Coldest Flight of the Year (part 3 – conclusion)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  “Okay,” captain Dal said, “let’s do this.”  I began reading the unfamiliar checklist, speaking loudly over the outside noise. We accomplished each step slowly and deliberately. We couldn’t afford any mistakes. We were stepping beyond the standard daily routine. We were going the extra mile to accomplish…

Coldest Flight of the Year (part 2)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  We were stumped and stuck in Winnipeg. We retreated into the bridge just as Captain Dal and FO (first officer) Bear arrived with our flight attendant crew close behind. We all huddled together taking stock. We had no electrical power from the ground power unit. No APU.…

Coldest Flight of the Year (part 1)

Second Officer’s Log:Winter 1976, B727, YWG Departure Gate  Arctic air gripped the prairies as Winnipeg’s overnight temperature plummeted to -40°. A frigid wind sucked heat from everything it touched, including our Boeing 727. I peered at it through my reflection in the boarding lounge window. The plane sat frozen in pools of feeble yellow light…