History

Palmerston North International Airport, formerly popularly known as Milson Aerodrome, is unique among New Zealand city airports in that it is situated only three miles from the city centre and this is entirely due to the foresight and enterprise of the foundation members of this Aero club. Following on from the initial flying machine visits over Palmerston North, it was natural that these events coupled with aviation history of the First World War, should stimulate considerable local interest in flying.

This coalesced some years later in the holding of a meeting on the 20th November, 1928 of those who were actually desirous to promote flying. The meeting was chaired by Mr M. A. Elliott, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the well attended meeting was addressed by Mr M. H. Oram (later Sir Matthew) resulting in a decision to form an Aero Club for the Manawatu. The club's first executive was: Patron, J. A. Nash, M.P.; president, Mr M. H. Oram; vice-president, Mr M. A. Elliott; in- terim committee, Messrs H. C. Collinson, H. B. Burrell, G. Scott Hamilton, G. W. Dixon, R. G. Linklater, G. Pettigrew, A. C. Anderson, H. M, Carter, Major F. Potter; secretary, W. McKenzie. This committee was later added to. The committee immediately set about the task of formulating a policy for advancing aviation in the Manawatu, and for the formation of an Aero Club.

One of the first committee objectives was to press for the purchase of the necessary ground for the provision of an airfield, and also the necessary buildings and equipment to provide an adequate airport for the Manawatu district, and to place Manawatu foremost in New Zealand as a terminal point for air transport. A sub-committee was formed to search for a suitable site for an airfield, and after considerable investigation a site was selected on Roberts Line (the present airport) and a lease of 50 acres was obtained from land owned by Mr W. T. Terry. The land at that time was covered in rushes and a plantation of trees was across the middle of the area. The task-of clearing this land and preparing it was given to R. G. Linklater who provided his own tractor and plant, and was also successful in borrowing a large Caterpillar tractor from the then agents, A. S. Patterson and Co. Mr H. E. Edmunds did sterling work in obtaining guarantees from many interested firms and individuals for the provision of fuel, seed, and other supplies, and Mr Linklater was inundated with enthusiastic local supporters who wished to help. The preparation of the site was managed by Mr Linklater, and there must have been a tremendous feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment to all those foundation members that the new field was available in time to be an essential staging post for flying in supplies in the civil emergency of the 1931 Napier earthquake. It was considered advisable at that time to set up a separate organisation apart from flying to administer the aerodrome and as a result in October, 1930 Milson Aerodrome Inc. was formed under the chairmanship of Mr David Smillie

Initially there weren't enough club funds to purchase a flying machine and so to commence flying activities the club joined the Western Federated Flying Club in April 1930 which was a consortium of New Plymouth (who had an aeroplane), Hawera, Wanganui and Manawatu Aero Clubs. This was purely an interim measure and by September, 1930 Manawatu decided to run an Art Union to raise the money necessary for an aircraft purchase. This was a successful venture enabling the club to secede from the Western Federation in February, 1932. In May, 1932, with £3000 on account in kitty, the club was able to purchase Avian ZK-AAC from Mr C. Bowden for £360 and Gypsy Moth ZK-ABA for £625. Subsequently Gipsy Moth ZK-ABV was purchased from Mr Mills of Auckland for £800. In 1932 Milson aerodrome offered their interest in the air-field to the council, but unfortunately the ratepayers rejected the proposal for the raising of the necessary £1700 loan, and said it was 10 years ahead of its time. In 1936 however after 125 acres had been leased and the future of air transport in New Zealand was apparent, the council decided to take over the society's interest.

Notable events were the visits of Charles Kingsford Smith and the "Southern Cross", 4th-6th February, 1933 (this being a disastrous occasion as, after landing on Saturday, 4th, the aircraft was damaged while taxiing back over a filled-in drain), and Charles Ulm on 1Oth January, 1934 in "Faith in Australia." Then followed the MacRobertson Centenary Air Race of 1934 from London to Melbourne in which, as one of the two New Zealand entries, the Manawatu Aero Club entered "Mac" Mac-Gregor and H. C. (Johnny) Walker in a single engined Miles Hawk. Mac later served in the second world war as a Squadron Leader and was awarded the DFC and bar.

The inauguration of Union Airways (the forerunner of National Airways Corporation) in 1936 based at Milson established Palmerston North at that time as one of the country's most advanced flying centres. Union Airways was the first commercial airline in New Zealand, and the company's inaugural flight took place from Milson on the 16th January, 1936. During the 1930s other local centres were taking enthusiastically to aviation. Feilding Aero Club was formed in June, 1930, Levin formed a branch affiliated to Manawatu Aero Club in October, 1931, and by March, 1937 the immediate local aviation organisations were Milson Aerodrome Inc., Manawatu Aero Club, Feilding Aero Club and Levin Aero Club. This conglomeration decided to amalgamate activities and by November, 1937 became the Middle Districts Aero Club and as such was firmly established as the base operator at Milson Aerodrome. This new society was incorporated and an agreement was struck with the local council for use of the land in exchange for free perpetual flying rights and free housing on the aerodrome for the club. Union Airways had started operation in 1935 on the airfield and aviation activity had consequently greatly increased the area to 125 acres. The club, requiring more room and hangarage, built a hangar and clubhouse on the old site but it had just been completed when the new building and the aircraft were lost in a fire on 17th February, 1939. Re-building was speedy and another new hangar and adjacent clubhouse were opened in August, 1939. However occupation was short and following the declaration of war the club went into recess in November 1939 when its aircraft and resources were secured for the NZ war effort. In December 1941 private flying was banned in NZ after Japan entered the war and until February 1st, 1946 the club had no active presence in the Manawatu.

After the war the club gradually resumed operations as aircraft were released from the RNZAF. Tiger Moths were standard training aircraft but as the years passed other aircraft joined the club fleet for training and commercial use. Proctor 1, Austers, Proctor V, Cessna 180, Champions, Cessna 172, Piper cubs, Bolkows, Citabrias, Airtourers, Cherokees and a twin-engine Apache came and went. The Aero Club became well established, and has trained many pilots who have distinguished themselves both in war and peace. Aerial top-dressing has been developed, and hard runways have been built, and recently extended to provide for the larger Boeing aircraft. The provision of this aerodrome in those early years was quite a remarkable achievement particularly as it was all done by donations and voluntary services by men who had vision and realised the need to provide this facility which over the years has proved to be a valuable asset to this city and the surrounding districts.

With the advent of National Airways however the main activities in aviation have moved away to the major cities, some of which are becoming increasingly congested, and it is obvious that if the present rate of increase in passenger and freight carrying, and the development of even larger and more efficient aircraft continues, then more room must also be found for the development of future aerodromes further out from the cities. We are fortunate in the Manawatu that we have such excellent flying conditions as is evidenced by the fact that the RNZAF conduct all their major activities from Ohakea. We have wide areas of flat country for future development, with comparative freedom from fogs, bad visibility, and severe turbulence, and we are centrally situated for both rail and road transport, and are in the centre of an area of great export potential. "it is hoped that the vision and enterprise which inspired the pioneers will be continued now and in future generations."

History Of Milson Aerodrome

"How it all Began" - Written By R. G. Linklater

(Extracted from the Air Pageant '76 Souvenir Program)

On the 31st July, 1920 the people of Palmerston North witnessed the novel sight of an aircraft flying overhead. It landed in a paddock at the corner of Gillespies Line and Tremaine Avenue. The pilot was Captain Richard Russell, a veteran of the first World War and the aircraft was a 90 h.p. De Havilland, owned by Wright Bros. Captain Russell stayed in Palmerston North for several days giving joyrides to excited passengers. A few years later the late Mr Percy Coleman, who was a noted motorcycle racer in his day, purchased a small single seater biplane, an Austin Whippet, which he flew from a paddock loaned by Mr J. Linklater of Milson Line.

Percy had learned to fly at Sockburn, Christchurch, and was a keen aerobatic pilot. Unfortunately whilst taking off one morning to go to motor-cycle races at Ashhurst, he failed, to clear the power lines which caught in his tail skid causing the aircraft to crash on its nose in a field of maize. Percy escaped with only minor injuries, but the farmer who owned the maize paddock was most incensed at the crowd who gathered to view the first air crash and trod down his maize. It was natural that these events coupled with aviation history of the First World War, should stimulate considerable local interest in flying which coalesced some years later in the holding of a meeting on the 20th November, 1928 of those who were actually desirous to promote flying.

The meeting was chaired by Mr M. A. Elliott, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the well attended meeting was addressed by Mr M. H. Oram (later Sir Matthew) resulting in a decision to form an Aero Club for Manawatu. The club's first executive was: Patron, J. A. Nash, M.P.; president, Mr M. H. Oram; vice-president, Mr M. A. Elliott; in- terim committee, Messrs H. C. Collinson, H. B. Burrell, G. Scott Hamilton, G. W. Dixon, R. G. Linklater, G. Pettigrew, A. C. Anderson, H. M, Carter, Major F. Potter; secretary, W. McKenzie. This committee was later added to. The committee immediately set about the task of formulating a policy for advancing aviation in the Manawatu, and for the formation of an Aero Club. One of the first objectives was to press for the purchase of the necessary ground for the provision of an airfield, and also the necessary buildings and equipment to provide an adequate aiport for the Manawatu district, and to place Manawatu foremost in New Zealand as a terminal point for air transport. A sub-committee was formed to search for a suitable site for an airfield, and after considerable investigation a site was selected on Roberts Line (the present airport) and a lease of 50 acres was obtained from land owned by Mr W. T. Terry.

The land at that time was covered in rushes and a plantation of trees was across the middle of the area. The task-of clearing this land and preparing it was given to R. G. Linklater who provided his own tractor and plant, and was also successful in borrowing a large Caterpillar tractor from the then agents, A. S. Patterson and Co. Mr H. E. Edmunds did sterling work in obtaining guarantees from many interested firms and individuals for the provision of fuel, seed, and other supplies, and Mr Linklater was inundated with enthusiastic supporters who wished to help. Agile young men climbed up the plantation trees and affixed wire ropes to the trunks and these were rocked back and forth by the large tractor until they came out by the roots. The trees were then pulled off the field and cut up and large bonfires were lit at night. Adequate liquid refreshment was provided and much fun was had by all.

The tractors were kept working continuously night and day and the land was ploughed, levelled, and sown in less than a fort-night. The grass was just becoming established when the Napier earthquake occurred and the field was then extensively used by aircraft flying medical and urgent supplies into the stricken area. The original hangar was then built adjacent to Roberts Line by Mr David Watson and enthusiastic helpers, and adequately served the needs of the Aero Club for many years until the present hangar was built. It was considered advisable at that time to set up a separate organisation apart from flying to administer the aerodrome and as a result in October, 1930 Milson Aerodrome Inc. was formed under the chairmanship of Mr David Smillie. In 1932 Milson aerodrome offered their interest in the air-field to the council, but unfortunately the ratepayers rejected the proposal for the raising of the necessary £1700 loan, and said it was 1 0 years ahead of its time. In 1936 however after 125 acres had been leased and the future of air transport in New Zealand was apparent, the council decided to take over the society's interest.

The provision of this aerodrome in those early years was quite a remarkable achievement particularly as it was all done by donations and voluntary services by men who had vision and realised the need to provide this facility which over the years has proved to be a valuable asset to this city and the surounding districts. With the advent of National Airways however the main activities in aviation have moved away to the major cities, some of which are becoming increasingly congested, and it is obvious that if the present rate of increase in passenger and freight carrying, and the development of even larger and more efficient aircraft continues, then more room must also be found for the development of future aerodromes further out from the cities. We are fortunate in the Manawatu that we have such excellent flying conditions as is evidenced by the fact that the RNZAF conduct all their major activities from Ohakea.

We have wide areas of flat country for future development, with comparative freedom from fogs, bad visibility, and severe turbulence, and we are centrally situated for both rail and road transport, and are in the centre of an area of great export potential. "it is hoped that the vision and enterprise which inspired the pioneers will be continued now and in future generations."