| Director | Gordon Burwash, Grant McLean |
|---|---|
| Genre | documentary film |
| Country | Canada |
In 1955, Winnipeg Airport is one of the main bases of Trans-Canada Air Lines, housing the airline's largest maintenance centre. One of the main functions of the base is to overhaul piston and jet engines in an engine shop as part of a complex system of operational and maintenance routines that underline the safe operation of each TCA aircraft.
The TCA Canadair North Star airliner has its Rolls-Royce Merlin piston engines overhauled in Winnipeg on a regular schedule. Engine parts are tested, and depending on damage that is detected, may be repaired or replaced. An engine test bay is also available to ensure the engines are ready to go back onto the North Stars.
With the TCA purchase of the British-built Vickers Viscount turboprop-powered airliner, the Winnipeg base is also in the midst of introducing jet engine technology for its engineering staff and technicians. TCA is the first North American carrier to use turboprop aircraft and air crews are also working up procedures to introduce the new airliner. The first Viscount is carrying out orientation flights for ground and air crews and the On the Spot crew are invited to come aboard on a test flight.