contributions to aviation, particularly around Thunder Bay. I'm not quite giving her due justice with that statement, she has done a heck of a lot in the industry, that is for sure.
Anyway, I thought I would share some information about O.J. and family as I came across this thread. I really don't have many pictures of Superior Airways myself, so I wonder if it would be alright to copy a few from this thread? I am thinking about dong a Twitter thread with some info about the Wieben family and the pics would be great additions. I can't do direct messages as I am new here, so perhaps Beech18 you could DM me to discuss?
Thanks everyone for sharing all the stories and pics and everything. It was a nice trip through memory lane for me. I hope some of my info has cleared up a few loose threads. If anyone has any questions I could try to answer them, although it has been a long time admittedly.
Cheers,
Steve T,
O.J. passed away when I was almost 10 years old and by that time our family (Pete and Robbie together, and the three kids) had moved to Cranbrook (not for any of the reasons described in this thread, a lot less boring than that), where my parents built-up and ran an aviation maintenance/charter/other services business for a number of years there before going their own ways. Pete was indeed high up at Superior Airways, and was actually vice-president, before we left. My Mom, Robbie, was also working in the business at that time too, naturally.
As I was pretty young when O.J. was doing his thing I don't remember him as well as some people, but his single-mindedness (see workaholic and a strong personality) and flying skills stood out, but also the aircraft salvage skills and problem-solving he and my father (and others) were doing at times. I'm not talking day-to-day maintenance stories (I've heard the comments about that stuff too). But the ability to salvage and repair aircraft is something O.J., Pete, and my Uncle Don Wieben were really bloody good at. Don is still at it too. He and his friends went up to Inuvik, NWT and dragged a crashed Canso from a lake to the MacKenzie River and floated it down to Hay River, on a barge. They then removed the wings and transported it on a truck to Fairview, Alberta where they restored and flew it again. Removing the wings and putting a plane on a flatbed is something I've done a few times myself helping out my dad as a teenager, but nothing like that scale of work.
Link to Don Wieben Canso Restoration story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -1.4166853.
My mom, Robbie was an awesome pilot, no doubt about it, and she went on to become quite notable and won the Elsie McGill award in 2011. She was also recognized in books for her flying more than once, particularly for her Search and Rescue work in the Kootenays as part of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program. And she did a lot of work with the 99s, the female pilot organization. My mom actually wrote her Master's thesis (social work) on sexual harassment in the aviation industry, as it was a subject she seemed to have a lot of experience with unfortunately. She did pass away in 2012, but I still have a lot of flying memories about her. My dad eventually ended up in Senior Management for Air BC/Jazz (maintenance) and then a executive jet company in the Lower Mainland before retiring.
You also know about my aunt Liz (Wieben) and she was a long-time instructor and so on at Lakehead University and herself the recipient of an Elsie McGill award, among many other contributions to aviation, particularly around Thunder Bay. I'm not quite giving her due justice with that statement, she has done a heck of a lot in the industry, that is for sure.
Anyway, I thought I would share some information about O.J. and family as I came across this thread. I really don't have many pictures of Superior Airways myself, so I wonder if it would be alright to copy a few from this thread? I am thinking about dong a Twitter thread with some info about the Wieben family and the pics would be great additions. I can't do direct messages as I am new here, so perhaps Beech18 you could DM me to discuss?
Thanks everyone for sharing all the stories and pics and everything. It was a nice trip through memory lane for me. I hope some of my info has cleared up a few loose threads. If anyone has any questions I could try to answer them, although it has been a long time admittedly.
Cheers,
Steve T,
Re: Superior Airways
Beech18, you and the others have some fantastic pictures and stories of Superior Airways. They bring back a lot of great memories for me, as O.J. Wieben was my grandfather. I'm one of Pete and Robbie Taylor's sons. I can definitely corroborate some of the stories, such as strapping engines and stuff to the pontoons of bushplanes and changing them out on the ice at Pickle Lake and so on. My dad putting the plane's leg through the fuselage on a hard landing and then jury-rigging the gear to fly out is also true. Some of the others are a little off-base though, such as Pete pulling the landing gear up while on the ramp at TBay (that wasn't him, although that did indeed occur, just by someone else who I won't name). The story about him dragging the tie-down tire for takeoff is true though, even the flipping the bird and the tower asking where he was towing it to parts
O.J. passed away when I was almost 10 years old and by that time our family (Pete and Robbie together, and the three kids) had moved to Cranbrook (not for any of the reasons described in this thread, a lot less boring than that), where my parents built-up and ran an aviation maintenance/charter/other services business for a number of years there before going their own ways. Pete was indeed high up at Superior Airways, and was actually vice-president, before we left. My Mom, Robbie, was also working in the business at that time too, naturally.
As I was pretty young when O.J. was doing his thing I don't remember him as well as some people, but his single-mindedness (see workaholic and a strong personality) and flying skills stood out, but also the aircraft salvage skills and problem-solving he and my father (and others) were doing at times. I'm not talking day-to-day maintenance stories (I've heard the comments about that stuff too). But the ability to salvage and repair aircraft is something O.J., Pete, and my Uncle Don Wieben were really bloody good at. Don is still at it too. He and his friends went up to Inuvik, NWT and dragged a crashed Canso from a lake to the MacKenzie River and floated it down to Hay River, on a barge. They then removed the wings and transported it on a truck to Fairview, Alberta where they restored and flew it again. Removing the wings and putting a plane on a flatbed is something I've done a few times myself helping out my dad as a teenager, but nothing like that scale of work.
Link to Don Wieben Canso Restoration story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -1.4166853.
My mom, Robbie was an awesome pilot, no doubt about it, and she went on to become quite notable and won the Elsie McGill award in 2011. She was also recognized in books for her flying more than once, particularly for her Search and Rescue work in the Kootenays as part of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program. And she did a lot of work with the 99s, the female pilot organization. My mom actually wrote her Master's thesis (social work) on sexual harassment in the aviation industry, as it was a subject she seemed to have a lot of experience with unfortunately. She did pass away in 2012, but I still have a lot of flying memories about her. My dad eventually ended up in Senior Management for Air BC/Jazz (maintenance) and then at an executive/business jet company in the Lower Mainland before retiring.
You also know about my aunt Liz (Wieben) and she was a long-time instructor and so on at Lakehead University and herself the recipient of an Elsie McGill award, among many other contributions to aviation, particularly around Thunder Bay. I'm not quite giving her due justice with that statement, she has done a heck of a lot in the industry, that is for sure.
Anyway, I thought I would share some information about O.J. and family as I came across this thread. I really don't have many pictures of Superior Airways myself, so I wonder if it would be alright to copy a few from this thread? I am thinking about dong a Twitter thread with some info about the Wieben family and the pics would be great additions. I can't do direct messages as I am new here, so perhaps Beech18 you could DM me to discuss?
Thanks everyone for sharing all the stories and pics and everything. It was a nice trip through memory lane for me. I hope some of my info has cleared up a few loose threads. If anyone has any questions I could try to answer them, although it has been a long time admittedly.
Cheers,
Steve T,
O.J. passed away when I was almost 10 years old and by that time our family (Pete and Robbie together, and the three kids) had moved to Cranbrook (not for any of the reasons described in this thread, a lot less boring than that), where my parents built-up and ran an aviation maintenance/charter/other services business for a number of years there before going their own ways. Pete was indeed high up at Superior Airways, and was actually vice-president, before we left. My Mom, Robbie, was also working in the business at that time too, naturally.
As I was pretty young when O.J. was doing his thing I don't remember him as well as some people, but his single-mindedness (see workaholic and a strong personality) and flying skills stood out, but also the aircraft salvage skills and problem-solving he and my father (and others) were doing at times. I'm not talking day-to-day maintenance stories (I've heard the comments about that stuff too). But the ability to salvage and repair aircraft is something O.J., Pete, and my Uncle Don Wieben were really bloody good at. Don is still at it too. He and his friends went up to Inuvik, NWT and dragged a crashed Canso from a lake to the MacKenzie River and floated it down to Hay River, on a barge. They then removed the wings and transported it on a truck to Fairview, Alberta where they restored and flew it again. Removing the wings and putting a plane on a flatbed is something I've done a few times myself helping out my dad as a teenager, but nothing like that scale of work.
Link to Don Wieben Canso Restoration story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton ... -1.4166853.
My mom, Robbie was an awesome pilot, no doubt about it, and she went on to become quite notable and won the Elsie McGill award in 2011. She was also recognized in books for her flying more than once, particularly for her Search and Rescue work in the Kootenays as part of the B.C. Provincial Emergency Program. And she did a lot of work with the 99s, the female pilot organization. My mom actually wrote her Master's thesis (social work) on sexual harassment in the aviation industry, as it was a subject she seemed to have a lot of experience with unfortunately. She did pass away in 2012, but I still have a lot of flying memories about her. My dad eventually ended up in Senior Management for Air BC/Jazz (maintenance) and then at an executive/business jet company in the Lower Mainland before retiring.
You also know about my aunt Liz (Wieben) and she was a long-time instructor and so on at Lakehead University and herself the recipient of an Elsie McGill award, among many other contributions to aviation, particularly around Thunder Bay. I'm not quite giving her due justice with that statement, she has done a heck of a lot in the industry, that is for sure.
Anyway, I thought I would share some information about O.J. and family as I came across this thread. I really don't have many pictures of Superior Airways myself, so I wonder if it would be alright to copy a few from this thread? I am thinking about dong a Twitter thread with some info about the Wieben family and the pics would be great additions. I can't do direct messages as I am new here, so perhaps Beech18 you could DM me to discuss?
Thanks everyone for sharing all the stories and pics and everything. It was a nice trip through memory lane for me. I hope some of my info has cleared up a few loose threads. If anyone has any questions I could try to answer them, although it has been a long time admittedly.
Cheers,
Steve T,
Last edited by SteveT on Tue Jun 28, 2022 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Superior Airways
July 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at Sioux Lookout in July 1970. Early morning fog
hanging around in the bay before the day of flying got underway.
The two aircraft tied at what was called the sea wall are Cessna 180’s
CF-JQM and CF-LSN. JQM (red, white and black) was a Sioux Lookout based
aircraft. LSN was based in Big Trout Lake and was in Sioux for only a short
time.
Before the maintenance dock was built in the spring of 1972 most of the
aircraft maintenance in the summer was carried out at the sea wall.
The Beech 18 with the orange vertical stabs tied to the dock across from
LSN is CF-WYR. WYR flew out of Pickle Lake in the summer of 1970.
The red wings that can be seen in front of and to the left of WYR belong
to Beaver CF-GQU.
Two Cessna 180’s are tied at the dock between the two Beech 18’s. They
are CF-VGA and CF-VSD.
The Beech 18 in front of the Cessna 180’s is CF-YQB.
YQB flew out of Sioux Lookout.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at Sioux Lookout in July 1970. Early morning fog
hanging around in the bay before the day of flying got underway.
The two aircraft tied at what was called the sea wall are Cessna 180’s
CF-JQM and CF-LSN. JQM (red, white and black) was a Sioux Lookout based
aircraft. LSN was based in Big Trout Lake and was in Sioux for only a short
time.
Before the maintenance dock was built in the spring of 1972 most of the
aircraft maintenance in the summer was carried out at the sea wall.
The Beech 18 with the orange vertical stabs tied to the dock across from
LSN is CF-WYR. WYR flew out of Pickle Lake in the summer of 1970.
The red wings that can be seen in front of and to the left of WYR belong
to Beaver CF-GQU.
Two Cessna 180’s are tied at the dock between the two Beech 18’s. They
are CF-VGA and CF-VSD.
The Beech 18 in front of the Cessna 180’s is CF-YQB.
YQB flew out of Sioux Lookout.
Re: Superior Airways
August 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
Beaver CF-MXR in Sioux Lookout at the Severn Enterprise base May 1971.
Changeover from skis to floats is underway. MXR was based in Pickle Lake
during the winter of 1970/71. It returned to Pickle Lake for the summer
after the floats were installed.
MXR had the blue speed line on the fuselage and engine cowling in the
early years. That speed line was later painted red.
Severn Enterprise Ltd. Sioux Lookout, Ontario was painted on both of the
cabin doors.
The rubber tracked Bombardier Muskeg used for everything at the base from
rolling the runway in the winter to moving aircraft to different locations on
the base can be seen between the A-Frame poles. The Bombardier was
purchased from a mining company and arrived at the base on a trailer in pretty
rough condition. It was completely rebuilt in the maintenance shop and
became an important and reliable piece of equipment for everyday use.
Right under the aft fuselage of MXR can be seen over at the Slate Falls Airways
base Cessna 185 CF-SZW still sitting on skis. Floats would go on that aircraft
shortly.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
Beaver CF-MXR in Sioux Lookout at the Severn Enterprise base May 1971.
Changeover from skis to floats is underway. MXR was based in Pickle Lake
during the winter of 1970/71. It returned to Pickle Lake for the summer
after the floats were installed.
MXR had the blue speed line on the fuselage and engine cowling in the
early years. That speed line was later painted red.
Severn Enterprise Ltd. Sioux Lookout, Ontario was painted on both of the
cabin doors.
The rubber tracked Bombardier Muskeg used for everything at the base from
rolling the runway in the winter to moving aircraft to different locations on
the base can be seen between the A-Frame poles. The Bombardier was
purchased from a mining company and arrived at the base on a trailer in pretty
rough condition. It was completely rebuilt in the maintenance shop and
became an important and reliable piece of equipment for everyday use.
Right under the aft fuselage of MXR can be seen over at the Slate Falls Airways
base Cessna 185 CF-SZW still sitting on skis. Floats would go on that aircraft
shortly.
Re: Superior Airways
September 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at Abram Lake just south of Sioux Lookout in July 1971.
Beaver CF-ODD landing at Northumbrian Lodge to drop off a load of fisherman
that had been picked up at Northumbrian’s outpost camp on Wapesi Lake
about 35 miles northwest of Sioux Lookout.
ODD was an ex-Ontario Department of Lands and Forest aircraft.
The Lands and Forest operated this aircraft for many years before it was sold
to Superior Airways in the late 1960’s.
The Department of Lands and Forest summer float and winter ski base was
located on Abram Lake about half a mile down the shore line on the left side
of this photo. There is no doubt CF-ODD over the years made many flights in
and out of that base.
ODD in the photo is still painted in the yellow Lands and Forest colours.
The Beaver was based in Pickle Lake during the summer of 1971 and was doing
a trip for the company while it was in Sioux Lookout.
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at Abram Lake just south of Sioux Lookout in July 1971.
Beaver CF-ODD landing at Northumbrian Lodge to drop off a load of fisherman
that had been picked up at Northumbrian’s outpost camp on Wapesi Lake
about 35 miles northwest of Sioux Lookout.
ODD was an ex-Ontario Department of Lands and Forest aircraft.
The Lands and Forest operated this aircraft for many years before it was sold
to Superior Airways in the late 1960’s.
The Department of Lands and Forest summer float and winter ski base was
located on Abram Lake about half a mile down the shore line on the left side
of this photo. There is no doubt CF-ODD over the years made many flights in
and out of that base.
ODD in the photo is still painted in the yellow Lands and Forest colours.
The Beaver was based in Pickle Lake during the summer of 1971 and was doing
a trip for the company while it was in Sioux Lookout.
Re: Superior Airways
beech 18 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 07, 2022 8:13 am September 07, 2022
Superior Airways / Severn Enterprise operation from late 1960’s to 1974.
This photo was taken at Abram Lake just south of Sioux Lookout in July 1971.
Beaver CF-ODD landing at Northumbrian Lodge to drop off a load of fisherman
that had been picked up at Northumbrian’s outpost camp on Wapesi Lake
about 35 miles northwest of Sioux Lookout.
ODD was an ex-Ontario Department of Lands and Forest aircraft.
The Lands and Forest operated this aircraft for many years before it was sold
to Superior Airways in the late 1960’s.
The Department of Lands and Forest summer float and winter ski base was
located on Abram Lake about half a mile down the shore line on the left side
of this photo. There is no doubt CF-ODD over the years made many flights in
and out of that base.
ODD in the photo is still painted in the yellow Lands and Forest colours.
The Beaver was based in Pickle Lake during the summer of 1971 and was doing
a trip for the company while it was in Sioux Lookout.
