How flight-seeing got off the ground

How flight-seeing got off the ground traces the origins of Milford Sound’s early air-tourism by recounting key aircraft, operators, and milestones. The story looks back to the 70th anniversary of the first proving flight to Milford, scheduled for next Friday, using the de Havilland DH89 Dominie ZK-AKY Tui. The aircraft was initially built for Britain’s air force during World War II, later joining New Zealand’s air force in 1943, and is described as being maintained airworthy near Gore by the Croydon Aviation Heritage Trust for a reenactment flight. Under Captain Frank Molloy, the proving flight departed on July 10, 1956, from Hokitika, with NZ National Airways Corporation operating Dominies there for more than 10 years. Southern Scenic Air Services, based in Queenstown, invested in a 550-yard Milford airstrip in advance, starting with an Auster in 1952, then expanding the strip to handle twin-engined craft like the Dominie for six to eight people, including the pilot.