SCENIC FLIGHTS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30234, 12 September 1963, Page 17

SCENIC FLIGHTS

Activity At Mount Cook Last year, 4778 persons were landed on glaciers in the Mount Cook or Westland national parks by aircraft of Mount Cook Air Services, Ltd., according to the company’s annual report. The number of passengers carried on scenic flights is increasing every year, and most are landed on the glaciers. The company now has eight aircraft, of which three are on scenic passenger flights all year, two from the Hermitage (Mount Cook) and one from the Fox Glacier Hotel The carrying capacity of the company’s fleet was increased considerably last year by the addition of two s:x-seater (five - passenger) Cessna 185’s. The company has now abandoned the use of Auster aircraft for normal passenger work, its sole remaining Auster machine being used as an executive aircraft. The other machines comprise one Piper Cub, used entirely for aerial topdressing, and four three-passenger Cessna 180’s. One of the 185's and two 180’s are used on passenger work all year, and one 180 on agricultural work all year, while the rest of the Cessnas carry passengers in summer and do agricultural work in winter.

The company is a subsidiary of the Mount Cook and Southern Lakes Tourist G mpany, Ltd.