Milford Sound - 70 years on

The 17th of November 1938 was a historic day for aviation at Milford Sound when Southland Airways' Arthur Bradshaw became the first to land an aeroplane there. The Southland Times reported: Mr A. J. Bradshaw landed at the head of Milford Sound in his Puss Moth monoplane at noon today. This is the first landing to take place here. The ground chosen is a sandy beach in a deep-water basin a mile away from the hostel. Mr Bradshaw made a perfect landing in less than 100 yards. On leaving the sounds he flew north and disappeared over the Pembroke Glacier. This also is unprecedented, as aeroplanes previously visiting the sounds have flown out to the coast to gain the necessary height.

Mr Bradshaw, who returned to Invercargill yesterday, said that the beach could be used for landing in cases of emergency, but the Civil Aviation Department would never allow it to be used for ordinary purposes. He landed at Lake Ada, a few miles away, on Tuesday and went by launch, by car and on foot in search of a natural landing ground, but could not find one. A ground could be made, but the cost would probably run into thousands of pounds. Before returning to Invercargill Mr Bradshaw made a landing at Big Bay.

Shortly after Bert Mercer of Air Travel (NZ) landed De Havilland DH83 Fox Moth ZK-ADI at Milford Sound. It seems history did not record the date.

On the 22nd of August 1951 Southern Scenic Air Trips' Popeye Lucas flew an Auster into Milford Sound landing on a comparatively small, but flat, beach at Deepwater Basin, near the Milford Sound hostel. The Press reported that the aeroplane was flown to the sound to see if a landing could be made in the event of an emergency. The aeroplane landed at 8.15 a.m. and took off before the tide began to rise. Only two other landings are known to have been made in this manner in the Milford Sound area. Landings by amphibian aircraft, however, are not uncommon. It brought fresh bread, meat, newspapers, and mail. By the following year an airstrip had been developed and on the 5th of June 1952 Southern Scenic Air Services' Auster Aiglet ZK-AWS, flown by F. J. Lucas carried the first official air mail from Milford Sound to Queenstown. 

But there was always a need for something more. That came in 1956 when the Ministry of Works constructed a new, officially licensed aerodrome at Milford Sound.

On the 10th of July 1956 a proving flight was flown between Haast and Milford Sound to ascertain the suitability of an airstrip at Milford to be used for regular air services. The flight, flown by Captain Frank Molloy in NAC's De Havilland DH89 Dominie ZK-AKY carried officials of the Civil Aviation Administration. The Press of the 13th reported that, the special flight... may herald future tourist traffic to the Milford Sound area by air. The Dominie took three officers of the administration on its flight. The men spent two hours at the Milford aerodrome discussing the possibilities of its use by Dominies, which would fly from Hokitika to Milford by way of Haast. No decision was announced after the inspection but an early announcement is expected. The agent of “The Press” at Hokitika (Mr M. Saunders) gave the pilot of the Dominie (Captain F. Molloy) two copies of “The Press.” The manager of the Milford Hotel who received the papers said it was the first time a city newspaper had been delivered at the hotel on the day of its issue.

NAC De Havilland Dominie ZK-AKY at newly constructed Milford Sound aerodrome. Was this the first flight on the 10th of July 1956??? Photographer unknown

The Evening Post of the 13th of July 1956 reported further on the possible Milford Sound service. Following a successful charter flight, the National Airways Corporation, under a charter from the Tourist and Publicity Department, intends to operate a service from Hokitika and Haast. An NAC Dominie will fly once a week from Haast - in less than an hour - and if the venture is successful another Dominie will be based at Hokitika for additional flights. The flights will operate till further notice. 

It is the 10th of July 1956 flight that licenced the Milford Sound aerodrome that marks the start of commercial services to Milford Sound. 

The first on demand charter service was operated on the 25th of July 1956 from Hokitika to Haast and Milford Sound and return was flown by Captain Frank Molloy in Dominie ZK-AKY. The charter service never appeared in the NAC timetables but it was advertised in national newspapers.

NAC's De Havilland Dominie ZK-AKY at Milford Sound on the first charter flight on 25 July 1956. Photograph : Max Dowell

Evening Post, 11 August 1956

The Press, 23 August 1956

Earlier in 1956 Southern Scenic were preparing to commence Dominie services having purchased the Auckland Aero Club's Dominie ZK-BAU and later in the year two ex-NAC Dominies.

70 years since the licensing of Milford Sound aerodrome on a gathering of past and current pilots and people involved in the Milford Sound flightseeing operation gathered in Air Milford's hangar on the evening on the 9th of July to mark the event. Among those who gathered were two pilots who had flown Dominies into Milford Sound for Ritchie Air Services, Gary Cruickshank and Russell Gutschlag. The event hosted, by Air Milford's Hank and Kerrie Sproull, was an a great opportunity for reminiscing and stories including from Hank Sproull himself, Mike Skudder, a long time Flight Service Officer at Milford Sound, the Queenstown Airport Corporation's CEO Shane O'Hare, and a historical presentation by aviation historian, Rev Dr Richard Waugh. Shane O'Hare made the point 10,000 people will have flown through Queenstown airport that day with 34 jet flights from Australia. Shane also made the point that is wonderful that all the operators flying into Milford Sound were present to celebrate this milestone in history.

Sadly, attempts to bring back De Havilland DH89B Dominie ZK-AKY to fly between Queenstown and Milford Sound were thwarted due to an engine issue. It was, however, a delight to see Colin and Maeva Smith from Croydon Aviation Company at the evening gathering.

ZK-AKY, the Dominie which made the proving flight to  was to see service with three of the Milford Sound pioneer flyers, Ritchie Air Services, which like Southern Scenic Air Services was merged into Tourist Air Travel, which in turn was taken over by Mount Cook Airlines.

Newly arrived from NAC, Dominie ZK-AKY in NAC colours with Ritchie Air Services titles on a publicity shoot. Photographer unknown.

Inherited from Ritchie Air Services, de Havilland DH89B Dominie ZK-AKY at Queenstown

In Mount Cook Airlines colours but without titles, de Havilland DH89B Dominie ZK-AKY at Queenstown in the early 1970s. Photographer unknown

On the actual 70th anniversary of the proving flight, Air Milford in conjunction with the Queenstown Airport Corporation operated a commemorative flight into Milford Sound. Flown by Air Milford's chief pilot Antony Sproull in Air Milford's first Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKB passengers included Captain Keith Molloy, son of Captain Frank Molloy who had flown the proving flight 70 years before. Also on board was David Graham an air accident investigator, a fitting nod to the Civil Aviation officials who were on the proving flight.

 

Air Milford's Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKB at Queenstown on 10 July 2026

Antony Sproull and Keith Molloy at Milford Sound. The son of the Frank Molloy who made the proving flight Keith said, "It was an amazing celebration of Milford and I was very humbled and genuinely very excited with the whole event."

Keith was carrying the 1943 map his father used 70 years before

From left, self, Allan Pattrick (ex Mount Cook Airlines), Antony Sproull, Keith Molloy, David Graham, and Richard Waugh

Milford Sound's ramp... a little busier than on the day 70 years before

"Happy Birthday Milford Sound Airport - 70 years of commercial services."

Air Milford's Cessna 208 Caravan ZK-SKB at Milford Sound on 10 July 2026. 70 years on the Cessna Caravan is certainly the Dominie replacement in the 2020s with up to 15 sitting on the Milford ramp at any one time!