Documentary on N.Z. aviation

Press, 26 February 1980, Page 13

Documentary on N.Z. aviation

sKPart of a film about the (ifestory of aviation in New is being shot in iY: The film is an hour-long by the Film Unit for New Zealand, iFand it should be ready for (/.Showing in June, accordi'inge to its director, Mr Ufjonon Fraser. •5»: Mr Fraser said tire idea F for the film came from a ■ Christchurch-based pilot fewho flies for Mount Cook Mr Peter CleMr Clements is 5 being used as frontman it for the film because of his if enthusiasm for the project f and his knowledge of *■ aviation in New Zealand, >•- Mr Fraser said. ; t The film, provisionally 1/ titled, “Off the Ground/’ j has been made on location t throughout the country,

and in the South Island in particular- Before coming to Christchurch for five days, the crew spent some time in Lumsden, Southland, with Mr Dick Georgeson, the managing director of C.W.F. Hamilton, and his two-seater glider. Another Christchurch man, Mr Morgan Long, has been interviewed' for the film on the subject of H. J. Pither, who was the first person in the world to fly an all-metal constructed plane, which he did along Riverton beach for a mile in 1910. The case for Richard Pearse having flown before the Wright Brothers is also put in the film, as well as sequences on aerial topdressing and homebuilt aircraft.