15 February 2010

Goldfields Air - More details emerge...

Bruce Gavin writes, “In 1980 Goldfields Aviation Ltd (later Goldfields Air Ltd) and its principal Mr A. Cresswell first applied to the Air Services Licensing Authority (ASLA) for an air services licence for air charter, air taxi, scenic flights and joy rides from Alexandra as well as a scheduled air service between Alexandra and Christchurch with one Piper PA-23-250F Aztec aircraft. At a public hearing on 10 December 1980 the application was declined by the ASLA. Two further attempts were made during 1981 changing the proposed scheduled Alexandra-Christchurch service to a non scheduled route as well as modifications to the type of aircraft to be used. The second application heard by the ASLA on 17 March 1981 was for a Cessna 402, while the third application in December 1981 was for a PA32-300 Lance. Both were unsuccessful.”

In January 1981 Goldfield’s Air were considering purchasing Westland Flying Service’s Cessna 402 ZK-DHW and it flew into Alexandra for them to evaluate it.

Flyernzl’s comment that Piper Pa32R-300 Cherokee Lance ZK-EIB was also registered to Goldfields Air from 15 October 81 to 11 February 82 is interesting. It would seem from the above that the company bought or leased the aircraft and then did not get the licence. The service that commenced in 1985 with Bonanza ZK-EDJ was reported as normally flown by chief shareholder Murray Cresswell.

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