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.
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GCA was owned and operated by Canadian 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.