August 1976
Recent aviation history in New Zealand has seen a proliferation of one- and two-aircraft charter companies, many of them arising out of the boom in this country's tourist industry. One such company is Air Safaris &
Services in the South Island, which started from the ambition of one young man to learn to fly and establish his own operation.
Services in the South Island, which started from the ambition of one young man to learn to fly and establish his own operation.
THE "flagship" of Fieldair's fleet, Beaver ZK-AZB, has been honourably retired from topdressing after 25 years' service, during which it achieved several possible world records.
THE Harvard. For thousands of New Zealanders it is probably the RNZAF's best known aircraft. It features in the log books and experience of thousands of young men who have trained as pilots with the RNZAF since 1941, and to people throughout the country it is synonymous with a rasping engine sound (caused by the direct drive propellor and resulting high tip speeds) and the trailing smoke of Air Force aerobatic teams.
By the time the last Harvards are withdrawn from the RNZAF at the end of this year the type will have seen service in this country for close on 36 years. It will have been the Air Force's longest-serving type