Navigation (Aeronautics)

Date: 1950-2000

By: Ford, John Desmond, 1937-2012

Reference: MS-Group-2347

Description: Collection comprises near-daily journal entries kept by Ford from 1950 to 1986 on his calibration flights to check routes before they were used by commercial flights. Although the journal entries chiefly concern his working life with Calibration Flight, he also writes about his personal life and bringing up a family. The collection includes records of royal visit and VIP flights. Also includes reports, newspaper clippings, interviews and background files. Also contains newspaper clippings that collected by Ford relating to aeronautical topics, and articles, columns and cartoons on other subjects of interest to Ford. Other items include a selection of receipts, pamphlets, brochures and other ephemera collected by Ford during his trips to the Pacific Islands. As well as depicting the history of Calibration Flight, this collection also provides a snapshot of New Zealand life from the 1950s to 2000, as seen through the eyes of John Ford Source of title - Supplied by Library Calibration Flight was part of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Division, Ministry of Transport. It was responsible for ensuring that all flight paths and navigational aids in New Zealand were accurate. It flew VIPs, including royalty, around New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Captain Ford worked as a pilot for Calibration Flight from 1965 until his retirement. Captain Ford was collecting this material for a book he was planning to write on the history of Calibration Flight. Quantity: 102 folder(s). 2 volume(s). 3 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Mss, Typescripts, Printed material Provenance: Donor was wife of Captain John D Ford Transfers: Collection as a whole taken into manuscripts, transfers made from there - To Ephemera Collection - Postcard and Calibration Flight pamphlet - To Photographic Archive - Mainly photographs of Calibration Flight aircraft and crew. PA-Group-00950.

Date: Nov 1947-29 Apr 1991

By: Ford, John Desmond, 1937-2012

Reference: PA-Group-00950

Description: Photographic prints, a photograph album, and some clippings, relating to Calibration Flight. Images taken between 1947 and 1991 by a range of photographers and in many locations. Collection probably compiled by Captain John Ford and includes photos of Ford. Images include: - Calibration Flight staff testing navigational aids using a theodolite - aircraft - pilots and staff - Calibration Flight headquarters - aerial shots Source of title - Title supplied by Library Quantity: 80 colour original photographic print(s). 20 b&w original photographic print(s) proof prints, with 126 images. 1 album(s) Album(s). 103 b&w original photographic print(s). 74 colour original photographic print(s). 8 b&w copy photographic print(s). 6 colour copy photographic print(s). Physical Description: Photographic prints, photograph album Provenance: Donor is the wife of Captain Ford.