Northland Districts Aero Club

[Peter Lewis]

During a transit through Whangarei airfield last week I was shocked to discover that the Northland Districts Aero Club is now defunct.

Even the clubrooms/hangar are for sale on TradeMe, $199,000
www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-me-property/Commercial-property/Commercial-property-for-sale/auction-269433774.htm

This airfield, and hanging around this aero club, is where I spent a considerable part of my early years.

At that time, Onerahi airfield (as it was then known) was a grass paddock without any sealed runway. The scheduled NAC services were operated from Whenuapai to Onerahi by the Dominies ZK-AKU and ZK-AKY.

The airline terminal hut and the aero club hangar were on the eastern side of the field. Apart from the aero club aircraft, other locals were the Aircraft Service (NZ) Ltd. and James Aviation Fletchers, which were tied down beside the hangar.

A few memories from those days:

Club stalwart PA18A Super Cub 95 ZK-BQY, at Onerahi 12May1963. Was eventually sold to the Northern Wairoa AC, Dargaville



PA22 Tripacer ZK-BSE at Onerahi 9May1963. Not popular, it went back to Airwork.



Brand new MS880B Rallye ZK-CBT at Onerahi 3Nov1962. I flew in it later that same day.



Good memories. A long time ago now. So sad.

[Dave Homewood]

Previously to the aero club it was an RNZAF Station, buzzing with Hawker Hinds, Harvards, various de Havilands etc, in the Army Co-op role, with the occasional bigger vistor.

I'd heard not too long ago it was a very busy airport so it's a surprise that the aero club has folded. Did they perhaps not try to get ino the lucrative foreign pilot training market that seems to make other clubs thrive financially these days?

[Peter Lewis]

Mar 4, 2011 22:11:05 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Previously to the aero club it was an RNZAF Station, buzzing with Hawker Hinds, Harvards, various de Havilands etc, in the Army Co-op role, with the occasional bigger vistor.

Surprisingly, I never ever found any evidence of the RNZAF presence at Onerahi. When I found about it's wartime role, I dived into the local shrubbery hoping to find a dead Hind or two. No such luck.
No-one at the airfield in those days knew anything about what had happened there in the 1940s. Were there any wartime buildings erected? There was certainly no sign of them afterwards.

Mind you, I was never told anything about the Tiger Moth that crashed into the main street of Whangarei in 1943. Even the most disinterested local must have realized that something a bit unusual had happened that day, but it was never mentioned.

[sqwark2k]

Tower Aviation based at Onerahi, is the commercial training organisation. Costs for recreational flying is slowly eroding the aeroclub scene.....

I flew for 3 years at Onerahi with Eagle on the B1900D, during that time there was public debate about Taupo and how it should have ATC or AFIS due it's large multi-sector aviation industry, but in my 3 years at Eagle, nearly all my TCAS Resolution Advisories occured at Whangarei, it was just as busy and dangerous as Taupo at times. One day I attempted to merge into the circuit pattern with another B1900 doing training circuits, a R22 helicopter, a Tecnam, 2 Tomahawks and parachuting aircraft overhead. I did my first Standard overhead Rejoin for years and it was in the Beech!

Cool airport though. Aircraft Carrier type qualities

S2K

[Dave Homewood]

The RNZAF had loads of huts there as accommodation, the type with the canvas roof, but of course they were transportable. I believe they had an admin building and a hangar too. In fact I have aphoto of the hangar. The Tiger Moth came from Onerahi, and was on strength with no. 20 (AC) Squadron. The crew who were killed were popular members of the squadron. I have interviewed several members of the squadron, two air gunners, a pilot and an admin staff member, and have been piecing their history together with a view of publishing it someday, it is a forgotten squadron but they actually had a lot of activity and stories to tell. Numerous crashes too. They were supposed to convert to Dauntless and got very close then the orders were cancelled so most of the aircrew went to No. 1 Squadron in time to convert onto the Venturas (the air gunners first going to No. 30 Squadron to learn how to use turrets and other equipment not in the Hind). The ground crew were dispersed around the palce, and later No. 20 Squadron rose again as the first Corsair squadron.

[Damon]

The crash of the Tiger Moth involved a relation of mine Flying Officer M Gray.He and Charles Smith were doing a leaflet drop over the city and afterwards a display.
An inquest on Murray Llewellyn Gray and Charles Smith, airmen, who were killed when a plane crashed during Air Week in connection with the Liberty Loan. The evidence indicated that the engine cut out, preventing the pilot from gaining control when losing height after corning out of a long roll. The pilot evidently tried to land in a sparsely peopled street, but the undercarriage fouled the power and telephone lines, causing the plane to crash into the corner of a brick building. The Coroner said that the accident proved the value of the E.P.S. organisation, which rendered quick and capable assistance.

I believe both were members of the 20 SQN ( An Army co-op unit?).This was before 20 Sqn was reorganised to fly Corsairs and fly operations in the Pacific.

Damon

[Dave Homewood]

Yes, as I mentioned above both Murray Gray and Charles Smith were members of No. 20 (AC) Squadron.

[errolmartyn]

Mar 5, 2011 20:10:09 GMT 12 Damon said:

The crash of the Tiger Moth involved a relation of mine Flying Officer M Gray.He and Charles Smith were doing a leaflet drop over the city and afterwards a display.
An inquest on Murray Llewellyn Gray and Charles Smith, airmen, who were killed when a plane crashed during Air Week in connection with the Liberty Loan. The evidence indicated that the engine cut out, preventing the pilot from gaining control when losing height after corning out of a long roll. The pilot evidently tried to land in a sparsely peopled street, but the undercarriage fouled the power and telephone lines, causing the plane to crash into the corner of a brick building. The Coroner said that the accident proved the value of the E.P.S. organisation, which rendered quick and capable assistance.

I believe both were members of the 20 SQN ( An Army co-op unit?).This was before 20 Sqn was reorganised to fly Corsairs and fly operations in the Pacific.

Damon

From my trilogy 'For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 (Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998)':

Fri 18 Jun 1943
NEW ZEALAND

Leaflet dropping during ‘Air Week Liberty Loan’ publicity campaign
20 Squadron, RNZAF (Onerahi)
Tiger Moth II NZ1441 - engine cut while inverted during a low-altitude slow roll over Whangarei. In attempting an emergency forced landing in a sparsely populated street, the undercarriage caught power and telephone lines, causing the aircraft to crash into the corner of a brick building. The pilot and his passenger are buried at Purewa (aka Meadowbank) and Auckland, respectively.
Pilot: NZ40124 Fg Off Murray Llewellyn GRAY, RNZAF - Age 25. 642hrs solo (57 on Tiger Moth)
(Air Gunner): NZ401466 Plt Off Charles SMITH, RNZAF - Age 25. 53 ops(?)
Gray’s brother, Cecil Montrose Gray, died on 23 February 1942 while flying with 108 Sqn, RAF.
Smith, on board to drop the leaflets, flew his ops during service with 99, 37 and 75 (NZ) Sqns, RAF.

And from Vol Three (Biographies and Appendices):

GRAY, Flying Officer Murray Llewellyn.
NZ40124 (prev A40124); b New Plymouth 4 Mar 18; Seddon Mem TColl, Auckland; clerk - C & H Craig Ltd, Auckland. RNZAF Chch/SOAT as Clerk (GD) 12 Jan 40, NZGR Sqn (Vincent/Vildebeest) 1 Mar 40, remust as Airman Pilot u/t 18 Aug 41, ITW 19 Aug 41, 4EFTS 28 Sep 41, 3FTS 8 Nov 41, Pilots Badge [wef 20.12.41] & Comm 31 Jan 42, SGR (Vincent) as staff pilot 23 Feb 42, 6 Sqn (Hind) 6 Mar 42 [att Trentham for Arty cse 21 Mar-5 Apr], 20 Sqn (Hind) 10 Aug 42 [to Australia & att RAAF SAC 20 Oct-17 Dec], kaa 18 Jun 43 (Tiger Moth). Auckland (Purewa) Cemetery - 15.D.117. Son of Charles Montrose & Tydvil May Gray (née Edwards), Kohimarama, Auckland. Note: brother of Cecil. [phot. TWN 7.7.43].

SMITH, Pilot Officer Charles.
NZ401466 (prev A401466); b Stratford 31 Jan 18; Sacred Heart Coll, Auckland butcher - in partnership with father at Auckland. RNZAF Levin/GTS as Air Gunner u/t 4 Jun 40, 1AOS 1 Jul 40, Air Gunners Badge & Sgt 27 Jul 40, att RAF & emb for UK 11 Aug 40, 1 Depôt 30 Sep 40, 11OTU (Wellington) 19 Oct 40, 99 Sqn (Wellington - 10 ops) 6 Jan 41, 3GTF (Wellington) 24 Mar 41, crewed a Wellington to ME [via Gibraltar &/or Malta?] lvg c.6 Apr 41, reported 'missing' 9 Apr 41 [then 'safe' on same date], 37 Sqn (10 ops), to UK c.22 Dec 41, 75(NZ)Sqn (Wellington - 30 ops) 30 Mar 42, to NZ 16 Jul 42, ctba 3 Sep 42, rtd to NZ & AHQ 28 Sep 42, 21 Sqn (Hind) 12 Oct 42, Comm 1 Feb 43, 20 Sqn (Hind) 9 Mar 43, kaa 18 Jun 43 (Tiger Moth). Auckland (Waikumete) Cemetery - H.2.28. Son of Charles & Florence Margaret Smith, Palm Nth; h of Dorothy May Smith (née Donald, later Bownes), Balmoral, Auckland.

Errol

[silentflyer]

Does anyone know if Dmitri Zotov ever instructed at the old NDAC?
Also there was a Victa Airtourer based there in the early 1980’s, can anyone remember the reg?
SF

[Peter Lewis]

NDAC had Victa 100 ZK-CGM March 1980 - September 1981 and CHF Jun 1975 - June 1982.
There was also privately owned DSZ Jan 1980 - Apr 1981.

The name Zotov does not ring a bell.

Somewhere, tucked away, I have a pile of NDAC newsletters dating from the 1950s. Must find them again.

[pepe]

Dec 1, 2021 9:09:40 GMT 12 silentflyer said:

Does anyone know if Dmitri Zotov ever instructed at the old NDAC?
Also there was a Victa Airtourer based there in the early 1980’s, can anyone remember the reg?
SF

Dmitri Zotov did indeed instruct at the old NDAC.

He gave me my type rating on the PA-32-260 (ZK-DBP) in August 1983 (according to my old logbook).
I also a had couple of aerobatic lessons with him in the Victa AT-100 ZK-CHE in the same month. Unfortunately the "concrete sparrow" was rather underpowered (with two onboard) for that particular purpose with most of the hour long lesson spent slowly clawing back up to altitude.

R W (Whimpy) Baker was the CFI there for many years. Other instructors included Alan Ward and Warwick Bruce.

It was a busy club in those days and also operated a twice daily scheduled service (Whangarei Air Taxi) to/from Auckland (and later Great Barrier Island). Aircraft operated included two Devons (ZK-UDO & KTT), later a GAF N22 Nomad (ZK-NDB), a couple more Cherokee Sixs (DSQ & DUO), Archer II (NDA) and a Tomahawk (ESG).

[silentflyer]

Thanks Pepe and Peter,

Thats really made my day as I soloed in the Airtourer in 1982. Dmitri was my instructor who sent me solo. I was still a teenager at the time and I think my original log book will be long gone and haven’t seen it in 40 years! As I get older the memory fades somewhat and to make things worse, at the time was no more than a kid who hadn’t worked out which way was up.
I was a member of the NDAC for only about 1 year. I remember Wimpy, I guess he would be long gone now. The other big-wig was of course Dave Callum, along with his son, who’s name I can’t recall. Of course Dave owned the Doves and I remember the rugby tour they did in the Dove with other members/friends. The other guy I remember really well, was Bruce Shepard who had his lovely little Turb in the hangar on the other side of the field. Is Bruce still going? (There was also a Jodel 120 and a Evans Volksplane based there at the time).
1982 was also another significant year, as it was the last time Jean Batten visited NZ and her nephew, Rick. Rick lived next door to us in Ruakaka and I remember being in awe seeing such a famous aviator. Of course we all know what happened a little time later and remember Ricks efforts in trying to get Interpol involved in trying to find out what had happened to her after she wasn’t heard of.
Looking back on it, was a pretty progressive time for NDAC. The last time I visited Onerahi was 2019 and drive up to the old clubhouse. It was like visiting ghosts from the past as everything was long gone. I went down to the Whangarei Aero Club a few hangars down and made some enquiries there as to what happened to the old NDAC, however I was from another era as hardly nobody knew much about it or any of the names mentioned…still, happy days.
Thanks again for the info guys,
SF

[silentflyer]

Looking at the posts again, I am assuming that the reg would have either been ZK-CHE or ZK-CHF as they were the only two mentioned in the correct time-frame.  We’re both aircraft based and operated by the club? At least I am a little closer to knowing which aircraft I went aloft in for the 1st time…. 

[The Red Baron]

CHE was the NDAC Victa,I learned to fly in it in 1978/79 at Whangarei.They had an earlier one which crashed over Dargaville way.

[pepe]

Dec 2, 2021 12:15:23 GMT 12 The Red Baron said:

CHE was the NDAC Victa,I learned to fly in it in 1978/79 at Whangarei.They had an earlier one which crashed over Dargaville way.

It was an AT-115 ZK-COY which crashed about 1972 near Pakotai.

[pepe]

Dec 2, 2021 11:05:03 GMT 12 silentflyer said:

Thanks Pepe and Peter,

Thats really made my day as I soloed in the Airtourer in 1982. Dmitri was my instructor who sent me solo. I was still a teenager at the time and I think my original log book will be long gone and haven’t seen it in 40 years! As I get older the memory fades somewhat and to make things worse, at the time was no more than a kid who hadn’t worked out which way was up.
I was a member of the NDAC for only about 1 year. I remember Wimpy, I guess he would be long gone now. The other big-wig was of course Dave Callum, along with his son, who’s name I can’t recall. Of course Dave owned the Doves and I remember the rugby tour they did in the Dove with other members/friends. The other guy I remember really well, was Bruce Shepard who had his lovely little Turb in the hangar on the other side of the field. Is Bruce still going? (There was also a Jodel 120 and a Evans Volksplane based there at the time).
1982 was also another significant year, as it was the last time Jean Batten visited NZ and her nephew, Rick. Rick lived next door to us in Ruakaka and I remember being in awe seeing such a famous aviator. Of course we all know what happened a little time later and remember Ricks efforts in trying to get Interpol involved in trying to find out what had happened to her after she wasn’t heard of.
Looking back on it, was a pretty progressive time for NDAC. The last time I visited Onerahi was 2019 and drive up to the old clubhouse. It was like visiting ghosts from the past as everything was long gone. I went down to the Whangarei Aero Club a few hangars down and made some enquiries there as to what happened to the old NDAC, however I was from another era as hardly nobody knew much about it or any of the names mentioned…still, happy days.
Thanks again for the info guys,
SF

We are of the same era as I also soloed in 1982 but completed most of my training in the Tomahawk.
Whimpy Baker was a great instructor and passed away quite a few years ago now. You could always spot an NDAC trained pilot by Whimp's ex military oval circuits.
Dave Culham died more recently but his son, Shane, still runs the large family business, Culham Engineering.
I can't update you in regards to Bruce Shepherd, but do remember the aircraft you refer to.
I am lead to believe the old clubrooms may soon become a victim of a new development to house the rescue helicopter base

[madmax]

The Turbulent owned by Bruce Shepherd was ZK-BWE and quite an historic aircraft in its own right.
It was built by Aerocraft NZ Ltd at Kairanga, Manawhatu, and was the forerunner to a production batch which were either completed or sold in kit form to suit customer requirements.
BWE was the first aircraft in this country to be constructed under newly adopted Permit to Fly regulations, enabling amateur construction, it made its first flight on 8 December 1959. Bruce went on to built an identical aircraft registered ZK-CWE which I believe he gave to his son.
BWE is still registered to Bruce however I've no knowledge of his present whereabouts/status as we've not corresponded for a number of years

[Peter Lewis]

Dec 2, 2021 12:15:23 GMT 12 The Red Baron said:

CHE was the NDAC Victa,I learned to fly in it in 1978/79 at Whangarei.They had an earlier one which crashed over Dargaville way.

ZK-CHF was the NDAC Victa, as per my previous post.

ZK-CHE was owned from new by the Auckland Aero Club, and then went (via AESL) to the Northern Wairoa Aero Club at Dargaville in May 1973.
They kept it until April 1984 when it moved to the RNZAF Base Woodbourne Aviation Sports Club. Following that it passed into private ownership in February 1992.

Of course, CHE could have been loaned or leased to NDAC during its time at Dargaville.

[silentflyer]

Dec 2, 2021 22:27:37 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

Dec 2, 2021 12:15:23 GMT 12 The Red Baron said:

CHE was the NDAC Victa,I learned to fly in it in 1978/79 at Whangarei.They had an earlier one which crashed over Dargaville way.

ZK-CHF was the NDAC Victa, as per my previous post.

ZK-CHE was owned from new by the Auckland Aero Club, and then went (via AESL) to the Northern Wairoa Aero Club at Dargaville in May 1973.
They kept it until April 1984 when it moved to the RNZAF Base Woodbourne Aviation Sports Club. Following that it passed into private ownership in February 1992.

Of course, CHE could have been loaned or leased to NDAC during its time at Dargaville.

Thanks Peter,

I am plumbing for CHE judging by the comments above.

I googled Bruce Shepard’s Turb, it looks like it is now based in ‘Daggy’ Dargaville as we used to know it. If I can work out how to post photos, I will do so as I have a couple of pictures from the early 80’s.

Yes, Shane Callum, that’s the name I couldn’t remember. Yes, Callum Engineering has been around for a long time now. Does Shane still fly? 

Bruce Shepard was still going when I visited NZ last. If I had had time, I would have tried to visit him. It’s always weird going back as everyone has either moved on or passed away, but my mind is stuck in the 1980’s.

As for me, I went on to get my PPL in 1995 on Piper Cubs here in the U.K. I got my Commercial licence in Jan 1999 and by October of that year, was holding onto the control column of a S340 going along for the ride as a brand-new F/O. Loved every moment ever since…no regrets.

Thanks for the interesting updates guys, time moves on and the past is consigned to the history books….

SF

[The Red Baron]

Bit of a scratchy photo,but me infront of CHE at Whangarei.
20211203_071441zz