Around the Airport

Every year, thousands of Nelson district residents pass through the Nelson Airport en route to places and countries all over the world. Often the flight is no further than Wellington, or Karamea, but to get to these places, travellers have to come to Nelson airport. The odds are that the only parts of the airport they will see are the car park, terminal building, and aircraft. But there is much more to see than these small segments at New Zealand's fifth-busiest airport. In this issue we're going to show you around.

At an airport you expect aircraft, and there are always plenty at Nelson

The Nelson Aero Club is always busy. Flying is the business of these three instructors, Mike Johnson, Bryce Nairn and Wal Wagtendonk (chief).

Charlie Bensemann, usually photographed working on racing cars, at work on this Piper engine

George Whiting flew his aircraft to Nelson from Takaka for an inspection.

For N.A.C., engineer Rudolf Muller runs a check on a Dc3

Up in the control tower. Rex Brereton (Motueka), an air traffic control cadet, keeps an eye on activities across the airport.

Peter Lacey, chief engineer with Golden Coast Airlines, working on an aero club engine

A visitor from the North island

N.A.C. Ioaders hard at it. Health Wingham. Les Horncastle and Ivan Hill.

Fire is an ever-present danger and Senior Fire Officer Ray King is constantly on the alert.

Bus driver Jim Cook (where have we heard that name before?) loads the luggage.

John Baird (Above) and "Tommy" Thompson handle communications for the Civil Aviation Department.

Pat Jones checks Golden Coast's Aero Commander (Pat sat and passed his examination for a private pilot's licence later that day).

Up in the control tower, Dave Moore, air traffic controller, speaks to a small aircraft seeking take-off permission.

Alan Hackston, a pilot with Golden Coast Airlines, almost ready for a Karamea flight.

Deputising for "Mac" McLaren as Aero Club secretary was Ann Wagtendonk

Pushing N.A.C. passengers through the airport was Larry Davison.

$$$urie Cooper, meteorological officer at the airport, checks the radiation recorder for sunshine readings.

Margaret kingsford does the office work for Golden Coast Airlines.

"Mac" McLaren - just back from a Norfolk Island holiday

Keeping the grass down and the airport neat is the occupation of groundsman Ralph Harvey

Tucked away in a hangar is David Satmond, electronics and communications expert (he services all types of radio navigation and electronic equipment).

After all that, how about a cup of coffee from the cafe - Lynne Street to pour

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The Nelson Photo News

No 115 : May 30, 1970

Around the Airport