Interview with Winston Mackley

Interview with Captain William Mackley, born in Lower Hutt in 1915. Describes starting his training as a pilot with the Auckland Aero Club in 1937, in DH60 Moths, Tiger Moths and Miles Magisters. Refers to joining the Air Force when war broke out and leaving for England in May 1940. Talks about flying Wellingtons from Hywell, then transferring to Abingdon and flying Whitleys. Mentions taking an instructors course in Canada, then returning to Nelson and flying Hudsons. Discusses moving to Catalinas which he flew through the Pacific, then to Sunderlands. Mentions the roles of Sunderlands in the Air Force after the war for moving troops, and how two were transferred to NAC (National Airways Corporation) and modified for passenger transport.

Talks about joining NAC after World War II and flying Sunderlands and DC3s on its Pacific service, a service that had been set up by the Air Force to transport public servants and officials. Comments on the animosity between NAC and TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways) over the Pacific service and the politics of aviation development in New Zealand. Talks about the basic conditions at the airfields and the social aspects of overnight stays in Samoa and Rarotonga. Describes navigation by dead reckoning using a sextant for sun shots and mentions there was little night flying at the time. Comments on the services to Norfolk Island and the Chatham Islands. Refers to being a copilot and wireless operator on Lockheed 10As and to pilots being interchangeable between aircraft until they became specialised. Comments that navigation procedures within New Zealand were not very precise but improved gradually with better equipment. Discusses transferring to TEAL to fly Electras and becoming a training captain on the Electra. Outlines aviation safety issues today, commenting that less experience is needed to fly planes now, computerised controls, and flight time limitations being "the curse of the business". Talks about getting a job in the Air New Zealand office after he retired as a pilot, and becoming involved in the Flight Safety Foundation, an international organisation. Reflects on changes in the airline industry in 1986 and the Air Safety League of New Zealand. Explains how human factors have become a dominant issue in air safety and mentions accidents that have happened because of difficulties between crew members.

Abstracted by - Karen Linauskas

Interviewer(s) - Bill Rayner

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-014162, OHC-014163

Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 Electronic document(s) (50 Kilobytes). 1 electronic scan(s) of original black and white photographic print(s) (824 Kilobytes, jpeg). 1 interview(s). 2 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5123, OHDL-000234.

Digital scan of black and white print of photograph of Captain "Dan" Arthur Carlaw and Captain Bill Mackley (interviewee) on flight deck of Sunderland ZK-AMK. NZNAC Regional Service prior to last flight 1/6/1950 to Hobsonville for layup and eventual breakup. (Image includes details written on the back of the photograph) Photographer unknown. Captain Mackleys collection

Search dates: 1915 - 2004

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Printed and digital versions of the abstract available