Winter in Edmonton Canada

When I visited Edmonton during 1987 for a family visit, my intentions was also to investigate the local aviation scene at both International and municipal airport. Although it was winter time with temperatures dropping down to minus 15 degrees Celsius, I was able to make some nice pictures from the viewing decks. At Edmonton municipal I visited the maintenance hanger of Conair were they were performing winter checks on their DC-6 water-bomber fleet. Additionally three Canadian government Canadair CL-215s were also in winter inspection.
In addition I made arrangements to visit Time Air. At the time they were operating the Convair 580 turboprop aircraft. Time Air was founded in 1966 by businessman Walter “Stubb” Ross from Lethbridge in Alberta with a single Beech 18. It was originally called "Lethbridge Air Service" before becoming Time Air.
When Air Canada stopped flying out of Lethbridge in 1967, Time Air helped fill a void and grew quickly operating a fleet of twin Otters and Short 330/360 aircrafts.
During my visit they were the primary regional carrier operation a fleet of three DeHavilland Dash 7s, five Convair 580s and two new Short 360s. The Short 360s were basically used on the Time Air – Connector service from Vancouver to three locations on Vancouver Island. The Convairs served mainly the northern cities such as Cold Lake, Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, High Level, Rainbow Lake, Peace River and Grande Prairie. The Dash 7s were mainly used on the Southern sectors such as Calgary, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Time Air corporate office was located in Calgary, while its major technical facility was located at Edmonton Municipal airport. It is here where I the Convair fleet in action. The CV-580s were equipped with 52 seats, an Fwd and Aft cargo bay. In the aft section it had a small pantry and two flight attendant stations. Fitted with two Allison 501-D13H turbine engines provided the Convair with a cruise speed of 340 mph and a comfortable cruising altitude of 25.00 ft. Time Air also operated two Rolls-Royce powered, Dart 524-4, Convair 640s. When I spoke to the maintenance supervisor Bert Melse, the Convair fleet was in excellent condition, but showing their age. They were probably going to be replaced by the Dash 8, which Time Air was in the process of buying!