Today mark's the 100th anniversary of the first trans-alpine flight from the West Coast to Christchurch. This is the Christchurch Star's report of the first flight by Captain Buckley
OVER THE ALPS
FLIGHT ACCOMPLISHED.
CAPTAIN BUCKLEY ARRIVES SAFELY.
In just one hour and three-quarters Captain M. Buckley, accompanied by his mechanic, Mr W. Harrington, yesterday flew from Greymouth to Christchurch, an air-line distance of 128 miles. The flight, was one of the few difficult flights left, for New Zealand aviators to accomplish. It was a notable achievement in that it involved the crossing of the mountain range, and meant that the aviators took a good deal of risk. A mishap to the machine while over the mountain peaks or the rough country of the foothills would have meant, almost certain destruction. The machine, however, behaved splendidly and the flight was completed without any untoward incident.
The conditions were ideal for flying. In the morning the sharp easterly wind known in Greymouth as the “barber” and a high tide made conditions unpleasant and delayed the start of the journey till the afternoon. On the Canterbury side of the hills the weather was all that could be desired. At the Wigram aerodrome there was scarcely a breath of wind. The “balloon” wind indicator hung listlessly against its pole and the smoke of a neighbouring chimney floated straight up. The big flight commenced at 2.20 p.m., and by 3 p.m. the aerodrome had taken on that air of expectancy that bespoke something out of the ordinary. A couple of Avros were wheeled out of their hangars and were tuned up. Before 4 p.m. both had departed to meet arid welcome the aviators from the west, one being in charge of Captain Findlay. with Lieutenant Denton in the cockpit, and the other in charge of Captain Isitt. After skirting the aerodrome these machines headed due west and were rapidly lost in the haze that obscured the distant objects.
Those at the aerodrome then settled down to await the arrival of Captain Buckley. A report was received from town that the aviators were landing at Sheffield, and consequently Captain Buckley's early arrival was not looked for. Therefore, when immediately following the report of his descent, there came the drone of aeroplane engines, little attention was paid to the matter, as it was thought that the two machines which had left shortly before, had simply circled back to the aerodrome prior to going out again on their mission of welcome. It was a man with sharp ears who first made the discovery that the report of the descent at Sheffield was wrong. “That’s the Le Rhone engine,” he exclaimed, and almost as he uttered the words a third machine, dropping fast, shot straight over the roof of the hangar and landed without ceremony. Captain Buckley had arrived.
A Warm Welcome
There was a cheer as a number of the spectators ran forward to offer their congratulations, and several had reached the machine before it turned to taxi up to the hangar. Mr Harrington walked to the hangar, being warmly congratulated en route. “Cold.” he told those around him, “very cold.” But he was cheerful and obviously elated at the success of the flight. After Captain Buckley had brought the machine up to the door of the hangar he was surrounded by an enthusiastic little throng. “Decent of you fellows to come out and meet us” he said, as he climbed out of the cockpit. “It was good to see the machines coming out like that.” The “bus” was none the worse for its long trip. It had behaved admirably all the time it had been absent on the Coast - since December last - and had put the seal on a fine record by making a faultless flight home. It is an Avro, fitted with a Le Rhone engine. On its side was painted. “ Arrow Aviation Co.,” and the fuselage was decorated with a broad red arrow bearing the title “ The Blazing Arrow.” “ How did the bus “go?” was a question that came from several quarters at once and Captain Buckley assured them that it had behaved itself well.
Captain Buckley's Story
“We left Greymouth at 2.20,” said Captain Buckley upon his arrival. “We climbed to 2000 feet and after circling over the town, started off. The sky was very cloudy. We steered a course for the Teremakau River. We were above the clouds and could not see much of the land. Only the snowy peaks were in sight, after we had been in the air for about twenty-five minutes. We then steered for Mount Rolleston. which we could see sticking up. “We were then flying at 7500 feet.” added Captain Buckley. “The clouds cleared when we passed Mount Rolleston and we could see the mouth of the Otira tunnel. From there onwards the sky was clear. There we lost a bit of height and we decided to get down lower as soon as we got over the rough country. Near Kowai Bush we came down to 5000 feet, at which height we remained until we got home. “It was a welcome sight,” he continued, “to see the machines which had come out to meet us. First of all we met Captain Findlay and Lieutenant Denton and then Captain Isitt. We did not turn on the reserve tank until about, five miles from home.” “The bus did good work,” he said, in answer to a question. “We have had her for five months and she has never given a bit of trouble.” The aviators said that they had had a wonderful view of the alpine country. They saw snow down as far as Springfield. Captain Buckley and Mr Harrington will leave for the West Coast this morning to bring their belongings over. They will return to Christchurch on Saturday.
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| The Blazing Arrow on a West Coast beach in 1924 |
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| Captain Buckley (right) and Lieutenant Harrington, his mechanic, just after they landed at Sockburn yesterday from their non-stop flight across the Alps from Greymouth. |
Over the last 100 years the following airlines have operated regular services across the Alps connecting Christchurch and the West Coast
1963
1968-1978
Flew Fokker Friendships from Hokitika to Christchurch
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NAC Friendship ZK-BXE at Hokitika in 1978.
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1972-1973
Operated the NAC service to Hokitika with Hawker Siddeley 748s over the summer of 1972/73
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Mount Cook Airlines' Hawker Siddeley 748 ZK-CWJ at Hokitika on a NAC service on 2 January 1973.
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1976-1978
Flew Cessna 402s from Greymouth to Christchurch
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Cessna 402B ZK-DNQ at Greymouth in 1978.
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1978-1988
Operated Fokker Friendships from Hokitika to Christchurch until 1988.
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Fokker F27 Friendship 500 ZK-NFH at Hokitika on 18 March 1984
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1979-1981
Flew a Cessna 402 from Hokitika and/or Greymouth to Christchurch
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Westland Flying Services' Cessna 402 ZK-DHW at Hokitika in April 1980.
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1986-1988
Flew a DHC Twin Otter and a Piper Navajo from Greymouth to Christchurch
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DHC Twin Otter ZK-OTR at Greymouth on 23 February 1986.
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1988-2002, 2011-2019
Operated Air New Zealand's service with Fairchild Metroliners and Saab 340s and Bombardier Q300s from Hokitika to Christchurch
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| Air Nelson's Fairchild Metroliner III, ZK-NSW, at Hokitika on 8 August 1989. |
2002-2008
Flew a Piper Seneca and a Piper Chieftain from Greymouth and/or Westport to Christchurch
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Air West Coast's Piper Seneca ZK-KAE at Greymouth on 24 November 2002
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Eagle Air's Service to Hokitika
Eagle Air's service to Westport
Operated Air New Zealand's services from the West Coast flying Beech 1900s and BAe Jestreams from Hokitika to Christchurch and Beech 1900s from Westport to Christchurch
2009
Flew a Cessna 404 Titan from Westport and/or Greymouth to Christchurch
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Coastair's Cessna 404 Titan ZK-NDY at Greymouth on 3 July 2009.
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2019-Current
Flies Bombardier Q330s and at present ATR 72s from Hokitika to Christchurch
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Air New Zealand Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEB at Hokitika on 13 March 2020
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| Air New Zealand ATR 72-600 ZK-MVQ at Hokitika on 21 April 2024 |
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