Tourist Flyer's Reunion

Reunion

Southern Scenic Air Services/Ritchie Air Services/West Coast Airways/Tourist Air Travel/Mt Cook Airline

Former staff (up to about 1975) and families are welcome to gather at Queenstown on the weekend of 7-10 April 2017

¨ 70^th anniversary since Southern Scenic (SSAS) was founded – Queenstown’s first airline (1947)

¨ 60^th anniversary since SSAS inaugurated first Queenstown to Invercargill scheduled air service (1957 with DH89s)

¨ 60^th anniversary since SSAS formed West Coast Airways as the last South Westland airline and 50^th anniversary since the close of the airline (1967)

¨ 50^th anniversary since SSAS/RAS/WCA/TAT finished up as airline names on aircraft (Mt Cook takeover from January 1968)

Friday 7^th April 2017

7.30pm – 10pm: Gather at the Air Milford hangar (3 Tex Smith Lane, Queenstown Airport) for a social event hosted by Air Milford’s Hank Sproull and aviation historian Rev Dr Richard  Waugh. Memorabilia, photographs, and book sales. Dominie ZK-AKY and veteran Cessnas ZK-BDE, ZK-BJY, ZK-BMS and ZK-CHK on display. Story telling time (bring any photos and other memorabilia items).  $20 each to cover food and drinks –payable at entry.

Saturday 8^th April 2017

1pm to 4pm: Luncheon and social time at Gibbston Valley Winery (1820 State Highway 6, Gibbston 9371 – 20 minutes’ drive from Queenstown). More time to catch-up with friends from the past. Open microphone time from 2.30pm. Each person will pay for their own lunch and drinks.

Sunday 9^th April 2017

9am-10.30am: Palm Sunday service at Frankton Presbyterian Church (cnr Ross & McBride Streets). All welcome. Led by Aviation Chaplain Rev.Dr Richard Waugh. Will include presentation about Queenstown aviation pioneers and tribute to those who died in early operations (inc Geoffrey Houston, Eion Buckham, Alan Nicholas). Followed by refreshments, and memorial fly-past of veteran Dominie and Cessnas (weather permitting).

We have now confirmed the following veteran aircraft to gather with the folks;

-          Dominie ZK-AKY  (sponsored by QAC)

-          Cessna ZK-BDE  (recently restored – and an early SSAS aircraft)

-          Cessna ZK-BJY (ex SSAS/West Coast Airways etc and maybe the first on floats)

-          Cessna ZK-BMS (early Mount Cook skiplane)

The Cessnas are courtesy of the generosity of their owners

Please confirm your attendance by phoning the Air Milford office: (64) 03 4422351 or emailing:        info@airmilford.co.nz

Pass this information on to others; all former staff and families are very welcome.

Further information: 

Hank Sproull (details above) or Richard Waugh (022 5339400 or rjw@ecw.org.nz)