Pionair - New Zealand's Classic Aviation Company

Pionair Adventures Limited was established by Phil Maguire. Described in an August 1994 Wings article as an aviation enthusiast, entrepreneur and pilot, Phil took his first practical step towards running his own airline when he joined the Air Training Corps in 1970. An Air New Zealand flying scholarship followed, leading to a PPL with the Canterbury Aero Club. Off to Wanganui-based Helicopter Training Ltd and a double CPL(H) and (A) in the same week in 1977. Nothing suitable seemed in the offing locally so "I was on my bike" to land a job during 1978 helimustering in a Bell 47G over a 1200 square mile cattle station in North Queensland. One season, 600 hours later, and "slightly sick of the sight of beef", he returned to New Zealand to take up a position with Wisharts at Hamilton spraying with a Bell 47. A bit of live capture using a Hughes 300 followed before backtracking across the Tasman to join a US company operating a Hughes 500 on mineral exploration "all over West Australia and the Northern Territory". A stint in Papua New Guinea with the same US company followed in 1979, flying support for a mineral exploration camp. Phil kept his fixed wing eye in with the purchase of a Cessna 185 to enable a side interest in charters as Capricorn Aviation based out of Madang. He returned to Western Australia to finish a mineral project "and then wrote the machine off when the engine quit." Eighteen months followed with Bristows out of Perth, flying Bell 212s and Puma SA330Js before crossing the country to take a position with Rebel Air flying a DC-3. This was his first taste of tourist charters, an experience he stored away for future reference. As well he flew night freight as well as daytime helicopter work for TV channels. After a brief stint back in PNG, this time with Talair, he decided to head for the bigger machinery and paid out of his own pocket for a Boeing 737 rating with Air New Zealand and headed for the wider world. He found himself flying for Wright Express out of Cincinnati in the US, ranging over the east coast in a variety of Cessnas, Navajos and a Lear 25, carrying bank cheques and bank data; "It was all black coffee and even blacker nights", he remembers. In 1984 he gained a position as a first officer on Air Nauru's Boeing 737, returning to New Zealand in 1987 in answer to Ansett New Zealand's call for pilots. After twelve weeks as a first officer, Phil Maguire had his command. Meanwhile, with a keen eye for an aviation opportunity, he noted a niche amongst the Central Otago scenery for a Queenstown-based tourist operation.

As a first step he duly incorporated Pionair Adventures Ltd on the 24th day of October 1991. A couple of months later, on the 8th of December 1991, Grumman G-164A Ag-Cat ZK-MEW (c/n 738) was registered to the new company. As the name suggests an Ag-Cat was an aerial topdressing aircraft of agricultural land. Its hopper was replaced with a fibreglass two-seat passenger accommodation for passenger operations by Christchurch-based Drake Aviation at Christchurch ahead of commencing joyriding operations from Queenstown. The Wings article continues, Purchasing a Grumman Ag-Cat from Australia where it had been employed on "for hire and reward" on tourist work, he created a barnstorming image and the tourists lined up to go fly in the big yellow biplane, clad in leather jacket, helmet, goggles and scarf - the nostalgia and excitement was contagious. His Pionair Adventures club ran into trouble with the CAA, the Ag-Cat having not been allocated the same "for hire and reward" approval given by our Australian cousins. A court case left the big yellow biplane languishing in the operation's Queenstown hangar, in company with the better part of two further Grummans. The High Court Judge's decision read, in part, "I cannot give you a slap on the wrist with a wet bus ticket, and I do not wish to stand in the way of entrepreneurism and a changing aviation regulation - minimum fine of $1000 - get CAA to co-operate." 

Pionair Adventures' Grumman Ag-Cat ZK-MEW at Queenstown on 23 February 1992. Photo : S Lowe

While issues were sorted out with CAA the Ag-Cat was operated by a 'club' which passengers joined until the licencing issues were resolved. As part of these processes the aircraft was placed on the Australian aircraft register as VH-MFW from the 12th of January 1995 to the 8th of December 1995 while continuing to operate from Queenstown. It returned to its New Zealand identity of ZK-MEW after its brief presence on the Australian register.

A flight with Pionair - New Zealand's Classic Aviation Company - on Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS on 10 September 1995

On the right hand side of ZK-AMS there was a bubble window that allowed different views

Wearing dual registrations Grumman Ag-Cat ZK-MEW wearing its Australian registration VH-MFW at Christchurch on 10 September 1995. Photo : S Lowe

Meanwhile, Phil Maguire had seen further opportunities for tourist flying from Queenstown and in 1993 he imported a Douglas DC-3 from Australia. Built in 1943 the Douglas DC-3C had seen service extensive service in Australia with the Royal Australian Air Force, Qantas Empire Airways, East West Airlines, Airlines of South Australia, Pacific and Western Aviation, Queensland & Pacific Airways, Bush Pilots Airways, Air Queensland, Air Rambler and Desert Air Safaris before its arrival in New Zealan.  Placed on the New Zealand register as ZK-AMS (c/n 9286) on the 15th of July 1993 the aircraft was initially named "Spirit of Queenstown." On the 9th of July Phil Maguire was reported in the Press saying, there was immense nostalgia appeal for the DC3, and the tourist industry was already organising bookings for the aircraft… Pionair's aircraft would, beginning in August, fly Monday and Friday return services between Christchurch, Wanaka, and Queenstown. The return fare of $274 was about half the standard fares charged by other airlines flying to Queenstown. Mr Maguire said the flights were aimed at budget-conscious travellers, such as backpackers. He believed there was a niche market in this area. "From August 1 Queenstown will have its own airline. However, 'flightseeing' operations around the district and Fiordland will still be our core business." Pionair's DC3 will be named the Spirit of Queenstown. 

On the 21st of September 1993 a second company was established, Pionair Ltd for the DC-3 operation, with Gareth Thomas and Phil Maguire being the two shareholders.

The initial news coverage was somewhat optimistic as the overhaul and preparation for service at Fieldair’s facility at Palmerston North took longer than expected. After this it flew to Ardmore to receive its new cabin from Flight Interiors and then to Paraparaumu to be painted in its new colours. All in all this work took some seven months or 5009 hours of restoration at a cost of $500,000 to its joint owners. ZK-AMS, the Spirit of Queenstown, finally made its way south to Queenstown in November 1993 with the operation being officially launched the following month.

On her delivery to Queenstown, Pionair's first Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS at Christchurch on 16 November 1993. Photo : S Lowe

Referring to "the grand old lady", Phil Maguire told the Otago Daily Times, the plane had had a colourful life since it was commissioned to the Royal Australian Air Force in late 1943, "She was actively involved in the war theatre in New Guinea and Burma and finally in Japan in 1947.” In 1948 it became the second, DC3 used as a passenger plane by the then Qantas Empire Airways, where it remained for 20 years. A succession of Australian owners preceded Pionair Adventures' interest in the aircraft where it was faithfully restored to its former National Airways colours (an error in the reporting) and glory, even down to the Royal Mail insignia emblazoned on its body. With attention to detail, Mr Maguire has also installed in a once-secret compartment a replica Smith and Wesson .38 revolver. The gun was originally used as a last resort, by pilots and crew captured in war-time. The two men have made Queenstown their base where the, aircraft will be used as a flightseeing attraction. Mr Thomas said the plane would also be available for charter and he had had several inquiries for wedding charters. The company's aim is to offer passengers the adventure of a bygone era in flying by re-creating air travel of the 1940s, he said. 

Correcting the reporting on the colour scheme, the August 1994 Wings article explained, Phil had blended an Eastern Airlines exterior circa 1935 with an Imperial Airways-styled interior. The crew, in black double breasted for summer and khaki for summer, stepped right out of the travel brochures. Finding silk stockings with a back seam is a continuing quest for senior stewardess Rose McKeown. Rose began her cabin career with Ansett before stepping back in time as a pill-box hat wearing hostess on a real steam driven airliner. "It's a bit of Disney," says Phil. "Everyone is in 1940s uniforms, Glen Miller plays as you walk on, and there are 1940s magazines to read."

Some more details appeared in the Press on the 28th of December 1993 while the “Spirit of Queenstown” was making a visit to Christchurch… Glenn Miller plays "In the Mood" over the sound system as the aircraft taxis out to take-off. The in-flight magazines are copies of "Life" from the 1950s. The aircraft sits at a slope on the tarmac. The motors seem to run rough until the pitch of the propellers is adjusted into harmony. This is a veteran DC3, the "Spirit of Queenstown", 50 years old last March, and looking ready for another 50 years. Today she is flying nostalgic sight-seeing trips. They recall the days when air travel had a leisurely elegance, before the coming of the jets. The DC3 belongs to Pionair Adventures Limited, based in Queenstown. Captain Phillip Maguire, the company's managing director, found her early this year in the Australian Outback, flying desert safaris…

Life is much more gracious for her now. The aircraft provides scenic flights from Queenstown that include sunset champagne outings and picnics round Lake Wakatipu. She can carry 28 passengers in comfort. Or on charter flights, for those who want extra style, a dozen seats can be taken out to make way for more elaborate catering. Phillip Maguire, a former Ansett New Zealand pilot, with co-pilot Brett Dovey and stewardess Rose McEwan, was in Christchurch recently with the DC3 on a charter flight. He took the opportunity to turn on an aerial tour of Christchurch, including a look at Wigram. The "Spirit" handled like a charm, bouncing softly on the airwaves and touching down so gently it was hard to know when she had landed. Regular scenic flights from Queenstown cost from $99.

The Christchurch visit was a foretaste of more to follow. On the 24th of May 1994 the Press reported that a company offering flights over Christchurch in a vintage DC3 airliner says demand for them has been overwhelming. The managing director of Pionair, Phillip Maguire, said the company had estimated a demand for 10 "Sentimental Journey" flights at the weekend, but 20 were needed to cope with the demand. Pionair would offer flights in the aircraft again this weekend. The DC3 is at the Christchurch Airport fire station in Grays Road.

The Press, 29 June 1994

The Press, 23 July 1994

The Press 18 August 1994

The Press, 23 August 1994

At the same time the company started planning for 10-day air luxury expeditions round New Zealand from November 1994 into 1995. The company's joint managing director, pilot Philip Maguire, said the tours would combine luxury, style, exclusive accommodation, and individual attention.

Meanwhile, in July 1994, Pionair operated a series of flights between Wellington and Wānaka that were aimed at skiers wanting to access skifields in the area. Advertised as “Gordon’s Southern Classic Ski Adventures, eleven flights were scheduled between Wellington and Wānaka from the 15th of July 1994 with associated packages that included accommodation and a discount on ski passes.

The 1994 Wellington to Wānaka flights to the skifields

On the 23rd of August the Press reported Christchurch residents will have new opportunities to sample nostalgic air travel in the classic DC3 aircraft operated by Pionair. The aircraft, ZK-AMS, The Spirit of Queenstown, has been flying charters and sightseeing trips from Queenstown. In the last year more than 8000 passengers have sampled flying in 1940s style. The aircraft has been used for weddings, mystery tours, and corporate charters. Now the 28-seater DC3 is spending time in Christchurch with evening cocktail flights over the city planned for August 26 and September 2, and sightseeing trips on August 28 and September 4. Other flights and charters will be available on demand. Next year the company plans to use the DC3 to make three expeditions round New Zealand, visiting major attractions from the Bay of Islands to Milford Sound.

The August 1994 Wings article also reported on a Christchurch scenic flight… Up front is Neil Sutherland, previously with Mount Cook Airlines on skiplanes before crewing Boeing 737s with Ansett NZ. Also crewing on the Douglas as required is Brett Dovey. "Please come aboard and take any seat as long as it is red and white," welcomed Captain Phil Maguire from beside the fuselage door. Amid some comments on the upward sloping aisle, a novelty to many boarding at Christchurch International, a group was preparing to join Pionair on a joyride over the nearby city. This is barnstorming with a difference. Sixty years ago it was a solitary biplane flying from country meadow to country meadow on the outskirts of small towns, and five minute flips around the village. Today the vintage flying machine comes to the city to show the urban folks just what it was they have been missing while travelling at 33,000 feet. And they queue up to find out. Phil, in free and relaxed manner, provided a potted biography of the veteran airliner before concluding with "there are only two rules, one... you must change seats to the other side on the way back, and two... you must visit the flight deck during the flight." He then climbed further up the front and avgas engine starting noises began - much more interest value than two kerosene-burning Pratt and Whitneys to be found bolted to a Boeing's wing. Glen Miller played over the public address system, the two Pratt and Whitneys joined in and the sound tracked - back - into the past. Up and out over the city. Twenty minutes later the almost forgotten oik, oik of the tyres and the controlled lowering of the tail completed the stimulation of some memories and the beginnings of others. Passengers disembarked with their souvenir flight certificate - Room for name, room for date... "has travelled back in time aboard Pionair DC-3 airliner "Spirit of Queenstown" ZK-AMS experiencing the excitement, exhilaration and adventure of the early days of cross country air travel and has returned to the present with a finer appreciation to the Pioneer's Spirit." Looking back towards the veteran sitting at rest on the tarmac, one of the passengers commented "she does look tired, doesn't she?" The answer would have to be - with over 57,000 airframe hours logged aloft - "so would you, so would you." It is a logbook that adds up to a mindboggling 2,375 days or six and a half years airborne! Phil Maguire, while reflecting on some difficulties over the biplane operation, was full of praise for CAA cooperation over the setting up of the DC-3 operation. He had also been heartened by a change in approach with regard to the Ag-Cat, a "how can we make it happen" philosophy being evident from CAA. The next stage in the airline's development, now with its barnstorming era sorted out, are ten to twelve day "Great New Zealand Air Expeditions". Aimed at the overseas tourist market, the flight path for a ten day luxury tour heads down country from Auckland - after a brief excursion to the Bay of Islands - via such spots as Rotorua, Marlborough, Christchurch, Mount Cook, Dunedin, Te Anau, and Queenstown. The DC-3 operation is the realisation of a three and a half year old project says Phil Maguire, planned ahead of the Paraparaumu-based Classic Air DC-3 operation using former Fieldair freighter ZK-AWP. "We are concentrating on the North American, Australian and expatriate market," Phil commented, "while Classic appear to be focused on the German and Central European side of things." "In the long term we are looking to a dedicated charter airline, using turboprops or whatever, tapping both domestic and inbound tourist market," he says. Whatever the direction the company takes in the future, few operations will be able to claim at subsequent anniversaries that they began in the 1990s with a biplane and a DC-3. Phil Maguire and Auckland-based partner Gareth Thomas have tapped into a niche that blends a unique New Zealand vintage flavour with "low and slow" - definitely catching the eye of tourists wanting something memorable and enjoyable.

In September 1994 thirty-five passengers few between Christchurch and Greymouth in ZK-AMS. Half of them flew to Greymouth while the remainder travelled on the Tranz Alpine Express, before reversing the modes of transport for the return trip. Phillip Maguire was reported as saying that he hoped to make the excursion a regular event and that discussions would be held with New Zealand Rail to further this.

On a later flight to Greymouth, Pionair's Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS on 25 January 1998. Photo : S Lowe

Reporting in September 1994 said that Pionair had added two Cessna aircraft to its fleet to be used on Milford Sound flights. Only one, Cessna U206G Stationair 6 ZK-JDZ (c/n U20605004) was registered to Pionair Adventures, this happening on the 21st of December 1994. Its registration returned to its owner on the 11th of July 1995 and it returned to Australia in November of that year. Also used by Pionair was leased Cessna 210L Centurion ZK-NPD ( c/n 21060331). Pionair’s use of this aircraft was also brief and it departed from the fleet in May 1995.

Pionair's Cessna 206 ZK-JDZ at Queenstown. Photo : D Noble

Charter work was also important for Pionair. In late 1994 the DC-3 was used for a by the Rodger Fox Big Band for a national tour. DC-3 flights at various centres were offered as part of the concert package and for locals interested in availing themselves of the opportunity.

Out of Queenstown various packages were offered including a half-day excursion that combined a scenic flight on the DC3 airliner, a backcountry coach ride, a farm visit, and a cruise on the steamer Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu. Another, the "Yalumba Twilight Safari", saw the DC-3 flying to Hikurangi Airstrip near the Mavora Lakes between Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau for a kiwi-style barbecue with flights leaving from Queenstown at 5.30pm and returning at sunset.

Pionair's Queenstown flightseeing

In March 1995 the decision was made to move the DC-3 base to Christchurch with the Grumman Ag-Cat biplane operation remaining in Queenstown. The company's managing director and chief pilot, Phil Maguire, said the move was because of an increasing demand for charters departing from Christchurch, where most of the company's business was done. Pionair's, but all international and domestic marketing would be transacted from Christchurch, he said. The company has carried more than 6000 passengers on scenic flights over Christchurch. With the DC-3 move to Christchurch the decision was made to rename her and she became known as ‘Dulcie.’

As part of the airline’s developing a theme it had been giving out period copies of the old "Weekly News" and "Brett's Weekly." The papers complemented the Glenn Miller music and the period uniform of the air crew, which for the air hostess includes pillbox hat and black-seam stockings, and for the pilots, lots of braid. However, the popularity of the papers with passengers meant that they had started to run out and so the decision was made to print their own newspaper. Design of the papers has been supervised by Gareth Thomas, an Auckland marketing executive, who co-owns Pionair with Philip Maguire, a Christchurch pilot. Printed at Nelson in sepia, the "Pionair Times" has period photographs and advertisements with type and images from 50 years ago. An advertisement for Christchurch Casino includes a woman, with Apron and 1940s style dress, in front of a clothes-line.

With the move to Christchurch new tourist destinations and flights were developed including for mountain picnic flights to Mesopotamia station and to of Marlborough vineyards and wineries. The first of these wineries flights to Blenheim was reviewed in the Press of the 30th of November 1995… Passengers take a step back in time as we saunter across the tarmac, climb the gangway and are shown to our seats. The unmistakable big-band sound of Glenn Miller wafts through the passenger cabin as we peer from oblong, curtained portholes while DC3 Spirit of Queenstown's twin engines wind up. It is just after 8am on a recent cool Christchurch Saturday. The stately old aeroplane has completed its pre-flight warming-up in the care of Captain Giles Goulden and First Officer Alistair Johnston. Stewardess (and we use the term advisedly) Trish Johnston has explained safety procedures and passed around 1940s magazines. We are taking the inaugural Pionair Adventures day tour to the Marlborough vineyards.

From small beginnings in Queenstown offering rides in an open cockpit biplane, Pionair Adventures Ltd is now securing a niche in tourist aviation, offering "soft adventure" and pandering to those with a hankering for nostalgia. Based at The Farm adjacent to Christchurch Airport since early this year, the airline has identified a need to market entertainment and the DC3, carrying 28 passengers, enables a range of day-trip journeys to all parts of the country…

Mr Maguire describes the Blenheim wine tour as testing the water to see if people are interested. The tour includes five vineyards in the South Island's premier grape-growing region, a distillery, and a food preservery. Intrepid Pionair wine-trailers can even buy a case or two... "there's plenty of cargo space on the aeroplane," he says. If the trip proves popular weekly flights are possible. "With the charm of the old DC3... it's a good combination. You can do it in a day without having to drive there and back."

It is drizzling as we touch down at Blenheim's Woodbourne Aerodrome after our flight of just over an hour from Christchurch. Cruising at between 500ft and 1500ft, the DC3 is remarkably stable and unexpectedly quiet. The view as we fly along the Canterbury coastline and around the Kaikoura ranges at such a low altitude is wonderful. A cheery Chris Godsiff greets us on the tarmac with his 28-seater coach. Flamenco music on the coach stereo sets an appropriate Mediterranean tone. First stop on the Pionair trail is the Renwick vineyard of Daniel Le Brun where our party of 18 tours the underground cellars, learns some of the intricacies of making fine bubbly and enjoys the first tasting of his nonvintage méthode champenoise. Daniel Le Brun produces 190,000 bottles a year, of which about 10 per cent are exported to Britain and New Caledonia. A twelfth generation champagne maker from the village of Monthelon in Epernay, France, he established his Marlborough vineyard in 1979, planting only champagne wine varieties — chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier.

The Waihopai Valley vineyard of the Grove Mill Wine Company looms next, with tastings of the 1995 sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, dry riesling, gewiirztraminer, and pinot gris from winemaker David Pearce. Grove Mill grew from a grape growers' co-operative venture in 1988. Its new high-tech winery now processes 600 tonnes of grapes a year grown on 40 acres. With a number of national and international wine awards for premium quality regional and varietal wines, Grove Mill exports to Britain, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Corbans Stoneleigh vineyard on the banks of the Wairau River awaits with a range for tasting at the cellar-door counter. Stoneleigh's modern retail outlet offers a glimpse through large glass windows to scores of oak casks, their contents maturing in a carefully controlled environment. By now our party is mingling with others enjoying a cool but pleasant day out on the wine trail. A bistro-style lunch is offered at the winery of one of Marlborough's viticultural pioneers, Allan Scott. The blackboard menu tempts the palate with such dishes as Marlborough green-shelled mussels stuffed with parmesan and spinach, smoked salmon salad, asparagus filo parcels, and hazelnut torte. A wedding party swells the lunchtime crowd and shares its celebration with our group.

On to world-renowned Hunter's Wines, whose reputation for fine chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, riesling, gerwiirztraminer, and cabernet sauvignon has helped New Zealand winemakers market their wares in the wine capitals of the world. Jane Hunter, a viticulturalist with a long family history of winemaking in Australia, together with winemaker Gary Duke and eminent Australian oenologist Dr Tony Jordan, is carrying on her late husband Ernie's dream of developing the potential of Marlborough as a premier wine region.

Different fare tempts our tastebuds as we move on to visit the kitchen craft shop of Price's Traditional Preserves at Spring Vale. Marie and Morgan Price make a wide range of chutneys, relishes, sauces, jams, and pickles from produce grown on their property and purchased from local growers. Set up as a small family business in 1992 to fill a gap in the local gift and health-food markets, Price's variety of old recipes from family and friends is now available through 60 outlets around the country.

New Zealand's first commercial fruit distillery, Pacific Distilling Company Ltd, offers a chance to try something a little different. Marketed under the Prenzel label from a modern "tin shed" at the Riverlands Estate, Pacific produces clear fruit brandies, schnapps, liqueurs, and a wide range of culinary alcohols. Proprietor Chris Steadman expounds on the rich flavours of locally grown fruit as she mixes a range of cocktails with colourful names. Bright sunshine from unpolluted skies and young, vigorous soils, combined with traditional European distilling techniques and craftsmanship ensure exceptionally fine flavour, she says.

With time to spare before reboarding Pionair's time-travel machine for the return flight to Christchurch, Chris Godsiff, who has entertained throughout the tour with his friendly patter of regional facts and anecdotes, takes us to the Nautilus Estate for a final tasting. Nautilus uses grapes from Marlborough vineyards blended with those from other selected sites throughout the country to produce sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, carbernet sauvignon/ merlot, and a non-vintage cuvee. Sampling fare from six vineyards, a preservery and a distillery in a day may seem a tough task but, in the words of Phillip Maguire, it's a great escape from the city, without the hassle of driving. Sampling fare from six vineyards, a preservery and a distillery in a day may seem a tough task.

Following the closure of RNZAF Wigram in September 1995, Pionair moved its Christchurch operational base to the ex-Air Force station at Wigram.

The Press, 25 October 1995

Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS, Spirit of Queenstown, at Hokitika on 7 October 1995

In 1996 Phil Maguire sold Pionair after a buyout put together by John Stark and Allan Hubbard and including Murray Collings, Alistair Johnston, Grant Mayne and Tim Scott. Tim was later to become Pionair’s CEO.

1997 saw a new company formed after Pionair Adventures took a 50% stake in Air Direct. Pionair Direct Ltd was incorporated under the Companies Act 1993 on the 18th of September 1997 in the hope that the move would improve Pionair’s access to the Wellington charter market. Mike King undertook the oversight of the new company which operated three Piper PA23-250 Aztecs. Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E ZK-FHO (c/n 27-4585) was used to operate Takaka Valley Air Services’ flights between Wellington and Takaka and it did not carry the new company’s titles. Piper PA-23-250 Aztec E ZK-DGS (c/n 27-7304959) and Piper PA-23-250 Aztec C   ZK-JEI (c/n 27-2638) both wore Pionair Direct titles and were used on the services from Wellington to Blenheim and Kaikoura. 

Pionair Direct's Piper Aztec ZK-DGS at Ardmore on 12 July 1998. Photo : M Beaven

Pionair Direct's Piper Aztec ZK-JEI at Napier on 8 January 1999. Photo : F B Gavin

By the end of 1998 the Aztecs had all been sold and Pionair Direct and was removed from the companies register on the 4th of November 1999.

In 1996 there was a change in the Ag-Cats. ZK-MEW was sold in August 1996 and it was replaced by Grumman G-164A Super Ag-Cat ZK-MEX (c/n 441) which was registered to Pionair Adventures from the 29th of August 1996 until the 14th of March 1997, marking the end of the barnstorming Ag-Cat operations.         

An unusual addition to the fleet was de Havilland DH104 Devon ZK-RNG (c/n 04323). It was registered to Pionair Adventures on the 25th of February 1998 but did not last long in the fleet. Six weeks later on the 12th of April 1998 it was returned to the previous new owner.

Briefly with Pionair, De Havilland Devon ZK-RNG at Wigram in 1998. Photo : M Beaven

Over the 1998-1999 summer Douglas DC3C-S1C3G ZK-DAK (c/n 15035/26480) was used by the airline. It was registered to Pioneer Adventures Ltd from the 1st of October 1998 until the 12th of March 1999.

In 1999 ZK-AMS was repainted as reported in the December 1999-January 2000 Aviation News… Pionair Adventure Airline's DC-3 underwent its first extensive exterior refurbishment for some time earlier this year. Pionair CEO, Tim Scott told Aviation News , "We had painted the aircraft red as part of a brewery promotion, but instead of just stripping that layer, we thought we would go the whole hog and strip the top half right back to the metal". In excess of 200 man-hours were required to complete the process of stripping the paint layers with a chemical stripper, hot washing the metal with water containing a decontamination agent, and then painting two coats of primer and final topcoat. This particular aircraft had passed through a number  of operators since it was manufactured for the United States Army Air Force in 1943 and each operator had painted their respective livery on top of the previous paint scheme, so by the time it arrived at Pionair it had around six layers of thick and heavy enamel paint. When finished, the new layers of paint are expected to weigh only five kilograms, compared to 55 kilograms for the same number of coats using standard solvent-based paint. Thought had been given to finishing the aircraft in natural polished metal silver but following discussions with the owner of the 'Chrome Lockheed Electra' in Australia, decided against it as it required a full time person to polish it! Another item of interest to come to light was the discovery of a stylised Kangaroo logo on the tail of the aircraft, a remnant of its former service with Qantas Australia.

Repainted for a Lion Red promotion, Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS at Wigram on 28 March 1999. Photo : M Beaven

...and after the Lion Red advertising had been removed at Dunedin on 7 April 1999. Photo : S Lowe

The lease of ZK-DAK over the 1998-1999 summer highlighted the need for more capacity and a second Douglas DC-3 ZK-AWP was leased in 2000. ZK-AWP (c/n 16387/33135) was built in 1945 and arrived in New Zealand for service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as NZ3543 in the last days of the Second World War. Civilianised in 1952 as ZK-AWP it saw extensive service in the National Airways Corporation being named "Pawahitere" and after Skyliner conversion in 1963 as "Skyliner Kaitaia." In 1970 it headed to Western Samoa and was operated by Polynesian Airlines for three years as 5W-FAI. Upon its return to New Zealand in 1973 it was converted for aerial topdressing serving with Southern Air Super and Fieldair. In 1986 it was sold to Classic Air Services Ltd and converted to a freighter operated by Fieldair Freight and from 1993 with the Alpine Deer Group Ltd. In 1994 it was sold Classic Air Ltd who reconfigured it to a passenger configuration before it was on sold to Mackley Aviation in 1995 and the NZ Aerial Mapping Ltd (Historic Flight)  in 1998. It was registered to Pionair Adventures Ltd on the 5th of July 2000. Ahead of ZK-AWP being used by Pionair it was repainted in 1999 in National Airways Corporation colours to mark Air New Zealand’s anniversary which was dated back to the inauguration of the TEAL air service being Auckland and Sydney.

According to Pionair’s website a number of air tours were being offered over the 2000-2001 summer including, the Great New Zealand Expedition from the 11th to the 20th of November 2000, the SPANZ recreation tour  from the 8th to the 14th of December 2000, the  World Affairs Council/Smiths College tour from the 3rd to the 12th of February 2001 and the UCLA and University of Washington Alumni Association’s tour from the 21st of February to the 2nd of March 2001.

The SPANZ tour of New Zealand used two DC-3s, ZK-AMS (above) and ZK-AWP (below). Both photos were taken at Timaru on 10 December 2000. Photos : S Lowe

While these air tours were very popular during the summer the winter months were leaner and so Pionair started exploring similar air tours in Australia. To help facilitate this a third DC-3 was leased, the ex-Vincent Aviation example, ZK-AMY (c/n 13506) which was owned at the time by the Lucas family. Built in 1944 it saw service with the USAAF as 42-93579 before being sold in Australia in 1947 to become VH-ASD with the Department Of Civil Aviation. It was reregistered as VH-CAN in 1950 before being sold in 1978. Over the next sixteen years it was owned by a number of operators before being sold in New Zealand being registered to Vincent Aviation as ZK-AMY on the 24th of August 1994. It was registered to Pionair Adventures on the 27th of June 2001 having not flown for some time. It was refurbished by Fieldair Engineering in Palmerston North and then painted in Pionair colours and named “Lady Jane” after Jane Lucas. In late July 2001 ZK-AMY joined ZK-AMS in flying the Tasman for Pionair’s first air tour exploring the Australian outback from the 29th of July to the 13th of August 2001. Company advertising said, The only real way to see this vast country is by air and we are going to show you the very best of it. From the Great Barrier Reef to outback cattle stations. From Ayers Rock, and the Opal mines of Coober Pedy to the magnificent Harbour City of Sydney.

Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMY at Brisbane in April 2003. Photo : R N Smith Collection

In early 2002 Pionair commenced turbo prop operations with the addition General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580 ZK-KSA (c/n 507) to its fleet. The aircraft was on a long-term lease from Air Chathams. The lease was rather flexible enabling both operators the use of the aircraft as needed. Its arrival heralded the beginning of the relationship with Tauck Tours who arranged air tours of New Zealand.

Convair 580 ZK-KSA wearing Tauck Tours logo at Christchurch on 1 April 2003. Photo : S Lowe

In 2002, with the growing demand for air tours in Australia necessitating two DC-3s across the Tasman, Pionair purchased the previously leased Douglas DC-3 ZK-AWP. The aircraft was named “Lucille”, the middle of head tour director Tricia Johnston whose husband was a shareholder and pilot. The news section of Pionair’s website reported, We have just purchased a 3rd DC3 ZK-AWP. Her first charter flight with Pionair was on May 24th. She is the only surviving DC3 that belongs to "NAC". This historic DC3 was going to be sold offshore, with Pionair's growing air touring market both in NZ and Australia we decided to purchase her. This DC3 has the larger Skyliner window and holds a significant amount of New Zealand Aviation history, it helped pave the way to air travel in New Zealand during the NAC days of the 1950's and 60's. So many New Zealanders have worked on her, flown on her and been involved with this aircraft. "We cannot continue to cash in our heritage."  The first charter on the 24th of May 2002 was a flight to Manapouri to open the second tail race of the Manapouri power station.

Lots to be seen in this Christchurch photo that won't be seen again - Pionair's Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS, Origin Pacific Airways Bombardier Q300 ZK-NEQ with the tails of two British Aerospace Jetstream 41s in the background along with another Dash 8, and a Qantas Boeing 737, VH-CZS, on domestic operations. Photo taken on 25 March 2005 from the viewing deck that has also disappeared.

The following month, on the 19th of June 2002, ZK-AWP was damaged at Glentanner. Confronted with snow on the runway the crew taxied the aircraft up and down the runway a number of times to clear some of the 35 centimetres of snow before attempting to take-off. In the early stages of the take-off run, the aircraft veered off the runway to the left and travelled quite some distance before coming to rest. The left main gear collapsed, and the left propeller struck the ground in the process. Temporary repairs were made at Glentanner enabling the aircraft to be flown to Palmerston North for further repairs. At that time NAC Skyliner scheme was removed and the aircraft was repainted in Pionair colours but in a nod to its previous scheme the Skyliner fuselage stripes were retained. The DC-3 returned to service on the 18th of October 2002. 

A rather forlorn DC-3, ZK-AWP, at Glentanner in June 2002 after the collapse of its left undercarriage. Photographer unknown

In Pionair colours, Douglas DC-3 ZK-AWP at Woodbourne on 15 January 2004. Photo : Beau

In May 2002 Pionair’s DC-3 ZK-AMS "Dulcie" few direct from Christchurch to Sydney for further Australian air tours. Flown under the command of Captain Alistair Johnston, First Officer Scott Karon and Captain Keith Mitchell, the flight took 8hours and 20mins, "Dulcie" having been fitted with extra fuel tanks fitted and an additional oil tank, giving her a range of 12 hours. As business increased in Australia, Pionair Australia Pty Ltd was formed on the 4th of November 2002.

The company’s website showed the extent of the growing air tour market with 10-13 day tours of New Zealand for Harvard University, Intrav, Stanford University and a Great New Zealand Expedition tour. On the other side of the Tasman 9-16 day tours of Australia were offered for Stanford University, Captain’s Choice (four tours) and Intrav (three tours).

Meanwhile, for some time, Pionair had been interested in expanding into the Pacific. In October 2003 won a tender put out by the Shore Group which included Crown Prince Tupouto’a Joe Ramanlal to provide a charter service to fly in Tonga from Fua'amotu (on the main island of Tongatapu) to Ha'apai and Vava'u and back twice daily. Following the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines in 2004 Pionair stepped into to fill the breach using their DC-3 aircraft in competition with FlyNiu Airlines, which operated a DHC Dash-8. Operating as Peau Vava’u Air, which was known as Air Waves of Vava'u, the air service was owned, among other by, Crown Prince Tupouto’a with Pionair operating the aircraft and providing technical expertise. On the 2nd of June 2004 a Pionair DC-3 ZK-AWP arrived in Fua'amotu to a royal welcome and immediately started recruiting and training cabin crew. On the 9th of June 2004, the first return trip took place between Tongatapu and Vava’u with subsequent flights made to Ha'apai. Increased demand in Tonga required a second Pionair DC-3, which arrived on the 24th of June ZK-AMY.

Wearing Peau Vava'u titles, Douglas DC-3s ZK-AMY... 

...and ZK-AWP at Fua'amotu, Tonga in 2004. Photos : Mike Hodgkinson

The competition between Peau Vava'u and FlyNiu came to a head when on the 3rd of August 2004, when as reported in Matangi Tonga, the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Mapa Faletau, launched the government's one-airline domestic air service policy, and called for the two operators to re-apply for their licences so that government could decide who should have the exclusive right to be the sole operator of the domestic air service. The CEO of FlyNiu, 'Atu Finau said that they decided not to re-apply and instead challenged the decision in court, on a number of grounds, including the fact that their current licence current until September 15. However, Peau Vava'u re-applied and they were quickly given the exclusive right to be the sole operator of the domestic air service. On August 16 the Supreme court granted an injunction for FlyNiu and their licence was reinstated allowing them to fly until their licence expires on September 15. Lawyers for FlyNiu and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are preparing for a hearing in the Supreme Court.

On the 8th of September it was reported that the Tongan Supreme Court had ordered FlyNiu to stop operating by the end of the week. Chief Justice Webster today cancelled the injunction that he granted last month that had temporarily allowed FlyNiu to continue its flights. Chief Justice Webster in rescinding an injunction that had allowed FlyNiu to continue flying in Tonga, said today it was important that his ruling was understood to be about a temporary measure, and that a final decision will come only after the court has heard all the facts and all the submissions for the parties. However FlyNiu executives said they plan to close their operations as a result of the ruling…  FlyNiu noted that its business will effectively be closed on the revocation of the FAOC and its shareholders will lose their whole investment. Webster ordered that the rescinding of his injunction will come into effect at 6 pm on Friday. The FlyNiu CEO 'Atu Finau this afternoon in a Press Conference said that they had accepted the court decision with much regret. He said that the biggest loser is the travelling public, which will no longer have the right to choose which airline they want to fly with. FlyNiu was one of two airlines that started domestic services in Tonga after the collapse of Royal Tongan Airlines in May. 'Atu said FlyNiu will make five flights between today and Friday evening to clear the bookings that they have made. They may even provide extra flights for passengers who were booked for Saturday but who may want to bring their flights forward to Friday. With regard to compensation to staff, 'Atu said that the aircraft with Air National pilots will return to New Zealand next week.

On the 24th of September 2003 a second General Dynamics Allison Convair 440/580 joined the fleet. ZK-PAL (c/n 501) was built on 1958 and was converted to a turboprop in 1960 seeing service in the United States and Canada before coming to New Zealand. The aircraft was named “Joan the Jet Prop” after shareholder and pilot Murray Collings's mother.

Convair 580 with Tauck Tours titles at Blenheim's Woodbourne Airport on 3 November 2003. Photo : S Lowe

By this time Pionair’s operations included its tailored air tours, VIP air charter, conference travel as well as special events air charter, corporate air charter, government air charter, sports team air charter, media, music and film industry air charter, New Zealand golf/fishing tours air charter and group sightseeing air charter/travel in New Zealand.

A Harvard Alumni air tour operated by Pionair in early 2004

In August 2004 Peter Layne wrote an article on Pionair for Pacific Wings. He wrote, Pioneer currently has ZK-AMS, Dulcie, operating tours from Bankstown, Sydney, while ZK-AWP, Lucille, and ZK-AMY, Lady Jane, are in Tonga running services for the Crown Prince. The Convair 440/580 ZK-PAL, Joan the Jet Prop, guards the Wigram home front and is very busy. The article also recorded that, on 28 May 2003, ZK-AWP, complete with long-range tanks. caused surprise at Harewood when the news broke that she was off to Melbourne direct, landing there 10 hours later. All Pionair's previous Tasman crossings had involved island-hopping.

Pionair's Joan Jet Prop advertising

In early May 2004 Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMS was flown to Australia to be based in Bankstown airport at Sydney was used to offer flights over Sydney, wine trail trips to the Hunter Valley and Mudgee, and outback tours stretching to Darwin and Adelaide. At the same time Pionair Australia was formed and this moved marked the start of the transition towards Pionair being a New Zealand airline operating in Australia to an Australian airline operating in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, in Tonga, Pionair were looking to sell the DC-3 service to Peau Vava'u after it had been well established.  On the 27th of April 2005 Convair 580 ZK-KSA flew to Tonga. At this stage it was operated by Air Chathams but it was going to be used by Peau Vava'u Air for a new start up airline, Reef Air, which was to operate between Tonga and Niue.  

By September 2005 things in Tonga were not going well. On the 27th of that month Prime Minister and Minister of Civil Aviation, Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, told the Tongan parliament that Tonga would tender its domestic air service for other operators if the monopoly air service of Peau Vava'u does not improve within 30 days. The key issue was the airline’s inability to serve the outer islands of Niuafo'ou and Niuatoputapu.

This led to the government asking for proposals for another airline to operate domestic services even though it was recognised it was only feasible for one airline to fly domestically. The Director of Civil Aviation in Tonga, Viliami Ma'ake, was reported on RNZ saying, "Some of the routes in Tonga are basically non-profitable and for anyone to be able to sustain the operation it would best be one operator but at this point in time, they will have to bring in another operator seeing as Peau cannot fulfil its obligations under the agreement." Peau's licence doesn't expire until the middle of next year, so until then there will have to be two airlines in Tonga. Meanwhile, 

Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMY returned to New Zealand on the 2nd of October 2005 at the end of its lease with Peau Vava'u Air.  The February 2014 issue of Aviation News recorded what happened to the aircraft on its return. The preservation part of the old Dakota’s journey began when current Air New Zealand Airbus A320 captain Dave Horsburgh realised that when Wigram-based Pionair was retiring the last of the operational DC-3s in the early 2000s, the sight of such a significant aircraft would disappear from South Island skies forever. He “borrowed” the airliner, flew it to Wanaka complete with a “For Sale “sign and cellphone number along the side and decided something had to be done to prevent it being sold offshore. He called the number on the side and convinced Pionair boss Tim Scott to give him some time to set up a charitable trust to acquire, operate and eventually place the DC-3 into permanent preservation. Tim readily agreed. The next step was a call to the Ashburton Aviation Museum. If the museum would undertake the building of a new hangar, the Southern DC-3 Trust would look after the aircraft funding and place the DC-3 with the AAM in perpetuity. The rest is now history. The Ashburton Community, through generous assistance of businesses, individuals and the various local funding Trusts, all worked together to make the new hangar a reality. At the time of the article ZK-AMY was moving into permanent retirement at the Ashburton Aviation Museum where it remains to this day.

Douglas DC-3 ZK-AMY for sale at Wanaka in April 2005 after its return from Tonga. Photo : M Hodgkinson

As the sale of the Tongan service to Peau Vava'u went through and the airline obtained its own Aircraft Operating Certificate, Douglas DC-3 was cancelled from the New Zealand civil register on the 21st of November 2005 and was placed on Tongan register as A3-AWP with Peau Vava'u Air. On the 16th of November 2006 fires from the riots that month destroyed Peau Vava'u Air’s offices in Nuku’alofa causing the airline to cease operations. DC-3 A3-AWP languished in Tonga in the hope the airline would again get airborne. When it did get airborne the reincarnated Peau Vava’u Air did not operate the DC-3 and it remained in Tonga until it was restored to flying conditions by Chathams Pacific in 2010.

Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, Wigram airfield remained operational up until around the end of 2006, after which Pionair’s operational base moved to the regional terminal at Christchurch International Airport.

On the 3rd of March 2006 DC-3 ZK-AMS was cancelled from the New Zealand register and became VH-CWS with Classic Wings P/L. of Midland Western Australia. 

Convair 580 ZK-KSA arrived back from Tonga on the 20th of September 2005 after having been operated for Peau Vava'u Air. Pionair bought ZK-KSA from Air Chathams on the 4th of November 2005 and it then underwent refurbishment and repainting into a new scheme for Pionair at Fieldair at Palmerston North. On the 3rd of February 2006 it made a quick trip to Auckland for a fuselage x-ray before flying to Wigram the next day where it received a water arch salute. It then flew to Palmerston North on the 6th, to Rotorua on the 8th and back to Christchurch on the 9th. On the 10th it flew to Sydney's Bankstown airport and began operating Pionair flights on the 12th. 

On its brief visit to Auckland for its fuselage x-ray, Repainted Convair 580 ZK-KSA on 4 February 2006. Photo : M Condon

It was cancelled from the New Zealand register on the 6th of April 2006 becoming VH-PDV with Pionair Australia P/L. It continued to operate air tours including Tauck Tour flights, until it was cancelled from the Australian register in August 2009 before being sold in Canada.

ZK-KSA in its Australian registration ZK-PDV and with Pionair's Australian logo replacing the Tauck Tours logo. Photo taken somewhere in Australia. Photographer unknown

In September 2006 Pionair acquired another General Dynamics Allison Convair 340/580. It arrived at Palmerston North on the 14th and was registered to Pionair Australia P/L as VH-PDL on the 20th of October 2006. It was ferried to Sydney on the 25th of October 2006 and was used in support of mining operations flying crews in and out of mining sites.

Pionair's Convair VH-PDL at Palmerston North on maintenance on 20 October 2006. Photo : AgAirNZ

Classic aircraft on the tarmac at Hokitika on 11 January 2008. Pionair's Convair 580 ZK-PAL was on a Tauck Tour while the Warbirds DC-3 ZK-DAK had brought a plane load of racing enthusiasts to the West Coast for the January racing circuit. Photos : S Lowe 

On the 2nd of May 2007 Convair 580 ZK-PAL flew to Australia and to operate Pionair's air tours and also its charter flights for mining operations. 

A 2007 Pionair tour of Australia

A further two Convair 580s were added to the Pionair Australia fleet in October 2007 and January 2008. General Dynamics Allison Convair 340/580 VH-PDW had been converted to a pure freighter and placed on the Australian register as on the 29th of October 2007. It arrived in Australia on the 9th of November and began operating freight services for Toll Holdings from Launceston from the 12th of November 2007. General Dynamics Allison Convair 340/580 VH-PDX had also been converted to a pure freighter and it was placed on the Australian register as on the 14th of January 2008. It arrived in Australia on the 6th of February, doing its first charter flight on behalf of Alliance Airways on the 6th of March 2008 before it started work on the Toll Holdings contracts. The later Convairs never saw service in New Zealand but there were regular visitors to Palmerston North for heavy maintenance.

Pionair's two Convair 580 freighters while in New Zealand for maintenance... VH-PDW at Palmerston North on 4 January 2009. Photo : P Craig

Convair 580 VH-PDX at Auckland on 12 October 2008. Photo : M Condon

Convair 580 ZK-PAL was the last Pionair aircraft still on the New Zealand register. Its Kiwi registration was cancelled on the 15th of August 2008 becoming VH-PAL with Pionair Australia P/L. It was still seen flying New Zealand skies until the 6th of May 2009 when it flew its last New Zealand flights for Pionair from Queenstown to Christchurch and Blenheim as PIONAIR 1. On the 9th of May it flew to Bankstown before finally leaving the Pionair fleet in September 2009 to go to Canada to become a firebomber.

Convair 580 ZK-PAL at Wigram. Photo : M Hodgkinson

Some close of detail... Joan the Jet Prop under the cockpit window and the Pionair Australia logo to the right of the door. Photo : M Hodgkinson

Now in Australian registration, Convair 580 VH-PAL at Christchurch on 14 September 2008. Photo : T McFarlin

While the Pionair story continued in Australia its New Zealand story finally ended with an administrative detail on the 23rd of April 2014 when Pionair Adventures Limited was removed from the companies register. So ended the story of New Zealand’s classic aviation company.