Ginger Coote Airways
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Ginger Coote Airways (GCA) is a defunct passenger and charter airline that was based in Vancouver, British Columbia and often used Wells Harbor at Lulu Island as a base,[1] 1938-1942.
GCA was owned and operated by Canadian aviator Russell L. "Ginger" Coote (June 21, 1898 - January 10, 1970[2]), who learned to fly as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps Canada during World War I.[3] Post-war, Coote became part-owner of Bridge River & Cariboo Airways and eventually became the airline's president. In 1938, the airline changed its name to Ginger Coote Airways.
Employees of the airline included Coote as a pilot and co-director; his father, Andrew Coote, as co-director;[4] and Margaret Fane Rutledge as a radio operator. At times, Rutledge also dispatched and served as a co-pilot.[5] Coote also hired Russ Baker, who later founded Pacific Western Airlines, as a pilot[6] and to restore a de Havilland Moth.[7] GCA often flew from Vancouver, British Columbia to Zeballos, British Columbia. Other destinations included Edmonton, Prince George, and Whitehorse.[8]
In 1941, Coote sold the airline,[9] and in 1942 it was absorbed into Canadian Pacific Air Lines, along with several other smaller airlines.
Accidents and incidents
- May 27, 1938: A Fairchild 51 (CF-AUX) crashed near Port Alberni, British Columbia while en route from Vancouver to Zeballos, killing 4 persons (1 crew, pilot Len Waagens, and 3 passengers, Mary Nicholson (wife of George Nicholson, postmaster and airline agent at Zeballos), Charles Rumsey, and H. Boyd.).[11]
- October 29, 1940: A Noorduyn Norseman (CF-AZE) engine caught fire in flight while en route from Vancouver to Zeballos. During the forced landing, the single-engine aircraft flipped upside down, bursting into flames, injuring all 4 persons (1 crew and 3 passengers) on board and resulting in the aircraft's destruction.[12]
- A court case was brought against Ginger Coote Airways for injuries sustained in a forced landing when an aircraft caught on fire during a November 1940 flight operated by the airline.[13]