March 1996
IN FLYING with Amphibian Airways, based in Invercargill, from 1953 to 1962, I acquired more than 4400 hours on Grumman Widgeons. Also, in association with Jim Monk, who died in Arrowtown last November, I had flown Comalco geologists and engineers into, and around, the West Arm of Lake Manapouri and Deep Cove during the planning stages of the Manapouri Power Scheme. Then in May 1962 I left Invercargill for Wellington to join the Civil Aviation Administration as a flight testing officer.
PRIOR TO the entry of the Mallard into the Fiordland scene I had been very busy operating Southern Scenic Air Service's floatplanes throughout the area from Queenstown and later from Te Anau for some four years. I knew the area well, especially as during the year immediately preceding the announcement of the tailrace and Wilmot Pass contracts going to UWB (Utah, Williamson Burnett) I was making several flights a day into Deep Cove from Te Anau with geologists and other people checking out the ramifications of the project.
UWB needed an aircraft to establish direct, fast and economical communication between Deep Cove, at the head of Doubtful Sound, and its future headquarters in Invercargill. Various Australian "experts" tried to show the simplicity of building an airstrip at Deep Cove and operating a wheeled aircraft from there, much to the amusement of our CAA pilots who were familiar with this area.
UWB needed an aircraft to establish direct, fast and economical communication between Deep Cove, at the head of Doubtful Sound, and its future headquarters in Invercargill. Various Australian "experts" tried to show the simplicity of building an airstrip at Deep Cove and operating a wheeled aircraft from there, much to the amusement of our CAA pilots who were familiar with this area.
Report And Photographs By Peter Clark.
Of Fox Moth, Bf109G-10, Bf108 Taifun And Stinson.
YOU always get the odd "nutter" who asks you if you could do some far fetched thing in an aeroplane and how much it would cost. After telling them a ball park figure they inevitably say "Oh ... really ... well I'll get back to you," and they are never heard from again.
Mmmm, a charter to Noumea in the Dominie .... of course we can do that! Here's a ball park figure of $xxxx. (That'll be the last I hear of that.) Not so, after some negotiations we strike a deal that will work. Air Caledonie began their operation 40 years ago with three Dominies and they now want one back to fly the original routes and join in the birthday celebrations.
Charles Liddel 1914-1996. Av-Vid Reviews - A-4, Boeing 737.
JANUARY 29 1995 was the day of the final test to see if I had what it took to take VH-NOJ, my RV-4, around the world. So, to me at least, the test hop was obvious. To New Zealand, a long way from Adelaide and with a reasonable puddle in between. I needed a long flight, both to check out the pilot and the pilot. My main concern though was the pilot, usually the weak link in aviation safety.
Additions, Deletions And Changes Of Ownership On The New Zealand Civil Register.
Like No Other Before Or Since - The Classic Lines Of Mr Douglas' Dc-3. ZK-AWP Was Photographed Over North Canterbury By Rob Neil In September 1991.
 April 1996 |
 February 1996 |
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