TRANS-ISLAND AIRWAYS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28388, 21 September 1957, Page 2

TRANS-ISLAND AIRWAYS

Electra May Be Bought

A modernised Lockheed Electra might be bought by Trans-Island Airways. Mr Brian Chadwick, the chief pilot, who flew out the Beechcraft which the company is operating on its Nelson service, will leave Whenuapai for Los Angeles next week to close the deal.

If the aircraft, which has been operated on charter services by an American hotel chain, is satisfactory it will be given a full overhaul and flown to Christchurch in time to begin operations by Christmas. "I am hoping to fly the Electra back through the Aleutians and Japan,” said Mr Chadwick yesterday. “Last time 1 came back through the Middle East. The North Pacific route should cut the trip from 10.000 miles to 5000 miles.”

The Electra will carry 10 passengers and a crew of two. it will be fitted with more powerful engines and propellers of the same type as those fitted to the Beechcraft.

Trans-Island Airways has applied for a licence to extend its Christchurch-Nelson run to Wanganui and Rotorua, but expects strong opposition. Meantime, said Mr Chadwick, the company is negotiating for a navigator. With a navigator the company will be able to comply fully with the Civil Aviation Administration’s requirements for its proposed service to the Chatham Islands.

"This would mean that we could also begin operating to the Chathams by Christmas.” said Mr Chadwick.